bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stents for progressively symptomatic paediatric intracranial arterial dissection
Authors: Jay Catherine R G , Duncan Aubrey N , Ellika Shehanaz K , Bender Matthew T
Published: May 2021

Arterial dissection is an uncommon cause of paediatric stroke. Medical therapy remains first-line for treatment. There are few reports of neurovascular stents for paediatric intracranial arterial dissection. Two adolescents presented with neurological deficits and CT angiography concerning for supraclinoid internal carotid artery stenosis. The diagnosis of dissection was secured through a combination of vessel wall MRI and digital subtraction angiography. The patients experienced progressive ischaemic symptoms, despite medical management including anticoagulation, and required stenting. The stents used were a Neuroform EZ and an Atlas. Both patients recovered to Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 and had restored vessel calibre on 6-month follow-up digital subtraction angiography. Neurovascular stents can be used to treat progressively symptomatic intracranial arterial dissections in the paediatric population if medical therapy fails.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) submandibular abscess in a neonate
Authors: Glibbery Natalia , Gouliouris Theodore , Bewick Jessica
Published: May 2021

Neonatal suppurative submandibular sialadenitis and abscess formation is an exceedingly rare entity. This report describes a complex case of a male neonate with a methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) submandibular abscess, requiring emergency intubation due to acute airway compromise. The patient was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit, received appropriate antibiotic treatment and underwent urgent surgical drainage of the abscess. He made a full recovery and remains well 18 months later. No comorbidities or common risk factors for the disease were identified. Although extremely uncommon, neonatal submandibular abscesses can lead to significant morbidity. Neonates tend to present insidiously, and sudden clinical deterioration with airway compromise is possible. MRSA has been increasingly implicated in these infections, even in the absence of relevant risk factors. As such, continued clinical vigilance is essential for prompt diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening complications. Multidisciplinary input is paramount for appropriate management of these complex infections.
Trismus and TMJ disorders as first clinical manifestations in an intracranial acquired cholesteatoma
Authors: Copelli Chiara , Catapano Domenico , Manfuso Alfonso , d’Ecclesia Aurelio
Published: May 2021

Intracranial extension of acquired cholesteatoma is a rare occurrence that can develop secondary to trauma, chronic otitis media or acquired aural cholesteatoma. The most commonly observed symptoms are headache and hearing loss. The authors report on a rare case of intracranial cholesteatoma presenting with atypic symptoms: swelling and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Monitoring progress with national and subnational health goals by integrating verbal autopsy and medically certified cause of death data
Authors: Adair Tim , Firth Sonja , Phyo Tint Pa Pa , Bo Khin Sandar , Lopez Alan D
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The measurement of progress towards many Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other health goals requires accurate and timely all-cause and cause of death (COD) data. However, existing guidance to countries to calculate these indicators is inadequate for populations with incomplete death registration and poor-quality COD data. We introduce a replicable method to estimate national and subnational cause-specific mortality rates (and hence many such indicators) where death registration is incomplete by integrating data from Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCOD) for hospital deaths with routine verbal autopsy (VA) for community deaths.

Methods

The integration method calculates population-level cause-specific mortality fractions (CSMFs) from the CSMFs of MCCODs and VAs weighted by estimated deaths in hospitals and the community. Estimated deaths are calculated by applying the empirical completeness method to incomplete death registration/reporting. The resultant cause-specific mortality rates are used to estimate SDG Indicator 23: mortality between ages 30 and 70 years from cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. We demonstrate the method using nationally representative data in Myanmar, comprising over 42 000 VAs and 7600 MCCODs.

Results

In Myanmar in 2019, 89% of deaths were estimated to occur in the community. VAs comprised an estimated 70% of community deaths. Both the proportion of deaths in the community and CSMFs for the four causes increased with older age. We estimated that the probability of dying from any of the four causes between 30 and 70 years was 0.265 for men and 0.216 for women. This indicator is 50% higher if based on CSMFs from the integration of data sources than on MCCOD data from hospitals.

Conclusion

This integration method facilitates country authorities to use their data to monitor progress with national and subnational health goals, rather than rely on estimates made by external organisations. The method is particularly relevant given the increasing application of routine VA in country Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems.
Uncertainty quantification of in situ horizontal stress with pressuremeter using a statistical inverse analysis method
Authors: Zheng Dongming , Zhang Bo , Chalaturnyk Rick
Published: May 2021

