bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medulloblastoma and familial adenomatous polyposis: Good prognosis and good quality of life in the long‐term?
Authors: Massimino Maura , Signoroni Stefano , Boschetti Luna , Chiapparini Luisa , Erbetta Alessandra , Biassoni Veronica , Schiavello Elisabetta , Ferrari Andrea , Spreafico Filippo , Terenziani Monica , Chiaravalli Stefano , Puma Nadia , Bergamaschi Luca , Ricci Maria Teresa , Cattaneo Laura , Gattuso Giovanna , Buttarelli Francesca Romana , Gianno Francesca , Miele Evelina , Poggi Geraldina , Vitellaro Marco
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Mutations of the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene correlate mainly with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but can occasionally be pathogenic for medulloblastoma (MBL) wingless‐related integration site (WNT) subtype, the course of which has only recently been described.

Methods

We retrieved all patients with documented germline APC mutations and a diagnosis of MBL to examine their outcome, late effects of treatment, and further oncological events.

Results

Between 2007 and 2016, we treated six patients, all with a pathogenic APC variant mutation and all with MBL, classic histotype. None had metastatic disease. All patients were in complete remission a median 65 months after treatment with craniospinal irradiation at 23.4 Gy, plus a boost on the posterior fossa/tumor bed up to 54 Gy, followed by cisplatin/carboplatin, lomustine, and vincristine for a maximum of eight courses. Five of six diagnostic revised MRI were suggestive of the WNT molecular subgroup typical aspects. Methylation profile score (in two cases) and copy number variation analysis (chromosome 6 deletion in two cases) performed on four of six retrieved samples confirmed WNT molecular subgroup. Four out of six patients had a positive family history of FAP, while gastrointestinal symptoms prompted its identification in the other two cases. Four patients developed other tumors (desmoid, MELTUMP, melanoma, pancreatoblastoma, thyroid Tir3) from 5 to 7 years after MBL.

Discussion

Our data confirm a good prognosis for patients with MBL associated with FAP. Patients’ secondary tumors may or may not be related to their syndrome or treatment, but warrant adequate attention when planning shared guidelines for these patients.
Viscosity decrease by interfacial slippage between immiscible polymers
Authors: Moonprasith Nantina , Nasri Muhammad Shahrulnizam , Saari Riza Asmaa , Phulkerd Panitha , Yamaguchi Masayuki
Published: January 2021

The rheological behavior under pressure‐driven shear flow was studied using binary blends with a sea‐island structure. The addition of a low‐viscosity dispersion having a high interfacial tension with the continuous phase greatly reduces the shear viscosity, for example, the addition of atactic polystyrene (PS) with a low viscosity to isotactic polypropylene (PP) and the addition of PP with a low viscosity to PS. The interfacial slippage occurs because of the poor adhesive strength with the enlarged interfacial area and is responsible for the viscosity decrease. When the dispersion has a similar viscosity to the continuous phase, the viscosity decrease is barely detected. This is because the deformation of dispersed droplets is restricted, which creates a small interfacial area. The interfacial tension between the continuous and dispersed phases plays a crucial role on the shear viscosity. In the case of PP, the addition of linear low‐density polyethylene with a relatively low interfacial tension to PP has almost no impact on the shear viscosity. This is despite the polyethylene having a low viscosity.
High‐throughput, in‐depth and estimated absolute quantification of plasma proteome using data‐independent acquisition/mass spectrometry (“HIAP‐DIA”)
Authors: Zhou Yue , Tan Zengqi , Xue Peng , Wang Yi , Li Xiang , Guan Feng
Published: January 2021

Mass spectrometry‐based plasma proteomics has been demonstrated to be a useful tool capable of quantifying hundreds of proteins in a single LC‐MS/MS experiment, for biomarker discovery or elucidation of disease mechanisms. We developed a novel data‐independent acquisition (DIA)/MS‐based workflow for high‐throughput, in‐depth and estimated absolute quantification of plasma proteins (termed HIAP‐DIA), without depleting high‐abundant proteins, in a single‐shot experiment. In HIAP‐DIA workflow, we generated an ultra‐deep cumulative undepleted and depleted spectral library which contained 55,157 peptides and 5,328 proteins, optimized column length (50 cm) and gradient (90 min) of liquid chromatography instrumentation, optimized 50 DIA segments with average isolation window 17 Th, and selected reference proteins for estimated absolute quantification of all plasma proteins. A total of 606 proteins were quantified in triplicate, and 427 proteins were quantified with CV <20% in plasma proteome. R‐squared value of overlapped 208 endogenous PQ500 estimated protein amounts from HIAP‐DIA and absolute quantification with internal standards was 0.82, indicating high quantification accuracy of HIAP‐DIA. As a pilot study, the HIAP‐DIA approach described here was applied to a myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) disease cohort. We achieved absolute quantification of 789 plasma proteins in 22 clinical plasma samples, spanning less than six orders of magnitude with quantification limit 10–20 ng/mL, and discovered 95 differentially expressed proteins providing insights into MDS pathophysiology.
MOFs‐Derived Carbon‐Based Metal Catalysts for Energy‐Related Electrocatalysis
Authors: Wang Tongzhou , Cao Xuejie , Jiao Lifang
Published: January 2021

