bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TAB: Unified and Optimized Ternary, Binary, and Mixed-precision Neural Network Inference on the Edge
Authors: Zhu Shien , Duong Luan H. K. , Liu Weichen
Published: January 2022

Ternary Neural Networks (TNNs) and mixed-precision Ternary Binary Networks (TBNs) have demonstrated higher accuracy compared to Binary Neural Networks (BNNs) while providing fast, low-power, and memory-efficient inference. Related works have improved the accuracy of TNNs and TBNs, but overlooked their optimizations on CPU and GPU platforms. First, there is no unified encoding for the binary and ternary values in TNNs and TBNs. Second, existing works store the 2-bit quantized data sequentially in 32/64-bit integers, resulting in bit-extraction overhead. Last, adopting standard 2-bit multiplications for ternary values leads to a complex computation pipeline, and efficient mixed-precision multiplication between ternary and binary values is unavailable.

In this article, we propose TAB as a unified and optimized inference method for ternary, binary, and mixed-precision neural networks. TAB includes unified value representation, efficient data storage scheme and novel bitwise dot product pipelines on CPU/GPU platforms. We adopt signed integers for consistent value representation across binary and ternary values. We introduce a bitwidth-last data format that stores the first and second bits of the ternary values separately to remove the bit extraction overhead. We design the ternary and binary bitwise dot product pipelines based on Gated-XOR using up to 40% fewer operations than
State-Of-The-Art (SOTA)
methods.

Theoretical speedup analysis shows that our proposed TAB-TNN is 2.3× fast as the SOTA ternary method RTN, 9.8× fast as 8-bit integer quantization (INT8), and 39.4× fast as 32-bit full-precision convolution (FP32). Experiment results on CPU and GPU platforms show that our TAB-TNN has achieved up to 34.6× speedup and 16× storage size reduction compared with FP32 layers. TBN, Binary-activation Ternary-weight Network (BTN), and BNN in TAB are up to 40.7×, 56.2×, and 72.2× as fast as FP32. TAB-TNN is up to 70.1% faster and 12.8% more power-efficient than RTN on Darknet-19 while keeping the same accuracy. TAB is open source as a PyTorch Extension

1

for easy integration with existing CNN models.
DynO: Dynamic Onloading of Deep Neural Networks from Cloud to Device
Authors: Almeida Mario , Laskaridis Stefanos , Venieris Stylianos I. , Leontiadis Ilias , Lane Nicholas D.
Published: January 2022

Recently, there has been an explosive growth of mobile and embedded applications using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). To alleviate their excessive computational demands, developers have traditionally resorted to cloud offloading, inducing high infrastructure costs and a strong dependence on networking conditions. On the other end, the emergence of powerful SoCs is gradually enabling on-device execution. Nonetheless, low- and mid-tier platforms still struggle to run state-of-the-art CNNs sufficiently. In this article, we present DynO, a distributed inference framework that combines the best of both worlds to address several challenges, such as device heterogeneity, varying bandwidth, and multi-objective requirements. Key components that enable this are its novel CNN-specific data packing method, which exploits the variability of precision needs in different parts of the CNN when onloading computation, and its novel scheduler, which jointly tunes the partition point and transferred data precision at runtime to adapt inference to its execution environment. Quantitative evaluation shows that DynO outperforms the current state of the art, improving throughput by over an order of magnitude over device-only execution and up to 7.9× over competing CNN offloading systems, with up to 60× less data transferred.
lncRNAs in mesenchymal differentiation
Authors: De la Fuente-Hernandez Marcela Angelica , Sarabia-Sanchez Miguel Angel , Melendez-Zajgla Jorge , Maldonado-Lagunas Vilma
Published: January 2022

In recent years, technological advances have revealed a large potential number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Findings recognize lncRNAs as orchestrating molecules in a wide range of processes, at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, although fewer studies address function. For differentiation, which consists of rearrangements in the gene expression profile and activation of stage- and cell type-dependent signaling mechanisms, the relevance of lncRNAs becomes crucial. The relationship between lncRNAs and key molecular factors in differentiation is strengthening; therefore the present review aims to comprehensively explain the role of lncRNAs in the signaling network involved in the main types of mesenchymal differentiation: adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, myogenesis, and osteogenesis. Notably, a step toward the integration of lncRNAs in the field of cell differentiation promises an exceptional impact.
Chloride channels with ClC-1-like properties differentially regulate the excitability of dopamine receptor D1- and D2-expressing striatal medium spiny neurons
Authors: Yarotskyy Viktor , Lark Arianna R. S. , Nass Sara R. , Hahn Yun K. , Marone Michael G. , McQuiston A. Rory , Knapp Pamela E. , Hauser Kurt F.
Published: January 2022

