bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study between the efficacies of azathioprine and mesalazine in the treatment of severe alopecia areata
Authors: Mahgoob Randa Al Sayed , Elgamal Emad Eldin , Elshahat Osama Magdy , Almetwaly Samir Atef
Published: December 2021

Background

Various systemic agents have been assessed for treatment of alopecia areata; however, there is a paucity of comparative studies.

Aim

To compare the efficacy of azathioprine versus mesalazine in the treatment of severe alopecia areata.

Methods

Our study was carried out in 30 patients with severe alopecia areata divided into two groups, group A: fifteen patients were treated by azathioprine in an oral dose of 1–2 mg/kg/day and group B: fifteen patients were treated by mesalazine in an oral dose of 15–30 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. The treatment was considered effective if percentage regrowth of hair was determined by change in SALT score >50 from base line after 6 months of treatment. The treatment was continued for 3–6 months after complete remission to minimize the risk of relapse. The dose was gradually tapered during this time.

Results

The study found that there is statistically significant difference between mean SALT scores before treatment and after 6 months of treatment in both groups. In group A, SALT score at base line was 84.42 ± 17.41, after 6 months it was 35.95 ± 35.79 (p value 0.04). In group B, SALT score at base line was 73.06 ± 22.10, after 6 months it was 23.04± 12.27 (p value 0.037). Changes in SALT score after 6 months were −27.74 ± 20.66 in group A and −60.42±38.41 in group B (p value 0.055).

Conclusion

Mesalazine may be considered as effective as azathioprine with lesser side effects. Azathioprine is also considered safe. However, a large group study should be performed to confirm these findings.
Mixed evidence for the small‐island effect in a replicated colonisation experiment
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail V. , Lanta Vojtěch , Zverev Vitali
Published: December 2021

Aim

Plant species richness increases with island/patch area, but the effect of spatial scale on the shape of the species‒area relationship remains debatable. We asked whether the small‐island effect (SIE; i.e. different relationship between island area and species richness on smaller compared to larger plots) occurs in plants naturally colonising extremely small de novo plots.

Location

Northern Europe.

Methods

We established 16 experimental plots with bare ground (two plots of each of eight sizes, from 2 to 0.01 m2) in each of four localities, and monitored colonisation of these plots by vascular plants from 2008 to 2010. We modelled species‒area relationships in these plots by linear and breakpoint regressions, and we analysed plant functional traits with respect to plot size.

Results

Small‐seeded plants were over‐represented among the primary colonisers, and plant functional traits changed with plot size. On average, the number of plant species was six times greater in our largest (2 m2) than in our smallest (0.01 m2) plots. The SIE was observed in half of our analyses; the semi‐log models identified SIE more often than the log‐log models did (71.1% and 28.9% of all analyses respectively).

Conclusions

The evidence for the small‐island effect in boreal forest plants colonising patches of bare ground is mixed. Despite extremely small patch size and habitat uniformity, half of our data showed a “classic” species‒area relationship. Our findings hint that the probability of SIE occurrence increases with decreases in the species pool of primary colonisers and with decreases in the time from the beginning of colonisation. We suggest that the analysis of plant functional traits in study systems where SIE does occur be conducted to uncover the drivers of this interesting biogeographical phenomenon.
Population characteristics and potential factors influencing recruitment variability of blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish in Thunderbird Reservoir, Oklahoma
Authors: Griffin Austin D. , Snow Richard A. , Porta Michael J.
Published: December 2021

Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are popular sport fishes throughout North America, and are therefore intensively managed by some natural resource agencies. Although catfish fisheries rely on sufficient natural reproduction and recruitment to sustain these populations, few studies have evaluated the variables affecting catfish recruitment. Thus, the objectives of this study were to describe population characteristics (age, size structure, condition, growth, mortality and recruitment) of blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish in Thunderbird Reservoir, Oklahoma, and evaluate the effects of hydrology, water quality and temperature on year‐class strength. During 2017 and 2018, 235 blue catfish, 194 channel catfish and 120 flathead catfish were collected and aged using otoliths. In general, these catfish species in Thunderbird Reservoir were slow growing, long‐lived, had low mortality rates and experienced variable recruitment. Blue catfish recruitment was lower in years with higher average January air temperatures. Channel catfish recruitment was higher in years with increased average annual and spring/summer exchange rate and increased spring/summer average reservoir water volume (ha‐m). Conversely, higher annual average total hardness (mg/L) resulted in decreased recruitment for channel catfish. Flathead catfish recruitment exhibited a minimal negative impact with increased annual reservoir volume (ha‐m). The present study is among the first to describe potential variables influencing year‐class formation of blue catfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish in reservoirs. Although the variables found to influence catfish recruitment are outside the control of fisheries managers, biologists should promote downstream angling opportunities for blue catfish that escape during reservoir water release events and stock channel catfish in systems with consistently high total water hardness in order to maximize fishing opportunities. Further, they can use the results of this study to manage angler expectations following periods of low recruitment.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) infestation cycle and interactions with nutrients and aquatic biota in Winam Gulf (Kenya), Lake Victoria
Authors: Otieno Dennis , Nyaboke Hilda , Nyamweya Chrisphine Sangara , Odoli Cyprian Ogombe , Aura Christopher Mulanda , Outa Nicholas Otieno
Published: December 2021

