bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lidocaine for Neuropathic Cancer Pain (LiCPain): study protocol for a mixed-methods pilot study
Authors: Lee Jessica , Currow David , Lovell Melanie , Phillips Jane L , McLachlan Andrew , Ritchie Megan , Brown Linda , Fazekas Belinda , Aggarwal Rajesh , Seah Davinia , Sheehan Caitlin , Chye Richard , Noble Beverly , McCaffrey Nikki , Aggarwal Ghauri , George Rachel , Kow Marian , Ayoub Chadi , Linton Anthony , Sanderson Christine , Mittal Dipti , Rao Angela , Prael Grace , Urban Katalin , Vandersman Priyanka , Agar Meera
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Many patients experience unrelieved neuropathic cancer-related pain. Most current analgesic therapies have psychoactive side effects, lack efficacy data for this indication and have potential medication-related harms. The local anaesthetic lidocaine (lignocaine) has the potential to help manage neuropathic cancer-related pain when administered as an extended, continuous subcutaneous infusion. Data support lidocaine as a promising, safe agent in this setting, warranting further evaluation in robust, randomised controlled trials. This protocol describes the design of a pilot study to evaluate this intervention and explains the pharmacokinetic, efficacy and adverse effects evidence informing the design.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-methods pilot study will determine the feasibility of an international first, definitive phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an extended continuous subcutaneous infusion of lidocaine for neuropathic cancer-related pain. This study will comprise: a phase II double-blind randomised controlled parallel-group pilot of subcutaneous infusion of lidocaine hydrochloride 10% w/v (3000 mg/30 mL) or placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%) over 72 hours for neuropathic cancer-related pain, a pharmacokinetic substudy and a qualitative substudy of patients’ and carers’ experiences. The pilot study will provide important safety data and help inform the methodology of a definitive trial, including testing proposed recruitment strategy, randomisation, outcome measures and patients’ acceptability of the methodology, as well as providing a signal of whether this area should be further investigated.

Ethics and dissemination

Participant safety is paramount and standardised assessments for adverse effects are built into the trial protocol. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. This study will be considered suitable to progress to a phase III study if there is a completion rate where the CI includes 80% and excludes 60%. The protocol and Patient Information and Consent Form have been approved by Sydney Local Health District (Concord) Human Research Ethics Committee 2019/ETH07984 and University of Technology Sydney ETH17-1820.

Trial registration number

ANZCTR ACTRN12617000747325.
Non-pharmacological interventions for possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Shi Ya , Stanmore Emma , McGarrigle Lisa , Todd Chris
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Early prevention of sarcopenia is a recommendation to reduce morbidity, mortality and improve quality of life. Several non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the risk of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older people have been proposed. Therefore, there is a need to identify the scope and differences of these interventions. This scoping review will summarise the nature and extent of the existing literature that describes and examines non-pharmacological interventions for community-dwelling older adults with possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia.

Methods and analysis

The seven-stage review methodology framework will be used. Searches will be conducted in the following databases: Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, All EBM Reviews, Web of Science, Scopus, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG and VIP. Grey literature will also be identified from Google scholar. Search dates will be restricted to January 2010 to December 2022, in English and Chinese language only. Screening will be focused on published research, including both quantitative and qualitative study designs, and prospectively registered trials. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will be followed when delineating the search decision process. Findings will be synthesised quantitatively and qualitatively as appropriate and classified using key conceptual categories. We will identify whether studies identified have been included in systematic reviews or meta-analyses, and research gaps and opportunities will be identified and summarised.

Ethics and dissemination

As this is a review, ethical approval will not be sought. The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and also disseminated in relevant disease support groups and conferences. The planned scoping review will help us identify the current status of research and gaps in the literature, so as to develop a future research agenda.
Role of patients’ family members in end-of-life communication: an integrative review
Authors: Pun Jack , Chow James C H , Fok Leslie , Cheung Ka Man
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To synthesise empirical findings on the role of family in end-of-life (EOL) communication and to identify the communicative practices that are essential for EOL decision-making in family-oriented cultures.

Setting

The EOL communication settings.

Participants

This integrative review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guideline. Relevant studies published between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 2021 were retrieved from four databases, including the PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE and Ovid nursing databases, using keywords with meanings of ‘end-of-life’, ‘communication’ and ‘family’. Data were then extracted and coded into themes for analysis. The search strategy yielded 53 eligible studies; all 53 included studies underwent quality assessment. Quantitative studies were evaluated using the Quality Assessment Tool, and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used for qualitative research.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Research evidence on EOL communication with a focus on family.

Results

Four themes emerged from these studies: (1) conflicts in family decision-making in EOL communication, (2) the significance of timing of EOL communication, (3) difficulty in identification of a ‘key person’ who is responsible for decisions regarding EOL care and (4) different cultural perspectives on EOL communication.

