bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicomponent intervention to improve blood pressure management in chronic kidney disease: a protocol for a pragmatic clinical trial
Authors: Kilgallon John L , Gannon Michael , Burns Zoe , McMahon Gearoid , Dykes Patricia , Linder Jeffrey , Bates David Westfall , Waikar Sushrut , Lipsitz Stuart , Baer Heather J , Samal Lipika
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to incorporate behavioural economic principles and user-centred design principles into a multicomponent intervention for the management of uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, pragmatic, controlled trial cluster-randomised at the clinician level at The Brigham and Women’s Practice -Based Research Network of 15 practices. Of 220 total clinicians, 184 were eligible to be enrolled, and the remainder were excluded (residents and clinicians who see urgent care or walk-in patients); no clinicians opted out. The intervention consists of a clinical decision support system based in behavioural economic and user-centred design principles that will: (1) synthesise existing laboratory tests, medication orders and vital sign data; (2) increase recognition of CKD, (3) increase recognition of uncontrolled HTN in CKD patients and (4) deliver evidence-based CKD and HTN management recommendations. The primary endpoint is the change in mean systolic blood pressure between baseline and 6 months compared across arms. We will use the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance framework. At the conclusion of this study, we will have: (1) validated an intervention that combines laboratory tests, medication records and clinical information collected by electronic health records to recognise uncontrolled HTN in CKD patients and recommend a course of care, (2) tested the effectiveness of said intervention and (3) collected information about the implementation of the intervention that will aid in dissemination of the intervention to other practice settings.

Ethics and dissemination

The Human Subjects Institutional Review Board at Brigham and Women’s Hospital provided an expedited review and approval for this study protocol, and a Data Safety Monitoring Board will ensure the ongoing safety of the trial.

Trial registration number

NCT03679247.
Effect of leisure-time physical activity in controlling hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Shariful Islam Md , Rabbani Md Golam , Fardousi Ammatul , Sizear Monaemul Islam , Saif-Ur-Rahman KM
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In 2015, over 1.13 billion individuals worldwide had hypertension. Globally, it results in 10.8 million deaths every year. Around half of the individuals do not continue treatment with medicine to control blood pressure. Physical activity, a non-pharmacological option of treatment, reduces blood pressure. We aim in this research to examine the effect of leisure-time physical activity in controlling blood pressure.

Methods and analysis

We will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to conduct this study. We will perform a systematic search in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Physical Education Index (ProQuest) and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library). Both experimental and observational studies will be included. The study population would be people with hypertension. Two reviewers will perform screening of the articles, bias assessment and data extraction independently. We will use the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools to assess the risk of bias. We will conduct a meta-analysis if it is applicable.

Ethics and dissemination

The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant scientific seminars and conferences. Ethical approval is not applicable.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021260751.
Possible predictors of phenoconversion in isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Chunyi , Chen Fangzheng , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Jun
Published: December 2021

Background

A number of promising biomarkers for predicting imminent α-synucleinopathies have been suggested in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD). However, existing evidence is conflicting without quantitative evaluation.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through June 2021 to identify possible predictors of phenoconversion from iRBD to Parkinson’s disease (PD). The pooled HRs and standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects model.

Results

A total of 123 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Significant motor dysfunction (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.51, I2=86.8%, p<0.001), constipation (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.84, I2=8.3%, p=0.365), orthostatic hypotension (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.53, I2=54.9%, p=0.084), hyposmia (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.83 to 4.23, I2=23.9%, p=0.255), mild cognitive impairment (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.58 to 3.27, I2=0%, p=0.681) and abnormal colour vision (SMD −0.34, 95% CI −0.63 to −0.05, I2=45.6%, p=0.087) correlated with susceptibility to PD. The process can also be traced by putaminal dopamine transporter imaging (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.94 to 3.48, I2=0%, p=0.781) and tonic electromyographic activity (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.15, I2=70%, p=0.018).

Conclusions

The predictive value of each biomarker was initially highlighted with comprehensive evaluation. Combining specific predictors with high sensitivity is promising for detecting phenoconversion in the prodromal stage. Large-scale and multicentre studies are pivotal to extend our findings.
Regional geology and tectonic framework of the Southern Indian domain, Trans-Hudson orogen, Manitoba
Authors: Martins T. , Rayner N. , Corrigan D. , Kremer P.
Published: December 2021

