bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Qinpi Tongfeng Formula in the Treatment of Acute Gouty Arthritis: A Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fan Yihua , Liu Wei , Lu Hang , Liu Jian , Wu Rui , Zhao Jun , Wang Aihua , Zhang Xianheng
Published: July 2022

Objective. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain curative effect against acute gouty arthritis (AGA), but it lacks high-quality evidence-based studies. In this randomized controlled trial, we try to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qinpi Tongfeng Formula (QPTFF) in the treatment of AGA. Methods. One hundred and fourteen patients with AGA (damp heat accumulation syndrome) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into treatment group and control group in a ratio of 1 : 1. Patients in the treatment group were treated with QPTFF, and patients in the control group were treated with diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the change in visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain from the baseline to day 8. The secondary outcome measures were joint symptom score, TCM syndrome score, total effective rate, pain cure rate, complete pain relief time, patient satisfaction score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum uric acid level. The safety outcome measures were routine blood test, urinalysis, liver function including alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, renal function including blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the rate of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Results. 105 patients with 53 in the treatment group and 52 in the control group completed the 7-day treatment. There was no significant difference between two groups in demographic characteristics, VAS score for pain, joint symptom score, TCM syndrome score, ESR, CRP, and serum uric acid level before enrollment at baseline (based on both the full analysis set (FAS) and per protocol set (PPS),

P
>
0.05

). The 95% confidence interval of the difference between the eighth and first VAS score for pain of the two groups was (−0.57, 0.42) in FAS and (−0.48, 0.47) in PPS. The lower bound of both FAS and PPS is greater than the bound value of −0.7. On day 8, there was no significant difference between the two groups in joint symptom score, TCM syndrome score, total effective rate, pain cure rate, complete pain relief time, patient satisfaction score, ESR, and CRP (FAS and PPS,

P
>
0.05

). The serum uric acid level and TRAEs in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (FAS and PPS,

P
<
0.05

). Conclusions. QPTFF could alleviate the symptoms of patients with AGA, which is not inferior to diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets in analgesic. Moreover, QPTFF overmatches diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets in decreasing serum uric acid level and TRAEs. Therefore, the results provide reliable foundation for QPTTF in the treatment of AGA. Trial Registration. This study protocol was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2100050638).
Image Layout and Schema Analysis of Chinese Traditional Woodblock Prints Based on Texture and Color Texture Characteristics in the Environment of Few Samples
Authors: Yue Xiaohong
Published: July 2022

Technology is the means by which all arts, including woodblock prints, are realized. The “kinship” with modern science and technology makes the development history of woodcut art that can also be understood as a technology history. The purpose of the texture expression produced in the creation of contemporary woodcut is to explore the rich texture expression forms made by contemporary representative painters using special material materials and tools in artistic creation, form a painting technique of personalized words, add new aesthetic meaning to art, and lay a foundation for the formation of unique style of Contemporary Art and the creation and development of woodcut texture. With the development of the times and the change of the public’s aesthetic taste, the traditional pattern of printmaking needs to be properly transformed if it is to adapt to the modern humanistic environment, which also involves the importance of screen layout and pattern analysis of Chinese traditional woodcut. Based on the analysis of texture and color texture features in a few-sample environment, this paper proposes an automatic classification method for vignetting texture pictures by extracting the corresponding vignetting coefficients, and through experiments to verify that the proposed SILCO has good generalization sex. In the algorithm designed in this paper, the experiment shows that the accuracy P has a 64.7% improvement effect, and the recall r has a 67.8% performance improvement. On the whole, the experimental data show that the comprehensive classification accuracy is more than 57.4%.
[Retracted] The Correlation between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Retinal Vein Obstruction: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Qin Ziwen , Li Xiang , Ren Hanyu , Song Wei , Su Longlong , Gao Xiaoling
Published: July 2022

Despite of inadequate evidence, previous studies have demonstrated a potential correlation between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). In this study, a meta‐analysis is conducted to investigate the correlation between OSA and RVO. Databases are searched for relevant literatures up to July 14, 2021, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) are estimated to evaluate the correlation between OSA and RVO. Six articles were finally enrolled, including 36,086 subjects from 5 case‐controlled studies and 1 cohort study. It is clearly evident that the RVO risk is higher among OSA patients than non‐OSA patients (OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 3.24). The results of sensitivity analysis indicate that the present meta‐analysis is robust and reliable. Furthermore, Egger's test for publication bias is performed with P = 0.195, and the results reveal no significant publication bias. The findings demonstrate that OSA is significantly correlated with RVO, and OSA is a risk factor for RVO.
Research on English Situational Teaching Assisted by Multimedia and Network
Authors: Wang Yadan
Published: July 2022

