bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voltage compartmentalization in dendritic spines in vivo
Authors: Cornejo Victor Hugo , Ofer Netanel , Yuste Rafael
Published: November 2021

Dendritic spines’ electrical function?

Dendritic spines are small protrusions that cover the dendrites of most neurons in the brain. Their electrical properties are still controversially discussed. Cornejo
et al
. used an array of techniques to investigate the degree of voltage attenuation by dendritic spine necks in pyramidal neurons of the mouse neocortex. Spines not only synchronously depolarized in response to backpropagating action potentials, but local and transient depolarization also occurred. Isolated depolarization in individual spines reflected localized synaptic activation. A significant voltage gradient between dendritic spine and dendrite indicated that spines may constitute elementary electric compartments. The spine neck resistance is thus not negligible and may substantially contribute to the regulation of synaptic efficacy in the central nervous system. —PRS
Mapping the proteo-genomic convergence of human diseases
Authors: Pietzner Maik , Wheeler Eleanor , Carrasco-Zanini Julia , Cortes Adrian , Koprulu Mine , Wörheide Maria A. , Oerton Erin , Cook James , Stewart Isobel D. , Kerrison Nicola D. , Luan Jian’an , Raffler Johannes , Arnold Matthias , Arlt Wiebke , O’Rahilly Stephen , Kastenmüller Gabi , Gamazon Eric R. , Hingorani Aroon D. , Scott Robert A. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Langenberg Claudia
Published: November 2021

Detangling gene-disease connections

Many diseases are at least partially due to genetic causes that are not always understood or targetable with specific treatments. To provide insight into the biology of various human diseases as well as potential leads for therapeutic development, Pietzneret al. undertook detailed, genome-wide proteogenomic mapping. The authors analyzed thousands of connections between potential disease-associated mutations, specific proteins, and medical conditions, thereby providing a detailed map for use by future researchers. They also supplied some examples in which they applied their approach to medical contexts as varied as connective tissue disorders, gallstones, and COVID-19 infections, sometimes even identifying single genes that play roles in multiple clinical scenarios. —YN
Structural basis of Integrator-mediated transcription regulation
Authors: Fianu Isaac , Chen Ying , Dienemann Christian , Dybkov Olexandr , Linden Andreas , Urlaub Henning , Cramer Patrick
Published: November 2021

How Integrator ends transcription early

Transcription is the central process that activates the genetic information in cells, but our understanding of how gene transcription is regulated is incomplete. The so-called Integrator can stop the transcribing enzyme RNA polymerase II at the beginning of genes, but how such downregulation of transcription occurs is unclear. Fianu
et al
. present the three-dimensional structure of Integrator bound to the transcribing polymerase complex, providing molecular and mechanistic insights into how Integrator mediates transcription regulation. —DJ
Long-lived fish in a big pond
Authors: Lu J. Yuyang , Seluanov Andrei , Gorbunova Vera
Published: November 2021

The genetic drivers of extreme longevity in Pacific Ocean rockfish are identified
Complete Genome Sequence of a Colistin-Susceptible Salmonella enterica Serovar Minnesota Strain Harboring
mcr-9
on an IncHI2/IncHI2A Plasmid, Isolated from Chicken Meat
Authors: Alzahrani Khaloud O. , Alshdokhi Elaf A. , Mujallad Mohammed I. , Al-Reshoodi Fahad M. , Alhamed Ashwaq S. , Alswaji Abdulrahman A. , Alzayer Maha A. , Okdah Liliane , Alghoribi Majed F. , Alajel Sulaiman M.
Published: November 2021

The recent emergence and dissemination of mobilized colistin resistance (
mcr
) genes have triggered extensive concerns globally. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a colistin-susceptible
Salmonella enterica
serotype Minnesota strain (named SA18578), belonging to sequence type 548 (ST548) and carrying the
mcr-9
gene on an IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid, that was isolated from chicken meat in Saudi Arabia in 2020.
Epidemiological Characterization of Group B Streptococcus Infections in Alberta, Canada: An Update from 2014 to 2020
Authors: Ma Angela , Thompson L. Alexa , Corsiatto Thomas , Hurteau Donna , Tyrrell Gregory J.
Published: November 2021

This work describes the epidemiology of invasive infections caused by the bacterium group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) in Alberta, Canada. We show that rates of invasive GBS disease have increased from 2014 to 2020 for both adult disease and late-onset disease in neonates, whereas the rate of early onset disease in neonates has decreased. We also show that the rate of resistance to erythromycin (an antibiotic used to treat GBS) has also increased in this time.
Epstein-Barr virus-induced natural killer/T cell lymphoma arising in tonsil and cervical node tissue
Authors: Santos Adora Tricia , Tong Jiankun , Steinberg Amir , Shemen Larry
Published: November 2021