Electrochemical devices, as renewable and clean energy systems, display a great potential to meet the sustainable development in the future. However, well‐designed and highly efficient electrocatalysts are the technological dilemmas that retard their practical applications. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) derived electrocatalysts exhibit tunable structure and intriguing activity and have received intensive investigation in recent years. In this review, the recent progress of MOFs‐derived carbon‐based single atoms (SAs) and metal nanoparticles (NPs) catalysts for energy‐related electrocatalysis is summarized. The effects of synthesis strategy, coordination environment, morphology, and composition on the catalytic activity are highlighted. Furthermore, these SAs and metal NPs catalysts for the applications of electrocatalysis (hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction) are overviewed. Finally, some current challenges and foresighted ideas for MOFs‐derived carbon‐based metal electrocatalysts are presented.
Amphiphilic Zinc Porphyrin Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids: Efficient Formation and Excited State Charge Transfer Studies
Authors: Menon Arjun , Münich Peter W. , Wagner Pawel , Officer David L. , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: January 2021

Herein, the microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of a novel non‐covalent electron donor−acceptor system, in which three different metalloporphyrins (1, 2, and 3) play the dual role of light harvester and electron donor with SWCNTs as electron acceptor, is described. To this end, microscopy, that is, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) corroborate the formation of 1‐SWCNT, 2‐SWCNT, and 3‐SWCNT. Spectroscopy by means of Raman, fluorescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy confirmed efficient charge‐transfer interaction from photoexcited metalloporphyrins to SWCNTs in the ground and excited state of 1‐SWCNT, 2‐SWCNT, and 3‐SWCNT. The complementary use of spectroelectrochemical and transient absorption measurements substantiates the formation of one‐electron oxidized metalloporphyrins after photoexcitation. Multiwavelength global analysis provides insights into the charge‐separation and recombination processes in 1‐SWCNT, 2‐SWCNT, and 3‐SWCNT upon photoexcitation. Notably, both the charge‐separation and recombination dynamics are fastest in 2‐SWCNT. Importantly, the strongest interactions in the steady‐state experiments are associated with the fastest excited state decay in the time‐resolved measurements.
Ultra‐Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Bio‐Fluid Biopsy for Oral Cancer Screening
Authors: Xiao Zuohui , Huang Chenyan , Jiang Shengjie , Kong Xiangyu , Teng Yunfei , Niu Bo , Zhu CongCong , Xin Weiwen , Chen Xiaohui , Wen Liping , Wei Yan , Deng Xuliang
Published: January 2021

The early diagnosis of recurrence and metastasis is critically important for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with oral cancers. Although liquid biopsy methods hold great promise that provide a successive “time‐slice” profile of primary and metastatic oral cancer, the development of non‐invasive, rapid, simple, and cost‐effective liquid biopsy techniques remains challenging. In this study, an ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical liquid biopsy is developed for oral cancer screening based on tracking trace amounts of cancer biomarker by functionalized asymmetric nano‐channels. Detection via antigen–antibody reactions is assayed by evaluating changes in ionic current. Upon the recognition of cancer biomarker antigens in bio‐fluids, the inner wall of nano‐channel immobilized with the corresponding antibodies undergoes molecular conformation transformation and surface physicochemical changes, which significantly regulate the ion transport through the nano‐channel and help achieve sensitivity with a detection limit of 10–12 g mL−1. Furthermore, owing to the specificity of the monoclonal antibody for the antigen, the nano‐channel exhibits high selectivity for the biomarker than for structurally similar biological molecules present in bio‐fluids. The effectiveness of this technique is confirmed through the diagnosis of clinical cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study presents a novel diagnostic tool for oral cancer detection in bio‐fluids.
Soil hydraulic interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance measurements based on circular and triangular capillary models
Authors: Costabel Stephan , Hiller Thomas
Published: January 2021

Geophysical nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications are used to estimate pore size distributions (PSDs) of rocks and sediments. This is commonly realized by empirical calibration using information about the surface‐to‐volume ratio of the material. Recent research has developed joint inversion concepts for NMR relaxation data that provides the PSD with a minimum of information. The application requires the NMR signal of a sample at saturation and at least one at partial saturation and at known suction. The new inversion concept physically simulates the desaturation process as part of the forward operator. The cross‐section of the model capillaries in the underlying bundle can be either circular or triangular. Our study investigates the performance of the NMR joint inversion to predict water retention function (WRF) and capillary‐based hydraulic conductivity (Kcap) as functions of saturation for different sands. The angularity of the pores has no significant impact on the estimated WRF but affects the Kcap estimation significantly. Our study shows that the WRF is predicted reliably for sand samples under fast diffusion conditions. The Kcap estimations are also plausible but tend to systematic overestimation, for which we identified the tortuosity being the main reason. Because NMR relaxation data generally do not provide tortuosity information, a plausible tortuosity model remains an issue of classical calibration. Further development of the approach will thus consider tortuosity measurements (e.g., by electrical resistivity measurements and/or gradient NMR) and will consider the relaxation mechanisms outside fast diffusion conditions to enhance its applicability for coarse soils.
Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetism of Na2[Ir(OH)6] and its Dehydration to Na2IrO3
Authors: Albrecht Ralf , Poddig Hagen , Hunger Jens , Ruck Michael , Benrath Philipp , Möller Angela , Doert Thomas
Published: January 2021

