bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fitness, strength and severity of COVID-19: a prospective register study of 1 559 187 Swedish conscripts
Authors: af Geijerstam Agnes , Mehlig Kirsten , Börjesson Mats , Robertson Josefina , Nyberg Jenny , Adiels Martin , Rosengren Annika , Åberg Maria , Lissner Lauren
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate the possible connection between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength in early adulthood and severity of COVID-19 later in life.

Design

Prospective registry-based cohort study.

Participants

1 559 187 Swedish men, undergoing military conscription between 1968 and 2005 at a mean age of 18.3 (SD 0.73) years.

Main outcome measures

Hospitalisation, intensive care or death due to COVID-19 from March to September 2020, in relation to CRF and muscle strength.

Results

High CRF in late adolescence and early adulthood had a protective association with severe COVID-19 later in life with OR (95% CI) 0.76 (0.67 to 0.85) for hospitalisation (n=2 006), 0.61 (0.48 to 0.78) for intensive care (n=445) and 0.56 (0.37 to 0.85) for mortality (n=149), compared with the lowest category of CRF. The association remains unchanged when controlled for body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, chronic diseases and parental education level at baseline, and incident cardiovascular disease before 2020. Moreover, lower muscle strength in late adolescence showed a linear association with a higher risk of all three outcomes when controlled for BMI and height.

Conclusions

Physical fitness at a young age is associated with severity of COVID-19 many years later. This underscores the necessity to increase the general physical fitness of the population to offer protection against future viral pandemics.
A case of multiple cranial nerve palsies
Authors: Gomathy Saranya , Elavarasi Arunmozhimaran , Komakula Snigdha , Modi Manish , Sharma MC , Kaur Kavneet , Garg Ajay , Tripathi Madhavi , Kanodia Anupam , Verma Hitesh , Vibha Deepti , Singh Rajesh K , Ramanujam Bhargavi , Tripathi Manjari
Published: July 2021

Multiple cranial nerve palsies have many possible causes, including infective, inflammatory, neoplastic and infiltrative diseases of the meninges or skull base. We present the clinicopathological conference of a 27-year-old man with a smouldering course of sequential cranial nerve palsies. His imaging showed dural thickening and osteosclerosis of the skull base with otomastoiditis. Cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with reduced glucose and normal protein concentrations. There was a possible response to corticosteroids and anti-tubercular treatment. Initial biopsy from the thickened and enhancing dura was unremarkable. His condition deteriorated after the steroids were tapered; MR imaging showed progression of lesions and positron emission tomography showed intense hypermetabolism. Subsequently, a diagnostic test revealed the final diagnosis. This case was presented at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ monthly clinicopathological conference series in February 2021.
Median time to pain improvement and the impact of baseline pain severity on pain response in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with tofacitinib
Authors: de Vlam Kurt , Ogdie Alexis , Bushmakin Andrew G , Cappelleri Joseph C , Fleischmann Roy , Taylor Peter C , Azevedo Valderilio , Fallon Lara , Woolcott John , Mease Philip J
Published: July 2021

Background

Pain is a core domain of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This post hoc analysis evaluated time to pain improvement and the impact of baseline pain severity on pain response in patients with PsA receiving tofacitinib.

Methods

Data from two trials (NCT01877668;NCT01882439) in patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, placebo switching to tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily at month 3 (placebo-to-tofacitinib) or adalimumab (NCT01877668only) were included. Improvement in pain (≥30%/≥50% decrease from baseline in Visual Analogue Scale pain score) was assessed; median time to initial (first post-baseline visit)/continued (first two consecutive post-baseline visits) pain improvement was estimated (Kaplan-Meier) for all treatment arms. A parametric model was used to determine the relationship between baseline pain severity and time to pain response in patients receiving tofacitinib.

Results

At month 3, more patients experienced pain improvements with tofacitinib/adalimumab versus placebo. Median days (95% CI) to initial/continued pain improvements of ≥30% and ≥50%, respectively, were 55 (29–57)/60 (57–85) and 85 (57–92)/171 (90–not estimable (NE)) for tofacitinib, versus 106 (64–115)/126 (113–173) and 169 (120–189)/NE (247–NE) for placebo-to-tofacitinib. Pain improvements were also experienced more quickly for adalimumab versus placebo. Predicted time to ≥30%/≥50% pain improvement was shorter in patients with higher baseline pain versus lower baseline pain (tofacitinib arm only).