In order to study situational English teaching, situational English teaching assisted by multimedia and network was analyzed. This kind of teaching method needs to combine video, image, animation, and other processes to support the teaching work, and then it needs to build corresponding teaching scenarios based on actual needs, so that multimedia and network assisted teaching can provide support for students’ English learning with the help of various teaching methods. Multimedia and network assisted English situational teaching has certain advantages and is helpful for later teaching. Therefore, it is necessary to actively use this kind of teaching mode to optimize the English teaching curriculum, lay a good foundation for the subsequent English learning of students, and finally optimize the teaching class of teachers.
The Effects of Poria cocos on Rho Signaling-Induced Regulation of Mobility and F-Actin Aggregation in MK-801-Treated B35 and C6 Cells
Authors: Chen Yi-Chyan , Lee Chang-Ti , Tsai Fu-Ming , Chen Mao-Liang
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim. We recently investigated whether Poria cocos water extract modulates ketamine-induced Rho signaling regulation and reverses ketamine-inhibited cell mobility and F-actin reconstruction in B35 and C6 cells. Various studies have mentioned that drugs of abuse induce changes in neuronal plasticity in the brain’s reward circuitry. Modulations in neuronal plasticity are closely related to Rho signaling regulation in cells. Rho signaling has also been implicated in the addictive behavior induced by chronic opiate or morphine administration. MK-801 could induce Rho signaling regulation to further modulate cell migration and actin reorganization in neuronal and glial cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of Poria cocos water extract on Rho signal regulation in MK-801-treated B35 and C6 cells. Methods. B35 neuronal cells and C6 glial cells were incubated with MK-801 for 7 days followed by MK-801, MK801 in combination with water extracts of P. cocos (PRP for P. cocos cum Radix Pini or WP for White Poria) treatment for an additional 7 days. Analysis of cell mobility, F-actin aggregation, and Rho signaling modulation was performed to clarify the roles of PRP or WP in MK-801-treated B35 and C6 cells. Results. MK-801 decreases B35 cell mobility, whereas the inhibited cell migration ability and F-actin aggregation in MK-801-treated B35 or C6 cells could be reversed by PRP or WP. The CDC42 expression in B35 or C6 cells would be reduced by MK-801 and restored by treating with PRP or WP. The RhoA expression was increased by MK-801 in both B35 and C6 cells but was differentially regulated by PRP or WP. In B35 cells, downregulation of PFN1, N-WASP, PAK1, and ARP2/3 induced by MK-801 can be reversely modulated by PRP or WP. PRP or WP reduced the increase in the p-MLC2 expression in B35 cells treated with MK-801. The reduction in ROCK1, PFN1, p-MLC2, and ARP2/3 expression in C6 cells induced by MK-801 was restored by PRP or WP. Reduced N-WASP and PAK1 expression was differentially regulated by PRP or WP in MK-801-treated C6 cells.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Vital Role of Synaptic Plasticity in the Pathogenesis of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Qian Xu , Ding Ji-Qiang , Zhao Xin , Sheng Xin-Wen , Wang Zhao-Rui , Yang Qi-xing , Zheng Jing-Jun , Zhong Jia-Gui , Zhang Teng-Yue , He Shu-Qiao , Ji Wei-Dong , Li Wei , Zhang Mei
Published: July 2022

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic neurological disorder that is often resistant to antiepileptic drugs. The pathogenesis of TLE is extremely complicated and remains elusive. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying TLE is crucial for its diagnosis and treatment. In the present study, a lithium-pilocarpine-induced TLE model was employed to reveal the pathological changes of hippocampus in rats. Hippocampal samples were taken for proteomic analysis at 2 weeks after the onset of spontaneous seizure (a chronic stage of epileptogenesis). Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantization (iTRAQ) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technique was applied for proteomic analysis of hippocampus. A total of 4173 proteins were identified from the hippocampi of epileptic rats and its control, of which 27 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained with a

fold
 
change
>
1.5

and

P
<
0.05

. Bioinformatics analysis indicated 27 DEPs were mainly enriched in “regulation of synaptic plasticity and structure” and “calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity,” which implicate synaptic remodeling may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of TLE. Consequently, the synaptic plasticity-related proteins and synaptic structure were investigated to verify it. It has been demonstrated that CaMKII-α, CaMKII-β, and GFAP were significant upregulated coincidently with proteomic analysis in the hippocampus of TLE rats. Moreover, the increased dendritic spines and hippocampal sclerosis further proved that synaptic plasticity involves in the development of TLE. The present study may help to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis and provide a basis for further studies on synaptic plasticity in TLE.
Cavernous Sinus Involvement and Near Miss Mediastinitis following Mandibular Tooth Infection Treated during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Ceci Sabino , Limongelli Luisa , Corriero Alberto , Curatoli Luigi , Azzollini Daniela , Mezzapesa Pietro Paolo , Marinelli Grazia , Malcangi Giuseppina , Coloccia Giovanni , Ribezzi Mario , Massaro Maria , Bordea Ioana Roxana , Scarano Antonio , Lorusso Felice , Brienza Nicola , Favia Gianfranco , Quaranta Nicola , Inchingolo Francesco
Published: July 2022