Yellow single‐crystals of Na2[Ir(OH)6] were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis in 20 m sodium hydroxide solution at 473 K within 5 hours. X‐ray diffraction on a single‐crystal revealed the trigonal space group
(no. 148) with lattice parameters a=582.76(3) pm and c=1399.30(8) pm at 100(1) K. Na2[Ir(OH)6] crystallizes in a hettotype of Mg(OH)2 (brucite) and is isostructural to Na2[Sn(OH)6]. The oxygen atoms are arranged in a hexagonal close packing, Na+ and Ir4+ ions occupy the octahedral voids in every second layer in an ordered manner, the voids of the next layers remain empty. The hydroxidometalate layer can be seen as isolated [Ir(OH)6]2− octahedra, which are embedded in a honeycomb net of alkali metal cations. Temperature‐dependent magnetic measurements revealed paramagnetic behavior with an effective moment of 1.9 μB per iridium ion. The thermal decomposition of Na2[Ir(OH)6] in air starts at about 220 °C and results in pure Na2IrO3.
Social Vulnerability of Rural Dwellers to Climate Variability: Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Ekanem Jemimah Timothy , Umoh Idongesit Michael
Published: January 2021

For their livelihood activities, rural farming communities depend more on extractive capital. Their capacity to cultivate sufficiently for their family maintenance is greatly impeded by the absence of either temperature or rainfall quantity pattern or uniformity. The divergent effects of recent extreme weather events around the world, including within relatively small geographical areas, exemplify the unequal impacts of climate change on populations. Akwa Ibom State has been found vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as flooding, severe storms, and rising sea levels, leading to homelessness, poverty, conflicts, and war for millions of people. All of these have resulted in social disturbances and dislocations among rural populations, especially in coastal communities, making them more vulnerable to climate variability. In the field of social vulnerability in the state, not much has been achieved. This chapter analyzes the vulnerability of the rural population to climate variability; the socio-economic characteristics of the rural population; the index of social vulnerability of rural dwellers to climate variability; social vulnerability factors; and the rural population’s social vulnerability mitigation initiatives in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Social science approaches to human vulnerability draw critical attention to the root causes and factors why people are forced to respond to risks from climate change. A complex social approach to vulnerability is most likely to enhance mitigation and adaptation preparation efforts, given that vulnerability is a multidimensional mechanism rather than an invariable state.
DeepHTTP: Anomalous HTTP Traffic Detection and Malicious Pattern Mining Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Yu Yuqi , Yan Hanbing , Ma Yuan , Zhou Hao , Guan Hongchao
Published: January 2021

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) accounts for a large portion of Internet application-layer traffic. Since the payload of HTTP traffic can record website status and user request information, many studies use HTTP protocol traffic for web application attack detection. In this work, we propose DeepHTTP, an HTTP traffic detection framework based on deep learning. Unlike previous studies, this framework not only performs malicious traffic detection but also uses the deep learning model to mine malicious fields of the traffic payload. The detection model is called AT-Bi-LSTM, which is based on Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) with attention mechanism. The attention mechanism can improve the discriminative ability and make the result interpretable. To enhance the generalization ability of the model, this paper proposes a novel feature extraction method. Experiments show that DeepHTTP has an excellent performance in malicious traffic discrimination and pattern mining.
A Label Propagation Based User Locations Prediction Algorithm in Social Network
Authors: Ma Huan , Wang Wei
Published: January 2021

Network community detection is an important service provided by social networks, and social network user location can greatly improve the quality of community detection. Label propagation is one of the main methods to realize the user location prediction. The traditional label propagation algorithm has the problems including “location label countercurrent” and the update randomness of node location label, which seriously affects the accuracy of user location prediction. In this paper, a new location prediction algorithm for social networks based on improved label propagation algorithm is proposed. By computing the K-hop public neighbor of any two point in the social network graph, the nodes with the maximal similarity and their K-hopping neighbors are merged to constitute the initial label propagation set. The degree of nodes not in the initial set are calculated. The node location labels are updated asynchronously is adopted during the iterative process, and the node with the largest degree is selected to update the location label. The improvement proposed solves the “location label countercurrent” and reduces location label updating randomness. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy of position prediction and reduces the time cost compared with the traditional algorithms.
A Survey on Cyberspace Search Engines
Authors: Li Ruiguang , Shen Meng , Yu Hao , Li Chao , Duan Pengyu , Zhu Lihuang
Published: January 2021

