bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An adaptable research platform for ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion of the liver
Authors: Magbagbeola M. , Rai Z. L. , Doyle K. , Lindenroth L. , Dwyer G. , Gander A. , Stilli A. , Davidson B. R. , Stoyanov D. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents an assessment of a low-cost organ perfusion machine designed for use in research settings. The machine is modular and versatile in nature, built on a robotic operating system (ROS2) pipeline allowing for the addition of specific sensors for different research applications. Here we present the system and the development stages to achieve viability of the perfused organ.

Methods

The machine’s perfusion efficacy was assessed by monitoring the distribution of perfusate in livers using methylene blue dye. Functionality was evaluated by measuring bile production after 90 min of normothermic perfusion, while viability was examined using aspartate transaminase assays to monitor cell damage throughout the perfusion. Additionally, the output of the pressure, flow, temperature, and oxygen sensors was monitored and recorded to track the health of the organ during perfusion and assess the system’s capability of maintaining the quality of data over time.

Results

The results show the system is capable of successfully perfusing porcine livers for up to three hours. Functionality and viability assessments show no deterioration of liver cells once normothermic perfusion had occurred and bile production was within normal limits of approximately 26 ml in 90 min showing viability.

Conclusion

The developed low-cost perfusion system presented here has been shown to keep porcine livers viable and functional ex vivo. Additionally, the system is capable of easily incorporating several sensors into its framework and simultaneously monitor and record them during perfusion. The work promotes further exploration of the system in different research domains.
Proteomic Profiling Reveals Specific Molecular Hallmarks of the Pig Claustrum
Authors: Pirone Andrea , Ciregia Federica , Lazzarini Giulia , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Ronci Maurizio , Zuccarini Mariachiara , Zallocco Lorenzo , Beghelli Daniela , Mazzoni Maria Rosa , Lucacchini Antonio , Giusti Laura 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe present study, employing a comparative proteomic approach, analyzes the protein profile of pig claustrum (CLA), putamen (PU), and insula (IN). Pig brain is an interesting model whose key translational features are its similarities with cortical and subcortical structures of human brain. A greater difference in protein spot expression was observed in CLA vs PU as compared to CLA vs IN. The deregulated proteins identified in CLA resulted to be deeply implicated in neurodegenerative (i.e., sirtuin 2, protein disulfide-isomerase 3, transketolase) and psychiatric (i.e., copine 3 and myelin basic protein) disorders in humans. Metascape analysis of differentially expressed proteins in CLA vs PU comparison suggested activation of the α-synuclein pathway and L1 recycling pathway corroborating the involvement of these anatomical structures in neurodegenerative diseases. The expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and dihydropyrimidinase like 2, which are linked to these pathways, was validated using western blot analysis. Moreover, the protein data set of CLA vs PU comparison was analyzed by Ingenuity Pathways Analysis to obtain a prediction of most significant canonical pathways, upstream regulators, human diseases, and biological functions. Interestingly, inhibition of presenilin 1 (PSEN1) upstream regulator and activation of endocannabinoid neuronal synapse pathway were observed. In conclusion, this is the first study presenting an extensive proteomic analysis of pig CLA in comparison with adjacent areas, IN and PUT. These results reinforce the common origin of CLA and IN and suggest an interesting involvement of CLA in endocannabinoid circuitry, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders in humans.
The Use of Robots in the Workplace: Conclusions from a Health Promoting Intervention Using Social Robots
Authors: Lopes Sara L. , Ferreira Aristides I. , Prada Rui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWorkplace wellness programs constitute a preventive measure to help avoid healthcare costs for companies, with additional benefits for employee productivity and other organizational outcomes. Interventions using social robots may have some advantages over other conventional telemedicine applications, since they can deliver personalized feedback and counseling. This investigation focused on a health-promoting intervention within work environments, and compared the efficacy of the intervention on two distinct groups, one guided by a human agent and the other by a robot agent. Participants (n = 56) were recruited from two Portuguese organizations and led through eight sessions by the social agent, the goal being to encourage health behavior change and adoption of a healthier lifestyle. The results indicate that the group led by the robot agent revealed better post-intervention scores than the group led by the human agent, specifically with regard to productivity despite presenteeism and regard of their level of mental well-being. No effects were found concerning the work engagement level of participants in either group. By demonstrating the potential of using social robots to establish therapeutic and worth relationships with employees in their workplaces, this study provides interesting new findings that contribute to the literature on health behavior change and human–robot interaction.
Wheel–rail contact model for railway vehicle–structure interaction applications: development and validation
