bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of myopia onset with refractive error measured using non-cycloplegic subjective refraction: the WEPrOM Study
Authors: Wong Yee Ling , Yuan Yimin , Su Binbin , Tufail Shezad , Ding Yang , Ye Yingying , Paille Damien , Drobe Björn , Chen Hao , Bao Jinhua
Published: June 2021

Background/aims

To evaluate the predictive performance of various predictors, including non-cycloplegic refractive error, for risk of myopia onset under pragmatic settings.

Methods

The Wenzhou Medical University Essilor Progression and Onset of Myopia Study is a prospective cohort study of schoolchildren aged 6–10 years from two elementary schools in Wenzhou, China. Non-cycloplegic refraction, ocular biometry and accommodation measurements were performed. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE) ≤−0.5 diopter (D). ORs using multivariable logistic regression were determined. Area under the curve (AUC) evaluation for predictors was performed.

Results

Schoolchildren who attended both baseline and 2-year follow-up were analysed (N=1022). Of 830 non-myopic children at baseline, the 2-year incidence of myopia was 27.6% (95% CI, 24.2% to 31.3%). Female gender (OR=2.2), more advanced study grades (OR=1.5), less hyperopic SE (OR=11.5 per D), longer axial length (AL; OR=2.3 per mm), worse presenting visual acuity (OR=2.3 per decimal), longer near work time (OR=1.1 per hour/day) and lower magnitude of positive relative accommodation (PRA; OR=1.4 per D) were associated with myopia onset. PRA (AUC=0.66), SE (AUC=0.64) and AL (AUC=0.62) had the highest AUC values. The combination of age, gender, parental myopia, SE, AL and PRA achieved an AUC of 0.74.

Conclusion

Approximately one in four schoolchildren had myopia onset over a 2-year period. The predictors of myopia onset include lower magnitude of PRA, less hyperopic SE, longer AL and female gender. Of these, non-cycloplegic SE and PRA were the top single predictors, which can facilitate risk profiling for myopia onset.
Efficacy and safety of vasopressin and terlipressin in preterm neonates: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Alsaadi Abdulrahman Salim , Sushko Katelyn , Bui Vivian , Van Den Anker John , Razak Abdul , Samiee-Zafarghandy Samira
Published: June 2021

Background

The use of vasoactive agents like arginine vasopressin (AVP) and terlipressin to treat hypotension or persistent pulmonary hypertension in critically ill preterm neonates is increasing. Therefore, a systematic review of the available data on dosing, efficacy and safety of AVP and terlipressin in this patient population appears beneficial.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the use of AVP and terlipressin for the treatment of hypotension or persistent pulmonary hypertension in preterm neonates. We will search Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception to March 2021. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, review the full text of eligible studies, extract data, assess the risk of bias and judge the certainty of the evidence. Our primary outcome will be an (1) improvement of end-organ perfusion after initiation of AVP or terlipressin and (2) mortality prior to discharge. Our secondary outcomes will include (1) major neurosensory abnormality and (2) the occurrence of adverse events.

Discussion

The currently available evidence on the efficacy and safety of AVP and terlipressin in preterm neonates is limited. Yet, evidence on the pharmacology of these drugs and the pathophysiology of vasoplegic shock support the biological plausibility for their clinical effectiveness in this population. Therefore, we aim to address this gap concerning the use of vasopressin and terlipressin among critically ill preterm neonates.

Trial registration

This protocol has been submitted for registration to the international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews (PROSPERO, awaiting registration number).
Republished: Multiplug flow control technique as a novel transarterial curative approach for the endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular malformations
Authors: Cekirge H Saruhan , Saatci Isil
Published: June 2021

Herein, we describe the use of a novel multiplug flow control technique for the curative transarterial embolisation of cerebrovascular malformations using liquid embolic agents (LEAs). The idea behind the use of this technique is to substantially control or arrest flow during LEA injection, with multiple plugs simultaneously formed from microcatheters that are placed within all or multiple feeders, so that the penetration of LEAs is facilitated, with flow control decreasing the washout of a malformation. This technique enables the complete occlusion of a vascular malformation in a shorter injection time than that in other methods because penetration is achieved faster. Details of this technique have been described in the treatment of two cases: one case of unruptured temporal arteriovenous malformation and in the other with a falcotentorial dural arteriovenous fistula, in which the vascular malformations were successfully occluded with transarterial embolisation.
QCD phase diagram in a constant magnetic background
Authors: Andersen Jens O.
Published: June 2021

Magnetic catalysis is the enhancement of a condensate due to the presence of an external magnetic field. Magnetic catalysis at $$T=0$$

T
=
0

is a robust phenomenon in low-energy theories and models of QCD as well as in lattice simulations. We review the underlying physics of magnetic catalysis from both perspectives. The quark-meson model is used as a specific example of a model that exhibits magnetic catalysis. Regularization and renormalization are discussed and we pay particular attention to a consistent and correct determination of the parameters of the Lagrangian using the on-shell renormalization scheme. A straightforward application of the quark-meson model and the NJL model leads to the prediction that the chiral transition temperature $$T_{\chi }$$

