bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy, efficiency and safety of a cardiac telerehabilitation programme using wearable sensors in patients with coronary heart disease: the TELEWEAR-CR study protocol
Authors: Antoniou Varsamo , Xanthopoulos Andrew , Giamouzis Gregory , Davos Constantinos , Batalik Ladislav , Stavrou Vasileios , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I , Kapreli Eleni , Skoularigis John , Pepera Garyfallia
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a beneficial tool for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with, however, low participation rates. Telerehabilitation, intergrading mobile technologies and wireless sensors may advance the cardiac patients’ adherence. This study will investigate the efficacy, efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of a telerehabilitation programme based on objective exercise telemonitoring and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methods and analysis

A supervised, parallel-group, single-blind randomised controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 124 patients with coronary disease will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: intervention telerehabilitation group (TELE-CR) (n=62) and control centre-based cardiac rehabilitation group (CB-CR) (n=62). Participants will receive a 12-week exercise-based rehabilitation programme, remotely monitored for the TELE-CR group and standard supervised for the CB-CR group. All participants will perform aerobic training at 70% of their maximal heart rate, as obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for 20 min plus 20 min for strengthening and balance training, three times per week. The primary outcomes will be the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, expressed as peak oxygen uptake assessed by the CPET test and the 6 min walk test. Secondary outcomes will be the physical activity, the safety of the exercise intervention (number of adverse events that may occur during the exercise), the quality of life, the training adherence, the anxiety and depression levels, the nicotine dependence and cost-effectiveness. Assessments will be held at baseline, end of intervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (36 weeks).

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Thessaly (1108/1-12-2021) and by the Ethics Committee of the General University Hospital of Larissa (3780/31-01-2022). The results of this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT05019157.
Relation between occupation, gender dominance in the occupation and workplace and suicide in Sweden: a longitudinal study
Authors: Matilla Santander Nuria , Blazevska Bianca , Carli Vladimir , Hadlaczky Gergö , Linnersjö Anette , Bodin Theo , Johansson Gun
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To describe the association between occupations and suicide, and to explore the effect of gender dominance in the occupation and in the workplace on the risk of suicide.

Design

Register-based cohort study.

Participants

3 318 050 workers in Sweden in 2005 and followed up until 2010. Exclusion criteria for the study were: missing information in the occupational codes, yearly income of <100 Swedish krona, missing information of the employer, death or migration, and registered occupational code reported from more than 5 years ago.

Outcome

Suicides occurring during 2006–2010 identified in the cause of death register by the International Classification of Diagnoses-10 codes X60–84 and Y10–34.

Results

Occupations with increased suicide were life science and health professionals (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.50 to 5.26) among women. In men, these were metal, machinery and related workers (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.05) and personal and protective service workers (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.22). In terms of gender dominance in the occupation, borderline associations with increased suicide risk were found for men in both male-dominated (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.79) and female-dominated (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.91) occupations. For women, borderline increased risk of suicide was found in female-dominated occupations (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.40). Finally, men showed a borderline increased risk of suicide in female-dominated workplaces (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.81).

Conclusions

This study found that women in the ‘life science and health professionals’ group and men in the ‘metal, machinery and related workers’ as well as ‘personal and protective service workers’ groups have increased incidence of suicide also when adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, precariousness of the employment relationship, spells of unemployment, previous mental disorders and suicide attempts. Moreover, gender dominance at workplace and occupation seems to be associated with the risk of suicide among men. The results of our study are novel and are worth exploring in future qualitative studies.
Role of cash transfers in mitigating food insecurity in India during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study in the Bihar state
Authors: Makkar Sanchit , Manivannan Jawahar Ramasamy , Swaminathan Sumathi , Travasso Sandra M , John Anjaly Teresa , Webb Patrick , Kurpad Anura V , Thomas Tinku
Published: June 2022

Objective

There are scant empirical data on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security across the globe. India is no exception, with insights into the impacts of lockdown on food insecurity now emerging. We contribute to the empirical evidence on the prevalence of food insecurity in Bihar state before and after lockdown, and whether the government’s policy of cash transfer moderated negative effects of food insecurity or not.

Design

This was a longitudinal study.

Settings

The study was conducted in Gaya and Nalanda district of Bihar state in India from December 2019 to September 2020.

Participants

A total of 1797 households were surveyed in survey 1, and about 52% (n=939) were followed up in survey 2. Valid data for 859 households were considered for the analysis.

Main outcome measures

Using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, we found that household conditions were compared before and after lockdown. The effect of cash transfers was examined in a quasi-experimental method using a longitudinal study design. Logistic regression and propensity score adjusted analyses were used to identify factors associated with food insecurity.