This paper introduces the concept of cyberspace search engine, and makes a deep survey on 5 well-known search engines, say Shodan, Censys, BinaryEdge, ZoomEye and Fofa, by querying official websites, analyzing APIs, and making academic research. We discuss the following items in details: Supporting internet protocols, Total amounts of detected devices, Device information, Scanning frequency, System architecture, The third party databases, Probes distribution, etc. We give a comprehensive comparison of the detecting abilities and working principles of the cyberspace search engines.
Based on GAN Generating Chaotic Sequence
Authors: Chen Xuguang , Ma Hongbin , Ji Pujun , Liu Haiting , Liu Yan
Published: January 2021

In this paper, an adversarial encryption algorithm based on generating chaotic sequence by GAN is proposed. Starting from the poor leakage resistance of the basic adversarial encryption communication model based on GAN, the network structure was improved. Secondly, this paper used the generated adversarial network to generate chaotic-like sequences as the key K and entered the improved adversarial encryption model. The addition of the chaotic model further improved the security of the key. In the subsequent training process, the encryption and decryption party and the attacker confront each other and optimize, and then obtain a more secure encryption model. Finally, this paper analyzes the security of the proposed encryption scheme through the key and overall model security. After subsequent experimental tests, this encryption method can eliminate the chaotic periodicity to a certain extent and the model’s anti-attack ability has also been greatly improved. After leaking part of the key to the attacker, the secure communication can still be maintained.
MinerGate: A Novel Generic and Accurate Defense Solution Against Web Based Cryptocurrency Mining Attacks
Authors: Yu Guorui , Yang Guangliang , Li Tongxin , Han Xinhui , Guan Shijie , Zhang Jialong , Gu Guofei
Published: January 2021

Web-based cryptocurrency mining attacks, also known as cryptojacking, become increasingly popular. A large number of diverse platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS) and devices (e.g., PC, smartphones, tablets, and even critical infrastructures) are widely impacted. Although a variety of detection approaches were recently proposed, it is challenging to apply these approaches to attack prevention directly.

Instead, in this paper, we present a novel generic and accurate defense solution, called “MinerGate”, against cryptojacking attacks. To achieve the goal, MinerGate is designed as an extension of network gateways or proxies to protect all devices behind it. When attacks are identified, MinerGate can enforce security rules on victim devices, such as stopping the execution of related JavaScript code and alerting victims. Compared to prior approaches, MinerGate does not require any modification of browsers or apps to collect the runtime features. Instead, MinerGate focuses on the semantics of mining payloads (usually written in WebAssembly/asm.js), and semantic-based features.

In our evaluation, we first verify the correctness of MinerGate by testing MinerGate in a real environment. Then, we check MinerGate’s performance and confirm MinerGate introduces relatively low overhead. Last, we verify the accuracy of MinerGate. For this purpose, we collect the largest WebAssembly/asm.js related code with ground truth to build our experiment dataset. By comparing prior approaches and MinerGate on the dataset, we find MinerGate achieves better accuracy and coverage (i.e., 99% accuracy and 98% recall). Our dataset will be available online, which should be helpful for more solid understanding of cryptojacking attacks.
Research Status and Prospect of Blockchain Technology in Agriculture Field
Authors: Xu Dawei , Wang Weiqi , Zhu Liehuang , Li Ruiguang
Published: January 2021

Agriculture 4.0 is the era of integrating intelligent technologies in agriculture. Problems such as low informatization, food safety, high management cost and imbalance between supply and demand in agriculture have greatly hindered the development of agriculture. The various properties of blockchain technology can make up for the lack of agricultural mechanism, and the fusion of the two is a hot issue in the application of blockchain. Blockchain technology has already had some application cases in the field of agriculture. Based on the research status of Chinese and foreign scholars in this field, this paper firstly introduces the basic overview of blockchain. Then, with agricultural supply chain and agricultural product traceability as the core, it describes the application of blockchain technology in the agricultural field, and further explores solutions to different application problems. Finally, combined with the practical application of “agriculture + blockchain”, relevant Suggestions are proposed to provide reference for cross-disciplinary research.
Research on the Remote Deployment Design of OTN Electrical Racks
Authors: Yang Tianpu , Gao Junshi , Wang Haitao , Dai Guangchong , Zhai Rui
Published: January 2021

The rapid development of 4G and multimedia services drives the exponential increase of the demand for transmission bandwidth. The OTN technology therefore emerges. In recent years, the number of OTN devices in backbone and core equipment rooms has increased sharply. However, due to factors such as equipment room planning, air conditioner, and power supply, new electrical racks cannot be installed in the same equipment room as original optical racks during OTN expansion of 80-wavelength systems. The remote deployment of OTN electrical racks has certain impact on OTN system indicators, OM/OD, and OTU optical-layer parameters. This document analyzes the factors that are affected by the remote deployment of OTN electrical racks, creates simulation models based on scenarios, and provides suggestions on the remote deployment design of OTN electrical racks.
Luftverschmutzung und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen
Authors: Münzel Thomas , Hahad Omar , Daiber Andreas , Lelieveld Jos
Published: January 2021