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been linked to approximately 10%–15% of lymphomas diagnosed in the USA, including a small percentage of Natural Killer (NK)/T cell lymphomas, which are clinically aggressive, respond poorly to chemotherapy and have a shorter survival. Here, we present a case of a patient found to have EBV-induced NK/T cell lymphoma from a chronic EBV infection. While the EBV most commonly infects B cells, it can infect NK/T cells, and it is important for the clinician to be aware of the potential transformation to lymphoma as it is clinically aggressive, warranting early recognition and treatment. NK/T cell lymphoma is a unique type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is almost always associated with EBV. The disease predominantly localises in the upper aerodigestive tract, most commonly in the nose.
Gemtuzumab-ozogamicin and blinatumomab as treatment for refractory mixed-phenotype blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Ovilla-Martinez Roberto , Weber Sánchez Luis Alejandro , Cota-Rangel Xóchitl , Baez-Islas Pamela Elena
Published: November 2021

In the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era, the blast phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia (BP-CML) renders an uncommon presentation and has a poor prognosis with an estimated overall survival below 20%. Mixed-phenotype blast phase is even more infrequent, presenting in 3.3% of these patients. Blast phase manifests along haematological sarcomas, with extramedullary activity in lymph nodes, skin and bone. We report the case of a patient with an ovarian sarcoma as an extramedullary presentation of mixed-phenotype BP-CML refractory to conventional treatment which responded to immunotherapy against CD33 and CD19.
Non-compaction cardiomyopathy, Becker muscular dystrophy, neuropathy and recurrent syncope
Authors: Shah Love , Tam Ingrid , Nosib Shravan
Published: November 2021

We present the case of a 50-year-old man presenting with new heart failure symptoms. He had no evidence of any ischaemic cardiomyopathy, however, further cardiac imaging showed a left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy. He was noted to have muscular weakness and an exhaustive search for associated comorbidities yielded a diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy. In this report, we review the pathophysiology, comorbidities and diagnostic workup in patients presenting with left ventricular non-compaction in the context of dystrophinopathy. Ultimately, we suggest the consideration of rare cardiomyopathies in all patients presenting with neuromuscular syndromes and vice versa.
Measuring antibody titres following rabies postexposure prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients: a norm rather than the exception
Authors: Mohindra Ritin , Suri Vikas , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Rana Kirtan
Published: November 2021

We present a case of a 51-year-old immunosuppressed man with underlying chronic lymphoproliferative leukaemia (CLL), who presented to us in emergency with breathlessness, hydrophobia, anxiety and restlessness. He had a history of category 3 dog bite 2 months ago and had received a full course of rabies immunoglobulin and antirabies vaccine (ARV) as per the national schedule. As there were frank clinical reports of rabies, the patient was managed according to Milwaukee regimen. The patients died within a week of the appearance of symptoms. The brain autopsy revealed Negri bodies conforming the mortality due to rabies.

Immunosuppressed patients, like our patient who had CLL have low antibody formation after rabies prophylaxis. Antibody titres in immunosuppressed patients need to be measured after the 2–4 weeks of the last injection of ARV to decide whether a booster of ARV needs to be administered or not.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in Sierra Leone, March 2021: a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey
Authors: Barrie Mohamed Bailor , Lakoh Sulaiman , Kelly J Daniel , Kanu Joseph Sam , Squire James Sylvester , Koroma Zikan , Bah Silleh , Sankoh Osman , Brima Abdulai , Ansumana Rashid , Goldberg Sarah A , Chitre Smit , Osuagwu Chidinma , Frankfurter Raphael , Maeda Justin , Barekye Bernard , Numbere Tamuno-Wari , Abdulaziz Mohammed , Mounts Anthony , Blanton Curtis , Singh Tushar , Samai Mohamed , Vandi Mohamed , Richardson Eugene T
Published: November 2021

Introduction

As of 26 March 2021, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 4 159 055 cases of COVID-19 and 111 357 deaths among the 55 African Union member states; however, no country has published a nationally representative serosurvey as of October 2021. Such data are vital for understanding the pandemic’s progression on the continent, evaluating containment measures, and policy planning.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey in Sierra Leone in March 2021 by randomly selecting 120 Enumeration Areas throughout the country and 10 randomly selected households in each of these. One to two persons per selected household were interviewed to collect information on sociodemographics, symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, exposure history to laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, and history of COVID-19 illness. Capillary blood was collected by fingerstick, and blood samples were tested using the Hangzhou Biotest Biotech RightSign COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. Total seroprevalence was estimated after applying sampling weights.

Results

The overall weighted seroprevalence was 2.6% (95% CI 1.9% to 3.4%). This was 43 times higher than the reported number of cases. Rural seropositivity was 1.8% (95% CI 1.0% to 2.5%), and urban seropositivity was 4.2% (95% CI 2.6% to 5.7%).