The collaborative federal–provincial Southern Indian Lake project in north-central Manitoba covered an area of more than 3500 km2 of the Trans-Hudson orogen. Regional-scale geological mapping, sampling, and lithogeochemical, isotopic, and geochronological studies resulted in the identification of distinct assemblages of supracrustal rocks and varied episodes of plutonism. A granodiorite gneiss dated at ca. 2520 Ma is interpreted to represent the basement of the Southern Indian domain and is considered a separate crustal domain, named the Partridge Breast block. The Churchill River assemblage is composed of juvenile pillow basalt with intervening clastic sedimentary rocks, possibly a reflection of plume magmatism related to initial rifting of the Hearne craton margin. The Pukatawakan Bay assemblage consists mainly of massive to pillowed, juvenile metabasaltic rocks and associated basinal metasedimentary rocks. The Partridge Breast Lake assemblage is dominated by continental-arc volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks associated with basinal metasedimentary rocks. The Strawberry Island assemblage, consisting of arenite and polymictic conglomerate, is interpreted to have been deposited in a foreland-basin basin or intra-orogen pull-apart basin environment. The Whyme Bay assemblage is characterized by fluvial-alluvial orogenic sediments and is temporally linked to the Sickle Group rocks in the Lynn Lake greenstone belt. Granitoid rocks, dominantly monzogranite and granodiorite, range in age from ca. 1890 to 1830 Ma and occur throughout the Southern Indian domain, and intermediate and mafic intrusions of similar ages are also present. In this paper, we integrate these new data into a tectonic framework for the Southern Indian domain of the Trans-Hudson orogen in Manitoba.
Taxonomy, allometry, sexual dimorphism, and conservation of the trans-Andean watersnakeHelicops danieliAmaral, 1937 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Hydropsini)
Authors: Citeli Nathalie , Klaczko Julia , De-Lima Anderson Kennedy Soares , de-Carvalho Mariana , Nunes Pedro M. Sales , Passos Paulo , Brandão Reuber Albuquerque
Published: December 2021

The extensive lack of knowledge on the morphological aspects of South American watersnakes includes a poor understanding of phenotypic parameters, intraspecific variation, and conservation of the trans-Andean Helicops species, Daniel’s Keelback (Helicops danieli Amaral, 1937). For the first time, we provide a multidisciplinary view using key features (e.g., morphology and niche modeling) to improve the taxonomic recognition of this species, as well as describing ontogenetic color changes, allometry, sexual dimorphism, and the conservation status of this poorly studied snake. First, we emended the morphological diagnosis of H. danieli with 23 characters and detected that juvenile tail length is positively related to allometric growth, and that juveniles differ from adults through the presence of the white nuchal collar. Females are larger than males for snout–vent length, whereas males showed proportionally longer tails and smaller head length growth. Suitable areas for H. danieli are restricted to the trans-Andean regions from the Magdalena drainage to the Caribbean coast, which also showed high values of anthropic impacts. Our multidisciplinary approach provided new insights into this South American watersnake’s morphology, intraspecific variation, and distribution.
Generation of Carroll–Field–Jackiw term in the functional integral approach within Horava–Lifshitz z = 3 CPT-violating QED
Authors: Mariz T. , Martinez R. , Nascimento J. R. , Petrov A. Yu.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we apply the functional integral methodology to induce the Carroll–Field–Jackiw (CFJ) term in Horava–Lifshitz [Formula: see text] CPT-violating QED, where Lorentz and CPT breaking for fermion and photon sectors is introduced, and show that the CFJ term is finite but undetermined.
BFT in Blockchains: From Protocols to Use Cases
Authors: Wang Xin , Duan Sisi , Clavin James , Zhang Haibin
Published: December 2021

A blockchain is a distributed system that achieves strong security guarantees in storing, managing, and processing data. All blockchains achieve a common goal: building a decentralized system that provides a trustworthy service in an untrustworthy environment. A blockchain builds a Byzantine fault-tolerant (BFT) system in which decentralized nodes run a protocol to reach an agreement on the common system state. In this article, we focus on the research of BFT protocols. In particular, we categorize BFT protocols according to both the system models and workflow. We seek to answer these important questions: How has the research in BFT evolved in the past four decades, especially with the rise of blockchains? What are the driven needs for BFT research in the future?
A Survey on Deep Learning for Software Engineering
Authors: Yang Yanming , Xia Xin , Lo David , Grundy John
Published: December 2021

In 2006, Geoffrey Hinton proposed the concept of training “Deep Neural Networks (DNNs)” and an improved model training method to break the bottleneck of neural network development. More recently, the introduction of AlphaGo in 2016 demonstrated the powerful learning ability of deep learning and its enormous potential. Deep learning has been increasingly used to develop state-of-the-art software engineering (SE) research tools due to its ability to boost performance for various SE tasks. There are many factors, e.g., deep learning model selection, internal structure differences, and model optimization techniques, that may have an impact on the performance of DNNs applied in SE. Few works to date focus on summarizing, classifying, and analyzing the application of deep learning techniques in SE. To fill this gap, we performed a survey to analyze the relevant studies published since 2006. We first provide an example to illustrate how deep learning techniques are used in SE. We then conduct a background analysis (BA) of primary studies and present four research questions to describe the trend of DNNs used in SE (BA), summarize and classify different deep learning techniques (RQ1), and analyze the data processing including data collection, data classification, data pre-processing, and data representation (RQ2). In RQ3, we depicted a range of key research topics using DNNs and investigated the relationships between DL-based model adoption and multiple factors (i.e., DL architectures, task types, problem types, and data types). We also summarized commonly used datasets for different SE tasks. In RQ4, we summarized the widely used optimization algorithms and provided important evaluation metrics for different problem types, including regression, classification, recommendation, and generation. Based on our findings, we present a set of current challenges remaining to be investigated and outline a proposed research road map highlighting key opportunities for future work.
From the President: A Critical Aspect of Scientific Success: Perseverance
Authors: Wachsman Eric D.
Published: December 2021