Results

Household food insecurity worsened considerably during lockdown, rising from 20% (95% CI 17.4 to 22.8) to 47% (95% CI 43.8 to 50.4) at the sample mean. Households experiencing negative income shocks were more likely to have been food insecure before the lockdown (adjusted OR 6.4, 95% CI 4.9 to 8.3). However, households that received cash transfers had lower odds of being food insecure once the lockdown was lifted (adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.99).

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence on how the swift economic response to the pandemic crises using targeted income transfers was relatively successful in mitigating potentially deep impacts of food insecurity.
Dynamics of a new class of solitary wave structures in telecommunications systems via a (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear transmission line
Authors: Tao Guanqi , Sabi’u Jamilu , Nestor Savaïssou , El-Shiekh Rehab M. , Akinyemi Lanre , Az-Zo’bi Emad , Betchewe Gambo
Published: June 2022

The telecommunications revolution finds its foundation thanks to new service offerings including voice, images, security of computer data and much more. Thereby, telecommunications can be defined as the transmission of information at a distance using electronic, computer, wired, optical or electromagnetic technologies. At an expense of these characteristics, this paper explores the dynamics of various travelingwaves, through telecommunications systems. In this perspective, we use a (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear transmission line equation, by solving it analytically using a novel developed techniques: The improved Sardar-subequation. As a result, we discover several novel voltage characteristics such as bright, trigonometric, exponential and dark function solutions. Using certain appropriate values, we provide several different surfaces of the solutions produced in this work. These findings will be essential in the telecommunications system used to represent wave propagations.
Calculations on the proton decay with modified preformation probability
Authors: Soylu A. , Koyuncu F. , Alavi S. A. , Dehghani V.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the investigations have been conducted on the half-lives of proton radioactivity of 32 nuclei. The main goal of the paper is to improve the formation probability (Sp) that proposed by Chen et al. [Eur. Phys. J. A  57 (2021) 1]. The obtained results in mentioned paper have been reproduced with uncertainties for all parameters by fitting the experimental data of proton emitters. To carry out the further investigations, we have proposed a new Sp which has a different type of shape from linear. The replacement of the linear form with an exponential, one of the formation probabilities, has affected the rms result positively. The new form of Sp, which has been presented in this study, depends on the mass number of daughter nucleus like the previous one but in exponential form. The obtained findings here may be important for studies while making new predictions.
MODELING AND OPTIMIZING THE TENSILE BEHAVIOR OF DEVELOPED ALUMINUM HYBRID COMPOSITE
Authors: ADESINA OLANREWAJU S. , ADEDIRAN ADEOLU A. , AKINWANDE ABAYOMI A. , DARAMOLA OLUYEMI O. , SANYAOLU OLUFEMI O.
Published: June 2022

Aluminum and its alloy are versatile metal materials engaged in various applications based on their high strength, corrosion resistance and light weight. However, there are many limitations to its applications when compared with steel. In a bid to improve on the properties, aluminum composites are developed. In this study, Al 6111 composite was developed by the blend of silica and bamboo leaf ash (BLA) as reinforcement employing stir casting process. The input factors for the experiment were silica dosage (A), BLA proportion (B) and stirring temperature (C). The experimental design was carried out via Box Behnken design of the response surface methodology. Composites were fabricated through stir casting process by varying the inputs according to the dictations of the experimental runs. Parameters evaluated are yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation. Result of the ANOVA analysis showed that the parameters had consequential effect on the response and the developed model for each parameter are fit for predictions. From the surface plot, interaction between 5[Formula: see text]wt.% and 10[Formula: see text]wt.% silica and 2[Formula: see text]wt.% and 4[Formula: see text]wt.% BLA led to improvement in yield, ultimate tensile strength but decrease in elongation even as proportions 10[Formula: see text]wt.% and 15[Formula: see text]wt.% silica and 4[Formula: see text]wt.% and 6[Formula: see text]wt.% BLA ensued reduction in the value. Stirring temperature of 700–800∘C is favorable to the strength parameters while 800–900∘C led to strength reduction. Optimization via response surface, predicted optimum conditions of 11.6249[Formula: see text]wt.%, 3.95707[Formula: see text]wt.% and 789.033∘C for A, B and C, respectively. Predicted values for yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation are 278.26[Formula: see text]MPa, 378.24[Formula: see text]MPa, 97.7885[Formula: see text]GPa and 10.132%, respectively. Validation experiment was carried out at the optimum condition and the deviation in parameters between the predicted and validated values is [Formula: see text]. Hence, the models are statistically fit for property predictions.
A note on classification of Kantowski–Sachs and Bianchi type III solutions in f(T) gravity via conformal vector fields
Authors: Qazi Sabiha , Hussain Fiaz , Ramzan M. , Haq Sirajul
Published: June 2022

