bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Th17 Cells Provide Mucosal Protection against Gastric Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Authors: Cai Catherine W. , Eickhoff Christopher S. , Meza Krystal A. , Blase Jennifer R. , Audette Rebecca E. , Chan David H. , Bockerstett Kevin A. , DiPaolo Richard J. , Hoft Daniel F.
Published: April 2021

Trypanosoma cruziis the intracellular parasite of Chagas disease, a chronic condition characterized by cardiac and gastrointestinal morbidity. Protective immunity requires CD4+T cells, and Th1 cells and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) are important players in host defense.
A newly discovered Late Cretaceous metamorphic belt along the active continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean
Authors: Wang Dan , Liu Fu-Lai , Palin Richard , Wang Jia-Min , Wolf Mathias , Ji Lei , Wang Fang
Published: April 2021

High-grade metamorphic rocks and crustal melts provide crucial evidence for growth and differentiation of the continental crust, and are widespread in collisional orogens. However, their importance in the evolution of continental arcs remains poorly understood. Metamorphism and related anatexis in the preserved continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean serves as a key natural laboratory to investigate this process. Along the Neo-Tethyan arc margin, the Gaoligong shear zone, Yunnan region of China, is an important locality for linking Lhasa in the north with Sibumasu and Burma in the south. Here, Late Cretaceous granulite-facies metamorphism and crustal anatexis have been identified for the first time in the Gaoligong area. Zircon and monazite U-Pb dating indicates that S-type granites formed at 87–73 Ma, granites and buried pelitic sediments were simultaneously metamorphosed at 75–70 Ma during Neo-Tethyan subduction, and all lithologies were overprinted by a younger 40–30 Ma magmatic and strike-slip event related to India-Asia collision. Phase equilibria modeling of high-grade anatectic gneiss in the MnO-Na2O-CaO-K2O-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O-TiO2 system indicates peak pressure-temperature (P–T) conditions of 780–800 °C and 6.5–7.5 kbar and defines a cooling and decompressional P–T path for the metapelites. This demonstrates that sediments within the Neo-Tethyan active continental arc were buried to >20 km depth at 75–70 Ma. In combination with the metamorphic record of the Lhasa, Burma, and Sibumasu blocks, an extensive Late Cretaceous metamorphic belt must have formed along the Neo-Tethyan subduction zone. This spatially correlates with coeval gabbro-diorite suites exposed in the Gangdese, Sibumasu and Burma terranes that were triggered by thinning of the lithospheric mantle. This prolonged Late Cretaceous mantle-derived magmatism and lithospheric thinning may have provided a regional-scale heat source for high-grade metamorphism and crustal anatexis along the active continental margin of the Neo-Tethys ocean.
Supplemental Material: Superposition of Cretaceous and Cenozoic deformation in northern Tibet: A far-field response to the tectonic evolution of the Tethyan orogenic system
Authors: Wang Ye , Chen Xuanhua , al. et
Published: April 2021

U-Pb isotope dating results for the detrital zircons from sample S1-S13.
Effectiveness of a workplace intervention reducing psychosocial stressors at work on blood pressure and hypertension
Authors: Trudel Xavier , Gilbert-Ouimet Mahée , Vézina Michel , Talbot Denis , Mâsse Benoît , Milot Alain , Brisson Chantal
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of a workplace intervention reducing psychosocial stressors at work in lowering blood pressure and hypertension prevalence.

Methods

The study design was a quasi-experimental pre–post study with an intervention group and a control group. Post-intervention measurements were collected 6 and 36 months after the midpoint of the intervention. Participants were all white-collar workers employed in three public organisations. At baseline, the intervention and the control groups were composed of 1088 and 1068 workers, respectively. The intervention was designed to reduce psychosocial stressors at work by implementing organisational changes. Adjusted changes in ambulatory blood pressure and hypertension prevalence were examined.

Results

Blood pressure and hypertension significantly decreased in the intervention group while no change was observed in the control group. The differential decrease in systolic blood pressure between the intervention and the control group was 2.0 mm Hg (95% CI: −3.0 to –1.0). The prevalence of hypertension decreased in the intervention group, when compared with the control group (prevalence ratio: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74 to 0.98)).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that psychosocial stressors at work are relevant targets for the primary prevention of hypertension. At the population level, systolic blood pressure reductions such as those observed in the present study could prevent a significant number of premature deaths and disabling strokes.
Boosting positive mood in medical and emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary evidence of efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a novel online ambulatory intervention
Authors: Coifman Karin G. , Disabato David D , Seah T H Stanley , Ostrowski-Delahanty Sarah , Palmieri Patrick A , Delahanty Douglas L. , Gunstad John
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The aim of this project was to test the efficacy of a brief and novel online ambulatory intervention aimed at supporting psychological health and well-being for medical personnel and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Interested participants, n=28, actively employed as medical personnel, support staff and emergency responders, in the Midwestern USA in May–June of 2020, provided informed consent and were randomised to complete either low-dose or high-dose intervention, one time daily for 1 week via smartphone application. Each daily intervention included expressive writing, adaptive emotion regulation activity and (one vs two) positive emotion-generation activities, lasting 3–6 min a day. Ratings of negative and positive emotion were provided before and after each activity daily. Analyses tested compliance, acceptability, as well as efficacy at increasing positive emotion and decreasing negative emotion with each use and across time.