Dynamic chloride (Cl−) regulation is critical for synaptic inhibition. In mature neurons, Cl− influx and extrusion are primarily controlled by ligand-gated anion channels (GABAA and glycine receptors) and the potassium chloride cotransporter K+-Cl− cotransporter 2 (KCC2), respectively. Here, we report for the first time, to our knowledge, a presence of a new source of Cl− influx in striatal neurons with properties similar to chloride voltage-gated channel 1 (ClC-1). Using whole cell patch-clamp recordings, we detected an outwardly rectifying voltage-dependent current that was impermeable to the large anion methanesulfonate (MsO−). The anionic current was sensitive to the ClC-1 inhibitor 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (9-AC) and the nonspecific blocker phloretin. The mean fractions of anionic current inhibition by MsO−, 9-AC, and phloretin were not significantly different, indicating that anionic current was caused by active ClC-1-like channels. In addition, we found that Cl− current was not sensitive to the transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A; Ano1) inhibitor Ani9 and that the outward Cl− rectification was preserved even at a very high intracellular Ca2+ concentration (2 mM), indicating that TMEM16B ( Ano2) did not contribute to the total current. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the presence of ClC-1 channels in the striatum mainly localized to the somata of striatal neurons. Finally, we found that 9-AC decreased action potential firing frequencies and increased excitability in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing dopamine type 1 (D1) and type 2 (D2) receptors in the brain slices, respectively. We conclude that ClC-1-like channels are preferentially located at the somata of MSNs, are functional, and can modulate neuronal excitability.
Oculomotor freezing indicates conscious detection free of decision bias
Authors: White Alex L. , Moreland James C. , Rolfs Martin
Published: January 2022

Sometimes a visual stimulus reaches awareness, and sometimes it does not. To understand why, we need objective, bias-free measures of awareness. We discovered that a reflexive freezing of small eye movements indicates when an observer detects a stimulus. Furthermore, when we biased observers’ decisions to report seeing the stimulus, the oculomotor response was unaltered. This suggests that the threshold for conscious perception is independent of the decision criterion and is revealed by oculomotor freezing.
A Novel Highway Routing Protocol in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks Using VMaSC-LTE and DBA-MAC Protocols
Authors: Khezri Edris , Zeinali Esmaeil , Sargolzaey Hadi
Published: January 2022

The vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are an example of mobile networks, which utilizes dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) to establish a wireless connection between cars, and their primary purpose is to provide more security and comfort for passengers. These networks utilize wireless communications and vehicular technology to collect and disseminate traffic information, and it is required to be delivered to all vehicles on the network reliably and quickly. One of the major challenges raised in VANETs is that the communication path between the source and destination nodes is disconnected due to the dynamic nature of the nodes in this network, and the reconnection process of nodes through the new path reduces the performance of network. This paper presents a highway routing protocol to overcome some of the challenges of these networks including routing cost, delay, packet delivery rate, and overhead. The NS2 is used for simulation, and the performance of the proposed protocol is compared with the VMaSC-LTE and DBA-MAC protocols. The results of the simulation indicated that the proposed protocol outperforms the other two protocols in terms of delay, packet delivery rate, and routing overhead.
Edge Detection Algorithm-Based Lung Ultrasound in Evaluation of Efficacy of High-Flow Oxygen Therapy on Critical Lung Injury
Authors: Lu Wei , Xie Bin , Ding Zhaolei
Published: January 2022

The study focused on the therapeutic effects of high-flow oxygen therapy on patients with critical lung injury using edge detection-based ultrasound images. Firstly, the traditional Canny edge detection algorithm was improved, and the optimal threshold was obtained by optimizing the median filter and combining Otsu algorithm and threshold iteration method. Then, the optimized algorithm was compared with the traditional Canny edge detection algorithm and applied to process the lung ultrasound images of 120 cases of critical lung injury, to compare the efficacy of high-flow oxygen therapy and the traditional oxygen therapy. It was found that the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) (20.34~31.3), edge intensity value (17.89~27.34), and edge detection effect of the improved Canny algorithm were better than the traditional Canny algorithm (15.2~28.61, 9.44~18.56). The failure rate of extubation (4.1%), reintubation rate (0.8%), comfort (

2.38
±
0.15

points), dry humidity score (

1.07
±
0.21

points), antibiotic use (

7.41
±
0.74

days), and hospital stay (

8.66
±
1.02

days) in the experimental group were significantly lower than the corresponding indexes in the control group (11.7%, 5%,

4.25
±
0.26

minutes,

4.94
±
0.78

minutes,

19.29
±
1.7

days, and

27.49
±
2.22

days), and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In the experimental group, within 48 hours after extubation, the respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and HCO3- were significantly lower than those of the control group; and the values of transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), and pH were significantly higher than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, the algorithm in this study is superior to the traditional Canny algorithm, and the high-flow oxygen therapy can reduce the failure rate of extubation, strengthen patient comfort, improve the degree of gas humidification, stabilize the respiratory function and circulatory system, and shorten the time of antibiotic use and hospital stay.
A Big Data-Driven Approach to Analyze the Influencing Factors of Enterprise’s Technological Innovation
Authors: Zhang Qianqian
Published: January 2022