Conformal symmetries act as a source to investigate and classify exact solutions of the Einstein field equations (EFEs) via conformal vector fields (CVFs). It is well known that such classification leads to an important class of symmetries known as Killing symmetry which is the source of generating conservation laws of physics. In this paper, first we explore various classes of Kantowski–Sachs (KS) and Bianchi type III solutions in [Formula: see text] gravity by adopting some algebraic techniques. Utilizing the above-mentioned technique, we come to know that there exist 30 cases where the KS and Bianchi type III space-times admit solutions in [Formula: see text] gravity. Inspecting all the classes precisely, we familiarize that 25 solutions formulate non-conformally flat metrics whereas rest of the five solutions tend to formulate conformally flat metrics. We utilize the resulting solutions in finding the CVFs via direct integration approach. After a detailed study, we found that in two cases, the space-times admit proper CVFs, whereas in rest of the cases, the space-times either become conformally flat or it admit homothetic vector fields (HVFs) or Killing vector fields (KVFs). The overall dimension of CVFs for the space-times under consideration has turned out to be four, five, six or fifteen.
INCUMBENT’S CURSE REVISITED: ARE FIRM STEREOTYPES BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL FOR ESTABLISHED COMPANIES PURSUING RADICAL TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS?
Authors: FOLGER NICHOLAS , KANIS TIM , STUMPF-WOLLERSHEIM JUTTA , WELPE ISABELL M.
Published: June 2022

Established companies often struggle while start-ups gain market share by pursuing radical technological innovations. Research has found that internal organisational barriers can cause this incumbent’s curse, but it has not explored the role of external actors. Drawing on social judgements of organisations theory, we suggest that potential consumers possess firm stereotypes (i.e., warmth and competence perceptions), which affect their expectations about the success of established companies and start-ups in pursuing radical technological innovations. Findings from three experimental studies show that established companies are perceived as more competent but less warm than start-ups. This perception leads to higher success expectations for established companies pursuing radical technological innovations. Yet, these benefits are no longer present after the revelation of information about a fatal error.
Universal scaling limits of the symplectic elliptic Ginibre ensemble
Authors: Byun Sung-Soo , Ebke Markus
Published: June 2022

We consider the eigenvalues of symplectic elliptic Ginibre matrices which are known to form a Pfaffian point process whose correlation kernel can be expressed in terms of the skew-orthogonal Hermite polynomials. We derive the scaling limits and the convergence rates of the correlation functions at the real bulk/edge of the spectrum, which in particular establishes the local universality at strong non-Hermiticity. Furthermore, we obtain the subleading corrections of the edge correlation kernels, which depend on the non-Hermiticity parameter contrary to the universal leading term. Our proofs are based on the asymptotic behavior of the complex elliptic Ginibre ensemble due to Lee and Riser as well as on a version of the Christoffel–Darboux identity, a differential equation satisfied by the skew-orthogonal polynomial kernel.
Incremental Feature Spaces Learning with Label Scarcity
Authors: Gu Shilin , Qian Yuhua , Hou Chenping
Published: June 2022

Recently, learning and mining from data streams with incremental feature spaces have attracted extensive attention, where data may dynamically expand over time in both volume and feature dimensions. Existing approaches usually assume that the incoming instances can always receive true labels. However, in many real-world applications, e.g., environment monitoring, acquiring the true labels is costly due to the need of human effort in annotating the data. To tackle this problem, we propose a novel incremental Feature spaces Learning with Label Scarcity (FLLS) algorithm, together with its two variants. When data streams arrive with augmented features, we first leverage the margin-based online active learning to select valuable instances to be labeled and thus build superior predictive models with minimal supervision. After receiving the labels, we combine the online passive-aggressive update rule and margin-maximum principle to jointly update the dynamic classifier in the shared and augmented feature space. Finally, we use the projected truncation technique to build a sparse but efficient model. We theoretically analyze the error bounds of FLLS and its two variants. Also, we conduct experiments on synthetic data and real-world applications to further validate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms.
Differentially Private Real-Time Release of Sequential Data
Authors: Zhang Xueru , Khalili Mohammad Mahdi , Liu Mingyan
Published: June 2022

Many data analytics applications rely on temporal data, generated (and possibly acquired) sequentially for online analysis. How to release this type of data in a privacy-preserving manner is of great interest and more challenging than releasing one-time, static data. Because of the (potentially strong) temporal correlation within the data sequence, the overall privacy loss can accumulate significantly over time; an attacker with statistical knowledge of the correlation can be particularly hard to defend against. An idea that has been explored in the literature to mitigate this problem is to factor this correlation into the perturbation/noise mechanism. Existing work, however, either focuses on the offline setting (where perturbation is designed and introduced after the entire sequence has become available), or requires
a priori
information on the correlation in generating perturbation. In this study we propose an approach where the correlation is learned as the sequence is generated, and is used for estimating future data in the sequence. This estimate then drives the generation of the noisy released data. This method allows us to design better perturbation and is suitable for real-time operations. Using the notion of differential privacy, we show this approach achieves high accuracy with lower privacy loss compared to existing methods.
Unifying Operational Weak Memory Verification: An Axiomatic Approach
Authors: Doherty Simon , Dalvandi Sadegh , Dongol Brijesh , Wehrheim Heike
Published: June 2022