T
χ

is increasing as a function of the magnetic field B. This is in disagreement with lattice results, which show that $$T_{\chi }$$

T
χ

is a decreasing function of B, independent of the pion mass. The behavior can be understood in terms of the so-called valence and sea contributions to the quark condensate and the competition between them. We critically examine these ideas as well recent attempts to improve low-energy models using lattice input.
Gauging scale symmetry and inflation: Weyl versus Palatini gravity
Authors: Ghilencea D. M.
Published: June 2021

We present a comparative study of inflation in two theories of quadratic gravity withgaugedscale symmetry: (1) the original Weyl quadratic gravity and (2) the theory defined by a similar action but in the Palatini approach obtained by replacing the Weyl connection by its Palatini counterpart. These theories have different vectorial non-metricity induced by the gauge field ($$w_\mu $$wμ) of this symmetry. Both theories have a novel spontaneous breaking of gauged scale symmetry, in the absence of matter, where the necessary scalar field is not added ad-hoc to this purpose but is of geometric origin and part of the quadratic action. The Einstein-Proca action (of$$w_\mu $$wμ), Planck scale and metricity emerge in the broken phase after$$w_\mu $$wμacquires mass (Stueckelberg mechanism), then decouples. In the presence of matter ($$\phi _1$$ϕ1), non-minimally coupled, the scalar potential is similar in both theories up to couplings and field rescaling. For small field values the potential is Higgs-like while for large fields inflation is possible. Due to their$$R^2$$R2term, both theories have a small tensor-to-scalar ratio ($$r\sim 10^{-3}$$r∼10-3), larger in Palatini case. For a fixed spectral index$$n_s$$ns, reducing the non-minimal coupling ($$\xi _1$$ξ1) increasesrwhich in Weyl theory is bounded from above by that of Starobinsky inflation. For a small enough$$\xi _1\le 10^{-3}$$ξ1≤10-3, unlike the Palatini version, Weyl theory gives a dependence$$r(n_s)$$r(ns)similar to that in Starobinsky inflation, while also protectingragainst higher dimensional operators corrections.
Metal–insulator transitions of fermionic mixtures with mass imbalance in disordered optical lattice
Authors: Hoang Anh-Tuan , Nguyen Thi-Hai-Yen , Le Duc-Anh
Published: June 2021

We study the metal–insulator transitions in the half-filled Anderson–Hubbard model with mass imbalance by the typical medium theory using the equation of motion method as an impurity solver. The nonmagnetic ground state phase diagram of the system with mass imbalance is constructed numerically. In addition to the three phases showed up in the balanced case, the phase diagram of the mass imbalanced case contains a spin-selective localized phase, where one spin component is metallic while the other spin component is insulating. We find that if one increases the mass imbalance the metal region in the phase diagram is reduced, while both Anderson and Mott insulator regions are enlarged.
Nonviral Vehicles for Gene Delivery
Authors: Warga Eric , Austin-Carter Brian , Comolli Noelle , Elmer Jacob
Published: June 2021

Nonviral gene delivery (NVGD) is an appealing alternative to viral gene delivery for clinical applications due to its lower cost and increased safety. A variety of promising nonviral vectors are under development, including cationic polymers, lipids, lipid-polymer hybrids (LPHs) and inorganic nanoparticles. However, some NVGD strategies have disadvantages that have limited their adoption, including high toxicity and low efficiency. This review focuses on the most common NVGD vehicles with an emphasis on recent developments in the field.
Intratumoral Photosensitizer Delivery and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Ma Chen-Hua , Yang Jeffrey , Mueller Jenna L. , Huang Huang-Chiao
Published: June 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a two-step procedure that involves the administration of special drugs, commonly called photosensitizers, followed by the application of certain wavelengths of light. The light activates these photosensitizers to produce reactive molecular species that induce cell death in tissues. There are numerous factors to consider when selecting the appropriate photosensitizer administration route, such as which part of the body is being targeted, the pharmacokinetics of photosensitizers, and the formulation of photosensitizers. While intravenous, topical, and oral administration of photosensitizers are widely used in preclinical and clinical applications of PDT, other administration routes, such as intraperitoneal, intra-arterial, and intratumoral injections, are gaining traction for their potential in treating advanced diseases and reducing off-target toxicities. With recent advances in targeted nanotechnology, biomaterials, and light delivery systems, the exciting possibilities of targeted photosensitizer delivery can be fully realized for preclinical and clinical applications. Further, in light of the growing burden of cancer mortality in low- and middle-income countries and development of low-cost light sources and photosensitizers, PDT could be used to treat cancer patients in low-income settings. This short article introduces aspects of interfaces of intratumoral photosensitizer injections and nano-biomaterials for PDT applications in both high-income and low-income settings but does not present a comprehensive review due to space limitations.
CROWD: Crow Search and Deep Learning based Feature Extractor for Classification of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Masud Mehedi , Singh Parminder , Gaba Gurjot Singh , Kaur Avinash , Alroobaea Roobaea , Alrashoud Mubarak , Alqahtani Salman Ali
Published: June 2021

Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest trend for next-generation computing for data analytics, particularly in predictive edge analytics for high-risk diseases like Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Deep learning learning techniques facilitate edge AI applications for enhanced, real-time handling of data. Dopamine is the cause of Parkinson’s that happens due to the interference of brain cells that produce the substance to regulate the communication of brain cells. The brain cells responsible for generating the dopamine perform adaptation, control, and movement with fluency. Parkinson’s motor symptoms appear on the loss of 60% to 80% of cells, due to the non-production of appropriate dopamine. Recent research found a close connection between the speech impairment and PD. Many researchers have developed a classification algorithm to identify the PD from speech signals. In this article, Adaptive Crow Search Algorithm (ACSA) and Deep Learning (DL)–based optimal feature selection method are introduced. The proposed model is the combination of CROW Search and Deep learning (CROWD) stack sparse autoencoder neural network. Parkinson’s dataset is taken for the experiment from the Irvine dataset repository at the University of California (UCI). In the first phase, dataset cleaning is performed to handle the missing values in the dataset. After that, the proposed ACSA algorithm is employed to find the scrunched feature vector. Furthermore, stack spare autoencoder with seven hidden layers is employed to generate the compressed feature vector. The performance of the proposed CROWD autoencoder model is compared with three feature selection approaches for six supervised classification techniques. The experiment result demonstrates that the performance of the proposed CROWD autoencoder feature selection model has outperformed the benchmarked feature selection techniques: (i) Maximum Relevance (mRMR) (ii) Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), and (iii) Correlation-based Feature Selection (CFS), to classify Parkinson’s disease. This research has significance in the healthcare sector for the enhancement of classification accuracy up to 0.96%.
Synapomorphic features of hepatic and pulmonary vasculatures include comparable purinergic signaling responses in host defense and modulation of inflammation
Authors: Hanidziar Dusan , Robson Simon C.
Published: June 2021

Hepatosplanchnic and pulmonary vasculatures constitute synapomorphic, highly comparable networks integrated with the external environment. Given functionality related to obligatory requirements of “feeding and breathing,” these organs are subject to constant environmental challenges entailing infectious risk, antigenic and xenobiotic exposures. Host responses to these stimuli need to be both protective and tightly regulated. These functions are facilitated by dualistic, high-low pressure blood supply of the liver and lungs, as well as tolerogenic characteristics of resident immune cells and signaling pathways. Dysregulation in hepatosplanchnic and pulmonary blood flow, immune responses, and microbiome implicate common pathogenic mechanisms across these vascular networks. Hepatosplanchnic diseases, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension, often impact lungs and perturb pulmonary circulation and oxygenation. The reverse situation is also noted with lung disease resulting in hepatic dysfunction. Others, and we, have described common features of dysregulated cell signaling during liver and lung inflammation involving extracellular purines (e.g., ATP, ADP), either generated exogenously or endogenously. These metabokines serve as danger signals, when released by bacteria or during cellular stress and cause proinflammatory and prothrombotic signals in the gut/liver-lung vasculature. Dampening of these danger signals and organ protection largely depends upon activities of vascular and immune cell-expressed ectonucleotidases (CD39 and CD73), which convert ATP and ADP into anti-inflammatory adenosine. However, in many inflammatory disorders involving gut, liver, and lung, these protective mechanisms are compromised, causing perpetuation of tissue injury. We propose that interventions that specifically target aberrant purinergic signaling might prevent and/or ameliorate inflammatory disorders of the gut/liver and lung axis.
Immunological comparison of pregnant Dahl salt-sensitive and Sprague-Dawley rats commonly used to model characteristics of preeclampsia
Authors: Taylor Erin B. , George Eric M. , Ryan Michael J. , Garrett Michael R. , Sasser Jennifer M.
Published: June 2021