A data-driven intelligent analysis method is proposed in this paper to explore and identify the enterprise’s technological innovation influencing factors. Questionnaire surveys or expert interviews are usually adopted by the traditional evaluation methods for indicators of technological innovation selection. However, it inevitably involves human factors and experts’ subjective judgments, which may affect the result of enterprises evaluation. The research presents an improved text clustering method based on a semantic concept model to explore and analyze the key influencing factors of enterprise’s technological innovation. The study collects textual data from 400 enterprises in Beijing and smart analyzes the critical influencing factors of enterprise’s technological innovation by using the proposed method. The influencing factors can be divided into seven categories. In addition, compared with the traditional K-means clustering method, the proposed method has a good effect. We proposed a methodology to conduct an intelligent analysis for enterprise’s technological innovation under the data-driven. It can provide more objective and auxiliary suggestions for the evaluation of the enterprise’s technology innovation.
Genetic Diversity of HPV 16 and HPV 18 Based on Partial Long Control Region in Iranian Women
Authors: Mobini Kesheh Mina , Barazandeh Mohadeseh , Kaffashi Amir , Shahkarami Mohammad Kazem , Nadji Seyed Alireza
Published: January 2022

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and HPV 18 account for 75% of all cervical cancers. The L1 gene, encoding the major surface protein (MSP), is used to classify HPV types (lineages and sublineages), genotypes, and intratypic variants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the lineages, sublineages, genetic variabilities, and mutation effects on transcription factor binding sites by using partial sequences of the HPV 16 and HPV 18 long control regions (LCRs) in these samples. Materials and Methods. After DNA isolation from 56 positive samples, the LCR of HPV 16 and HPV 18 were amplified using specific primers, and phylogenetic trees were drawn through MEGA X. Compared to the reference sequences, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The transcription binding sites were also evaluated using the online PROMO database. Results. The LCRs of 52 samples were successfully sequenced. Overall, 81.58% of all HPV 16 variants belonged to the D1 sublineage, followed by A4 (13.16%), A1 (2.63%), and C1 (2.63%) sublineages. All HPV 18 isolates belonged to A sublineage, 92.85% to A3 sublineage, and 7.15% to A4 sublineage. Out of 27 SNPs in the HPV 16 LCR, A7382T, T7384G, C7387T, C7393G, A7431G, T7448C, and C7783A were HPV 16-specific. Also, among 14 SNPs in the HPV 18 LCR, C7577A and A7943T were not previously reported. An insertion (C) between 7432 and 7433 positions was identified in all studied HPV 16 variants. Besides, most of the HPV 16 mutations were embedded in the YY1, TFIID, Oct-2, and NF-1 binding sites, while c-Fos and MBF1, as the most common binding sites, were affected by HPV 18 LCR mutations. Conclusion. The present results showed that D1 and A3 were the dominant sublineages of HPV 16 and HPV 18, respectively. Therefore, women infected with these variants need to be examined in further longitudinal studies to obtain more information about the oncogenic potential of these dominant variants in Iran. Besides, YY1, TFIID, Oct-2, NF-1, c-Fos, and MBF1 were the most frequent binding sites, which were influenced by the mutations.
Modelling the Impact of Tourism on Mental Health of Chinese Residents: An Empirical Study
Authors: Sun Leilei , Wang Guojun , Gao Lifei
Published: January 2022

In the highly competitive social environment, people are facing psychological problems of anxiety, tension, and depression. This paper mainly examines the impact of tourism on negative emotions. This article uses the 2016 cross‐sectional data of the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to observe the relationship between household tourism expenditures and the emotions of family members. We used the Probit model and instrumental variables and selected two types of negative emotions as indicators to measure the mental health to establish a model together with economic indicators such as family tourism expenditure and other economic activity expenditures. The empirical results show that families spending on tourism have low probability of negative emotions or mental problems (P < 0.01). There are positive effects between family tourism activities and members' mental health. It can be seen that tourism is an effective way to alleviate national mental health problems.
Computed Tomography Images under Deep Learning Algorithm in the Diagnosis of Perioperative Rehabilitation Nursing for Patients with Lung Cancer
Authors: Yan Sha , Huang Qin , Yu Siying , Liu Zhenxing
Published: January 2022

This study aim was to explore the application effect of computed tomography (CT) image segmentation based on deep learning algorithm in the diagnosis of lung cancer. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) convolutional neural network (CNN) and three-dimensional (3D) CNN fusion model was constructed firstly. Subsequently, 60 patients with lung cancer were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group to receive perioperative routine nursing and rehabilitation nursing, respectively. The results revealed that the Dice value (0.876), sensitivity (0.849), and positive predictive value (PPV) (0.875) of the hybrid feature fusion model (HFFM) constructed in this study for lung cancer CT image segmentation were higher than those of other models, and the accuracy rate for lung cancer diagnosis was 96.7%. After nursing intervention, the partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) and partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) in the control group were 80.54 mmHg and 39.81 mmHg, respectively, while those in the intervention group were 83.09 mmHg and 36.75 mmHg, respectively. After intervention, the maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) %, forced vital capacity (FVC) %, and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) %) in the intervention group were 76.03%, 82.14%, and 89.76%, respectively. It suggested that compared with the control group, the pulmonary function indexes of the intervention group improved significantly after nursing intervention (

P

 < 0.05). In summary, the HFFM constructed in this study can be used for segmentation and classification of CT images of lung cancer patients, which can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and help improve the lung function and quality of life of patients.
Shifts in the Proportion of Distant Stage Early-Onset Colorectal Adenocarcinoma in the United States
Authors: Montminy Eric M. , Zhou Meijiao , Maniscalco Lauren , Heda Rajiv , Kim Michelle Kang , Patel Swati G. , Wu Xiao-Cheng , Itzkowitz Steven H. , Karlitz Jordan J.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Carcinoids, frequently classified as “colorectal cancer” contribute to rising early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) incidence rates (IR) and have distinct staging distributions compared to often advanced stage adenocarcinomas (screening target). Thus, assessing temporal shifts in early-onset distant stage adenocarcinoma can impact public health.