Odontogenic infections represent a frequent condition that in some cases, if not treated promptly, can spread quickly to the rest of the body and turn into life-threatening infections. In this work, the case is reported of a 59-year-old woman, diabetic and overweight, who presented to the Odontostomatology and Otolaryngology Section of the Policlinic of Bari with mandibular tooth infection that had developed into a deep neck space infection leading to the involvement of cavernous sinuses and near mediastinum. The diagnosis, the surgical drainage of the phlegmon and removal of infection foci, appropriate control of the airways, and a correct antibiotic therapy made it possible to avoid a potentially fatal condition. Prompt management and early diagnosis of deep space neck infections, such as phlegmon and/or necrotizing fasciitis, with the auxilium of CT scans and tools such as LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis), NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio), and LRINECxNLR scores (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio), are advised to evade delays and complications that could potentially worsen the patient’s outcome.
Study on the Anti-demyelination Mechanism of Bu-Shen-Yi-Sui Capsule in the Central Nervous System Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Authors: Zha Zheng , Liu Yi-Jiang , Liu Si-Si , Zhang Nan , Li Jun-Ling , Qi Fang , Jin Liang-Yun , Xue Bing , Yang Tao , Fan Yong-Ping , Zhao Hui , Wang Lei
Published: July 2022

Background/Aims. Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are the most common autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), with some similar pathological and clinical features. Bu-Shen-Yi-Sui (BSYS) Capsule, a Chinese herbal prescription, has been shown to be a potential therapeutic agent for MS and NMO. However, its antidemyelination mechanism in inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the CNS has not been fully clarified. This study is aimed at exploring the key components and potential mechanism of BSYS in the treatment of CNS demyelinating disease (CNSD) based on network pharmacology. Methods. The potential active ingredients and corresponding potential targets of BSYS Capsule were obtained from the TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, Swiss Target Prediction platform, and literature research. Disease targets of CNSD were explored through the GeneCards and the DisGeNET databases. The matching targets of BSYS in CNSD were identified from a Venn diagram. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using bioinformatics methods. Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to predict the mechanisms of BSYS. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of BSYS were evaluated using a cell model of hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced cell death in OLN-93 cells. Results. A total of 59 potential bioactive components of BSYS Capsule and 227 intersection targets were obtained. Topological analysis showed that AKT had the highest connectivity degrees in the PPI network. Enrichment analysis revealed that the targets of BSYS in the treatment of CNSD were the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathway, among other pathways. GO analysis results showed that the targets were associated with various biological processes, including apoptosis, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, and response to oxidative stress, among others. The experimental results demonstrated that BSYS drug-containing serum alleviated the H2O2-induced increase in LDH, MDA, and ROS levels and reversed the decrease in SOD and mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H2O2. BSYS treatment also decreased the number of TUNEL (+) cells, downregulated Bcl-2 expression, and upregulated Bax and c-caspase-3 expression by promoting Akt phosphorylation. Conclusion. BSYS Capsule alleviated H2O2-induced OLN-93 cell injury by increasing Akt phosphorylation to suppress oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. Therefore, BSYS can be potentially used for CNSD treatment. However, the results of this study are only derived from in vitro experiments, lacking the validation of in vivo animal models, which is a limitation of our study. We will further verify the underlying mechanisms of BSYS in animal experiments in the future.
Preliminary Research on Intelligent Baking Room Dehydration and Drying Technology for Rice Sterile Seeds
Authors: Luo Man
Published: July 2022

The quality of rice seed is very important for rice production. In the process of rice seed production, seed drying is an important link in the whole process of seed quality control, and the problems in mechanical drying are important factors affecting the quality of rice seed. It is easy to encounter rain weather when the sterile seeds are dried by natural air, which seriously affects the seed vigor. High-quality rice seed is an important guarantee to achieve high yield of rice, and seed germination rate is one of the factors directly affecting rice yield. The drying process has the greatest effect on the quality and germination rate of sterile rice seeds. Selecting reasonable drying technology is an important means to ensure the germination rate of sterile rice seeds. In this paper, the dewatering and drying technology of rice sterile line seeds in intelligent baking room was studied. An adaptive integral sliding mode control algorithm based on Smith prediction was proposed for intelligent baking room temperature. The lag in the system was compensated by Smith prediction; the uncertainty of the system model and the complex interference under variable operating conditions were overcome by the robustness of sliding mode control. And the chattering of the sliding mode was eliminated by the adaptive integral sliding mode surface. The seeds of three rice varieties were dried, the drying dehydration rate, seed germination rate, and seed vigor were measured, and the changes of seed moisture and temperature during drying were observed. The results showed that there was little difference in the seed vigor after drying and air dried, which proved that the dryer could be used to dry different kinds of male sterile seeds. Compared with air dried seeds, the germination rate and germination potential of all mechanically dried seeds have little difference, and the overall difference of germination index and vitality index is also small. This study solved the problem that the seeds of male sterile lines could not be dehydrated and dried in time of rainy weather, which is of great significance to improve seed quality and economic benefits.
BRCA1-Dependent and Independent Recruitment of PALB2–BRCA2–RAD51 in the DNA Damage Response and Cancer
Authors: Foo Tzeh Keong , Xia Bing
Published: July 2022