Conclusions

The current review pointed towards the importance of family in EOL communication and illustrated that family participation likely leads to improved quality of life and death in patients. Future research should develop a family-oriented communication framework which is designed for the Chinese and Eastern contexts that targets on managing family expectations during prognosis disclosure and facilitating patients’ fulfilment of familial roles while making EOL decision-making. Clinicians should also be aware of the significance of the role of family in EOL care and manage family members’ expectations according to cultural contexts.
Support needs around the time of diagnosis of parents caring for an infant with visual impairment or blindness in Denmark: a qualitative study
Authors: Milde Nina , Rasmussen Annette , Nissen Kamilla , Kessel Line
Published: February 2023

Objective

The whole family is affected when an infant is diagnosed with visual impairment or blindness. We aimed to describe the support needs of parents around the time of diagnosis.

Design

We used a descriptive qualitative method based on the theory of critical psychology and conducted five semistructured interviews with a total of eight parents of children under the age of 2 years who had been diagnosed with blindness or visual impairment before the age of 1 year. Thematic analysis was used to extract primary themes.

Setting

The study was initiated by a tertiary hospital centre specialised in the ophthalmic management of children and adults with visual impairment.

Participants

Eight parents representing five families caring for a child under the age of 2 years with visual impairment or blindness participated in the study. The parents were recruited from the Department of Ophthalmology at Rigshospitalet, Denmark in relation to appointments in the clinic or by phone or email.

Results

We identified three themes: (1) recognition and reactions during the time of diagnosis; (2) family, network and struggles; and (3) interaction with healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

The main lesson for healthcare professionals is to bring hope at a time when all hope may seem to be lost. Second, a need to direct attention to families with no or sparse supportive networks. Third, coordinating appointments between hospital departments and at-home therapies and reducing the number of appointments to allow parents time to establish a family relation with their child. Parents respond well to competent healthcare professionals who keep them informed and who see their child as an individual rather than as a diagnosis.
Issues in patients’ experiences of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) : a systematic review of qualitative evidence
Authors: Wang Dan , Hu Yanjie , Liu Kai , Liu Zhenmi , Chen Xinrong , Cao Liujiao , Zhang Weihan , Li Ka , Hu Jiankun
Published: February 2023

Objective

To explore patients’ experiences of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and to identify issues in the implementation of ERAS from the patient’s perspective.

Design

The systematic review and qualitative analysis were based on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology for conducting synthesis.

Data sources

Relevant studies published in four databases, that is, Web of Science, PubMed, Ovid Embase and the Cochrane Library, were systematically searched, and some studies were supplemented by key authors and reference lists.

Study selection

Thirty-one studies were identified, involving 1069 surgical patients enrolled in the ERAS programme. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were formulated based on the Population, Interest of phenomena, Context, Study design criteria recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute to determine the scope of article retrieval. The inclusion criteria were as follows: ERAS patients’ experiences; qualitative data; English language and published from January 1990 to August 2021.

Data extraction

Data were extracted from relevant studies using the standardised data extraction tool from Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument for qualitative research.

Data synthesis

The themes in the structure dimension are as follows: (1) patients cared about the timeliness of healthcare professionals’ help; (2) patients cared about the professionalism of family care; and (3) patients misunderstood and worried about the safety of ERAS. The themes in the process dimension are as follows: (1) patients needed adequate and accurate information from healthcare professionals; (2) patients needed to communicate adequately with healthcare professionals; (3) patients hoped to develop a personalised treatment plan and (4) patients required ongoing follow-up services. The theme in the outcome dimension is as follows: patients wanted to effectively improve severe postoperative symptoms.

Conclusions

Evaluating ERAS from the patient’s perspective can reveal the omissions and deficiencies of healthcare professionals in clinical care so that problems in patients’ recovery process can be solved in a timely manner, reducing potential barriers to the implementation of ERAS.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021278631.
Child and family experiences of a whole-systems approach to physical activity in a multiethnic UK city: a citizen science evaluation protocol
Authors: Frazer Marie , Seims Amanda , Tatterton Michael J , Lockyer Bridget , Bingham Daniel , Barber Sally , Daly-Smith Andy , Hall Jennifer
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Whole-systems approaches are being adopted to tackle physical inactivity. The mechanisms contributing to changes resulting from whole-systems approaches are not fully understood. The voices of children and families that these approaches are designed for need to be heard to understand what is working, for whom, where and in what context. This paper describes the protocol for the children and families’ citizen science evaluation of the Join Us: Move, Play (JU:MP) programme, a whole-systems approach to increasing physical activity in children and young people aged 5–14 years in Bradford, UK.