Knowledge of in situ stress magnitude and orientation plays a very important role in geological/geotechnical engineering and in the development of energy resources, such as caprock integrity, waste fluid disposal, geological storage of CO2, and geothermal energy extraction. The uncertainty of estimated parameters, especially horizontal stress, from in situ tests such as pressuremeter tests is a long-standing challenge owing to the existence of uncertainties from geomaterial spatial variability, measurement errors, limited information, and modelling methods. Therefore, non-unique solutions are often encountered in pressuremeter interpretation. In this study, a statistical inverse analysis method is proposed to solve this issue by combining a closed-form solution, finite-difference model, and selected optimization algorithms. The objective of the statistical inverse analysis is to determine the optimal parameters by minimizing the sum of squared errors while providing the confidence intervals of inversed parameters. Random variables generated in the optimization process reproduce the potential parameter uncertainties. The Jacobian matrix and confidence intervals are derived from the optimization process to evaluate variability of the predicted horizontal stress and ground properties. A workflow is presented that demonstrates a statistical inverse method for analyzing pressuremeter results and helps quantify uncertainties of the ground properties and in situ stress magnitudes and orientations derived from a pressuremeter test.
The effect of polyhydroxyalkanoates in Pseudomonas chlororaphis PA23 biofilm formation, stress endurance, and interaction with the protozoan predator Acanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Ghergab Akrm , Mohanan Nisha , Saliga Grace , Brassinga Ann Karen C. , Levin David , de Kievit Teresa
Published: May 2021

Pseudomonas chlororaphis PA23 is a biocontrol agent capable of protecting canola against the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In addition to producing antifungal compounds, this bacterium synthesizes and accumulates polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers as carbon and energy storage compounds. Because the role of PHA in PA23 physiology is currently unknown, we investigated the impact of this polymer on stress resistance, adherence to surfaces, and interaction with the protozoan predator Acanthamoeba castellanii. Three PHA biosynthesis mutants were created, PA23phaC1, PA23phaC1ZC2, and PA23phaC1ZC2D, which accumulated reduced PHA. Our phenotypic assays revealed that PA23phaC1ZC2D produced less phenazine (PHZ) compared with the wild type (WT) and the phaC1 and phaC1ZC2 mutants. All three mutants exhibited enhanced sensitivity to UV irradiation, starvation, heat stress, cold stress, and hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, motility, exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, and root attachment were increased in strains with reduced PHA levels. Interaction studies with the amoeba A. castellanii revealed that the WT and the phaC1 and phaC1ZC2 mutants were consumed less than the phaC1ZC2D mutant, likely due to decreased PHZ production by the latter. Collectively these findings indicate that PHA accumulation enhances PA23 resistance to a number of stresses in vitro, which could improve the environmental fitness of this bacterium in hostile environments.
Universal behavior of mass gaps existing in the single heavy baryon family
Authors: Chen Bing , Luo Si-Qiang , Liu Xiang
Published: May 2021

The mass gaps existing in the discovered single heavy flavor baryons are analyzed, which show some universal behaviors. Under the framework of a constituent quark model, we quantitatively explain why such interesting phenomenon happens, when these established excited heavy baryons are regarded as the $$\lambda $$
λ
-mode excitations. Based on the universal behaviors of the discussed mass gaps, we may have three implications including the prediction of the masses of excited $$\Xi _b^0$$

Ξ
b
0

baryons which are still missing in the experiment. For completeness, we also discuss the mass gaps of these $$\rho $$
ρ
-mode excited single heavy flavor baryons.
Large $$N_\mathrm{f}$$ for multiple representations
Authors: Cacciapaglia Giacomo , Vatani Shahram
Published: May 2021

We present an extension of the large-$$N_\mathrm{f}$$

N
f

formalism that allows one to study cases with multiple fermion representations. The pole structure in the beta function is traced back to the intrinsic non-abelian nature of the gauge group, independently from the fermion representation. This result validates the conjectured existence of an interactive UV fixed point for non-abelian gauge theories with large fermion multiplicity. Finally, we apply our results to chiral gauge theories.
High frequency background gravitational waves from spontaneous emission of gravitons by hydrogen and helium
Authors: Hu Jiawei , Yu Hongwei
Published: May 2021

A direct consequence of quantization of gravity would be the existence of gravitons. Therefore, spontaneous transition of an atom from an excited state to a lower-lying energy state accompanied with the emission of a graviton is expected. In this paper, we take the gravitons emitted by hydrogen and helium in the Universe after recombination as a possible source of high frequency background gravitational waves, and calculate the energy density spectrum. Explicit calculations show that the most prominent contribution comes from the$$3d-1s$$3d-1stransition of singly ionized helium$$\mathrm {He}^{+}$$He+, which gives a peak in frequency at$$\sim 10^{13}$$∼1013Hz. Although the corresponding energy density is too small to be detected even with state-of-the-art technology today, we believe that the spontaneous emission of$$\mathrm {He}^{+}$$He+is a natural source of high frequency gravitational waves, since it is a direct consequence if we accept that the basic quantum principles we are already familiar with apply as well to a quantum theory of gravity.
General solutions to $$\mathcal {N}$$-field cosmology with exponential potentials
Authors: Christodoulidis Perseas
Published: May 2021

