bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind- and tidal driven ambient noise in seasonally ice-covered waters north of the Svalbard archipelago
Authors: Tollefsen Dag , Buen Helge
Published: August 2022

This paper presents analysis of a 1-year (2018–2019) recording of ambient noise (40–2000 Hz) at a seasonally ice-covered location on the continental slope between the Svalbard archipelago and the Nansen Basin, northeast Atlantic Arctic. Time series of ambient noise show highest correlations with ice concentration and wind speed. A log-wind speed regression model is fitted to spectral noise data for three categories of ice concentration. Wind-speed dependence decreases with increasing ice concentration and increases with frequency, except at high ice concentration. Periodicity in noise during the ice-covered season is related to the M2 and M4 tidal current constituents.
DLL4 and VCAM1 enhance the emergence of T cell–competent hematopoietic progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Michaels Yale S. , Edgar John M. , Major Matthew C. , Castle Elizabeth L. , Zimmerman Carla , Yin Ting , Hagner Andrew , Lau Charles , Hsu Han Hsuan , Ibañez-Rios M. Iliana , Durland Lauren J. , Knapp David J. H. F. , Zandstra Peter W.
Published: August 2022

T cells show tremendous efficacy as cellular therapeutics. However, obtaining primary T cells from human donors is expensive and variable. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the potential to provide a renewable source of T cells, but differentiating PSCs into hematopoietic progenitors with T cell potential remains an important challenge. Here, we report an efficient serum- and feeder-free system for differentiating human PSCs into hematopoietic progenitors and T cells. This fully defined approach allowed us to study the impact of individual proteins on blood emergence and differentiation. Providing DLL4 and VCAM1 during the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition enhanced downstream progenitor T cell output by ~80-fold. These two proteins synergized to activate notch signaling in nascent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and VCAM1 additionally promoted an inflammatory transcriptional program. We also established optimized medium formulations that enabled efficient and chemically defined maturation of functional CD8αβ
+
, CD4
−
, CD3
+
, TCRαβ
+
T cells with a diverse TCR repertoire.
High-specificity protection against radiation-induced bone loss by a pulsed electromagnetic field
Authors: Yan Zedong , Wang Dan , Cai Jing , Shen Liangliang , Jiang Maogang , Liu Xiyu , Huang Jinghui , Zhang Yong , Luo Erping , Jing Da
Published: August 2022

Radiotherapy increases tumor cure and survival rates; however, radiotherapy-induced bone damage remains a common issue for which effective countermeasures are lacking, especially considering tumor recurrence risks. We report a high-specificity protection technique based on noninvasive electromagnetic field (EMF). A unique pulsed-burst EMF (PEMF) at 15 Hz and 2 mT induces notable Ca
2+
oscillations with robust Ca
2+
spikes in osteoblasts in contrast to other waveforms. This waveform parameter substantially inhibits radiotherapy-induced bone loss by specifically modulating osteoblasts without affecting other bone cell types or tumor cells. Mechanistically, primary cilia are identified as major PEMF sensors in osteoblasts, and the differentiated ciliary expression dominates distinct PEMF sensitivity between osteoblasts and tumor cells. PEMF-induced unique Ca
2+
oscillations depend on interactions between ciliary polycystins-1/2 and endoplasmic reticulum, which activates the Ras/MAPK/AP-1 axis and subsequent DNA repair Ku70 transcription. Our study introduces a previously unidentified method against radiation-induced bone damage in a noninvasive, cost-effective, and highly specific manner.
Insights into Evolutionary, Genomic, and Biogeographic Characterizations of Chryseobacterium nepalense Represented by a Polyvinyl Alcohol-Degrading Bacterium, AC3
Authors: Liu Xinbei , Wang Dandan , Yin Zhiqiu , Sun Li , Pang Shiqi , Liu Jianing , Li Wei , Cui Shiyu , Huang Weiwei , Du Yuhui , Xie Zhihong
Published: August 2022

Although PVA is a biodegradable polymer, the widespread use of PVA in global industrialization has resulted in serious environmental problems. To date, knowledge of effective and applicable PVA-degrading bacteria is limited, and thus, the discovery of novel PVA biodegraders is pertinent.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae Nonmosaic
penA-
Targeting Strains Potentially Eradicable by Cefixime
Authors: Shimuta Ken , Takahashi Hideyuki , Akeda Yukihiro , Nakayama Shu-ichi , Ohnishi Makoto
Published: August 2022

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is among the hot topics of “resistance guided therapy,” one of the top 5 urgent antimicrobial threats according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is a need either to develop new agents or to make effective use of existing agents, with the current limited number of therapeutic agents available.
Maternal knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice and associated factors in Shenzhen, China: a facility-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Ying , Chen Ling , Wang Xiaojiao , Zhao Chun , Guo Zonglian , Li Jue , Yang Fang , Cai Wenzhi
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice among mothers in Shenzhen, China, and analyse associated factors.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study was conducted in Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, a university-affiliated, tertiary level A, public hospital in China. On average, 4000 mothers are discharged from this hospital after childbirth each year, most of whom can access a mobile phone and the internet.