The pregnant Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat is an established preclinical model of superimposed spontaneous preeclampsia characterized by exacerbated hypertension, increased urinary protein excretion, and increased fetal demise. Because of the underlying immune system dysfunction present in preeclamptic pregnancies in humans, we hypothesized that the pregnant Dahl S rat would also have an altered immune status. Immune system activation was assessed during late pregnancy in the Dahl S model and compared with healthy pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats subjected to either a sham procedure or a procedure to reduce uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP). Circulating immunoglobulin and cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Milliplex bead assay, respectively, and percentages of circulating, splenic, and placental immune cells were determined using flow cytometry. The pregnant Dahl S rat exhibited an increase in CD4+ T cells, and specifically TNFα+CD4+ T cells, in the spleen compared with virgin Dahl S rats. The Dahl also had increased neutrophils and decreased B cells in the peripheral blood as compared with Dahl virgin rats. SD rats that received the RUPP procedure had increases in circulating monocytes and increased IFN-ɣ+CD4+ splenic T cells. Together these findings suggest that dysregulated T cell activity is an important factor in both the pregnant Dahl S rats and SD rats after the RUPP procedure.
Neural control of the healthy pectoralis major from low-to-moderate isometric contractions
Authors: Lulic-Kuryllo Tea , Thompson Christopher K. , Jiang Ning , Negro Francesco , Dickerson Clark R.
Published: June 2021

This work is the first to investigate the relative contribution of rate coding and motor unit recruitment in the pectoralis major muscle in several functionally relevant tasks and across varying force levels in healthy adults. Our results demonstrate the absence of motor unit rate coding with an increase in EMG amplitude with increases in force level in all tasks examined, indicating that the pectoralis major relies on motor unit recruitment to increase force.
Roof Control Technology of Mining Roadway under the Influence of Advanced Supporting Pressure
Authors: Jin Zhiyuan , Xu Youlin , Peng Tao , Gao Linsheng
Published: June 2021

In order to solve the problem of controlling the roof of the stoping roadway in 1204 fully mechanized face under the influence of advanced support pressure, according to the characteristics of the stoping roadway section, the single hydraulic prop and π‐shaped steel beam were selected to verify the shrinkage of the single hydraulic support and establish mechanics. The model calculates that at least 3 single hydraulic props and at least 2 material lanes are required for the transportation lane; through the numerical simulation method, a reasonable roof control plan for the stoping roadway in the advance support section is determined, that is, 0∼ in front of the material lane. The one‐beam three‐column method is adopted within 30 m, and the row spacing is 0.8 m; the one‐beam four‐pillar method is adopted within 0–20 m of the working front of the transportation lane; and the one‐beam three‐pillar method is adopted within 20–30 m, and the row spacing is 0.8 m. On‐site industrial test practice proved that the proposed roof control scheme is reasonable, and the roadway section can meet the actual production requirements.
[Retracted] Optimization of Clinical Nursing Management System Based on Data Mining
Authors: Chen Yongxia
Published: June 2021

The clinical nursing work based on the establishment and improvement of the clinical nursing system breaks through the traditional nursing work model, which has achieved the advantages of full traceability, practical operation, comprehensive analysis, and individual error correction of nursing work, and greatly improves the nursing quality and work efficiency of nurses. With the advent of the era of big data, how to organically combine data mining technology with nursing information to optimize the nursing information system, apply big data to clinical nursing work through nursing information system, and provide patients with more efficient, high‐quality, and safe nursing services is a problem that needs urgent consideration in today’s era. Therefore, this research is based on the framework of the hospital’s existing clinical care system, using data mining technology to improve the Bayesian algorithm and data preprocessing, optimizes the design of functional modules in the clinical nursing management system, and optimizes the patient information management, medical order management, medical order execution management, basic information and expense management, nursing execution process management, system and data management, barcode management, physical sign management, WAP information management, and other subsystems in the clinical nursing information management system. Experiments have proved that the use of a data mining‐based clinical care management system can simplify user operations and improve users’ application of software. The application system of nursing methods based on data mining technology more completely integrates nursing information management business, makes nursing information management initially “digital,” and can improve the quality of hospital care to a large extent.
Determining the Layout Parameters of the Gas Drainage Roadway: A Study for Sima Coalmine China
Authors: Wang Zhiliu , Liu Bo , Han Yanhui , Li Zhaoyang , Cao Yingjie , Qi Fuzhou
Published: June 2021

To determine the layout parameters of the gas drainage roadway (GDR) serving for the working face, an analytical calculation method of fracture zone and the modelling experiment were adopted, and the overburden fissure induced by mining and the height of fracture zone were analyzed. For the research on the distribution of fracture zone by analytical calculation method, the multiple factors influencing the failure mode of strata and the height of fracture zone were considered. The #1207 working face in Sima mine was taken as an engineering background, and the layout parameters of GDR were given by analyzing the height of fracture zone. Combining the results obtained by analytical calculation and scale modelling experiment, the suggested height of GDR was 10.7–32.8 m away from the coal seam roof, and the projection distance of GDR in the horizontal was within the range of 0–35 m from the airway. By monitoring the gas drainage effects in different heights away from coal seam roof in #1207 working face and in different horizontal distances away from the ventilation roadway in the #1211 working face, the results showed that the optimal height was 17.5–22 m away from coal roof, and the optimal horizontal distance was 17–21 m away from airway for GDR. The gas drainage effect of GDR indicated that the proposed parameters are scientific and reasonable.
[Retracted] Optimization of Embedded Mobile Teaching Model Based on Network Streaming Media Technology
Authors: Tian Jing
Published: June 2021