Results

The results indicated a 13% increase in positive emotion, t(25)=2.01, p=0.056; and decrease in negative emotion by 44%, t(25)=−4.00, p=0.001 across both doses. However, there was a clear advantage for individuals in the high-dose condition as daily boosts in positive emotion were significantly greater (an additional 9.4%) B=0.47, p=0.018. Overall, compliance was good. Acceptability ratings were good for those who completed the follow-up assessment.

Conclusion

Front-line personnel, including medical staff and emergency responders, are experiencing unprecedented psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investigation suggests both feasibility and efficacy for a brief, daily, ambulatory intervention which could provide essential psychological support to individuals at risk in the workplace.
Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia: feasibility and effectiveness of teaching via telesimulation in Ethiopia
Authors: Liu Monica , Salmon Margaret , Zaidi Rene , Nagdev Arun , Debebe Finot , Muller Mundenga Furaha , Ruhangaza Cito Furaha , Emiru Haimanot , Belachew Yonas , Tumebo Aklilu , Paoletti Marcus , Okrainec Allan , Chan Vincent , Niazi Ahtsham U
Published: April 2021

Background

Acute pain management in resource-poor countries remains a challenge. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is a cost-effective way of delivering analgesia in these settings. However, for financial and logistical reasons, educational workshops are inaccessible to many physicians in these environments. Telesimulation provides a way of teaching across distance by using simulators and video-conferencing software to connect instructors and students worldwide. We conducted a prospective study to determine the feasibility of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia teaching via telesimulation in Ethiopia.

Methods

Eighteen Ethiopian orthopedic and emergency medicine house staff participated in telesimulation teaching of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block. This consisted of four 90-min sessions, once per week. Week 1 consisted of a precourse test and a presentation on aspects of performing a femoral nerve block, weeks 2 and 3 were live teaching sessions on scanning and needling techniques, and in week 4, the house staff undertook a postcourse test. All participants were assessed using a validated Global Rating Scale and Checklist.

Results

Participants were provided with a validated checklist and global rating scale as a pretest and post-test. The participants showed significant improvement in their test scores, from a total mean of 51% in the pretest to 84% in their post-test.

Conclusions

Teaching ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia of the femoral nerve remotely via telesimulation is feasible. Telesimulation can greatly improve the accessibility of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia teaching to physicians in remote areas.
Recycled nutrients supply phosphorus and improve ryegrass yields on phosphorus-depleted soil
Authors: Nicksy Jessica , Amiro Brian , Entz Martin
Published: April 2021

Recycling phosphorus (P) within the food system is fundamental to long-term sustainability. This greenhouse study compared three sources of recycled P — struvite precipitated from municipal wastewater, black soldier fly frass from food waste, and anaerobic digestate of food waste — to mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), compost, and a control. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was harvested four times during a 123 d trial from P-depleted soil. In nitrogen (N) sufficient conditions, all amendments significantly increased cumulative ryegrass yields compared with the control and were not significantly different from MAP. Relative P supply was frass = MAP > struvite ≥compost ≥ digestate >> control. The recycled nutrient sources tested show promise as sustainable P sources.
Generalizations of Checking Stack Automata: Characterizations and Hierarchies
Authors: Ibarra Oscar H. , McQuillan Ian
Published: April 2021

We examine different generalizations of checking stack automata by allowing multiple input heads and multiple stacks, and characterize their computing power in terms of two-way multi-head finite automata and space-bounded Turing machines. For various models, we obtain hierarchies in terms of their computing power. Our characterizations and hierarchies expand or tighten some previously known results. We also discuss some decidability questions and the space/time complexity of the models.
Histogram of Marked Background (HMB) Feature Extraction Method for Arabic Handwriting Recognition
Authors: Gagaoua Meriem , Ghilas Hamza , Tari Abdelkamel , Cheriet Mohamed
Published: April 2021