Methods and analysis

The evaluation aims to understand the lived experiences of children and families’ relationship with physical activity and participation in the JU:MP programme. The study takes a collaborative and contributory citizen science approach, including focus groups, parent–child dyad interviews and participatory research. Feedback and data will guide changes within this study and the JU:MP programme. We also aim to examine participant experience of citizen science and the suitability of a citizen science approach to evaluate a whole-systems approach. Data will be analysed using framework approach alongside iterative analysis with and by citizen scientists in the collaborative citizen science study.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by the University of Bradford: study one (E891—focus groups as part of the control trial, E982—parent–child dyad interviews) and study two (E992). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and summaries will be provided to the participants, through schools or directly. The citizen scientists will provide input to create further dissemination opportunities.
NADPH oxidase 4 deficiency attenuates experimental osteoarthritis in mice
Authors: Renaudin Félix , Oudina Karim , Gerbaix Maude , McGilligan Subilia Manon , Paccaud Joris , Jaquet Vincent , Krause Karl-Heinz , Ferrari Serge , Laumonier Thomas , Hannouche Didier
Published: February 2023

Objective

Low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in osteoarthritis (OA) through exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS). In chondrocytes, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is one of the major ROS producers. In this study, we evaluated the role of NOX4 on joint homoeostasis after destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM) in mice.

Methods

Experimental OA was simulated on cartilage explants using interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and induced by DMM in wild-type (WT) and NOX4 knockout (NOX4-/-) mice. We evaluated NOX4 expression, inflammation, cartilage metabolism and oxidative stress by immunohistochemistry. Bone phenotype was also determined by micro-CT and histomorphometry.

Results

Whole body NOX4 deletion attenuated experimental OA in mice, with a significant reduction of the OARSI score at 8 weeks. DMM increased total subchondral bone plate (SB.Th), epiphysial trabecular thicknesses (Tb.Th) and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in both NOX4-/-and wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, DDM decreased total connectivity density (Conn.Dens) and increased medial BV/TV and Tb.Th only in WT mice. Ex vivo, NOX4 deficiency increased aggrecan (AGG) expression and decreased matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and collagen type I (COL1) expression. IL-1β increased NOX4 and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) expression in WT cartilage explants but not in NOX4-/-. In vivo, absence of NOX4 increased anabolism and decreased catabolism after DMM. Finally, NOX4 deletion decreased synovitis score, 8-OHdG and F4/80 staining following DMM.

Conclusion

NOX4 deficiency restores cartilage homoeostasis, inhibits oxidative stress, inflammation and delays OA progression after DMM in mice. These findings suggest that NOX4 represent a potential target to counteract for OA treatment.
Dynamic analysis of lump solutions based on the dimensionally reduced generalized Hirota bilinear KP-Boussinesq equation
Authors: Liu Meng-Meng , Yu Jian-Ping , Ma Wen-Xiu , Khalique Chaudry Masood , Sun Yong-Li
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized KP-Boussinesq equation is introduced and its associate Hirota bilinear form is also given. Based on finding the positive quadratic function solutions of the associate Hirota bilinear equation, the lump solutions of the proposed [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized KP-Boussinesq equation and its corresponding reduced equations in [Formula: see text] dimensions are obtained. Furthermore, the sufficient and necessary conditions for guaranteeing the analyticity and rational localization of lump solutions are derived and expressed in the form of free parameters, which are involved in lump solutions and play a key role in controlling the dynamic properties of lump solutions. The localized properties are also analyzed and shown graphically.
On the quantum dynamics of a general time-dependent coupled oscillator
Authors: Zerimeche R. , Mana N. , Sekhri M. , Amaouche N. , Maamache M.
Published: February 2023

By using the Lewis–Riesenfeld invariants theory, we investigate the quantum dynamics of a two-dimensional (2D) time-dependent coupled oscillator. We introduce a unitary transformation and show the conditions under which the invariant operator is uncoupled to describe two simple harmonic oscillators with time-independent frequencies and unit masses. The decouplement allows us to easily obtain the corresponding eigenstates. The generalization to three-dimensional (3D) time-dependent coupled oscillator is briefly discussed where a diagonalized invariant, which is exactly the sum of three simple harmonic oscillators, is obtained under specific conditions on the parameters.
Evaluation of the effect of diameter of multi-walled carbon nanotube on the tensile strength using sonication-induced fragmentation
Authors: Shimamura Yoshinobu , Fujii Tomoyuki , Su Po-Wei , Inoue Yoku
Published: February 2023