The BRCA1–PALB2–BRCA2 axis plays essential roles in the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), maintenance of genome integrity, and suppression of cancer development. Upon DNA damage, BRCA1 is recruited to DSBs, where it facilitates end resection and recruits PALB2 and its associated BRCA2 to load the central recombination enzyme RAD51 to initiate homologous recombination (HR) repair. In recent years, several BRCA1-independent mechanisms of PALB2 recruitment have also been reported. Collectively, these available data illustrate a series of hierarchical, context-dependent, and cooperating mechanisms of PALB2 recruitment that is critical for HR and therapy response either in the presence or absence of BRCA1. Here, we review these BRCA1-dependent and independent mechanisms and their importance in DSB repair, cancer development, and therapy. As BRCA1-mutant cancer cells regain HR function, for which PALB2 is generally required, and become resistant to targeted therapies, such as PARP inhibitors, targeting BRCA1-independent mechanisms of PALB2 recruitment represents a potential new avenue to improve treatment of BRCA1-mutant tumors.
Are the Pieces Starting to Come Together for Management of Desmoid Tumors?
Authors: Greene Anna C. , Van Tine Brian A.
Published: July 2022

Desmoid tumor research is changing how desmoid tumors are managed with the prospective documentation that growing desmoid tumors spontaneously regress one third of the time. Patient partnership through the Desmoid Research Tumor Foundation and academia is leading to rapid advancement in desmoid tumor biology understanding and treatment.

See related articles by Colombo et al., p. 4027, Nathenson et al., p. 4092, and Penel et al., p. 4105
SMYD3 Impedes Small Cell Lung Cancer Sensitivity to Alkylation Damage through RNF113A Methylation–Phosphorylation Cross-talk
Authors: Lukinović Valentina , Hausmann Simone , Roth Gael S. , Oyeniran Clement , Ahmad Tanveer , Tsao Ning , Brickner Joshua R. , Casanova Alexandre G. , Chuffart Florent , Benitez Ana Morales , Vayr Jessica , Rodell Rebecca , Tardif Marianne , Jansen Pascal W.T.C. , Couté Yohann , Vermeulen Michiel , Hainaut Pierre , Mazur Pawel K. , Mosammaparast Nima , Reynoird Nicolas
Published: July 2022

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most fatal form of lung cancer, with dismal survival, limited therapeutic options, and rapid development of chemoresistance. We identified the lysine methyltransferase SMYD3 as a major regulator of SCLC sensitivity to alkylation-based chemotherapy. RNF113A methylation by SMYD3 impairs its interaction with the phosphatase PP4, controlling its phosphorylation levels. This cross-talk between posttranslational modifications acts as a key switch in promoting and maintaining RNF113A E3 ligase activity, essential for its role in alkylation damage response. In turn, SMYD3 inhibition restores SCLC vulnerability to alkylating chemotherapy. Our study sheds light on a novel role of SMYD3 in cancer, uncovering this enzyme as a mediator of alkylation damage sensitivity and providing a rationale for small-molecule SMYD3 inhibition to improve responses to established chemotherapy.

Significance:

SCLC rapidly becomes resistant to conventional chemotherapy, leaving patients with no alternative treatment options. Our data demonstrate that SMYD3 upregulation and RNF113A methylation in SCLC are key mechanisms that control the alkylation damage response. Notably, SMYD3 inhibition sensitizes cells to alkylating agents and promotes sustained SCLC response to chemotherapy.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2007
Relationship between Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and DNA Damage in Cervical Cancer Population in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Guo Zhong , Zhu Tianyuan , Zhou Yunsong , Si Tianbin , Wang Qiang , Qu Hongmei , Wang Chenjing , Zhao Jin
Published: July 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible reason of the high incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Longnan, China. Materials and Methods: 147 and 124 invasive squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) samples from Longnan and different cities and districts of Gansu province were collected in the present study. All the samples were obtained from patients who underwent biopsies with colposcopy or advanced operations and were evaluated by experienced pathologists. HPV genotypes were examined with a validated HPV subtypes kit. The prevalence of HPV infection in SCC patients of China was analyzed by evidence-based medicine in the published literature. The markers of DNA damage response (DDR) – ATMpSer1981, H2AXp Ser139 (γH2AX), Chk2pThr68, and p53 – were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: HPV positivity, high-risk and multiple HPV positivity, and HPV58 infection were significantly higher in Longnan. Our results show that the prevalence of HPV infection in SCC patients of Longnan are consistent with the HPV prevalence in China. ATM, γH2AX, and p53 expressions in total and HPV+ samples were also higher in Longnan. Conclusions: HPV-related DDR activation may be one reason for the high incidence and mortality of Longnan cervical cancer.
Impact of the
RNF213
p.R4810K Variant on Endovascular Therapy for Large‐Vessel Occlusion Stroke
Authors: Yoshimoto Takeshi , Tanaka Kanta , Koge Junpei , Saito Satoshi , Yamagami Hiroshi , Nakaoku Yuriko , Ogata Soshiro , Nishimura Kunihiro , Yamaguchi Eriko , Chiba Tetsuya , Kawakami Daisuke , Shiozawa Masayuki , Kamogawa Naruhiko , Ohta Tsuyoshi , Satow Tetsu , Inoue Manabu , Hattori Yorito , Washida Kazuo , Kataoka Hiroharu , Chung Jong‐Won , Bang Oh Young , Toyoda Kazunori , Koga Masatoshi , Maruyama Hirofumi , Ihara Masafumi
Published: July 2022