Authors: Montenegro P. A. , Calçada R. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAn enhancement in the wheel–rail contact model used in a nonlinear vehicle–structure interaction (VSI) methodology for railway applications is presented, in which the detection of the contact points between wheel and rail in the concave region of the thread–flange transition is implemented in a simplified way. After presenting the enhanced formulation, the model is validated with two numerical applications (namely, the Manchester Benchmarks and a hunting stability problem of a suspended wheelset), and one experimental test performed in a test rig from the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) in Japan. Given its finite element (FE) nature, and contrary to most of the vehicle multibody dynamic commercial software that cannot account for the infrastructure flexibility, the proposed VSI model can be easily used in the study of train–bridge systems with any degree of complexity. The validation presented in this work proves the accuracy of the proposed model, making it a suitable tool for dealing with different railway dynamic applications, such as the study of bridge dynamics, train running safety under different scenarios (namely, earthquakes and crosswinds, among others), and passenger riding comfort.
A Playful Way to Promote Team Flow: Evaluation of a Positive Psychological Board Game for Team Building
Authors: Kloep Leonie , Helten Anna-Lena , Peifer Corinna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractModern work in team structures makes team building interventions increasingly important. A phenomenon known to have a positive effect on efficient teamwork, i.e. team performance and team satisfaction, is the experience of flow – on both individual level and team level. Approaches in positive psychology can contribute to efficient teamwork by fostering the existing potentials and resources of team members and thereby increasing individual flow and team flow at work. The present study introduces a newly developed intervention in the form of a board game based on a variety of positive psychological constructs demonstrably associated with individual flow and team flow. The aim of the game is to enhance the players’ flow and team flow experiences at work. Twelve teams from different companies with a total of 65 participants played the game. The frequency of flow and team flow at work were assessed at three time points: before playing, two weeks after playing, and four weeks after playing, with 34 participants having completed the questionnaires at all three assessment points. We found a positive effect of the board game on team flow experience at work two weeks after playing. We assume that the game enhanced the team’s feeling of togetherness and open communication thereby also enhancing team members’ flow experiences.
Suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area based on catastrophe theory
Authors: Li Yinghui 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNiumasi Coal Mine (located in Shaodong City, Hunan Province, China) was an important producing area of high-quality coking coal in Hunan Province. After large-scale mining of underground coal seams in the area, there has been a large area of surface subsidence and serious land damage. The damaged land urgently needs to be reclaimed. In this paper, the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in Niumasi coal mining area was comprehensively evaluated, and a catastrophe progression model (CPM) for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward with the help of the catastrophe theory. The suitability classification was divided into four grades: suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable. Eleven parameters including terrain slope grade, effective thickness of soil layer, soil parent materials, soil contamination, organic content, alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), ground collapse, land destruction extent, and conditions of irrigation and drainage were selected as evaluation indicators, and the classification standards of each evaluation indicator was determined. Using MATLAB software to generate a total of 1200 samples (300 samples per level) between the arrays corresponding to each level of standards according to the normal distribution principle, of which 800 samples were used as training samples to establish the catastrophe progression criteria, and 400 samples as test samples to verify the reliability of the proposed criteria. According to CPM, the suitability status of the four land samples in Shuijingtou working area of Niumasi Coal Mine were identified. The evaluation results show that the suitability level of three lands are all ‘Moderately suitable’, and one sample is ‘Unsuitable’. Mining coal has the greatest damage to paddy fields, followed by the dry farming lands and vegetable lands, and the least impact to the forest lands. CPM can not only evaluate the suitability of land reclamation, and comprehensively compare the suitability degrees, but also can assess the damage degree of coal mining to different types of lands. This paper aims to provide a new idea for the study of quantitative evaluation methods of land reclamation suitability. The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.Article highlights

The catastrophe theory can be used to evaluate the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area. A catastrophe progression model for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward.

Using MATLAB software to establish the catastrophe progression criteria according to the normal distribution principle.

The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.
Incorporating Human Body Variance in an Analytically Focused Undergraduate Biomechanics Course
Authors: Schley Sara , Chua Mel , Le Doux Joseph , van Montfrans Veronica , Fernandez Todd 
Published: April 2023