We construct the general analytical solution for the $$\mathcal {N}$$
N
-field product-exponential potential in an expanding FLRW background. We demonstrate the relevance of this analytical solution in more general contexts for the derivation of estimates for the transitional time between an arbitrary initial state and the slow-roll solutions. In certain cases, these estimates can also be used to demonstrate the non-linear convergence towards the slow-roll solutions. In addition, we extend the solution to include stiff matter as well.
Cosmological dynamics of dark energy in scalar-torsion $$f(T,\phi )$$ gravity
Authors: Gonzalez-Espinoza Manuel , Otalora Giovanni
Published: May 2021

It is investigated the cosmological dynamics of scalar-torsion $$f(T,\phi )$$

f
(
T
,
ϕ
)

gravity as a dark energy model, where T is the torsion scalar of teleparallel gravity and $$\phi $$
ϕ
is a canonical scalar field. In this context, we are concerned with the phenomenology of the class of models with non-linear coupling to gravity and exponential potential. We obtain the critical points of the autonomous system, along with the stability conditions of each one of them and their cosmological properties. Particularly, we show the existence of new attractors with accelerated expansion, as well as, new scaling solutions in which the energy density of dark energy scales as the background fluid density, thus, defining the so-called scaling radiation and scaling matter epochs. The scaling solutions are saddle points, and therefore, the system exits these solutions to the current epoch of cosmic acceleration, towards an attractor point describing the dark energy-dominated era.
Berberine and Ginsenoside Rb1 Ameliorate Depression-Like Behavior in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Zhang Jing-Hua , Yang Hui-Zeng , Su Hao , Song Jun , Bai Yu , Deng Lan , Feng Chun-Peng , Guo Hong-Xia , Wang Yi , Gao Xin , Gu Yan , Zhen Zhong , Lu Yao
Published: May 2021

Rhizoma coptidis (Huang-lian) and Asian ginseng have been widely used in the treatment of diabetes and other concurrent diseases with apparent effects. This study investigated the effects of the active ingredients of R. coptidis and ginseng, berberine and ginsenoside Rb1, on depression-like behavior in a rat diabetes model. The animal model was established via a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, while the animal’s depression-like behavior was induced via chronic unpredictable mild stress. These experimental rats were divided into four groups: control, depression-like behavior (DLB), metformin plus fluoxetine hydrochloride (M+FH), and berberine plus ginsenoside Rb1 (B+GRb1) groups. Glucose metabolism and insulin resistance were evaluated by oral glucose test and glucose clamp study. Depression-like behavior was evaluated via behavioral analyses, including forced swim, sucrose preference, elevated plus maze, and open-field tests. HE and Nissl staining, plasma cortisol expression of adrenocorticotropic hormone, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were assayed to explore the mechanisms of action. Compared with the control, rats in the DLB group had a significant increase in the levels of blood glucose and depression-like behavior. The B+GRb1 group significantly improved glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, reduced depression-like behavior, downregulated levels of plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone under stress, and upregulated BDNF protein expression compared to the DLB rats. HE and Nissl staining data revealed that B+GRb1 protected neurons from pathological and morphological changes. Thus, berberine and ginsenoside Rb1 not only improved glucose metabolism in diabetic rats but also ameliorated their depression-like behavior under chronic unpredictable stress. Mechanistically, studied data with plasma hormonal levels and brain neuronal pathological/morphological changes supported the observed effects. The combination of berberine and ginsenoside Rb1 may have a clinical value in the management of diabetic patients with depression.
Ginsenoside Rh1 Improves Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy through AMPK/PI3K/Akt-Mediated Inflammation and Apoptosis Signaling Pathway
Authors: Su Wen-Ya , Li Ying , Chen Xuan , Li Xin , Wei Heng , Liu Zhi , Shen Qiong , Chen Chen , Wang Ying-Ping , Li Wei
Published: May 2021

