bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Huiyang Shengji Extract Improve Chronic Nonhealing Cutaneous through the TGF-β1/Smad3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lin Yan , He Xiujuan , Xie Xinran , Liu Qingwu , Chen Jia , Li Ping
Published: June 2021

Chronic nonhealing cutaneous wounds are a thorny problem in the field of surgery because of their prolonged and unhealed characteristics. Huiyang Shengji extract (HSE) is an extract of traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating chronic wounds. This study aims to investigate the regulation of M1 macrophages on fibroblast proliferation and secretion and the intervention mechanism of Huiyang Shengji extract. We found that the effects of HSFs stimulated with paracrine factors from M1 macrophages were as follows: the proliferation of HSFs was reduced, the expression of MKI-67 was downregulated, and the content and gene expression of the inflammation factors and fibroblast MMPs were increased, while the content and gene expression of TIMP-1 are decreased, the content of human fibroblasts secreting type I collagen (COL1A1) and type III collagen (COL3A1) was decreased, and the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was inhibited. Interestingly, HSE inhibited these effects of M1 macrophages on human fibroblasts after the intervention, and the inhibitory effect was related to the concentration. In conclusion, M1 macrophages caused changes in HSFs and secretion, while HSE has a specific regulatory effect on the proliferation and secretion of fibroblasts caused by M1 macrophages.
Alternative Secondary Goals in Multiplicative Two-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Lu Chao , Cheng Haifang
Published: June 2021

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a nonparametric method for evaluating the relative efficiency of a set of decision-making units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs. As an extension of the DEA, a multiplicative two-stage DEA model has been widely used to measure the efficiencies of two-stage systems, where the first stage uses inputs to produce the outputs, and the second stage then uses the first-stage outputs as inputs to generate its own outputs. The main deficiency of the multiplicative two-stage DEA model is that the decomposition of the overall efficiency may not be unique because of the presence of alternate optima. To remove the problem of the flexible decomposition, in this paper, we maximize the sum of the two-stage efficiencies and simultaneously maximize the two-stage efficiencies as secondary goals in the multiplicative two-stage DEA model to select the decomposition of the overall efficiency from the flexible decompositions, respectively. The proposed models are applied to evaluate the performance of 10 branches of China Construction Bank, and the results are compared with the results of the existing models.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Complexity of Urban Networks in China, 1978–2019: An Enterprise Linkages Perspective
Authors: Lu Jiayi , Sun Dongqi
Published: June 2021

With the development of globalization and informatization, the relationships among cities have become closer, and a “network” paradigm in urban studies is gaining attention. To examine China’s urban network evolution in a long time series, we used flow‐based data to measure enterprise linkages from 1978 to 2019. We investigated the spatiotemporal evolution and complexity characteristics of urban networks in China and arrived at the following conclusions. (1) Intercity enterprise linkages in China have been continuously strengthened. The scale and density of urban networks have increased rapidly. Although the distribution of node cities’ importance and influence has been significantly unbalanced, the degree of which has lessened over time. (2) Network density has significantly improved since 1978, gradually forming a monocentric (Beijing) radial pattern. From the beginning of the twenty‐first century, the status of core nodes (e.g., Shanghai) has gradually become prominent. Finally, four vertices stood out in 2019, forming a stable diamond structure. The spatial connection flows of enterprises constituted the core networks with Beijing as the center, skeleton networks with trunk lines formed by subnodes, and regional networks covering a wide range of peripheral areas. (3) China’s urban networks were typically small‐scale and scale‐free. However, the scale‐free characteristics were weakened after 2010. The overall scale gap of intercity enterprise linkages gradually narrowed, and the structure of urban networks became optimized. Meanwhile, the urban networks were heterogeneous. There were more cities with headquarter‐branches and active investment behaviors, which had strong influence and control over networks, playing their functions of “broker” and “transfer.”
Internet of Things‐Based Concrete Curing Invention for Construction Quality Control
Authors: Lo King-Chi , Kwok Heung-Wing Terry , Siu Ming-Fung Francis , Shen Qiping Geoffrey , Lau Chi-Keung
Published: June 2021

The efficiency of the traditional concrete curing process on site is low, due to the difficulties in providing continuous supervision and control of the curing environment, leading to considerable variation in the curing regimes experienced by different concrete pours. To enhance concrete curing practice, technologies have been harnessed which eliminate human involvement enabling more rigorous control of the environmental conditions affecting curing, but the potential for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies had yet to be explored in this context. This research study examined an IoT‐based concrete curing control system based on sensor technologies invented for monitoring and controlling the moisture content of hardening concrete to the levels appropriate for good quality hardened concrete. Based on on‐site experiments, the performance of this IoT‐based method was compared with the performance of traditional curing methods. The results indicate that the system invented outperforms the traditional approach both in terms of concrete curing quality and time spent on supervision.
Static Characteristics of a Linear Bipotentiometer Sensor
Authors: Chen Chang-Zhong , Cai Yong , Fan Tao , He Ping
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the structure and the working principle of an existing linear potentiometer sensor are introduced; furthermore, the structure and circuit connection method of a new linear bipotentiometer sensor is proposed. The sensitivity, step error, and load characteristics of the existing potentiometer sensor and the linear bipotentiometer sensor are both studied and compared. The simulation results of their static characteristics show that the sensitivity of the linear bipotentiometer sensor is increased, the relative load error is greatly reduced, and the linearity is improved. Meanwhile, the measurement accuracy of the linear bipotentiometer sensor is effectively improved.
Sports Video Augmented Reality Real-Time Image Analysis of Mobile Devices
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Meng , Zhao Peng
Published: June 2021