To address the challenges that face us, we cannot just work hard, we must persevere.
240th Meeting Highlights
Authors: Chaves Frances
Published: December 2021

Held October 10-14, 2021, the online 240th ECS Meeting had 4,075 participants from 41 countries around the world. This included 2,731 digital participants and 1,344 digital presenters—with 645 of the presenters being students. A total of 1,906 abstracts were accepted for the meeting, of which 997 were from students (742 oral; 255 posters). Presenters and participants engaged and exchanged ideas in 122 sessions convened in 43 symposia. Participants selected from among 1,931 digital presentation files including 1,012 videos, 810 slide decks, and 110 posters. There were 344 invited talks and 25 award and/or keynote addresses.
2021 H.H. Uhlig Fellowship – Summary Report Mechanistic Understanding of Lithium Dendrite Formation in All-Solid-State Batteries
Authors: Rajendran Sathish
Published: December 2021

Understanding lithium dendrite propagation in solid-state electrolytes requires highly advanced techniques due to the challenges arising from the lack of characterization techniques to visualize the interior of a solid. In this work, a high-pressure in-situ cell was made to monitor the dynamic changes occurring within an All-Solid-State-Battery under cycling using multiple characterization techniques.
2021 Colin Garfield Fink Postdoctoral Summer Fellowship – Summary Report Luciferase – Functionalized 3D Highly Porous Gold-based Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Othman Ali
Published: December 2021

Recent advances in electrochemical biosensors have focused on new materials and strategies to improve specificity, sensitivity, stability, and response time. Herein, we aim to develop an electrochemical biosensor device by modification of a screen-printed electrode (SPE) with highly porous Au nanostructures and a bioluminescence (BL)-producing enzyme (luciferase). This approach leverages the enhanced electrochemically active surface area and the mass transport effect and offers an alternative configuration for optical output from the enzyme. The BL presents an instantaneous measurement of enzyme activity and can be exploited to show that the enzyme is being electrochemically controlled (an ON-OFF switchable sensor).
Therapeutic ketosis decreases methacholine hyperresponsiveness in mouse models of inherent obese asthma
Authors: Mank Madeleine M. , Reed Leah F. , Walton Camille J. , Barup Madison L. T. , Ather Jennifer L. , Poynter Matthew E.
Published: December 2021

Obese asthmatics tend to have severe, poorly controlled disease and exhibit methacholine hyperresponsiveness manifesting in proximal airway narrowing and distal lung tissue collapsibility. Substantial weight loss in obese asthmatics or in mouse models of the condition decreases methacholine hyperresponsiveness. Ketone bodies are rapidly elevated during weight loss, coinciding with or preceding relief from asthma-related comorbidities. As ketone bodies may exert numerous potentially therapeutic effects, augmenting their systemic concentrations is being targeted for the treatment of several conditions. Circulating ketone body levels can be increased by feeding a ketogenic diet or by providing a ketone ester dietary supplement, which we hypothesized would exert protective effects in mouse models of inherent obese asthma. Weight loss induced by feeding a low-fat diet to mice previously fed a high-fat diet was preceded by increased urine and blood levels of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Feeding a ketogenic diet for 3 wk to high-fat diet-fed obese mice or genetically obese db/db mice increased BHB concentrations and decreased methacholine hyperresponsiveness without substantially decreasing body weight. Acute ketone ester administration decreased methacholine responsiveness of normal mice, and dietary ketone ester supplementation of high-fat diet-fed mice decreased methacholine hyperresponsiveness. Ketone ester supplementation also transiently induced an “antiobesogenic” gut microbiome with a decreased Fermicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Dietary interventions to increase systemic BHB concentrations could provide symptom relief for obese asthmatics without the need for the substantial weight loss required of patients to elicit benefits to their asthma through bariatric surgery or other diet or lifestyle alterations.
Separation of multiple motor memories through implicit and explicit processes
Authors: Dawidowicz Gefen , Shaine Yuval , Mawase Firas
Published: December 2021

Acquisition of multiple motor skills is a remarkable ability in everyday activities. Yet, the contribution of implicit and explicit learning processes during learning of multiple motor skills is still unclear. We sought to dissociate this ability during learning opposing visuomotor rotations, each associated with a contextual follow-through movement. We show that follow-through contextual cues influence activity of both implicit and explicit processes, suggesting that context-based top-down cognitive factors influence not only the explicit learning but also the implicit process.
Differential effects of skilled reaching training on the temporal and spatial organization of somatosensory input to cortical and striatal motor circuits
Authors: Ivica Nedjeljka , Censoni Luciano , Sjöbom Joel , Richter Ulrike , Petersson Per
Published: December 2021