AbstractHuman bodies vary widely: height, weight, blood volume, handedness, strength, and variations from disabilities, trauma, genetics, etc. Engineers must be trained to include human variance when designing human-interactive systems. Typically, this is not incorporated into mathematical and modeling focused courses. In the spring of 2019, one of three sections of an introduction to biomechanics course was modified to adopt interactive group problem solving and add human body parameter variation to the problems that students solved. Problems were solved for multiple body sizes. Initial evidence suggests this was successful in increasing students’ consideration of human variation and user needs in mathematical modeling and in increasing their mention of specific body parameters and parameter variation. This can be implemented by a wide variety of instructors without special training in pedagogy or in universal design, especially when a course already features interactive small group problem solving, even during a large lecture by having students’ pair to solve equations briefly. Future steps might consider other parameters of diversity, inclusion, or equity topics. We were pleased to see that small changes in pedagogical approach can pay significant dividends encouraging students to situate analytic work in realistic engineering contexts.
Thromboembolism Early After Glucocorticoid Administration in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Shiroshita Kohei , Okayama Mikio , Soma Hiroki , Sato Yuki , Hayashi Hiroyoshi , Shiozawa Yuka , Okamoto Shinichiro , Sadahira Ken 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (PE/DVT) are well-known lethal complications in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). However, the impact of their treatment is unclear. Here, we describe three elderly Japanese patients with AIHA who developed PE/DVT early after glucocorticoid administration. All patients presented with active hemolysis and high D-dimer levels upon admission. Thromboembolism was confirmed within 2 weeks after starting glucocorticoid, suggesting that both active hemolysis and glucocorticoid administration synergistically contributed to the development of PE/DVT. Clinicians should consider that such synergism may increase the risk of thromboembolism in patients with AIHA, and prophylactic anticoagulation is worth considering in patients after starting glucocorticoid.
Statistical fragility of reporting hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after brachial plexus blocks in randomized controlled trials: a systematic review
Authors: Luo Quehua , Liu Yang , Zhu Yi , Wang Zhipeng , Zheng Junyi , Yao Weifeng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTo characterize the fragility index (FI) of statistically significant results reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (HDP) after brachial plexus blocks. A systematic review of RCTs retrieved from the PubMed-Medline, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases was conducted. All alternative RCTs published between January 2012 and October 2022 were identified. Only RCTs with two parallel arms designs, and reporting HDP as the primary outcome, statistical significance, and superiority results were selected. The FI was calculated according to Fisher’s exact test using previously described methods. In addition, the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials. The 23 RCTs that fulfilled the inclusion criteria had a median FI of 4 (interquartile range [IQR]2–8) and a median Fragility Quotient of 0.077 (IQR 0.038- 0.129). However, in 13 (56.5%) trials, the calculated FI value was ≤ 4. In 3/23 (13.0%) trials, the number of patients who dropped-out exceeded the FI value. Most trials (91.3%) had an overall low risk of bias. This systematic review revealed that the statistical results of RCTs investing HDP after brachial plexus blocks have tended to be fragile in the past decade. The FI should be an important aid in the interpretation of clinical results in combination with the P-value, particularly when statistically significant results are dependent on a small number of events. Future RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to obtain more robust results in this field.
Synergies and Trade-offs Between the Food Policy Objectives: Evidence from the Dairy Sector of Senegal
Authors: Zamani Omid , Gunarathne Anoma 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of genetic improvement policies on dairy production, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Insemination projects. Furthermore, we evaluate the major barriers and challenges of Artificial Insemination projects including water scarcity. Using the data-driven synthetic control method, we found evidence that the Artificial Insemination projects caused milk production to increase by 59 thousand tons on average from 2008 to 2018. This could be correlated with food security (i.e., synergies), but increased dairy production may also place strain on Senegal’s water resources (i.e. trade-offs). To achieve a more efficient outcome, Senegalese dairy policies should consider the negative externalities of these projects on water resources.
Peer mentoring to support career advancement among underrepresented minority faculty in the programs to increase diversity among individuals engaged in health-related research (PRIDE)
Authors: Coleman Taylor M. , Starlard-Davenport Athena , Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A. , Stepleman Lara M. , Pace Betty S. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Although mentoring is critical for career advancement, underrepresented minority (URM) faculty often lack access to mentoring opportunities. We sought to evaluate the impact of peer mentoring on career development success of URM early career faculty in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute-sponsored, Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research-Functional and Translational Genomics of Blood Disorders (PRIDE-FTG). The outcome of peer mentoring was evaluated using the Mentoring Competency Assessment (MCA), a brief open-ended qualitative survey, and a semi-structured exit interview. Surveys were completed at baseline (Time 1), 6 months, and at the end of PRIDE-FTG participation (Time 2). The following results were obtained. Between Time 1 and Time 2, mentees’ self-assessment scores increased for the MCA (p < 0.01) with significant increases in effective communication (p < 0.001), aligning expectations (p < 0.05), assessing understanding (p < 0.01), and addressing diversity (p < 0.002). Mentees rated their peer mentors higher in the MCA with significant differences noted for promoting development (p < 0.027). These data suggest that PRIDE-FTG peer mentoring approaches successfully improved MCA competencies among URM junior faculty participants with faculty ranking peer mentors higher than themselves. Among URM faculty, peer mentoring initiatives should be investigated as a key strategy to support early career scholar development.
Idea evaluation as a design process: understanding how experts develop ideas and manage fixations
Authors: Boudier Justine , Sukhov Alexandre , Netz Johan , Le Masson Pascal , Weil Benoit 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIdea evaluation is used to identify and select ideas for development as future innovations. However, approaching idea evaluation as a decision gate can limit the role of the person evaluating ideas, create fixation bias, and underutilise the person’s creative potential. Although studies show that during evaluation experts are able to engage in design activities, it is still not clear how they design and develop ideas. The aim of this study was to understand how experts develop ideas during evaluation. Using the think-aloud technique, we identify different ways in which experts develop ideas. Specifically, we show how experts transform initial idea concepts using iterative steps of elaboration and transformation of different idea components. Then, relying on concept-knowledge theory (C-K theory), we identify six types of reasoning that the experts use during idea evaluation. This helps us to distinguish between three different roles that experts can move between during evaluation: gatekeeper, designer managing fixation, and designer managing defixation. These findings suggest that there is value in viewing idea evaluation as a design process because it allows us to identify and leverage the experts’ knowledge and creativity to a fuller extent.
On the connectedness principle and dual complexes for generalized pairs
Authors: Filipazzi Stefano , Svaldi Roberto 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Let