Participants

Participants were 403 mothers discharged from the study hospital within 48–72 hours after vaginal delivery or 96–120 hours after caesarean delivery between April and June 2021. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling.

Primary outcome

Mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice, modelled using binary logistic regression.

Secondary outcomes

Factors associated with mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice.

Results

The questionnaire was reliable (Cronbach’s alpha=0.802) and valid (scale-level content validity index=0.958). The valid response rate was 96.4%. Only 46.4% of participating mothers had good knowledge about neonatal jaundice and 41.7% indicated they would seek information about neonatal jaundice. A binary logistic regression analysis showed good knowledge about jaundice was associated with a high education level (ie, master’s degree or above; OR=5.977, 95% CI: 1.994 to 17.916, p=0.001), prior education on neonatal jaundice (OR=3.617, 95% CI: 1.637 to 7.993, p=0.001) and male babies (OR=1.714, 95% CI: 1.122 to 2.617, p=0.013). A positive attitude toward jaundice was associated with being cared for by a ‘yuesao’ (maternity matron specialised in caring for mothers and newborns) (OR=1.969, 95% CI: 1.264 to 3.066, p=0.003) and good knowledge about jaundice (OR=1.804, 95% CI: 1.194 to 2.726, p=0.005). Finally, good practices related to neonatal jaundice were associated with prior education on neonatal jaundice (OR=2.260, 95% CI: 1.105 to 4.625, p=0.026) and good knowledge about jaundice (OR=3.112, 95% CI: 2.040 to 4.749, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Many mothers have poor knowledge about jaundice, especially regarding causes, danger signs and breast milk jaundice. Maternal information-seeking behaviour about neonatal jaundice needs to be improved. Medical staff should incorporate information about the causes/danger signs of jaundice and breast milk jaundice in maternal health education. It is also necessary to strengthen health education for mothers, especially those with low education and no yuesao, and provide reliable websites where mothers can obtain information about neonatal jaundice.
Developing an integrated national simulation-based educational programme for Scottish junior doctors through structured, multistep action research cycles
Authors: Harrison Neil Malcolm , Dennis Ashley
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Simulation is widely employed to teach a range of skills, across healthcare professions and is most effective when embedded within a standarised curriculum. Although recommended by many governing bodies, establishing a national programme of simulation presents many challenges. Successful implementation requires a clear understanding of the priorities and needs of those it seeks to serve yet there are limited examples of how best to do this. This study aimed to develop an integrated national simulation-based educational programme for junior doctors in Scotland through a structed, multistep prioritisation process.

Design

A series of action research cycles were undertaken to develop and evaluate a national simulation programme. This paper describes cycle 1, which employed a six-step structured approach to understand and prioritise learner needs.

Setting

The study considered the educational needs of Scottish junior doctors in the UK Foundation Programme (UKFP).

Participants

Multiple stakeholder groups were involved in each stage of the process including recent Scottish UKFP graduates, clinical educators, UKFP programme directors and postgraduate deans.

Results

Key stakeholders reviewed the 370 competencies in the UKFP curriculum and identified 18 initial competency areas. These 18 areas were subsequently prioritised through the analytical hierarchy process, resulting in a carefully ordered list of 12 competencies from which a targeted simulation-based educational programme could be developed.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to outline the methods of competency prioritisation to create a simulation curriculum that is integrated within a national curriculum in the medical education context. As well as demonstrating the practical steps of such a process, key implications for practice are identified. This robust approach to educational design also resulted in unexpected benefits, including educator and clinician acceptance and programme funding sustainability.
Experienced stigma and applied coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Peters Lynn , Burkert Sanne , Brenner Cecilia , Grüner Beate
Published: August 2022

Objective

Health-related stigma is considered a social determinant of health equity and a hidden burden of disease. This study aimed to assess the level and dimensions of stigma and respective coping mechanisms in COVID-19 survivors.

Methods

A mixed-methods study with sequential explanatory design was conducted at the University Hospital of Ulm, Germany. Stigma was assessed using the Social Impact Scale (SIS) including adult COVID-19 survivors with mild-to-severe disease. Subsequently, 14 participants were sampled with regard to gender, age and severity of disease for in-depth interviews to understand how stigma was experienced and coping strategies were applied. The questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance. Content analysis was used for qualitative data.

Results

From 61 participants, 58% were men and mean age was 51 years. The quantitative analysis of the SIS indicated an intermediate level of experienced stigma. Participants experienced stigma mainly as ‘social rejection’ (M=14.22, SD=4.91), followed by ‘social isolation’ (M=10.17, SD=4.16) and ‘internalised shame’ (M=8.39, SD=3.32). There was no significant difference in experienced stigma regarding gender, education, occupational status or residual symptoms. However, participants between 30 and 39 years of age experienced higher levels of stigma than other age groups (p=0.034). The qualitative analysis revealed how stigma seemed to arise from misconceptions creating irrational fear of infection, leading to stereotyping, vilification, discrimination and social exclusion of COVID-19 survivors, leaving them feeling vulnerable. Stigma cut through all social levels, from the individual level at the bottom to the institutional and societal level at the top. Social networks protected from experiencing stigma.