Sensorimotor transformations are fundamental to the function of the nervous system and determine how patterns of sensory input are converted into appropriate movements. We here investigated the extent to which experience-dependent processes can reshape the organization of somatosensory input feeding into cortico-basal ganglia motor structures. Our data point to a particularly important role for the primary motor cortex in the functional adaptions associated with skilled motor learning.
Submarine Cable Detection Method Based on Multisensor Communication
Authors: Chen Yikang , Li Xiaojun , Cai Chi , Wu Cong , Zhang Weijia , Huang Xiaowei , Guo Qiang , Jiang Daoyu
Published: December 2021

Submarine cable is widely used in today’s oil industry, and it is a much hidden large‐scale industrial facility, which vigorously promotes the development of people’s lives. With the widespread use of submarine cables based on multisensor communication, as far as the current situation is concerned, this paper makes a report and summary on the research of submarine cable detection method in shallow sea area (sea area within 200 m). According to the implementation of the project and the way of controlling variables, the current common detection modes are planned, fault prediction, fault diagnosis, fault analysis and summary, and experimental data comparison, and then, we can use Brillouin radio frequency to prevent the occurrence of submarine cable fault, and when the fault occurs, we can detect the fault at the first time. The feedback value range of TTSL electromagnetic detection is very stable, and the Brillouin scattering frequency is within the normal fluctuation range. In deep‐sea exploration, TTSL electromagnetic detection can detect faults for submarine cables and will not affect the fault in all aspects of waveform and wavelength. Finally, the best path and future development trend of submarine cable detection method are obtained by analyzing and summarizing the detection data, and a complete scheme plan such as some preventive measures and repair technology is put forward.
On Factors behind the Reasonable Failure Mode of Concrete‐Filled Circular Steel Tubular Composite Frame
Authors: Liu Yang-bing , Cui Ping-ping , Chen Fang
Published: December 2021

As the most basic structure, the concrete‐filled steel tubular (CFST) frame has been widely used in various structures and systems. Compared with conventional reinforced concrete structures and steel structures, CFST structures in strong earthquake showcase more complicated strength and deformation behavior because there are many factors underlying the failure mode. Furthermore, according to the specifications at home and abroad, the corresponding design method to achieve reasonable failure modes for CFST structures has not been clarified. Based on a destructive test on steel beam‐CFST plane frames under constant axial load and lateral load, the fiber mode method and solid element model method are adopted to simulate the failure process of the test frames. Based on finite element model simulations and tests, the fiber model method is proposed to carry out the pushover analysis on the CFST frame structures. The factors behind the reasonable failure mode of steel beam‐concrete‐filled circular steel tubular (CFCST) frame structures are analyzed. Furthermore, the law and influencing factors behind the ratio of flexural capacity of column to beam, the ratio of line stiffness of beam to column, and the ratio of axial compression on the deformation, bearing capacity, and failure modes of the structure are discussed. Some suggestions on the design of reasonable failure mode of steel beam‐concrete‐filled circular steel tubular (CFCST) frame structures are proposed.
Robust Control of EHCS of Intelligent Commercial Vehicle under Load Change
Authors: Li Yushan , Yu Jitai , Zhao Ziliang , Guo Bin
Published: December 2021

Electro Hydraulic Coupling Steering (EHCS) system is a new type of intelligent commercial vehicle steering system, having strong nonlinear characteristics. Besides, the change of load would cause the change of control system parameters, making not easy to establish an accurate control model of it. To realize the robustness of EHCS under the change of load, the controller based on the adaptive control method is proposed in this paper. To this end, the cosimulation model of EHCS is first established, where the constructed control model is simplified to a 2‐degree‐of‐freedom model under reasonable simplification and assumption. Then, the steering angle controller is designed based on the model reference adaptive theory. Finally, some simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Intervention Value of Path-Type Health Education on Cognition and Renal Function of Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Bao Lianfang
Published: December 2021

Objective. Analyze and examine the effectiveness of path-based health education for patients with diabetic nephropathy and renal function. Methods. The 162 diabetic nephropathy patients admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were selected, and participants were randomly assigned to groups: study group (

n
=
79

) and control group (

n
=
83

). The control group received routine nursing care, whereas the study group received path-type health education. GQOLI-74, MUIS-A scores, biochemical indicators, dietary indicators, cognition, blood glucose levels, and renal function were compared between the two groups. Results. The GQOLI-74 score of the two groups was substantially higher, while the MUIS-A score was significantly lower, although the study group changed more significantly (

P
<
0.05

) than the control group. The biochemical markers in both groups decreased significantly, but the study group changed more dramatically (

P
0.05

) than the control group; the nutritional index values of both groups increased significantly, but the study group’s nutritional index values increased significantly (