Features extraction is one of the most important steps in handwriting recognition systems. In this paper, we propose a novel features extraction method, which is adapted to the complex nature of Arabic handwriting. The proposed feature called histogram of marked background (HMB) is not considering only ink pixels in a text image, but also uses the background of the image. Each background pixel in the text image was marked according to the repartition of ink pixels in its neighborhood. Feature vectors are extracted by computing histograms from the marked images. Hidden Markov models (HMMs) with Hidden Markov model toolkit (HTK) were used in the recognition process. The experiments were performed on two datasets: IBN SINA database of historical Arabic documents and Isolated Farsi Handwritten Character Database (IFHCDB). The proposed feature in this study produced efficient and promising results for Arabic handwriting recognition, for both isolated characters and for historical documents.
Quasi-multipliers on topological semigroups and their Stone–Čech compactification
Authors: Alinejad A. , Essmaili M. , Rostami M.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduce and study the notion of quasi-multipliers on a semi-topological semigroup [Formula: see text]. The set of all quasi-multipliers on [Formula: see text] is denoted by [Formula: see text]. First, we study the problem of extension of quasi-multipliers on topological semigroups to its Stone–Čech compactification. Indeed, we prove if [Formula: see text] is a topological semigroup such that [Formula: see text] is pseudocompact, then [Formula: see text] can be regarded as a subset of [Formula: see text] Moreover, with an extra condition we describe [Formula: see text] as a quotient subsemigroup of [Formula: see text] Finally, we investigate quasi-multipliers on topological semigroups, its relationship with multipliers and give some concrete examples.
Factors Influencing Knowledge Sharing Behaviour of Police Officers in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Adekannbi Janet O. , Bello Oladayo
Published: April 2021

This study investigated factors influencing knowledge sharing behaviour of police officers in the Nigerian Police Force. A modified Theory of Reasoned Action was adopted in which extrinsic and intrinsic motivation contexts were considered as well as trust, leadership and information technology. Using the descriptive survey design, data were collected from 134 police officers at Oyo State Police Headquarters, Ibadan. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency and percentage distribution and correlation. Findings revealed that all the variables did not have a significant association with knowledge sharing attitude. Also, attitude did not significantly influence police officers’ intentions to share knowledge. Of the four motivational factors, rewards, reciprocal benefits and enjoyment in helping others were significantly associated with knowledge sharing intentions. Leadership and trust were also shown to significantly influence police officers’ intentions to share knowledge.
A Decade After the 2009 Global Recession: Macroeconomic Developments
Authors: Koh Wee Chian , Yu Shu
Published: April 2021

Emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) weathered the 2009 global recession relatively well. However, the impact of the global recession varied across economies. EMDEs with stronger pre-crisis fundamentals — such as large foreign exchange reserves, sound fiscal positions, and low inflation — suffered milder growth slowdowns, in part due to their greater capacity to engage in monetary and fiscal stimulus. Low-income countries were also resilient, as foreign aid and inflows of remittances remained relatively stable. In contrast, EMDEs that were heavily dependent on short-term capital flows — such as portfolio investment and cross-border bank lending — fared less well, especially those in Europe and Central Asia. A key lesson for EMDEs is the need to strengthen macroeconomic frameworks and create policy space to prepare for future global downturns.
Exploring the Role of Common Model of Cognition in Designing Adaptive Coaching Interactions for Health Behavior Change
Authors: Mohan Shiwali
Published: April 2021

Our research aims to develop intelligent collaborative agents that are
human-aware
: They can model, learn, and reason about their human partner’s physiological, cognitive, and affective states. In this article, we study how adaptive coaching interactions can be designed to help people develop sustainable healthy behaviors. We leverage the common model of cognition (CMC) [31] as a framework for unifying several behavior change theories that are known to be useful in human–human coaching. We motivate a set of interactive system desiderata based on the CMC-based view of behavior change. Then, we propose PARCoach, an interactive system that addresses the desiderata. PARCoach helps a trainee pick a relevant health goal, set an implementation intention, and track their behavior. During this process, the trainee identifies a specific goal-directed behavior as well as the situational context in which they will perform it. PARCCoach uses this information to send notifications to the trainee, reminding them of their chosen behavior and the context. We report the results from a 4-week deployment with 60 participants. Our results support the CMC-based view of behavior change and demonstrate that the desiderata for proposed interactive system design is useful in producing behavior change.
What serverless computing is and should become
Authors: Schleier-Smith Johann , Sreekanti Vikram , Khandelwal Anurag , Carreira Joao , Yadwadkar Neeraja J. , Popa Raluca Ada , Gonzalez Joseph E. , Stoica Ion , Patterson David A.
Published: April 2021

The evolution that serverless computing represents, the economic forces that shape it, why it could fail, and how it might fulfill its potential.
Automata modulo theories
Authors: D'Antoni Loris , Veanes Margus
Published: April 2021

Symbolic automata better balances how automata are implemented in practice.
RNA Engineering for Public Health: Innovations in RNA-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Authors: Thavarajah Walter , Hertz Laura M. , Bushhouse David Z. , Archuleta Chloé M. , Lucks Julius B.
Published: April 2021

RNA is essential for cellular function: From sensing intra- and extracellular signals to controlling gene expression, RNA mediates a diverse and expansive list of molecular processes. A long-standing goal of synthetic biology has been to develop RNA engineering principles that can be used to harness and reprogram these RNA-mediated processes to engineer biological systems to solve pressing global challenges. Recent advances in the field of RNA engineering are bringing this to fruition, enabling the creation of RNA-based tools to combat some of the most urgent public health crises. Specifically, new diagnostics using engineered RNAs are able to detect both pathogens and chemicals while generating an easily detectable fluorescent signal as an indicator. New classes of vaccines and therapeutics are also using engineered RNAs to target a wide range of genetic and pathogenic diseases. Here, we discuss the recent breakthroughs in RNA engineering enabling these innovations and examine how advances in RNA design promise to accelerate the impact of engineered RNA systems.
Kidney hemodynamic function in men and postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and preserved kidney function
Authors: van Velzen Daan M. , Smits Mark M. , van Bommel Erik J. M. , Muskiet Marcel H. A. , Tonneijck Lennart , Kramer Mark H. H. , Joles Jaap A. , den Heijer Martin , Nokoff Natalie , Bjornstad Petter , van Raalte Daniël H.
Published: April 2021