Die Luftverschmutzung in der Umgebung und in Haushalten ist weltweit jährlich für mittlerweile knapp 9 Mio. vermeidbare, vorzeitige Todesfälle und innerhalb Europas für knapp 800.000 solcher Todesfälle verantwortlich. Die Luftverschmutzung verkürzt somit weltweit die Lebenserwartung um knapp 3 Jahre. Das Rauchen, ein nachgewiesener Herz-Kreislauf-Risiko-Faktor, verkürzt die mittlere Lebenserwartung um 2,2 Jahre. Epidemiologische Studien zeigen, dass Luftverschmutzung durch Feinstaub mit erhöhter kardiovaskulärer Morbidität und Mortalität assoziiert ist. Hierfür verantwortlich sind hauptsächlich durch Feinstaub ausgelöste oder verschlimmerte Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, wie koronare Herzkrankheit (KHK), Herzinfarkt, Herzinsuffizienz, Schlaganfall, Hypertonie und auch Diabetes. Feinstaubpartikel können nach Inhalation zum einen direkt ins Gehirn und zum anderen über einen Transitionsprozess in die Blutbahn gelangen. Dort werden sie in die Blutgefäße aufgenommen, wo sie die Bildung reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) in der Gefäßwand stimulieren. Damit begünstigen sie die Entstehung atherosklerotischer Veränderungen und steigern so das kardiovaskuläre Risiko, insbesondere eine Zunahme an chronisch-ischämischer Herzerkrankung und Schlaganfall. Neuere Untersuchungen berichten, dass bei COVID-19(„coronavirus disease 2019“)-Patienten ein hoher Grad an Luftverschmutzung mit schweren Krankheitsverläufen mit kardiovaskulären Komplikationen und Lungenerkrankungen korreliert. Dies macht präventive Maßnahmen, wie z. B. eine Absenkung der Grenzwerte für Luftschadstoffe, erforderlich. Individuelle Maßnahmen, um die gesundheitlichen Folgen von Feinstaub abzumildern, werden ebenfalls diskutiert.
High cut-off microdialysis catheters to clinically investigate cytokine changes following flap transfer
Authors: Tollan Clare Josephine , MacFarlane Niall G. , MacKay Iain R.
Published: January 2021

Background

‘Choke vessels’ are thought to dilate in the first 72 h when blood flow to an area is disrupted. This study used ‘high cut-off’ microdialysis catheters in clinical research to investigate factors mediating circulatory change within free flaps.

Methods

Six patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction each had three ‘high cut-off’ microdialysis catheters, with a membrane modification allowing molecules as large as 100 kDa to pass, inserted into Hartrampf zones 1, 2 and 4 to assess multiple vascular territories. Microdialysis continued for 72 h post-operatively. Samples were analysed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and fibroblast growth factor basic (FGFβ).

Results

Three hundred and twenty-four samples were analysed for IL-6, FGFβ and TNFα totalling 915 analyses. IL-6 showed an increasing trend until 36 h post-operatively before remaining relatively constant. Overall, there was an increase (p < 0.001) over the time period from 4 to 72 h, fitting a linear trend. TNFα had a peak around 20–24 h before a gradual decrease. There was a significant linear time trend (p = 0.029) between 4 and 76 h, decreasing over the time period. FGFβ concentrations did not appear to have any overall difference in concentration with time. The concentration however appeared to oscillate about a horizontal trend line. There were no differences between the DIEP zones in concentrations of cytokines collected.

Conclusion

This study uses high-cut off microdialysis catheters to evaluate changes in cytokines, and requires further research to be undertaken to add to our knowledge of choke vessels and flap physiology.

Level of evidence:

Level IV, diagnostic study.
Requirements for Study Registration and Adherence to Reporting Guidelines in Surgery Journals: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Zhou Jing , Li Jianqiang , Zhang Jingao , Geng Bo , Chen Yao , Zhou Xiaobin
Published: January 2021

Background

Reporting guidelines and study registration can minimize bias and improve the reporting quality of biomedical research, but may not be fully utilized. The objective of this study was to investigate the policies of surgery journals as for reporting guidelines and study registration and explore associated journal characteristic variables.

Methods

Study samples were obtained from the Expanded Science Citation Index of the 2018 Journal Citation Reports (surgery category). The online guides for authors were browsed to identify which journals endorsed reporting guidelines and study registration. The predictors related to the endorsement were explored by using Chi‐square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, respectively.

Results

One hundred and eighty‐eight surgery journals were included in our study. One hundred and sixty‐three journals (86.7%) endorsed reporting guidelines and 103 journals (54.8%) endorsed study registration. About reporting guidelines, ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) recommendations were the most frequently endorsed (n = 155, 82.4%) by journals, followed by CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement (n = 94, 50.0%). About study registration, randomized controlled trial registration was endorsed by 101 (53.7%) journals, whereas the systematic review registration was endorsed by only 9 journals (4.8%). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that not North America, higher JCR (Journal Citation Reports) rank journals were more likely to endorse reporting guidelines and study registration.