Discussion

Overall seroprevalence was low compared with countries in Europe and the Americas (suggesting relatively successful containment in Sierra Leone). This has ramifications for the country’s third wave (which started in June 2021), during which the average number of daily reported cases was 87 by the end of the month:this could potentially be on the order of 3700 actual infections per day, calling for stronger containment measures in a country with only 0.2% of people fully vaccinated. It may also reflect significant under-reporting of incidence and mortality across the continent.
Antibodies to neurofilament light as potential biomarkers in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Puentes Fabiola , Benkert Pascal , Amor Sandra , Kuhle Jens , Giovannoni Gavin
Published: November 2021

Background and objective

The concentration of neurofilament light (NfL) protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood is widely considered as a quantitative measure of neuro-axonal injury. Immune reactivity to NfL released into extracellular fluids induces specific autoantibody response. We investigated the levels and avidity of antibodies to NfL in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and their correlation with disease worsening and NfL protein concentration.

Methods

We conducted a prospective longitudinal study in 246 patients with MS (125 DMT-treated and 121 untreated at baseline). Serum levels of NfL antibodies, antibody avidity and immune complexes were determined by ELISA. NfL protein was measured using the Simoa platform. Clinical variables were tested for their association with the measured parameters in multivariate generalised estimating equation models.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that levels of NfL antibodies were higher in progressive MS compared with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (p=0.010). Anti-NfL levels drop with increasing disability score (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)) (p=0.002), although conversely, were significantly elevated in CIS/RRMS after a recent EDSS increase (p=0.012). Patients receiving DMTs showed decreased levels of anti-NfL (p=0.008), high-avidity antibodies (p=0.017) and immune-complexes compared with untreated CIS/RRMS. Patients with MS switching to natalizumab showed lower levels of anti-NfL but higher immune complexes compared with healthy controls (p=0.0071). A weak association was observed between the levels of NfL protein and NfL antibodies.

Conclusions

These results support the potential usefulness of quantifying antibody response to NfL as potential markers of progression and treatment response in MS and need to be considered when interpreting peripheral blood NfL levels.
Interspecific competition reduces the performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): implications for restoration programs
Authors: Grant James W.A. , Weir Laura K.
Published: November 2021

Competition from non-native salmonids is potentially impairing efforts to restore Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to parts of their historical range. In three separate meta-analyses, we collected 104 effect sizes from 25 published papers to quantify the effect of both native and non-native salmonids on the performance (i.e., behaviour, habitat use, growth and survival) of Atlantic salmon. The presence of other species had negative effects on the performance of Atlantic salmon; in particular, non-native species and brown trout (Salmo trutta), whether native or non-native, had the most negative effects. Contrary to our predictions, the negative effects of other species were not exacerbated in laboratory compared to field studies and did not increase with total salmonid abundance or the relative body size of the competitors. However, most studies in our analyses were conducted under laboratory conditions and at densities much higher than found in nature. Thus, a realistic assessment of the potential success of restoration programs when interspecific competitors are present should include more studies conducted under natural conditions.
Glyphosate- and acetolactate synthase inhibitor-resistant kochia (Bassia scoparia) control in field pea
Authors: Torbiak Alysha T. , Blackshaw Robert E. , Brandt Randall N. , Hamman Bill , Geddes Charles M.
Published: November 2021

Kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] is an invasive C4 tumbleweed in the Great Plains of North America, where it impedes crop harvest and causes significant crop yield losses. Rapid evolution and spread of glyphosate- and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor-resistant kochia in western Canada limit the herbicide options available for control of these biotypes in field pea (Pisum sativum L.); one of the predominant pulse crops grown in this region. Field experiments were conducted near Lethbridge, Alberta, in 2013–2015 and Coalhurst, Alberta, in 2013–2014 to determine which herbicide options effectively control glyphosate- and ALS inhibitor-resistant kochia in field pea. Visible injury of field pea was minor (0%–4%) in all environments except for Lethbridge 2013, where pre-plant (PP) flumioxazin and all treatments containing post-emergence (POST) imazamox/bentazon resulted in unacceptable (14%–23%) visible injury in field pea. Herbicide impacts on field pea yield were minor overall. Carfentrazone + sulfentrazone PP and saflufenacil PP followed by imazamox/bentazon POST resulted in ≥80% visible control of kochia in all environments, while POST imazamox/bentazon alone resulted in ≥80% reduction in kochia biomass in all environments compared with the untreated control (albeit, absent of statistical difference in Coalhurst 2014). These results suggest that layering the protoporhyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting herbicides saflufenacil or carfentrazone + sulfentrazone PP with the ALS- and photosystem II-inhibiting herbicide combination imazamox/bentazon POST can effectively control glyphosate- and ALS inhibitor-resistant kochia in field pea while also mitigating further selection for herbicide resistance through the use of multiple effective herbicide modes-of-action.
Thermal WIMPs and the scale of new physics: global fits of Dirac dark matter effective field theories
Authors: Athron Peter , Kozar Neal Avis , Balázs Csaba , Beniwal Ankit , Bloor Sanjay , Bringmann Torsten , Brod Joachim , Chang Christopher , Cornell Jonathan M. , Farmer Ben , Fowlie Andrew , Gonzalo Tomás E. , Handley Will , Kahlhoefer Felix , Kvellestad Anders , Mahmoudi Farvah , Prim Markus T. , Raklev Are , Renk Janina J. , Scaffidi Andre , Scott Pat , Stöcker Patrick , Vincent Aaron C. , White Martin , Wild Sebastian , Zupan Jure ,   GAMBIT Collaboration
Published: November 2021