In adults with type 2 diabetes, men had higher markers of hyperfiltration, which could potentially explain the accelerated progression of diabetic kidney disease in men compared with women.
Efficacy and Safety of Modified Yunu-Jian in Patients with Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yue Yuanyuan , Gao Meng , Deng Yanru , Shao Jiemin , Sun Yingguang
Published: April 2021

Background. Modified Yunu-Jian (mYJ), a Chinese medicine (CM) formula, is thought to clear heat and nourish yin. Clinically, it is often used to treat oral inflammation. However, its efficacy remains controversial. Methods. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mYJ for treating patients with periodontitis. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, VIP database, and CBM) from inception to December 2020. Only randomized controlled trials investigating modified Yunu-Jian, with or without other medications, against controlled intervention in the treatment of patients diagnosed with periodontitis were included. Both Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software were used to analyze the data. The Cochrane Collaborations risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the methods. Results. Thirteen clinical trials, involving 1179 participants, were included in our investigation. The results showed that the combination of mYJ with western medicine improved the total effective rate compared with western medicine alone (RR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.12, 1.23),

P

 < 0.00001). The sensitivity analysis and Harbord’s test (

P

 = 0.255) both showed that the results were statistically robust. Moreover, the periodontal indexes (GI, SBI, PLI, and PD;

P

 < 0.00001) of patients with periodontitis were also significantly improved after receiving the combined therapy. No serious adverse reactions were observed in the experimental groups. Conclusions. Evidence from the meta-analysis suggested that mYJ appeared to be effective and relatively safe for treating periodontitis. Because of the low quality of the methods used in the included RCTs, further studies with larger sample sizes and well-designed models are required to confirm our findings.
Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers to Treat Diabetes in the Taza Region of Morocco
Authors: Naceiri Mrabti Hanae , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Naceiri Mrabti Nidal , Jaradat Nidal , Doudach Latifa , Faouzi My El Abbes
Published: April 2021

Type 2 diabetes is one of the noncommunicable diseases that is becoming a pandemic in Africa. In Morocco, traditional healers have started to use herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes either individually or in combination with food. The current study aimed to perform an ethnobiological survey of antidiabetic plants use in the Taza region of Morocco. A total of 193 traditional healers were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed utilizing the use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and relative frequency citation (RFC) indices. Forty-six plant species belonging to 28 families were recorded for the treatment of diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. The most frequently cited plant species are Salvia officinalis, Marrubium vulgare, and Ajuga iva. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae were the most reported families. Leaves are the most used part of plants to prepare drugs, the decoction is the preferred mode of preparation, and remedies are often administered orally. Interestingly, Cytisus battandieri, Urginea maritima, Plantago ovata, and Ziziphus jujuba were reported as new medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. People in the Taza region still rely on indigenous plants for their basic healthcare needs. Further research should be carried out to validate the antidiabetic effect of the newly reported plant species. This validation can be investigated by the determination of bioactive compounds and evaluation of their in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects.
Autocorrelation and Linear Complexity of Binary Generalized Cyclotomic Sequences with Period pq
Authors: Wang Yan , Yan Liantao , Tian Qing , Ding Liping
Published: April 2021

Ding constructed a new cyclotomic class

V

0

 
,

V

1

. Based on it, a construction of generalized cyclotomic binary sequences with period

p
q

is described, and their autocorrelation value, linear complexity, and minimal polynomial are confirmed. The autocorrelation function

C

S

w

is 3-level if

p
≡
3
mod
4

, and

C

S

w

is 5-level if

p
≡
1
mod
4

. The linear complexity

LC

S

>

p
q

/
2

if

p
≡
1
 
mod
 
8

,

p
>
q
+
1

, or

p
≡
3
mod
4

or

p
≡
−
3
mod
8

. The results show that these sequences have quite good cryptographic properties in the aspect of autocorrelation and linear complexity.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Propolis-Containing Varnish in Children: A Randomized and Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Rodrigues Neto Edilson Martins , Valadas Lídia Audrey Rocha , Lobo Patrícia Leal Dantas , Fonseca Said Gonçalves da Cruz , Fechine Francisco Vagnaldo , Lotif Mara Assef Leitão , Bandeira Mary Anne Medeiros , Mendonça Julia Fontinele , de Mendonça Karianne Marques , Fonteles Marta Maria de França
Published: April 2021