Ultrasonication is a simple way to cut carbon nanotubes in suspension. The length of fragmented carbon nanotubes is made shorter by iterating ultrasonication but approaches a critical aspect ratio. The critical aspect ratio is determined by the tensile strength of the carbon nanotube, the viscosity of the solvent, and physical properties of the cavitation bubbles produced by ultrasonication. Thus, it is possible to evaluate the tensile strength of carbon nanotubes from the critical aspect ratio. In this study, the tensile strengths of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with different diameters were evaluated using sonication-induced fragmentation. The results confirmed the strong dependency of tensile strength on diameter.
Algorithm Analysis of Face Recognition Robot Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Mu Zehui , Feng Leijie , Shang Yanzi , Liu Qingyang , Hu Libing , Zhou Fei , Fu Xianjun
Published: February 2023

With the continuous improvement of computer software and hardware performance, a large amount of image and video data can be easily collected and quickly transmitted, and new recognition methods that introduce deep learning are emerging, making the application and research of face recognition technology. The value is also increasingly prominent. The purpose of this paper is to study the face recognition robot implementation algorithm based on deep learning. The research background and significance of face recognition and expression recognition, which are the core of facial biological information extraction, are introduced. The face feature extraction network structure of Inception-ResNet-V1 has been improved, and high recognition features of faces can be obtained. At the same time, the training of the feature extraction model of the self-built training set and the adjustment of hyperparameters are completed. Finally, the effectiveness of the improved network in this paper is fully verified in the LFW test set and the actual robot environment. It is verified by experiments that the proposed optimization method can improve the performance of the network. It also verified the significant research significance of the current deep learning direction through practice.
Characterizing slopes for torus knots, II
Authors: Ni Yi , Zhang Xingru
Published: February 2023

A slope [Formula: see text] is called a characterizing slope for a given knot [Formula: see text] if whenever the [Formula: see text]-surgery on a knot [Formula: see text] is homeomorphic to the [Formula: see text]-surgery on [Formula: see text] via an orientation preserving homeomorphism, then [Formula: see text]. In a previous paper, we showed that, outside a certain finite set of slopes, only the negative integers could possibly be non-characterizing slopes for the torus knot [Formula: see text]. More explicitly besides all negative integer slopes there are [Formula: see text] slopes which were unknown to be characterizing for [Formula: see text], including [Formula: see text] nontrivial [Formula: see text]-space slopes. Applying recent work of Baldwin–Hu–Sivek, we improve our result by showing that a nontrivial slope [Formula: see text] is a characterizing slope for [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In particular every nontrivial [Formula: see text]-space slope of [Formula: see text] is characterizing for [Formula: see text]. More explicitly this work yields [Formula: see text] new characterizing slopes for [Formula: see text]. Another interesting consequence of this work is that if a nontrivial [Formula: see text]-surgery on a non-torus knot in [Formula: see text] yields a manifold of finite fundamental group, then [Formula: see text].
A New Rectangular Finite Element for Static and Dynamic Analysis of Arbitrarily Tapered Plates
Authors: Hosseinian Nima , Attarnejad Reza
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the formulation of a new efficient and conforming rectangular finite element for analysis of thin plates with any arbitrary variation of thickness along both edges. Shape functions of this new element are derived from multiplying shape functions of non-prismatic Euler–Bernoulli beam extracted from basic displacement functions. To provide [Formula: see text] consistency along the edges of elements, twist is added to conventional degrees of freedom, namely deflection and slopes resulting in an element with 16 degrees of freedom. The proposed element is used to solve various static and dynamic problems, and it is seen that the convergence of a new formulation occurs with much fewer elements compared to existing finite elements as a direct result of considering the variation of geometry in the derivation of shape functions, which renders the formulation competitive in both exactness and economy.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Dorsal Fracture–Dislocation of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Using a Plate: A Series of 37 Patients
Authors: IKEDA Masayoshi , SERIGANO Kenji , KOBAYASHI Yuka , SAITO Ikuo , ISHII Takayuki , NAKAJIMA Daisuke
Published: February 2023

Background: Open reduction and internal fixation with a plate is one of the alternative treatments for fracture–dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. However, it does not always lead to satisfactory results. The aim of this cohort study is to describe the surgical procedure and discuss the factors affecting the treatment results.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 37 cases of consecutive unstable dorsal fracture–dislocation of the PIP joint treated using a mini-plate. The volar fragments were sandwiched with a plate and dorsal cortex, and screws were used as subchondral support. The average rate of articular involvement was 55.5%. Five patients had concomitant injuries. The mean age of the patients was 40.6 years. Mean time between injury and operation was 11.1 days. The average postoperative follow-up duration was 11 months. Active ranges of motion, % total active motion (TAM) were evaluated postoperatively. The patients were divided into two groups according from Strickland score and Gaine score. Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U test and a logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the factors affecting the results.