Methods:

2000–2016 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 18 yearly adenocarcinoma IRs were stratified by stage (in situ, localized, regional, distant), age (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–54-year-olds), subsite (colorectal, rectal-only, colon-only), and race [non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics] in 103,975 patients. Three-year average annual IR changes (pooled 2000–2002 IRs compared with 2014–2016) and cancer stage proportions (percent contribution of each cancer stage) were calculated.

Results:

Comparing 2000–2002 with 2014–2016, the steepest percent increases are in distant stage cancers. Colon-only, distant adenocarcinoma increased most in 30–39-year-olds (49%, 0.75/100,000→1.12/100,00, P < 0.05). Rectal-only, distant stage increases were steepest in 20–29-year-olds (133%, 0.06/100,000→0.14/100,000, P < 0.05), followed by 30–39-year-olds (97%, 0.39/100,000→0.77/100,000, P < 0.05) and 40–49-year-olds (48%, 1.38/100,000→2.04/100,000, P < 0.05). Distant stage proportions (2000–2002 to 2014–2016) increased for colon-only and rectal-only subsites in young patients with the largest increases for rectal-only in 20–29-year-olds (18%→31%) and 30–39-year-olds (20%→29%). By race, distant stage proportion increases were largest for rectal-only in 20–29-year-old NHBs (0%→46%) and Hispanics (28%→41%). Distant colon proportion increased most in 20–29-year-old NHBs (20%→34%).

Conclusions:

Youngest patients show greatest burdens of distant colorectal adenocarcinoma. Although affecting all races, burdens are higher in NHB and Hispanic subgroups, although case counts remain relatively low.

Impact:

Optimizing earlier screening initiatives and risk-stratifying younger patients by symptoms and family history are critical to counteract rising distant stage disease.
The Potential of a Stroke Registry Using Diagnosis Procedure Combination Data from All Hospitals in a Japanese Prefecture
Authors: Omama Shinichi , Tanno Kozo , Inoue Yoshihiro , Ogasawara Kuniaki , Fukuda Takeshi , Oikawa Yuetsu , Onoda Toshiyuki , Ohsawa Masaki , Sakata Kiyomi
Published: January 2022

