bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8b in the control of heart rate
Authors: Sebastian Sonia , Nobles Muriel , Tsisanova Elena , Ludwig Andreas , Munroe Patricia B. , Tinker Andrew
Published: March 2021

We have assessed the role of ric-b8 in the control of heart rate after the gene was implicated in a recent genome-wide association study of resting heart rate. We developed a novel murine model in which it was possible to conditionally delete ric-8b in the sinoatrial (SA) node after the addition of tamoxifen. Despite this, we were unable to obtain homozygotes and thus studied heterozygotes. Haploinsufficiency of ric-8b in the sinoatrial node induced by the addition of tamoxifen in adult animals leads to mice with a reduced heart rate. However, other electrocardiographic intervals (e.g., PR and QRS) were normal, and there was no apparent arrhythmia such as heart block. The positive chronotropic response to isoprenaline was abrogated, whereas the response to carbachol was unchanged. The pacemaker current If (funny current) has an important role in regulating heart rate, and its function is modulated by both isoprenaline and carbachol. Using a heterologous system expressing HCN4, we show that ric-8b can modulate the HCN4 current. Overexpression of ric-8b led to larger HCN4 currents, whereas silencing ric-8b led to smaller currents. Ric-8b modulates heart rate responses in vivo likely via its actions on the stimulatory G-protein.
Farmers’ Perception about the Use of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Landraces and Their Genetic Erosion in South Wollo Administrative Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Birhanu Abegaz Silamlak , Hailu Tessema Faris
Published: March 2021

Genetic erosion can result in the loss of sorghum landrace genetic diversity. In the study areas, although it is generally believed that genetic erosion had occurred, there are no data on its amount and extent. Thus, this study is aimed to assess farmers’ perception about the use of sorghum landraces and their genetic erosion and to identify suggested reasons for the replacement of sorghum landraces. To this end, a field survey of 1200 farmers, randomly selected over the three districts (Tenta, Mekdela, and Delanta) during 2006 to 2015/2016 main cropping seasons, was undertaken. Structured questionnaire survey of households, focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations were used to collect data. Moreover, the data for samples collected during 1980 were obtained from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI). Sorghum landrace history profile analysis indicated that there was an insight in the use of local varieties among local farmers over the past three or above decades. However, there is a reduction trend due to the different selection criteria described by farmers. “Kokita,” “Merar,” “Marchuke,” “Tinkish” (except for “Necho-Tinkish” and “Jofa-Tinkish”), and “Fesho” were totally excluded (lost) by local farmers attributed by home consumption preferences. The interviewed farmers indicated that genetic erosion had occurred. Genetic erosion of 100% was observed in white sorghum in Mekdela and 66.7% in Delanta and Tenta districts. Likewise, genetic erosion of red sorghum, 25%, 20%, and 75%, respectively, was detected in Tenta, Mekdela, and Delanta. For yellow sorghum grains, genetic erosion was 33.4% in Tenta and 66.7% in Mekdela and Delanta. Genetic erosion for “Tinkish” was found to be 66.7% in Tenta and 50% in Mekdela and Delanta. Based on farmer responses, genetic erosion was attributed to reduced benefits from landraces, drought, climate change, market price and demand, and reduction in land size. The actions of both natural and conscious selection on farm were also discussed in detail as genetic erosion scenarios. Therefore, attention should be given to conservation of farmers’ varieties in which involving farmers’ participation is very important in order to use their indigenous knowledge for conservation of FVs and on-farm conservation strategies should be practiced for FV sustainable use. Thus, genetic resource conservation is attained.
Radiation Dynamics on Crop Productivity in Different Cropping Systems
Authors: Nur Arina I. , Martini M. Y. , Surdiana S. , Mohd Fauzi R. , Zulkefly S.
Published: March 2021

Global demand for food has always been on the increase due to the increase of the population in this world. Intercropping is one of the alternatives of agronomic practices that is widely practiced in ensuring food security and enhancing yield stability. Strip, mixed, and relay intercropping can be practiced to increase crop production. In addition to achieving a successful intercropping system, factors such as suitable crops, time of sowing, maturity of the crop, and plant density need to be considered before and during planting. Besides, practiced intercropping becomes a useful cropping system to increase efficient resource utilization, enhance biodiversity, promote soil health, enhance soil fertility, erosion control, yield advantage, weed, pest, and disease control, insurance against crop failure, ecosystem and modification of microclimate, market instability, and increase farmers income. Crop productivity in any types of cropping system implemented relies primarily on the interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of crop canopy and conversion of intercepted radiation into biomass or known as radiation use efficiency (RUE). Both PAR and RUE are important measurements that have significant roles in crop growth and development in which the accessibility of these radiation dynamics is connected with the leaf area index and crop canopy characteristics in maximizing yield as well as total productivity of the crop component in intercropping systems.
Associations between TGF-β1 Levels and Markers of Hemolysis, Inflammation, and Tissue Remodeling in Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients
Authors: Santiago Rayra P. , Carvalho Magda O. S. , Figueiredo Camylla V. B. , Fiuza Luciana M. , Oliveira Rodrigo M. , Yahouédéhou Sètondji C. M. A. , Nascimento Valma M. L. , Lyra Isa M. , Araujo-Santos Théo , Luz Nívea F. , Aleluia Milena M. , Guarda Caroline C. , Borges Valéria M. , Goncalves Marilda S.
Published: March 2021