Conclusion

COVID-19-related stigma is a relevant burden in the ongoing pandemic. Providing accurate information and exposing misinformation on disease prevention and treatment seems key to end COVID-19-related stigma.
COVID-19 postacute care major organ damage: a systematic review
Authors: Greer Nancy , Bart Bradley , Billington Charles J , Diem Susan J , Ensrud Kristine E , Kaka Anjum , Klein Mark , Melzer Anne C , Reule Scott , Shaukat Aasma , Sheets Kerry , Starks Jamie , Vardeny Orly , McKenzie Lauren , Stroebel Benjamin , Macdonald Roderick , Sowerby Katie , Duan-Porter Wei , Wilt Timothy J
Published: August 2022

Background

Major organ complications have been reported in patients hospitalised for COVID-19; most studies lacked controls.

Objective

Examine major organ damage postdischarge among adults hospitalised for COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 controls.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library from 1 January 2020 to 19 May 2021.

Study eligibility criteria

English language studies of adults discharged from hospital for COVID-19; reporting major organ damage. Single review of abstracts; independent dual review of full text.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal Checklist for Cohort Studies. Outcome data were not pooled due to heterogeneity in populations, study designs and outcome assessment methods; findings are narratively synthesised.

Results

Of 124 studies in a full evidence report, 9 included non-COVID controls and are described here. Four of the nine (three USA, one UK) used large administrative databases. Four of the remaining five studies enrolled <600 COVID-19 patients. Mean or median age ranged from 49 to 70 years with 46%–94% male and 48%–78% White race; 10%–40% had been in intensive care units. Follow-up ranged from 4 weeks to 22 weeks postdischarge. Four used hospitalised controls, three non-hospitalised controls and two were unclear. Studies used various definitions of, and methods to assess, major organ damage outcomes. While the magnitude of effect differed across studies, incident cardiac, pulmonary, liver, acute and chronic kidney, stroke, diabetes, and coagulation disorders were consistently greater in adults hospitalised for COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 controls.

Limitations

Applicability to subgroups (age, gender, COVID-19 severity, treatment, vaccination status) and non-hospitalised patients is unknown.

Conclusions and implications of key findings

Postacute COVID-19 major organ damage is common and likely higher than controls. However, there is substantial uncertainty. More consistent reporting of clinical outcomes and pre-COVID health status along with careful selection of control groups are needed to address evidence gaps.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020204788.
Troponin and short-term mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection: a retrospective study in an inner-city London hospital
Authors: Shyam-Sundar Vijay , Stein Dan Fredman , Spazzapan Martina , Sullivan Andrew , Qin Cathy , Voon Victor
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate the association between troponin positivity in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and increased mortality in the short term.

Setting

Homerton University Hospital, an inner-city district general hospital in East London.

Design

A single-centre retrospective observational study.

Participants

All adults admitted with swab-proven RT-PCR COVID-19 to Homerton University Hospital from 4 February 2020 to 30 April 2020 (n=402).

Outcome measures

We analysed demographic and biochemical data collected from the patient record according to the primary outcome of death at 28 days during hospital admission.

Methods

Troponin positivity was defined above the upper limit of normal according to our local laboratory assay (>15.5 ng/L for females, >34 ng/L for males). Univariate and multivariate logistical regression analyses were performed to evaluate the link between troponin positivity and death.

Results

Mean age was 65.3 years for men compared with 63.8 years for women. A χ2 test showed survival of patients with COVID-19 was significantly higher in those with a negative troponin (p=3.23×10−10) compared with those with a positive troponin. In the multivariate logistical regression, lung disease, age, troponin positivity and continuous positive airway pressure were all significantly associated with death, with an area under the curve of 0.889, sensitivity of 0.886 and specificity of 0.629 for the model. Within this model, troponin positivity was independently associated with short-term mortality (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.34 to 6.61, p=0.008).

Conclusions

We demonstrated an independent association between troponin positivity and increased short-term mortality in COVID-19 in a London district general hospital.
Research priorities in pernicious anaemia: James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
Authors: Staley Kristina , Ahmadi Kourosh R , Carter Karyl , Cowan Katherine , Seage Heidi , Visser Petra , Ward Nicola , Hooper Martyn
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To form a James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) to determine research priorities related to the cause, diagnosis, treatment and management of pernicious anaemia (PA) from the perspectives of patients, carers and clinicians.

Design

The PSP conducted two surveys and a workshop to identify the Top 10 questions for research. A first survey identified questions relating to the cause, diagnosis, treatment and management of PA. A literature search checked whether any of these questions had already been answered. A second survey asked respondents to identify and rank their top 10 questions from the list of questions from the first survey. An online workshop used an adapted nominal group technique to agree a final Top 10.