In this article, we propose an approach to program verification using an abstract characterisation of weak memory models. Our approach is based on a hierarchical axiom scheme that captures the
observational properties
of a memory model. In particular, we show that it is possible to prove correctness of a program with respect to a particular axiom scheme, and we show this proof to suffice for
any
memory model that satisfies the axioms. Our axiom scheme is developed using a characterisation of
weakest liberal preconditions
for weak memory. This characterisation naturally extends to Hoare logic and Owicki-Gries reasoning by lifting weakest liberal preconditions (defined over read/write events) to the level of programs. We study three memory models (SC, TSO, and RC11-RAR) as example instantiations of the axioms, then we demonstrate the applicability of our reasoning technique on a number of litmus tests. The majority of the proofs in this article are supported by mechanisation within Isabelle/HOL.
Diversity and Evolution of Methane-Related Pathways in Archaea
Authors: Garcia Pierre Simon , Gribaldo Simonetta , Borrel Guillaume
Published: June 2022

Methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases on Earth and holds an important place in the global carbon cycle. Archaea are the only organisms that use methanogenesis to produce energy and rely on the methyl–coenzyme M reductase complex (Mcr). Over the last decade, new results have significantly reshaped our view of the diversity of methane-related pathways in the Archaea. Many new lineages that synthesize or use methane have been identified across the whole archaeal tree, leading to a greatly expanded diversity of substrates and mechanisms. In this review, we present the state of the art of these advances and how they challenge established scenarios of the origin and evolution of methanogenesis, and we discuss the potential trajectories that may have led to this strikingly wide range of metabolisms.
Developments in Agricultural Crop Innovations
Authors: Howitt Richard E. , Rausser Gordon
Published: June 2022

This review focuses on two emerging areas of agricultural product development, namely vertical farming and alternative animal products. We note that the drivers of this type of food innovation are a combination of factors that are resource based or supply chain based or reflect shifts in tastes, preferences, and food ethics. We conclude that leafy greens produced in vertical farms are now established in a rapidly growing market and that the plant-based meat alternatives in the form of burgers and nuggets are well established. For the nascent cultured meat sector, it is still too early to predict how widely it will penetrate into the conventional meat and fish markets based on current production methods, cost, and consumer acceptance, but investments in technological improvements are progressing.
Review—Recent Trends on the Synthesis and Different Characterization Tools for MXenes and their Emerging Applications
Authors: Raj Siva Murugan Mohan , Sundramoorthy Ashok K. , Atchudan Raji , Ganapathy Dhanraj , Khosla Ajit
Published: June 2022

In the past couple of years, there are critical developments and advances in chemistry and potential applications of 2 dimensional materials (2D). 2D materials have went ahead for novel areas of research in material science after the development of graphene. As a consequence, another group of 2D materials, MXene was developed and transforming this field of study. MXene’s have been synthesized and reported in 2011 which explored more potential applications of these materials in all fields of science and technology. This review was written to highlight the on-going progress in the synthesis, characterization tools, biotechnological and biomedical uses of MXenes which are 2D carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides of transition metals. We have taken examples of MXene to discuss how it can be analysed by using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). These methods could be utilized to acknowledge if the precursor (MAX phase) is appropriate for MXene synthesis and authenticate efficacious synthesis of MXene along with its arrangement, physical features and properties. We have also highlighted the wide scope of bio-imaging, biotechnological, biomedical, and environmental uses of MXenes, their derivatives, and MXene-based composites. In addition, various characterization techniques used for MXene analysis have been briefly discussed. We underline that utilization of MXenes, in present day’s biotechnology research, is still very much in its early stages, therefore scientific processes must be standardized and improved.
Review—Solid State Sensors for Phosphate Detection in Environmental and Medical Diagnostics
Authors: Patel Vinay , Kruse Peter , Selvaganapathy P. Ravi
Published: June 2022

Phosphorus is required for plants and humans to survive because it is needed for cell signaling, skeletal integrity, energy storage and metabolism. Phosphorus measurements are performed using colorimetric and electrochemical methods. Colorimetry is the most accepted method for commercial devices for phosphorus monitoring while electrochemical systems are still in the research phase. Here we provide the first comprehensive review of solid-state sensors for phosphate monitoring. The review focuses on solid state reagent storage for colorimetric sensors and different materials used in solid state electrochemical sensors. The electrochemical sensors are further classified into three groups: potentiometric, amperometric and voltammetric. All sensors are evaluated based on parameters such as measurement range, limit of detection (LOD), working pH and response time. Finally, we discuss limitations of the current sensors and future directions for the development of these sensors.
Core-Shell CuS@MoS2 Cathodes for High-Performance Hybrid Mg-Li Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Jinxing , Wang Xiao , Yang Jingdong , Dong Xiaoyang , Chen Xiang , Zhang Ying , Zeng Wen , Xu Junyao , Wang Jingfeng , Huang Guangsheng , Pan Fusheng
Published: June 2022