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine with important involvement in biological processes related to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD), including endothelial and vascular dysfunction, inflammation, and hematopoietic homeostasis. This study is aimed at investigating associations between levels of TGF-β1 and classical laboratory biomarkers and inflammatory mediators, as well as the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), in pediatric patients (

n
=
123

) with SCD in steady state: 84 with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and 39 with hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC). A healthy control (HC) group of 59 individuals was also included. Hematological and biochemical analyses were carried out using electronic methods. TGF-β1, TIMP-1, and MMP-9 plasma quantifications were performed by ELISA. TGF-β1 plasma levels were higher in HbSS individuals than in HbSC and HC. In individuals with HbSS, TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, and TIMP-1. In addition, HbSS individuals with TGF-β1 levels above the median (≥72.29 ng/mL) also presented increased monocyte counts and decreased albumin levels. In patients with HbSC, TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with leukocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets, as well as levels of TIMP-1, VLDL-C, triglycerides, heme, and AST. Additionally, HbSC individuals with TGF-β1 levels above the median (≥47.80 ng/mL) presented increased leukocyte and platelet counts, as well as increased levels of triglycerides, VLDL-C, MMP-9, and TIMP-1, and decreased HDL-C. Our findings suggest that TGF-β1 may play important roles in vascular remodeling, vasculopathy, angiogenesis, and inflammation in pediatric patients with SCD.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Sirtuins: Important Targets in Hearing Loss
Authors: Zhang Lingjun , Du Zhengde , Gong Shusheng
Published: March 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested to be a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) induced by aging, noise, ototoxic drugs, and gene. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mainly derived from mitochondria, and oxidative stress induced by ROS contributes to cochlear damage as well as mitochondrial DNA mutations, which may enhance the sensitivity and severity of hearing loss and disrupt ion homeostasis (e.g., Ca2+ homeostasis). The formation and accumulation of ROS further undermine mitochondrial components and ultimately lead to apoptosis and necrosis. SIRT3–5, located in mitochondria, belong to the family of sirtuins, which are highly conserved deacetylases dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). These deacetylases regulate diverse cellular biochemical activities. Recent studies have revealed that mitochondrial sirtuins, especially SIRT3, modulate ROS levels in hearing loss pathologies. Although the precise functions of SIRT4 and SIRT5 in the cochlea remain unclear, the molecular mechanisms in other tissues indicate a potential protective effect against hearing loss. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in hearing loss, discuss possible functional links between mitochondrial sirtuins and SNHL, and propose a perspective that SIRT3–5 have a positive effect on SNHL.
Optimizing Quality of Service of Clustering Protocols in Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Networks with Mobile Data Collector and Machine Learning
Authors: Gantassi Rahma , Ben Gouissem Bechir , Cheikhrouhou Omar , El Khediri Salim , Hasnaoui Salem
Published: March 2021

The rise of large-scale wireless sensor networks (LSWSNs), containing thousands of sensor nodes (SNs) that spread over large geographic areas, necessitates new Quality of Service (QoS) efficient data collection techniques. Data collection and transmission in LSWSNs are considered the most challenging issues. This study presents a new hybrid protocol called MDC-K that is a combination of the K-means machine learning clustering algorithm and mobile data collector (MDC) to improve the QoS criteria of clustering protocols for LSWSNs. It is based on a new routing model using the clustering approach for LSWSNs. These protocols have the capability to adopt methods that are appropriate for clustering and routing with the best value of QoS criteria. Specifically, the proposed protocol called MDC-K uses machine learning K-means clustering algorithm to reduce energy consumption in cluster head (CH) election phase and to improve the election of CH. In addition, a mobile data collector (MDC) is used as an intermediate between the CH and the base station (BS) to further enhance the QoS criteria of WSN, to minimize time delays during data collection, and to improve the transmission phase of clustering protocol. The obtained simulation results demonstrate that MDC-K improves the energy consumption and QoS metrics compared to LEACH, LEACH-K, MDC maximum residual energy leach, and TEEN protocols.
Cryptospace Invertible Steganography with Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Chang Ching-Chun
Published: March 2021