Results

In the first survey, 933 people submitted 3480 responses that were categorised and summarised to generate a long list of 40 questions. None had been answered by previous research. The combined rankings from the 1068 patients, carers and clinicians who took part in the second survey identified a short list of 16 questions. These were discussed at the final workshop to agree the final Top 10. The number one question was about an accurate and reliable diagnostic test for PA. The other nine questions were about making treatment safe and effective, understanding why people with PA vary in their need for treatment, links to other conditions, and how to encourage clinicians to take PA seriously and provide long-term care.

Conclusions

This JLA PSP enabled patients, carers and clinicians to work together to agree the Top 10 uncertainties relating to the cause, diagnosis, management and treatment of PA. Addressing any of these questions will greatly benefit the end-users of research, the people whose daily lives and decisions will be directly affected by generating high quality research evidence.
Hyperbaric oxygen facilitates teniposide-induced cGAS-STING activation to enhance the antitumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody in HCC
Authors: Li Kun , Gong Yihang , Qiu Dongbo , Tang Hui , Zhang Jian , Yuan Zenan , Huang Yingqi , Qin Yunfei , Ye Linsen , Yang Yang
Published: August 2022

Background

Emerging evidence indicates that the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) axis plays a pivotal role in intrinsic antitumor immunity. Previous studies demonstrate that the conventional chemotherapy agent, teniposide, effectively promotes the therapeutic efficacy of programmed cell death protein-1 antibody (PD-1 Ab) through robust cGAS-STING activation. Unfortunately, the cGAS expression of tumor cells is reported to be severely suppressed by the hypoxic status in solid tumor. Clinically, enhancing chemotherapy-induced, DNA-activated tumor STING signaling by alleviating tumor hypoxia might be one possible direction for improving the currently poor response rates of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to PD-1 Ab.

Methods

Teniposide was first screened out from several chemotherapy drugs according to their potency in inducing cGAS-STING signaling in human HCC cells. Teniposide-treated HCC cells were then cultured under hypoxia, normoxia or reoxygenation condition to detect change in cGAS-STING signaling. Next, oxaliplatin/teniposide chemotherapy alone or combined with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy was administered on liver orthotopic mouse tumor models, after which the tumor microenvironment (TME) was surveyed. Lastly, teniposide alone or combined with HBO was performed on multiple mouse tumor models and the subsequent anti-PD-1 therapeutic responses were observed.

Results

Compared with the first-line oxaliplatin chemotherapy, teniposide chemotherapy induced stronger cGAS-STING signaling in human HCC cells. Teniposide-induced cGAS-STING activation was significantly inhibited by hypoxia inducible factor 1α in an oxygen-deficient environment in vitro and the inhibition was rapidly removed via effective reoxygenation. HBO remarkably enhanced the cGAS-STING-dependent tumor type Ⅰ interferon and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling induced by teniposide in vivo, both of which contributed to the activation of dendritic cells and subsequent cytotoxic T cells. Combined HBO with teniposide chemotherapy improved the therapeutic effect of PD-1 Ab in multiple tumor models.

Conclusions

By combination of two therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration, we safely stimulated an immunogenic, T cell-inflamed HCC TME, leading to further sensitization of tumors to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. These findings might enrich therapeutic strategies for advanced HCC andwe can attempt to improve the response rates of patients with HCC to PD-1 Ab by enhancing DNA-activated STING signaling through effective tumor reoxygenation.
Snail-regulated exosomal microRNA-21 suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activity to enhance cisplatin resistance
Authors: Cheng Han-Ying , Hsieh Chia-Hsin , Lin Po-Han , Chen Yu-Tung , Hsu Dennis Shin-Shian , Tai Shyh-Kuan , Chu Pen-Yuan , Yang Muh-Hwa
Published: August 2022

Background

Compared with the precise targeting of drug-resistant mutant cancer cells, strategies for eliminating non-genetic adaptation-mediated resistance are limited. The pros and cons of the existence of inflammasomes in cancer have been reported. Nevertheless, the dynamic response of inflammasomes to therapies should be addressed.

Methods

Tumor-derived exosomes were purified by differential ultracentrifugation and validated by nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A proximity ligation assay and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level were used for detecting activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the exosomal RNAs.MIR21knocked out human monocytic THP cells andmir21knocked out murine oral cancer MTCQ1 cells were generated for confirming the exosomal delivery of microRNA (miR)-21. Syngeneic murine models for head and neck cancer (C57BLJ/6J), breast cancer (BALB/C) and lung cancer (C57BL/6J) were applied for examining the impact of Snail-miR21 axis on inflammasome activation in vivo. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used for analyzing the tumor-infiltrated immune cells. Head and neck patient samples were used for validating the findings in clinical samples.