Sports video is loved by the audience because of its unique charm, so it has high research value and application value to analyze and study the video data of competition. Based on the background of football match, this paper studies the football detection and tracking algorithm in football game video and analyzes the real-time image of real-time mobile devices in sports video augmented reality. Firstly, the image is preprocessed by image graying, image denoising, image binarization, and so on. Secondly, Hough transform is used to locate and detect football, and according to the characteristics of football, Hough transform is improved. Based on the good performance of SIFT algorithm in feature matching, a football tracking algorithm based on SIFT feature matching is proposed, which matches the detected football with the sample football. The simulation results show that the improved Hough transform can effectively detect football and has good antijamming performance. And the designed football tracking algorithm based on SIFT feature matching can accurately track the football trajectory; therefore, the football detection and tracking algorithm designed in this paper is suitable for real-time football monitoring and tracking.
Characteristics of Pressure Relief Gas Extraction in the Protected Layer by Surface Drilling in Huainan
Authors: Tong Xiaozhang , Wen Hu , Cheng Xiaojiao , Fan Shixing , Ye Chunhui , Liu Mingyang , Wang Hu
Published: June 2021

To study the behavior of gas extraction from the protected layer by surface drilling, the common characteristics of gas extraction concentration and gas extraction quantity are summarized through the collection of key parameters of surface drilling and a combination of data and figures, with the background of 11−2 coal protection 13−1 coal in the Huainan mining area. The research results show that the flow of pressure relief gas extraction of the protected layer by surface drilling has three stages: a rising period, stable period, and decay period. When the extraction processes of multiple surface wells on the same working face are coordinated, the extraction flow is superimposed, and the extraction volume of surface drilling shows an increasing trend and fluctuates with the location of the drilling. The extraction flow rate before ground drilling is relatively small, and the extraction flow rate increases after ground drilling. This behavior is further confirmed by field observation of mining changes in the protective layer and the expansion and deformation of the protected layer. The periodic variation in the surface drilling and extraction quantity is affected primarily by the mining movement of the working face of the protective layer. Specifically, it is affected by factors such as the mining progress of the working face of the protective layer, mining height, degree of compacted goaf, degree of pressure relief of the protected layer, original gas content, and other measures taken to extract the protected layer.
Research on Airport Target Recognition under Low-Visibility Condition Based on Transfer Learning
Authors: Li Jiajun , Wang Yongzhong , Qian Yuexin , Xu Tianyi , Wang Kaiwen , Wan Liancheng
Published: June 2021

Operational safety in the airport is the focus of the aviation industry. Target recognition under low visibility plays an essential role in arranging the circulation of objects in the airport field, identifying unpredictable obstacles in time, and monitoring aviation operation and ensuring its safety and efficiency. From the perspective of transfer learning, this paper will explore the identification of all targets (mainly including aircraft, humans, ground vehicles, hangars, and birds) in the airport field under low-visibility conditions (caused by bad weather such as fog, rain, and snow). First, a variety of deep transfer learning networks are used to identify well-visible airport targets. The experimental results show that GoogLeNet is more effective, with a recognition rate of more than 90.84%. However, the recognition rates of this method are greatly reduced under the condition of low visibility; some are even less than 10%. Therefore, the low-visibility image is processed with 11 different fog removals and vision enhancement algorithms, and then, the GoogLeNet deep neural network algorithm is used to identify the image. Finally, the target recognition rate can be significantly improved to more than 60%. According to the results, the dark channel algorithm has the best image defogging enhancement effect, and the GoogLeNet deep neural network has the highest target recognition rate.
[Retracted] FXYD6 Regulates Chemosensitivity by Mediating the Expression of Na+/K+‐ATPase α1 and Affecting Cell Autophagy and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Luo Wen , Liu Qingan , Chen Xinwen , Liu Haijun , Quan Bin , Lu Jinli , Zhang Ke , Wang Xiangling
Published: June 2021