Conclusions

In patients with PsA, pain improvements were experienced by more patients, and more rapidly, with tofacitinib and adalimumab versus placebo. In those receiving tofacitinib, higher baseline pain was associated with faster pain improvements.
Quasinormal modes in the field of a dyon-like dilatonic black hole
Authors: Malybayev A. N. , Boshkayev K. A. , Ivashchuk V. D.
Published: July 2021

Quasinormal modes of massless test scalar field in the background of gravitational field for a non-extremal dilatonic dyonic black hole are explored. The dyon-like black hole solution is considered in the gravitational 4d model involving two scalar fields and two 2-forms. It is governed by two 2-dimensional dilatonic coupling vectors $${\lambda }_i$$

λ
i

obeying $${\lambda }_i ({\lambda }_1 + {\lambda }_2) > 0$$

λ
i

(

λ
1

+

λ
2

)

>
0

, $$i =1,2$$

i
=
1
,
2

. The first law of black hole thermodynamics is given and the Smarr relation is verified. Quasinormal modes for a massless scalar (test) field in the eikonal approximation are obtained and analysed. These modes depend upon a dimensionless parameter a ($$0 < a \le 2$$

0
<
a
≤
2

) which is a function of $${\lambda }_i$$

λ
i

. For limiting strong ($$a = +0$$

a
=
+
0

) and weak ($$a = 2$$

a
=
2

) coupling cases, they coincide with the well-known results for the Schwarzschild and Reissner–Nordström solutions. It is shown that the Hod conjecture, connecting the damping rate and the Hawking temperature, is satisfied for $$0 < a \le 1$$

0
<
a
≤
1

and all allowed values of parameters.
Model Higgs bundles in exceptional components of the Sp(4, ℝ)-character variety
Authors: Kydonakis Georgios
Published: July 2021

We establish a gluing construction for Higgs bundles over a connected sum of Riemann surfaces in terms of solutions to the [Formula: see text]-Hitchin equations using the linearization of a relevant elliptic operator. The construction can be used to provide model Higgs bundles in all the [Formula: see text] exceptional components of the maximal [Formula: see text]-Higgs bundle moduli space, which correspond to components solely consisting of Zariski dense representations. This also allows a comparison between the invariants for maximal Higgs bundles and the topological invariants for Anosov representations constructed by Guichard and Wienhard.
Quasibounded plurisubharmonic functions
Authors: Nilsson Mårten , Wikström Frank
Published: July 2021

We extend the notion of quasibounded harmonic functions to the plurisubharmonic setting. As an application, using the theory of Jensen measures, we show that certain generalized Dirichlet problems with unbounded boundary data admit unique solutions, and that these solutions are continuous outside a pluripolar set.
Accelerating universe with binary mixture of bulk viscous fluid and dark energy
Authors: Singla Nishant , Gupta M. K. , Yadav Anil Kumar , Goswami G. K.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we have proposed a model of accelerating universe with binary mixture of bulk viscous fluid and dark energy (DE) and probed the model parameters: present values of Hubble’s constant [Formula: see text], equation of state paper of DE [Formula: see text] and density parameter of DE [Formula: see text] with recent observational [Formula: see text] data (OHD) as well as joint Pantheon compilation of SN Ia data and OHD. Using cosmic chronometric technique, we obtain [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by restricting our derived model with recent OHD and joint Pantheon compilation SN Ia data and OHD, respectively. The present age of the universe in derived model is estimated as [Formula: see text]. Also, we observe that derived model represents a model of transitioning universe with transition redshift [Formula: see text]. We have constrained the present value of jerk parameter as [Formula: see text] with joint OHD and Pantheon data. From this analysis, we observed that the model of the universe, presented in this paper, shows a marginal departure from [Formula: see text]CDM model.
Effects of Al-Mg wire replacing Al-Cu wire on the properties of 2219 aluminum alloy TIG-welded joint
Authors: Zhang Dengkui , Wu Aiping , Zhao Yue , Shan Jiguo , Wan Zhandong , Wang Guoqing , Song Jianling , Zhang Zhongping , Liu Xianli
Published: July 2021

The effects of Al–Mg wire replacing Al–Cu wire on the microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of 2219 aluminum alloy tungsten inert gas (TIG)-welded joints were studied. Comparing joints with Al–Cu wire, the capping welds of joints with Al–Mg wire can be strengthened by the introduction of Mg-containing strengthening phase and the hardness can be significantly improved. However, for joints with Al–Mg wire, both the solidification cracks caused by inappropriate control of alloying element content and the continuous brittle phases at grain boundaries around the weld zone (WZ) can result in the reduced tensile properties. The crack-free weld can be obtained by adjusting the alloying system of WZ. Furthermore, the geometry of WZ also affected the tensile properties of joints with Al–Mg wire.
Effect of first pass rolling reduction ratio on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TA1/Q235B clad plates
Authors: Jiang Qingwei , Li Xiaohong , Yang Peng , Zhang Sheng , Li Min
Published: July 2021

