bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Fog Computing on Indian Smart-Cities: An Empirical Study
Authors: Priyadarshinee Pragati
Published: August 2021

The article introduces a two-stage Structural equation modelling- Artificial Neural Network (SEM-ANN) model for the Smart city creation through Fog Computing (FC) and Internet of Things (IOT) by identifying the critical success factors in Indian context. The research article introduces a new factor Fog Computing (FC). Internet of Things (IoT) is again sub-divided into three more factors as Internet of People (IoP), Internet of Services (IoS) and Internet of Energy (IoE) as the independent variables. 13 Smart cities and 379 respondents are involved for this study. The data analysis is done through Structural equation modelling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) which measures both the linear and non-linear relationships respectively. From Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) output, it is identified that Internet of Things (IOT), Internet of People (IOP) and Internet of Services (IOS) have some significant positive effect on Fog Computing (FC). Internet of Energy (IOE) has the negative effect on Fog Computing (FC) which is the only exception in the study for future research direction in this area. The SEM accepted variables are considered as the input for the next layer of ANN analysis that identified IOT has the major effect on Fog Computing (FC). A comparison is also done on SEM and neural network results. The outcome of the study will help more number of Smart City (SC) creations and will fulfil the target of 100 Smart city creation by Government of India taking forward towards a sustainable development.
Development of tBu-phenyl acetamide appended thiacalix[4]arene as “Turn-ON” Fluorescent Probe For Selective Recognition of Hg(II) Ions
Authors: Verma Ashukumar , Modi Krunal , Dey Shuvankar , Kongor Anita , Panchal Manthan , Vora Manoj , Panjwani Falak , Jain Vinodkumar
Published: August 2021

Herein, a novel N-(4-(tert-butyl)-phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide functionalized thiacalix[4]arene architecture, viz TCAN2PA has been synthesized and the sensing behaviour towards metal ions was explored. The probe, TCAN2PA displayed a “Turn-ON” fluorescence response towards Hg(II) ions in acetonitrile over a series of competing common metal ions. A bathochromic shift in absorption band along with a significant “Turn-ON” fluorescence behaviour of TCAN2PA was observed upon interaction with Hg(II) ions. The lower rim modification of thiacalixarene with N-(4-(tert-butyl)-phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide actively contributes toward the fluorescence property due to the presence of strong electron-donating aryl amido substituent. Fluorescence titration experiments were conducted to find out the limit of detection and to understand binding stoichiometry as well. The electron transfer interactions between the electron-rich TCAN2PA host with Hg(II) ions have been postulated which is also supported by computational modelling insights.
Jiedu Tongluo Tiaogan Formula Protects Pancreatic Islet Cells Against Dysfunction by Relieving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Excessive Autophagy via Regulating CaMKKβ/AMPK Pathway
Authors: Piao Chunli , Zhang Qi , Jin Wenqi , Wang Han , Tang Cheng , Zhao Xiaohua , Wang Yu , Sun Liwei
Published: August 2021

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and excessive autophagy are increasingly recognized as risk factors associated with development and progression of β-cell dysfunction. Jiedu Tongluo Tiaogan Formula (JTTF) has known anti-glucotoxicity activities, but its pharmacological effects on pancreatic cell are not clearly understood. This study was designed to investigate JTTF effects/mechanisms on in vitro glucotoxicity (HG)-induced ERS and excessive autophagic damage of pancreatic cells in vitro and on in vivo pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Methods: The chemical composition of a JTTF preparation were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprinting. Meanwhile, cell viability, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, insulin biosynthesis dysfunction, Ca2+ overload, ERS and excessive autophagy were assessed in JTTF-pretreated pancreatic β-cells with HG-induced injury. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analyses of pancreatic tissues revealed effects of in vivo JTTF pretreatment on development of HG-induced pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Results: Five JTTF chemical components were identified. Our results revealed that JTTF treatment protected β-cells from HG injury by increasing insulin biosynthesis and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), while also decreasing Ca2+ overload, ERS and excessive autophagy. Furthermore, protective effects of JTTF treatment against HG-induced β-cell ERS and excessive autophagy were linked to regulation of CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway functions, while JTTF administration as confirmed to reverse pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Conclusions: Collectively, the results presented here indicate that JTTF may prevent islet cell dysfunction in T2DM mice by inhibiting CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway-mediated ERS and excessive autophagy. These findings enhance our understanding of mechanisms underlying beneficial JTTF-induced amelioration of T2DM.
A Practical Approach for Continuous In Situ Characterization of Radiation Quality Factors in Space
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Slaba Tony C. , Plante Ianik , Poignant Floriane , Blattnig Steven R. , Brenner David J.
Published: August 2021