Although ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) has received extensive attention in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the past few decades, there are few studies on the complications of T2DM. At present, obesity-linked diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become the most prevailing element of the end-stage renal failure in the world. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ameliorative effects of ginsenoside Rh1 (G-Rh1) on DN induced by high fat diet plus streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) through some potential and combined mechanisms of action. The results showed that G-Rh1 treatment at 5 and 10 mg/kg for 8 weeks exerted excellent effects in controlling fasting blood glucose (FBG), improving glucose tolerance, and increasing insulin level. In addition, G-Rh1 effectively prevents the excessive production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a diabetic nephropathy marker, in HFD/STZ induced DN mice. Meanwhile, oxidation indicators including SOD, GSH, and MDA were improved by G-Rh1 treatment to varying degrees. It is worth noting that G-Rh1 not only inhibits the secretion of Nox1 and Nox4 in kidney tissues, but also has an inhibitory effect on inflammatory factors and NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway. Importantly, further in-depth research on molecular mechanisms provides vital evidence that the ameliorative effect of G-Rh1 on DN is related to the inhibition of apoptosis and the AMPK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In summary, G-Rh1 may be of great value in improving the treatment of DN although more experimental data is needed.
On strongly dccr⋆ modules
Authors: Naji Osama A. , Özen Mehmet , Tekir Unsal
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we introduce and study the concept of strongly dccr[Formula: see text] modules. Strongly dccr[Formula: see text] condition generalizes the class of Artinian modules and it is stronger than dccr[Formula: see text] condition. Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with nonzero identity and [Formula: see text] a unital [Formula: see text]-module. A module [Formula: see text] is said to be strongly [Formula: see text] if for every submodule [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and every sequence of elements [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], the descending chain of submodules [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is stationary. We give many examples and properties of strongly dccr[Formula: see text]. Moreover, we characterize strongly dccr[Formula: see text] in terms of some known class of rings and modules, for instance in perfect rings, strongly special modules and principally cogenerately modules. Finally, we give a version of Union Theorem and Nakayama’s Lemma in light of strongly dccr[Formula: see text] concept.
CONFIRMATION OF THE CLINICAL VALUE AND THE EFFECT OF SOUND BIOFEEDBACK ON THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM THROUGH HEART RATE VARIABILITY ANALYSIS
Authors: KIM DAECHANG , LEE SEUNGBONG , KIM SUNGMIN , JEONG JAEHOON
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to suggest sound biofeedback, which is a new technique of early stress relief effect by observing change in the heart rate variability (HRV). The sound biofeedback imitating heart rate of the comfortable and stress state is termed parasympathetic stimulation sound (PSS) and sympathetic stimulation sound (SSS), respectively. Twelve subjects were selected without previous history of cardiovascular diseases and mental illness, such as arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, depression and panic disorder. To confirm the changes in the low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF) and LF/HF values of HRV as stress evaluation indicators, the HRV of subjects was measured by photoplethysmogram. Signals were processed using the peak detect algorithm, and fast Fourier transform. Results were obtained using power specific densities. During the PSS stimulation, the LF/HF tended to decrease generally. On the other hand, during the SSS stimulation, LF/HF tended to increase. The LF/HF Mean change value ([Formula: see text]) using the PSS stimulation is similar to the effect of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tVNS). In addition, the quantitative effect of sound biofeedback was confirmed by judging changes in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) through [Formula: see text]-score normalized data. These experimental results suggest that sound biofeedback has the same stimulation location and clinical applicability as tVNS. As a result, sound biofeedback may be used as a new method for stress reduction.
A deep imputation and inference framework for estimating personalized and race-specific causal effects of genomic alterations on PSA
Authors: Chen Zhong , Cao Bo , Edwards Andrea , Deng Hongwen , Zhang Kun
Published: May 2021

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level in the serum is one of the most widely used markers in monitoring prostate cancer (PCa) progression, treatment response, and disease relapse. Although significant efforts have been taken to analyze various socioeconomic and cultural factors that contribute to the racial disparities in PCa, limited research has been performed to quantitatively understand how and to what extent molecular alterations may impact differential PSA levels present at varied tumor status between African–American and European–American men. Moreover, missing values among patients add another layer of difficulty in precisely inferring their outcomes. In light of these issues, we propose a data-driven, deep learning-based imputation and inference framework (DIIF). DIIF seamlessly encapsulates two modules: an imputation module driven by a regularized deep autoencoder for imputing critical missing information and an inference module in which two deep variational autoencoders are coupled with a graphical inference model to quantify the personalized and race-specific causal effects. Large-scale empirical studies on the independent sub-cohorts of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PCa patients demonstrate the effectiveness of DIIF. We further found that somatic mutations in TP53, ATM, PTEN, FOXA1, and PIK3CA are statistically significant genomic factors that may explain the racial disparities in different PCa features characterized by PSA.
Availability and safety assessment of infrared neural stimulation at high repetition rate through an implantable optrode
Authors: Wan Yaqin , Wang Meiqun , Zhang Shaorong , Xie Bingbin
Published: May 2021

An implantable optrode with micro-thermal detectors was designed to investigate the availability and safety of INS using high repetition rates. Optical auditory brainstem responses (oABRs) were recorded in normal-hearing guinea pigs, and the energy thresholds, pulse durations, and amplitudes evoked by the varied stimulus repetitions were analyzed. Stable oABRs could be evoked through INS even as the repetition rate of stimulation reached 19[Formula: see text]kHz. The energy threshold of oABRs was elevated, the amplitudes decreased as pulse durations increased and repetition rates were higher, and the latencies were delayed as the pulse durations increased. The temperature variation curves on the site of stimulation significantly increased as the pulse duration increased to 400 [Formula: see text]s. INS elevated the temperature around the stimulus site area via thermal accumulation during radiation, especially when higher repetition stimuli were used. Our results demonstrate that high repetition infrared stimulations can safely evoke stable and available oABRs in normal-hearing guinea pigs.
When do mature firms skip dividends?
Authors: Hussain Haroon , Md-Rus Rohani , Al-Jaifi Hamdan Amer , Hussain Rana Yassir
Published: May 2021