In this study, the microstructure, the shear strength and Vickers-hardness of TA1/Q235B clad plates under different first pass rolling reduction ratio (FP3R) were investigated. The microstructure and bonding interface were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Vickers-hardness and tensile shear strength were also detected. The result indicated a good bonding along the interface of the bonded with flat and smooth under different reduction ratio. The shear strength of the TA1/Q235B clad plate increases with the increase of reduction ratio which was 189 MPa at maximum. The maximum Vickers-hardness was approximately 198.7 HV. The thickness of Ti and Fe diffusion layer increases from 2.6 to 3.65 [Formula: see text]m and 2.1 to 3.3 [Formula: see text]m, respectively. TiC and Fe-Ti intermetallic compounds were formed at the bonding interface due to diffusion of Fe, Ti and C, causing micro-indentation at the interface to initiate cracking and diffusion, and reduced the bonding quality.
New exact solutions for nonlinear Atangana conformable Boussinesq-like equations by new Kudryashov method
Authors: Mirhosseini-Alizamini Seyed Mehdi , Ullah Najib , Sabi’u Jamilu , Rezazadeh Hadi , Inc Mustafa
Published: July 2021

In this work, we investigate a new Kudryashov method (NKM) to find the exact and some new solutions of four different types of nonlinear Atangana conformable Boussinesq-like equations (NLACBEs). This is an appropriate algorithm for finding the exact solutions and also working for different types of nonlinear confirmable differential equations. In coastal and ocean engineering, some physical phenomenon is based on the exact solutions of the NLACBEs.
Negative differential resistance in “sulflower”-based molecular junction predicted by first-principles study
Authors: Shen Ji-Mei , Liu Jing
Published: July 2021

The electronic transport behavior of a sulflower molecule sandwiched between metal leads by S atom connecting apex Au or Ag atoms was investigated using a first-principles study by current-voltage characteristics, transmission spectrum and local density of states. Negative differential resistance (NDR) effect which originates from Coulomb blockade driven by bias was obtained. We also found that the differential conductance can be modulated by the metal leads with different work functions, which promise the potential applications in molecular devices in the future.
Computational solutions of the generalized Ito equation in nonlinear dispersive systems
Authors: Rezazadeh Hadi , Dhawan Sharanjeet , Nestor Savaïssou , Bekir Ahmet , Korkmaz Alper
Published: July 2021

This papers presents new exact analytical solutions of a generalized Ito equation having three nonlinear terms, third- and fifth-order derivative forms that model the dynamics of traveling waves in nonlinear dispersive systems. With the help of Riccati equation method, we obtain different kinds of exact traveling wave solutions containing dark, singular, trigonometric, rational and other form of waves solutions that are more general than classical ones existing in the literature. Despite the originality of the new results obtained, the method used here is very efficient, powerful and can be extended to other types of nonlinear equations and more. Moreover, the behaviors of traveling waves solutions are portrayed graphically by selecting suitable values for the physical parameters.
A DVCC-Based Current-Mode First-Order Universal Filter
Authors: Yucel Firat
Published: July 2021

A current-mode first-order filter configuration simultaneously providing noninverting and inverting low-pass (LP) and high-pass (HP) responses depending on passive element choice is proposed. In addition, all-pass filter (APF) responses can be easily obtained with interconnection of LP and HP output currents. The proposed filter employs only two differential voltage current conveyors, a grounded resistor and a grounded capacitor, so it is suitable for integrated circuit realization. It provides the feature of high output impedance. It does not need any passive element matching constraints. A voltage-mode oscillator based on the inverting APF is presented as a typical application. The performance of the proposed configuration is verified through many SPICE simulation and experimental test results.
The colored Jones polynomial and Kontsevich–Zagier series for double twist knots
Authors: Lovejoy Jeremy , Osburn Robert
Published: July 2021

Using a result of Takata, we prove a formula for the colored Jones polynomial of the double twist knots [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive integers. In the [Formula: see text] case, this leads to new families of [Formula: see text]-hypergeometric series generalizing the Kontsevich–Zagier series. Comparing with the cyclotomic expansion of the colored Jones polynomials of [Formula: see text] gives a generalization of a duality at roots of unity between the Kontsevich–Zagier function and the generating function for strongly unimodal sequences.
Stable Morris Thorne wormholes supported by non-exotic matter
Authors: Godani Nisha
Published: July 2021