Results

We demonstrated that in cancer cells undergoing Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor cells suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activities of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in response to chemotherapy through the delivery of exosomal miR-21. Mechanistically, miR-21 repressesPTENandBRCC3to facilitate NLRP3 phosphorylation and lysine-63 ubiquitination, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Furthermore, the Snail-miR-21 axis shapes the post-chemotherapy tumor microenvironment (TME) by repopulating TAMs and by activating CD8+T cells. In patients with head and neck cancer, the Snail-high cases lacked post-chemotherapy IL-1β surge and were correlated with a worse response.

Conclusions

This finding reveals the mechanism of EMT-mediated resistance beyond cancer stemness through modulation of post-treatment inflammasome activity. It also highlights the dynamic remodeling of the TME throughout metastatic evolution.
Cosmic acceleration and geodesic deviation in chameleon scalar field model
Authors: Zaregonbadi Raziyeh , Saba Nasim , Farhoudi Mehrdad
Published: August 2022

While considering the chameleon scalar field model with the spatially flat FLRW background, we investigate the late-time acceleration phase of the universe, wherein we apply the typical potential usually used in this model. Through setting some constraints on the free parameters of the model, we indicate that the non-minimal coupling between the matter and the scalar field in such a model should be strongly coupled in order to have an accelerated expansion of the universe at the late-time. We also investigate the relative acceleration of the parallel geodesics by obtaining the geodesic deviation equation in the context of chameleon model. Then, through the null deviation vector fields, we obtain the observer area-distance as a measurable quantity to compare the model with other relevant models.
Erratum to: Detecting long-lived multi-charged particles in neutrino mass models with MoEDAL
Authors: Hirsch Martin , Masełek Rafał , Sakurai Kazuki
Published: August 2022

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09507-9
Hadron pair production in semi-inclusive electron positron annihilation process at twist-4
Authors: Yang Weihua
Published: August 2022

Fragmentation functions are important quantities in describing the hadronization process in high energy reactions. They can induce various azimuthal modulations which can be measured to reveal correlations between transverse momenta and polarizations. Without introducing initial state uncertainties, electron positron annihilation process is known as an ideal process to investigate the fragmentation functions. In this paper, therefore, we calculate the hadron pair production in the semi-inclusive electron positron annihilation process $$e^+ + e^- \rightarrow h_1+h_2 + {\bar{q}} +X$$

e
+

+

e
-

→

h
1

+

h
2

+

q

¯

+
X

at twist-4 to study dihadron fragmentation functions. Here $${\bar{q}}$$

q

¯

denotes an antiquark that corresponds to a jet of hadrons in experiments. Together with single hadron fragmentation functions, dihadron fragmentation functions can provide additional ways to extract nucleon parton distribution functions from the semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering experiments with two detected final state hadrons. We calculate the differential cross section of the hadron pair production semi-inclusive electron positron annihilation process at twist-4 level. The calculation is carried out by using the collinear expansion method. We also calculate azimuthal asymmetries in terms of dihadron fragmentation functions. Contributions from four-quark correlator are also taken into account. Both the electromagnetic and weak interactions are considered in this paper.
Control of quantum dynamics: non-Markovianity and speedup of a massive particle evolution due to gravity
Authors: Wang Qi , Xu Kai , Yan Wei-Bin , Zhang Ying-Jie , Man Zhong-Xiao , Xia Yun-Jie , Fan Heng
Published: August 2022

We illustrate two linear configurations (one-side model and two-side model) for implementing a non-Markovian speedup evolution of a massive particle gravitationally coupled with a controllable environment: multiple massive particles. By controlling the environment, for instance by choosing a judicious the mass of the environmental particles or by changing the separation distance of each massive particle, two dynamical crossover behaviors from Markovian to non-Markovian and from no-speedup to speedup are achieved due to the gravitational interactions between the system particle and each environmental particle. Numerical calculation also shows that the critical mass of the environmental particles or the critical separation distance for these two dynamical crossover behaviors restrict each other directly. The larger the value of the mass of the environmental particles is, the smaller the value of the critical separation distance should be requested. In this work, the non-Markovian dynamics is the principal physical reason for the speedup evolution of a quantum system. Particularly, the non-Markovianity of the system mass particle in the two-side model has better correspondence with the quantum speed limit time than that in the one-side model.
Formation of primordial black holes after Starobinsky inflation
Authors: Frolovsky Daniel , Ketov Sergei V. , Saburov Sultan
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we adapted the Appleby–Battye–Starobinsky model of [Formula: see text] gravity towards describing double cosmological inflation and formation of primordial black holes with masses up to [Formula: see text] g in the single-field model. We found that it is possible to get an enhancement of the power spectrum of scalar curvature perturbations to the level beyond the Hawking (black hole evaporation) limit of [Formula: see text] g, so that the primordial black holes resulting from gravitational collapse of those large primordial perturbations can survive in the present universe and form part of cold dark matter. Our results agree with the current measurements of cosmic microwave background radiation within [Formula: see text] but require fine-tuning of the parameters.
New trends of mathematical sciences towards modeling virus pandemics in a globally connected world
Authors: Bellomo N. , Brezzi F. , Chaplain M. A. J.
Published: August 2022