P
0.05

) when compared to those of the control group; the control group’s awareness of drug treatment, basic knowledge, exercise, and diet was 79.4 percent, 78.9 percent, 73.4 percent, and 91.0 percent, respectively, and the study group’s awareness of drug treatment, basic knowledge, exercise, and diet was 90.3%, 96.4%, 92.8%, and 94.0%. The study group exhibited greater awareness (

P
0.05

) than the control group. The blood glucose indices of both groups were dramatically lowered; however, the study group’s blood glucose level declined more significantly (

P
0.05

) than the control group. The renal function indices of both groups were considerably lower, but the study group’s renal function indexes were significantly lower (

P
0.05

) than those of the control group. Conclusion. Pathway health education is a new nursing method that can adjust nutritional indicators, improve blood sugar and kidney function, and significantly increase patients’ awareness of the disease, which can further improve patient compliance with treatment. This nursing method has high application feasibility and high clinical value.
The Impact of Venture Capital Background on CEO Replacement in Portfolio Companies: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Hao Haixia , Guo Lihong
Published: December 2021

Taking Chinese startups backed by venture capital (VC) in 1997–2017 as the sample, this study investigates the impact of VC background on chief executive officer (CEO) replacement in portfolio companies. The results show that (1) compared to foreign VC, domestic VC is more likely to replace the CEO of the portfolio companies. (2) Syndicate with domestic VC can overcome the disadvantage of foreign VC geographically distant from the portfolio companies, and domestic VC as coinvestors can effectively monitor portfolio companies, increasing the possibility of CEO replacement. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive effect of VC background on CEO replacement exists in the subgroup of VC geographically proximate to the portfolio companies, indicating that geographic proximity to the portfolio companies helps VC more easily grasp the development of the portfolio companies and more likely to replace CEO. This paper reveals the differences in the behavior of VC in replacing CEO during the postinvestment management process, highlights the critical role of geographical proximity, and provides important management insights for VC and entrepreneurs.
Asymptomatic Tumor Thrombus in the Left Atrium from Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Nick , DiCorato Christina , Abuzuaiter Basel , May Adriana , Deshmane Swati P. , Chaudhuri Debanik , Graziano Stephen , Gambhir Harvir Singh
Published: December 2021

A 67-year-old female patient presented asymptomatically for further evaluation of a chest mass. Other than significant smoking history, the patient had been healthy with a recently treated case of uncomplicated pneumonia. The mass originated in the aortopulmonary window of the left mediastinum and invaded proximally into the left superior pulmonary vein and subsequently into the left atrium. The mass protrusion into the mitral valve occupied 50% of the left atrium space but showed no clinical symptoms of a valvular blockade. Poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was identified upon biopsy. These findings of a primary lung tumor with atrial extension in an asymptomatic patient point to the importance of age-appropriate screening and standardization treatment modalities.
Effects of Long Noncoding RNA HOTAIR Targeting miR-138 on Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Rat Cardiomyocytes Induced by Hypoxia and Reoxygenation
Authors: Wang Guofeng , Wang Qi , Xu Weixue
Published: December 2021

Objective. To investigate the effects of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) and miR-138 on inflammatory response and oxidative stress (OS) induced by IRI in rat cardiomyocytes. Methods. H9C2 cells were divided into the control group, H/R group, H/R+siRNA NC group, H/R+si-HOTAIR group, and H/R+si-HOTAIR+inhibitor group. Expression levels of HOTAIR, miR-138, and inflammatory factors were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The double luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between HOTAIR and miR-138. Results. Compared with the control group, the level of miR-138 and SOD in the H/R group was obviously reduced, while the expression levels of the HOTAIR, MDA, and NF-κB pathway were obviously increased. Compared with the H/R group, the level of miR-138 and SOD in the H/R+si-HOTAIR group was obviously increased, and the expression levels of the HOTAIR, MDA, and NF-κB pathway were obviously decreased. Compared with the H/R+si-HOTAIR group, the level of SOD in the H/R+si-HOTAIR+inhibitor group decreased; MDA content and the NF-κB pathway expression level increased. In the double luciferase reporter gene assay, compared with the HOTAIR wt+NC group, the luciferase activity of the HOTAIR wt+miR-138 mimic group was obviously decreased. Conclusions. Silent HOTAIR can promote the expression of miR-138 and inhibit H/R-induced inflammatory response and OS by regulating the NF-κB pathway, thus protecting cardiomyocytes.
MiR-126-HMGB1-HIF-1 Axis Regulates Endothelial Cell Inflammation during Exposure to Hypoxia-Acidosis
Authors: Liu Jinxue , Wei Eileen , Wei Jianqin , Zhou Wei , Webster Keith A. , Zhang Bin , Li Dong , Zhang Gaoxing , Wei Yidong , Long Yusheng , Qi Xiuyu , Zhang Qianhuan , Xu Dingli
Published: December 2021