Purpose. Chemoresistance is a challenge of improving chemotherapeutic efficacy and prolonging survival time for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC); it is the major cause of frequent recurrence, rapid metastasis, and poor prognosis for CRC patients. FXYD6 is a regulator of Na+/K+‐ATPase which is depressed in chemoresistant CRC patients. However, the biological roles of FXYD6 on regulating chemoresistance in CRC are still unclear. Methods. GSE3964 and GSE69657 from GEO DataSets were used to analyze the relationship of genes and chemoresistance. The FXYD6 expression level was detected by western blotting and real‐time PCR and also analyzed from TCGA DataSet. To investigate the functional role of FXYD6 and ATP‐α1, FXYD6 and ATP‐α1 functional cell models were constructed. Drug sensitivity and cell proliferation were performed by MTT assay. Autophagy and apoptosis were conducted by autophagy fluorescence analysis and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Autophagy and apoptosis markers were tested by western blotting. Results. FXYD6 was downregulated in CRC resistant patients and irinotecan‐ (Iri‐) resistant SW620 cells (SW620/Iri). FXYD6 silence inhibited cell apoptosis and enhanced prosurvival autophagy, whereas FXYD6 overexpression produced the opposite effect which alleviated the drug resistance to irinotecan and oxaliplatin of CRC cells. FXYD6 regulates chemosensitivity by mediating the expression of Na+/K+‐ATPase α1 and affecting cell autophagy and apoptosis in colorectal cancer. Conclusion. FXYD6 functions as a chemosensitivity regulator which may predict the curative effect of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.
[Retracted] The Construction of a Smart City Energy Efficiency Management System Oriented to the Mobile Data Aggregation of the Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Longxing , Han Ping
Published: June 2021

Aiming at the current situation of complicated energy‐consuming equipment and large energy consumption in the current enterprise, a reference model scheme of an enterprise energy efficiency management platform based on the Internet of Things is analyzed and the dynamically collected energy consumption information is analyzed using the Internet of Things technology and data mining technology. They provide decision‐making support for enterprise energy efficiency management decisions and formulation of energy‐saving and emission reduction plans. This article analyzes the current status of energy efficiency management in buildings and points out several pain points in energy efficiency management, including installation difficulties, high software development costs, upgrade difficulties, long debugging cycles, and closed systems, and introduces intelligent power distribution monitoring based on the Internet of Things technology to solve these difficulties. In the system, we analyze the actual value brought by energy efficiency management technology through case studies. It can collect scattered information through the Internet of Things, gather it together to form massive data, and obtain the corresponding information through data analysis and processing. The design is reasonable, the practicality is strong, the use effect is good, and it is easy to promote and use.
Bioinformatics Analysis of ceRNA Network Related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Authors: Li Yuanqi , Tan Yong
Published: June 2021

Introduction. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by the hormonal environment in utero, abnormal metabolism, and genetics, and it is common in women of childbearing age. A large number of studies have reported that lncRNA is important to the biological process of cancer and can be used as a potential prognostic biomarker. Thus, we studied lncRNAs’ roles in PCOS in this article. Methods. We obtained mRNAs’, miRNAs’, and lncRNAs’ expression profiles in PCOS specimens and normal specimens from the National Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Comprehensive Center database. The EdgeR software package is used to distinguish the differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. Functional enrichment analysis was carried out by the clusterProfiler R Package, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction ceRNA network was built in Cytoscape plug-in BiNGO and Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integration Discovery (DAVID), respectively. Results. We distinguished differentially expressed RNAs, including 1087 lncRNAs, 14 miRNAs, and 566 mRNAs in PCOS. Among them, 410 lncRNAs, 11 miRNAs, and 185 mRNAs were contained in the ceRNA regulatory network. The outcomes from Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were mainly enriched in response to the maternal process involved in female pregnancy, morphogenesis of embryonic epithelium, and the intracellular steroid hormone receptor signaling pathway. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis data showed that DEMs were primarily enriched in pathways related to the TGF-β signaling pathway, Type I diabetes mellitus, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In addition, we chose NONHSAT123397, ENST00000564619, and NONHSAT077997 as key lncRNAs due to their high bearing on PCOS. Conclusion. ceRNA networks play an important role in PCOS. The research indicated that specific lncRNAs were related to PCOS development. NONHSAT123397, ENST00000564619, and NONHSAT077997 could be regarded as potential diagnostic mechanisms and biomarkers for PCOS. This discovery might provide more effective and more novel insights into the mechanisms of PCOS worthy of further exploration.
A Phase Ib Study of Atezolizumab with Radium-223 Dichloride in Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fong Lawrence , Morris Michael J. , Sartor Oliver , Higano Celestia S. , Pagliaro Lance , Alva Ajjai , Appleman Leonard J. , Tan Winston , Vaishampayan Ulka , Porcu Raphaelle , Tayama Darren , Kadel Edward E. , Yuen Kobe C. , Datye Asim , Armstrong Andrew J. , Petrylak Daniel P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have limited treatment options after progressing on hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Here, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab (anti–PD-L1) + radium-223 dichloride (radium-223) in men with mCRPC.

Patients and Methods:

This phase Ib study evaluated atezolizumab + radium-223 in men with mCRPC and bone and lymph node and/or visceral metastases that progressed after androgen pathway inhibitor treatment. Following safety assessment of concurrent dosing, 45 men were randomized 1:1:1 to concurrent or one of two staggered dosing schedules with either agent introduced one cycle before the other. This was followed by a safety–efficacy expansion cohort (randomized 1:1:1). The primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints included radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), PSA responses, and overall survival (OS).