The space radiation environment is qualitatively different from Earth, and its radiation hazard is generally quantified relative to photons using quality factors that allow assessment of biologically-effective dose. Two approaches exist for estimating radiation quality factors in complex radiation environments: One is a fluence-based risk cross-section approach, which requires very detailed in silico characterization of the radiation field and biological cross sections, and thus cannot realistically be used for in situ monitoring. By contrast, the microdosimetric approach, using measured (or calculated) distributions of microdosimetric energy deposition together with empirical biological weighting functions, is conceptually and practically simpler. To demonstrate feasibility of the microdosimetric approach, we estimated a biological weighting function for one specific endpoint, heavy-ion-induced tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice, which was unfolded from experimental results after a variety of heavy ion exposures together with corresponding calculated heavy-ion microdosimetric energy deposition spectra. Separate biological weighting functions were unfolded for targeted and non-targeted effects, and these differed substantially. We folded these biological weighting functions with microdosimetric energy deposition spectra for different space radiation environments, and conclude that the microdosimetric approach is indeed practical and, in conjunction with in-situ measurements of microdosimetric spectra, can allow continuous readout of biologically-effective dose during space flight.
A Demographic and Clinical Panorama of a Sixteen-Year Cohort of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients in Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo Luiza Ohasi , Júnior Augusto Afonso Guerra , Acurcio Francisco Assis , Almeida Alessandra Maciel , Cherchiglia Mariângela Leal , Wainstein Alberto Julius Alves , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos , Nogueira-Rodrigues Angélica
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Little is known about soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in Brazil, once the federal statistics regarding estimates on incidence and mortality of the most common cancers that affect the Brazilian population currently do not include STS. This study aims to perform a broad evaluation and description of the epidemiological profile, access to treatment and main clinical outcomes of the Brazilian STS patient.Methods: A population-based cohort study of 66,825 patients who underwent procedures related to STS treatment registered in the Brazilian public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS) databases. Results: Median age was 57 years, 30% of them older than 65 years and 50.7% of the cohort was female. The majority, 50,383 patients (75.4%), was diagnosed between 2008 and 2015. Most prevalent anatomic sites were head and neck (13.6%) and upper and lower limbs (12.6%). The registry of sarcomas without a specific location comprehended 29.7% of the cohort. The majority of patients resided in the Northeast (40.2% of the patients). Surgery was the first treatment modality in 77.7% of the cases. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate of the patients was, respectively, 82.3% (95% CI = 82%-82,7%), 57.4% (95% CI = 56.9%-58%) and 42% (95% CI = 41.2%-42.9%).
Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemoradiotherapy and an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jang Jeong Yun , Kim Su Ssan , Song Si Yeol , Kim Yeon Joo , Kim Sung-woo , Choi Eun Kyung
Published: August 2021

Background: Immunotherapy has been administered to many patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only few studies have examined toxicity in patients receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Therefore, we performed a retrospective study to determine factors that predict radiation pneumonitis (RP) in these patients.Methods: We evaluated the size of the planning target volume, mean lung dose (MLD), and the lung volume receiving more than a threshold radiation dose (VD) in 106 patients. The primary endpoint was RP ≥ grade 2, and toxicity was evaluated. Results: After CCRT, 51/106 patients were treated with ICI. The median follow-up period was 11.5 months (range, 3.0–28.2), and RP ≥ grade 2 occurred in 47 (44.3%) patients: 27 and 20 in the ICI and non-ICI groups, respectively. None of the examined clinical factors were associated with RP. Four dosimetric variables (MLD, V20, V30, and V40) had prognostic significance in univariate analysis for occurrence of pneumonitis (odds ratio, p-value; MLD: 3.0, 0.026; V20: 4.1, 0.001; V30: 3.1, 0.006; V40: 3.7, 0.002). Only V20 was a significant risk factor in the non-ICI group, and V30 and V40 were significant risk factors in the ICI group. The survival and local control rates were superior in the ICI group than in the non-ICI group, but no significance was observed.Conclusions: Patients receiving ICI after definitive CCRT were more likely to develop RP, which may be related to the lung volume receiving high-dose radiation. Therefore, several factors should be carefully considered for patients with NSCLC.
Mechanism of Youguiyin in the Treatment of Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Pan Yi , Zhao Wanlu , Qin Luping , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2021