We assess the status of a wide class of WIMP dark matter (DM) models in light of the latest experimental results using the global fitting framework . We perform a global analysis of effective field theory (EFT) operators describing the interactions between a gauge-singlet Dirac fermion and the Standard Model quarks, the gluons and the photon. In this bottom-up approach, we simultaneously vary the coefficients of 14 such operators up to dimension 7, along with the DM mass, the scale of new physics and several nuisance parameters. Our likelihood functions include the latest data from Planck, direct and indirect detection experiments, and the LHC. For DM masses below 100 GeV, we find that it is impossible to satisfy all constraints simultaneously while maintaining EFT validity at LHC energies. For new physics scales around 1 TeV, our results are influenced by several small excesses in the LHC data and depend on the prescription that we adopt to ensure EFT validity. Furthermore, we find large regions of viable parameter space where the EFT is valid and the relic density can be reproduced, implying that WIMPs can still account for the DM of the universe while being consistent with the latest data.
Baseline surface- and groundwater monitoring prior to an onshore shale gas operation in the Vale of Pickering, UK
Authors: Raper Eleanor , Banks David , Shipperbottom Joe , Ham Phil
Published: November 2021

A comprehensive programme of baseline groundwater hydrochemical monitoring has been carried out in connection with the proposed hydraulic fracturing of a 2–3 km deep Bowland Shale gas reservoir in borehole KM8 at Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, UK. The monitoring infrastructure encompassed five on-site boreholes with hydraulically open intervals ranging from shallow weathered cover to a
c.
200 m deep Corallian limestone aquifer, six off-site wells (hydraulically open in superficial materials and/or Kimmeridge Clay) and four surface-water monitoring stations. Groundwater chemistry was high stratified with depth, ranging from slightly acidic, fresh, very hard Ca–HCO
3
–SO
4
waters in shallow weathered cover, to brackish, calcium-depleted, highly alkaline waters in the Corallian aquifer. Dissolved methane was detected in most boreholes, with 10 

μ

g l
−1
being typical of shallow boreholes and around 50 mg l
−1
in the Corallian. Low ethane concentrations and isotopic evidence suggest that the methane was predominantly microbial in origin (carboxylate fermentation at shallow depth, natural methanogenic CO
2
reduction at greater depth). Elevated dissolved ethane (20–30 

μ

g l
−1
) was found in one well of intermediate depth, suggesting admixture of a possible thermogenic component, although this could be derived directly from the Kimmeridge Clay penetrated by the well.
Chagas Disease Ecology in the United States: Recent Advances in UnderstandingTrypanosoma cruziTransmission Among Triatomines, Wildlife, and Domestic Animals and a Quantitative Synthesis of Vector–Host Interactions
Authors: Busselman Rachel E. , Hamer Sarah A.
Published: November 2021

Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease present in the Americas, is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted by triatomine kissing bug vectors. Hundreds of vertebrate host species are involved in the ecology of Chagas disease. The sylvatic nature of most triatomines found in the United States accounts for high levels of animal infections but few reports of human infections. This review focuses on triatomine distributions and animal infections in the southern United States. A quantitative synthesis of available US data from triatomine bloodmeal analysis studies shows that dogs, humans, and rodents are key taxa for feeding triatomines. Imperfect and unvalidated diagnostic tools for wildlife complicate the study of animal T. cruzi infections, and integrated vector management approaches are needed to reduce parasite transmission in nature. The diversity of animal species involved in Chagas disease ecology underscores the importance of a One Health approach for disease research and management.
An Historical Perspective on the Control of Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Spong Mark W.
Published: November 2021

This article is an historical overview of control theory applied to robotic manipulators, with an emphasis on the early fundamental theoretical foundations of robot control. It discusses properties of robot dynamics that enable application of advanced control methods followed by robust and adaptive control of manipulators. It also discusses nonlinear control of underactuated robots and teleoperators.
Research on the SOH Prediction Based on the Feature Points of Incremental Capacity Curve
Authors: Zhao Qian , Jiang Haobin , Chen Biao , Wang Cheng , Chang Lv
Published: November 2021

The accurate prediction of the state of health (SOH) is an important basis for ensuring the normal operation of the lithium-ion battery (LIB). The accurate SOH can extend the life-span, ensure safety, and improve the performance of LIBs. The charging voltage curve and incremental capacity (IC) curve of the LIB in different SOH are obtained through experiments. The location parameters of each feature point on IC curve are closely related to battery aging, to characterize the SOH of the LIB with the location of feature points. To solve the difficulty in identifying feature points due to the oscillation in solving IC curves with a traditional numerical analytic method, the piecewise polynomial fitting method is adopted to smooth IC. To discuss the law between the location change of all feature points on the IC curve and the capacity attenuation, a capacity prediction regression model is established after the dimensionality reduction of the coordinate data of feature points on the IC curve with the principal component analysis method. The proposed method can rapidly estimate the online SOH of LIBs during the charging process of electric vehicles and the results show the maximum error is 0.63AH (3.15%).
Electrochemical Frequency Modulation: New Approach and Revision of Previous Model
Authors: Lalvani Shashi , Kerr Lei , Lalvani Shamal , Olaguera-Delogu Dominic
Published: November 2021