Results:

As of October 4, 2019, 44 of 45 men were evaluable. All 44 had ≥1 all-cause adverse event (AE); 23 (52.3%) had a grade 3/4 AE. Fifteen (34.1%) grade 3/4 and 3 (6.8%) grade 5 AEs were related to atezolizumab; none were related to radium-223. Confirmed ORR was 6.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4–18.7], median rPFS was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8–4.6), median PSA progression was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8–3.3), and median OS was 16.3 months (95% CI, 10.9–22.3).

Conclusions:

This phase Ib study demonstrated that atezolizumab + radium-223, regardless of administration schedule, had greater toxicity than either drug alone, with no clear evidence of additional clinical benefit for patients with mCRPC and bone and lymph node and/or visceral metastases.
A Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Trial for Early Breast Cancer is Impacted by COVID-19: Addressing Vaccination and Cancer Trials Through Education, Equity, and Outcomes
Authors: Potter David A. , Thomas Alexandra , Rugo Hope S.
Published: June 2021

While COVID-19 vaccine distribution has addressed vulnerabilities related to age and comorbidities, there is a need to ensure vaccination of patients with cancer receiving experimental and routine treatment, where interruption of treatment by infection is likely to result in inferior outcomes. Among patients with cancer, those undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) or adjuvant chemotherapy (Adj chemo) for early breast cancer (EBC) are at particularly high risk for inferior outcomes, in part, because optimal timing of chemotherapy is essential for promoting distant disease-free survival. COVID-19 data from the ongoing multicenter I-SPY 2 trial of NAC for EBC provides a window into the magnitude of the problem of treatment interruption, not only for the trial itself but also for routine Adj chemo. In the I-SPY 2 trial, 4.5% of patients had disruption of therapy by COVID-19, prior to wide vaccine availability, suggesting that nationally up to 5,700 patients with EBC were at risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19 infection in 2020. To address this problem, vaccine education and public engagement are essential to overcome hesitancy, while equity of distribution is needed to address access. To accomplish these goals, healthcare organizations (HCO) need to not only call out disinformation but also engage the public with vaccine education and find common ground for vaccine acceptance, while partnering with state/local governments to improve efficiency of vaccine distribution. These approaches are important to improve trial access and to reduce susceptibility to COVID-19, as the pandemic could continue to impact access to clinical trials and routine cancer treatment.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Cavernous Malformations of Basal Ganglia and Thalamus: A Retrospective Study of 53 Patients
Authors: Hu Yan-jia , Zhang Li-feng , Ding Chang , Tian Yuan , Chen Jing
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been used to treat cavernous malformations (CMs) located in basal ganglia and thalamus. However, previous reports are limited by small patient population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 53 patients with CMs of basal ganglia and thalamus who underwent GKRS at West China Hospital between May 2009 and July 2018. All patients suffered at least once bleeding before GKRS. The mean volume of these lesions was 1.77 cm3, and the mean marginal dose was 13.2 Gy. After treatment, patients were followed to determine the change in symptom and hemorrhage event. Results: The mean follow-up period was 52.1 months (6.2–104.3 months). The calculated annual hemorrhage rate (AHR) was 48.5% prior to GKRS and 3.0% after treatment (p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that 2-, 3-, and 5-year hemorrhage-free survival were 88, 80.9, and 80.9%, respectively. Preexisting symptoms were resolved in 11 patients, improved in 14, and stable in 5. Only 2 patients (3.8%) developed new neurological deficit. Conclusion: Our study suggests that AHR after GKRS was comparable to the recorded AHR of natural history (3.1–4.1%) in previous studies. GKRS is a safe and effective treatment modality for CMs of basal ganglia and thalamus. Considering the relative insufficient understanding of natural history of CMs, future study warrants longer follow-up.
Veno-Occlusive Priapism in COVID-19 Disease
Authors: Carreño B. Dania Vanessa , Perez Claudia Patricia , Vasquez Diego , Oyola Julio Ariel , Suarez Oscar , Bedoya Camila
Published: June 2021

Infection by COVID-19, being a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, can predispose to arterial and venous thrombotic disease, in response to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and venous stasis. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the technological and resource availability for the care of these patients with thrombotic disease is critical, marking a factor of morbidity and poor prognosis in these cases. We describe a case of priapism in a patient with COVID-19, during the course of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and respiratory distress syndrome with a procoagulant state, seeking to relate the pathophysiological factors of ischemic priapism in patients with infection with SARS-Cov-2
Dental Health Inequalities among Indigenous Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nath Sonia , Poirier Brianna Faye , Ju Xiangqun , Kapellas Kostas , Haag Dandara Gabriela , Ribeiro Santiago Pedro Henrique , Jamieson Lisa M.
Published: June 2021