Integrating network technology fully into traditional teaching can realize resource sharing to the greatest extent, so the establishment of distance education and network teaching platform has become the inevitable development of the time. The purpose of this paper is to build an embedded mobile teaching model based on network streaming media technology. The technology application, system composition and structure, realization process, and teaching method of the system are introduced in detail. The system energy consumption, bit rate of video information, and buffer technology were optimized, respectively. In this system, the energy consumption optimization method of mobile streaming media is adopted, and Central Processing Unit (CPU) resources are allocated reasonably according to the principle of maximizing rewards, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing power consumption. The results show that the system can effectively ensure the normal transmission of large multimedia information stream data through the network by using streaming media playback technology, and users can control the teaching process through interactive operation, which makes the network multimedia distance teaching based on streaming media develop in an all‐round way and bring advanced teaching mode for education.
Analysis of Economic Relationship Using the Concept of Complex Pythagorean Fuzzy Information
Authors: Jan Naeem , Rehman Saif Ur , Nasir Abdul , Aydi Hassen , Khan Sami Ullah
Published: June 2021

Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logics are the powerful mathematical tools to model the imprecision and vagueness. In this research, the novel concept of complex Pythagorean fuzzy relation (CPFR) is introduced. Furthermore, the types of CPFRs are explained with appropriate examples such as CPF composite relation, CPF equivalence relation, CPF order relation, and CPF equivalence classes. Moreover, numerous results and interesting properties of CPFRs are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the impacts of economic parameters over each other are studied through the proposed concepts of CPFRs. In addition, the application also discusses the effects of economic parameters of one country over the other countries’ economic parameters.
Power Density Case Study for 5G mmWave Array Antennas
Authors: Qi Dianyuan , Zou Fangzhu , Zhao Jing , Sun Shaobin , Wei Huanbin , Chen Yiling , Xia Zhan
Published: June 2021

As 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless device involves some new technologies, such as beamforming, the radiofrequency (RF) exposure compliance test for the 5G mmWave wireless device is significantly complicated. In order to shorten the compliance period for 5G mmWave terminals, the relevant regulatory authorities recommend a combination of numerical simulation and measurements to demonstrate compliance. To verify the feasibility of this method, the RF exposure test conducted in this paper was a reverse procedure according to IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards. First, actual measurements under various conditions, including different beam configurations, different test distances, different input power levels, different duty cycle, and nonpeak directions, were performed, and the changing trend of PD over testing conditions was analyzed. Then one dual‐polarized patch antenna array was selected for simulation analysis. The feasibility of the method proposed in IEEE standards was proved through the comparison of the results experiment and numerical analysis.
Quality of Life and Clinical Evaluation of Calcaneoplasty with a Balloon System for Calcaneal Fracture at 5 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Maccagnano Giuseppe , Noia Giovanni , Cassano Giuseppe Danilo , Sarni Antonio Luciano , Quitadamo Raffaele , Stigliani Costantino , Liuzza Francesco , Vitiello Raffaele , Pesce Vito
Published: June 2021

Calcaneal fractures are a challenging clinical problem. Management of this type of injury remains controversial, especially in the context of intra-articular fractures. Surgical treatment with open reduction and internal synthesis (ORIF) is considered the standard treatment for CF, but it is associated with many complications. Several minimally invasive techniques such as balloon-assisted reduction, pin fixation, and tricalcium phosphate augmentation have been proposed to avoid the frequent and recurrent postoperative problems related to these fractures. We retrospectively examined 20 patients (mean age was 54.5), all undergoing minimally invasive calcaneoplasty surgery at our Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology between 2012 and 2016. X-ray and CT scan were performed preoperatively and at 5 years of follow-up (57.9 ± 6 months). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used for clinical examination, and the Short-Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). All 20 patients were available at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS score was 82.25/100. The VAS results attest an overall average of 2.7/10 (0–9). The average of the parameters “Physical Health” and “Mental Health” was, respectively, 81.25 and 83.55. In terms of postoperative complications, we observed no cases of superficial or deep infections. Clinical response after balloon-assisted reduction, pin fixation, and tricalcium phosphate augmentation has shown a comparable or better outcome according to the AOFAS and VAS score. Quality-of-life scores, obtained according to the SF-36 questionnaire, are considered high. From both a clinical and quality-of-life point of view, our study highlights that there is not gender distinction. Further comparative studies with a higher number of patients are needed which assess the quality of life in the various techniques used to treat calcaneal fractures.
Improving Oil Supply Security: Using a Risk Optimization Model to China and India
Authors: Qi Ming , Shi Danyang , Li Congcong , Wu Jialu , Wang Pei
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a risk optimization model is proposed to minimize the oil supply risk from the perspective of diversification. The results show that there is large room for both China and India to improve the oil supply security. China should reduce oil imports from Saudi Arabia and Russia while increasing oil imports from the United States and Kazakhstan. India should import more oil from America and Russia while substantially reducing imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In terms of the regional analysis, the Middle East plays a crucial role in the oil import strategies. They account for almost half of the total oil imports to China and India. African countries provide an alternative choice to diversify their energy supply risks. Based on forecasts of oil demand, we investigate the optimal oil import strategies for both countries until 2030 and 2040. China’s imports from the United States and Kazakhstan are forecasted to increase by more than ten times by 2030. India should import four times as much oil from the United States as it does now and import 10 times more crude oil from Russia. Africa and North America will play a more important role in India’s oil supply security.
Patients Undergoing Surgery for Hip Fractures Suffer from Severe Oxidative Stress as Compared to Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Karachalios Theofilos , Paridis Dionyssios , Tekos Fotios , Skaperda Zoi , Veskoukis Aristidis S. , Kouretas Demetrios
Published: June 2021