Dental caries is a sugar-dependent condition common in childhood, which causes microbiological imbalance in dental biofilm. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of a 2.5% Brazilian Red Propolis (BRP) dental varnish to prevent caries in children. Seventy-five children with high caries risk, aged between 36 and 71 months and with no caries, were assigned to three groups to receive varnish treatment containing 2.5% BRP, 1% chlorhexidine, or 5% fluoride. The varnish was applied to the occlusal surfaces of the deciduous second molars on the first day of treatment (D1), after 90 days (D90), and 180 days of the start of treatment (D180). Saliva was collected to assess S. mutans before each varnish application and 180 days at the end of treatment (D360). Values were expressed in log10 (CFU/mL). Statistics were performed by applying repeated measures of variance analysis, Tukey's multiple comparisons test, and paired t-test. In the first dilution (1 : 10), there was microbial load reduction at the following periods: BRP in D0-D90 (p<0.05) and D0-D180 (p<0.01); fluoride in D0-D90 (p<0.001); and chlorhexidine in D0-D180 (p<0.05). In the second dilution (1 : 100), there was microbial load reduction in the groups at the following periods: BRP in D0-D90 (p<0.05) and D0-D180 (p<0.01); fluoride in D0-D180 (p<0.05), and chlorhexidine in D0-180 (p<0.01) and D0-360 (p<0.05). The 2.5% BRP dental varnish was effective in decreasing S. mutans colonies in saliva when used within 90 days.
Advanced Computational Methods for Mitigating Shock and Vibration Hazards in Deep Mines Gas Outburst Prediction Using SVM Optimized by Grey Relational Analysis and APSO Algorithm
Authors: Wu Xiang , Yang Zhen , Wu Dongdong
Published: April 2021

Gas outburst poses a huge threat to the safe production of coal mines. Therefore, the prediction of gas outburst has always been a hot topic for researchers. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms for gas outburst prediction has made progress, such as using BP neural network, GA algorithm, and SVM algorithm. Despite these progresses, predicting the gas outburst more accurately and efficiently still remains a great challenge. In this work, an algorithm based on grey relational analysis and SVM using adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO‐SVM) for gas outburst prediction is proposed. Grey relational analysis was used to extract the four most relevant ones from nine gas outburst prediction parameters (geological structure zone distance, coal seam gas content, gas release initial velocity, gas desorption index‐K1, drill cuttings volume, coal seam depth, coal seam thickness, coal destruction type, and coal firmness coefficient) to give the needed parameters for SVM model. Higher prediction accuracy was then obtained with the selected parameters composed by coal seam gas content, gas release initial velocity, gas desorption index‐K1, and drill cuttings volume. Moreover, adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO) was used to optimize the penalty factor and kernel parameters of the support vector machine to improve the global search ability and avoid the occurrence of the local optimal solutions. The APSO‐SVM model was applied to the prediction of gas outburst in 31004 tunneling face of Xinyuan Coal Mine, Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, China. We further introduced the criteria of accuracy, precision, recall, and F2‐score to evaluate the prediction results of different models. The results show that, in the gas outburst prediction, the accuracy of the APSO‐SVM model is 98.38%, the precision and recall are both 100%, and F2‐score is 1. Comparative studies confirm that APSO‐SVM displayed better performance than SVM and PSO‐SVM models for the applied grey relational analysis assisted gas outburst prediction. These obtained results indicate the validity of APSO‐SVM model for gas outburst prediction.
Comparative Utility of Acupuncture and Western Medication in the Management of Perimenopausal Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Fei-Yi , Fu Qiang-Qiang , Kennedy Gerard A. , Conduit Russell , Wu Wen-Zhong , Zhang Wen-Jing , Zheng Zhen
Published: April 2021

Background. Many women with perimenopausal insomnia (PMI) have sought alternative therapies such as acupuncture because of concerns about risks associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and/or psychotropic drugs. This systematic review aimed to clarify if acupuncture alone or combined with standard Western pharmacotherapy (HRT and/or psychotropic drugs) is more effective in ameliorating PMI in comparison to pharmacotherapy alone. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PMI treatment via acupuncture alone or combined with Western pharmacotherapy versus Western pharmacotherapy were searched for from eleven databases from inception to March 2020. Cochrane criteria were followed. Results. Fifteen studies involving 1410 women were analyzed. Meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture significantly reduced the global scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [MD = −2.38, 95% CI (−3.38, −1.37),

p

 < 0.01] and Kupperman Index [MD = −5.95, 95% CI (−10.68, −1.21),

p

 = 0.01], compared with hypnotics. Acupuncture combined with hypnotics was more effective than hypnotics alone in decreasing PSQI scores [MD = −3.13, 95% CI (−5.43, −0.83),

p

 < 0.01]. Too few RCTs were available to investigate the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture and HRT/psychotropic drugs other than hypnotics. Conclusions. Despite limited evidence, in comparison to hypnotics, acupuncture was associated with significant improvements in PMI, and reductions of other menopausal symptoms. This finding suggests that acupuncture may be a useful addition to treatment for PMI.
Coordinated Development of Urban Land Use and Ecological Economics in China
Authors: Zhu Zhiyuan , Du Gang
Published: April 2021