Background

We investigated the impact of the ring finger protein 213 p.R4810K variant, a founder variant for moyamoya disease in East Asians, on endovascular therapy outcomes in patients with acute anterior‐circulation large‐vessel occlusion stroke in comparison with noncarriers.

Methods

Of the consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to our institute from 2011 to 2021, patients who underwent endovascular therapy for acute occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid artery or M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery were included. Outcomes were instant reocclusion, final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction reperfusion ≥2b, and early reocclusion. Instant reocclusion was defined as the occurrence of reocclusion during the procedure, and early reocclusion was defined as reocclusion detected on magnetic resonance angiography within 2 weeks after the confirmation of successful reperfusion.

Results

Of the 277 patients analyzed (128 women; median age, 76 years), 10 patients (3.6%) carried the ring finger protein 213 p.R4810K variant. Variant carriers were younger (
P
=0.01) and more frequently had intracranial atherosclerotic disease‐related large‐vessel occlusion as a cause of acute large‐vessel occlusion (
P
<0.001) compared with noncarriers. Variant carriers showed a higher rate of instant reocclusion (70.0% versus 5.6%;
P
<0.001), but there were no significant intergroup differences in the final modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b reperfusion rate between carriers and noncarriers (100.0% versus 81.6%, respectively;
P
=0.22). Early reocclusion was more frequent in variant carriers compared with noncarriers (60.0% versus 0.4%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Instant and early reocclusions were more frequent in variant carriers who underwent endovascular therapy for acute anterior‐circulation large‐vessel occlusion compared with noncarriers.
FiNN: A toolbox for neurophysiological network analysis
Authors: Scherer Maximilian , Wang Tianlu , Guggenberger Robert , Milosevic Luka , Gharabaghi Alireza
Published: July 2022

Recently, neuroscience has seen a shift from localist approaches to network-wide investigations of brain function. Neurophysiological signals across different spatial and temporal scales provide insight into neural communication. However, additional methodological considerations arise when investigating network-wide brain dynamics rather than local effects. Specifically, larger amounts of data, investigated across a higher dimensional space, are necessary. Here, we present FiNN (Find Neurophysiological Networks), a novel toolbox for the analysis of neurophysiological data with a focus on functional and effective connectivity. FiNN provides a wide range of data processing methods and statistical and visualization tools to facilitate inspection of connectivity estimates and the resulting metrics of brain dynamics. The Python toolbox and its documentation are freely available as Supporting Information. We evaluated FiNN against a number of established frameworks on both a conceptual and an implementation level. We found FiNN to require much less processing time and memory than other toolboxes. In addition, FiNN adheres to a design philosophy of easy access and modifiability, while providing efficient data processing implementations. Since the investigation of network-level neural dynamics is experiencing increasing interest, we place FiNN at the disposal of the neuroscientific community as open-source software.
Hypothalamic effective connectivity at rest is associated with body weight and energy homeostasis
Authors: Voigt Katharina , Andrews Zane B. , Harding Ian H. , Razi Adeel , Verdejo-García Antonio
Published: July 2022

Hunger and satiety drive eating behaviours via changes in brain function. The hypothalamus is a central component of the brain networks that regulate food intake. Animal research parsed the roles of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and medial hypothalamus (MH) in hunger and satiety, respectively. Here, we examined how hunger and satiety change information flow between human LH and MH brain networks, and how these interactions are influenced by body mass index (BMI). Forty participants (16 overweight/obese) underwent two resting-state functional MRI scans while being fasted and sated. The excitatory/inhibitory influence of information flow between the MH and LH was modelled using spectral dynamic causal modelling. Our results revealed two core networks interacting across homeostatic state and weight: subcortical bidirectional connections between the LH, MH and the substantia nigra pars compacta (prSN), and cortical top-down inhibition from fronto-parietal and temporal areas. During fasting, we found higher inhibition between the LH and prSN, whereas the prSN received greater top-down inhibition from across the cortex. Individuals with higher BMI showed that these network dynamics occur irrespective of homeostatic state. Our findings reveal fasting affects brain dynamics over a distributed hypothalamic-midbrain-cortical network. This network is less sensitive to state-related fluctuations among people with obesity.
Structural connectome constrained graphical lasso for MEG partial coherence
Authors: Wodeyar Anirudh , Srinivasan Ramesh
Published: July 2022