Lake Victoria, like many other lakes in Africa, is affected by water hyacinth that reside in several bays for the majority of the year. The weed affects several economic activities of the local communities and denies revenue to the government from blue economic activities related to the lake. The present study examined the interaction of water hyacinth with biotic and abiotic factors and the efficiency of introduced weevils to better control this invasive weed. Water quality samples were collected and compared from the time of water hyacinth re‐emergence and sinking within the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. The present study was divided into three phases with an interval of 2 months. Water hyacinth was collected, and the damages resulting from the weevils to the hyacinth, as well as the number of weevils, was recorded and analysed. Fish samples were collected with experimental gill nets. The collected water samples was analysed for the aquatic plant nutrient ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrates and nitrites. Data were analysed using R package. The results of the present study indicated that the weevils inhibited nutrient uptake by hyacinth by 17% within the first 4 weeks. The hyacinth subsequently increased the nutrient levels in the gulf by threefold after their decay and sinking. Weevils also increased the sinking rate of water hyacinth through the destruction of their petioles and leaves. One hundred and ninety‐four more fish were observed in the experimental nets during the weed infestation, compared to periods when the weed was absent within the gulf. The major conclusions were that water hyacinth impacts both biotic and abiotic factors, and that the weevils alone are unable to eradicate the weed.
Variation in the endogenous intact waxes of odontocetes: There is more than one way to build an acoustic receiver
Authors: Michael Ana , Budge Suzanne M. , Westgate Andrew J. , Glandon Hillary L. , Koopman Heather N.
Published: December 2021

Odontocetes possess specialized fat bodies in and around the mandibles for sound reception which have complex topographical distributions of unique endogenous lipids (triacylglycerols and wax esters [WE]). Although there is diversity across species in the fatty acid (FA) and fatty alcohol (FAlc) components of WE, little is understood about the composition and placement of the intact molecules, which will likely impact acoustic function. We aimed to determine the composition and distribution of intact waxes in the jaw fats from five species representative of three odontocete families: delphinids, kogiids, and ziphiids. Total lipid content was similar in all groups, but the WE content of that lipid (21.3%–53.3% of total lipid) and the identity of intact WE molecules showed a high degree of variation, especially in the short‐chain fatty acid components. In contrast, the FAlc elements were surprisingly well conserved. There were 26 intact WE that were common to all species but the delphinids had 12 additional WE with short‐chain fatty acids (i‐5:0 specifically) not found in the other animals examined here. Our study suggests that this highly specialized tissue has evolved several different biochemical pathways, and that there may be multiple strategies for building acoustic fat bodies.
Prenatal intervention program for Japanese first‐time fathers to adapt to the paternal role: A mixed methods study
Authors: Morita Akiko
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to develop a prenatal intervention program focused on the formation of paternal identity for adapting to the paternal role. The intervention program allowed participants to create a postpartum schedule using a uniquely developed paternity portfolio. Pre and postintervention effects were evaluated using a convergent design of mixed methods. This intervention effect was quantitatively evaluated between the two groups. To qualitatively examine the intervention's effects, participants were interviewed for effective prenatal education, and their paternal role behaviors were identified by the intervention. Details of actual postpartum paternal role behavior and effective prenatal education were collected. Obtained data were inductively analyzed and compared with those in the proposed prenatal intervention program. There were 10 pairs in the intervention group and 31 pairs in the control group. Intergroup comparison of evaluation data showed no significant difference. However, qualitative results clarified the effective nursing intervention, confirming the achievement of intervention goals by all participants. Intervention expressions were adjusted based on the results, and a revised prenatal intervention program was developed.
Arabidopsis PUB2 and PUB4 connect signaling components of pattern‐triggered immunity
Authors: Wang Yiping , Wu Yingying , Zhong Huan , Chen Shuai , Wong Kam‐Bo , Xia Yiji
Published: December 2021

Plants use pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to detect pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI). Precise regulation of information from PRRs to downstream signaling components is vital to mounting an appropriate immune response and requires dynamic interactions of these PTI components.

We used transcriptome profiling, phenotypic analysis, molecular genetics, and protein–protein interaction analysis to understand the roles of the Arabidopsis plant U‐box (PUB) proteins PUB2 and PUB4 in disease resistance and PTI signaling.