This study examined that if efficient firms at their mature stage of life cycle may skip dividends. For doing so, this study investigated the direct and indirect impacts of firm efficiency on the dividends. To calculate the firm efficiency, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used and for analyzing the data, logistic regression models were used. This study uses data of 1010 firm year observations of the firm’s listed Pakistani non-financial firms over the period 2011–2015. Findings of this study indicated that the probability to pay dividends is high in the firms having high level of efficiency. Likewise, probability to pay dividend is high in the mature firms as compared to the growth firms. However, efficient and mature firms may skip the dividends. These findings present an alternative view on the signaling and life cycle theories of dividends in that the mature firms having high efficiency which may not necessarily pay dividends in contradiction to the life cycle theory. Likewise, efficient firms may not necessarily pay dividends to signal their future growth prospects. Therefore, the future research may focus more on the role of firm efficiency while examining the dividend pay-out under the life cycle and signaling theories of dividends. This study is among the first studies to examine the direct impact of firm efficiency on probability to pay dividends by examining the interaction effect of firm efficiency and firm maturity on probability to pay dividends.
The Geodynamic Evolution of Iran
Authors: Stern Robert J. , Moghadam Hadi Shafaii , Pirouz Mortaza , Mooney Walter
Published: May 2021

Iran is a remarkable geoscientific laboratory where the full range of processes that form and modify the continental crust can be studied. Iran's crustal nucleus formed as a magmatic arc above an S-dipping subduction zone on the northern margin of Gondwana 600–500 Ma. This nucleus rifted and drifted north to be accreted to SW Eurasia ∼250 Ma. A new, N-dipping subduction zone formed ∼100 Ma along ∼3,000 km of the SW Eurasian margin, including Iran's southern flank; this is when most of Iran's many ophiolites formed. Iran evolved as an extensional continental arc in Paleogene time (66–23 Ma) and began colliding with Arabia ∼25 Ma. Today, Iran is an example of a convergent plate margin in the early stages of continent-continent collision, with a waning magmatic arc behind (north of) a large and growing accretionary prism, the Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt. Iran's crustal evolution resulted in both significant economic resources and earthquake hazards. ▪  Iran is a natural laboratory for studying how convergent plate margins form, evolve, and behave during the early stages of continental collision. ▪  Iran formed in the past 600 million years, originating on the northern flank of Gondwana, rifting away, and accreting to SW Eurasia. ▪  Iran is actively deforming as a result of collision with the Arabian plate, but earthquakes do not outline the position of the subducting slab. ▪  The Cenozoic evolution of Iran preserves the main elements of a convergent plate margin, including foredeep (trench), accretionary prism, and magmatic arc.
Insulin signaling in the heart
Authors: Abel E. Dale
Published: May 2021

Insulin receptors are highly expressed in the heart and vasculature. Insulin signaling regulates cardiac growth, survival, substrate uptake, utilization, and mitochondrial metabolism. Insulin signaling modulates the cardiac responses to physiological and pathological stressors. Altered insulin signaling in the heart may contribute to the pathophysiology of ventricular remodeling and heart failure progression. Myocardial insulin signaling adapts rapidly to changes in the systemic metabolic milieu. What may initially represent an adaptation to protect the heart from carbotoxicity may contribute to amplifying the risk of heart failure in obesity and diabetes. This review article presents the multiple roles of insulin signaling in cardiac physiology and pathology and discusses the potential therapeutic consequences of modulating myocardial insulin signaling.
Local and downstream actions of proximal tubule angiotensin II signaling on Na+ transporters in the mouse nephron
Authors: Nelson Jonathan W. , McDonough Alicia A. , Xiang Zhidan , Ralph Donna L. , Robertson Joshua A. , Giani Jorge F. , Bernstein Kenneth E. , Gurley Susan B.
Published: May 2021

Our study defines a novel role for proximal tubule angiotensin receptors in regulating the abundance of Na+ transporters throughout the nephron, thereby contributing to the integrated control of fluid balance in vivo.
Vascular tone regulation in renal interlobar arteries of male rats is dysfunctional after intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Voggel Jenny , Lubomirov Lubomir , Lechner Felix , Fink Gregor , Nüsken Eva , Wohlfarth Maria , Pfitzer Gabriele , Shah-Hosseini Kija , Hellmich Martin , Alejandre Alcázar Miguel A. , Dötsch Jörg , Nüsken Kai-Dietrich
Published: May 2021