Structural connectivity provides the backbone for communication between neural populations. Since axonal transmission occurs on a millisecond time scale, measures of M/EEG functional connectivity sensitive to phase synchronization, such as coherence, are expected to reflect structural connectivity. We develop a model of MEG functional connectivity whose edges are constrained by the structural connectome. The edge strengths are defined by partial coherence, a measure of conditional dependence. We build a new method—the adaptive graphical lasso (AGL)—to fit the partial coherence to perform inference on the hypothesis that the structural connectome is reflected in MEG functional connectivity. In simulations, we demonstrate that the structural connectivity’s influence on the partial coherence can be inferred using the AGL. Further, we show that fitting the partial coherence is superior to alternative methods at recovering the structural connectome, even after the source localization estimates required to map MEG from sensors to the cortex. Finally, we show how partial coherence can be used to explore how distinct parts of the structural connectome contribute to MEG functional connectivity in different frequency bands. Partial coherence offers better estimates of the strength of direct functional connections and consequently a potentially better estimate of network structure.
Assessment of Socio-Economic Values of Agricultural Experience Services in School Garden Education
Authors: Hong In-Kyoung , Yun Hyung-Kwon , Jung Young-Bin , Lee Sang-Mi , Lee Sang-Deok
Published: July 2022

Background and objective This study intends to assess the socio-economic monetary value of school garden education services by converting them into market values using assessment indicators for school gardens, which are spaces for students to engage in various experiences and urban agricultural activities. Methods We identified the characteristics and current status of urban school gardens through literature review, collected opinions from a total of two rounds of expert advice, determined willingness to pay (WTP) and the importance of detailed values based on the parent survey, estimated the monetary value of each detailed value using the contingent valuation method (CVM) of WTP, and estimated three economic values. Results The total amount of educational, health, welfare, and environmental values provided by school garden education for participating students was estimated to range from a minimum of 193.1 billion won to a maximum of 978.4 billion won. The total amount of economic value provided to farm households, related industries and the economically active population was estimated to be 476.1 billion won. The job creation effect was the highest at 266.2 billion won, followed by the industrial ripple effect (157.3 billion won) and the farm household income increase effect (52.6 billion won). The evolution of school gardens is expected to reduce problems in urban areas such as environmental issues, promote community spirit through agriculture, and produce industrial ripple effects such as an increase in farm household income and job creation, raising the need to maintain multiple functions of school gardens. The total socio-economic value of school garden education seemed to range from 669.2 billion won to 1.4545 trillion won based on the operating fund, government budget, and value-added tax (VAT) of 2020. Conclusion The results of this study can be used as basic data to assess the overall value of agricultural experience services in school garden education.
Urban Heritage and its Socioeconomic Impacts in Seoul, South Korea: An Empirical Study Using Residential Environmental Satisfaction and Housing Price as Indicators
Authors: Sung MinKi , Brooks Mary
Published: July 2022

Background and objective Recent research has highlighted the need for urban heritage conservation due to rapid urbanisation, especially in Asian cities; however, few studies have investigated the socioeconomic impacts of heritage assets in urban contexts. This study examined urban heritage sites in Seoul Metropolitan City from the perspective of residents’ environmental satisfaction and housing prices. Methods A spatial regression model was developed to examine the associations between urban heritage sites and their corresponding protected areas as the independent variables (nationally assigned cultural heritage, city-assigned cultural heritage, nationally registered cultural heritage, nationally assigned cultural heritage protected area, and city-assigned cultural heritage protected area) and residential environmental satisfaction and housing prices as the dependent variables. The model investigated how urban heritage sites influence housing prices through the mediating effect of residential environmental satisfaction. Results The results confirmed the impact of urban heritage sites on housing prices and the mediating effect of residential environmental satisfaction. Moreover, depending on their urban heritage classifications, noticeable differences were evident in the impact of urban heritage sites. Conclusion These findings provide an intellectual foundation for public policies, offering insights into how they might achieve an optimum balance between private and public interests in matters of heritage conservation.
MIA-QSAR analysis of an increased data set of 1,3,4-oxa/thiadiazole nematicides to enhance the molecular diversity and agrochemical candidacy
Authors: Licona Jessica S.F. , de Faria Adriana C. , Pereira Ingrid V. , Daré Joyce K. , Freitas Matheus P.
Published: July 2022

Tylenchulus semipenetrans nematodes affect citrus crops and may develop resistance to commercially available nematicides. In this sense, two series of 1,3,4-oxa- and thiadiazole compounds have been recently synthesised and tested as nematicides against T. semipenetrans, demonstrating promising results. We report herein a molecular modelling study that combines these two series of congeneric compounds to form a single and enhanced data set. The chemical structures of these compounds were correlated with the respective nematicidal activities (pLC50) using multivariate image analysis (MIA) descriptors in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. The partial least squares (PLS) regression yielded reliable and predictive models (, , and ). Therefore, novel 1,3,4-oxa- and thiadiazole derivatives were proposed and a few of them exhibited predicted nematicidal performance better than those of the parent compounds.
Inspecting Ships Autonomously under Port State Jurisdiction: Towards Sustainability and Biodiversity in the EU
Authors: Derrig Ríán
Published: July 2022