To analyze the coordination between land use and the ecological economy in China, ecoefficiency and land use intensity were measured using the nonradial, nonoriented slacks-based measure (SBM) and the vertical and horizontal scatter degree method. The TOPSIS method was then used to comprehensively evaluate regional differences in coordination. Our research indicates that the level of coordinated development between intensive urban land use and the ecological economy in China showed an overall upward trend from 2006 to 2017. The level of coordination was high in Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin and was low in Gansu, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. Changes in ecoefficiency were not consistent with the degree of coordination, and intensive urban land use was positively correlated with the level of coordination, which showed a mutually reinforcing relationship. Improving ecoefficiency is necessary for intensive urban land use, and for ecological improvement, coordinated development between ecoefficiency and urban land use intensity is essential. The establishment of environmentally friendly land use patterns could promote urban land use.
The Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Female Infertility
Authors: Feng Jiaxing , Wang Jing , Zhang Yuehui , Zhang Yizhuo , Jia Liyan , Zhang Dongqi , Zhang Jiao , Han Yanhua , Luo Shoujuan
Published: April 2021

Female infertility is a state of fertility disorder caused by multiple reasons. The incidence of infertility for females has significantly increased due to various factors such as social pressure, late marriage, and late childbirth, and its harm includes heavy economic burden, psychological shadow, and even marriage failure. Conventional solutions, such as hormone therapy, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer, have the limitations of unsatisfied obstetric outcomes and serious adverse events. Currently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as a new treatment for infertility, is gradually challenging the dominant position of traditional therapies in the treatment of infertility. CAM claims that it can adjust and harmonize the state of the female body from a holistic approach to achieve a better therapeutic effect and has been increasingly used by infertile women. Meanwhile, some controversial issues also appeared; that is, some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) confirmed that CAM had no obvious effect on infertility, and the mechanism of its effect could not reach a consensus. To clarify CAM effectiveness, safety, and mechanism, this paper systematically reviewed the literature about its treatment of female infertility collected from PubMed and CNKI databases and mainly introduced acupuncture, moxibustion, and oral Chinese herbal medicine. In addition, we also briefly summarized psychological intervention, biosimilar electrical stimulation, homeopathy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, etc.
CX3CR1 at V249M and T280M Gene Polymorphism and Its Potential Risk for End-Stage Renal Diseases in Egyptian Patients
Authors: Ibrahim Asmaa Fathelbab , Osman Asmaa Osama Bakr Seddik , Elabbasy Lamiaa M. , Abdelsalam Mostafa , Wahab A. M. , Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Abdel-Latif Radwa Ahmed Rabea
Published: April 2021

CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway may be one of the future treatment targets to delay the progression of end-stage renal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the CX3CR gene polymorphism in Egyptian patients with ESRD and its relation to fractalkine blood level. The study included 100 patients with ESRD on dialysis, 61 males and 39 females with mean age 51.02 ± 7.8 years. The V2491 genotype revealed a significant increase in the frequency of GG genotype in healthy control (83%) compared to patients [69%] with a significant increase in GA in patients [30%] compared to control subjects [15%],

P

 = 0.03. T280M study showed a statistically significant prevalence of TT genotype in healthy control subjects [86%-OR 95% CI 1.7] compared to patients [70%] with a significant increase in the prevalence of TA in patients [29%] compared to control subjects [13%],

P

 = 0.01. There was a significant increase in fractalkine levels in genotypes GA + AA [503.04±224.1] pg/ml compared to genotype GG [423.6 210.3],

P

 = 0.03. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the blood level of fractalkine in genotype TA + AA [498.8 219.6] compared to genotype TT [426.8±212.8],

P

 = 0.05. In conclusion, our study showed that both V2491-GA genotype and T280M-TA are associated with potential risk for end-stage renal disease in Egyptian patients.
Fabrication of Tantalum and Hafnium Carbide Fibers via ForcespinningTM for Ultrahigh‐Temperature Applications
Authors: Lee Harold O. , Caraballa Patricia H. , Bregman Avi G. , Bell Nelson S. , Nicholas James R. , Ringgold Marissa , Treadwell LaRico J.
Published: April 2021

In this work, a novel method for producing ultrafine tantalum and hafnium carbide fibers using the ForcespinningTM technique via a nonhalide‐based sol‐gel process was investigated. An optimal solution viscosity range was systematically determined via rheological studies of neat PAN/DMF as a function of fiber formation. Subsequently, ForcespinningTM parameters were also systemically studied to determine the optimal rotational velocity and spinneret‐to‐collecting rod distance required for ideal fiber formation. TaC and HfC fibers were synthesized via ForcespinningTM utilizing a mixture of PAN and refractory transition metal alkoxides (i.e., tantalum (V) ethoxide and hafnium (IV) tert‐butoxide) in DMF solution based on optimal conditions determined from the neat PAN/DMF. In all instances after calcination, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) indicated that TaC and HfC fibers were produced. TGA/DSC confirmed the chemical stability of the resulting fibers.
Similar Physical Modeling of Roof Stress and Subsidence in Room and Pillar Mining of a Gently Inclined Medium‐Thick Phosphate Rock
Authors: Li Xiaoshuang , Liu Zhifang , Yang Shun
Published: April 2021