With high theoretical specific capacity and favorable electrochemical properties, CuS is considered to be the ideal cathode material for hybrid Mg-Li ion batteries. However, the traditional CuS cathodes exhibit inferior rate performance and poor cycle stability, which limits the development and application of CuS. In this work, CuS@MoS2 with core–shell structure was prepared by two-step hydrothermal synthesis. When utilized for hybrid Mg-Li batteries, CuS@MoS2 displayes high special capacity and stable cycling performance. At current density of 50, 100 and 300 mAg−1, the first discharge capacity is 337.40, 276.28 and 254.58 mAhg−1 which are all higher than those of single CuS and MoS2. More importantly, the discharge capacity of core–shell CuS@MoS2 can remain 104.70 mAhg−1 at 100 mAg−1 after 50 cycles. These performance improvements are contributed to rich reaction sites and high conductivity of mixed metal sulfides. Furthermore, core–shell structure could relieve the volumetric change and remain structure stability for active materials. In conclusion, core–shell CuS@MoS2 could offer a new strategy for the design of high-performance cathode.
Discovery of the regulatory role of calcium ion in muscle contraction and relaxation: Setsuro Ebashi and the international emergence of Japanese muscle research
Authors: Rall Jack A.
Published: June 2022

Setsuro Ebashi proposed the calcium concept of muscle contraction and relaxation in 1961. It was a very unpopular theory. He showed that Ca2+ activated contraction and that the sarcoplasmic reticulum caused relaxation by binding Ca2+ in an ATP-dependent manner. Most notably, he discovered the receptor that mediated Ca2+ control of contraction and named it “troponin.” Ebashi’s discoveries are considered to be the most important in the muscle field since the 1950s.
Role of hepatic lipid species in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Deng Ke-Qiong , Huang Xuewei , Lei Fang , Zhang Xiao-Jing , Zhang Peng , She Zhi-Gang , Cai Jingjing , Ji Yan-Xiao , Li Hongliang
Published: June 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease due to the global pandemic of metabolic diseases. Dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism plays a central role in the initiation and progression of NAFLD. With the advancement of lipidomics, an increasing number of lipid species and underlying mechanisms associating hepatic lipid components have been revealed. Therefore, the focus of this review is to highlight the links between hepatic lipid species and their mechanisms mediating the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We first summarized the interplay between NAFLD and hepatic lipid disturbances. Next, we focused on reviewing the role of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, oxidized phospholipids, and their respective intermediates in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The mechanisms by which monounsaturated fatty acids and other pro-resolving mediators exert protective effects are also addressed. Finally, we further discussed the implication of different analysis approaches in lipidomics. Evolving insights into the pathophysiology of NAFLD will provide the opportunity for drug development.
Fibronectin isoforms in skeletal development and associated disorders
Authors: Dinesh Neha E. H. , Campeau Philippe M. , Reinhardt Dieter P.
Published: June 2022

The extracellular matrix is an intricate and essential network of proteins and nonproteinaceous components that provide a conducive microenvironment for cells to regulate cell function, differentiation, and survival. Fibronectin is one key component in the extracellular matrix that participates in determining cell fate and function crucial for normal vertebrate development. Fibronectin undergoes time-dependent expression patterns during stem cell differentiation, providing a unique stem cell niche. Mutations in fibronectin have been recently identified to cause a rare form of skeletal dysplasia with scoliosis and abnormal growth plates. Even though fibronectin has been extensively analyzed in developmental processes, the functional role and importance of this protein and its various isoforms in skeletal development remain less understood. This review attempts to provide a concise and critical overview of the role of fibronectin isoforms in cartilage and bone physiology and associated pathologies. This will facilitate a better understanding of the possible mechanisms through which fibronectin exerts its regulatory role on cellular differentiation during skeletal development. The review discusses the consequences of mutations in fibronectin leading to corner fracture type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia and presents a new outlook toward matrix-mediated molecular pathways in relation to therapeutic and clinical relevance.
Peripheral serotonin: cultivating companionship with gut microbiota in intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Kwon Yun Han , Khan Waliul I.
Published: June 2022

Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is an evolutionarily ancient and phylogenetically conserved monoamine that regulates multifaceted physiological functions in mammals. 5-HT was, at one time, most extensively studied as a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system but is now known to regulate nonneuronal functions including immune responses in an autocrine-paracrine-endocrine manner. Compelling evidence from intervention studies using germ-free mice or antibiotic-associated microbiota perturbation suggests that novel interactions between 5-HT and the gut microbiota are essential in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, recent studies reveal that bidirectional host-microbial interactions mediated by the host serotonergic system can promote distinct changes within the gut microbiota. These changes may potentially lead to a state known as “dysbiosis” that has been strongly associated with various gut pathologies including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, we update the current understanding of host-microbiota interaction by focusing on the impact of peripheral 5-HT signaling within this dynamic. We also briefly highlight key environmental risk factors for IBD, such as the Western diet, and draw attention to the interaction of synthetic food colorants with 5-HT signaling that may facilitate future research.
The kidney protects against sepsis by producing systemic uromodulin
Authors: LaFavers Kaice A. , Hage Chadi A. , Gaur Varun , Micanovic Radmila , Hato Takashi , Khan Shehnaz , Winfree Seth , Doshi Simit , Moorthi Ranjani N. , Twigg Homer , Wu Xue-Ru , Dagher Pierre C. , Srour Edward F. , El-Achkar Tarek M.
Published: June 2022

Specific therapies to improve outcomes in sepsis with kidney injury have been limited by an unclear understanding of how kidney injury increases sepsis mortality. Here, we identified Tamm–Horsfall protein, known to protect in ischemic acute kidney injury, as protective in preclinical sepsis models. Tamm–Horsfall protein also increased in clinical sepsis without severe kidney injury and concentrated in injured organs. Further study could lead to novel sepsis therapeutics.
Care Bundles plus Detailed Nursing on Mortality and Nursing Satisfaction of Patients with Septic Shock in ICU
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Yan , Zhong Ailing , Zhou Fen , Wang Haibo
Published: June 2022

Objective. To evaluate the effect of care bundles combined with detailed nursing on the mortality and nursing satisfaction of patients with septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods. Ninety patients with septic shock in the ICU admitted to our hospital from April 2019 to April 2020 were recruited and assigned to an experimental group and a control group via the random table method, with 45 cases in each group. The control group adopted conventional nursing, and the experimental group received care bundles combined with detailed nursing. The nursing effect, satisfaction, and mortality of the two groups were compared. The “Glasgow Coma Scale” (GCS) was used to evaluate the coma of the patients, the “Coma Recovery Scale” (CRS-R) was used to assess the state of consciousness of the patients, and the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression” (HAD) scale was used to evaluate the patient’s emotional status before and after the intervention. Results. The experimental group showed a significantly higher nursing efficiency and better nursing satisfaction than the control group (P<0.05). Lower mortality was found in the experimental group in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). The experimental group had higher GCS scores and CRS-R scores and lower HAD scores than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion. Care bundles plus detailed nursing for patients with septic shock in the ICU improve the nursing effect and nursing satisfaction, reduce the mortality rate, and mitigate the clinical symptoms of patients, which shows great potential in clinical application and promotion.
A Viterbi Decoder under Class A Modeled Noise in Shallow Water
Authors: Wang Yifei , Fan Huili , Zhang Xuebo , Tian Tian , Hong Shaohua , Xie Zhuofan , Song Ruiping , Zhou Mingzhang , Feng Xiao , Liang Yiting , Zhang Shu
Published: June 2022

A traditional Viterbi decoder is primarily optimized for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). With the AWGN channel, it offers good decoding performance. However, the underwater acoustic communication (UAC) channel is extremely complicated. In addition to white noise, there are a variety of artificial and natural impulse noise that occur suddenly. The traditional Viterbi decoder cannot obtain the optimum performance under this case. In order to solve this problem, this paper introduces a novel Viterbi decoder with the impulsive noise, which is considered to be subjected to Middleton Class A distribution in shallow ocean. Since Middleton Class A noise is very complicated, a simplified model is first introduced. Then, the error analysis of simplified model under various parameters is discussed in detail. The analysis shows that the simplified one just leads to slight error. Hereafter, a novel Veterbi decoder using the simplified model is discussed. Compared to a traditional decoder, a preprocessing is just required. The performance of soft decision-based decoder in the Middleton Class A noise channel (MAIN) and AWGN are further compared. Based on our simulations, the new decoder can significantly improve the performance in comparison with conventional one, which further validates our presented method.
Construction of Public Energy and Environmental Protection Media Cognition and Behavior Relationship Based on CGSS2013 Data
Authors: Fan Ruichan
Published: June 2022