This article examines the possibility of autonomous inspection robots being used to undertake inspection tasks conducted on the basis of port State jurisdiction in European Union (EU) Member States’ ports. A brief overview of technical research concerning such robots is offered. The article then outlines the EU legal framework concerning port State jurisdiction, and contextualises this legal landscape by recalling the history of attempts at the EU and international level to regulate in response to maritime disasters since the 1980s. Based on a close reading of the Port State Control Directive, alongside analysis of the aims pursued and policy options proposed in the context of the European Commission’s significant ongoing work on a review of this instrument, it is clear that the adoption of autonomous inspection technologies could offer significant benefits, permitting more efficient completion of existing inspection tasks and potentially changing what is and is not considered feasible in inspection scenarios.
Digital Platforms in Contemporary India: The Transformation of Quotidian Life Worlds
Authors: Mukherjee Rahul , Nizaruddin Fathima
Published: July 2022

The introduction to the special issue on ‘Digital Platforms in Contemporary India: Transformation of Quotidian Life Worlds’ focuses on the ways in which everyday interactions in contemporary India have changed since the arrival of digital platforms. Locating these changes within their specific contexts, the essays in the special issue examine the new circulatory assemblages and representational tropes that emerge through interactions between diverse platforms and their various users. In particular, the essays trace the different ways in which bodies, mobilities, and platforms are entangled in everyday life in an unfolding phenomenon. This introduction outlines the new spatiotemporal shifts catalyzed by the platformization of everyday activities in India, drawing connections among the various essays in the special issue. The introduction attempts to map these shifts as part of a two-way process, which acknowledges that the resulting transformations also have the potential for reimagining the existing logic of platforms.
#delhimetro on Instagram: Digital Media and Mobility Practices before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sharma Sonali
Published: July 2022

India has the highest number of Instagram users in the world. This article examines Instagram, the mobility, and the digital media practices of Delhi Metro commuters before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it looks at their photography of everyday lived experiences, their mediated interactions with one another, and the visible-invisible infrastructure in the city. It draws attention to the complexity of digital production, personal archiving, and circulation networks at play. Foregrounding the changing ‘geographies of social media’, a qualitative, digital ethnographic approach analyses these images’ visual, social, and contextual aspects. Also, a range of convergent practices related to individuals, places, and socio-cultural-political-economic-technological realities influence the images. Eventually, a narrative emerges on how these metro travellers inhabit offline and online public spaces, exchange cultural capital, and perform the affective, mediated negotiation of the city.
Morphological and phylogenetic evidence reveal Tetraploa cylindrica sp. nov. (Tetraplosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from Saccharum arundinaceum (Poaceae) in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: LIAO CHUN-FANG , DONG WEI , CHETHANA K. W. THILINI , PEM DHANDEVI , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , SUWANNARACH NAKARIN , DOILOM MINGKWAN
Published: July 2022

During an investigation of fungal saprobes of Yunnan Province, China, a species in Tetraplosphaeriaceae was collected from decaying stems of Saccharum arundinaceum (Poaceae). The taxon has oblong, dark brown to black, four-columned conidia with mostly three long apical appendages. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, β-tubulin and tef1-α sequence data revealed that our collection is a member of Tetraploa and has a close affinity to T. aquatica, T. dashaoensis, and T. nagasakiensis. Based on the morphological comparison and multi-locus phylogeny, we introduce T. cylindrica as a new species. The newly discovered taxon is described, illustrated, and compared to related taxa. A taxonomic insight is presented based on our new data regarding the classification problems of asexual and sexual morphs of Tetraploa. In addition, this is the first report of Tetraploa species that occur on Saccharum arundinaceum. The results of the present study will expand our ecological knowledge of Tetraploa.
The Ny-Ålesund Aerosol Cloud Experiment (NASCENT): Overview and First Results
Authors: Pasquier J. T. , David R. O. , Freitas G. , Gierens R. , Gramlich Y. , Haslett S. , Li G. , Schäfer B. , Siegel K. , Wieder J. , Adachi K. , Belosi F. , Carlsen T. , Decesari S. , Ebell K. , Gilardoni S. , Gysel-Beer M. , Henneberger J. , Inoue J. , Kanji Z. A. , Koike M. , Kondo Y. , Krejci R. , Lohmann U. , Maturilli M. , Mazzolla M. , Modini R. , Mohr C. , Motos G. , Nenes A. , Nicosia A. , Ohata S. , Paglione M. , Park S. , Pileci R. E. , Ramelli F. , Rinaldi M. , Ritter C. , Sato K. , Storelvmo T. , Tobo Y. , Traversi R. , Viola A. , Zieger P.
Published: July 2022

The Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of the global average. This warming is influenced by clouds, which modulate the solar and terrestrial radiative fluxes and, thus, determine the surface energy budget. However, the interactions among clouds, aerosols, and radiative fluxes in the Arctic are still poorly understood. To address these uncertainties, the Ny-Ålesund Aerosol Cloud Experiment (NASCENT) study was conducted from September 2019 to August 2020 in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The campaign’s primary goal was to elucidate the life cycle of aerosols in the Arctic and to determine how they modulate cloud properties throughout the year. In situ and remote sensing observations were taken on the ground at sea level, at a mountaintop station, and with a tethered balloon system. An overview of the meteorological and the main aerosol seasonality encountered during the NASCENT year is introduced, followed by a presentation of first scientific highlights. In particular, we present new findings on aerosol physicochemical and molecular properties. Further, the role of cloud droplet activation and ice crystal nucleation in the formation and persistence of mixed-phase clouds, and the occurrence of secondary ice processes, are discussed and compared to the representation of cloud processes within the regional Weather Research and Forecasting Model. The paper concludes with research questions that are to be addressed in upcoming NASCENT publications.
The Benefits of Hindsight and Modern Risk Assessment Tools: An Evaluation of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Early Release Program
Authors: Clark Valerie A.
Published: July 2022

Given the devastating effects of COVID-19 on congregate living settings, many correctional agencies have been forced to expedite the release of incarcerated persons beginning in 2020. This research evaluated the recidivism outcomes of 158 individuals released early from prison in response to the pandemic compared to a similar cohort of standard releases. Cox regression analyses revealed that individuals released early were no more or less likely to be re-arrested or returned to prison for a supervision violation compared to the control sample, but they were significantly less likely to be convicted of a new offense. This research demonstrated that carefully selected low-risk individuals can be released early from prison without compromising public safety.
Examining the Connection Between Missing Persons and Victimization: An Application of Lifestyle Exposure Theory
Authors: Ferguson Lorna , Elliott Melissa , Kim Sin
Published: July 2022

Victimization has been anecdotally connected to missing persons within several reviews, inquiries, and media stories, particularly in consequence of missing-turned-serial murder cases. However, this has been paid little attention within the scholarship. To remedy this gap, this study empirically explores the link between missing persons and victimization through the perspective of lifestyle exposure theory. A qualitative thematic analysis of 1,920 missing person files uncovers several demographic and lifestyle factors implicating victimization risk, as well as their ranked aggregated and disaggregated saliency. Examples include criminality, victimizing events, sex work, and gender identity. Also discovered is that the context and nature of victimization risk differ for specific people and groups. The implications of these findings and future research areas are herein discussed.
ACALETICS® and Predicting Mathematics Achievement With Racially Diverse and Economically Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Richardson Sonyia , Hancock Stephen
Published: July 2022

Math programming that includes assessments to predict standardized mathematics scores can help evaluate student performance and growth during the academic year. ACALETICS® is a highly interactive, culturally inclusive mathematics program that utilizes posttests as continuous comprehensive assessments to evaluate student mathematical knowledge. ACALETICS® also seeks to mitigate demographic student factors that may influence outcomes. However, the ACALETICS® posttest has not been examined to determine if it is predictive of standardized mathematics scores. The purpose of this research is to explore how much variance is accounted for by the ACALETICS® posttest scores with the Florida Standards Assessment Mathematics test scores among 427 racially diverse and economically disadvantaged urban elementary school students after controlling for gender, grade level, and race. Findings indicated that the ACALETICS® posttest significantly explained variance in standardized mathematics scores among a diverse sample and can be used as a tool to monitor and predict mathematics outcomes.
COVID-19 and client violence toward healthcare social workers in Chile
Authors: Calderón-Orellana Magdalena , Díaz Bórquez Daniela , Miranda Sánchez Paula
Published: July 2022

This article discusses the violence perpetrated by clients against social workers who provided services to COVID-19 patients and their families in Chilean hospitals during the initial peak of the disease in the country. In this way, this becomes the first study to analyze client violence toward social workers in the health crisis generated by the pandemic. The results indicate that the presence of aggressions from clients is high and social workers’ coping strategies are passive. Finally, the urgent call for prevention and the need for research are presented.
ɛ-caprolactone and pentaerythritol derived oligomer for rigid polyurethane foams preparation
Authors: Walczak Małgorzata , Lubczak Jacek
Published: July 2022

Copolymerization of pentaerythritol with five equivalents of ɛ-caprolactone leads to tetra-functional branched oligomer terminated with hydroxyl groups. The product was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and physical methods to determine viscosity, density and surface tension. The oligomer was then used to obtain rigid polyurethane foam. The foam was characterized by physicochemical methods to determine: apparent density, water uptake, polymerization shrinkage, heat conductance coefficient, thermal stability, compression strength and biodegradation. The foam obtained from this oligomer have the properties similar to classic rigid polyurethane foams but enhanced thermal resistance. It can stand long time heating at 175°C, while its compression strength increases upon thermal exposure. The foam and oligomer are biodegradable; the oligomer is fully decomposed within 28 days in soil, while the foam obtained from it is in the same conditions degradable up to 28% of initial mass.