For the first time, our study presents wire myography data from renal interlobar arteries (RIAs) and mesenteric arteries of young adult rat offspring after intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Our data indicate that myogenic tone in RIAs is dysfunctional after IUGR. Furthermore, IUGR offspring suffer from mild arterial hypertension, glomerular hypertrophy, and increased urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. Dysregulation of vascular tone in RIAs could be an important variable that impacts upon vulnerability toward glomerular injury after IUGR.
An Investigation into the Use and Meaning of Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Scale Scores
Authors: Hendricks Renee M. , Khasawneh Mohammad T.
Published: May 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common, neurodegenerative disorder. It is a chronic, disabling, and progressive disease, and no treatment stops its progression. Rating scales are utilized to quantify PD progression and severity. The most conventional scale is the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and its modified version, Movement Disorder Society- (MDS-) UPDRS. An analytical investigation into the use and meaning of these clinical scale scores was conducted to determine if gaps exist in quantifying disease progression and severity. A series of discrepancies were identified including confusion among patients regarding the score meaning and misuse of the scores among clinicians and researchers to define disease progression. The scales are of an ordinal type and hence the resulting scores are ordinal, not providing a quantifiable progression nor severity level, but a categorical value and survey total. The knowledge that the scores are ordinal and the scales are subjective is mentioned in very limited publications, not the focus of these papers, but a brief introduction and a thoroughly researched, analytical investigation into the scales and scores have not been found. Therefore, the continuous misunderstanding and misuse of these scales and resulting scores warrant a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of these scales and scores to identify the gaps.
Spoken English Assessment Using Confused Phoneme Assessment Model
Authors: Jiang Zhaoxia
Published: May 2021

Under normal circumstances, in the process of evaluating the phoneme of spoken English which is easy to be confused, it is impossible to accurately assess the oral ability of different groups of people according to their oral ability. The assessment process has problems of poor robustness and low stability. We propose a spoken English assessment method based on an easily confused phoneme assessment model to address these problems. We design an English easily confused phoneme-based evaluation model in the proposed framework by adopting fuzzy logic for the assessment task. We also present HPD set for confused phonemes and introduce the easily confused phonemes in spoken English. Moreover, we derive four fuzzy measure assessment grades of E/G/NI/GR and present the assessment model for them. We continuously recognize and annotate spoken English to find the best-matched statement and complete the recognition and assessment of easily confused phoneme. Then, we also focus on spoken English assessment based on an easily confused phoneme assessment model. Empirical results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed models over the conventional evaluation methods. Our proposed models improve the spoken English assessment method by 30% and the stability by 45%. Besides, our model is also suitable for the spoken English assessment of different groups of people.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Catharanthus roseus Flower Extracts and the Determination of Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Kandiah Mathivathani , Chandrasekaran Kavishadhi N.
Published: May 2021

The present study describes the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and photocatalytic activity of silver nanoparticles (AGNPs) synthesized using six varieties of Catharanthus roseus flower extracts for the first time. Initially, the synthesized AgNPs were visually confirmed by color change. Further, the formation, size, and shape of the synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM image of purple flower AgNPs and the calculated bandgap energies of the synthesized AgNPs showed that the synthesized AgNPs were in the range of 0–30 nm. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of the phytocompounds that were responsible for the capping, formation, bioreduction, and stabilization of AgNPs. The antioxidant ability of the AgNPs and their respective flower extracts were analyzed using TFC, TPC, TAC, DPPH, FRAP, and IC50 assays. The results of the antioxidant assays indicated that the AgNPs showed higher antioxidant activity compared to their respective flower extracts. The synthesized AgNPs showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli compared to Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus assayed using the agar well diffusion method. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized purple flower AgNPs at two different concentrations 5000 ppm and 333 ppm was analyzed by the removal of methyl orange dye from an aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation in the presence of NaBH4 catalyst. Results indicated that 333 ppm purple flower AgNPs exhibited an efficient photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methyl orange compared to 5000 ppm purple flower AgNPs in 20 minutes. Thus, the results obtained indicated that Catharanthus roseus is an ecofriendly source for the green synthesis of AgNPs which can be used as a novel antioxidant, antimicrobial, and photocatalytic agent; thereby, it can be used in a variety of applications to improve the quality of human life.
Refractive Status in Eyes Implanted with Toric and Nontoric Intraocular Lenses during Combined Cataract Surgery and Microhook Ab Interno Trabeculotomy
Authors: Takai Yasuyuki , Sugihara Kazunobu , Mochiji Mihoko , Manabe Kaoru , Tsutsui Aika , Tanito Masaki
Published: May 2021

Purpose. To compare the refractive status between eyes implanted with toric and nontoric intraocular lenses (IOLs) during combined cataract surgery and microhook ab interno trabeculotomy (μLOT), a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Methods. Twenty eyes of 20 patients who had open-angle glaucoma, cataract, and preexisting regular corneal astigmatism exceeding 1.5 diopters (D) and underwent combined μLOT and phacoemulsification were recruited retrospectively. Ten eyes were implanted with a toric IOL and 10 eyes with a nontoric IOL. The primary outcomes were the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and refractive cylinder at 3 months postoperatively. Results. The mean UCVA of the toric IOL group (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), 0.23 ± 0.25) was significantly better than that of the nontoric IOL group (logMAR, 0.45 ± 0.26) at 3 months postoperatively (

p
<
0.05

). The mean absolute residual refractive cylinder of the nontoric IOL group (2.25 ± 0.62 D) was significantly greater than that of the toric IOL group (1.30 ± 0.68 D) (