Deep neural networks have become the foundation of many modern intelligent systems. Recently, the author has explored adversarial learning for invertible steganography (ALIS) and demonstrated the potential of deep neural networks to reinvigorate an obsolete invertible steganographic method. With the worldwide popularisation of the Internet of things and cloud computing, invertible steganography can be recognised as a favourable way of facilitating data management and authentication due to the ability to embed information without causing permanent distortion. In light of growing concerns over cybersecurity, it is important to take a step forwards to investigate invertible steganography for encrypted data. Indeed, the multidisciplinary research in invertible steganography and cryptospace computing has received considerable attention. In this paper, we extend previous work and address the problem of cryptospace invertible steganography with deep neural networks. Specifically, we revisit a seminal work on cryptospace invertible steganography in which the problem of message decoding and image recovery is viewed as a type of binary classification. We formulate a general expression encompassing spatial, spectral, and structural analyses towards this particular classification problem and propose a novel discrimination function based on a recurrent conditional generative adversarial network (RCGAN) which predicts bit-planes with stacked neural networks in a top-down manner. Experimental results evaluate the performance of various discrimination functions and validate the superiority of neural-network-aided discrimination function in terms of classification accuracy.
Long-Term Medical Follow-Up (for More than 15 Years) of a Patient with Stage IA Mycosis Fungoides Originally Presenting in Childhood: Remission for >15 Years with Localised Electron Beam Therapy
Authors: Bessell Eric , Dalton Martin , Parry John David
Published: March 2021

A man now aged 80 years has received specialist care for stage 1A mycosis fungoides for 58 years. The disease developed in childhood. Long-term follow-up (>30 years) of patients with mycosis fungoides is infrequently described in the world literature. The disease in this patient was limited to 5 areas, but these were large (up to 25 cm in diameter). The rest of the skin was normal clinically. All 5 areas were treated separately with electron beam therapy (3–4 MeV) to a dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks between 2000 and 2005. Complete regression was obtained in all 5 areas, and the patient has been in complete remission for 15 years after living with the disease previously for over 40 years.
The Association between Emotional Stress, Sleep Disturbance, Depression, and Burning Mouth Syndrome
Authors: Rezazadeh Fahimeh , Farahmand Farzane , Hosseinpour Hamidreza , Shahriarirad Reza , Sabet Eghlidi Amirhasan
Published: March 2021

Introduction. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is one of the challenging clinical problems not only in its diagnosis and treatment but also its concurring mental impact. This study is aimed at determining the association between psychological factors, including emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep pattern among BMS patients. Methods. In this cross‐sectional study, 19 patients with idiopathic BMS were enrolled along with a control group equivalent in age and sex, but without BMS. Questionnaires used were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS‐21). Demographic information was also recorded and analyzed. Results. There was a significant correlation among the two groups of BMS and non‐BMS patients regarding stress, depression, and sleep disorder. The average severity of the burning score was 8.31 among the patients. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed among mental disorders and educational level and sex, but not with age. There was also no significant correlation among the severity of the burning score with sex, education, and mental disorder. Conclusion. BMS is significantly associated with psychological symptoms. This condition requires proper treatment and support because it can represent psychological or mental issues and/or have a significant effect on daily life.
MRI Manifestations and Diagnostic Value of Chronic Osteomyelitis
Authors: Lin Bingyuan , Guo Qiaofeng , Ren Haiyong , Liu Yiyang , Huang Kai
Published: March 2021

If chronic osteomyelitis is not treated promptly and thoroughly, the wound will not heal for a long time, and the affected limb will be dysfunctional or disabled. In severe cases, it may even require amputation. In this article, a total of 50 patients with chronic osteomyelitis who meet the inclusion criteria were selected from January 2019 to March 2020 and were divided into two groups based on patient compliance, namely, a treatment group and a control group. The results of this group of studies showed that osteomyelitis is mostly manifested as limited diffusion, showing high signal on DWI, and ADC value is significantly higher than that of normal bone area. The normal bone area did not show obvious focal abnormal signals on the conventional MRI image. The ADC value of the measured patient’s osteomyelitis area was compared with the ADC value of the normal bone area. The ADC value was significantly higher than that of the normal bone area, and the difference was statistically significant. Studies have shown that membrane induction technology is superior to the bone handling group in terms of limb function scores and results satisfaction in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis bone defects. Membrane induction technology has a low complication rate, a small number of X-ray examinations, a short healing time, and a high functional score. However, bone handling technology has a long treatment process, long fixation time and healing time, nail channel infection, joint stiffness, nerve damage, and many other complications.
Pixel‐Level Recognition of Pavement Distresses Based on U‐Net
Authors: Li Deru , Duan Zhongdong , Hu Xiaoyang , Zhang Dongchang
Published: March 2021