A careful evaluation of the earlier model (1–2) for electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) involving two sinusoidal applied potentials for the determination of corrosion parameters shows an algebraic error. Although the missing term in the original derivation appears to be insignificant, it is found that errors involved in corrosion current determination, and especially in evaluation of the Tafel slopes can be very significant, which is of consequence because of the rising popularity of this technique. The magnitude of error is found to be a function of the inherent corrosion characteristics (anodic and cathodic Tafel slopes) of the corroding material as well as the applied peak potential of the modulation. A corrected model with detailed steps showing the appropriate math is presented. In addition, using the experimental data available in the literature, the errors involved in estimating the corrosion parameters by the earlier EFM model of Bosch et al. (1–2) are evaluated. The corrected corrosion current and the Tafel slopes can be recovered from the incorrect model without the benefit of the harmonic currents, as shown in this paper. An analysis is also presented for the case of only one applied sinusoidal frequency modulation, which offers several advantages over the multiple frequency modulation.
On the Correlation between the Oxygen in Hydrogen Content and the Catalytic Activity of Cathode Catalysts in PEM Water Electrolysis
Authors: Martin Agate , Trinke Patrick , Pham Chuyen Van , Bühler Melanie , Bierling Markus , Holzapfel Peter Karl Rüdiger , Bensmann Boris , Thiele Simon , Hanke-Rauschenbach Richard
Published: November 2021

Altogether five platinum group metal (PGM) and PGM-free cathode catalysts were investigated in full PEM water electrolysis cells regarding their polarisation behaviour and their hydrogen and oxygen recombination properties. It was shown that the recombination activity of permeated oxygen and evolved hydrogen within the cathodic catalyst layer correlates with the activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) which was determined ex situ with linear sweep voltammetry. We found that the investigated PGM-free cathode catalysts had a low activity for the ORR resulting in higher measurable oxygen in hydrogen volume fractions compared to the PGM catalysts, which are more active for the ORR. Out of the three investigated PGM-free catalysts, only one commercially available material based on a Ti suboxide showed a similar good polarisation behaviour as the state of the art cathode catalyst platinum, while its recombination activity was the lowest of all catalysts. In addition to the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen on the electrocatalysts, we found that the prevalent carbon-based cathodic porous transport layers (PTL) also offer catalytically active recombination sites. In comparison to an inactive PTL, the measurable oxygen flux using carbon-based PTLs was lower and the recombination was enhanced by microporous coatings with high surface areas.
Corrosion of Chromia-Forming and Alumina-Forming Ferritic Stainless Steels under Dual Atmosphere Exposure Conditions
Authors: Reisert M. , Anisur M. R. , Lee L. , Aphale A. N. , Hong J. , Yaginuma M. , Shiomi T. , Dale N. , Hussain A. M. , Singh P.
Published: November 2021

The surface morphology and chemistry of oxide scales formed on select chromia-forming and alumina-forming ferritic steels have been studied after exposure to a dual atmosphere of hydrogen and air. Localized Fe-rich oxide nodules with surface whiskers/platelets form at the onset of corrosion. The initiation and growth of localized nodules and breakdown of passivation are attributed to the presence of hydrogen, inclusion of iron oxide in the passivating scale, and subsequent growth of iron-rich oxide due to the establishment of redox (H2-H2O) atmosphere and modification of oxide defect chemistry.
When one says yes and the other says no; does calcineurin participate in physiologic cardiac hypertrophy?
Authors: Ritchie Jonathan A. , Ng Jun Q. , Kemi Ole J.
Published: November 2021

Developing engaging activities that build skills for understanding and appreciating research is important for undergraduate and postgraduate science students. Comparing and contrasting opposing research studies does this, and more: it also appropriately for these cohorts challenges higher level cognitive processing. Here, we present and discuss one such scenario, that of calcineurin in the heart and its response to exercise training. This scenario is further accentuated by the existence of only two studies. The background is that regular aerobic endurance exercise training stimulates the heart to physiologically adapt to chronically increase its ability to produce a greater cardiac output to meet the increased demand for oxygenated blood in working muscles, and this happens by two main mechanisms: 1) increased cardiac contractile function and 2) physiologic hypertrophy. The major underlying mechanisms have been delineated over the last decades, but one aspect has not been resolved: the potential role of calcineurin in modulating physiologic hypertrophy. This is partly because the existing research has provided opposing and contrasting findings, one line showing that exercise training does activate cardiac calcineurin in conjunction with myocardial hypertrophy, but another line showing that exercise training does not activate cardiac calcineurin even if myocardial hypertrophy is blatantly occurring. Here, we review and present the current evidence in the field and discuss reasons for this controversy. We present real-life examples from physiology research and discuss how this may enhance student engagement and participation, widen the scope of learning, and thereby also further facilitate higher level cognitive processing.
[Retracted] Interactive Innovation Research on Film Animation Based on Maya‐Unity Animation Simulation of Visual Sensor
Authors: Sang Yajie
Published: November 2021