Objectives: In Japan, many hospitals have joined the diagnosis procedure combination/per-diem payment system (DPC/PDPS), which provides unified information about inpatients. DPC data are digitized, and the number of participating hospitals has increased recently. Herein, we evaluated the potential of a stroke registry constructed using these unified DPC data from all hospitals in the Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Methods: The proportion of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) cases registered by DPC-participating hospitals was calculated and compared with all registered cases in the Iwate Stroke Registry in 2008–2017. The cases were categorized based on sex, age-groups, stroke subtypes, and first-ever onset or recurrence onset. Based on the registered cases in the stroke registry, the accuracy of the CVD cases extracted by the disease name from DPC data of a typical core hospital and a typical noncore hospital was evaluated. Results: Of the 71 hospitals with 9,992 beds in the Iwate Prefecture in 2018, 50 hospitals with 8,316 beds participated in the DPC system. The proportion of registered cases from participating hospitals was 95.2% (44,779/47,018) for all stroke types (95.6% men and 94.9% women), 94.3% for cerebral infarction, 97.0% for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 98.7% for subarachnoid hemorrhage, whereas it was 95.7% for first-ever onset and 94.1% for recurrent onset. The proportion of registered cases decreased with increasing patient age. Attending doctors and researchers registered 486 and 41 CVD cases from the core and noncore hospitals, respectively, whereas 455 and 46 CVD cases were extracted from the DPC data of these hospitals, respectively. This yielded 86.6% sensitivity, 99.3% specificity, 92.5% positive predictive value, and 98.7% negative predictive value for the core hospital; these values were 92.7%, 98.6%, 82.6%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the noncore hospital. Discussion/Conclusions: The stroke registry constructed using DPC data from all hospitals of Iwate Prefecture appears to be adequately complete and accurate.
The Influence of Endogenous Testosterone Density on Unfavorable Disease and Tumor Load at Final Pathology in Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Results in 338 Patients Treated with Radical Prostatectomy and Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection
Authors: Porcaro Antonio Benito , Panunzio Andrea , Tafuri Alessandro , Cerrato Clara , Gallina Sebastian , Bianchi Alberto , Rizzetto Riccardo , Amigoni Nelia , Gozzo Alessandra , Serafin Emanuele , Cianflone Francesco , Migliorini Filippo , Vidiri Stefano , Di Filippo Giacomo , Novella Giovanni , Brunelli Matteo , Shakir Aliasger , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Cerruto Maria Angela , Siracusano Salvatore , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: January 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of endogenous testosterone density (ETD) on features of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) in intermediate-risk disease treated with radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection. Materials and Methods: Density measurements included the ratio of endogenous testosterone (ET), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and percentage of biopsy positive cores (BPC) on prostate volume (ETD, PSAD, and BPCD, respectively). The ratio of percentage of cancer invading the gland (tumor load, TL) on prostate weight (TLD) was also calculated. Unfavorable disease (UD) was defined as tumor upgrading (ISUP >3) and/or upstaging (pT >2) and/or lymph node invasion (LNI). Associations of ETD with features of aggressive PCa, including UD and TLD, were evaluated by logistic and linear regression models. Results: Evaluated cases were 338. Subjects with upgrading, upstaging, and LNI were 61/338 (18%), 73/338 (21%), and 25/338 (7.4%), respectively. TLD correlated with UD (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.204; p < 0.0001), PSAD (r = 0.342; p < 0.0001), BPCD (r = 0.364; p < 0.0001), and ETD (r = 0.214; p < 0.0001), which also correlated with BMI (r = −0.223; p < 0.0001), PSAD (r = 0.391; p < 0.0001), and BPCD (r = 0.407; p < 0.0001). TLD was the strongest independent predictor of UD (OR = 2.244; 95% CI = 1.146–4.395; p = 0.018). In the multivariate linear regression model predicting BPCD, ETD was an independent predictor (linear regression coefficient, b = 0.026; 95% CI: 0.016–0.036; p < 0.0001) together with PSAD (b = 1.599; 95% CI: 0.863–2.334; p < 0.0001) and TLD (b = 0.489; 95% CI: 0.274–0.706; p < 0.0001). According to models, TLD increased as ETD increased accordingly, but mean ET levels were significantly lower for patients with UD. Conclusions: As ETD measurements incremented, the risk of large tumors extending beyond the prostate increased accordingly, and patients with lower ET levels were more likely to occult UD. The influence of ETD on PCa biology should be addressed by prospective studies.
A Case of Pemphigus Vulgaris and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: May Systemic Steroids Be Considered in the Standard Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Authors: Martora Fabrizio , Martora Lorenzo , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Marasca Claudio
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between pemphigus and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Case Presentation: Here, we report the case of a 58-year-old man affected by HS for about 30 years who was found to have lesions attributable to pemphigus during a checkup. Discussion/Conclusion: There are few data in the literature on the use of systemic corticosteroids for the two diseases, and our article wants to be a food for thought on the management and treatment of these diseases.
Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with COVID-19: The Kuwait Experience
Authors: Al Saleh Mohammad , Alotaibi Naser , Schrapp Kelly , Alsaber Ahmad , Pan Jiazhu , Almutairi Farah , Abdullah Mohammed , Aboelhassan Wael , AlNasrallah Noor , Al-Bader Bader , Malhas Haya , Ramadhan Maryam , Hamza Mahdy , Abdelnaby Hassan , Alroomi Moudhi
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To describe the baseline characteristics and to evaluate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to hospitals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data of patients admitted to two hospitals in Kuwait with COVID-19. The outcome was assessed by using multivariable analysis of factors affecting survival and mortality. Results: In 962 patients, the case fatality ratio was 9.04%. The mean age of nonsurvivors was 63.5 ± 14.8 years, and most deaths occurred in males (80.5%). For the whole sample, the source of transmission was significantly related to mortality and the median duration of in-hospital stay was 15 days (interquartile range: 2–52 days). In patients with high oxygen requirements, the case fatality rate was 96.6%. Multivariable analysis identified age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and dyspnea on presentation as independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality. Conclusions: The mortality rate was higher in older patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and CVD. Early recognition of high-risk patients may help to improve care and reduce mortality.
Effect of BMI on the Thermogenic Response to Cold Exposure and Associated Changes in Metabolism and Browning Markers in Adult Humans
Authors: Mengel Laura Aline , Nemati Moud Bahareh , Seidl Hatti , Mesas-Fernández Alberto , Seeliger Claudine , Brandl Beate , Skurk Thomas , Holzapfel Christina , Claussnitzer Melina , Hauner Hans
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) serves to produce heat by nonshivering thermogenesis. Activation of BAT increases energy expenditure and is seen as a putative strategy to treat obesity. There are conflicting data on the capacity for cold-induced thermogenesis in individuals with higher BMI. Methods: To investigate the effect of BMI on cold-induced stimulation of energy expenditure, changes in the metabolic profile, and the expression of browning markers in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT), healthy adults (N = 173, 50.9% females) with a median age of 26.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 23.0; 28.0) years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 23.6 [IQR: 21.9; 26.6] kg/m2 were exposed to short-term mild cold exposure (CE). Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry and blood sampling was conducted at baseline and after CE. In a subgroup of participants with obesity, subcutaneous abdominal fat biopsies were taken before and after CE. Results: The cold-induced median increase in REE was 74 (IQR: −28; 241) kcal/day (p < 0.001). This increase negatively correlated with BMI (p < 0.001). Participants with BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 displayed a significant median increase of 103 kcal/day (p < 0.001), participants with overweight or obesity were not able to increase REE (23, p = 0.468 or −30 kcal/day, p = 0.917, respectively). In participants with obesity, expression of cell death activator in scWAT after CE was upregulated in females (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Persons with overweight and obesity do not increase REE in response to CE, presumably reflecting lower BAT activity. Likewise, the metabolic response to cold is diminished in participants with elevated BMI.
Identidade cultural da mulher negra: representações visuais em embalagens da Seda
Authors: Drigo Maria Ogécia , Malagó Graziella Andrea
Published: January 2022