This study develops and tests an automatic pixel‐level image recognition model to reduce the amount of manual labor required to collect data for road maintenance. Firstly, images of six kinds of pavement distresses, namely, transverse cracks, longitudinal cracks, alligator cracks, block cracks, potholes, and patches, are collected from four asphalt highways in three provinces in China to build a labeled pixel‐level dataset containing 10,097 images. Secondly, the U‐net model, one of the most advanced deep neural networks for image segmentation, is combined with the ResNet neural network as the basic classification network to recognize distressed areas in the images. Data augmentation, batch normalization, momentum, transfer learning, and discriminative learning rates are used to train the model. Thirdly, the trained models are validated on the test dataset, and the results of experiments show the following: if the types of pavement distresses are not distinguished, the pixel accuracy (PA) values of the recognition models using ResNet‐34 and ResNet‐50 as basic classification networks are 97.336% and 95.772%, respectively, on the validation set. When the types of distresses are distinguished, the PA values of models using the two classification networks are 66.103% and 44.953%, respectively. For the model using ResNet‐34, the category pixel accuracy (CPA) and intersection over union (IoU) of the identification of areas with no distress are 99.276% and 99.059%, respectively. For areas featuring distresses in the images, the CPA and IoU of the model are the highest for the identification of patches, at 82.774% and 73.778%, and are the lowest for alligator cracks, at 14.077% and 12.581%, respectively.
Adsorption of Mn2+ from Aqueous Solution Using Manganese Oxide-Coated Hollow Polymethylmethacrylate Microspheres (MHPM)
Authors: Dutta Dhiraj , Borah Jyoti Prasad , Puzari Amrit
Published: March 2021

Results of investigation on adsorption of Mn2+ from aqueous solution by manganese oxide-coated hollow polymethylmethacrylate microspheres (MHPM) are reported here. This is the first report on Mn-coated hollow polymer as a substitute for widely used materials like green sand or MN-coated sand. Hollow polymethylmethacrylate (HPM) was prepared by using a literature procedure. Manganese oxide (MnO) was coated on the surface of HPM (MHPM) by using the electroless plating technique. The HPM and MHPM were characterized by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Optical and scanning micrographs were used to monitor the surface properties of the coated layer which revealed the presence of MnO on the surface of HPM. TGA showed the presence of 4-5% of MnO in MHPM. Adsorption isotherm studies were carried out as a function of pH, initial ion concentration, and contact time, to determine the adsorption efficiency for removal of Mn2+ from contaminated water by the synthesized MHPM. The isotherm results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of MnO-coated HPM to remove manganese contaminants from water is 8.373 mg/g. The obtained [Formula: see text] values of Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm models were 1 and 0.87, respectively. Therefore, [Formula: see text] magnitude confirmed that the Langmuir model is best suited for Mn2+ adsorption by a monolayer of MHPM adsorbent. The material developed shows higher adsorption capacity even at a higher concentration of solute ions, which is not usually observed with similar materials of this kind. Overall findings indicate that MHPM is a very potential lightweight adsorbent for removal of Mn2+ from the aqueous solution because of its low density and high surface area.
[Retracted] Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis Uncovers Critical Genes and Pathways for Multiple Brain Regions in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Huang Jianjun , Liu Li , Qin Lingling , Huang Hehua , Li Xue
Published: March 2021

Objective. In this study, we aimed to identify critical genes and pathways for multiple brain regions in Parkinson’s disease (PD) by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Methods. From the GEO database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were separately identified between the substantia nigra, putamen, prefrontal cortex area, and cingulate gyrus of PD and normal samples with the screening criteria of p value < 0.05 and ∣log2fold change (FC) | >0.585. Then, a coexpression network was presented by the WGCNA package. Gene modules related to PD were constructed. Then, PD‐related DEGs were used for construction of PPI networks. Hub genes were determined by the cytoHubba plug‐in. Functional enrichment analysis was then performed. Results. DEGs were identified for the substantia nigra (17 upregulated and 52 downregulated genes), putamen (317 upregulated and 317 downregulated genes), prefrontal cortex area (39 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes), and cingulate gyrus (116 upregulated and 292 downregulated genes) of PD compared to normal samples. Gene modules were separately built for the four brain regions of PD. PPI networks revealed hub genes for the substantia nigra (SLC6A3, SLC18A2, and TH), putamen (BMP4 and SNAP25), prefrontal cortex area (SNAP25), and cingulate gyrus (CTGF, CDH1, and COL5A1) of PD. These DEGs in multiple brain regions were involved in distinct biological functions and pathways. GSEA showed that these DEGs were all significantly enriched in electron transport chain, proteasome degradation, and synaptic vesicle pathway. Conclusion. Our findings revealed critical genes and pathways for multiple brain regions in PD, which deepened the understanding of PD‐related molecular mechanisms.
Health View to Decrease Negative Effect of High Heels Wearing: A Systemic Review
Authors: Wang Meizi , Jiang Ci , Fekete Gusztáv , Teo Ee-Chon , Gu Yaodong
Published: March 2021