The contents of this editorial is proposed in three parts devoted to the modeling and simulation of mutating virus pandemics in a globally connected world. The presentation is as follows: first, a general framework is presented according to the idea that mathematical models should go beyond deterministic population dynamics by considering the multiscale, heterogeneous features of the complex system under consideration; second, the contents of the papers in this issue are presented; finally, there is a critical analysis looking ahead to research perspectives.
Hybrid Pattern Extraction with Deep Learning-Based Heart Disease Diagnosis Using Echocardiogram Images
Authors: Chamundeshwari  , Biradar Nagashetteppa , Udaykumar
Published: August 2022

Echocardiography represents a noninvasive diagnostic approach that offers information concerning hemodynamics and cardiac function. It is a familiar cardiovascular diagnostic test apart from chest X-ray and echocardiography. The medical knowledge is enhanced by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches like deep learning and machine learning because of the increase in the complexity as well as the volume of the data that in turn unlocks the clinically significant information. Similarly, the usage of developing information as well as communication technologies is becoming important for generating a persistent healthcare service via which the chronic disease and elderly patients get their medical facility at their home that in turn enhances the life quality and avoids hospitalizations. The main intention of this paper is to design and develop a novel heart disease diagnosis using speckle-noise reduction and deep learning-based feature learning and classification. The datasets gathered from the hospital are composed of both the images and the video frames. Since echocardiogram images suffer from speckle noise, the initial process is the speckle-noise reduction technique. Then, the pattern extraction is performed by combining the Local Binary Pattern (LBP), and Weber Local Descriptor (WLD) referred to as the hybrid pattern extraction. The deep feature learning is conducted by the optimized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), in which the features are extracted from the max-pooling layer, and the fully connected layer is replaced by the optimized Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) for handling the diagnosis of heart disease, thus proposed model is termed as CRNN. The novel Adaptive Electric Fish Optimization (A-EFO) is used for performing feature learning and classification. In the final step, the best accuracy is achieved with the introduced model, while a comparative analysis is accomplished over the traditional models. From the experimental analysis, FDR of A-EFO-CRNN at 75% learning percentage is 21.05%, 15%, 48.89%, and 71.95% progressed than CRNN, CNN, RNN, and NN, respectively. Thus, the performance of the A-EFO-CRNN is enriched than the existing heuristic-oriented and classifiers in terms of the image dataset.
Analysis of Single Image Super-Resolution Techniques: An Evolutionary Study
Authors: Deepak A. V. S. , Ghanekhar Umesh
Published: August 2022

Single image super-resolution (SR) is a technique that reconstructs a high-resolution (HR) image from a single low-resolution (LR) input image. The main objective of super-resolution algorithms is to achieve a high-resolution image that is consistent with the input low-resolution image but has enhanced spectral properties. In this review, several research papers and their corresponding algorithms have been reviewed and are classified based on their methodology. The principal objective of this review is to understand the evolution of SISR techniques from basic interpolation techniques to sophisticated convolutional neural networks. This article also presents design considerations for future advancements.
An Adaptive Illumination Optimization Method for Local Overexposed Image
Authors: Lyu Chengang , Zhang Mengqi , Jin Jie
Published: August 2022

In order to solve the local overexposure caused by uneven surface reflectance, this paper proposes a fast-adaptive illumination control method with a camera-projector system. At first, an image is captured by the camera and the local overexposed area is segmented using saliency detection. Then the calculated image is projected onto the object by the projector as corrective illumination. The calculation process includes the inversion of the gray value in the overexposed area and the adjustment based on the position and depth information of the object. The high-exposure saturated regional which affects the target recognition is thus reduced, and the original illumination intensity is reserved for the other regions. This process is iterated until the optimal illumination is achieved. The resulting image for each iteration is evaluated using Blind/no Reference Image Space Quality Estimator (BRISQUE). When BRISQUE value reaches the minimum, a high-quality image is achieved. The experiments show that the proposed approach can significantly improve the speed of obtaining normally exposed images, and this system provides new ideas for industry image acquisition.
Research and Application of a Novel Combined Asymmetric Tristable Stochastic Resonance System
Authors: Zhang Gang , Zhu Xingyu , Jiang Zhongjun
Published: August 2022