Hip fractures are associated with the highest degree of morbidity and mortality of all fractures in elderly patients and pose a major risk for subsequent fractures. Patients with hip fractures also present accelerated bone turnover despite early stable fracture fixation and early mobilization. We aimed to evaluate oxidative stress in two groups of patients (25 patients each, matched for age, side, and BMI) who underwent internal fixation of hip fractures and total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis. Blood samples were taken from all patients during admission, the day of surgery, the 4th postoperative day, and the 15th postoperative day. Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, GSH/GSSG, catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (PC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as a widely used battery of redox biomarkers were recorded from blood samples. Patients with hip fractures who undergo fixation surgery, compared to those with hip osteoarthritis, suffer significant oxidative stress with an active but insufficient first line of oxidative defense, an intensive first line reaction, a very active second line of oxidative defense, and a low plasma antioxidant capacity. Surgery worsened already present lipid‐ and protein‐related tissue damage. The severe oxidative stress observed may explain high morbidity and mortality rates and high bone turnover status, as well as the high incidence of refractures. Furthermore, the question of whether antioxidant therapy measures should be introduced in the management of hip fracture patients is raised.
Tong Xie Yao Fang: A Classic Chinese Medicine Prescription with Potential for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Chen Kai , Lou Yu , Zhu Ying
Published: June 2021

The prescription of Tong Xie Yao Fang (TXYF) was derived from the Yuan dynasty “Dan Brook Heart Law,” which was a representative formula for treating liver-spleen disharmony, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The prescription is composed of four herbs for soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen. TXYF is reportedly capable of eliminating discomfort in ulcerative colitis (UC). This classic formula has been widely used for regulating gastrointestinal motor dysfunction and repairing colon mucosa. This review aims to provide current information on the pharmacology and clinical research of TXYF in the treatment of UC, and to critically appraise that information, in order to guide the future clinical use and experimental study of TXYF in the treatment of UC. We searched online databases including PubMed, CNKI, and Google Scholar for research published between 2010 and 2020 on TXYF and its efficacy in the treatment of UC. The findings indicated that TXYF has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, regulates cell signal transduction, brain-gut axis, and intestinal flora in UC, and may promote targeting of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to the colonic mucosa and accelerate healing of the colonic mucosal barrier. In addition, the results of clinical studies showed that TXYF has good efficacy and few adverse reactions in the treatment of UC. Although it has achieved some success, the research is limited by deficiencies; there is a lack of unified standards for the construction of UC animal models and for administration regimen. In addition, the dosage of TXYF is not consistent and lacks pharmacological verification, and clinical trial data are not detailed or sufficiently rigorous. Therefore, a more rigorous, comprehensive, and in-depth study of TXYF in the treatment of UC is needed.
Study on Finite Element Model of the Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Beam‐Column Joints with Grouted Sleeves
Authors: Luo Xiaoyong , Long Hao , Ou Ya , Dong Shuang
Published: June 2021

Based on the monotonic tensile test of grouted sleeve specimens conducted, this paper uses multifactor regression analysis to construct the equivalent constitutive relationship of grouted sleeve specimens under uniaxial tension. The study based on this constitutive relationship of grouted sleeves and the effect of bond and slip between steel and concrete were considered. The prefabricated reinforced concreted beam‐column joints with grouted sleeves were presented with finite element software ABAQUS. The seismic behavior of prefabricated reinforced concreted beam‐column joints with grouted sleeves under low‐frequency cyclic loading was then investigated. In addition, parametric studies via finite element analysis were performed to examine the influence of various parameters on the strength and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens. The simulation results show that plastic deformation was mainly observed near the beam‐column interface; the hysteretic curve of this joint was plump. The test results showed that good energy dissipation and displacement ductility capacities can be achieved. The error of yield load between the numerical simulated and experimental result was 7.11%, the error of peak load was 6.88%, the error of ultimate load was 3.76%, and the error of displacement ductility was 7.84%. Results showed that the calculated results obtained in the paper agree well with test results from the references. The finite element model adopted in this paper can reflect the seismic behavior of the prefabricated reinforced concrete beam‐column joints with grouted sleeves by using equivalent constitutive relation.
Therapeutic Potential of Phytoconstituents in Management of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Singh Anurag Kumar , Rai Sachchida Nand , Maurya Anand , Mishra Gaurav , Awasthi Rajendra , Shakya Anshul , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar , Dua Kamal , Vamanu Emanuel , Chaudhary Sushil Kumar , Singh M. P.
Published: June 2021