Conclusions

Surgery journals frequently use reporting guidelines, but nearly half of journals did not require study registration. Implementing these two mechanisms can prevent bias, and their adoption should be strengthened by authors, reviewers and journal editors in surgery.
Measuring strain in the exoskeleton of spiders—virtues and caveats
Authors: Blickhan Reinhard , Weihmann Tom , Barth Friedrich G.
Published: January 2021

The measurement of cuticular strain during locomotion using foil strain gauges provides information both on the loads of the exoskeleton bears and the adaptive value of the specific location of natural strain detectors (slit sense organs). Here, we critically review available literature. In tethered animals,by applying loads to the metatarsus tip,strain and mechanical sensitivity (S = strain/load) induced at various sites in the tibia were determined. The loci of the lyriform organs close to the tibia–metatarsus joint did not stand out by high strain. The strains induced at various sites during free locomotion can be interpreted based onSand, beyond the joint region, on beam theory. Spiders avoided laterad loading of the tibia–metatarsus joint during slow locomotion. Balancing body weight, joint flexors caused compressive strain at the posterior and dorsal tibia. While climbing upside down strain measurements indicate strong flexor activity. In future studies, a precise calculation and quantitative determination of strain at the sites of the lyriform organs will profit from more detailed data on the overall strain distribution, morphology, and material properties. The values and caveats of the strain gauge technology, the only one applicable to freely moving spiders, are discussed.
Mindreading and metacognition patterns in patients with borderline personality disorder: experimental study
Authors: Cyrkot Tomasz , Szczepanowski Remigiusz , Jankowiak-Siuda Kamila , Gawęda Łukasz , Cichoń Ewelina
Published: January 2021

Current psychopathology attempts to understand personality disorders in relation to deficits in higher cognition such as mindreading and metacognition. Deficits in mindreading are usually related to limitations in or a complete lack of the capacity to understand and attribute mental states to others, while impairments in metacognition concern dysfunctional control and monitoring of one’s own processes. The present study investigated dysfunctional higher cognition in the population of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) by analyzing the accuracy of metacognitive judgments in a mindreading task [reading the mind in the eyes Test (RMET)] and a subsequent metacognitive task based on self-report scales: a confidence rating scale (CR) versus a post-decision wagering scale (PDW). It turned out that people from the BPD group scored lower in the RMET. However, both groups had the same levels of confidence on the PDW scale when giving incorrect answers in the RMET test. As initially hypothesized, individuals with BPD overestimated their confidence in incorrect answers, regardless of the type of metacognitive scales used. The present findings indicate that BPD individuals show dysfunctional patterns between instances of mindreading and metacognition.
Pinched ancient solutions to the high codimension mean curvature flow
Authors: Lynch Stephen , Nguyen Huy The
Published: January 2021

We study solutions of high codimension mean curvature flow defined for all negative times, usually referred to as ancient solutions. We show that any compact ancient solution whose second fundamental form satisfies a certain natural pinching condition must be a family of shrinking spheres. Andrews and Baker (J Differ Geom 85(3):357–395, 2010) have shown that initial submanifolds satisfying this pinching condition, which generalises the notion of convexity, converge to round points under the flow. As an application, we use our result to simplify their proof.
Cytokine adsorption therapy in lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Rademacher Jan-Gerd , Wulf Gerald , Koziolek Michael J. , Zeisberg Michael , Wallbach Manuel
Published: January 2021

Lymphoma-associated Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) represents a severe complication of disease progression, mediated through cytokine release from the lymphoma cells. Cytokine adsorption may contribute as a supportive treatment to stabilize organ function by reduction of cytokine levels. So far, no experiences of cytokine adsorption and simultaneous stem cell transplantation were published. We report the case of a patient with aggressive lymphoma secondary to chronic lymphocytic leukemia with rapidly progressive HLH (Richter’s transformation) upon conditioning chemotherapy prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Continuous hemodiafiltration was initiated in the treatment of shock with acute renal failure, lactacidosis and need for high-dose catecholamine therapy, integrating an additional cytokine-adsorbing filter (CytoSorb®) to reduce cytokine levels. This was followed by scheduled allogenic stem cell transplantation. We observed a marked decrease in interleukin-6 plasma levels, associated with a reduced need for vasopressor therapy and organ function stabilization. Hematopoietic engraftment was present at day 14 post-ASCT, leading to disease-free discharge at day 100 post-transplantation. Cytokine adsorption may serve as a safe adjunct to HLH/sepsis treatment during allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Clinical studies are required to make future treatment recommendations.
Efficiency in reducing air pollutants and healthcare expenditure in the Seoul Metropolitan City of South Korea
Authors: Kumbhakar Subal C. , An Jiyeon , Rashidghalam Masoomeh , Heshmati Almas
Published: January 2021

This study analyzes efficiency in the reduction of air pollutants and the associated healthcare costs using a stochastic frontier cost function panel data approach. For the empirical analysis, we use monthly data covering 25 districts in the Seoul metropolitan city of South Korea observed over the period January 2010 to December 2017. Our results show large variations in air pollution and healthcare costs across districts and over time and their efficiency in reducing air pollutants. The study concludes that efforts are needed to apply the World Health Organization’s air quality standards for designing and implementing location-specific customized policies for improving the level of air quality and its equal distribution, provision of health services, and improved efficiency in improving air quality standards. The study identifies a number of determinants of air pollutants and efficiency enhancement which provide useful pointers for policymakers for addressing the current environmental problems in South Korea.
Tau in the Pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Pan Lina , Meng Lanxia , He Mingyang , Zhang Zhentao
Published: January 2021

The pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) are the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies (LBs) in remaining neurons. LBs primarily consist of aggregated α-Synuclein (α-Syn). However, accumulating evidence suggests that Tau, which is associated with tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and argyrophilic grain disease, is also involved in the pathophysiology of PD. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified MAPT, the gene encoding the Tau protein, as a risk gene for PD. Autopsy of PD patients also revealed the colocalization of Tau and α-Syn in LBs. Experimental evidence has shown that Tau interacts with α-Syn and influences the pathology of α-Syn in PD. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of Tau and provide a summary of the current evidence supporting Tau’s involvement as either an active or passive element in the pathophysiology of PD, which may provide novel targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of PD.
Genomic Action of Sigma-1 Receptor Chaperone Relates to Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Wang Shao-Ming , Goguadze Nino , Kimura Yuriko , Yasui Yuko , Pan Bin , Wang Tzu-Yun , Nakamura Yoki , Lin Yu-Ting , Hogan Quinn H. , Wilson Katherine L. , Su Tsung-Ping , Wu Hsiang-en
Published: January 2021

Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) are endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones implicated in neuropathic pain. Here we examine if the Sig-1R may relate to neuropathic pain at the level of dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We focus on the neuronal excitability of DRG in a “spare nerve injury” (SNI) model of neuropathic pain in rats and find that Sig-1Rs likely contribute to the genesis of DRG neuronal excitability by decreasing the protein level of voltage-gated Cav2.2 as a translational inhibitor of mRNA. Specifically, during SNI, Sig-1Rs translocate from ER to the nuclear envelope via a trafficking protein Sec61β. At the nucleus, the Sig-1R interacts with cFos and binds to the promoter of 4E-BP1, leading to an upregulation of 4E-BP1 that binds and prevents eIF4E from initiating the mRNA translation for Cav2.2. Interestingly, in Sig-1R knockout HEK cells, Cav2.2 is upregulated. In accordance with those findings, we find that intra-DRG injection of Sig-1R agonist (+)pentazocine increases frequency of action potentials via regulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Conversely, intra-DRG injection of Sig-1R antagonist BD1047 attenuates neuropathic pain. Hence, we discover that the Sig-1R chaperone causes neuropathic pain indirectly as a translational inhibitor.
Risk assessment of ice dams for water diversion projects based on fuzzy fault trees
Authors: Liu Mengkai , Dong Xiaoxia , Guo Hui
Published: January 2021

Ice dams are among the important risks affecting the operational safety and water conveyance efficiency of water diversion projects in northern China. However, no evaluation indicator system for ice dam risk assessment of water diversion projects has been proposed. Therefore, in this paper, based on the formation mechanism of ice dams, the risk assessment indicator system and the possibility calculation model of ice dams were both proposed for water diversion projects based on the fuzzy fault tree analysis method. The ice dam risk fault tree constructed in this study mainly includes three aspects: ice production, ice transport, and ice submergence conditions. Eighteen basic risk indicators were identified, and 72 minimum cut sets were obtained by using the mountain climb method. Eight risk indicators were determined as the key risk indicators for ice dams, including meteorological conditions, narrowed cross section, sluice incident, erroneous scheduling judgment, ice cover influence, flat bed slope, control structures, and ice flow resistance of piers. Then, the canal from the Fenzhuanghe sluice to the Beijumahe sluice of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was taken as the research object. Combined with the expert scoring method, the ice dam risk probability of the canal was determined to be 0.2029 × 10−2, which was defined as a level III risk, which is an occasionally occurring risk. The study results can support ice dam risk prevention and canal system operation in winter for water diversion projects.
Sensitivity analysis of rainfall–runoff parameters models to estimate flows
Authors: Yogi Fernando , Correa Carina Julia Pensa , Arruda Emerson Martins , Tonello Kelly Cristina
Published: January 2021