At present, enhancing the understanding of the importance of the development of cultural and creative industries and grasping the future development trends of the whole society has become the primary issue for the development of this industry in our country. The main work of this paper is based on the interactive innovation research of visual sensor Maya‐Unity animation simulation in film and television animation. Maya Unity puts the required lights on the model, adds texture materials, etc., selects all objects, and uses the “Mesh‐ > Combine” command. Then, open “Create UV‐>Automatic Mapping” for these objects to perform the UV operation. Open “Window‐> UV Texture Editor” and check the new UV for baking. First, the article introduces an overview of the development of cultural and creative industries and the application status of virtual simulation technology in film and television animation. Then, the article introduces the characteristics of visual sensors and interactive design ideas. The scene view displays the document from a graphical perspective, while the code view displays the text content of the document. Both views must be displayed in the split window Dreamer, and only one view can be displayed at the same time; so, it is necessary to establish a button for scene and code switching. The animation scene will change with the passage of time following the development of the story. Therefore, in the lighting design, the animation changes of light intensity and color temperature should be produced. The time to complete a frame of image matching is 135 ms, and to complete a feature measurement, 8 frames of images are used for template matching, and then the average coordinate value is calculated, which takes about 135 × 8 = 1080 ms, which meets the system requirements. The main effect of the text effect is very significant, F = 13.780, P < 0.001. Comparison of effect between development and middle to two sides, P = 0.02, P < 0.05. The results show that the use of Maya‐Unity software for animation simulation can make the rendering of the animation more beautiful.
Silicone Oil Adhesion to Hydrophobic Acrylic Intraocular Lenses: A Comparative Laboratory Study of a New versus an Established Hydrophobic Acrylic Intraocular Lens Material
Authors: Auffarth Gerd U. , Fang Hui , Wang Qiang , Hengerer Fritz , Khoramnia Ramin , Son Hyeck-Soo , Schickhardt Sonja
Published: November 2021

Background. In vitro assessment of silicone oil adhesion to a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) material, the Clareon model CNA0T0, compared with the established AcrySof model SN60WF was carried out. Methods. Silicone oil adhesion was assessed for two types of IOLs, Clareon CNA0T0 (n = 10) and AcrySof SN60WF (n = 10). Lenses were immersed in an aqueous sodium chloride solution for 12 hours and then incubated at room temperature in silicone oil for 12 hours. The lenses were washed with distilled water and photographed at 25x magnification using a microscope. The percent coverage was calculated by dividing the area of oil coverage by the total surface area of the lens. Results. Silicone oil adhesion to the surface of the CNA0T0 lens ranged from 4% to 22%, with a mean ± SD coverage of 8% ± 4%. Silicone oil adhesion to the surface of the SN60WF lens ranged from 1% to 17%, with a mean coverage of 9% ± 4%. The silicone oil adhesion of CNA0T0 was equivalent to that of SN60WF (

P
>
0.05

). Conclusions. The new Clareon model CNA0T0 IOL has silicone oil adhesion and interaction that are equivalent to the established AcrySof IOL.
A Finite‐Difference Wavenumber‐Time Domain Method for Sound Field Prediction in a Uniformly Moving Medium
Authors: Dong Bichun , Zhang Runmei , Yu Chuanyang , Li Huan
Published: November 2021

Sound field prediction has practical significance in the control of noise generated by sources in a flow, for example, the noise in aero‐engines and ventilation systems. Aiming at accurate and flexible prediction of time‐dependent sound field, a finite‐difference wavenumber‐time domain method for sound field prediction in a uniformly moving medium is proposed. The method is based on the second‐order convective wave equation, and the wavenumber‐time domain representation of the sound pressure field on one plane is forward propagated via a derived recursive expression. In this paper, the recursive expression is first deduced, and then numerical stability and dispersion of the proposed method are analyzed, based on which the stability condition is given and the correction of dispersion related to the transition frequency is made. Numerical simulations are conducted to test the performance of the proposed method, and the results show that the method is valid and robust at different Mach numbers.
Tibetan Medicine Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills Can Reduce Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting Inflammation
Authors: Fu Ke , Zhang Dewei , Song Yinglian , Xu Min , Wu Ruixia , Xiong Xueqing , Liu Xianwu , Wu Lei , Guo Ya , Zhou You , Li Xiaoli , Wang Zhang
Published: November 2021