Aiming at the deficiency of weak signal amplification ability in traditional bistable system and combining with the advantages of tristable system and asymmetric system, three novel of combined asymmetric tristable stochastic resonance (SR) systems are proposed by combining the classical bistable potential model with the Gaussian potential model in this paper, namely, asymmetric well depth stochastic resonance (AWDSR), asymmetric well width stochastic resonance (AWWSR) and asymmetric well depth width stochastic resonance (AWDWSR). The stochastic resonance phenomena of the above three systems under [Formula: see text] noise with the influence of parameters are analyzed, respectively. Through empirical mode decomposition and adaptive genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters for weak signal extraction, it can be found that this method can achieve stronger SR performance. After the bearing fault diagnosis of the proposed systems, the detection results of the three asymmetric systems are obviously better than the classical tristable stochastic resonance (CTSR) and symmetric stochastic resonance (SSR), and the performance advantage of AWDWSR is the greatest. This can provide some reference value for practical engineering application.
Recommendation of Regression Techniques for Software Maintainability Prediction With Multi-Criteria Decision-Making
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Kaur Kamaldeep
Published: August 2022

Context: Successful project management requires accurate estimation of maintenance effort and cost. Software Maintainability Prediction (SMP) plays a very important role in controlling software maintenance costs by detecting software modules with low maintainability. In previous research, numerous regression techniques were applied to predict software maintainability. The results with respect to various accuracy or performance measures are conflicting. Thus, there is a dire need to develop a method that can recommend regression techniques for predicting software maintainability in the presence of conflicting performance or accuracy measures. Objective: This paper aims to recommend suitable regression techniques for SMP based on the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach. Methodology: In our proposed approach, selecting a regression technique for SMP is modeled as the MCDM problem. To validate the proposed approach, an empirical study is done using three MCDM methods, 22 regression techniques, and eight performance measures over five software maintainability datasets. Before applying MCDM methods, a statistical test, namely the Friedman test, was conducted to ensure the significant difference between regression techniques. Results: The results of our study show that SVR, IBK, REPTree, and MLP-SVM achieve the highest-ranking score value one and are recommended as top-ranked approaches for SMP based on MCDM rankings. Conclusion: The main outcome of this study is that the proposed MCDM-based approach can be used as an efficient tool for selecting regression techniques among different available regression techniques for SMP modeling in the presence of more than one conflicting accuracy or performance measure.
MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS: IS THERE A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE?
Authors: ATTIA MERIAM , YOUSFI OUIDAD
Published: August 2022

Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to analyse the association between management and technological innovations. Specifically, we determine whether organisational innovations influence technological ones or vice versa.

Design/approach: This study is drawn from a sample of listed firms on the SBF120 1 index and French Community Innovation Surveys (CIS) carried out between 2004 and 2016.

Findings: Our study provides the following: First, we show that the introduction of new technological innovations could stimulate organisational changes in a firm’s structure. Second, the adoption of new management practices is likely to increase the introduction of new processes, however, it is not sufficient to favour the development of new or significantly improved products.

Research limitations/implications: We studied different types of innovations, but we have ignored other forms of non-technological innovation, such as marketing innovations. It would be interesting to analyse the interaction between marketing and technological innovations.

Practical implications: From a business perspective, we emphasise that firms should introduce new organisational methods in the firm’s business practices, workplace organisation, or external relations, and adopt managerial transformations to boost their innovation potential.

Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that looks at the dynamic character between organisational and technological innovations, especially through a longitudinal study.

1 The SBF120 index consists of the largest 120 capitalizations listed on the French stock Exchange market (SBF: Société des Bourses Françaises).
DO THE INCOME AND PRICE CHANGES AFFECT CONSUMPTION IN THE EMERGING 7 COUNTRIES? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE USING QUANTILE ARDL MODEL
Authors: GOHAR RAHEEL , BAGADEEM SALIM , CHANG BISHARAT HUSSAIN , ZONG MUYU
Published: August 2022

Various empirical studies have been conducted. However, these studies fail to examine the asymmetric effect of income and price across different quantiles of consumption in the emerging 7 countries. This study extends the existing literature using a novel approach called the quantile ARDL model along with the standard nonlinear ARDL model. Findings based on the nonlinear ARDL model indicate that positive shocks in income positively and significantly affect consumption in the short- and long-run. On the other hand, negative shocks in income do not significantly affect consumption which, therefore, suggests an asymmetric effect of income on consumption. In addition, the quantile ARDL estimates indicate that income positively affects consumption across all quantiles of the consumption except the 95th quantile. Moreover, the quantile ARDL estimates indicate that price variations negatively affect consumption across all emerging 7 countries. These estimates suggest that devising policies without considering the asymmetric effect may lead to unfavorable consequences.
Symbolic regression-based adaptive generation of implied volatility
Authors: Yen Joseph , Qi Yuan Yuan , Wong Seng Fat , Zhou Jiantao
Published: August 2022

This research paper introduces a new form of Implied Volatility calculation with Symbolic Regression suited for high-frequency trading. The solutions are easily migratable to hardware accelerators like Field Programmable Gate Arrays. This machine learning approach is flexible, and configurable for either high precision, lower latency, or energy efficiency. The model evaluates each mathematical operator in terms of cycles, which then generates highly parallel yet low depth formulas. From testing with C++, the formulas achieved higher accuracy and less than a sixth the time of traditional Implied Volatility models. The data were tested on the SPX dataset to validate accuracy.
Ethical Challenges and Controversies in the Practice and Advancement of Gene Therapy
Authors: Ansah Emmanuel Owusu
Published: August 2022