Since primitive times, herbs have been extensively used in conventional remedies for boosting cognitive impairment and age-associated memory loss. It is mentioned that medicinal plants have a variety of dynamic components, and they have become a prominent choice for synthetic medications for the care of cognitive and associated disorders. Herbal remedies have played a major role in the progression of medicine, and many advanced drugs have already been developed. Many studies have endorsed practicing herbal remedies with phytoconstituents, for healing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). All the information in this article was collated from selected research papers from online scientific databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The aim of this article is to convey the potential of herbal remedies for the prospect management of Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Herbal remedies may be useful in the discovery and advancement of drugs, thus extending new leads for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Nanocarriers play a significant role in delivering herbal medicaments to a specific target. Therefore, many drugs have been described for the management of age-linked complaints such as dementia, AD, and the like. Several phytochemicals are capable of managing AD, but their therapeutic claims are restricted due to their lower solubility and metabolism. These limitations of natural therapeutics can be overcome by using a targeted nanocarrier system. This article will provide the primitive remedies as well as the development of herbal remedies for AD management.
Research on “Cylinder‐Four‐Beam” Microstructure Improvement of MEMS Bionic Vector Hydrophone
Authors: Jian Zeming , Huang Yifan , Nie Lei , Liu Mengran , Zhang Guojun
Published: June 2021

The existing MEMS bionic vector hydrophone has the problems of low‐sensitivity and narrow‐working band, and the sensitivity and working bandwidth cannot be improved simultaneously by changing the single microstructural parameter. In this paper, the MEMS bionic vector hydrophone microstructural parameters (length, width and height of cantilever, side length of the center block, height and radius of the rigid cylinder) have been optimized simultaneously to obtain a higher sensitivity at the almost same working bandwidth. Firstly, through the mechanical analysis of the microstructure, the objective function and feasible region are established to optimize the parameters of the microstructure, and a set of optimized parameters is obtained. Secondly, the optimized structure is verified by ANSYS simulation, and then, the optimized four‐beam structure is fabricated by the MEMS manufacturing technology. Finally, these two kinds of hydrophones (the previous one and the optimized one) are produced, and their performance tests are carried out. The testing results show that the performances of the optimized hydrophone have been greatly improved, exhibiting a receiving sensitivity of −181.2 dB@1 kHz (increasing by 6.5 dB, 0 dB reference 1 V/μ Pa), the frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 1 kHz which is the same working bandwidth as before, and a good dipole directivity. The optimization researches in this paper provide a method and idea for the performance improvement of the following MEMS vector hydrophone.
Catching Critical Transition in Engineered Systems
Authors: Huang Jin , Meng Tianchuang , Deng Yangdong , Huang Fanling
Published: June 2021

A variety of engineered systems can encounter critical transitions where the system suddenly shifts from one stable state to another at a critical threshold. The critical transition has aroused vital concerns for its potentially disastrous impacts. We validate an often taken-for-granted hypothesis that the failure of engineered systems can be attributed to the respective critical transitions and show how early warning signals are closely associated with critical transitions. We demonstrate that it is feasible to use early warning signals to predict system failures. Our findings open a new path to forecast failures of engineered systems with a generic method and provide supporting evidence for the universal existence of critical transition in dynamical systems at multiple scales.
Characteristics and Clinical Course of Adult Inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia at High Altitude
Authors: Galindo Javier Leonardo , Lutz Juan Ricardo , Izquierdo María Alejandra , Parra Katherine , Prieto Lina María , Carrillo Jorge Alberto
Published: June 2021