Loss of function of both PUB2 and PUB4 diminishes the PAMP‐triggered oxidative bursts and dampens mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling, resulting in a severe compromise in resistance to not only pathogenic but also nonpathogenic strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Within PUB4, the E3 ligase activity is dispensable, but the armadillo repeat region is essential and sufficient for its function in immunity. PUB2 and PUB4 interact with PTI signaling components, including FLS2, BIK1, PBL27, and RbohD, and enhance FLS2‐BIK1 and BIK1‐RbohD interactions.

Our study reveals that PUB2 and PUB4 are critical components of plant immunity and connect PTI components to positively regulate defense responses.
Toward an Integrative Perspective on Distinct Positive Emotions for Political Action: Analyzing, Comparing, Evaluating, and Synthesizing Three Theoretical Perspectives
Authors: van Zomeren Martijn
Published: December 2021

Which emotions explain why people engage in political action (e.g., voting, protesting)? To answer this question, theory and research in psychology and political science predominantly focused on distinctnegativeemotions such as anger. The current article conceptually explores the motivational potential of distinctpositiveemotions by developing an integrative perspective that specifies which positive emotions can be differentiated (i.e., theirform), whichfunctionthese emotions have, and whichimplicationsthese have for explaining political action. To this end, I analyze, compare, evaluate, and synthesize three approaches to positive emotions (affective intelligence theory, appraisal theories of emotion, and broaden‐and‐build theory). This perspective generates new hypotheses for the field to test, including the role played by distinct positive emotions such as joy, inspiration, interest, hope, and pride in motivating political action. I discuss how this perspective may help restore a balance in research on emotions and political action by focusing on the motivational potential of distinct positive emotions.
Gender Inequality in Paid and Unpaid Work During Covid‐19 Times
Authors: Farré Lídia , Fawaz Yarine , González Libertad , Graves Jennifer
Published: December 2021

We employ real‐time household data to study the impact of the pandemic lockdown on paid and unpaid work in Spain. We document large employment losses that affected more severely low‐skilled workers and to some extent college educated women. We show that the pandemic resulted in an increase in the gender gap in total hours worked, including paid and unpaid work. This is due to the smaller decrease in paid work hours among women that was not compensated by a smaller increase in unpaid work. We also examine the impact of the lockdown on within‐household specialization patterns. We find that while men slightly increased their participation in home production, the burden continued to be borne by women, irrespective of their labor market situation. This evidence suggests that traditional explanations cannot account for the unequal distribution of the domestic workload. Additional analysis supports gender norms as a plausible explanation for our findings.
A Power Balance Simulator to Examine Business Continuity in Hospital Facilities Due to Power Outages in a Disaster
Authors: Uemichi Akane , Oikawa Ryo , Yamasaki Yudai , Kaneko Shigehiko
Published: December 2021

In hospitals, the energy supply is the key to ensuring modern medical care even during power outages due to a disaster. This study qualitatively examined whether the supply–demand balance can be stabilized by the private generator prepared by the hospital building during stand-alone operations under disaster conditions. In the nanogrid of the hospital building, the power quality was examined based on the AC frequency, which characterizes the supply–demand balance. Gas engine generators, emergency diesel generators, photovoltaic panels, and storage batteries were presumed to be the private generators in the hospital building. The output reference values for the emergency diesel and gas engine generators were set using droop control, and the C/D controller-enabled synchronized operation. In addition, to keep the AC frequency fluctuation minor, the photovoltaic panels were designed to suppress the output fluctuation using storage batteries. As a result of case studies, the simulator predicts that the frequency fluctuation varies greatly depending on the weather conditions and the fluctuation suppression parameters, even for the same configuration with the same power generation capacity. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the moving average time of the output and reduce the feedback gain of the storage battery to suppress the output fluctuation from the photovoltaics. However, there is a trade-off between suppressing the output fluctuation and the minimum required storage capacity. Furthermore, since the photovoltaics’ output varies with the weather, other private generators’ capacity and control parameters significantly impact power quality. The simulator proposed in this study makes it possible to study each hospital's desirable private generator configuration.
Integral Design of a Turbocharger for Internal Engine Energy Saving: Centrifugal Compressor Design
Authors: Xu Cheng , Amano R. S.
Published: December 2021

Energy savings and emission reductions are essential for internal engines. Turbocharger is critical for engine system performance and emission. In this study, the engine simulation program was used to systematically optimize the engine turbocharger system performance. The velocity ratio concept was used in the engine simulation program to consider the performance impacts of the wheel diameter ratio between compressor and turbine. An integral consideration for both compressor and turbine was proposed to design the new turbocharger. An optimization process was used to design the compressor. The performance and mechanical integrity assessments for final designs by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) solvers were reported in this paper. The optimized compressor wheel has some distiguished features comparing with conventional designs. In this design, the splitter is not located at the middle between the two main blades; the compressor wheel exit diameter at shroud is larger than exit diamerer at the hub. The new compressor was tested on both gas stand and engine. The numerical results are fairly agreed with gas stand tests. The tests showed about 1.2% of the engine BSFC reduction without sacrificing the emission and cost. This study demonstrated that a systematic method in simulation and a compressor design optimization process could optimize the engine system and improve the engine performance.
Comparison of Random Forest and Neural Network in Modeling the Performance and Emissions of a Natural Gas Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Huang Qiao , Ulishney Christopher , Dumitrescu Cosmin E.
Published: December 2021