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to document the disparity in dental caries experiences among indigenous and nonindigenous populations globally by measuring dental caries prevalence and severity. An electronic database (MEDLINE) was initially searched using relevant keywords. This was followed by use of the search string in the following electronic databases: Scopus, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and Open Grey. Two independent reviewers conducted the study search and screening, quality assessment, and data extraction, which was facilitated using JBI SUMARI software. The primary outcome was the decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) score and dental caries prevalence. Subgroup analysis was done by country of publication to identify causes of heterogeneity. Forest plots were used with the standardized mean difference (SMD) and publication bias was assessed using the Egger test with funnel plot construction. For the final review, 43 articles were selected and 34 were meta-analyzed. The pooled mean DMFT for both the permanent dentition (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI 0.13–0.39) and deciduous dentition (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI 0.47–0.87) was higher for the Indigenous population than for the general population. Indigenous populations experienced more decayed teeth (SMD = 0.44; 95% CI 0.25–0.62), a slightly higher number of missing teeth (SMD = 0.11< 95% CI –0.05 to 0.26), and lesser filled teeth (SMD = –0.04; 95% CI –0.20 to 0.13) than their nonindigenous counterparts. The prevalence of dental caries (SMD = 0.27; 95% CI 0.13–0.41) was higher among indigenous people. Globally, indigenous populations have a higher caries prevalence and severity than nonindigenous populations. The factors which have led to such inequities need to be examined.
Transvenous Pressure Monitoring Guides Endovascular Treatment of Vein of Galen Malformation: A Technical Note
Authors: Chang Daniel , Babadjouni Robin , Nisson Peyton , Chan Julie Lynn , Quintero-Consuegra Miguel , Toscano Juan Felipe , Gonzalez Nestor Raul
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Vein of Galen malformations (VGMs) are complex congenital arteriovenous malformations that generally require serial endovascular treatment sessions to slowly correct the high-flow fistulous connections that cause increased venous pressures and ultimately lead to the classic presentations of heart failure, hydrocephalus, and intracranial hemorrhages. Despite the advances in endovascular technology and embolic materials, the resolution of embolization is often limited to the subjective view of diminished flow on angiograms. Case Report: An 8-month-old patient with a VGM developed clinical signs of heart failure and growing head circumference with ventriculomegaly. The patient was treated endovascularly with a transvenous approach for coil embolization while undergoing continuous monitoring of the post-malformation venous pressures. The arterial and venous systolic blood pressures (SBP) were collected at serial time points and used to measure estimated 95% confidence interval bounds for arteriovenous SBP gradients and determine when sufficient coil embolization and flow reduction was thought to be achieved. Conclusion: The transvenous pressure monitoring demonstrated progressively increasing pressure gradients between the arterial and venous systems that correlated with the degree of flow reduction on angiographic runs. The patient underwent successful coil embolization of the VGM and had improvement of heart failure and ventricular size in follow-up at 8-month post-op. This provides a novel technique to introduce an objective measurement that can guide the embolization of a VGM.
Improvement of Blood Processing and Safety by Automation and Pathogen Reduction Technology
Authors: Pérez Aliaga Ana Isabel , Labata Gorka , Aranda Alfonso , Cardoso Marcia , Puente Fernando , Domingo José María , Garcés Carmen
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to describe the experience of the Blood and Tissues Bank of Aragon with the Reveos® Automated Blood Processing System and Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System, comparing retrospectively routine quality data obtained in two different observation periods. Methods: Comparing quality data encompassing 6,525 blood components from the period 2007–2012, when the semi-automated buffy coat method was used in routine, with 6,553 quality data from the period 2014–2019, when the Reveos system and subsequently the Mirasol system were implemented in routine. Results: Moving from buffy coat to Reveos led to decreased discard rates of whole blood units (1.2 to 0.1%), increased hemoglobin content (48.1 ± 7.6 to 55.4 ± 6.6 g/unit), and hematocrit (58.9 ± 6.5% to 60.0 ± 4.9%) in red blood cell concentrates. Platelet concentrates (PCs) in both periods had similar yields (3.5 ×1011). Whereas in the earlier period, PCs resulted from pooling 5 buffy coats, in the second period 25% of PCs were prepared from 4 interim platelet units. The mean level of factor VIII in plasma was significantly higher with Reveos (92.8 vs. 97.3 IU). Mirasol PRT treatment of PCs reduced expiry rates to 1.2% in 2019. One septic transmission was reported with a non-PRT treated PCs, but none with PRT-treated PCs. Conclusion: Automation contributed to standardization, efficiency, and improvement of blood processing. Released resources enabled the effortless implementation of PRT. The combination of both technologies guaranteed the self-sufficiency and improvement of blood safety.
Limitaciones y desafíos del quehacer de las y los cientistas sociales en el capitalismo informacional: un abordaje desde el análisis de tres experiencias de investigación
Authors: Dolcemascolo Agostina , Dughera Lucila
Published: June 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo es recuperar y analizar tres experiencias de investigación para pensar los obstáculos, problemas y desafíos a los que nos enfrentamos como cientistas sociales al abordar fenómenos vinculados a las tecnologías digitales e internet. En este sentido, proponemos una reflexión situada que ponga en diálogo las características de las tecnologías digitales e internet con algunos aspectos de nuestra experiencia como investigadoras. A partir de este objetivo, hacemos foco en tres aspectos de nuestro quehacer: cómo recortar el objeto, cómo acceder a los datos y cómo recolectar la información. Adicionalmente, nos ocupamos de abordar un aspecto transversal a los anteriores que refiere a la cuestión ética para preguntarnos sobre cuál es el límite de aquello que observamos y analizamos en este tipo de investigaciones.
A internet 3E: uma internet incorporada, corporificada e cotidiana
Authors: Hine Christine , Parreiras Carolina , Lins Beatriz Accioly
Published: June 2021