Background. SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide with different dynamics in each region. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and to explore risk factors of death, critical care admission, and use of invasive mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in a high-altitude population living in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods. We conducted a concurrent cohort study of adult patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were extracted from electronic records. Univariate and multivariable methods were performed to investigate the relationship between each variable and outcomes at 28 days of follow-up. Results. 377 adults (56.8% male) were included in the study, of whom 85 (22.6%) died. Nonsurvivors were older on average than survivors (mean age, 56.7 years [SD 15.8] vs. 70.1 years [SD 13.9];

p
≤
0.001

) and more likely male (28 [32.9%] vs. 57 [67.1%];

p
=
0.029

). Most patients had at least one underlying disease (333 [88.3%]), including arterial hypertension (149 [39.5%]), overweight (145 [38.5%]), obesity (114 [30.2%]), and diabetes mellitus (82 [21.8%]). Frequency of critical care admission (158 [41.9%]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (123 [32.6%]) was high. Age over 65 years (OR 9.26, 95% CI 3.29–26.01;

p
≤
0.001

), ICU admission (OR 12.37, 95% CI 6.08–25.18;

p
≤
0.001

), and arterial pH higher than 7.47 (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08–0.74;

p
=
0.01

) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusions. In this study of in-hospital patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia living at high altitude, frequency of death was similar to what has been reported. ICU admission and use of invasive mechanical ventilation were high. Risk factors as older age, ICU admission, and arterial pH were associated with mortality.
Alkaloid Extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. Exerts Antitumor Activity in Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer via Modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xie Jing , Peng Lin-jie , Yang Ming-rong , Jiang Wei-wei , Mao Jia-ying , Shi Chong-ying , Tian Yang , Sheng Jun
Published: June 2021

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors diagnosed worldwide. Moringa oleifera Lam. is a valuable medicinal plant native to India and Pakistan. However, the antilung cancer activity of M. oleifera alkaloid extract (MOAE) is unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the regulatory effect of MOAE on A549 cells by examination of the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration of cells and to elucidate the possible mechanism of action of MOAE. We tested five types of cancer cells and four types of lung cancer cells and found MOAE exerted the strongest growth inhibitory effect against A549 cells but had low toxicity to GES-1 cells (human gastric mucosal epithelial cells). Simultaneously, MOAE induced apoptosis and increased the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3 and caspase-9 in A549 cells. Furthermore, MOAE induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase through a decrease in the expression of the proteins cyclin D1 and cyclin E and an increase in the expression of the protein p21. MOAE also inhibited the migratory ability of A549 cells and decreased the expression of the migration-related proteins, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9. In addition, the phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins was decreased in MOAE-treated A549 cells. Furthermore, AZD1480 (a JAK inhibitor) and MOAE inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells and induced cell apoptosis, and the effects of MOAE and AZD1480 were not additive. These results indicated that MOAE inhibits the proliferation and migration of A549 cells and induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through a mechanism that is related to the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation. Thus, this extract has potential for preventing and treating lung cancer.
Hierarchical Factor Analysis Methodology for Intelligent Manufacturing
Authors: Sim Hyun Sik
Published: June 2021

To realize intelligent manufacturing, a controllable factory must be built, and manufacturing competitiveness must be achieved through the improvement of product quality and yield. The yield in the micromanufacturing process is gaining importance as a management factor used in deciding the production cost and product quality as product functions becomes more sophisticated. Because the micromanufacturing process involves manufacturing products through multiple steps, it is difficult to determine the process or equipment that has encountered failure, which can lead to difficulty in securing high yields. This study presents a structural model for building a factory integration system to analyze big data at manufacturing sites and a hierarchical factor analysis methodology to increase product yield and quality in an intelligent manufacturing environment. To improve the product yield, it is necessary to analyze the fault factors that cause low yields and locate and manage the critical processes and equipment factors that affect these fault factors. However, yield management is a difficult problem because there exists a correlation between equipment, and in the sequence of process equipment that the lot passed through, the downstream and the upstream cause complex faults. This study used data‐mining techniques to identify suspected processes and equipment that affect the yield of products in the manufacturing process and to analyze the key factors of the equipment. Ultimately, we propose a methodology to find the key factors of the suspected process and equipment that directly affect the implementation of the intelligent manufacturing scheme and the yield of the product. To verify the effect of key parameters of critical processes and equipment on the yield, the proposed methodology was applied to actual manufacturing sites.
Nocardia thailandica Brain Abscess in an Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Effendi Muhammad , Tirmizi Samad , McManus Dayna , Huttner Anita J. , Peaper David R. , Topal Jeffrey E.
Published: June 2021

Objectives. Successful treatment for Nocardia thailandica is not well elucidated in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, N. thailandica has not yet been described in the medical literature to cause central nervous system (CNS) infection from brain abscess. We report the case of an immunocompromised patient who underwent successful treatment to treat his brain abscess caused by N. thailandica. Methods. After failing medical therapy, the patient underwent a craniotomy, and tissue was sent for culture. Upon identification by 16S rDNA sequencing, the organism causing infection was identified to be N. thailandica. Results. Based on susceptibilities, the patient was treated with IV ceftriaxone 2 grams daily for five months. The patient demonstrated clinical and radiological improvement which persisted to 7 months after initiation of therapy. Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a brain abscess due to N. thailandica which was successfully treated. Due to the location of the infection, ceftriaxone was chosen because of optimal CNS penetration. Ceftriaxone monotherapy demonstrated clinical and radiographic treatment success resulting in the successful treatment of this infection.