The present work is focused on the study of traversable wormholes, proposed by Morris and Thorne [Wormholes in spacetime and their use for interstellar travel: A tool for teaching general relativity, Am. J. Phys. 56 (1988) 395], using the background of modified gravity. It is performed by using the models: I. [Formula: see text], II. [Formula: see text] and III. [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constants. The Model I belongs to the theory of [Formula: see text] gravity, Model II belongs to the theory of [Formula: see text] gravity and Model III is a combination of Models I and II. These functions have been taken into account for the exploration of wormhole solutions. The shape function, a wormhole metric function, is newly defined which satisfies the flare out condition. Further, the stability condition and energy conditions, namely null, weak and dominant energy conditions, have been examined with respect to each model.
Unique range sets of meromorphic functions of non-integer finite order
Authors: Chakraborty Bikash , Pal Amit Kumar , Saha Sudip , Kamila Jayanta
Published: July 2021

This paper studies the uniqueness of two non-integral finite ordered meromorphic functions with finitely many poles when they share two finite sets. Also, it provides an answer to a question posed by Gross for a particular class of meromorphic functions. Moreover, some observations are made on some results due to Sahoo and Karmakar, Acta Univ. Sapient. Math., doi:10.2478/ausm-2018-0025; Sahoo and Sarkar, Bol. Soc. Mat. Mex., doi:10.1007/s40590-019-00260-4.
Influencing Factors and Future Trends of Global Climate Governance Pattern and China’s Responsive Measures
Authors: CHEN Hongbo , ZHANG Ying
Published: July 2021

Since the 1990s, the global climate governance pattern has kept evolving from the initial two camps of developed and developing countries to the current pattern of multi-polarity, featuring the withdrawal and return of Paris Agreement by the United States, the declining leadership of the EU, the coalition of BASIC countries, and the rise of the least developed countries and small island developing states as newly emerging forces. This evolution mainly results from the combined effects of three factors: (i) The changes in the carbon emission pattern driven by population, economic growth, and technological progress; (ii) the stronger influences and power of discourse of the least developed countries and small island developing states as derived from the impacts of and vulnerability to climate change; and (iii) the impacts brought about by uncertain factors such as the uncertainties in terms of science, politics, and technological progress. These factors will still affect the trend of global climate governance in the future. The carbon emissions of developed countries will continue to take a less share in the world’s total, while the proportion of India and the least developed countries in this respect will rise rapidly, which will make global climate governance face a dilemma. Technological progress and the positive actions of non-state entities indicate that the international climate system needs reform and innovation. The rapid development of China over the past three decades has been synchronized with the evolution of the global governance structure, and has naturally become one of the internal factors driving the evolution of climate governance pattern. In the face of various pressure and challenges, China has been pushed to the forefront of global climate governance. China should observe the general trends within and outside the country, and respond to them rationally: (i) Set the proper role of China in the new pattern of global climate governance, i.e. a cooperation leader who should make positive contributions and avoid premature advance; (ii) innovate the concept and institutional system of global climate governance, and study and put forward the Chinese approach that is positive, pragmatic, and operable; (iii) help low-income countries cope with climate change by virtue of renewable energy technology and industrial cooperation, and achieve a win–win situation by encouraging Chinese enterprises to “go out” and helping low-income countries effectively control carbon emissions; and (iv) strengthen the climate cooperation with non-state actors, give play to their special role, and promote China’s comprehensive reform and opening-up.
Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Model for Ventricular Arrhythmia in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Dong Ying , Shi Yajun , Wang Jinli , Dan Qing , Gao Ling , Zhao Chenghui , Mu Yang , Liu Miao , Yin Chengliang , Wu Rilige , Liu Yuqi , Li Yang , Wang Xueping
Published: July 2021

Background. Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death from coronary heart disease (CHD). The risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) increases with age, and sudden arrhythmic death remains a major cause of mortality in elderly individuals, especially ventricular arrhythmias (VA). We developed a risk prediction model by combining ECG and other clinical noninvasive indexes including biomarkers and echocardiology for VA in elderly patients with CHD. Method. In the retrospective study, a total of 2231 consecutive elderly patients (≥60 years old) with CHD hospitalized were investigated, and finally 1983 patients were enrolled as the model group. The occurrence of VA within 12 months was mainly collected. Study parameters included clinical characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, BMI, and past medical history), ECG indexes (QTcd, Tp-e/QT, and HRV indexes), biomarker indexes (NT-proBNP, Myo, cTnT, CK-MB, CRP, K+, and Ca2+), and echocardiology indexes. In the respective study, 406 elderly patients (≥60 years old) with CHD were included as the verification group to verify the model in terms of differentiation and calibration. Results. In the multiparameter model, seven independent predictors were selected: LVEF, LAV, HLP, QTcd, sex, Tp-e/QT, and age. Increased HLP, Tp-e/QT, QTcd, age, and LAV were risk factors (RR > 1), while female and increased LVEF were protective factors (RR < 1). This model can well predict the occurrence of VA in elderly patients with CHD (for model group, AUC: 0.721, 95% CI: 0.669∼0.772; for verification group, AUC: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.648∼0.818; Hosmer–Lemeshow