Machine learning (ML) models can accelerate the development of efficient internal combustion engines. This study assessed the feasibility of data-driven methods toward predicting the performance of a diesel engine modified to natural gas (NG) spark ignition (SI), based on a limited number of experiments. As the best ML technique cannot be chosen a priori, the applicability of different ML algorithms for such an engine application was evaluated. Specifically, the performance of two widely used ML algorithms, the random forest (RF) and the artificial neural network (ANN), in forecasting engine responses related to in-cylinder combustion phenomena was compared. The results indicated that both algorithms with spark timing (ST), mixture equivalence ratio, and engine speed as model inputs produced acceptable results with respect to predicting engine performance, combustion phasing, and engine-out emissions. Despite requiring more effort in hyperparameter optimization, the ANN model performed better than the RF model, especially for engine emissions, as evidenced by the larger R-squared, smaller root-mean-square errors (RMSEs), and more realistic predictions of the effects of key engine control variables on the engine performance. However, in applications where the combustion behavior knowledge is limited, it is recommended to use a RF model to quickly determine the appropriate number of model inputs. Consequently, using the RF model to define the model structure and then using the ANN model to improve the model’s predictive capability can help to rapidly build data-driven engine combustion models.
Study the Effect of Nitrogen Content on the Friction and Wear Properties of Zr-Cu-Ni-Al Bulk Metallic Glasses
Authors: Chen Yugan , Tao Pingjun , Zhang Weijian , Huang Zhenghua , Li Fuhai , Yang Yuanzheng
Published: December 2021

The effects of nitrogen on friction and wear properties of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses were investigated experimentally. Bar like metallic glasses were prepared by copper mold suction casting method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the structure of samples, which proved their amorphous structure. The surface properties of the samples were studied with a microhardness tester and a friction and wear tester. The wear surfaces of the sample were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the introduction of nitrogen improves the hardness and wear resistance of Zr-based metallic glass. Compared with the non-N-doped Zr-based metallic glass, the N-doped Zr-based metallic glasses have higher hardness and lower wear-rate. In particular, the sample with 1.5% nitrogen doping has the largest hardness (578.58 hv) and the lowest wear-rate (1.04 × 10−3 mm3/N/m). The wear types of N-doped Zr-based amorphous on GCr15 are mainly abrasive wear and adhesive wear.
Comprehensive analysis of spatial architecture in primary liver cancer
Authors: Wu Rui , Guo Wenbo , Qiu Xinyao , Wang Shicheng , Sui Chengjun , Lian Qiuyu , Wu Jianmin , Shan Yiran , Yang Zhao , Yang Shuai , Wu Tong , Wang Kaiting , Zhu Yanjing , Wang Shan , Liu Changyi , Zhang Yangqianwen , Zheng Bo , Li Zhixuan , Zhang Yani , Shen Siyun , Zhao Yan , Wang Wenwen , Bao Jinxia , Hu Ji , Wu Xuan , Jiang Xiaoqing , Wang Hongyang , Gu Jin , Chen Lei
Published: December 2021

Spatial transcriptome technique was applied to decipher the spatial architecture and TME characteristics of liver cancers.
Species richness stabilizes productivity via asynchrony and drought-tolerance diversity in a large-scale tree biodiversity experiment
Authors: Schnabel Florian , Liu Xiaojuan , Kunz Matthias , Barry Kathryn E. , Bongers Franca J. , Bruelheide Helge , Fichtner Andreas , Härdtle Werner , Li Shan , Pfaff Claas-Thido , Schmid Bernhard , Schwarz Julia A. , Tang Zhiyao , Yang Bo , Bauhus Jürgen , von Oheimb Goddert , Ma Keping , Wirth Christian
Published: December 2021

Species richness promotes forest stability via enhanced asynchrony, which is positively related to drought-tolerance diversity.
Supplemental Material: A carbon-rich lithospheric mantle as a source for the large CO2 emissions of Etna volcano (Italy)
Authors: Bragagni Alessandro , al. et
Published: December 2021

Figures S1 and S2, Tables S1 and S2, analytical methods, and references for the literature data reported in the figures.
Supplemental Material: Narrow is normal: Exploring the extent and significance of flooded marine shelves in icehouse, transitional, and greenhouse climate settings
Authors: Burgess Peter , al. et
Published: December 2021

Tabulated data and calculations for the nine clinoform margin systems included in the study, and further explanation of the method used to determine and measure marine topset widths from well-log and outcrop data.
Quiet-Filament Eruptions and Coronal Jets as Causes of Depressions in Microwave Radio Emission
Authors: Kuzmenko I. V.
Published: December 2021