Crosstalk between molecular regulators miR-126, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1-α), and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) contributes to the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis in multiple physiological and pathophysiological settings. Here, we present evidence of an overriding role for miR-126 in the regulation of HMGB1 and its downstream proinflammatory effectors in endothelial cells subjected to hypoxia with concurrent acidosis (H/A). Methods. Primary mouse endothelial cells (PMEC) were exposed to hypoxia or H/A to simulate short or chronic low-flow ischemia, respectively. RT-qPCR quantified mRNA transcripts, and proteins were measured by western blot. ROS were quantified by fluorogenic ELISA and luciferase reporter assays employed to confirm an active miR-126 target in the HMGB1 3

′

UTR. Results. Enhanced expression of miR-126 in PMECs cultured under neutral hypoxia was suppressed under H/A, whereas the HMGB1 expression increased sequentially under both conditions. Enhanced expression of HMGB1 and downstream inflammation markers was blocked by the premiR-126 overexpression and optimized by antagomiR. Compared with neutral hypoxia, H/A suppressed the HIF-1α expression independently of miR-126. The results show that HMGB1 and downstream effectors are optimally induced by H/A relative to neutral hypoxia via crosstalk between hypoxia signaling, miR-126, and HIF-1α, whereas B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2), a HIF-1α, and miR-126 regulated gene expressed optimally under neutral hypoxia. Conclusion. Inflammatory responses of ECs to H/A are dynamically regulated by the combined actions of hypoxia, miR-126, and HIF-1α on the master regulator HMGB1. The findings may be relevant to vascular diseases including atherosclerotic occlusion and interiors of plaque where coexisting hypoxia and acidosis promote inflammation as a defining etiology.
Suppression of Inflammatory and Fibrotic Signals by Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and Cinnamaldehyde in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Overactive Bladder in Mice
Authors: Chen Lih-Lian , Lee Mei-Hsien , Chang Chia-Lin , Liou Kuo-Tong , Liu Shu-Hsiang , Chern Chang-Ming , Chen Hui-I. , Shen Yuh-Chiang , Wang Yea-Hwey
Published: December 2021

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used to treat nocturia by tonifying and warming the kidney. Our recent clinical study found that overactive bladder (OAB) patients treated with cinnamon powder (CNP) patches exhibited significantly ameliorated OAB symptoms without significant side effects, but the mechanism of action is unclear. To explore the beneficial effects and action mechanisms of CNP and its major active component cinnamaldehyde (CNA) in an OAB-related murine model, cyclophosphamide- (CYP-) induced OAB injury was performed on male ICR mice in the presence or absence of CNP and CNA, as well as solifenacin, a clinical drug for OAB as a reference. Twenty-four-hour micturition patterns (frequency of urination and volume of urine per time), as well as histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blotting of the bladder, were analyzed for mechanism elucidation. Administration of CYP (300 mg/kg, i.p.) induced typical OAB pathophysiological changes, including increased frequency of urination and reduced volume of urine. CYP-induced mice displayed strong edema of the bladder and hemorrhagic cystitis, accompanied by loss of normal corrugated folds and decreased muscarinic receptors (M2/M3) in the urothelium, and disordered/broken structures of the lamina propria and detrusor. These changes were correlated with increased leukocyte (CD11b) infiltration colocalized with inflammatory (pp65 NFκB, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)) and fibrotic (stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)/β-catenin) signals. Treatment with CNP (600 mg/kg, p.o.) and CNA (10–50 mg/kg, p.o.), but not solifenacin (50 mg/kg), 30 min after CYP induction significantly ameliorated CYP-induced dysfunction in micturition patterns and pathophysiological changes. CNP and CNA further suppressed MIF/TLR4-associated inflammatory and SCF/c-Kit-related fibrotic signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that suppression of inflammatory and fibrotic signals contributes to the crucial mechanism in the improvement of CYP-induced OAB by CNP and CNA.
Influence of Dynamic Load on Soil Moisture Field in the Process of Freeze‐Thaw Cycles
Authors: Huang Yongting , Ma Wei , Xiao Donghui , Xu Yuezhen
Published: December 2021