χ

2

 = 13.541,

P
=
0.095

). After adjusting the predictors, it was found that the combination of clinical indexes and ECG indexes could predict VA more efficiently than using clinical indexes alone. Conclusions. LVEF, LAV, QTcd, Tp-e/QT, gender, age, and HLP were independent predictors of VA risk in elderly patients with CHD. Among these factors, the echocardiology indexes LVEF and LAV had the greatest influence on the predictive efficiency of the model, followed by ECG indexes, QTcd and Tp-e/QT. After verification, the model had a good degree of differentiation and calibration, which can provide a certain reference for clinical prediction of the VA occurrence in elderly patients with CHD.
lncRNA PAPPA-AS1 Induces the Development of Hypertrophic Scar by Upregulating TLR4 through Interacting with TAF15
Authors: Fan Pengju , Wang Yongjie , Li Jingjing , Fang Man
Published: July 2021

Hypertrophic scar (HTS) is a complicated pathological process induced mainly by burns and wounds, with abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. PAPPA-AS1, a differentially expressed long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the HTS tissues, attracted our interests in its potential role and mechanism in the development and process of HTS. In the present study, the regulatory effect of lncRNA PAPPA-AS1 on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal pathway, as well as the molecular mechanism, was investigated. Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs in HTS tissues. PAPPA-AS1 was significantly upregulated in both HTS tissues and hypertrophic scar fibroblast (HTsFb) cells. The expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, TGF-β1, collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA were greatly elevated in HTsFb cells. By knocking down PAPPA-AS1, the proliferation of HTsFb cells, TLR4, and TGF-β1 signal pathway and the expression of fibrosis markers both in HTsFb cells and HTS tissues were suppressed. It was accompanied by the alleviated pathological state in the HTS tissues, which were significantly reversed by cotransfecting with the pcDNA3.1-TLR4 vector. Positive correlation and interaction were observed between PAPPA-AS1 and TAF15 and between TAF15 and the promoter of TLR4, respectively. In conclusion, lncRNA PAPPA-AS1 might induce the development of HTS by upregulating TLR4 through interacting with TAF15.
[Retracted] Analysis of Stadium Operation Risk Warning Model Based on Deep Confidence Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Dang Zijun , Liu Shunshun , Li Tong , Gao Liang
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a deep confidence neural network algorithm is used to design and deeply analyze the risk warning model for stadium operation. Many factors, such as video shooting angle, background brightness, diversity of features, and the relationship between human behaviors, make feature attribute‐based behavior detection a focus of researchers’ attention. To address these factors, researchers have proposed a method to extract human behavior skeleton and optical flow feature information from videos. The key of the deep confidence neural network‐based recognition method is the extraction of the human skeleton, which extracts the skeleton sequence of human behavior from a surveillance video, where each frame of the skeleton contains 18 joints of the human skeleton and the confidence value estimated for each frame of the skeleton, and builds a deep confidence neural network model to classify the dangerous behavior based on the obtained skeleton feature information combined with the time vector in the skeleton sequence and determine the danger level of the behavior by setting the corresponding threshold value. The deep confidence neural network uses different feature information compared with the spatiotemporal graph convolutional network. The deep confidence neural network establishes the deep confidence neural network model based on the human optical flow information, combined with the temporal relational inference of video frames. The key of the temporal relationship network‐based recognition method is to extract some frames from the video in an orderly or random way into the temporal relationship network. In this paper, we use several methods for comparison experiments, and the results show that the recognition method based on skeleton and optical flow features is significantly better than the algorithm of manual feature extraction.
To Explore the Mechanism and Equivalent Molecular Group of Radix Astragali and Semen Lepidii in Treating Heart Failure Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Yu Yi-ding , Xiu Yi-ping , Li Yang-fan , Zhang Juan , Xue Yi-tao , Li Yan
Published: July 2021

Radix Astragali and Semen Lepidii (HQ-TLZ) is a commonly used herbal medicine combination for treatment of heart failure, which has a good clinical effect. However, its active components and mechanism of action are not clear, which limits its clinical application and development. In this study, we explored the mechanism of action of HQ-TLZ in the treatment of heart failure based on network pharmacology. We obtained 11 active ingredients and 109 targets from the TCMSP database and SwissTargetPrediction database. Next, we constructed the action network and carried out enrichment analysis. The results showed that HQ-TLZ treatment of heart failure is primarily achieved by regulating the insulin resistance, erbB signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. After inverse targeting, molecular docking, and literature search, we determined that the equivalent molecular groups of HQ-TLZ in the treatment of heart failure were quercetin and kaempferol. Based on network pharmacology, we reveal the mechanism of action of HQ-TLZ in the treatment of heart failure to a certain extent. At the same time, we determined the composition of the equivalent molecular group. This provides a bridge for the consistency evaluation of natural herbs and molecular compounds, which is beneficial to the development of novel drugs and further research.
Retrospective Analysis of Rechallenge with Ipilimumab in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Formozo A. A. , Gomes J. R. , Schmerling R. A. , Buzaid A. C.
Published: July 2021