Results: The average active flexion, flexion contracture at the PIP joint, and % TAM were 86.3°, 10.5° and 80.6%, respectively. Group I included 24 patients who had both excellent and good scores. Group II included 13 patients who had neither excellent nor good scores. When the groups were compared, there was no significant relationship between the type of fracture–dislocation and the extent of articular involvement. There were significant associations between outcomes and patient age, period from injury to surgical intervention and presence of concomitant injuries.

Conclusions: We concluded that meticulous surgical technique leads to satisfactory results. However, factors, including the patient’s age, time from injury to surgery and the presence of concomitant injuries needing adjacent joint immobilisation, contribute to unsatisfactory outcomes.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)
Intraneural Ganglion of the Thumb Digital Nerve – A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: MAGTOTO Ian Jason , MURAMATSU Keiichi , KOBAYASHI Masato , SUGIMOTO Hideaki
Published: February 2023

Intraneural ganglia are rare, benign cysts that form within the epineurium of the affected nerve. Patients present with features of compressive neuropathy, including numbness. We report a 74-year-old male patient with pain and numbness on his right thumb of 1-year duration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion with a possible scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint connection. The articular branch was not identified during the surgery and decompression with excision of the cyst wall was done. A recurrence of the mass was noted 3 years later, but the patient was asymptomatic and no additional intervention was done. Decompression alone can relieve the symptoms of an intraneural ganglion, but excision of the articular branch may be essential in preventing its recurrence.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
Optimal Area Polygonization by Triangulation and Visibility Search
Authors: Lepagnot Julien , Moalic Laurent , Schmitt Dominique
Published: February 2023

The aim of the “CG:SHOP Challenge 2019” was to generate optimal area polygonizations of a planar point set. We describe here the algorithm that won the challenge. It is a two-phase algorithm based on the node-insertion move technique, which comes from the TSP. In the first phase, we use constrained triangulations to check efficiently the simplicity of the generated polygonizations. In the second phase, we perform visibility searches to be able to generate a wider variety of polygonizations. In both phases, the simulated annealing metaheuristic is implemented to approach the optimum.
Device Fingerprinting for Cyber-Physical Systems: A Survey
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Paul Kolin
Published: February 2023

The continued growth of the cyber-physical system (CPS) and Internet of Things technologies raises device security and monitoring concerns. For device identification, authentication, conditioning, and security, device fingerprint/fingerprinting (DFP) is increasingly used. However, finding the correct DFP features and sources to establish a unique and stable fingerprint is challenging. We present a state-of-the-art survey of DFP techniques for CPS device applications. We investigate the numerous DFP features, their origins, characteristics, and applications. Additionally, we discuss the DFP characteristics and their sources in detail, taking into account the physical contexts of various entities (i.e., machines, sensors, networks, and computational devices), as well as their software and applications for the CPS. We believe that this article will provide researchers and developers with insights into the DFP and its applications, sources, aggregation methods, and factors affecting its use in CPS domains.
Solar-powered Parking Analytics System Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Rezaei Yoones , Khan Talha , Lee Stephen , Mossé Daniel
Published: February 2023

Advances in deep vision techniques and the ubiquity of smart cameras will drive the next generation of video analytics. However, video analytics applications consume vast amounts of energy as deep learning techniques are power-hungry. In this article, we focus on a parking video analytics platform and propose RL-CamSleep, a deep reinforcement learning-based technique, to actuate the cameras to reduce the energy footprint while retaining the system’s utility. Our key insight is that many video-analytics applications do not need to be always operational, and we can design policies to activate video analytics only when necessary. We design two modes of operation for the reinforcement learning (RL) controller: (i) cloud-based mode and (ii) grid-isolated solar-powered mode. In the cloud-based mode, the controller runs on the cloud to control the cameras, whereas, in the solar-powered mode, the RL controller is constrained by the energy produced by solar. We evaluate our approach on a city-scale parking dataset having 76 streets spread across a city. Our analysis shows RL-CamSleep can learn an adaptive policy that reduces the average energy consumption by 76% and achieves an average accuracy of 98%. For the grid-isolated mode, RL-CamSleep outperforms other baseline techniques demonstrating the need for adaptive policy in energy-constrained environments.
Isolated Arabic Sign Language Recognition Using a Transformer-based Model and Landmark Keypoints
Authors: Alyami Sarah , Luqman Hamzah , Hammoudeh Mohammad
Published: February 2023