Cerebral ischemia is a series of harmful reactions, such as acute necrosis of tissue, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, and blood-brain barrier injury, due to the insufficient blood supply to the brain. Inflammatory response and gut microbiota imbalance are important concomitant factors of cerebral ischemia and may increase the severity of cerebral ischemia through the gut-brain axis. Qishiwei Zhenzhu pills (QSW) contain more than 70 kinds of medicinal materials, which have the effects of anti-cerebral infarction, anti-convulsion, anti-dementia, and so on. It is a treasure of Tibetan medicine commonly used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia in Tibetan areas. In this study, we gave rats QSW (66.68 mg/kg) once by gavage in advance and then immediately established the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. After 24 hours of treatment, the neuroprotection, intestinal pathology, and gut microbiota were examined. The results showed that QSW could significantly reduce the neurobehavioral abnormalities and cerebral infarction rate in MCAO rats. Furthermore, qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry results showed that QSW could effectively inhibit IL-6, IL-1β, and other inflammatory factors so as to effectively reduce the inflammatory response of MCAO rats. Furthermore, QSW could improve intestinal integrity and reduce intestinal injury. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that QSW could significantly improve the gut microbiota disorder of MCAO rats. Specifically, at the phylum level, it can regulate the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the gut microbiota of rats with MCAO. At the genus level, it can adjust the abundance of Escherichia and Shigella. At the species level, it can adjust the abundance of Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus reuteri. All in all, this study is the first to show that QSW can reduce the severity of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating gut microbiota and inhibiting the inflammatory response.
Causes and Preventive Measures of Sports Injuries in Physical Fitness Tests in Colleges and Universities Based on Biological Characteristics
Authors: Wang Feng
Published: November 2021

Biological characteristics refer to the morphological and physiological characteristics exhibited by individual organisms. The indicators of individual biological characteristics mainly include physical indicators such as height, weight, chest circumference, and health-related physical indicators such as blood pressure, grip strength, and vital capacity. This article mainly introduces the cause analysis and preventive measures of a physical fitness test in colleges and universities based on biological characteristics and intends to provide ideas and directions for the cause analysis and preventive measures of a physical fitness test in colleges and universities. This paper proposes a research method for the cause analysis and preventive measures of sports injuries in college physical fitness tests based on biological characteristics. Research experiments on the cause analysis and preventive measures of sports injuries in the physical fitness test of colleges and universities. The experimental results in this paper show that the most frequent cause of sports injuries among boys is lack of self-protection awareness, with a probability of 24.24%; among girls, the most frequent cause of sports injuries is insufficient flexibility, with a probability of 22.86%.
Evaluation of Enterprise Management Innovation in Manufacturing Industry Using Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision-Making under the Background of Big Data
Authors: Yan Yi , Chu Dejiang
Published: November 2021

The manufacturing industry has always been in the dominant position in the development of China’s national economy. The present industrial structure and development mode of the manufacturing industry are in a critical transformation period. This study aims to explore the problems in the management of manufacturing enterprises in the era of big data. Supplier management is the top priority of manufacturing enterprise management. Regarding the performance appraisal of manufacturing enterprises, the management data of large manufacturing enterprises are collected by questionnaire. 226 questionnaires are issued, and 203 valid questionnaires are collected. The performance appraisal management of manufacturing enterprises is analyzed based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) of fuzzy multicriteria decision-making, and the evaluation system of enterprise performance management is established. The results show that the average value of the four indexes of enterprise marketing management, enterprise research and development (R&D) support, enterprise R&D achievement transformation efficiency, and enterprise production innovation is higher than 3.731, indicating that large manufacturing enterprises quite support marketing, R&D, and production innovation. This exploration can provide a theoretical basis for improving the management innovation ability of manufacturing enterprises and also has great reference value for expanding the market competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises.
[Retracted] 3D Kinematic Analysis of Intelligent Vision Sensor Image in Football Training
Authors: Ni Pengcheng , Luo Xi
Published: November 2021

With its advantages of high precision, noncontact, and high intelligence, intelligent visual sensor detection technology meets the requirements for online detection of motion status and intelligent recognition of motion images during sports activities, and its applications are becoming more and more extensive. In order to deeply explore the feasibility of using intelligent vision sensor technology to analyze the three‐dimensional action of football, this article uses algorithm analysis method, technology summary method, and physical assembly method, collects samples, analyzes the motion model, streamlines the algorithm, and then creates a model based on intelligent visual sensor technology that can analyze the three‐dimensional movement in football training. After the experimental objects are selected, the model is established in the ADM environment. All athletes do a uniform motion, the standard input motion speed is 5 m/s, they all move in the opposite direction relative to their respective coordinate axes, and the motion time is 6 seconds. The results show that the movement curves of the athletes in the three coordinate axis directions are basically the same. When the exercise time is 6 seconds, the coordinate values of the athletes on the three coordinate axes are all 0.992 m. We set six intensities in the experiment: 5%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 45%, and 55%. It can be found that as the noise intensity increases from 5% to 45%, the estimation error gradually increases, but as a whole, it is still at a relatively small level. It shows that the algorithm in this paper still has practical significance. It is basically realized that under the guidance of intelligent vision sensor technology, a model can be designed to successfully and efficiently analyze the three‐dimensional movement pattern in training.
Traffic Foreground Detection at Complex Urban Intersections Using a Novel Background Dictionary Learning Model
Authors: Cao Qianxia , Wang Zhengwu , Long Kejun
Published: November 2021