Due to climate warming and large‐scale engineering activities, the embankment engineering risk in the permafrost and seasonally frozen regions caused by water content change in the soil has become more and more serious. To study the moisture migration law in the embankment under the vehicle load action and periodic variation of temperature, a series of temperature‐controlled model tests under the dynamic load condition were carried out, the dynamic load was imposed by an air hammer connecting a vibration plate, which was installed on the top surface of the soil, and the variation law of the temperature and moisture fields in the model was analyzed. The test results show that the moisture field in the soil sample changes obviously with the increasing freeze‐thaw cycles under the no‐load condition, especially after nine freeze‐thaw cycles, two moisture accumulation areas appear in the range of 8–15 cm from the soil surface; the dynamic load has an inhibitory effect on the moisture migration within 5 cm below the vibration plate and has a promoting effect on the range of 10–30 cm below the vibration plate. With the increase in the number of freeze‐thaw cycles, three high‐water content areas are gradually formed and approximately uniformly distributed within the 10–25 cm depth range of the soil, which has an important impact on the stability of the soil. The water content of the moisture accumulation areas during freezing is greater than that during thawing under the no‐load condition, while the water content of the moisture accumulation areas during freezing is less than that during thawing under dynamic load. The research results can provide references for the embankment design and disease treatment in cold regions.
Biological Anti‐TNF‐α Therapy and Markers of Oxidative and Carbonyl Stress in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Šteňová Emőke , Bakošová Martina , Lauková Lucia , Celec Peter , Vlková Barbora
Published: December 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic inflammatory disease is associated with oxidative stress. Drugs targeting tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) ameliorate inflammation and symptoms of RA in most patients. Whether markers of oxidative stress can be used for monitoring of treatment effects is unknown. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of anti‐TNF‐α treatment on oxidative stress in plasma and saliva of patients with RA. Samples were collected from 26 patients with RA at baseline as well as 3 and 6 months after starting the anti‐TNF‐α treatment. Thiobarbituric acid‐reacting substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and fructosamine were quantified using spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry in plasma. TBARS were measured also in saliva. The disease activity score (DAS28) was used to assess the clinical status of patients. No significant dynamic changes were found except plasma TBARS that decreased continuously. At 6 months after starting the treatment, plasma TBARS were lower by 39% in comparison to baseline (p = 0.006). Salivary concentrations of TBARS did not reflect the dynamics in plasma. Although a trend was observed (r = 0.33), a significant correlation between plasma TBARS and DAS28 was not found. Our results indicate that anti‐TNF‐α treatment decreases plasma TBARS as a marker of lipid peroxidation. However, the lack of a significant correlation with DAS28 suggests that it cannot be used for monitoring of treatment. Other markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity with lower biological variability should be tested in future studies.
Mechanical Behavior of a Multisegmented Tower Anchorage Structure with an Exposed Steel Anchor Box
Authors: Lu Wenru , Zhao Min , Jia Lingling
Published: December 2021

A tower anchorage structure with an exposed steel anchor box is commonly used for cable‐stayed bridges. Many researchers have conducted studies on this structure by considering a single segment. However, in practical engineering, the stress of multisegmented tower anchorage structure is not completely similar to that of single segment, and the forces between segments affect each other. Hence, in this study, the mechanical behavior of a multisegment anchorage structure with an exposed steel anchor box was investigated via finite element analysis. Furthermore, the load transfer path and stress distribution characteristics of the structure were investigated. The results indicate that the horizontal component of the cable force is borne by the side plate of the steel anchor box, the diaphragm, and the side wall of the concrete tower column, while the vertical component is transmitted by the steel anchor box and concrete tower column. Under the action of this cable force, the horizontal component of the cable force borne by the middle segment increases, while the components at the two end segments decrease. The vertical force is greater on the lower tower segments. The stress levels on the side plate and on the diaphragm of the steel anchor box in the middle section are high. Under the cable force load, the frame formed by the end plate and side plate of the steel anchor box expands outward. The end plate is mainly under a tensile load, and the tensile stress level on the lower section exceeds that on the upper section. A high‐stress area for the concrete tower is observed in the steel‐concrete joint. The stud group of the anchorage structure is subjected to horizontal and vertical shear forces, and no “saddle‐shaped” distribution of the stud shear is found. An optimal arrangement method for the stud group was proposed to optimize its mechanical performance.
Optimal Control of ISTR Rumor Propagation Model with Social Reinforcement in Heterogeneous Network
Authors: Huo Liang’an , Chen Sijing , Xie Xiaoxiao , Liu Huiyuan , He Jianjia
Published: December 2021

The wide spread of rumor is undoubtedly harmful to social stability; we should try to lower the effect of rumor on society. Therefore, it is reasonable to put forward the rumor control strategy on the basis of the study of the law of rumor propagation. Firstly, the ISTR model of rumor is established by including influencing factors of true information spreader and social reinforcement. And by using the next generation matrix method, the basic reproduction number of rumor is obtained. Then, in order to minimize the adverse effects of rumors, through introducing two control strategies of scientific knowledge popularization and refutation of rumors, the optimal control problem is established. And through using Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle, the optimal solution of the rumor propagation model is solved. Finally, through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, some results can be obtained. The results show that adding true information spreaders into the rumor model can effectively control the rumor propagation, and social reinforcement plays a significance role in rumor. The results also prove that these two control strategies can effectively inhibit the propagation of rumors. With the addition of control strategies, the number of true information spreaders increases, while the number of rumor spreaders decreases.
Trend Analysis of Temperature and Rainfall of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Sharma Suresh Kumar , Sharma Durga Prasad , Sharma Manoj Kumar , Gaur Kiran , Manohar Pratibha
Published: December 2021