Pose-based approaches for sign language recognition provide light-weight and fast models that can be adopted in real-time applications. This article presents a framework for isolated Arabic sign language recognition using hand and face keypoints. We employed MediaPipe pose estimator for extracting the keypoints of sign gestures in the video stream. Using the extracted keypoints, three models were proposed for sign language recognition: Long-Term Short Memory, Temporal Convolution Networks, and Transformer-based models. Moreover, we investigated the importance of non-manual features for sign language recognition systems and the obtained results showed that combining hand and face keypoints boosted the recognition accuracy by around 4% compared with only hand keypoints. The proposed models were evaluated on Arabic and Argentinian sign languages. Using the KArSL-100 dataset, the proposed pose-based Transformer achieved the highest accuracy of 99.74% and 68.2% in signer-dependent and -independent modes, respectively. Additionally, the Transformer was evaluated on the LSA64 dataset and obtained an accuracy of 98.25% and 91.09% in signer-dependent and -independent modes, respectively. Consequently, the pose-based Transformer outperformed the state-of-the-art techniques on both datasets using keypoints from the signer’s hands and face.
Apathy, Arrogance, and Reality - "It's Now or Never": Can Computer Science Save Humanity From Itself Including Computer Scientists?
Authors: Blumenthal Richard
Published: February 2023

As part of my volunteer work with ACM and faculty position at Regis University, I have the honor to meet with numerous talented people from the computing community. In this community, I've found two opinions, with respect to the global climate crisis, which I find alarming. I'll refer to these opinions as the positions of
arrogance
and
apathy.
In this parting opinion, I'll highlight and briefly comment on these positions. Naturally, I believe these positions relate to and impact how computing technology might be used to address global warming.
E-cigarette aerosols of propylene glycol impair BK channel activity and parameters of mucociliary function
Authors: Kim Michael D. , Chung Samuel , Baumlin Nathalie , Sun Liang , Silswal Neerupma , Dennis John S. , Yoshida Makoto , Sabater Juan , Horrigan Frank T. , Salathe Matthias
Published: February 2023

Propylene glycol (PG) is a common delivery vehicle for nicotine and flavorings in e-cigarette (e-cig) liquids and is largely considered safe for ingestion. However, little is known about its effects as an e-cig aerosol on the airway. Here, we investigated whether pure PG e-cig aerosols in realistic daily amounts impact parameters of mucociliary function and airway inflammation in a large animal model (sheep) in vivo and primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in vitro. Five-day exposure of sheep to e-cig aerosols of 100% PG increased mucus concentrations (% mucus solids) of tracheal secretions. PG e-cig aerosols further increased the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in tracheal secretions. In vitro exposure of HBECs to e-cig aerosols of 100% PG decreased ciliary beating and increased mucus concentrations. PG e-cig aerosols further reduced the activity of large conductance, Ca2+-activated, and voltage-dependent K+ (BK) channels. We show here for the first time that PG can be metabolized to methylglyoxal (MGO) in airway epithelia. PG e-cig aerosols increased levels of MGO and MGO alone reduced BK activity. Patch-clamp experiments suggest that MGO can disrupt the interaction between the major pore-forming BK subunit human Slo1 (hSlo1) and the gamma regulatory subunit LRRC26. PG exposures also caused a significant increase in mRNA expression levels of MMP9 and interleukin 1 beta ( IL1B). Taken together, these data show that PG e-cig aerosols cause mucus hyperconcentration in sheep in vivo and HBECs in vitro, likely by disrupting the function of BK channels important for airway hydration.
Anlotinib Alleviates Renal Fibrosis via Inhibition of the ERK and AKT Signaling Pathways
Authors: Sun Donglin , Guo Jing , Liang Weifei , Chen Yangxiao , Chen Xiangqiu , Wang Li
Published: February 2023

Purpose. We examined whether anlotinib can attenuate folic acid-induced and unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis and explored the underlying antifibrotic mechanism. Materials and Methods. We have evaluated the effects of anlotinib on folic acid-induced and unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis in mice through in vivo experiments of unilateral ureteral obstruction or folic acid-induced interstitial fibrosis and in vitro models of transforming growth factor-β1 induced HK-2 human renal proximal tubule cells. Serum renal function parameters and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured, and histological changes of renal injury and fibrosis were analyzed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to determine the mechanism of action of anlotinib in ameliorating renal fibrosis. Results. Anlotinib improved proteinuria and reduced renal impairment in folic acid-induced mouse models of renal fibrosis. Anlotinib reduced tubular injury, deposition of tubular extracellular matrix, and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β1, and cytosolic inflammatory factors compared with controls. Conclusions. Anlotinib ameliorated renal function, improved extracellular matrix deposition, reduced protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, and decreased cellular inflammatory factors. Anlotinib reduced renal injury and fibrosis by inhibiting the transforming growth factor-β1 signaling pathway through AKT and ERK channels.
P16INK4a Regulates ROS-Related Autophagy and CDK4/6-Mediated Proliferation: A New Target of Myocardial Regeneration Therapy
Authors: Sun Jiateng , Zhou Liuhua , Yang Tongtong , Deng Bo , Bao Yulin , Gu Lingfeng , Wang Hao , Wang Liansheng
Published: February 2023