O artigo apresenta um panorama dos desafios enfrentados por etnógrafos que buscam entender atividades envolvendo a internet explorando tanto princípios metodológicos quanto estratégias práticas chegar a um acordo com a definição de sites de campo, as conexões entre online e offline e a natureza mutável da experiência corporificada. Os exemplos são extraídos de uma ampla gama de configurações, incluindo etnografias de instituições científicas, televisão, mídia social e redes locais de presentes.
Estratégias para pensar o digital
Authors: Lins Beatriz Accioly , Parreiras Carolina , Freitas Eliane Tânia de
Published: June 2021

Introdução ao dossiê "Estratégias para pensar o digital".
Discontinuation of Antihypertensive Medications on the Outcome of Hospitalized Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Offringa-Hup Annette K. , Logtenberg Susan J.J. , Van der Linden Paul D. , Janssen Wilbert M.T. , Klein Hubertina , Waanders Femke , Simsek Suat , de Jager Cornelis P.C. , Smits Paul , van der Feltz Machteld , Jan Beumer Gerrit , Widrich Christine , Nap Martijn , Pinto-Sietsma Sara-Joan
Published: June 2021

RAASi (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors) are suggested as possible treatment option in the early phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A meta-analysis investigating the possible detrimental effects of RAASi on the severity of (SARS-CoV-2) infection showed that ambulatory use of RAASi, by hospitalized patients, has a neutral effect. It is, however, conceivable that this observation is biased by the fact that antihypertensive medications, are often discontinued at or during admission in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2. We, therefore, investigated the effect of discontinuation of antihypertensive medications, in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2. We performed a retrospective observational study on 1584 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 from 10 participating hospitals in the Netherlands. Differences in the outcome (severity of disease or death) between the groups in which medications were either continued or discontinued during the course of hospitalization were assessed using logistic regression models. Discontinuation of angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and β-blockers, even when corrected for sex, age, and severity of symptoms during admission, resulted in a 2 to 4× higher risk of dying from SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio [95% CI]); angiotensin receptor blockers 2.65 [1.17–6.04], ACE inhibitor (2.28 [1.15–4.54]), and β-blocker (3.60 [1.10–10.27]). In conclusion, discontinuation of at-home ACE inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blockers, or β-blocker in patients hospitalized for a SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased risk of dying, whereas discontinuation of calcium channel blockers and diuretics was not.
Tobacco Use Prevalence and Transitions From 2013 to 2018 Among Adults With a History of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Reynolds Lindsay M. , Zamora Cristian , Lee Un Jung , Stokes Andrew C. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Bhatnagar Aruni , Payne Thomas J. , Rodriguez Carlos J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Although tobacco product use and transitions have been characterized in the general population, few studies have focused on individuals with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a population‐based sample.

Methods and Results

We examined tobacco use prevalence and longitudinal patterns of tobacco product transitions in adults (≥18 years) of the nationally representative PATH (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health) study, from 2013 to 2014 (Wave 1) through 2016 to 2018 (Wave 4). Prevalent CVD was classified through self‐report of having had a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or other heart condition. Factors associated with tobacco product use and transitions were investigated using survey logistic regression. We examined 2615 participants with self‐reported CVD at Wave 1. Overall, 28.9% reported current tobacco use, equating to ≈6.2 million adults in the United States with prevalent CVD and current tobacco use. Among adults with CVD who are current tobacco users, the most commonly used product was cigarettes (82.8%), followed by any type of cigar (23.7%), and e‐cigarette use (23.3%). E‐cigarette use without concurrent cigarette use among participants with prevalent CVD was uncommon (1.1%). Factors associated with tobacco use were younger age, male sex, had lower education level, and lack of knowledge about the association between smoking and CVD. Men with prevalent CVD were less likely to use e‐cigarettes compared with women (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.9). Among cigarette users with CVD, transition rates between Waves 1 and 4 demonstrated <5% decrease in cigarette, with a 0.5% increase in e‐cigarette use. Only ≈10% were in formal tobacco cessation programs.