Background: Youguiyin (YGY) has been confirmed to treat osteoporosis (OP) in clinical trials, but its specific pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the material basis and potential mechanism of YGY in the treatment of OP based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods: Databases including TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction database, OMIM, and TTD were used to predict the effective ingredients and relevant targets of YGY in the treatment of OP. The STRING database was used to reveal the relationship between each intersection target protein. Metascape database was used to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the intersection targets. Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to show the complex network relationship of YGY in the treatment of OP. According to the results of network characteristics analysis, the core effective ingredients and the core targets were screened out. Autodock 4.0 was used for molecular docking and Pymol was used to visualize the docking results.Results: 290 effective ingredients, 1127 targets of the effective ingredients, 273 relevant targets of OP and 17 intersection targets were screened out in total by searching literature and databases. Intersection targets could affect biological processes including regulation of inflammatory response, ossification, negative regulation of post-transcriptional gene silencing, positive regulation of cytokine biosynthetic process and regulation of hormone levels by regulating signal pathways including TNF signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, apoptosis, MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Through screening, 14 core effective ingredients and 6 core targets were confirmed. The results of molecular docking showed that most of the core effective ingredients including α-humulene, cinnamaldehyde, denudatine, benzoylhypaconine and quercetin had good binding activity with the core targets including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6.Conclusion: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, the critical effective ingredients, key targets, important signal pathways and main biological processes of YGY in the treatment of OP were successfully screened out. This study revealed the material basis and the mechanism of YGY in the treatment of OP and provided a theoretical basis for follow-up experimental research and clinical application of YGY.
Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, body trunk-balance training in a sitting position improved persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomoya , Miwa Toru , Tamura Kaoru , Inoue Fumiko , Umezawa Naomi , Maetani Toshiki , Hara Masahiko , Kanemaru Shin-ichi
Published: August 2021

BackgroundPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a newly defined disorder of functional dizziness. Due to its recent discovery, definitive treatment for PPPD has not been established; therefore, this study aimed to measure the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-guided, dual-task, body trunk balance training using the mediVR KAGURA system for the treatment of PPPD.MethodsData from patients with PPPD collected from January 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021 were reviewed. Additionally, healthy people were included as controls. VR-guided training was performed using 100 tasks for 10 min. Equilibrium tests were performed at baseline and immediately after VR-guided training to examine the effectiveness of static and dynamic balance ability. Additionally, assessments of clinical questionnaire-based surveys of balance disorders were performed at baseline and 1 week after VR-guided training to examine the effects on the symptoms related to balance disorders. The primary outcome was the usefulness of static and dynamic body balance and NPQ scores.ResultsVR-guided training using mediVR KAGURA improved objective symptoms, including static and dynamic postural stability (relating to somatosensory and visual weighting, respectively) even when the training was conducted once for 10 min. Additionally, VR-guided training improved the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score and the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire score, 1 week after a 10-min training session. ConclusionVR-guided training was found to be a viable method in managing the balancing ability, anxiety, and symptoms of patients with PPPD. VR-guided training offers safety and reduction of human resources; however, its clinical efficiency warrants further evaluation in prospective studies.Trial registrationInstitutional Ethics Committee of Kitano Hospital, approval number: 1911003. Registered 18 December 2019, https://kitano.bvits.com/rinri/publish_document.aspx?ID=426
Quantitative Evaluation of PSMA PET Imaging using a Realistic Anthropomorphic Phantom and Shell-less Radioactive Epoxy Lesions
Authors: Fedrigo Roberto , Kadrmas Dan J. , Edem Patricia E. , Fougner Lauren , Klyuzhin Ivan S. , Petric M. Peter , Bénard François , Rahmim Arman , Uribe Carlos
Published: August 2021

Background
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET images have shown superior performance in detecting metastatic prostate cancers. Relative to [18F]FDG PET images, PSMA PET images tend to visualize significantly higher-contrast focal lesions. We aim to evaluate segmentation and reconstruction algorithms in this emerging context. Specifically, Bayesian or maximum a posteriori (MAP) image reconstruction, compared to standard OSEM reconstruction, has received significant interest for its potential to reach convergence with minimal noise amplifications. However, few phantom studies have evaluated the quantitative accuracy of such reconstructions for high contrast, small lesions (sub-10mm) that are typically observed in PSMA images. In this study, we cast 3mm-16mm spheres using epoxy resin infused with a long half-life positron emitter (sodium-22; 22Na) to simulate prostate cancer metastasis. The anthropomorphic Probe-IQ phantom, which features a liver, bladder, lungs, and ureters, was used to model relevant anatomy. Dynamic PET acquisitions were acquired and images were reconstructed with OSEM (varying subsets and iterations) and BSREM (varying β parameters), and the effects on lesion quantitation were evaluated.
Results
The 22Na lesions were scanned against an aqueous solution containing fluorine-18 (18F) as the background. Due to the long half-life of 22Na compared to 18F, a separate scan with fully-decayed background was used to measure the ground truth radioactivity concentrations of the 22Na lesions. Regions-of-interest were drawn with MIM Software using 40% fixed threshold (40% FT) and a gradient segmentation algorithm (MIM’s PET Edge+). Recovery coefficients (RCs) (max, mean, peak, and newly defined “apex”) and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) were calculated for each sphere. SUVpeak and SUVapex had the most consistent RCs for different lesion-to-background ratios and reconstruction parameters. The gradient-based segmentation algorithm was more accurate than 40% FT for determining MTV, particularly for lesions \(\le\)6mm in diameter (R2 = 0.86–0.89 vs. R2 < 0.02, respectively).
Conclusion
An anthropomorphic phantom was used to evaluate quantitation for PSMA PET imaging of metastatic prostate cancer lesions. BSREM with β = 200–400 and OSEM with 1–2 iterations resulted in the most accurate SUV and MTV values for these imaging conditions. SUVapex, a hybrid metric of SUVmax and SUVpeak, was proposed for robust, accurate, and segmentation-free quantitation of lesions for PSMA PET.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Different SRAM Cell Topologies in 7-nm FinFET Technology
Authors: Abbasian Erfan , Birla Shilpi , Gholipour Morteza
Published: August 2021