Neonatal mice achieve complete cardiac repair through endogenous myocardial regeneration after apical resection (AR), but this capacity is rapidly lost 7 days after birth. As an upstream inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6- (CDK4/6-) mediated cell cycle activity, p16INK4a is widely involved in regulating tumor and senescence. Given that p16INK4a had a significant negative regulation on cell proliferation, targeting cardiomyocytes (CMs) to inhibit p16INK4a seems to be a promising attempt at myocardial regeneration therapy. The p16INK4a expression was upregulated during perimyocardial regeneration time. Knockdown of p16INK4a stimulated CM proliferation, while p16INK4a overexpression had the opposite effect. In addition, p16INK4a knockdown prolonged the proliferation time window of newborn myocardium. And p16INK4a overexpression inhibited cell cycle activity and deteriorated myocardial regeneration after AR. The quantitative proteomic analysis showed that p16INK4a knockdown mediated the cell cycle progression and intervened in energy metabolism homeostasis. Mechanistically, overexpression of p16INK4a causes abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce autophagy, while scavenging ROS with N-acetylcysteine can alleviate autophagy and regulate p16INK4a, CDK4/6, and CyclinD1 in a covering manner. And the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of p16INK4a-activated CMs was significantly blocked by the CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib. In summary, p16INK4a regulated CM proliferation progression through CDK4/6 and ROS-related autophagy to jointly affect myocardial regeneration repair. Our study revealed that p16INK4a might be a potential therapeutic target for myocardial regeneration after injury.
Nitrogen-Containing Bisphosphonates Downregulate Cathepsin K and Upregulate Annexin V in Osteoclasts Cultured In Vitro
Authors: Bautista-Carbajal Arturo , Villanueva-Arriaga Rosina Eugenia , Páez-Arenas Araceli , Massó-Rojas Felipe , Frechero Molina Nelly , García-López Salvador
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis; however, they are associated with the serious adverse event of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Aim. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-PHs) on the synthesis of IL-1β, TNF-α, sRANKL, cathepsin K, and annexin V in bone cells cultured in vitro. Materials and Methods. Osteoblasts and bone marrow-derived osteoclasts were cultured in vitro, subjected to treatment with alendronate, risedronate, or ibandronate at a concentration of 10−5 M for 0 to 96 h and then assayed for IL-1β, sRANKL, and TNF-α production by ELISA. Cathepsin K and Annexin V-FITC staining in osteoclasts were assessed by flow cytometry. Results. There was significant downregulation of IL-1β, sRANKL, and TNF-α in experimental osteoblasts compared to control cells, and there was upregulation of IL-1β and downregulation of RANKL and TNF-α in experimental osteoclasts. Furthermore, in osteoclasts, cathepsin K expression was downregulated at 48–72 h with alendronate treatment, while risedronate treatment resulted in upregulated annexin V expression at 48 h compared to the control treatment. Conclusion. Bisphosphonates added to bone cells inhibited osteoclastogenesis, which led to the downregulation of cathepsin K and induction of apoptosis in osteoclasts; these changes limited the capacity of bone remodelling and healing that may contribute to BRONJ induced by surgical dental procedures.
Bessel-Riesz Operators on Lebesgue Spaces and Morrey Spaces Defined in Measure Metric Spaces
Authors: Mehmood Saba , Eridani  , Fatmawati  , Raza Wasim
Published: February 2023

The boundedness of Bessel–Riesz operators defined on Lebesgue spaces and Morrey spaces in measure metric spaces is discussed in this research study. The maximal operator and traditional dyadic decomposition are used to study the Bessel-Riesz operators. We investigate the interaction between the kernel and space parameters to get the results and see how this affects kernel-bound operators.
Data Collection System of IoT Based on the Coordination of Drones and Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Tian Liqin , Lin Lianhai , Xie Jianfei , Wu Wenxing , Tong Yinghua
Published: February 2023