Increasing temperature and declining and erratic rainfall is one of the greatest global challenges. This study presents the trend analysis of temperature and rainfall in five divisional headquarters of Rajasthan, namely, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Udaipur. The historic data of minimum and maximum temperature and rainfall for a period of 49 years from 1971 to 2019 were collected from Climate Research and Services, India Meteorological Department, Pune. Detection of trends and change in magnitude was done using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope, respectively. The results of the study indicated a significant increase in both minimum and maximum temperature over time for all the five stations. However, rainfall showed a nonsignificant increasing trend for Kota and Udaipur district, whereas Bikaner, Jaipur, and Jodhpur detected a negative trend.
Macular Hole Detection Using a New Hybrid Method: Using Multilevel Thresholding and Derivation on Optical Coherence Tomographic Images
Authors: Shahalinejad Sahand , Seifi Majdar Reza
Published: December 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging test. OCT imaging is analogous to ultrasound imaging, except that it uses light instead of sound. In this type of image, microscopic quality intratissue images are provided. In addition, fast and direct imaging of tissue morphology and reproducibility of results are the advantages of this imaging. Macular holes are a common eye disease that leads to visual impairment. The macular perforation is a rupture in the central part of the retina that, if left untreated, can lead to vision loss. A novel method for detecting macular holes using OCT images based on multilevel thresholding and derivation is proposed in this paper. This is a multistep method, which consists of segmentation, feature extraction, and feature selection. A combination of thresholding and derivation is used to diagnose the macular hole. After feature extraction, the features with useful information are selected and finally the output image of the macular hole is obtained. An open‐access data set of 200 images with the size of 224 × 224 pixels from Sankara Nethralaya (SN) Eye Hospital, Chennai, India, is used in the experiments. Experimental results show better‐diagnosing results than some recent diagnosing methods.
Effect of the VAN Hiele Instructional Model on Students’ Achievement in Geometry
Authors: Yalley Edward , Armah Gloria , Ansah Richard Kwame
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Van Hiele instructional model on students’ achievement in Circle Geometry at Daffiama Senior High School in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District of the Upper West Region in Ghana. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 75 participants for the study. The sample involved two groups: the experimental group and the control group. While teaching based on the Van Hiele model was carried out in the experimental group, teaching with the traditional method was carried out in the control group. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The instruments used for data collection were tests, interviews, and classroom observation. Findings from the data analysis suggested that participants were at the prerecognition level before the intervention, improved from the prerecognition level to level 2 after the intervention as the model facilitated learning. It was recommended that teachers determine the geometric thinking levels of students before instruction; the Van Hiele learning and instructional model is adopted in curriculum design and applied in the teaching of geometry and other areas of mathematics.
COL3A1 and Its Related Molecules as Potential Biomarkers in the Development of Human Ewing’s Sarcoma
Authors: Tang Min , Liu Peiqing , Wu Xiaoke , Gong Jie , Weng Jiacheng , Gao Guangyu , Liu Yulong , Gan Lei
Published: December 2021

Background. Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is the most common malignant primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. This study is aimed at developing new prognostic markers and building a microRNA‐mRNA network in the development of ES. Method. GSE80201 and GSE39262 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Bioinformatics analysis was used to download and process data. The coexpression of differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) was selected by using R software. The FunRich database was utilized to perform cellular component (CC), molecular function (MF), and biological process (BP) enrichment analysis. Cytoscape and ClueGO were used to perform Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and construct the mRNA‐microRNA network. The Kaplan‐Meier Plotter was used to perform prognosis analysis between the expression level of genes we selected and overall survival (OS) of patients with ES. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were carried out to research the prognostic value of identified mRNA expression in ES according to TCGA database. Results. By using bioinformatics analysis, 10 DEMs and 5 target mRNAs were identified. Based on the KmPlot software, COL1A2, COL3A1, and TGFBI were significantly related to the OS of patients with ES. High COL3A1 mRNA expression was correlated with distant metastasis, margin status, and poor overall survival of ES. Besides, multivariate analysis indicated that COL3A1 was an independent risk factor for ES patients. Conclusions. In conclusion, our results suggest that COL3A1 and its related molecules may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patients with ES.
Control Strategy of Microgrid Inverter Based on H∞ State Feedback Repeated Deadbeat Control
Authors: Xie Ren , Guo Yougui , Lan Yonghong
Published: December 2021

Aiming at the voltage distortion at the microgrid public connection point caused by nonlinear loads, a H∞ state feedback deadbeat repetitive control strategy is proposed to rectify the total harmonic distortion of the output voltage. Firstly, through establishing the state space of the repetitive controller, introducing state feedback, combining the H∞ control theory, and reformulating the system stability problem as a convex optimization problem with a set of linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints to be solved, high stability control accuracy can be guaranteed and antiharmonic interference strengthened. Secondly, by introducing deadbeat control technology to improve the transient response speed of the system, changes in output voltage caused by load changes can be quickly compensated. Compared with the existing methods, the designed control method has the advantages of good stability, low harmonic content, and fast convergence speed, and the results are easier to verify. Finally, the simulation verifies the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.