Objetiva-se verificar que, em meio aos significados gerados por representações visuais de mulheres, podem vir à tona aspectos do processo de construção da identidade cultural da mulher negra, no Brasil. Mbembe, Lipovetsky e Serroy, Semprini e Sodré compõem a fundamentação teórica, e estratégias da semiótica peirceana serão aplicadas na análise de embalagens de produtos para cabelos da marca Seda. O artigo é relevante por contribuir para a compreensão do processo de construção de identidade cultural da mulher negra no Brasil, em momentos tão marcados por conflitos gerados por intolerância às diferenças.
Robiquetia gracilis (Lindl.) Garay—a new record to the flora of Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Subbaiyan B. , Ganesan V. , Kumar P.R. Nimal , Panneerselvam Thangaraj S.
Published: January 2022

Robiquetia gracilis (Lindl.) Garay a rare orchid species was collected from Anamalai hills, Tamil Nadu, a new report to the flora of the hills. A detailed description with colour photos and relevant notes are provided.
Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson, 1904) around the grasslands of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua, Kenya
Authors: Hamisi Risper Ann , Warui Charles M. , Njoroge Peter
Published: January 2022

Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei is an endangered Kenyan endemic bird restricted to high-altitude grasslands with long tussocks. The species occurs on the grasslands surrounding Lake Ol’Bolossat in Nyandarua, Kenya, an area that is globally recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. The grasslands receive little conservation measures, which have led to the decline in the population density of Sharpe’s Longclaw. Nesting success in birds is crucial for their population growth. The daily survival rate for natural nests of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat had not been systematically assessed prior to this study. Natural nests were actively searched during the breeding seasons of March–May 2016, while artificial nests were constructed using dry grass containing artificial eggs made of cream modeling clay. Natural nests had a higher daily nest survival percentage than artificial nests. The highest daily nest survival rate was 40% and the lowest 0.01%. Predators, livestock grazing and fires greatly reduced the survival of nestlings. We recommend intensive ecological management of the high-altitude grasslands of Lake Ol’Bolossat.
Utilization of home garden crops by primates and current status of human-primate interface at Galigamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Nahallage Charmalie Anuradhie Dona , Dasanayake Dahanakge Ayesha Madushani , Hewamanna Dilan Thisaru , Ananda Dissanayakalage Tharaka Harshani
Published: January 2022

Many humans coexist with non-human primates (NHP), and as human populations have increased so have the pressures on natural habitats. For example, deforestation results in habitat loss and food scarcity for NHPs. In response, NHPs sometimes enter human habitats in search of food, which can result in negative interactions between humans and NHPs. This study focused on human-NHP interactions in three Grama Niladhari divisions in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. We used interviewer-administered structured questionnaires to collect data from 500 randomly selected informants. The majority stated that they could not obtain sufficient harvests from home gardens for their own consumption owing to crop damage and losses caused largely by NHPs and other wild animals. This has led many people to abandon home gardening. Toque Macaques caused the most damage to crops, followed by Wild Boars, porcupines, and Purple-faced Leaf Langurs. Damage was caused to coconuts, vegetables, bananas, and yams. NHPs also caused property damage, with Toque Macaques causing more damage than langurs. People commonly used firecrackers, catapults and air rifles, and wore wooden or plastic face masks, in attempts to control crop damage by NHPs, with little success. People are of the opinion that the NHPs should be relocated to other forested areas or sterilized to control their numbers. In conclusion, to address the issues pertaining to human-primate interactions in terms of conflict due to crop utilization of primates, an integrated management plan should be developed in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.
Wildlife at the crossroads: wild animal road kills due to vehicular collision on a mountainous highway in northwestern Himalayan region
Authors: Kichloo Muzaffar A. , Sohil Asha , Sharma Neeraj
Published: January 2022

Wildlife mortality due to vehicular collision is well known across the world and the number of such incidences is steadily rising in Himalaya as well. To assess the quantum of wildlife road kills, we conducted an intensive survey spanning 33 months along a mountainous National Highway 244 in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Forty-nine wild animal carcasses of 13 species of higher vertebrates were observed lying on the road, shoulders, edges, and valley slopes. These included seven mammals, four birds, and two reptiles. This survey, first of its kind in this part of the Himalaya would be helpful in understanding the underlying reasons of the rising wildlife fatalities on the hill roads, identifying susceptible hotspots, and developing measures to address this new threat to Himalayan wildlife. We recommend creating wildlife passages, raising speed halters, and placing warning signages in vulnerable sections to reduce the road-related wildlife mortality in such mountainous highways.
Trends in Characteristics and Outcomes in Primary Heart Failure Hospitalizations Among Older Population in the United States, 2004 to 2018
Authors: Minhas Abdul Mannan Khan , Ijaz Sardar Hassan , Jamal Shakeel , Dani Sourbha S. , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Greene Stephen J. , Fudim Marat , Warraich Haider J. , Shapiro Michael D. , Virani Salim S. , Nasir Khurram , Khan Safi U.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Heart failure (HF) accounts for a significant proportion of morbidity, mortality, and health care costs among older adults in the United States. We evaluated trends in clinical outcomes and the economic burden of HF hospitalizations in older patients (≥80 years).