Effective recommendations about how to decrease adverse effects of high heels (HH) need to be provided, since wearing HH is inevitable for most women in their daily life, regardless of their negative impacts on the foot morphology. The main purpose of this systematic review was to summarize studies which have provided specific information about how to effectively offset the negative effects of wearing HH, in the case of women, by means of examining heel height, insole, and heel base support (HBS). Some evidence indicate the following: (i) the range of appropriate heel height for HH shoes is 3.76 cm to 4.47 cm; (ii) compared to small HBS, the larger ones effectively increase gait stability, reduce risk of ankle injury, and improve comfort rating during HH walking; and (iii) the use of a total contact insert (TCI) significantly decreases plantar pressure and the impact on the foot, resulting in higher perceived comfort. It must be noted that these results are based on short-term research; therefore, any conclusions with regard to effects in the long term should be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, future studies should be aimed at combining numerical and experimental methods, in order to provide personal recommendations for HH shoes by considering heel height and HBS size, based on the individual characters (weight, height, and age).
A New Hybrid Model Predictive Controller Design for Adaptive Cruise of Autonomous Electric Vehicles
Authors: Chen Yuanhang , Feng Guodong , Wu Shaofang , Tan Xiaojun
Published: March 2021

Autonomous driving is an appealing research topic for integrating advanced intelligent algorithms to transform automotive industries and human commuting. This paper focuses on a hybrid model predictive controller (MPC) design for an adaptive cruise. The driving modes are divided into following and cruising, and the MPC algorithm based on simplified dual neural network (SDNN) and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) based on single neuron (SN) are applied to the following mode and the cruising mode, respectively. SDNN is used to accelerate the solution of the quadratic programming (QP) problem of the proposed MPC algorithm to improve the computation efficiency, while PID based on SN performs well in the nonlinear and time-varying conditions in the ACC system. Moreover, lateral dynamics control is integrated into the designed system to fulfill cruise control in the curved road conditions. Furthermore, to improve the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle, an energy feedback strategy is proposed. The simulation results show that the proposed ACC system is effective on both straight roads and curved roads.
Study on Bending Performance of Epoxy Adhesive Prefabricated UHPC‐Steel Composite Bridge Deck
Authors: Jiang Jinlong , Zou Yang , Yang Jun , Zhou Jianting , Zhang Zhongya , Huang Zulin
Published: March 2021

UHPC has high strength, high toughness, and excellent durability. For orthotropic steel bridge deck pavement, UHPC can significantly increase the bridge deck’s stiffness and then solve the problems of fatigue cracking and pavement damage of the bridge deck. However, if UHPC adopts cast‐in‐place construction, its self‐shrinkage can easily cause shrinkage cracks, and it requires high maintenance conditions. Meanwhile, the traditional stud connection will bring a great deal of welding work and cause welding fatigue. In contrast, prefabricated UHPC pavement and orthotropic steel bridge deck can greatly reduce the amount of welding of studs on the bridge deck through epoxy bonding, thus speeding up the construction process and avoiding the risk of cracking caused by UHPC self‐shrinkage. In order to consider the influence of the surface state of interface and ratio of shear span to depth on flexural behavior of epoxy adhesive prefabricated UHPC‐steel composite bridge deck, positive bending moment loading test with different ratios of shear span to depth was carried out, and the failure mode, load‐deflection curve, interface slip, and strain distribution of the specimens were obtained. Finally, based on the cohesive interface element, the prefabricated UHPC‐steel epoxy bonding interface was successfully simulated. The test results show that each specimen’s loading stage can be divided into the elastic stage, crack initiation stage, interfacial crack propagation stage, interface failure stage, and yield stage. The specimen’s ultimate failure is that the interface failure is prior to the yield at the bottom of the steel plate. During the loading process, the bending performance shows that the ultimate load and growth deflection of CD‐ERA‐P‐λ4.44 are higher than those of other specimens in terms of the load‐deflection curve. The ultimate load of CD‐ERA‐P‐λ3.33 is lower than that of CD‐ERG‐P‐λ3.33, which decreases by 4.6%, but the increasing deflection increases by 75%. Simultaneously, the interface slip of the specimen is similar, which further shows that the specimen has the best bending performance when the surface of the steel plate is rough (R) and the surface of the prefabricated UHPC plate is grooved (A). No matter what kind of surface is used at the interface, the reduction of the ratio of shear span to depth will aggravate the ultimate failure of the interface and the cracking of the precast UHPC slab. Finally, the bending performance of epoxy adhesive prefabricated UHPC‐steel composite bridge deck is successfully simulated based on the cohesive interface element, which is verified by the test results.
Impact of Buzhong Yiqi Prescription on the Gut Microbiota of Patients with Obesity Manifesting Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Authors: Ni Zhexin , Cheng Wen , Ding Jie , Yao Ruipin , Zhang Danying , Zhai Dongxia , Zhou Ling , Yu Chaoqin
Published: March 2021