With the continuous renewal and rise of various flight equipment, this article designs a method of water data collection, which is realized through the coordination of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, commonly called drones). In reality, multiple UAVs take-off and landing sites, energy consumption, and other complex issues closely related to USV recovery, UAVs must be considered. If mixed integer linear programming (MILP) is used directly, it is difficult to get satisfactory results in an acceptable time range. Therefore, a heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of data collection by these devices, which can not only quickly solve the large-scale collaborative optimization problem, but also rationally utilize the total energy consumption of the equipment. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified and analyzed by experimenting a different number of monitoring nodes, different number of UAVs and different task time. It can not only shorten the cycle of data acquisition task, but also reduce the waiting time of the UAV and USV.
A Synchronous Machine Transient Model Based upon an Algebraic Loop Accounting for Nonlinearity and Cross-Magnetization
Authors: Felicetti R. , Lundin U.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is to carry out an alternative to the present transient models for field wound synchronous machines, which is able to take into account the nonlinearity of the magnetic materials as well as the cross-magnetization. After presenting the principal model structures according to the state variables, a model based on two lookup tables for the magnetizing flux linkages is introduced and built step by step. The resulting signal flowchart shows an algebraic loop within the model, where the main flux linkage rapidly converges to its instantaneous value by simple iteration. The proof of this convergence is given for both saturated and unsaturated machine. Even though the proposed model uses the total linkage flux as state variable, as many alternative models do, it does not require the inversion of the current to flux linkage function (i.e., of lookup tables). This can spare a heavy computational task, especially with very large lookup tables. In the proposed model, the computational effort in the worst case scenario is reduced to few iterations (<10). Finally, the nonlinear behavior of the model is verified in four different transient scenarios by comparing its outcomes with those of a linear model for the same test machine.
Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 5 Regulates H3K4 Methylation Modification to Inhibit the Proliferation of Melanoma Cells by Inactivating the Wnt/β-Catenin and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Pathways
Authors: Yang Zhiqin , Jia Yue , Wang Shaojia , Zhang Yongjun , Fan Wen , Wang Xin , He Liang , Shen Xiaoyu , Yang Xiangqun , Zhang Yi , Yang Hongying
Published: February 2023

Histone 3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me), especially histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), is one of the most extensively studied patterns of histone modification and plays crucial roles in many biological processes. However, as a part of H3K4 methyltransferase that participates in H3K4 methylation and transcriptional regulation, retinoblastoma-binding protein 5 (RBBP5) has not been well studied in melanoma. The present study sought to explore RBBP5-mediated H3K4 histone modification and the potential mechanisms in melanoma. RBBP5 expression in melanoma and nevi specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed for three pairs of melanoma cancer tissues and nevi tissues. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to investigate the function of RBBP5. The molecular mechanism was determined using RT-qPCR, western blotting, ChIP assays, and Co-IP assays. Our study showed that RBBP5 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissue and cells compared with nevi tissues and normal epithelia cells (

P
<
0.05

). Reducing RBBP5 in human melanoma cells leads to H3K4me3 downregulation and promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. On the one hand, we verified that WSB2 was an upstream gene of RBBP5-mediated H3K4 modification, which could directly bind to RBBP5 and negatively regulate its expression. On the other hand, we also confirmed that p16 (a cancer suppressor gene) was a downstream target of H3K4me3, the promoter of which can directly bind to H3K4me3. Mechanistically, our data revealed that RBBP5 inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathways (

P
<
0.05

), leading to melanoma suppression. Histone methylation is rising as an important factor affecting tumorigenicity and tumor progression. Our findings verified the significance of RBBP5-mediated H3K4 modification in melanoma and the potential regulatory mechanisms of melanoma proliferation and growth, suggesting that RBBP5 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of melanoma.
A Comparative Study of the Skeletal Development of Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (♀) and E. tukula (♂) Hybrid Progeny and E. fuscoguttatus
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Tian Yongsheng , Chen Shuai , Li Linlin , Duan Pengfei , Li Zhontong , Wang Linna , Liu Yang , Wang Qingbin , Li Wensheng , Zhao Xia
Published: February 2023

As a new breed of grouper hybrid breeding, EFT has the advantages of delicious flesh, fast growth, and high deformity rate. We explored the metamorphosis and skeletal development of Epinephelus fuscoguttatus and hybrids (EFT) of E. fuscoguttatus (♀) and E. tukula (♂). EFT grew slightly slower than E. fuscoguttatus during the larval period but grew faster during the juvenile period. The sequences of skeletal development were similar in EFT and E. fuscoguttatus. Newly hatched larvae did not have skeletons until 5 days after hatching (DAH) when head cartilage started to develop and complete at 43 days later. The vertebral column started to develop at 11 DAH and was completed at 38 DAH. Pectoral fin development began at 5 DAH and ossification was completed at 48 DAH in EFT and at 43 DAH in E. fuscoguttatus. Anal fin development started at 11 DAH and ossification was completed earlier in EFT than in E. fuscoguttatus. The caudal fins of the two groupers developed at 8 DAH and ossified earlier in EFT than in E. fuscoguttatus. In contrast, E. fuscoguttatus had one additional epural than EFT. These results provide important basic biological data for the growth and skeletal development of pure and hybrid grouper.