Several solar events with different types of negative microwave bursts have been studied using data from different spectral ranges. The total radio flux data obtained at the Ussuriysk Observatory, the Nobeyama Observatory, the US Air Force Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN), and the spectropolarimeter of the Institute of Solar–Terrestrial Physics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISTP SB RAS) were used. The images were analyzed using data from the SDO/AIA space observatory in the 304 Å channel and the Nobeyama radio heliograph at a frequency of 17 GHz. It was shown that the “isolated” depressions of radio emission were caused by the absorption of radiation from radio sources and/or vast regions of the quiet Sun by low-temperature material of a large eruptive filament in the absence of flares. This confirmed the conclusions of the previous studies. It was revealed that the cause of negative bursts of the “pre-burst depression” type was the screening of a near-limb radio source by the material of coronal jets. In the case of a weak flare accompanying the jet, the negative burst could also be of the “isolated” type. A case of a previously unreported occurrence of a deeper depression of radio emission at high frequencies as compared to low frequencies was considered. It was shown that negative bursts are not as rare phenomena as previously thought.
Cost–utility analysis of antimicrobial stewardship programme at a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebretekle Gebremedhin Beedemariam , Mariam Damen Haile , Mac Stephen , Abebe Workeabeba , Alemayehu Tinsae , Degu Wondwossen Amogne , Libman Michael , Yansouni Cedric P , Fenta Teferi Gedif , Semret Makeda , Sander Beate
Published: December 2021

Objective

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) significantly reduces inappropriate antibiotic use and improves patient outcomes. In low-resource settings, AMS implementation may require concurrent strengthening of clinical microbiology capacity therefore additional investments. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of implementing AMS at Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital (TASH), a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia.

Design

We developed a Markov cohort model to assess the cost–utility of pharmacist-led AMS with concurrent strengthening of laboratory capacity compared with usual care from a ‘restricted societal’ perspective. We used a lifetime time horizon and discounted health outcomes and cost at 3% annually. Data were extracted from a prospective study of bloodstream infections among patients hospitalised at TASH, supplemented by published literature. We assessed parameter uncertainty using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia, with 800 beds and serves over half a million patients per year.

Population

Cohort of adults and children inpatient population aged 19.8 years at baseline.

Intervention

Laboratory-supported pharmacist-led AMS compared with usual care. Usual care is defined as empirical initiation of antibiotic therapy in the absence of strong laboratory and AMS.

Outcome measures

Expected life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs (US$2018) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results

Laboratory-supported AMS strategy dominated usual care, that is, AMS was associated with an expected incremental gain of 38.8 QALYs at lower expected cost (incremental cost savings:US$82 370) per 1000 patients compared with usual care. Findings were sensitive to medication cost, infection-associated mortality and AMS-associated mortality reduction. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that AMS programme was likely to be cost-effective at 100% of the simulation compared with usual care at 1%–51% of gross domestic product/capita.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that laboratory-supported pharmacist-led AMS can result in improved health outcomes and substantial healthcare cost savings, demonstrating its economic advantage in a tertiary care hospital despite greater upfront investments in a low-resource setting.
Vitamin D supplementation in chronic spinal cord injury (VitD-SCI): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hertig-Godeschalk Anneke , Brinkhof Martin W G , Scheel-Sailer Anke , Perret Claudio , Jenny Andreas , Landmann Gunter , Wyss Patrik O , Flueck Joelle Leonie
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Vitamin D insufficiency, a vitamin D status or serum 25(OH)D concentration of ≤75 nmol/L, is highly prevalent in individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Vitamin D is important for the functioning of the musculoskeletal, immune and respiratory systems, which are relevant determinants of secondary health conditions in SCI. An insufficiency should be treated with vitamin D supplementation. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the optimal dosage and duration of vitamin D supplementation for individualised and long-term management of the vitamin D status in the context of SCI. This paper presents the protocol for the vitamin D supplementation in chronic spinal cord injury (VitD-SCI) trial that aims to investigate the effect of a 12-month intake of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status as well as on several secondary parameters among individuals with a chronic SCI.

Methods and analyses

The VitD-SCI trial is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group, superiority trial, conducted at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre. A total of 45 participants living with an SCI for at least 3 years (chronic SCI) and a vitamin D insufficiency at the first study visit, will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups. Participants receive either a monthly dosage of 24 000 IU or 48 000 IU vitamin D or a placebo for 12 months. Measurements taking place every 3 months include the assessment of vitamin D status (primary outcome) as well as bone mineral density, handgrip strength, fatigue, mood, pain and pressure injuries (secondary outcomes). Safety and tolerance of vitamin D supplementation will also be evaluated.