Background. Checkpoint inhibitors are effective in the treatment of several types of cancer, either being used separately or in combination. Ipilimumab pioneered the treatment of metastatic melanoma, and nowadays, it has been used more frequently in combination with anti-PD-1. Since the development of anti-PD1 for melanoma, rechallenge with ipilimumab has not been considered, although its use was considered in early trials. Cases. In this study, we analyzed 22 patients with metastatic melanoma who had benefited from the first treatment with ipilimumab, but eventually had progressive disease. They received ipilimumab at the same dose as the first treatment. Most of the patients received the second course after six months or more from the first treatment with ipilimumab. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the treatment with ipilimumab was 8.9 months, and the median progression-free survival of the second course was 6.3 months. Conclusion. There are limited data on rechallenge with ipilimumab addressing progression-free survival (PFS). In our analysis, twenty-two patients treated with a second course of ipilimumab were analyzed and most of them had a significant benefit. Despite the current alternatives for salvage therapies, rechallenging with ipilimumab might be an alternative to be considered in patients who had initial benefit.
Psychometric Properties of Student Evaluation of Teachers’ Performance Scale: Evidence from Debre Markos University Students’ Evaluation Dataset
Authors: Ayaneh Muluye Getie , Dessie Askalemariam Adamu , Fetene Dimetros Molla
Published: July 2021

Introduction. Student evaluation of teachers’ effectiveness is one of the most common tools used as a measure of teaching performance and accountability by various universities across the globe. The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and underlying structure of students’ evaluation of the higher education teaching effectiveness scale used by all public universities in Ethiopia. Methodology. Data collected from 1397 students at Debe Markos University were used for this analysis. Cronbach’s alpha values and average interitem correlation were used to study the internal consistency reliability of the scale. Composite reliability, average variance extracted, hetero trait-mono-trait ratio, maximum shared variance, average shared variance, and interconstruct correlations were used to assess the construct validity of the scale, and exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed with 20 items to test the hypothesis which introduced a four-dimensional construct for teachers’ evaluation scale. We used different goodness-of-fit indices to measure the fit of the models. Results. The scale was shown to have good internal consistency and convergent validity but lacked discriminant validity. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four-factor model produced inadequate fit indices, revealing that the original factor structure of the scale changed. Conclusions. The results showed that Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness did not measure what it was supposed to be measuring. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis results indicate that a two-dimensional model is better than the four-dimensional model to explain the data structure, which places limitations on its use.
[Retracted] Identification and Validation of Potential Biomarkers and Pathways for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Qian Weibin , Cai Xinrui , Qian Qiuhai , Zhang Xinying
Published: July 2021

Objective. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, irreversible, high‐mortality lung disease, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. Our purpose was to explore potential genes and molecular mechanisms underlying IPF. Methods. IPF‐related data were obtained from the GSE99621 dataset. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between IPF and controls. Their biological functions were analyzed. The relationships between DEGs and microRNAs (miRNAs) were predicted. DEGs and pathways were validated in a microarray dataset. A protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on these common DEGs. Western blot was used to validate hub genes in IPF cell models by western blot. Results. DEGs were identified for IPF than controls in the RNA‐seq dataset. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in immune and inflammatory response, chemokine‐mediated signaling pathway, cell adhesion, and other biological processes. In the miRNA‐target network based on RNA‐seq dataset, we found several miRNA targets among all DEGs, like RAB11FIP1, TGFBR3, and SPP1. We identified 304 upregulated genes and 282 downregulated genes in IPF compared to controls both in the microarray and RNA‐seq datasets. These common DEGs were mainly involved in cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, oxidation‐reduction process, and lung vasculature development. In the PPI network, 3 upregulated and 4 downregulated genes could be considered hub genes, which were confirmed in the IPF cell models. Conclusion. Our study identified several IPF‐related DEGs that could become potential biomarkers for IPF. Large‐scale multicentric studies are eagerly needed to confirm the utility of these biomarkers.
Image Noise Removal Method Based on Improved Nonlocal Mean Algorithm
Authors: Huang Keya , Zhu Hairong
Published: July 2021