Determinate the runoff of a watershed is a challenge due to the complexity of representing all “inlets” and “outlets” involved in a rainfall–runoff model. Therefore, methodologies applied for this purpose should have a good representation of the variables that most influence in this process. One of the models used to calculate the design flow is the (USDA in Urban Hydrology for Small. Technical release, no 55 (TR-55). Soil Conservation Service. Washigton, DC, http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&btnG=Search&q=intitle:Urban+Hydrology+for+Small+watersheds#1, 1986), which considers the analysis changes in soil coverage, time of concentration (tc), and recurrence period (T). In this way, this study sought to evaluate the hydrological behavior of a watershed with an increase in soil waterproofing. These modifications were correlated with the variation of runoff coefficients (CN), modifications of the periods of recurrence indicated by the literature, and different equations of the time of concentration. Its application was carried out in the Ribeirão do Suru watershed, Santana de Parnaíba, SP, Brazil. The CN {75; 80; 85; 90} increased 3.14, 5.61, 10.90 and 15.85%, respectively. In the most critical situation, runoff was 15.85% higher in estimated CN. The variation of precipitation as a function of T (2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500) and application of 11 time of concentration methods designed 132 hydrographs and flow values that were statistically treated in T of Student and in the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Except for Bransby Willians associated Cinematic Method, Dooge with Johnstone and CTH with Tsuchyia, the pairs showed degrees of correlation below 59%. The greatest correlation was observed in Jonhstone with Dooge (90%), followed by the Kinematic Method with the Soil Conservation Service Method (83%) and with Dodge (74%). As a result, it was possible to demonstrate the behavior of the SCS parameters to minimize subjectivities and revealing how each parameter impacts the flow of the watershed. Finally, the sensitivity attributed to T was the highest among the three analyzed.
Environmental risk assessment of the intake of contaminants in aquifers in the vicinity of a reclaimed waste dumpsite in Owerri municipal, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ibe Francis Chizoruo , Opara Alexander Iheanyichukwu , Amaobi Collins Emeka , Ibe Bridget Onyekachi
Published: January 2021

The study investigated groundwater sources within reclaimed municipal waste dumpsites around Akachi road in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. The research evaluated the pollution and risk inherent in the consumption of groundwater in the vicinity of the reclaimed waste dumpsite using standard procedures. Results showed acidic pH values for some groundwater samples within the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Elevated nitrate (NO3−), aluminium (Al) and chromium (Cr) concentrations above the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for drinking water samples were recorded in some of the groundwater samples from the study area. The observed strong positive correlations between the metallic contaminants indicated that the distribution of the pollutants has a strong relationship with organic contaminants in the reclaimed waste dumpsite. Low contamination factor was exhibited by all metals for the individual samples except for Cr in sample A and Al in sample A and D. The pollution load index for all the samples was low, except for sample C with a pollution load index of unity. Elevated hazard quotient > 1 and hazard index > 1 were observed for both adults and children due to high Cr levels. The chronic daily intake risk assessment revealed values < 1, while carcinogenic risk values greater than 10−6 and 10−4 were observed for the samples suggesting potential health risk for children and adults. The water quality index of samples from the reclaimed waste dumpsite calls for concern due to elevated levels of Al and Cr. These findings, therefore, suggest the need to treat the groundwater from the reclaimed dumpsite before consumption to avert serious health risks. Finally, waste dumpsites should be remediated or allow to undergo natural remediation before reclamation, erecting residential structures, and sinking of boreholes for water supply within such areas.
Formation of hierarchical Si3N4 foams by protein-based gelcasting and chemical vapor infiltration
Authors: Li Junsheng , Yu Qiuping , Li Duan , Zeng Liang , Gao Shitao
Published: January 2021

Silicon nitride foams with a hierarchical porous structure was formed by the combination of protein-based gelcasting, chemical vapor infiltration, and in-situ growth of silicon nitride nanowires. The porosity of the foams can be controlled at 76.3–83.8 vol% with an open porosity of 70.2– 82.8 vol%. The pore size distribution was presented in three levels: < 2 μm (voids among grains and cross overlapping of silicon nitride nanowires (SNNWs)), 10–50 μm (cell windows), and >100 μm (cells). The resulted compressive strength of the porous bodies at room temperature can achieve up to 18.0±1.0 MPa (porosity = 76.3 vol%) while the corresponding retention rate at 800 ℃ was 58.3%. Gas permeability value was measured to be 5.16 (cm3·cm)/(cm2·s·kPa). The good strength, high permeability together with the pore structure in multiple scales enabled the foam materials for microparticle infiltration applications.
Ecological and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in Ewaso Nyiro River surface water, Kenya
Authors: Njuguna Samwel Maina , Githaiga Kelvin Babu , Onyango Janet Atieno , Gituru Robert Wahiti , Yan Xue
Published: January 2021

Ewaso Nyiro basin covers an area of about 210,226 km2, 36.3%, of Kenya drainage area and bears 5.8% of Kenya water potential with an annual yield of 1469 million m3. The river is the principal source of domestic and irrigation water to the arid north of Kenya. To determine metal and nutrient concentration of Ewaso Nyiro River surface water, a total of 30 water samples, 15 samples each for dry (February) and wet (August) seasons of 2019, were collected. Chromium, lead, iron, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, mercury, selenium, molybdenum, boron, copper, zinc, arsenic, nickel, aluminum, total phosphorus and nitrate were analyzed in the two seasons. Ecological risk assessment was determined by calculating contamination factor, pollution load index and ecological risk index. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to infer pollutants association and identify their potential sources. Cadmium, arsenic, lead, molybdenum, mercury, selenium and nickel were not detected in both seasons, while manganese, iron and aluminum were the main pollutants identified. Ewaso Nyiro irrigation water had a manganese contamination factor of 9.17, implying it was very contaminated. Twenty-seven and 40% of sampled sites in dry and wet seasons, respectively, had more than 0.3 mg/L of iron that is recommended by USEPA in drinking water. Herbicides, leached fertilizer and fuel leaking into the river water were the primary sources of anthropogenic pollution.