In recent years, the environmental conditions in China have continued to deteriorate, and the pressure of environmental pollution and ecological deterioration has also increased. To strengthen environmental protection work, we must not only pay attention to the natural causes of environmental pollution but also find the social causes of its occurrence. Only in this way can environmental protection and social construction promote each other and develop together. The relationship between the public’s environmental protection awareness (including environmental protection knowledge and environmental awareness) and environmental behavior is a research problem with important theoretical and practical significance. Based on the perspective of planned behavior theory, this paper derives the following research hypothesis: the more the public’s knowledge of environmental protection, the deeper their understanding of the importance of environmental issues, which will directly promote the public’s adoption of environmental behavior. The richer the environmental behavior, the more likely it will affect the environmental cognition that includes the two dimensions of subjective psychological will and the perception of environmental pollution, and then the environmental behavior. The state of the public’s environmental cognition will also directly affect the environmental behavior. This paper analyzes China’s CGSS2013 data, and the results show that there is a correlation between environmental protection awareness and environmental behavior. In addition, environmental protection awareness has a greater impact on private environmental behavior than on public environmental behavior.
[Retracted] Improved CEEMDAN, GA, and SVR Model for Oil Price Forecasting
Authors: Lu Yichun , Luo Junyin , Cui Yiwen , He Zhengbin , Xia Fengchun
Published: June 2022

Accurate prediction of crude oil prices (COPs) is a challenge for academia and industry. Therefore, the present research developed a new CEEMDAN‐GA‐SVR hybrid model to predict COPs, incorporating complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), a genetic algorithm (GA), and support vector regression machine (SVR). First, our team utilized CEEMDAN to realize the decomposition of a raw series of COPs into a group of comparatively simpler subseries. Second, SVR was utilized to predict values for every decomposed subseries separately. Owing to the intricate parametric settings of SVR, GA was employed to achieve the parametric optimisation of SVR during forecast. Then, our team assembled the forecasted values of the entire subseries as the forecasted values of the CEEMDAN‐GA‐SVR model. After a series of experiments and comparison of the results, we discovered that the CEEMDAN‐GA‐SVR model remarkably outperformed single and ensemble benchmark models, as displayed by a case study finished based on a time series of weekly Brent COPs.
Immunoregulatory Therapy Improves Reproductive Outcomes in Elevated Th1/Th2 Women with Embryo Transfer Failure
Authors: Meng Shihui , Zhang Tianzhen , Li Chun , Zhang Xiaowei , Shen Huan
Published: June 2022

Objective. Immunological disturbance is one of the crucial factors of implantation failure. Limited data exists evaluating immunoregulatory therapy in patients with implantation failures. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study on patients who had failed embryo transfer cycle and had elevated Th1/Th2 cytokine ratios between 1/2019 and 3/2020. Patients were assigned into two groups based on whether they received immunoregulatory treatment during a frozen transfer cycle. The primary outcome was live birth rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy, implantation rate, and neonatal outcomes. Results. Of 71 patients enrolled, 41 patients received immunoregulatory therapy and 30 patients did not. Compared to untreated patients, rate of live birth was significantly elevated in the treated group (41.5% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.026). Rate of biochemical pregnancy, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy between two groups were 56.1% vs. 40% (P = 0.18), 36.5% vs. 23.9% (P = 0.15), 51.2% vs. 30% (P = 0.074), and 41.5% vs. 16.7% (P = 0.03), respectively. Although there was no statistical significance, women receiving treatment also had a tendency of lower frequency of pregnancy loss (19.0% vs. 44.4%, P = 0.20). No adverse events were found between newborns of the two groups. Immunoregulatory therapy, age, infertility type, ovulation induction protocol, number of oocytes retrieved, artificial cycle embryo transfer, and cleavage transfer were associated with live birth in univariate analysis (all P < 0.05). Only immunoregulatory therapy was associated with live birth after adjustment of confounders (OR = 5.02, 95% CI: 1.02‐24.8, P = 0.048). Conclusions. Immunoregulatory therapy improves reproductive outcomes in elevated Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio women with embryo transfer failure.
Porcine Fibrin Sealant Promotes Skin Wound Healing in Rats
Authors: Zhang Lihuo , Liu Lu , Zhang Jundong , Zhou Ping
Published: June 2022

Objective. Fibrin sealant (FS) is widely used for skin wound healing, but data on porcine FS (PFS), a new type of FS, are limited. This study investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of porcine fibrin sealant (PFS) on skin wound healing in rats. Methods. Traumatic rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, PFS, and medical Vaseline. The wound area and wound index of the rats were measured within 14 days after surgery. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological images and collagen formation on the wounded skin, respectively. To investigate the healing mechanisms, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) expression in the wounded skin. Additionally, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Meanwhile, TGF-β1 protein expression was assessed by Western blot analysis. Results. Compared with the control group, both PFS and medical Vaseline treatment significantly reduced the wounded area and increased the wound closure rate. H&E staining showed that the cells in the PFS group proliferated rapidly, and the epidermis and dermis were thickened to some extent with a clear epidermal cell structure. Moreover, PFS promoted the formation of collagen and significantly increased the levels of CD31 and CD34 and the growth factors in the skin tissues of the traumatic rats. Conclusion. PFS effectively promoted skin wound healing, especially in tissue formation, reepithelialization, angiogenesis, and collagen deposition, in traumatic rat models. This study provides a new strategy and scientific foundation for PFS application in skin wound healing.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Manage Postoperative Ocular Pain after Pterygium Excision with Conjunctival Autograft Transplantation with a Single Application of 2% Sodium Hyaluronate
Authors: Chaidaroon Winai , Isipradit Sirawit , Upaphong Phit , Dejkriengkraikul Chutikarn
Published: June 2022