Ethics and dissemination

The Swiss Ethics Committee for Northwest/Central Switzerland (EKNZ, 2020–01493) and the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic, 2020DR3150) approved this study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration numbers

NCT04652544and SNCTP000004032.
Reversal of pancreatic desmoplasia by a tumour stroma-targeted nitric oxide nanogel overcomes TRAIL resistance in pancreatic tumours
Authors: Huang Hsi-Chien , Sung Yun-Chieh , Li Chung-Pin , Wan Dehui , Chao Po-Han , Tseng Yu-Ting , Liao Bo-Wen , Cheng Hui-Teng , Hsu Fu-Fei , Huang Chieh-Cheng , Chen Yi-Ting , Liao Yu-Hui , Hsieh Hsin Tzu , Shih Yu-Chuan , Liu I-Ju , Wu Han-Chung , Lu Tsai-Te , Wang Jane , Chen Yunching
Published: December 2021

Objective

Stromal barriers, such as the abundant desmoplastic stroma that is characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), can block the delivery and decrease the tumour-penetrating ability of therapeutics such as tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which can selectively induce cancer cell apoptosis. This study aimed to develop a TRAIL-based nanotherapy that not only eliminated the extracellular matrix barrier to increase TRAIL delivery into tumours but also blocked antiapoptotic mechanisms to overcome TRAIL resistance in PDAC.

Design

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in preventing tissue desmoplasia and could thus be delivered to disrupt the stromal barrier and improve TRAIL delivery in PDAC. We applied an in vitro–in vivo combinatorial phage display technique to identify novel peptide ligands to target the desmoplastic stroma in both murine and human orthotopic PDAC. We then constructed a stroma-targeted nanogel modified with phage display-identified tumour stroma-targeting peptides to co-deliver NO and TRAIL to PDAC and examined the anticancer effect in three-dimensional spheroid cultures in vitro and in orthotopic PDAC models in vivo.

Results

The delivery of NO to the PDAC tumour stroma resulted in reprogramming of activated pancreatic stellate cells, alleviation of tumour desmoplasia and downregulation of antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein expression, thereby facilitating tumour penetration by TRAIL and substantially enhancing the antitumour efficacy of TRAIL therapy.

Conclusion

The co-delivery of TRAIL and NO by a stroma-targeted nanogel that remodels the fibrotic tumour microenvironment and suppresses tumour growth has the potential to be translated into a safe and promising treatment for PDAC.
Phase transition in the bipartite z-matching
Authors: Kahlke Till , Fränzle Martin , Hartmann Alexander K.
Published: December 2021

We study numerically the maximumz-matching problems on ensembles of bipartite random graphs. Thez-matching problems describes the matching between two types of nodes,usersandservers, where each server may serve up tozusers at the same time. Using a mapping to standard maximum-cardinality matching, and because for the latter there exists a polynomial-time exact algorithm, we can study large system sizes of up to$$10^6$$106nodes. We measure the capacity and the energy of the resulting optimum matchings. First, we confirm previous analytical results for bipartite regular graphs. Next, we study the finite-size behaviour of the matching capacity and find the same scaling behaviour as before for standard matching, which indicates the universality of the problem. Finally, we investigate for bipartite Erdős–Rényi random graphs the saturability as a function of the average degree, i.e. whether the network allows as many customers as possible to be served, i.e. exploiting the servers in an optimal way. We find phase transitions between unsaturable and saturable phases. These coincide with a strong change of the running time of the exact matching algorithm, as well with the point where a minimum-degree heuristic algorithm starts to fail.

Graphical Abstract
Introduction to the volume, and definition and use of the term ‘tectono-sedimentary element’
Authors: Drachev Sergey S. , Brekke Harald , Henriksen Erik , Moore Thomas
Published: December 2021

The present volume is rooted in a map of sedimentary successions of the Arctic Region by Grantz et al. (2011), and contains a brief, but comprehensive compilation of geological and geophysical data characterizing all significant sedimentary successions in the Arctic, which cover 57% of the polar area north of 64°N. Two main goals have been designated: (i) to provide, based on the present-day knowledge and data, a characterization of all Arctic sedimentary successions (or sedimentary accumulations), and (ii) to supply a snapshot of hydrocarbon-related exploration in the Arctic at the end of the second decade of this millennium. To achieve these goals, we represent sedimentary successions as consisting of one or several “Tectono-Sedimentary Elements” (TSE). This concept allows delineation, mapping, and characterization of 9 categories of TSEs based of main tectonic regimes that formed accommodation space.