This article aims to provide a wide comparative analysis of different SRAM cells in 7nm FinFET Technology. Due to various limitations of the CMOS device in nanotechnology, FinFET is one of the trending choices for memory designers which can improve the stability and minimize the Short Channel Effects of the CMOS. Here, performance metrics of these SRAM cells like the stability, access time, power have been measured at a supply voltage range of 0.2 V to 0.5 V. The layout of the existing cells has been designed and compared in which the ST12T consumes the maximum area. The simulated results inferred that the ST11T SRAM cell offers the highest RSNM and the minimum dynamic and leakage power amongst all the SRAM cells. Moreover, ST12T SRAM cell has the highest WSNM in comparison to other SRAM cells. An electrical quality metric has been utilized, which displays the superiority of the ST12T SRAM cell amongst all the considered SRAM cells in this article.
Novel bursting patterns and the bifurcation mechanism in a piecewise smooth Chua’s circuit with two scales
Authors: Xu Huijun , Zhang Zhengdi , Peng Miao
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the coupling of two scales on the dynamics of a piecewise smooth dynamical system. A relatively simple model with two switching boundaries is taken as an example by introducing a nonlinear piecewise resistor and a harmonically changed electric source into a typical Chua’s circuit. Taking suitable values of the parameters, four different types of bursting oscillations are observed corresponding to different values of the exciting amplitude. Regarding the periodic excitation as a slow-varying parameter, equilibrium branches of the fast subsystem as well as the related bifurcations, such as fold bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation, period doubling bifurcation, nonsmooth Hopf bifurcation and nonsmooth fold limit cycle bifurcation, are explored with theoretical and numerical methods. With the help of the overlap of the transformed phase portrait and the equilibrium branches, the mechanism of the bursting oscillations can be analyzed in detail. It is found that for relatively small exciting amplitude, since the trajectory is governed by a smooth subsystem, only conventional bifurcations take place, leading to the transitions between the spiking states and quiescent states. However, with an increase of the exciting amplitude so that the trajectory passes across the switching boundaries, nonsmooth bifurcations occurring at the boundaries may involve the structures of attractors, leading to complicated bursting oscillations. Further increasing the exciting amplitude, the number of the spiking states decreases although more bifurcations take place, which can be explained by the delay effect of bifurcation
Implementation and Impact of National Centralized Drug Procurement Policy in China: Evidence from the National Drug Procurement Database
Authors: Lu Jiancheng , Yang Ying , Wen Xiaotong , Wang Jing , Shen Yuan , Mao Lining , Cui Dan , Mao Zongfu , Li Jinghua
Published: August 2021

Background
Chinese government implemented the first round of National Centralized Drug Procurement pilot in 4 municipalities and 7 sub-provincial cities in 2019, so called "4 + 7" policy. This study evaluated the implementation and impact of “4 + 7” policy.
Methods
This study used drug purchase data from China Drug Supply Information Platform (CDSIP) database. “4 + 7” policy-related drugs were selected as study samples, including 25 drugs in the “4 + 7” List and 92 alternative drugs that have an alternative relationship with “4 + 7” List drugs in clinical use. “4 + 7” List drugs were divided into bid-winning and non-winning products. We applied Defined Daily Doses (DDDs), DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), purchase expenditures, and Defined Daily Drug cost (DDDc) as outcome variables. Interrupted time-series was adopted to quantity policy effect.
Results
As of December 2019, the completion rate of overall bid-winning drugs in 9 pilot cities reached 154.40%, and the completion rate of 25 bid-winning drugs ranged between 74.77% and 477.75%. After policy intervention, the DID of bid-winning drugs, “4 + 7” List drugs, alterative drugs, as well as the overall policy-related drugs increased by 545.18%, 14.03%, 12.21%, and 13.04% in pilot cities. Bid-winning drugs significantly increased 132.84 million DDDs (p < 0.001) in volume and 48.95 million CNY (p < 0.05) in expenditures, and dropped 6.35 CNY (p < 0.001) in DDDc. The volume proportion of bid-winning products increased from 12.67–71.66%. The DDDc of non-winning drugs increased 0.94 CNY (p < 0.001). Overall, the DDDc of policy-related drugs dropped 1.38 CNY (p < 0.001), and the expenditures decreased 634.68 million CNY (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
An overall satisfying implementation progress of “4 + 7” policy was observed in pilot cities. The policy alleviated the medication burdens of patients, which is supported by the significant reduction in DDDc and costs of policy-related drugs. The accessibility and consumption of policy-related drugs improved. However, monitoring regarding the clinical use of policy-related drugs will still be necessary in the future.
COVID 19 Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of The Healthcare Providers in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alghfeli Aljazia Khalfan , Zarooni Amal Abdul Rahim Al , Alremeithi Hamda Musabbah , Almadhaani Roqayah Abdulla , Alketbi Latifa Baynouna
Published: August 2021