$(X,B)$

be a pair, and let

$f \colon X \rightarrow S$

be a contraction with

$-({K_{X}} + B)$

nef over S. A conjecture, known as the Shokurov–Kollár connectedness principle, predicts that

$f^{-1} (s) \cap \operatorname {\mathrm {Nklt}}(X,B)$

has at most two connected components, where

$s \in S$

is an arbitrary schematic point and

$\operatorname {\mathrm {Nklt}}(X,B)$

denotes the non-klt locus of

$(X,B)$

. In this work, we prove this conjecture, characterizing those cases in which

$\operatorname {\mathrm {Nklt}}(X,B)$

fails to be connected, and we extend these same results also to the category of generalized pairs. Finally, we apply these results and the techniques to the study of the dual complex for generalized log Calabi–Yau pairs, generalizing results of Kollár–Xu [Invent. Math. 205 (2016), 527–557] and Nakamura [Int. Math. Res. Not. IMRN13 (2021), 9802–9833].
ON THE C.E. DEGREES REALIZABLE IN
$\Pi ^0_1$
CLASSES
Authors: CSIMA BARBARA F. , DOWNEY ROD , NG KENG MENG 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe study for each computably bounded
$\Pi ^0_1$
class P the set of degrees of c.e. paths in P. We show, amongst other results, that for every c.e. degree a there is a perfect
$\Pi ^0_1$
class where all c.e. members have degree a. We also show that every
$\Pi ^0_1$
set of c.e. indices is realized in some perfect
$\Pi ^0_1$
class, and classify the sets of c.e. degrees which can be realized in some
$\Pi ^0_1$
class as exactly those with a computable representation.
Group independent components underpin responses to items from a depression scale
Authors: Stoyanov Drozdstoy , Khorev Vladimir , Paunova Rossitsa , Kandilarova Sevdalina , Kurkin Semen , Calhoun Vince D. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to investigate the brain circuits or networks that underpin diagnostically specific tasks by means of group independent component analysis for FMRI toolbox (GIFT). We hypothesised that there will be neural network patterns of activation and deactivation, which correspond to real-time performance on clinical self-evaluation scales.MethodsIn total, 20 healthy controls (HC) and 22 patients with major depressive episode have been included. All subjects were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with paradigm composed of diagnostic clinical self-assessment depression scale contrasted to neutral scale. The data were processed with group independent component analysis for functional MRI toolbox and statistical parametric mapping.ResultsThe results have demonstrated that there exist positively or negatively modulated brain networks during processing of diagnostic specific task questions for depressive disorder. There have also been confirmed differences in the networks processing diagnostic versus off blocks between patients and controls in anterior cingulate cortex and middle frontal gyrus. Diagnostic conditions (depression scale) when contrasted to neutral conditions demonstrate differential activity of right superior frontal gyrus and right middle cingulate cortex in the comparison of patients with HC.ConclusionPotential neuroimaging of state-dependent biomarkers has been directly linked with clinical assessment self-evaluation scale, administered as stimuli simultaneously with the fMRI acquisition. It may be regarded as further evidence in support of the convergent capacity of both methods to distinguish groups by means of incremental translational cross-validation.