Methods:

This analysis included data from the National Inpatient Sample between January 2004 and December 2018. We examined the trends of clinical characteristics, inpatient mortality, and health care cost utilization in older US adults for HF hospitalizations.

Results:

We identified 6 034 951 weighted HF hospitalizations for older adults (3527 per 100 000 person-years). After an initial decline in HF hospitalizations per 100 000 older US older adults from 4211 in 2004 to 3089 in 2014, there was increase to 3388 in 2018 (
P
trend <0.001 for both). There was an overall increase in cardiometabolic and chronic comorbidities during the study period. Overall, inpatient mortality was 4.7%; the adjusted inpatient mortality decreased from 6.1% in 2004 to 3.6% in 2018 (
P
trend <0.001). There was a decrease in adjusted mean length of stay (from 6.0 days in 2004 to 4.7 days in 2018) and adjusted inflation-adjusted care costs (from $11 865 in 2004 to $9677 in 2018) during the study period (
P
trend <0.001 for both). In comparison with younger adults (<80 years), older adults had higher inpatient mortality (4.7% versus 2.2%) but lower inflation-adjusted care costs ($10 587 versus $14 088).

Conclusions:

This 15-year national data suggests that despite a higher comorbidity burden and the recent increase in hospitalizations for HF in older patients, there has been an encouraging trend towards lower inpatient mortality, health care cost, and hospital length of stay among older adults in the United States.
Visitors’ Feelings toward Moose and Coyote in a Wildlife Sanctuary: Transcendent Feelings of Animal Valuation Scale
Authors: Perry Donna J. , Averka Jacob P. , Johnson Curt , Powell Howie , Cavanaugh Amanda
Published: January 2022

Despite the importance of biodiversity, humans value some species more highly than others. Placing different levels of value on species can impact nonhuman animal welfare and conservation. Feelings are central to value recognition. It’s critical to better understand how to foster positive feelings toward different species. The purpose of this study was to test the Transcendent Feelings of Animal Valuation scale and evaluate the influence of a wildlife sanctuary visit on feelings toward moose and coyotes. The scale was piloted with 29 visitors and demonstrated good reliability. It was then administered to 100 visitors. At baseline, participants had a significantly stronger emotional valuation of moose compared to coyote, consistent with negative social constructions of coyotes. Both moose and coyote scores increased significantly from pre- to post-visit, suggesting that exposure to wildlife in a sanctuary setting can increase feelings of valuation toward diverse species. The experience may also influence wildlife stewardship.
Feminist Worlding and World Cinema: The Case of Małgorzata Szumowska
Authors: Skrodzka Aga
Published: January 2022

This article discusses the concept of worlding in the cinema of Małgorzata Szumowska. Informed by philosophical theory of worlding and worldliness, by thinkers such as Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, and Gayatri Spivak, and the film theory of cinematic worlds, proposed by Daniel Yacavone, the project examines the function of cinematic world building and its potential connection to World Cinema and feminist filmmaking. Close analysis of Szumowska’s film The Other Lamb (2019) traces the role of monstration and mise en scène in creating emancipatory cinema.
Cultural Humility and Intercultural Contexts of Music Education
Authors: Yoo Hyesoo
Published: January 2022

A framework of cultural humility has three core tenets: (a) commitment to lifelong, critical self-reflection; (b) recognition and mitigation of power imbalances; and (c) accountability to individuals and institutions. In this article, the author provides a brief definition of cultural humility and apply the concept to frame my analysis of intercultural contexts of music education. By adopting the concept of cultural humility, music teachers can acknowledge their own biases, values, prejudices, and beliefs in relation to intercultural contexts of music education. A commitment to a lifelong process of introspection through self-reflection can help them redress power imbalances that exist in music education and can encourage the building of bidirectionality of relationships with students and communities.
Teaching for a FAIL (First Attempt In Learning) in the Ensemble Classroom
Authors: Weidner Brian N. , Skolar Ellen
Published: January 2022

Failure is a common experience in the lives of musicians and educators that is frequently seen as a negative attribute for performances in music education. By shifting from a negative, destructive approach to a positive, constructive orientation to failure, music educators can help their students learn and advance forward from experiences of failure toward success. This approach requires the creation of a classroom environment that allows failure to be accepted and transparent and focuses on a growth mindset regarding student success and failure. This article presents instructional strategies that model and support the growth of effective practices for coping with failure socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Concert Grades and Performance Assessment in Ensemble Music
Authors: Shaw Brian P.
Published: January 2022