Aiming at the problem of unclear images acquired in interactive systems, an improved image processing algorithm for nonlocal mean denoising is proposed. This algorithm combines the adaptive median filter algorithm with the traditional nonlocal mean algorithm, first adjusts the image window adaptively, selects the corresponding pixel weight, and then denoises the image, which can have a good filtering effect on the mixed noise. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional nonlocal mean algorithm, the algorithm proposed in this paper has better results in the visual quality and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) of complex noise images.
Transcriptomic Analysis Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Hanchuan Zupa Granules in Alleviating Asthma in Rat
Authors: Yin Hailong , Fan Yanbo , Mu Dandan , Song Fei , Tian Fang , Yin Qiang
Published: July 2021

Context. Hanchuan Zupa granule (HCZP), as a Chinese traditional medicine, is used to treat asthma. Objective. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of HCZP treatment of asthma. Materials and Methods. Thirty Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal, asthma, and HCZP groups (n = 10). The asthma model was sensitized by 1 mg ovalbumin (OVA)/aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3mixture and then challenged with 1% aerosolized OVA for four weeks. Rats in the HCZP group received 10.08 g/kg/d HCZP for four weeks during OVA challenge. Then, lung tissues of rats in each group were collected for RNA sequencing. Moreover, the expression level of some core genes was detected by using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results. Inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological damage of the lungs improved in the HCZP group. Compared with the asthma group (0.049 ± 0.002 mm2/mm; 0.036 ± 0.006 mm2/mm; and 0.014 ± 0.001 mm2/mm), total wall thickness (0.042 ± 0.001 mm2/mm), inner wall thickness (0.013 ± 0.001 mm2/mm), and smooth muscle layer thickness (0.012 ± 0.001 mm2/mm) significantly decreased in the HCZP group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that hub genes such as bradykinin receptor B2 (Bdkrb2) and CD4 molecule (Cd4) had different expression patterns between model and HCZP groups. Two transcription factors, forkhead box Q1 (Foxq1) and nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (Nfatc2), served important regulatory roles in asthma. Compared with the model group, Bdkrb2 protein expression increased and Nfatc2 protein expression decreased in the HCZP group. Discussion and Conclusion. HCZP could alleviate asthma via regulating the expression of several hub genes, which might serve as therapeutic targets for asthma. However, the mechanism of these genes will be studied in the future.
Curculigoside Protects against Titanium Particle-Induced Osteolysis through the Enhancement of Osteoblast Differentiation and Reduction of Osteoclast Formation
Authors: Zhu Fangbing , Wang Jianyue , Ni Yueming , Yin Wei , Hou Qiao , Zhang Yingliang , Yan Shigui , Quan Renfu
Published: July 2021

Wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis is mainly responsible for joint replacement failure and revision surgery. Curculigoside is reported to have bone-protective potential, but whether curculigoside attenuates wear particle-induced osteolysis remains unclear. In this study, titanium particles (Ti) were used to stimulate osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence or absence of curculigoside, to determine their effect on osteoblast differentiation. Rat osteoclastic bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were cocultured with Ti in the presence or absence of curculigoside, to evaluate its effect on osteoclast formation in vitro. Ti was also used to stimulate mouse calvaria to induce an osteolysis model, and curculigoside was administrated to evaluate its effect in the osteolysis model by micro-CT imaging and histopathological analyses. As the results indicated, in MC3T3-E1 cells, curculigoside treatment attenuated the Ti-induced inhibition on cell differentiation and apoptosis, increased alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and cell mineralization, and inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and ROS generation. In BMSCs, curculigoside treatment suppressed the Ti-induced cell formation and suppressed the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production and F-actin ring formation. In vivo, curculigoside attenuated Ti-induced bone loss and histological damage in murine calvaria. Curculigoside treatment also reversed the RANK/RANKL/OPG and NF-κB signaling pathways, by suppressing the RANKL and NF-κB expression, while activating the OPG expression. Our study demonstrated that curculigoside treatment was able to attenuate wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis in in vivo and in vitro experiments, promoted osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation, and inhibited osteoclast BMSC formation. It suggests that curculigoside may be a potential pharmaceutical agent for wear particle-stimulated osteolysis therapy.
Performance of a Large‐Scale Excavation by Bottom‐Up Technique in Hangzhou Soft Clay
Authors: Xu Ri-qing , Zhu Yi-hong , Ding Pan
Published: July 2021