Conclusions

Despite known harmful cardiovascular effects, over one fourth of adults with prevalent CVD use tobacco products and few quit smoking over the 4 waves of the PATH data set.
The Nature of Cartesian Logic
Authors: Ariew Roger
Published: June 2021

I argue that Descartes and the Cartesians are likely in agreement that logic is an ars cogitandi (that is, an art of thinking well) whose aim is to perfect the ingenium (or wit) by the exercise of its operations: ideating, judging, discoursing, and ordering. We can see that these elements are the underpinning of both the Regulae and the Discourse on Method, and thus, like Adrien Baillet and others in the seventeenth century, we can understand these two works as embodying Descartes’ “logic,” despite Descartes’ notorious anti-logic Renaissance rhetoric in both writings.
Who was the Founder of Empiricism After All? Gassendi and the ‘Logic’ of Bacon
Authors: Garau Rodolfo
Published: June 2021

Contentions about the origin of early modern empiricism have been floating about at least since the 1980s, where its exclusive “Britishness” was initially question, and the name of Gassendi was provocatively put forward as the putative “founder” of the current to the detriment of Francis Bacon. Recent scholarship has shown that early modern empiricism did not derive from philosophical speculation exclusively but had multiple sources and “foundations.” Yet, from a historical viewpoint, the question whether Bacon’s method had any influence on the origin and development of Gassendi’s version of empiricism still carries significance, for its answer may open up different views on how the relation between British and “continental” empiricisms shall be framed. In this paper, I deal with Gassendi’s reception of Bacon. On the basis of a deep examination of Gassendi’s corpus, I contend that there is no trace of a consistent influence of Bacon on Gassendi’s empiricism before 1650s; although I show that an indirect influence can be found through the mediation of Peiresc, I put forward the hypothesis that it was more the empirical attitude characterizing Peiresc’s intellectual figure, rather than his interest in Baconianism, to be relevant, along with Epicurus’ philosophy, for Gassendi’s early empiricism. I then analyze Gassendi’s treatment of Bacon’s logic in Gassendi’s Syntagma philosophicum. I show that despite Gassendi’s sympathy for Bacon’s project, his own logic lays on fundamentally different assumptions. Despite this, I argue for Gassendi’s reception of Bacon’s theory of the idols in Syntagma philosophicum. On this basis, I conclude by restating the untenability of “national” accounts of the rise of empiricism, and the importance of highlighting instead the sharing of ideas between its actors.
The Associations among Moral Foundations, Political Ideology, and Social Issues: A Study of These Associations in an Asian Sample
Authors: Hsieh I. J. , Chen Yung Y.
Published: June 2021

This study examined the relationships among moral foundations, political ideology, and controversial social issues in an Asian culture. The study sample included 835 participants who completed a moral foundations questionnaire and three questions regarding attitudes toward social issues (i.e. nuclear power usage, the death penalty, and euthanasia), and a political ideology questionnaire. Results indicated that binding foundations (i.e. Ingroup, Authority, and Purity) were associated conservative tendencies, and individualizing foundations (i.e. Harm and Fairness) were associated liberal tendencies. Also, participants who scored higher on Authority showed higher approval of the death penalty, and those scored higher on Purity showed lower approval of the euthanasia. These results may provide a better understanding of the underlying differences for variations in opinions on social issues. Results also have implications for cultural differences in the associations among political ideology, social issues, and moral foundations.
Socio-Economic Development and Protests
Authors: Korotayev Andrey V. , Sawyer Patrick S. , Romanov Daniil M.
Published: June 2021

The current article investigates societal indicators associated with economic development that may account for the strong positive correlation between GDP per capita and protest intensity. The authors’ tests reveal that the expansion of democratization, education, and urbanization are one of the main influences accounting for this positive relationship between GDP per capita growth and anti-government protest intensity. Moreover, when controlling for these factors, the relationship between GDP per capita and anti-state protests becomes negative indicating that the forces associated with economic development at a certain point play a larger role than economic growth itself. The results of this study, thus, have implications for both Resource Mobilization and Cultural Theorists due to the fact that further GDP per capita growth becomes an inhibitor of protests in the high-income countries instead of a promoter.
A Re-examination of Homonymic and Polysemic Roots
Authors: Dihi Haim
Published: June 2021

This paper re-examines the classification of two roots from the book of Ben Sira that are defined as homonymic and polysemic, respectively. The re-examination is carried out in light of a novel principle suggested by Prof. Chaim Cohen. The examination of the roots in Ben Sira includes a comparison with biblical evidence. In some cases, the re-examination supports the generally accepted classification, while in others it is shown that a re-classification is needed.
Embodied Engagements with the Megaliths of Carnac: Somatic Experience, Somatic Imagery, and Bodily Techniques in Contemporary Spiritual Practices
Authors: Dansac Yael
Published: June 2021

This article explores bodily interactions, somatic experiences, and embodiment of New Age and contemporary Paganism practitioners conducting spiritual practices in the megaliths of Carnac in northwest France. Inspired from the sensory ethnography approach and applying a specific methodological framework elaborated for this study, the article argues that participants’ spiritual experiences are constructed using three main elements: somatic experience, somatic imagery, and bodily techniques. Collected data provides understanding of the practitioner’s elaboration of spiritual experience, while also suggesting further inquiries to assess sensory models prevailing in contemporary spiritual practices.
From the Trees to the Wood: Alternative Spirituality as an Emergent ‘Official Religion’?
Authors: Kapusta Jan , Kostićová Zuzana Marie
Published: June 2021