p
<
0.05

). Postoperatively, 60% of eyes in the toric IOL group and 10% in the nontoric IOL group had an absolute refractive astigmatism level of 1.5 D or less. Surgically induced astigmatism (0.77 ± 0.43 D for toric group and 0.60 ± 0.32 D for nontoric group) and IOP reduction (33.9 ± 15.6% for toric group and 29.4 ± 11.7% for nontoric group) were not different between groups. Conclusions. Use of toric IOL during combined cataract surgery and μLOT is possible and better than not, but physician should prevent their patient of persisting residual astigmatism. The study was registered at https://www.umin.ac.jp/, and the clinical trial accession number is https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/UMIN000043141.
An Exhaustive Research on the Application of Intrusion Detection Technology in Computer Network Security in Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Yajing , Ma Juan , Sharma Ashutosh , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Gaba Gurjot Singh , Masud Mehedi , Baz Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Intrusion detection is crucial in computer network security issues; therefore, this work is aimed at maximizing network security protection and its improvement by proposing various preventive techniques. Outlier detection and semisupervised clustering algorithms based on shared nearest neighbors are proposed in this work to address intrusion detection by converting it into a problem of mining outliers using the network behavior dataset. The algorithm uses shared nearest neighbors as similarity, judges whether it is an outlier according to the number of nearest neighbors of a data point, and performs semisupervised clustering on the dataset where outliers are deleted. In the process of semisupervised clustering, vast prior knowledge is added, and the dataset is clustered according to the principle of graph segmentation. The novelty of the proposed algorithm lies in outlier detection while effectively avoiding the dependence on parameters, thus eliminating the influence of outliers on clustering. This article uses real datasets: lypmphography and glass for simulation purposes. The simulation results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively detect outliers and has a good clustering effect. Furthermore, the experimentation reveals that the outlier detection‐based SCA‐SNN algorithm has the best practical effect on the dataset without outliers, clearly validating the clustering performance of the outlier detection‐based SCA‐SNN algorithm. Furthermore, compared to the other state‐of‐the‐art anomaly detection method, it was revealed that the anomaly detection technology based on outlier mining does not require a training process. Thus, they overcome the current anomaly detection problems caused due to incomplete normal patterns in training samples.
Photodynamic Therapy in the Extracellular Matrix of Mouse Lungs: Preliminary Results of an Alternative Tissue Sterilization Process
Authors: Oliveira Luis Vicente Franco , Apostólico Nadua , Uriarte Juan José , da Palma Renata Kelly , Prates Renato A. , Deana Alessandro Melo , Ferreira Luis Rodolfo , Afonso João Pedro Ribeiro , de Paula Vieira Rodolfo , de Oliveira Júnior Manoel Carneiro , Navajas Daniel , Farré Ramon , Lopes-Martins Rodrigo Alvaro B.
Published: May 2021

Lung transplantation is one of the most difficult and delicate procedures among organ transplants. For the success of the procedure and survival of the new organ, the sterilization step for acellular lungs prior to recellularization is important to ensure that they are free of any risk of transmitting infections from the donor to the recipient subject. However, there are no available information concerning the lung mechanical parameters after sterilizing photodynamic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extracellular matrix (ECM) and lung mechanical parameters of decellularized lungs undergoing sterilizing photodynamic therapy (PDT). Besides, we also analyzed the lung after controlled infection with C. albicans in order to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT. The lung mechanical evaluation parameters, resistance (

R

L

) and elastance (

E

L

), exhibited no significant differences between groups. In addition, there were no PDT-induced changes in lung properties, with maintenance of the viscoelastic behavior of the lung scaffold after 1 h exposure to PDT. The ECM components remained virtually unchanged in the acellular lungs of both groups. We also showed that there was a reduction in fungal infection population after 45 minutes of PDT. However, more studies should be performed to establish and verify the effectiveness of PDT as a possible means for sterilizing lung scaffolds. This manuscript was presented as a master thesis of Nadua Apostólico at the postgraduate program in rehabilitation sciences, University Nove de Julho—UNINOVE.
Hot‐Rolled Steel Strip Surface Inspection Based on Transfer Learning Model
Authors: Wu Hao , Lv Quanquan
Published: May 2021

In the production process of steel strips, the detection of surface defects is very important. However, traditional methods of defect detection bring problems of low detection accuracy and dependence on subjective judgment. In this study, the surface defects of steel strips are detected by a classic convolutional neural network method that is improved by the use of a transfer learning model. This model has the advantages of shorter training time, faster convergence, and more accurate weight parameters. The transfer learning model obtained through experiments secures better results in defect detection than the classic convolutional neural network method, as its accuracy of training and testing has reached about 98%. Finally, a model based on a full convolutional neural network (FCN) is proposed for segmenting the defective areas of steel strips.
CFA: A New Family of Hybrid CA-Based PRNGs
Authors: Ziani Fatima Ezzahra , Sadak Anas , Hanin Charifa , Echandouri Bouchra , Omary Fouzia
Published: May 2021