Gently inclined medium‐thick orebodies are generally recognized as the most difficult type of orebody to mine, using current available strategies (i.e., the room and pillar method). In the present study, a similar physical model was used to investigate the roof stress and subsidence for mining gently inclined medium‐thick phosphate rock from the Jinning Phosphate Mine, Yunnan Province, China. The stress field, displacement field, and roof failure evolution characteristics of the surrounding rock with stope structures of 3 m, 5 m, or 8 m ore pillars were considered. The results showed that, after mining stopped, obvious pressure relief areas formed above the three stope structures, and pressure‐bearing areas formed at the front of the roof. With extending the mining in the working face, the stress relief boundary also gradually increased, and the top of the roof tended to sink with a maximum subsidence of –14.58 mm, –4.67 mm, and –3.48 mm. Due to the mining activity, the overlying strata bent and subsided from top to bottom, creating bending subsidence, fracture, and caving zones.
Characterization of an Endemic Plant Origanum grosii from Morocco: Trace Element Concentration and Antihyperglycemic Activities
Authors: El hassouni H. , Bouhrim M. , El hajji R. , Bnouham M. , Ziyyat A. , Romane A.
Published: April 2021

Origanum genus is one of the most widely used herbs in folk medicine for its biological properties. The present investigation aims to characterize, for the first time, endemic Origanum grosii collected from the Taounate region, Morocco. This characterization was realized by determining the concentration of metals in different parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, and stems) by ICP-MS, and the results were studied statistically by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Phytochemical screening with the dosage of polyphenols and flavonoids has been conducted. To know more about this species, antihyperglycemic tests have been performed to highlight the presence or absence of the antidiabetic effect for this plant. An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) has been performed on normal mice which were divided into two groups of six mice each. Group 1 (control group) was treated with distilled water, and group 2 was treated with an aqueous extract of O. grosii by gavage at 150 mg/kg. Digestive enzyme α-amylase inhibition assay has also been evaluated to study the inhibition effect of the studied extract using acarbose as a control. The results showed that the leaves exhibited a high concentration of trace elements (Ca, Mg, and K) and total absence of heavy metals, which were found in small quantities (Cr, Ni, and B) on the stems, and this makes the plant safe to use. On the other hand, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, and steroids were the major families strongly present in this species. The antidiabetic results showed that O. grosii have significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia after glucose loading in normal rats. It showed also that this species has a significant antihyperglycemic activity reflected by the inhibition of α-amylase. The one responsible for this property could be the synergy between the trace elements and the nature of the chemical families of O. grosii species, which can make this plant useful in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia.
Insights into Unloading Relaxation Mechanism of Columnar Jointed Basalt at the Baihetan Left Dam Foundation
Authors: Zhang Jian-cong , Pei Shu-feng , Xu Xiao , Li Hao-ran
Published: April 2021