Gut microbiota disorders are closely related to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Buzhong Yiqi prescription (BZYQ) has a significant clinical effect on the treatment of patients with obesity exhibiting PCOS and phlegm-dampness syndrome caused by spleen deficiency (SPSD). Hence, this study aimed to explore gut microbiota and fecal metabolite alterations in such patients treated with BZYQ. Fifty eligible patients with obesity manifesting PCOS and SPSD participated and agreed to undergo 3 months of BZYQ treatment. Results showed that BZYQ significantly alleviated the serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

p
<
0.001

and testosterone levels

p
<
0.001

and markedly changed the gut microbiota structure in these patients. Furthermore, 106 differential fecal metabolites and 14 KEGG enrichment pathways were quantified. The phylum Spirochaetae and the genera [Eubacterium]_rectale_group, Escherichia-Shigella, and Fusicatenibacter were significantly more abundant, but Megamonas was significantly less abundant after treatment than before treatment. Disorders in the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites of these patients were closely related to hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance. In conclusion, BZYQ could ameliorate the serum androgen level and had an impact on the gut microbiota and metabolites in patients with obesity manifesting PCOS and SPSD.
Clinical Application of a Modified Double Purse‐String Continuous Suture Technique for Pancreaticojejunostomy: Reliable for Laparoscopic Surgery and Small Size Main Pancreatic Duct
Authors: Ma Delin , Du Gang , Yang Jinhuan , Song Jianping , Ma Huan , Wang Jianlei , Zhang Tingxiao , Jin Bin
Published: March 2021

Background. The technical challenge of pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) is the greatest barrier for surgeons to complete pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). The authors present an easy‐to‐master PJ anastomosis technique with limited technical requirements. This technique uses two layers of sutures and double purse‐string sutures to complete the entire anastomosis. This anastomosis technique has achieved good results in laparoscopic surgery (LS) and small size main pancreatic duct (MPD). Methods. From February 2015 to August 2020, 63 patients who met the surgical indications underwent a modified double purse‐string continuous suture pancreaticojejunostomy technique in our center. We collected patient demographic characteristics and perioperative outcomes and analyzed these data. Results. A total of 63 patients underwent PD using our new anastomosis technique. Thirty‐eight patients underwent LS, and 26 patients had a small MPD (<3 mm). The median operative time (OT) was 270 min, and the median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 200 ml. Ten patients had grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), while no patients had grade C POPF. No 90‐day mortality was observed. There were significant differences in the OT and postoperative hospital stay (PHS) among groups with different surgical procedures, while there were no significant differences among groups with different MPD sizes. Neither the surgical procedure nor the MPD size affected early postoperative complications. Conclusion. This new technique can not only reduce the incidence of POPF but also is reliable for LS and surgeries with small size MPD. Therefore, this technique is worthy of clinical promotion and application in the future.
Deep Learning in the Detection and Diagnosis of COVID-19 Using Radiology Modalities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ghaderzadeh Mustafa , Asadi Farkhondeh
Published: March 2021

Introduction. The early detection and diagnosis of COVID-19 and the accurate separation of non-COVID-19 cases at the lowest cost and in the early stages of the disease are among the main challenges in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Concerning the novelty of the disease, diagnostic methods based on radiological images suffer from shortcomings despite their many applications in diagnostic centers. Accordingly, medical and computer researchers tend to use machine-learning models to analyze radiology images. Material and Methods. The present systematic review was conducted by searching the three databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from November 1, 2019, to July 20, 2020, based on a search strategy. A total of 168 articles were extracted and, by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 37 articles were selected as the research population. Result. This review study provides an overview of the current state of all models for the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19 through radiology modalities and their processing based on deep learning. According to the findings, deep learning-based models have an extraordinary capacity to offer an accurate and efficient system for the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19, the use of which in the processing of modalities would lead to a significant increase in sensitivity and specificity values. Conclusion. The application of deep learning in the field of COVID-19 radiologic image processing reduces false-positive and negative errors in the detection and diagnosis of this disease and offers a unique opportunity to provide fast, cheap, and safe diagnostic services to patients.
Fraudulent News Headline Detection with Attention Mechanism
Authors: Liu Hankun , He Daojing , Chan Sammy
Published: March 2021

E‐mail systems and online social media platforms are ideal places for news dissemination, but a serious problem is the spread of fraudulent news headlines. The previous method of detecting fraudulent news headlines was mainly laborious manual review. While the total number of news headlines goes as high as 1.48 million, manual review becomes practically infeasible. For news headline text data, attention mechanism has powerful processing capability. In this paper, we propose the models based on LSTM and attention layer, which fit the context of news headlines efficiently and can detect fraudulent news headlines quickly and accurately. Based on multi‐head attention mechanism eschewing recurrent unit and reducing sequential computation, we build Mini‐Transformer Deep Learning model to further improve the classification performance.
Double Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation of the Finger in Adolescent Athletes: A Review of Two Cases and the Relevant Literature
Authors: Vasiliadis Angelo V. , Maris Alexandros , Tsatlidou Maria , Bray Edward D. R. , Metaxiotis Dimitrios
Published: March 2021