BackgroundHealth care providers at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, inadequate knowledge and practice about COVID-19, and infection control may lead to increased risk of disease transmission. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of COVID 19 cases is important in preventing transmission and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, altitude, and practice of healthcare providers in the United Arab Emirates toward COVID-19 and to examine its determinants. MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of Healthcare providers regarding COVID-19. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from April to July 2020 , using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire.ResultsA total of 2371 healthcare providers responded to the survey. A total of 1091 worked in inpatient hospitals, 494 in primary health care, and 388 in emergency and ICU care. The overall performance score for all healthcare providers was as follows: 49.1%, poor score; 41.8 %, intermediate score; and 9.2%, good score with a mean result of 17.14. Factors leading to better overall performance scores were years of experience, pediatricians’ specialty, and specialist’s occupation. A total of 55.7% received good direct knowledge from all healthcare providers. In practice, 48% had good practices toward COVID-19. The overall attitude mean was 2.8, from a maximum score of 7, indicating a positive attitude toward COVID-19.ConclusionsThe study-demonstrated gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that should be focused on in future education and HCP awareness. A structured training program targeting all HCPs is needed to have good clinical knowledge and practice about COVID-19.
Adjudicating mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease as a novel endpoint event in the TOMMORROW prevention clinical trial
Authors: Schneider Lon S , Bennett David A. , Farlow Martin R. , Peskind Elaine R. , Raskind Murray A. , Sano Mary , Stern Yaakov , Haneline Stephen , Welsh-Bohmer Kathleen A. , O’Neil Janet , Walter Ryan , Maresca Sylvia , Culp Meredith , Alexander Robert , Saunders Ann M. , Burns Daniel K. , Chiang Carl
Published: August 2021

Background
The onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an essential outcome in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevention trials and a compelling milestone for clinically meaningful change. Determining MCI, however, may be variable and subject to disagreement. Adjudication procedures may improve the reliability of these determinations. We report the performance of an adjudication committee for an AD prevention trial.
Methods
The TOMMORROW prevention trial selected cognitively normal participants at increased genetic risk for AD and randomized them to low-dose pioglitazone or placebo treatment. When adjudication criteria were triggered, a participant’s clinical information was randomly assigned to a three-member panel of a six-member independent adjudication committee. Determination of whether or not a participant reached MCI or AD proceeded through up to three review stages – independent review, collaborative review, and full committee review – requiring a unanimous decision and ratification by the chair.
Results
Of 3494 participants randomized, the committee adjudicated on 648 cases from 386 participants, resulting in 96 primary endpoint events. Most participants had cases that were adjudicated once (n = 235, 60.9%); the rest had cases that were adjudicated multiple times. Cases were evenly distributed among the eight possible three-member panels. Most adjudicated cases (485/648, 74.8%) were decided within the independent review (stage 1); 14.0% required broader collaborative review (stage 2), and 11.1% needed full committee discussion (stage 3). The primary endpoint event decision rate was 39/485 (8.0%) for stage 1, 29/91 (31.9%) for stage 2, and 28/72 (38.9%) for stage 3. Agreement between the primary event outcomes supported by investigators’ clinical diagnoses and the decisions of the adjudication committee increased from 50% to approximately 93% (after around 100 cases) before settling at 80–90% for the remainder of the study.
Conclusions
The adjudication process was designed to provide independent, consistent determinations of the trial endpoints. These outcomes demonstrated the extent of uncertainty among trial investigators and agreement between adjudicators when the transition to MCI due to AD was prospectively assessed. These methods may inform clinical endpoint determination in future AD secondary prevention studies. Reliable, accurate assessment of clinical events is critical for prevention trials and may mean the difference between success and failure.
Trial registration:
NCT01931566
Algebra dissociates from arithmetic in the brain semantic network
Authors: Cheng Dazhi , Li Mengyi , Wang Naiyi , Ouyang Liangyuan , Zhou Xinlin
Published: August 2021