One of the most important technologies in modern medicine is gene therapy, which allows therapeutic genes to be introduced into cells of the body. The approach involves genetics and recombinant DNA techniques that allow manipulating vectors for delivery of exogenous material to target cells. The efficacy and safety of the delivery system are a key step towards the success of gene therapy. Somatic cell gene therapy is the easiest in terms of technology and the least problematic in terms of ethics. Although genetic manipulation of germline cells at the gene level has the potential to permanently eradicate certain hereditary disorders, major ethical issues such as eugenics, enhancement, mosaicism, and the transmission of undesirable traits or side effects to patients’ descendants currently stymie its development, leaving only somatic gene therapy in the works. However, moral, social, and ethical arguments do not imply that germline gene therapy should be banned forever. This review discusses in detail the current challenges surrounding the practice of gene therapy, focusing on the moral arguments and scientific claims that affect the advancement of the technology. The review also suggests precautionary principles as a means to navigate ethical uncertainties.
Research Progress of PI3K/PTEN/AKT Signaling Pathway Associated with Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Fang Yakun , Ji Wenjun , Yan Chao
Published: August 2022

Renal cell carcinoma is a common renal malignancy of the urinary system and the most malignant type of kidney cancer. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is an intracellular phosphatidylinositol kinase associated with oncogene products such as v-src and with serine/threonine kinase activity, and its increased activity correlates with the development of several cancers. Protein kinase B (AKT) is a cyclic guanosine phosphate-dependent protein kinase that plays an important role in cell survival and apoptosis. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a newly discovered oncogene in recent years, participates in tumorigenesis and development by competing with tyrosine kinases for common substrates. The product encoded by PTEN was found to negatively regulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. The PI3K/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway has also been identified in several studies as being involved in the development of several malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy is currently one of the most effective means of treatment for renal cell carcinoma, whereas it is predisposed to significant tolerance during the course of radiotherapy, thereby leading to treatment failure. Therefore, new treatment options may potentiate the efficiency of renal cell carcinoma treatment. With the development of tumor molecular biology, targeted biological therapy for malignant tumors has gradually become a research hotspot. Given the above research background, this study reviews the application of the PI3K/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma, aiming to provide more references for the treatment of clinical renal cell carcinoma.
Bionic Optimization Design of Rotary Tiller Based on Fuzzy Algorithm
Authors: Wang Bo , Chen Mengji , Wei Jinfeng , Liang Guanghua , Liang Kunyong
Published: August 2022

In order to increase the structural performance of rotary tillage knife, a badger claw toe was selected as the bionic prototype of the rotary tillage knife, and the bionic optimization design of the rotary tillage knife was carried out. The structural similarity between the badger’s claw toe and the rotary tiller is 0.7073 by the fuzzy algorithm, and the shape goodness of fit between the final mole’s claw toe and the digging shovel is 0.9556 by MATLAB. Using 3D modeling software NX10.0, we established a three-dimensional model of the rotary tillage knife. Furthermore, we use Workbench to carry out static analysis on the three rotary tillage knives and obtain their stress and deformation. Similarly, we also obtain their vibration frequency through modal analysis, summarize, and compare the experimental data. The outcomes indicate that compared with the ordinary rotary tillage knife, the strain and stress of the bionic rotary tillage knife with sawtooth tangent blade arrangement are reduced by 5.20% and 2.84%, respectively. Moreover, the specific strength and specific stiffness are increased by 3.99% and 6.49%, respectively. The structural efficiency is improved by 11.36%. However, the stress of the bionic rotary tiller with full serration is reduced by 7.38%. We also observed that the specific strength and specific stiffness were improved by 11.97% and 2.37%, correspondingly. Overall, structural efficiency has increased by 14.64%. The rotary tiller has also attained noble optimization outcomes in terms of stability, strength, and stiffness.
Experimental Investigation to Analyze the Mechanical and Microstructure Properties of 310 SS Performed by TIG Welding
Authors: Goyal Ashish , Kapoor Hardik , Jayahari Lade , Saxena Kuldeep K , Salmaan N. Ummal , Mohammed Kahtan A.
Published: August 2022

In present experimental work, 310 SS alloy has been welded by the TIG welding using design of experiment and grey relation optimization techniques. The input parameters, i.e., welding current, welding gas flow rate, and welding voltage, have been selected to perform the TIG welding. The same filler material was used during the welding process to investigate the mechanical and microstructure properties. The design of experiment and grey relation optimization techniques were used to optimize the effect on hardness and tensile strength of the welded joints. The experiments were performed as per the L9 orthogonal array obtained by the design of experiment methodology. The 65 A, 12 V, and 7.5 gas flow rate optimum setting of input parameters provides the better results for the effective hardness and tensile strength. The most significant parameters, i.e., welding current with 84.93% and welding voltage with 65.09%, were obtained for hardness and tensile strength, respectively.