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of a single application of 2% sodium hyaluronate (SH) in controlling pain after pterygium excision as compared with that of a control group. Methods. We performed a prospective randomized controlled trial in the patients who underwent pterygium excision. The outcome of topical application of 2.0% SH was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), in comparison with that observed in a control group (without SH). The area of ocular surface defects was assessed by ImageJ freeware. Analysis of pain scores and ocular surface defects were observed from both groups immediately after the operation, Day 0, and 3 subsequent days. Results. Thirty patients were randomly divided into control group and SH treatment group. The initial area of the ocular surface defect on Day 0 was approximately the same for both groups (

p
=
0.242

). The medians of pain score assessed by the VAS on Days 0, 1, and 2 were 5, 3, and 0 for the SH group and 6, 5, and 3 for the control group, respectively. The pain score was statistically significantly decreased in the SH group compared to the control group on Day 1 (

p
<
0.001

) and Day 2 (

p
<
0.001

). The pain level of both groups was nearly the same on Day 3 (

p
=
0.141

). The area of ocular surface defects was significantly different between two groups on Day 1 (

p
<
0.001

) and Day 2 (

p
<
0.001

). Postoperative complications were not observed. Conclusion. A single topical application of 2% SH in pterygium excision was effective in relieving pain in the early postoperative period without any adverse effects. This innovation may provide alternative pain control in pterygium surgery.
The Combined Application of Surface Floating Wetlands and Bottom Anaerobic to Remediate AMD-Contaminated Lakes
Authors: Fu Tianling , Wu Yonggui , Wang Hu , Chen Kaiju , Zeng Yan , Wen Zhongzheng , Ran Zhengyan , He Li
Published: June 2022

Acid mine drainage (AMD) causes environmental pollution that affects many countries with historic or current mining industries. The eco-remediation system (RW) which combined surface floating wetlands and bottom anaerobic sediments (SFW-BAS) was selected for AMD-contaminated lakes (AMDW). Meanwhile, AMDW and nature aquatic ecosystems (NW) were set as the control groups, respectively. The parameters, including pH, Eh, Fe, Mn, SO42−, and the degradation rate of the native dominant plant litter were investigated to assess the effects of remediation. The results showed that the average of pH, Eh, and EC, was 2.73, 484.08 mv, and 2395.33 μs·cm−1, respectively. The average content of SO42−, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb was 2190 mg·L−1, 40.2 mg·L−1, 4.6 mg·L−1, 249.2 μg·L−1, 1563 μg·L−1, and 112.9 μg·L−1, respectively. The degradation rate of plant litters in AMDW ranged from 14.5% to 22.6%. However, RW ultimately improved the water quality and the degradation of litters. RW has a good effect on buffering the acidity, ranging from 3.96 to 7.41. The pH of RW (6.14) is close to that of NW (7.41). The average content of SO42−, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb was 2071 mg·L−1, 3.4 mg·L−1, 2.4 mg·L−1, 85.3 μg·L−1, 607.4 μg·L−1, and 47.8 μg·L−1, respectively, which showed good pollutant removal performance. The degradation rate of plant litters in RW ranged from 27.8% to 32.6%. Therefore, RW can be used to remediate AMDW.
Virtual Reality Design in Reading User Experience: 3D Data Visualization with Interaction in Digital Publication Figures
Authors: Wei Tian , Xing Yongkang , Wu Yushuo , Kwan Ho Yan
Published: June 2022

With computer technology rapidly growing in recent years, there is a significant trend that virtual reality technologies turn into the public. The paper found that VR has a high potential to improve reading efficiency. The research discussed various figures, which is the key element for data visualization in digital publications. Furthermore, the research analyzes the characteristic of VR. The research divides the data into three types: Static Data, Dynamic Data, and Interactive Data. The research designs the framework to transfer the data into VR platforms. In order to evaluate the performance efficiency of the framework, we conducted performance evaluations and a user study with 20 participants. Compared with traditional 2D figures, the experimental results show that the 3D framework can be used as an effective visual tool for reading on VR platforms. The paper indicates the possible future view based on the design study.