Background
Mathematical expressions mainly include arithmetic (such as 8 − (1 + 3)) and algebraic expressions (such as a − (b + c)). Previous studies shown that both algebraic processing and arithmetic involved the bilateral parietal brain regions. Although behavioral and neuropsychological studies have revealed the dissociation between algebra and arithmetic, how algebraic processing is dissociated from arithmetic in brain networks is still unclear.
Methods
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study scanned 30 undergraduates and directly compared the brain activation during algebra and arithmetic. Brain activations, single-trial (item-wise) interindividual correlation and mean-trial interindividual correlation related to algebra processing were compared with those related to arithmetic.
Results
Brain activation analyses showed that algebra elicited greater activation in the angular gyrus and arithmetic elicited greater activation in the bilateral supplementary motor area, left insula, and left inferior parietal lobule. Interindividual single-trial brain-behavior correlation revealed significant brain-behavior correlations in the semantic network, including the middle temporal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, and left angular gyrus, for algebra. For arithmetic, the significant brain-behavior correlations were located in the phonological network, including the precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area, and in the visuospatial network, including the bilateral superior parietal lobules.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that algebra relies on the semantic network and arithmetic relies on the phonological and visuospatial networks.
Terrestrial Medium and Large-Sized Mammalian Species Diversity in Michole Community Protected Forest, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Agebo Amanuel , Tekalign Wondimagegnehu
Published: August 2021

Study on medium and large size mammalian species diversity and distribution is important for conservation efforts in the different protected areas of Ethiopia. The study aimed to assess the species diversity of medium and large-sized mammalian fauna between October 2019 and July 2020 in Michole Community Protected Forest, southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted by stratification of the study area into three habitat types riverine forest (3.37 km2), woodland (4.14 km2), and grassland with scattered trees (2.33 km2) based on the vegetation cover. A diurnal transect survey method was implemented to record the mammalian species diversity. A total of 18 representative sample transect lines (six in riverine forest, four in grassland with scattered trees, and eight in the woodland habitats) which varied in length and width were used. A total of 17 species of medium and large-sized mammalian species were identified and recorded in the study area. Accordingly, order Carnivora and Primates constitutes a large proportion of abundance, while order Lagomorpha was the least. Anubis baboon (Papio anubis) was the most abundant species (15.14%) followed by Spotted hyena (12.98%), Porcupine (12.51%), Vervet monkey (10.35%), Common duiker (8.80%), and Giant root-rat (8.65%). The distributions of mammals among the three habitat types were comparable. Riverine forest harbored the highest mammalian diversity index (H’=2.35) followed by the woodland (H’=2.32), and the grassland with scattered trees (H’=2.30), respectively. The greatest species similarity was recorded in woodland (0.902). The study area harbors considerable mammalian species that are threatened by interacting anthropogenic factors. So, urgent conservation measures by concerned sectors are needed to safeguard these animals and their habitat.
Prenatal Glucocorticoid Administration Accelerates the Maturation of Fetal Rat Hepatocyte
Authors: Kobayashi Tsukasa , Takeba Yuko , Ohta Yuki , Ootaki Masanori , Kida Keisuke , Watanabe Minoru , Iiri Taroh , Matsumoto Naoki
Published: August 2021

Prenatal glucocorticoid (GC) is clinically administered to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm birth for maturation of cardiopulmonary function. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants often experience liver dysfunction after birth because the liver is immature. However, the effects of prenatal GC administration on the liver remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal GC administration on the maturation of liver hepatocytes in preterm rats.Dexamethasone (DEX) was administered to pregnant Wistar rats on gestational days 17 and 19 before cesarean section. Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the mRNA levels of albumin, HNF4α, HGF, Thy-1, cyclin B, and CDK1 in the liver samples. Immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to examine protein production.The hepatocytes enlarged because of growth and prenatal DEX administration. Albumin, HNF4α, and HGF levels increased secondary to growth and prenatal DEX administration. The levels of the cell cycle markers cyclin B and CDK1 gradually decreased during growth and with DEX administration.The results suggest that prenatal GC administration leads to hepatocyte maturation via expression of HNF4α and HGF in premature fetuses.
Gamma Irradiation-Induced Preparation of Polyacrylonitrile Acrylamide Nano-Silica for Removal of Some Hazardous Metals
Authors: Abass Mohamed Ragab , Elmasry Eman , El-Kenany Wafaa Mohamed
Published: August 2021

Gamma-irradiation initiated polymerization was utilized to prepare polyacrylonitrile acrylamide nano-silica {P(AN-AM)-NS}. Various analytical tools like XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM and DTA & TGA were used to estimate the morphology, functional groups, and structure of {P(AN-AM)-NS} nanocomposite. The ability of {P(AN-AM)-NS} nanocomposite to remove Cs(I), Pb(II), Cd(II), Sr(II), and Cu(II) ions from the multi-component system was evaluated by batch techniques considering the influence of (shaking time, pH, reaction temperatures), and capacity. At the optimum pH, distribution coefficients have selectivity order; Pb2+ > Cs+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+ > Sr2+. The kinetic data obey pseudo-second-order models. The capacity was reduced by increasing the heating temperatures of solid powder. The thermodynamic parameters showed an endothermic and spontaneous. The investigation proved that {P(AN-AM)-NS} nanocomposite is a suitable organic-inorganic sorbent for the sorption of the studied ions from liquid solutions and could be considered as potential material for purification of effluent polluted with these ions.
The Association Between The Interval of Radioiodine Treatment and The Response and Adverse Effect in Patients with Non-Progressive Lung Metastases From Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Wang Hongxi , Tian Rong , Shi Lei , Huang Rui , Liu Bin
Published: August 2021