In complex urban intersection scenarios, due to heavy traffic and signal control, there are many slow-moving or temporarily stopped vehicles behind the stop lines. At these intersections, it is difficult to extract traffic parameters, such as delay and queue length, based on vehicle detection and tracking due to the dense and severe occlusion of vehicles. In this study, a novel background subtraction algorithm based on sparse representation is proposed to detect the traffic foreground at complex intersections to obtain traffic parameters. By establishing a novel background dictionary update model, the proposed method solves the problem that the background is easily contaminated by slow-moving or temporarily stopped vehicles and therefore cannot obtain the complete traffic foreground. Using the real-world urban traffic videos and the PV video sequences of

i

-LIDS, we first compare the proposed method with other detection methods based on sparse representation. Then, the proposed method is compared with other commonly used traffic foreground detection models in different urban intersection traffic scenarios. The experimental results show that the proposed method performs well in keeping the background model being unpolluted from slow-moving or temporarily stopped vehicles and has a good performance in both qualitative and quantitative evaluations.
Effect of Resveratrol on Serum Levels of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Marouf Bushra Hassan
Published: November 2021

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains a challenging concern. Preclinical studies provided accumulating evidence on resveratrol efficacy in ameliorating degenerative articular damage. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol as monotherapy on the serum level of type II collagen (Coll 2‐1) and aggrecan in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study was an open‐labeled noncontrolled clinical trial. Resveratrol 500 mg/day in a single oral dose was given to the patients with knee osteoarthritis for 90 days. The serum levels of Coll‐2‐1, aggrecan, and biomarkers of inflammation were measured pre‐ and posttreatment. Hematological profiles and both hepatic and renal function markers were investigated at the baseline and at the end of the treatment for evaluating the tolerability and safety of resveratrol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for disease activity were clinically assessed monthly. Administration of 500 mg resveratrol for three months led to a nonsignificant decrease in the serum level of Coll 2‐1 while a significant increase in aggrecan serum level. Resveratrol significantly improves pain score measured by VAS and KOOS after 30 days. Improvements in patients’ activity and functional status were also evident at day 30 and kept on for three months which was reflected by KOOS subscale scores and with a significant improvement in all KOOS areas. In conclusion, oral administration of resveratrol as a monotherapy provides a remarkable improvement in the clinical status of the patients but has no significant effect on serum levels of Coll 2‐1.
The Effect of Portfolio Assessment on Iranian EFL Learners’ Autonomy and Writing Skills
Authors: Biglari Abbas , Izadpanah Siros , Namaziandost Ehsan
Published: November 2021

The portfolio assessment is a purposeful and systematic collection of students’ work that is intended to show progress over time. The researchers employed the Oxford quick placement test, autonomy questionnaire, and topic-based paragraph writings as the pretest and posttest. The design of the study was quasiexperimental. To this end, researchers chose 120 learners with the convenience sampling method, which were 60 learners at the upper-intermediate and 60 learners at the advanced level. Participants were divided into two homogeneous groups (30 learners) such that there were two groups at the upper-intermediate level and two groups at an advanced level as experimental and control groups. A piloted writing pretest was given to both groups before the treatment. The experimental group had received the treatment of four writing tasks to perform. In order to address the research questions, descriptive statistics and covariant analysis were used. Based on the results achieved from the first research question, portfolio assessment has a positive significant effect on Iranian EFL learners’ autonomy on both upper-intermediate and advanced levels. The results also indicated that portfolio assessment has a positive significant effect on Iranian EFL learners’ writing skills on both upper-intermediate and advanced levels.
[Retracted] Object‐Based Image Retrieval Using the U‐Net‐Based Neural Network
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Jain Arpit , Kumar Agarwal Ambuj , Rani Shilpa , Ghimire Anshu
Published: November 2021

Day by day, all the research communities have been focusing on digital image retrieval due to more internet and social media uses. In this paper, a U‐Net‐based neural network is proposed for the segmentation process and Haar DWT and lifting wavelet schemes are used for feature extraction in content‐based image retrieval (CBIR). Haar wavelet is preferred as it is easy to understand, very simple to compute, and the fastest. The U‐Net‐based neural network (CNN) gives more accurate results than the existing methodology because deep learning techniques extract low‐level and high‐level features from the input image. For the evaluation process, two benchmark datasets are used, and the accuracy of the proposed method is 93.01% and 88.39% on Corel 1K and Corel 5K. U‐Net is used for the segmentation purpose, and it reduces the dimension of the feature vector and feature extraction time by 5 seconds compared to the existing methods. According to the performance analysis, the proposed work has proven that U‐Net improves image retrieval performance in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall on both the benchmark datasets.