A TSE characterization template has been developed as an efficient method of organising and presenting the most important information about stratigraphy, structure, and petroleum geology of a TSE, including most significant exploration facts. This organizational architecture is the backbone of the volume and is a key feature that distinguishes it from other similar works about the sedimentary basins.
Even if users do not read security directives, their behavior is not so catastrophic
Authors: Matyas Vashek , Malinka Kamil , Kraus Lydia , Knapova Lenka , Kruzikova Agata
Published: December 2021

Turning believers into nonbelievers.
Periconceptional 1,3-butanediol supplementation suppresses the superimposed preeclampsia-like phenotype in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat
Authors: Ishimwe Jeanne A. , Baker Melanie B. , Garrett Michael R. , Sasser Jennifer M.
Published: December 2021

Although studies have demonstrated that a ketogenic diet or increased β-hydroxybutyrate levels can reduce hypertension, the therapeutic potential of 1,3-butanediol, a precursor of β-hydroxybutyrate, for the treatment of preeclampsia has not been investigated. This study tested the hypothesis that attenuating hypertension before pregnancy and through the placentation period via 1,3-butanediol prevents the onset of preeclampsia in female Dahl salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) rats. We found that 1,3-butanediol significantly lowered blood pressure and improved uterine artery resistance in pregnant Dahl salt-sensitive rats, with no observable adverse fetal effects. These findings support the therapeutic role of physiological ketosis via BD as a potential therapeutic approach for managing chronic hypertension and mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with preeclampsia.
Data Mining and Analysis of the Compatibility Law of Traditional Chinese Medicines Based on FP-Growth Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Shuchun
Published: December 2021

The compatibility law of prescriptions is the core link of TCM theory of “theory, method, prescription and medicine,” which is of great significance for guiding clinical practice, new drug development and revealing the scientific connotation of TCM theory, and is also one of the hot spots and difficulties of TCM modernization research. How to efficiently analyze the frequency of drug use, core combination, and association rules between drugs in prescription is a basic core problem in the study of prescription compatibility law. In this paper, a systematic study was made on the compatibility rules of traditional Chinese antiviral classical prescriptions and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine molecules. FP-growth algorithm was used to analyze association rules of 961 classical prescriptions collected and to explore the compatibility rules of traditional Chinese antiviral classical prescriptions. In terms of compatibility law of traditional Chinese antiviral prescriptions, this paper studied the compatibility law of traditional Chinese antiviral prescriptions based on the FP-growth algorithm and made exploratory research on the compatibility law information of 961 traditional classical antiviral prescriptions. Firstly, FP tree was constructed based on the classic recipe data set. Then, frequent item set rules were established, and association rules contained in FP tree were extracted. Finally, the frequency and association rules of antiviral TCM prescriptions were analyzed according to dosage forms (decoction, pill, paste, and ingot). The results show that the FP-growth algorithm adopted in this paper has excellent algorithm performance and strong generalization and robustness in the screening and mining of large-scale prescription data sets, which can provide important processing tools and technical methods for the study of the compatibility rule of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.
Short-Term Traffic Flow Forecasting Model Based on GA-TCN
Authors: Zhang Rongji , Sun Feng , Song Ziwen , Wang Xiaolin , Du Yingcui , Dong Shulong
Published: December 2021

Traffic flow forecasting is the key to an intelligent transportation system (ITS). Currently, the short-term traffic flow forecasting methods based on deep learning need to be further improved in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency. Therefore, a short-term traffic flow forecasting model GA-TCN based on genetic algorithm (GA) optimized time convolutional neural network (TCN) is proposed in this paper. The prediction error was considered as the fitness value and the genetic algorithm was used to optimize the filters, kernel size, batch size, and dilations hyperparameters of the temporal convolutional neural network to determine the optimal fitness prediction model. Finally, the model was tested using the public dataset PEMS. The results showed that the average absolute error of the proposed GA-TCN decreased by 34.09%, 22.42%, and 26.33% compared with LSTM, GRU, and TCN in working days, while the average absolute error of the GA-TCN decreased by 24.42%, 2.33%, and 3.92% in weekend days, respectively. The results indicate that the model proposed in this paper has a better adaptability and higher prediction accuracy in short-term traffic flow forecasting compared with the existing models. The proposed model can provide important support for the formulation of a dynamic traffic control scheme.
Characteristics of Oral Microbiota in Patients with Esophageal Cancer in China
Authors: Li Hezi , Luo Zhilin , Zhang Hong , Huang Nali , Li Dong , Luo Chengwen , Wang Tianhu
Published: December 2021

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with intestinal carcinogenesis, but the oral microbiota of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who live in high‐risk regions in China has not been fully characterized. In the current study, oral microbial diversity was investigated in 33 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and 35 healthy controls in Chongqing, China, by sequencing 16S rRNA of V3‐V4 gene regions. There were statistically significant differences in oral microbiota between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and controls as determined via unweighted pair‐group analysis with arithmetic means. At the phylum level, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients, there were comparatively greater amounts of Firmicutes (34.0% vs. 31.1%) and Bacteroidetes (25.3% vs. 24.9%) and lower amounts of Proteobacteria (17.0% vs. 20.1%). At the genus level, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients exhibited comparatively greater amounts of Streptococcus (17.3% vs. 14.5%) and Prevotella_7 (8.6% vs. 8.5%) and lower amounts of Neisseria (8.1% vs. 10.7%). Using a linear discriminant analysis effect size method, Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia were identified in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma group. 10 genera were higher abundances identified in the healthy control group, and different 10 genera were identified in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma group. In the present study, there were significant differences in oral microbial compositions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and healthy controls. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to further characterize relationships between oral microbiota and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
MT Evaluation in the Context of Language Complexity
Authors: Munkova Dasa , Munk Michal , Ľubomír Benko  , Stastny Jiri
Published: December 2021