Purpose To assess the association between the interval of radioiodine treatment (RT) and short-term response and adverse effects in patients with non-progressive lung metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).Methods A total of 147 neighboring RT course pairs from 78 patients with 131I-avid non-progressive lung metastases from DTC were retrospectively analyzed. The courses were categorized into two groups by interval of neighboring therapeutic 131-I administrations (≤12 months and >12 months). The short-term therapy response and adverse effects of the two groups were evaluated.Results No significant differences were found between the two groups in the change rate of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulated serum thyroglobulin (ΔsTg%) (P=0.806) or the change rate of metastasis lesion long diameter (ΔLLD%) (P=0.246). In the subanalysis considering the number of treatments (3 and >3 times), no significant difference was found (P>0.05). No difference was found in biochemical response (interval ≤12m: P=0.325, interval >12m:P=0.456) or structural response (interval ≤12m: P=0.760, interval >12m: P=0.563) between the former and latter courses with regard to different intervals. No difference was found in adverse events between former and latter courses with regard to different intervals (P>0.05).Conclusions The interval of RTs is not associated with the short-term response or adverse effects in patients with non-progressive lung metastases from DTC. Appropriately prolonging the interval in specific patients seems to be feasible, and the interval of RT should be individually managed in clinical practice.
Nonlinear Analysis of Axial Vibration of Five-Axis Machine Tool Worktable With Double Turntable
Authors: Wu Shi , Liu Taorui , Liu Xianli , Fan Zhengdong , Li Yipeng
Published: August 2021

Studies show that the applied torque and load on the worktable of a dual-turntable five-axis machine tool continuously changes during the machining process. These variations generate vibration in the worktable along the axial direction, thereby reducing the machining accuracy. In order to improve the machining accuracy of the machine tool and the dynamic characteristics of the worktable, this paper first established the nonlinear dynamic equation of the axial vibration of the machine tool table when the worktable is subjected to torque, swing moment and load according to the elasticity of the plate and shell; then according to Galerkin The truncation method solves the dynamic displacement in the axial direction of the worktable, as well as the bifurcation diagram, displacement waveform diagram, phase plane trajectory and Poincaré cross-section diagram of the processing system; Finally, the influence of different parameters, including torque, swing moment, and load on axial vibration of the worktable was analyzed during the tool operation. The obtained results reveal that as the external load changes, the corresponding axial vibration of the worktable is mainly in the state of large periodic motion, where the maximum vibration amplitude reaches 0.09mm, and the external load has the greatest influence on the axial vibration of the worktable. Moreover, the axial vibration of the worktable is affected by the swing moment. More specifically, in the chaotic state of a small period and small area, the maximum vibration amplitude reaches 0.03mm, and the swing moment has a negligible effect on the axial vibration of the worktable. The influence of torque and load on the vibration characteristics of the five-axis machine tool table during machining was studied through experiments. The obtained results demonstrate that non-linear analysis of the table axial vibration of the five-axis machine tool with dual turntables is an effective way to control the stability of the worktable during the processing of the workpiece.
Generating novel multi-scroll chaotic attractors via fractal transformation
Authors: Yan Dengwei , Ji’e Musha , Wang Lidan , Duan Shukai , Du Xinyu
Published: August 2021