Concert attendance is often a major determinant of student grades in ensemble classes. Yet, there are reasons to question whether concert night is an effective setting for student assessment. This article probes the usefulness and fairness of concert grades and suggests policies that support equitable learning environments. Strategies for authentic assessment of students’ live performance abilities are also recommended.
A thermal latent imidazole complex containing copper (II) as the curing agent for an epoxy-based glass fiber composite
Authors: Yang Bo , Wei Yi , Liu Yanbo , Qiu Yiping
Published: January 2022

Epoxy-based glass fiber composites are widely used in various fields, such as automotive, marine, and aircraft, owing to their high strength and light weight compared to traditional metal materials. However, the epoxy-based resins or prepregs cannot be stored for a long time at room temperature owing to their high reactivity. In this study, 1-cyanoethyl-2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (CEMI) is a complex with copper chloride to improve its thermal latency towards epoxy resins, and the epoxy-based glass fiber composite is made by prepreg processing. The composition of the imidazole–copper (II) complex (Complex-S) is characterized by elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Thermal dissociation of Complex-S is conducted by differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. With Complex-S as a latent curing agent, the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy resins are studied. The epoxy systems show distinctly prolonged shelf life at room temperature. Moreover, the composite with Complex-S has a higher flexure strength and modulus comparable to that with CEMI.
Time-temperature-dependent mechanical durability analysis of short (glass) fiber-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate injection molding composites with weld line
Authors: Miah Md Sohag , Yu Jianyong , Yang Yang , Pang You , Wang Xianchen , Yu Lichao , Yang Yuqiu
Published: January 2022

The mechanical property and long-term durable life of short fiber composites are inevitably subjected to internal and external influences during molding and afterwards, such as weld, temperature, stress type, and so on. This study was concerned with the influence of weld on mechanical properties of short glass fiber reinforced polyethylene terephthalate injection molding composites and the investigation of their tensile properties at different temperatures and tensile speeds with varying fiber contents. The weld strength was about 50–60% less than the tensile strength at different temperatures and tensile speeds. As the fiber content increased from 15 wt% to 30 wt%, the weld strength was reduced by 10%. The tensile and weld strength were in general inversely proportional to the temperature and linearly proportional to the tensile speed. Tensile modulus showed an inverse association with temperature and a mostly non-linear relation with the tensile speed. The weld line integrity in tensile strength was independent of tensile speed and temperature below the glass transition temperature level. Morphology evaluation testified that the higher test speed emanated better fracture surface fiber–resin adhesion properties with comparatively brittle fracture tensile behavior. The time-temperature superposition principle was applied to find the scope of long-term durability, lifetime prediction and to describe the viscoelastic properties of the welded glass fiber reinforced polyethylene terephthalate composites. An Arrhenius type of shift factor was obtained to fit the tensile strength data which was independent of the fiber contents of the welds. The experimental results can provide a valuable reference for the design and manufacture of short fiber-reinforced composites in long-term durability applications.
Changes in neurovascular coupling with cerebral perfusion pressure indicate a link to cerebral autoregulation
Authors: Acharya Deepshikha , Ruesch Alexander , Schmitt Samantha , Yang Jason , Smith Matthew A , Kainerstorfer Jana M
Published: January 2022

Cerebral autoregulation ensures a stable average blood supply to brain tissue across steady state cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) levels. Neurovascular coupling, in turn, relies on sufficient blood flow to meet neuronal demands during activation. These mechanisms break down in pathologies where extreme levels of CPP can cause dysregulation in cerebral blood flow. Here, we experimentally tested the influence of changes in CPP on neurovascular coupling in a hydrocephalus-type non-human primate model (n = 3). We recorded local neural and vascular evoked responses to a checkerboard visual stimulus, non-invasively, using electroencephalography and near-infrared spectroscopy respectively. The evoked signals showed changes in various waveform features in the visual evoked potentials and the hemodynamic responses, with CPP. We further used these signals to fit for a hemodynamic response function (HRF) to describe neurovascular coupling. We estimated n = 26 distinct HRFs at a subset of CPP values ranging from 40–120 mmHg across all subjects. The HRFs, when compared to a subject dependent healthy baseline (CPP 70–90 mmHg) HRF, showed significant changes in shape with increasing CPP (ρCPP = −0.55, p-valueCPP = 0.0049). Our study provides preliminary experimental evidence on the relationship between neurovascular coupling and CPP changes, especially when beyond the limits of static autoregulation.
How expensive is the astrocyte?
Authors: Barros LF
Published: January 2022

The energy cost of information processing is thought to be chiefly neuronal, with a minor fraction attributed to glial cells. However, there is compelling evidence that astrocytes capture synaptic K+ using their Na+/K+ ATPase, and not solely through Kir4.1 channels as was once thought. When this active buffering is taken into account, the cost of astrocytes rises by >200%. Gram-per-gram, astrocytes turn out to be as expensive as neurons. This conclusion is supported by 3D reconstruction of the neuropil showing similar mitochondrial densities in neurons and astrocytes, by cell-specific transcriptomics and proteomics, and by the rates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Possible consequences for reactive astrogliosis and brain disease are discussed.