The paper focuses on investigating the impact of artificial agent (machine translator) on human agent (posteditor) using a proposed methodology, which is based on language complexity measures, POS tags, frequent tagsets, association rules, and their summarization. We examine this impact from the point of view of language complexity in terms of word and sentence structure. By the proposed methodology, we analyzed 24 733 tags of English to Slovak translations of technical texts, corresponding to the output of two MT systems (Google Translate and the European Commission’s MT tool). We used both manual (adequacy and fluency) and semiautomatic (HTER metric) MT evaluation measures as the criteria for validity. We show that the proposed methodology is valid based on the evaluation of frequent tagsets and rules of MT outputs produced by Google Translate or of the European Commission’s MT tool, and both postedited MT (PEMT) outputs using baseline methods. Our results have also shown that PEMT output produced by Google Translate is characterized by more frequent tagsets such as verbs in the infinitive with modal verbs compared to its MT output, which is characterized by masculine, inanimate nouns in locative of singular. In the MT output, produced by the European Commission’s MT tool, the most frequent tagset was verbs in the infinitive compared to its postedited MT output, where verbs in imperative and the second person of plural occurred. These findings are also obtained from the use of the proposed methodology for MT evaluation. The contribution of the proposed methodology is an identification of systematic not random errors. Additionally, the study can also serve as information for optimizing the translation process using postediting.
Paste Pipeline Transportation of Pumping Backfill Technology with Long Distance and High Stowing Gradient in Cold and High‐Altitude Areas
Authors: Liu Wei-jun , Chen Min , Wang Fei-fei , Ou Ren-ze , Liu Qi
Published: December 2021

A paste pipeline transportation of pumping backfill technology with long distance and high stowing gradient is proposed to solve the problem of filling slurry transportation with low concentration, the filling body poor quality, and the transportation difficulties with long distance and high stowing gradient in Heiniudong copper mine (HCM). The physical and chemical properties of the backfill material, backfill proportion test, circular pipe experiment, and backfill system analysis evaluation were studied in the laboratory and outdoor, and the application in HCM was carried out to evaluate the technology. The research results show the feasibility of considering classified tailings and binder as backfill aggregates, and the optimum proportion of cement‐binder‐classified tailings applied in the stope and goaf is 1 : 4 : 8 and 1 : 4 : 15, respectively, with paste rheological properties of mass fractions of both being 74%∼76% and the backfill strength of about 1.5 MPa at 28 d. Furthermore, when backfill proportions and rate of flow are 1 : 4 : 8 and 50 m3/h, the pressure loss of the pipeline is around 0.4 MPa/100 m, and the backfill pump meets the backfill requirements. On this condition, the technology is capable of obvious economic benefits with the backfill cost of only 25.56 yuan/t, remnant ore recovery rate of 80%, and new output value of 1.28 billion. It creates a precedent for the paste pumping backfill technology with long distance and high stowing gradient in cold and high‐altitude areas. The technology also provides reference mining experience for similar mines.
Evaluating the Behavior of Embankments after Widening considering Soil Consolidation and Splicing Mode
Authors: Xing Xiaobo , Bao Zhenhao , Li Wei
Published: December 2021

Increased traffic volume has made it necessary to increase highway capacities by widening embankments and pavements. Differential settlement of foundation consolidation and rational utilization of existing embankments are the main problems encountered in road reconstruction. In this paper, the finite difference method is used to simulate the construction process of using the existing embankments directly in the reconstruction project of expressway, and the fluid‐solid coupling model of foundation settlement is established to calculate the differential settlement between foundation and subgrade. The influence of road widening mode and embankment height on differential settlement is analyzed. The mechanical response of subgrade under differential settlement is simulated and the law of uneven settlement of main reconstruction forms is investigated. The dynamic response of existing embankments soil under the action of rammer is systematically evaluated. The results show that, with the increase of consolidation time, the differential settlement is gradually obvious at the junction of the new and existing embankments, and there is a possibility of landslide along the junction of new embankments, which should be dealt with in engineering. The smaller the height difference between the existing foundation and the new foundation is, the more the position of the maximum settlement point of the foundation moves towards the new foundation. The greater the height of the new subgrade is, the greater the uneven settlement is. The criterion based on the single rammed energy and compaction stopping standard is proposed to determine the reinforcement depth of existing embankment.