Double interphalangeal joint dislocation of the same finger is a rare condition. We report two cases of adolescent athletes with distal and proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation. The diagnosis was confirmed with plain radiograph, while anatomical reduction was easily obtained with gentle longitudinal traction. A simple immobilization of the injured finger was applied by buddy taping for two weeks. Early mobilization as tolerated was recommended, and they have made a full return to their previous status of activities within 5 months. We also provide a review of the literature detailing demographic characteristics, cause and mechanism of injury with associated injuries, treatment options, and functional outcomes in this population.
Green Synthesis of Fluorescent Ag Nanoclusters for Detecting Cu2+ Ions and Its “Switch-On” Sensing Application for GSH
Authors: Shang Yunpeng , Gao Hui , Li Lei , Ma Chaoqun , Gu Jiao , Zhu Chun , Yang Zichen , Wang Chengwei , Zhang Ye , Chen Guoqing
Published: March 2021

Herein, we prepared the L-histidine- (His-) protected silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) by the microwave synthesis method. The synthesis process was rapid, facile, and environmentally friendly. Under 356 nm excitation, the as-prepared Ag NCs exhibited the blue fluorescence, and the fluorescence emission peak was located at 440 nm. The Ag NCs could successfully detect trace copper (Cu2+) ions in the aqueous solution and the limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 0.6 pM. Interestingly, the Ag NCs showed a different pH-dependent selectivity for both Cu2+ and iron (Fe3+) ions with no responses to other heavy metal ions. Furthermore, the as-fabricated fluorescent sensing system was utilized to detect glutathione (GSH, the LOD was 0.8 nM) by using the “switch-on” fluorescence recovery of Ag NCs through adding glutathione (GSH) to the Cu2+-Ag NCs solution.
Combustion Characteristics in Rotating Detonation Engines
Authors: Wang Yuhui , Qiao Wenyou , JialingLe
Published: March 2021

A lot of studies on rotating detonation engines have been carried out due to the higher thermal efficiency. However, the number, rotating directions, and intensities of rotating detonation waves are changeful when the flow rate, equivalence ratio, inflow conditions, and engine schemes vary. The present experimental results showed that the combustion mode of a rotating detonation engine was influenced by the combustor scheme. The annular detonation channel had an outer diameter of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 80 mm. Air and hydrogen were injected into the combustor from 60 cylindrical orifices in a diameter of 2 mm and a circular channel with a width of 2 mm, respectively. When the air mass flow rate was increased by keeping hydrogen flow rate constant, the combustion mode varied. Deflagration and diffusive combustion, multiple counterrotating detonation waves, longitudinal pulsed detonation, and a single rotating detonation wave occurred. Both longitudinal pulsed detonation and a single rotating detonation wave occurred at different times in the same operation. They could change between each other, and the evolution direction depended on the air flow rate. The operations with a single rotating detonation wave occurred at equivalence ratios lower than 0.60, which was helpful for the engine cooling and infrared stealth. The generation mechanism of longitudinal pulsed detonation is developed.
Research on the Operation of e‐Commerce Enterprises Based on Blockchain Technology and Bilateral Platforms
Authors: Ma Xiaoye , Li Weina , Wu Jun
Published: March 2021

E‐commerce platform enterprises have typical bilateral market characteristics. The e‐commerce platform provides real‐time communication services for buyers and sellers. Different buyers and sellers form crossnetwork characteristics. The formulation and implementation of bilateral strategies affect both the merchants and consumers’ choice of platform and registration transactions. This impact will directly lead to the transaction value of the platform. Then, the article builds an econometric model and empirically analyses the impact of e‐commerce platforms. The e‐commerce chain is a complex structure that consists of logistics, information flow, and capital flow and connects suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and users in the industry together. Blockchain technology can be used as a large‐scale collaboration tool to adapt to supply chain management, the main factor that drives the market power of the enterprise. The research results show that the input costs of advertising, research and development, and employee training and the impact of long‐term investment and taxation on market forces are quite different in different industries, both positive and negative, and subsidies, inventory, and state‐owned holdings have a negative impact on the market power of companies in all industries. Finally, the competition strategy of e‐commerce platform enterprises is summarized. On the basis of the conclusions of the theory and case study, the paper puts forward specific suggestions and countermeasures for the competition strategy of e‐commerce platform enterprises in the bilateral network environment.
Melatonin to Rescue the Aged Heart: Antiarrhythmic and Antioxidant Benefits
Authors: Segovia-Roldan Margarita , Diez Emiliano Raúl , Pueyo Esther
Published: March 2021

Aging comes with gradual loss of functions that increase the vulnerability to disease, senescence, and death. The mechanisms underlying these processes are linked to a prolonged imbalance between damage and repair. Damaging mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronodisruption, inflammation, and telomere attrition, as well as genetic and epigenetic alterations. Several endogenous tissue repairing mechanisms also decrease. These alterations associated with aging affect the entire organism. The most devastating manifestations involve the cardiovascular system and may lead to lethal cardiac arrhythmias. Together with structural remodeling, electrophysiological and intercellular communication alterations during aging predispose to arrhythmic events. Despite the knowledge on repairing mechanisms in the cardiovascular system, effective antiaging strategies able to reduce the risk of arrhythmias are still missing. Melatonin is a promising therapeutic candidate due to its pleiotropic actions. This indoleamine regulates chronobiology and endocrine physiology. Of relevance, melatonin is an antiaging, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiarrhythmic, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative molecule. This review focuses on the protective effects of melatonin on age‐induced cardiac functional and structural alterations, potentially becoming a new fountain of youth for the heart.
Study of Production of (Anti-)deuteron Observed in Au+Au Collisions at