In this introductory study, we place the articles collected in this special issue on ‘spirituality’ in a more general context. In so doing, we contest the idea that alternative spirituality is best studied within the conceptual framework of the ‘vernacular.’ We argue that such an approach tends to unintentionally overstate the empirical particularities and overlook the broader aspects of the subject in question, which results in unreflexively accepting alternative spirituality’s own claim that it is ‘doctrine-free’ and ‘non-institutional’ by nature. Contrary to this claim, we show that alternative spirituality is (a) pregnant with a distinguishable doctrine despite being glocal and inventive; (b) profoundly social and effectively socialized; (c) about to be visibly socially organized and institutionalized; and (d) a way of addressing and redressing the key existential issues of human life, just as any other religion.
Three new species of Tricholomopsis (incertae sedis) from North China based on morphological and molecular data

Authors: MAO NING , XU YU-YAN , FAN LI
Published: June 2021

Three new species of Tricholomopsis were described and illustrated based on collections from Shanxi Province in North China. Tricholomopsis galeata sp. nov. is closely related to T. pteridiicola but distinguished from the latter by its large pileus with red to purple reddish fibrous scales and the absence of pleurocystidia. Tricholomopsis pallidolutea sp. nov. is similar to T. sulfureoides and T. flavescens in macromorphology but is differentiated from T. sulfureoides by its dark orange fibrous scales on the pileal surface and narrow basidiospores (avQ = 1.77 ± 0.33), and from T. flavescens by its abundant pleurocystidia. Tricholomopsis mitirubicunda sp. nov. is morphologically similar to T. rutilans but is distinguished from the latter by its abundant pleurocystidia. Phylogenetic analysis supported the taxonomic position of the three new species in the genus Tricholomopsis.
Deep Learning for Typhoon Intensity Classification Using Satellite Cloud Images
Authors: Zheng Zongsheng , Hu Chenyu , Liu Zhaorong , Hao Jianbo , Hou Qian , Jiang Xiaoyi
Published: June 2021

A tropical cyclone, also known as a typhoon, is one of the most destructive weather phenomena. Its intense cyclonic eddy circulations often cause serious damage to coastal areas. Accurate classification or prediction for typhoon intensity is crucial to disaster warning and mitigation management. But typhoon intensity-related feature extraction is a challenging task as it requires significant preprocessing and human intervention for analysis, and its recognition rate is poor due to various physical factors such as tropical disturbance. In this study, we built a Typhoon-CNNs framework, an automatic classifier for typhoon intensity based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). The Typhoon-CNNs framework utilized a cyclical convolution strategy supplemented with dropout zero-set, which extracted sensitive features of existing spiral cloud bands (SCBs) more effectively and reduces the overfitting phenomenon. To further optimize the performance of Typhoon-CNNs, we also proposed the improved activation function (T-ReLU) and the loss function (CE-FMCE). The improved Typhoon-CNNs was trained and validated using more than 10 000 multiple sensor satellite cloud images from the National Institute of Informatics. The classification accuracy reached to 88.74%. Compared with other deep learning methods, the accuracy of our improved Typhoon-CNNs was 7.43% higher than ResNet50, 10.27% higher than InceptionV3, and 14.71% higher than VGG16. Finally, by visualizing hierarchic feature maps derived from Typhoon-CNNs, we can easily identify the sensitive characteristics such as typhoon eyes, dense-shadowing cloud areas, and SCBs, which facilitate classifying and forecasting typhoon intensity.
Family Resemblances: Remnants ofPopulismin Portuguese 2017 Regional Elections
Authors: Eiró-Gomes Mafalda , Raposo Ana
Published: June 2021

In September of 2017 during the Portuguese regional elections, the mass media began reporting an emergence of a populist movement or, at least, started to label one of the candidates as a populist leader. To understand this phenomenon and see if significant rhetorical aspects of populism were present in the candidate’s discourse as according to the media, we analyzed the four primary Portuguese newspapers. As a first, exploratory approach to the research question, we developed a quantitative content analysis. We found that the newspapers became resonance boxes, not only of this particular candidate but also from all Western society, underlining some of the main rhetorical aspects of the populist discourse used by the candidate.
Persistent Multispecies Actinomyces Mastitis Treated With Repeated Aspiration and Long-Term Oral Antibiotics
Authors: Jenkins Colin , Ganapathy Anand , Fancher Crystal , Matsushima Kazuhide
Published: June 2021

Actinomycosis is an infection characterized by abscess formation, draining sinuses, and tissue fibrosis. The causative bacterium is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobe from the genus Actinomyces. Infections classically affect the cervicofacial, thoracic, or pelvic region and often require prolonged antibiotic therapy. Actinomycosis of the breast is a rare condition that may present as a recurrent breast abscess. We present a 33-year-old female with a recurrent breast abscess which grew A. radingae and A. israeli on aspirated fluid cultures. Treatment with surgical aspiration and a 6-week course of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875 mg twice daily resulted in clinical improvement. Our case demonstrates how recurrent breast abscesses caused by Actinomyces can be difficult to manage. Long-term antibiotic therapy with surgical aspiration and regular follow-up offer the best chance of clinical resolution.