Columnar jointed basalt (CJB), characterized by unique geometric and geological properties, poses a great challenge for geotechnical designs due to its unloading relaxation and damage during excavation. In this paper, the geometrical structure and field failures of the CJB exposed on Baihetan left dam foundation were briefly presented. A systematic field test was conducted to study the excavation damage zone of the CJB on the dam foundation using ultrasonic P wave measurements. The excavation damage zone of the CJB not only showed time‐dependent damage in depth but also showed spatially inhomogeneous distribution in depth. Corresponding three‐dimensional numerical analysis was also carried out to analyze the unloading relaxation mechanism of CJB. The unloading relaxation of CJB on dam foundation was mainly caused by the joint opening under tension stress during excavation. The difference of excavation damage zone of the CJB located in different test zones was also discussed in this article.
Panorama de la gestión de la innovación en grandes empresas de Chile 2010-2019
Authors: Diaz Molina Iván , Acevedo Rubilar Juan
Published: April 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es entregar un panorama sobre cómo ha evolucionado la capacidad de gestión de la innovación al interior de grandes empresas en Chile, describiendo sus comportamientos en la última década. Los resultados indican que estas empresas al principio de la década mostraban algún interés por la innovación y tenían iniciativas esporádicas y no sistemáticas -Nivel 1 de maduración-, mientras que en el periodo 2015- 2019 las empresas en general se concentran en la creación de valor y lograr un impacto en sus EBITDA, preparando a la empresa para el futuro -Niveles 3 y 4 de maduración-.  La falta de sistematización en los procedimientos de innovación y un rezago en el desarrollo de una cultura de la innovación son elementos que requieren una mejora sustancial en estas organizaciones.
The Incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Ohio 2016–2018: The Ohio Population-Based ALS Registry
Authors: Andrew Angeline S. , Pioro Erik P. , Li Meifang , Shi Xun , Gui Jiang , Stommel Elijah W. , Butt Tanya H. , Peipert Daniel , Henegan Patricia , Tischbein Maeve , Cazzolli Pamela , Novak John , Quick Adam , Pugar K. Doug , Sawlani Komal , Katirji Bashar , Hayes Todd A. , Horton D. Kevin , Mehta Paul , Bradley Walter G.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neuromuscular disease with no cure. ALS incidence rates have not been assessed specifically in Ohio, yet the state contains both metropolitan and rural areas with a variety of environmental factors that could contribute to disease etiology. We report the incidence of ALS in Ohio residents diagnosed from October 2016 through September 2018. Methods: We engaged practitioners from 9 Ohio sites to identify newly diagnosed ALS patients and to complete case report forms with demographic and clinical information. ALS was diagnosed according to the Awaji criteria and classified as either definite, probable, or possible. We developed a method to estimate missing cases using a Poisson regression model to impute cases in counties with evidence of undercounting. Results: We identified 333 newly diagnosed ALS patients residing in Ohio during the 2-year index period and found incidence rates varied in the 88 state counties. After incorporating the estimated 27% of missing cases, the corrected crude annual incidence was 1.96/100,000 person-years, and the age- and gender-standardized incidence was 1.71/100,000 person-years (standardized to the 2010 US census). Discussion/Conclusion: The estimated Ohio incidence of ALS is overall similar to that reported in other states in the USA. This study reveals a geospatial variation in incidence within the state, and areas with higher rates warrant future investigation.
Low-Blood Lymphocyte Number and Lymphocyte Decline as Key Factors in COPD Outcomes: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Semenzato Umberto , Biondini Davide , Bazzan Erica , Tiné Mariaenrica , Balestro Elisabetta , Buldini Barbara , Carizzo Santiago J. , Cubero Pablo , Marin-Oto Marta , Casara Alvise , Baraldo Simonetta , Turato Graziella , Gregori Dario , Marin Jose M. , Cosio Manuel G. , Saetta Marina
Published: April 2021

Background: Smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk of severe outcomes like exacerbations, cancer, respiratory failure, and decreased survival. The mechanisms for these outcomes are unclear; however, there is evidence that blood lymphocytes (BL) number might play a role. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between BL and their possible decline over time with long-term outcomes in smokers with and without COPD. Methods: In 511 smokers, 302 with COPD (COPD) and 209 without COPD (noCOPD), followed long term, we investigated whether BL number and BL decline over time might be associated with long-term outcomes. Smokers were divided according to BL number in high-BL (≥1,800 cells/µL) and low-BL (<1,800 cells/µL). Clinical features, cancer incidence, and mortality were recorded during follow-up. BL count in multiple samples and BL decline over time were calculated and related to outcomes. Results: BL count was lower in COPD (1,880 cells/µL) than noCOPD (2,300 cells/µL; p < 0.001). 43% of COPD and 23% of noCOPD had low-BL count (p < 0.001). BL decline over time was higher in COPD than noCOPD (p = 0.040). 22.5% of the whole cohort developed cancer which incidence was higher in low-BL subjects and in BL decliners than high-BL (31 vs. 18%; p = 0.001) and no decliners (32 vs. 19%; p = 0.002). 26% in the cohort died during follow-up. Furthermore, low-BL count, BL decline, and age were independent risk factors for mortality by Cox regression analysis. Conclusion: BL count and BL decline are related to worse outcomes in smokers with and without COPD, which suggests that BL count and decline might play a mechanistic role in outcomes deterioration. Insights into mechanisms inducing the fall in BL count could improve the understanding of COPD pathogenesis and point toward new therapeutic measures.
Low-Dose Acitretin for Secondary Prevention of Keratinocyte Carcinomas in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Solomon-Cohen Efrat , Reiss-Huss Shiran , Hodak Emmilia , Davidovici Batya
Published: April 2021

Background: Keratinocyte carcinomas, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), occur more frequently and aggressively in solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) than in the general population. Systemic retinoids are effective in secondary prevention of keratinocyte carcinomas in this population, but their use is limited by adverse effects including a rebound effect in cases of treatment discontinuation. Objective: Our aim was to determine whether low-dose acitretin is efficient in the secondary prevention of keratinocyte carcinomas in SOTRs. Methods: This retrospective case-crossover study was conducted at a specialized dermatology clinic for SOTRs in a large transplantation center in 2010–2017. Patients with at least 1 previous keratinocyte carcinoma who were treated with acitretin 10 mg/day for 2 years were included. The main outcome was the difference in the number of new keratinocyte carcinomas diagnosed during treatment compared to during the 2-year pretreatment period. Results: The cohort included 34 SOTRs. A significant reduction in the mean number of new keratinocyte carcinomas during treatment relative to the pretreatment period was observed (1.7 vs. 3.6, –53% p = 0.002). Similar results were noted on analysis by tumor type, for both SCC and basal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: This study of SOTRs demonstrated positive results for low-dose acitretin as a chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinomas in this population.