In this article, a new Pseudorandom Number Generator (PRNG) construction is proposed. It is based on cellular automata (CAs) and comprises other cryptographic primitives organized as blocks. Each of these blocks has a purpose and serves toward obtaining a higher level of randomness. The construction described is modular, and each of its blocks can be replaced, modified, or adapted according to the user, the application, or the level of randomness required. The authors first describe a general structure and the design principles behind each of the components. Next, a concrete example using the SHA-3 hash function, a hybrid cellular automaton, and the AES block cipher is provided. Then, the security analysis and the statistical properties for this specific instance of the scheme are presented.
On Some Relationships of Certain
K
−
Uniformly Analytic Functions Associated with Mittag-Leffler Function
Authors: Attiya Adel A. , Ali Ekram E. , Hassan Taher S. , Albalahi Abeer M.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we introduce and investigate several inclusion relationships of new

k

-uniformly classes of analytic functions defined by the Mittag-Leffler function. Also, integral-preserving properties of these classes associated with the certain integral operator are also obtained.
Provably Secure ECC‐Based Three‐Factor Authentication Scheme for Mobile Cloud Computing with Offline Registration Centre
Authors: Luo Hongwei , Wang Feifei , Xu Guoai
Published: May 2021

Mobile cloud computing (MCC) aims at solving the resource constrain problem of smart mobile devices. It has deeply affected the way modern humans live and work. In MCC, the authentication scheme is indispensable to prevent illegal attacks and privacy breaches. In this paper, we reveal that a recently proposed two‐factor authentication scheme for MCC has limitations like stolen‐verifier attack and denial of service attack. In addition, its single‐server architecture is not applicable to MCC. To enhance the security, we present a provably secure three‐factor authentication scheme using the elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC). It has the merit that the user only needs to register once to access multiple servers with a pair of public and private key, and the registration center is offline in the authentication phase. Security analysis demonstrates that our scheme is immune to known attacks and provides user friendliness. Finally, performance comparisons indicate that our scheme has better security attributes and low computing and communication overheads, and it is more applicable to MCC.
Scan Mirror Assembly for the Multispectral Scanning Polarimeter of Aerosol-UA Space Mission
Authors: Syniavskyi Ivan , Oberemok Yevgen , Ivanov Yuriy , Sosonkin Mikhail , Kireyev Vladimir , Akinin Konstantin
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the scan mirror assembly for the space experiment Aerosol-UA scanning polarimeter (ScanPol) is described. The aim of the Ukrainian space mission Aerosol-UA is to create a database of the optical characteristics of aerosol and cloud particles in the Earth’s atmosphere over a long period of time. The optical characteristics of aerosol and cloud particles are derived from multiangular measurements. Multiangular scanning in ScanPol is provided by scan mirror assembly, which contains a reactive torque compensator electric motor and two scan mirrors, mounted on the shaft of the motor. The control system of the scan mirror assembly enables continuous scanning with a constant speed of the space under investigation. This control system tolerates movements of the orbiting satellite and preserves invariability of its spatial position. The polarimeter ScanPol is designed to acquire spatial, temporal, and spectral-polarimetric measurements simultaneously to minimize instrumental effects and “false” polarizations due to scene movement. Instrumental polarization, introduced by the mirrors of scan assembly, is minimized through the polarization compensated two-mirror scheme which contains two mirrors with orthogonal planes of incidence. In this paper, the polarimetric model of the polarization compensated two scan mirrors is considered. Theoretical calculations are given that substantiate the maximum allowable error of the relative angular position of the mirrors is 15 arcmin (0.25°), and the method of adjustment and control of the angular position of the mirrors is proposed. The polarization properties of mirrors are modelled in the spectral range of 370–1680 nm for bulk oxide-free aluminum. It is obtained that the maximum instrumental polarization of the unadjusted mirror system should be observed at 865 nm, and thus, the polarization characteristics of the scanning system at a given wavelength could be considered as representative for ScanPol in general. The key steps for assembling the unit are illustrated.
Analysis of Type‐II Censored Competing Risks’ Data under Reduced New Modified Weibull Distribution
Authors: Almalki Saad J. , Abushal Tahani A. , Alsulami M. D. , Abd-Elmougod G. A.
Published: May 2021

Models with the bathtub‐shaped hazard rate function are widely used in lifetime analysis and reliability engineering. In this paper, we adopted the reduced new modified Weibull (RNMW) distribution with a bathtub‐shaped hazard rate function. Under consideration that the population units are failing with two independent causes of failure and the failure time is distributed with RNMW distribution, we formulate the model which is known as competing risks model. The model parameters under the type‐II censoring scheme are estimated with the maximum likelihood method with the corresponding asymptotic confidence intervals. Also, the Bayes point and credible intervals with the help of MCMC methods are constructed. The real and simulated datasets are analyzed for illustrative purposes. Finally, the estimators are compared with the Monte Carlo simulation study.