The fractal and chaos are bound tightly, and their relevant researches are well-established. Few of them, however, concentrates on the research of the possibility of combining the fractal and the chaotic systems to generate multi-scroll chaotic attractors. This paper presents a novel non-equilibrium point chaotic system, exhibiting extremely rich and complex hidden behaviors including chaos, hyper-chaos, multi-scroll attractors, extreme multi-stability and initial offset-boosting. The proposed system is combined with fractal transformation respectively, and a new class of multi-scroll attractors, such as multi-ring attractors and separated-scroll attractors, is observed. Particularly, swallow-shaped attractors for the first time is found. Moreover, another efficient method to generate a different class of chaotic attractors uses parabola transformation and triangle transformation. Additionally, the spectrum entropy ( SE ) complexity is employed to discuss the complexity of the proposed system before and after fractal, resulting in a chaotic sequences with fractal transformation that has higher complexity. Finally, we develop a hardware platform to implement the presented attractors before and after fractal in a way to confirm the accuracy of the numerical simulations, providing a theoretical basis for the next application in image encryption.
The Regional Case for Disruptive Energy Policy: A Civic Energy Perspective
Authors: McGovern Gerard
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThis paper deploys a regional actor perspective to detect policy enablers of and barriers to the uptake of civic energy. In common with other forms of regional, decentralized energy, the civic energy concept not only challenges historical energy business models but changes the energy agenda to prioritize community development and climate issues. Energy policy needs to react by shifting from purely market regulations to the promotion of shared community energy solutions. Both current energy structures and established policy priorities are unsuited to deliver on widely recognized energy transition and sustainable development goals. Switching from a centralized to a decentralized energy mode is viewed as a major re-structuring of a socio-technical regime. In a series of expert interviews, two disruptive policy approaches, creative destruction and experimentation, are analyzed as to whether they can contribute to overcoming path dependency and carbon lock-in.ResultsThe interviews conducted with local and regional energy facilitators in seven North European countries identified a range of active, predominantly municipal and regional policy enablers of civic energy. Motivation for specific civic energy initiatives was derived from the translation of global climate goals such as the Paris Agreement into more focused and therefore tangible local targets, which acted as direct policy enablers. At the same time critical inconsistencies and a lack of coherence were identified in several national and European energy policy mixes. Over and above dismantling existing administrative and legislative restrictions on civic energy uptake, experimentation is needed to develop new community partnerships that can host civic energy initiatives and mobilize untapped local energy resources.ConclusionsMastering the uncertainties of re-framing energy systems requires systematic experimentation and an extended mandate for local and regional authorities. Whereas the fossil versus renewable energy policy debate seems to have been won, the shift from centralized to decentralized systems threatens existing power structures and remains highly contentious.
Integrating Network Pharmacological and Experimental Models to Investigate the Therapeutic Effects of Baicalein on Glaucoma
Authors: Yang Jiawei , Zhang Mingxu , Song Qiuyi , Li Siqi , Zhao Xiulan , Kan Liping , Zhu Siquan
Published: August 2021

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of treating glaucoma with remarkable effects, but there is no clear conclusion on its mechanism.Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to analyze the mechanism and targets of TCM in the treatment of glaucoma, and use baicalein to intervene in chronic ocular hypertension rat animal models to verify.Result：The results of animal experiments showed that baicalin could significantly reduce the intraocular pressure(IOP) in a rat model of chronic ocular hypertension and protect the structure of the retina and optic nerve, as shown by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscope(TEM). Reduce the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) by up-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, and adjusted the expression of AKT1, HIF-1α up and down to a certain extent, this trend is basically consistent with the results of the molecular docking. In the network pharmacology analysis, many key proteins of biological pathways involved in the herbal therapeutic processes on glaucoma like AKT1 (core protein of PI3K/AKT signaling), TP53 (a tumor suppressor gene coding tumor protein P53), STAT3 (core protein of JAK/STAT signaling), IL6 and IL1B (pro-inflammatory factors). And their interactions built complicated chain reaction in the process of glaucoma. Conclusion: By combining the analysis of network pharmacology and experimental verification revealed that baicalein can effectively improve the symptoms of glaucoma and reduce RGCs apoptosis, suggesting the potential mechanism of TCM in treating glaucoma is related to regulating inflammation and cellular immunity, and reducing apoptosis.
The Importance of Calibration Method in Determining the Association between Central Blood Pressure with Left Ventricular and Left Atrial Strain.
Authors: Ramkumar Satish , Yang Hong , Nolan Mark , Negishi Tomoko , Sharman James E , Marwick Thomas Hugh , Negishi Kazuaki
Published: August 2021

PurposeAfterload is an important determinant of left ventricular(LV) and atrial(LA) function, including myocardial strain. Central blood pressure(CBP) is the major component of cardiac afterload and independently associated with cardiovascular risk. However, the optimal means of calibrating CBP is unclear - standard CBP assessment uses systolic(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) from brachial waveforms, but calibration with mean pressure(MAP) and DBP purports to be more accurate. Therefore, we sought to determine which CBP is best associated with LA and LV strain.MethodsCBP was measured using both standard and MAP based calibration methods in 546 participants(age 70.7±4.7 years, 45% male) with risk factors for heart failure. Echocardiography was performed in all patients and strain analysis conducted to assess LA/LV function. The associations of CBP with LA and LV strain were assessed using linear regression. ResultsMAP-derived CSBP(150±20mmHg) was higher than standard CSBP(128±15mmHg) and brachial SBP(140±17mmHg, p<0.001), whereas DBPs were similar(84±10, 83±10, and 82±10 mmHg). MAP-derived CSBP was not independently associated with LV strain(p>0.05), however was independently associated with LA reservoir strain(p<0.05). Brachial and central DBP were more strongly associated with LA reservoir/conduit and LV strain than brachial and central SBP. LA pump strain was not independently associated with any SBP or DBP parameter(p>0.05). MAP-derived CBP was more accurate in identifying patients with abnormal LA and LV strain than brachial SBP and standard CBP calibration. Conclusion﻿CBP calibrated using MAP and DBP may be more accurate in identifying patients with abnormal LA and LV function than standard brachial calibration methods.