s

NN

=
14.5
, 62.4, and 200 GeV
Authors: Yuan Ying
Published: March 2021

Transverse momentum distributions of deuterons and antideuterons in Au + Au collisions at

s

NN

=
14.5

, 62.4, and 200 GeV with different centrality are studied in the framework of the multisource thermal model. Transverse momentum spectra are conformably and approximately described by the Tsallis distribution. The dependence of parameters (average transverse momenta, effective temperature, and entropy index) on event centrality is obtained. It is found that the parameters

T

increase and

q

decrease with increase of the average number of particles involved in collisions, which reveals the transverse excitation degree increases with collision centrality.
Regulating Polθ in Breast Cancer
Authors: Carvajal-Maldonado Denisse , Wood Richard D.
Published: March 2021

DNA polymerase θ, a protein encoded by the POLQ gene, is the defining factor for the DNA double-strand break repair pathway known as theta-mediated end-joining (TMEJ). Some cancers depend on TMEJ for survival and tumor growth. TMEJ might be useful as a biomarker to guide patient treatment and is now an active target for drug development, making it critical to understand how it is regulated in cells. In a recent article, Prodhomme and colleagues provide the first identification of a transcription regulator of POLQ expression and TMEJ activity: the transcription factor, ZEB1.

See related article by Prodhomme et al., p. 1595
Conophylline Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting Activated Cancer-associated Fibroblasts Through Suppression of G Protein–coupled Receptor 68
Authors: Yamanaka Takahiro , Harimoto Norifumi , Yokobori Takehiko , Muranushi Ryo , Hoshino Kouki , Hagiwara Kei , Gantumur Dolgormaa , Handa Tadashi , Ishii Norihiro , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Igarashi Takamichi , Watanabe Akira , Kubo Norio , Araki Kenichiro , Umezawa Kazuo , Shirabe Ken
Published: March 2021

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently challenging. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote the malignancy of HCC cells via production of cytokines. Conophylline (CnP), a vinca alkaloid obtained from Ervatamia microphylla leaves, has been reported to suppress activation of hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis in rats. We examined the efficacy of CnP in suppressing tumor growth in HCC. Specifically, we investigated whether CnP could inhibit CAFs, which were derived from HCC tissues in vitro and in vivo. Same as previous reports, CAFs promoted proliferative and invasive ability of HCC cells. CnP suppressed α-smooth muscle actin expression of CAFs, and inhibited their cancer-promoting effects. CnP significantly suppressed CAFs producting cytokines such as IL6, IL8, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, angiogenin, and osteopontin (OPN). Combined therapy with sorafenib and CnP against HCC cells and CAFs in vivo showed to inhibit tumor growth the most compared with controls and single treatment with CnP or sorafenib. Transcriptome analysis revealed that GPR68 in CAFs was strongly suppressed by CnP. The cancer-promoting effects of cytokines were eliminated by knockdown of GPR68 in CAFs. CnP inhibited the HCC-promoting effects of CAFs by suppressing several HCC-promoting cytokines secreted by CAFs expressing GPR68. Combination therapy with CnP and existing anticancer agents may be a promising strategy for treating refractory HCC associated with activated CAFs.
Activity of Combined Androgen Receptor Antagonism and Cell Cycle Inhibition in Androgen Receptor Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Christenson Jessica L. , O'Neill Kathleen I. , Williams Michelle M. , Spoelstra Nicole S. , Jones Kenneth L. , Trahan G. Devon , Reese Jordan , Van Patten Elaina T. , Elias Anthony , Eisner Joel R. , Richer Jennifer K.
Published: March 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype, with a peak recurrence rate within the first few years after diagnosis. Few targeted therapies are available to treat this breast cancer subtype, defined by the lack of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor and without amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Although cell cycle cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are approved for treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, they have not proven effective as monotherapy in patients with TNBC. The androgen receptor (AR) has emerged as a therapeutic target in a subset of TNBCs and with significant clinical benefit observed in multiple trials. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preclinical activity of the CDK4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib, in combination with an agent that targets both androgen biosynthesis and AR activity, seviteronel, using TNBC cell lines expressing high AR, cell line xenografts, and an AR-positive (AR+), androgen-responsive TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated heterogeneity in AR levels, even in a highly AR+ cell line, and identified cell cycle pathway activation in ARHigh- versus ARLow-expressing cells. Combination treatment with the cell cycle CDK4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib, and seviteronel showed synergy in an AR+ TNBC model compared with each drug alone. Although cell cycle inhibitors are FDA approved for use in ER+ breast cancer, our studies suggest that they may also be effective in AR+ TNBC, perhaps combined with AR-targeted agents.