This paper studied the excavation of a foundation pit above a running subway tunnel in Hangzhou soft soil. The zoned excavation and top‐down construction techniques were adopted to control the deformation caused by foundation pit excavation. The excavation was divided into four parts, named Zone A, B, C, and D. Zone A adopted temporary diagonal bracing, and the control effect of deformation was poor; it was cancelled and changed to rapid excavation and thicker cushion in Zones B, C, and D. During the whole construction process, the lateral displacement and settlement of the diaphragm wall, surrounding ground surface, and building settlement were monitored and analysed. The data showed that the lateral displacement of the diaphragm wall was effectively reduced by the zoned excavation technique, and the maximum lateral displacement value of the diaphragm wall in Zone A was the least; rapid excavation and reduced soil exposure time also could effectively control the deformation, and the lateral displacement of the diaphragm wall in Zone C is less than Zone B and Zone D. The ground settlement is strongly related to the lateral displacement of the diaphragm wall. In order to reduce the surrounding ground and building settlements, efforts should be made to reduce the wall lateral displacement.
α-Synuclein E46K Mutation and Involvement of Oxidative Stress in a Drosophila Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Reiszadeh Jahromi Samaneh , Ramesh S. R. , Finkelstein David I. , Haddadi Mohammad
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-associated neurodegenerative condition in which some genetic variants are known to increase disease susceptibility on interaction with environmental factors inducing oxidative stress. Different mutations in the SNCA gene are reported as the major genetic contributors to PD. E46K mutation pathogenicity has not been investigated as intensive as other SNCA gene mutations including A30P and A53T. In this study, based on the GAL4-UAS binary genetic tool, transgenic Drosophila melanogaster flies expressing wild-type and E46K-mutated copies of the human SNCA gene were constructed. Western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis, and light and confocal microscopy of flies’ brains were undertaken along with the survival rate measurement, locomotor function assay, and ethanol and paraquat (PQ) tolerance to study α-synuclein neurotoxicity. Biochemical bioassays were carried out to investigate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and alterations in levels of oxidative markers following damages induced by human α-synuclein to the neurons of the transgenic flies. Overexpression of human α-synuclein in the central nervous system of these transgenic flies led to disorganized ommatidia structures and loss of dopaminergic neurons. E46K α-synuclein caused remarkable climbing defects, reduced survivorship, higher ethanol sensitivity, and increased PQ-mediated mortality. A noticeable decline in activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes besides considerable increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species was observed in head capsule homogenates of α-synuclein-expressing flies, which indicates obvious involvement of oxidative stress as a causal factor in SNCAE46K neurotoxicity. In all the investigations, E46K copy of the SNCA gene was found to impose more severe defects when compared to wild-type SNCA. It can be concluded that the constructed Drosophila models developed PD-like symptoms that facilitate comparative studies of molecular and cellular pathways implicated in the pathogenicity of different α-synuclein mutations.
An Ultrastructural Study on the Effect of High Temperatures on Teeth and Restorative Materials That Aids in the Identification of Human Remains
Authors: Yashoda V. , Munisekhar Manay Srinivas , Shylaja S. , Rao Krishna A. , Reddy Sharath Kumar , Muddebihal Farahnaz , Alam Mohammad Khursheed
Published: July 2021

Introduction. In most disasters, teeth are the only means of positive identification of an otherwise unrecognizable body, as there has been tremendous increase in the use of dental restorations that have different resistance to prolonged high temperature which is an important aid in identifying burned victims. Application of SEM/EDS in forensics was found useful in areas where there is a need for good imaging with high magnification combined with elemental analysis. The objective of this study was to analyze incineration effects on teeth and restorative materials using SEM/EDS. Materials and Method. 128 extracted teeth were collected, 96 were restored with silver amalgam, composite, and GIC of 32 each, and crown preparation was done in 32 teeth for which metal ceramic crowns were prepared. These teeth were subjected to 4 different temperatures (500°C, 700°C, 900°C, and 1100°C) for 20 minutes, and they were analyzed macroscopically and by using SEM for the changes subsequent to their exposure to such high temperatures. Results. All the restorations which were very difficult to identify by naked eye were identified with the help of SEM/EDS. Conclusion. Elemental analysis of the specific restorative material proves to be an essential tool for the forensic odontologist.
Canine Silica Urolithiasis in Mexico, Associated with the Concentration of Dissolved Silica in Tap Water
Authors: Mendoza-López Claudia Iveth , Del-Angel-Caraza Javier , Aké-Chiñas María Alejandra , Quijano-Hernández Israel Alejandro , Lulich Jody P. , Esteller-Alberich María Vicenta
Published: July 2021

Silica urolithiasis is infrequent in dogs, but in Mexico represents 12.9%. Our hypothesis is the consumption of high amounts of silicates in the diet, especially that dissolved in tap water. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of silica in the tap water in different geographical areas and their relationship with cases of silicate urolithiasis in dogs. From 179 cases of silicate urolithiasis, 98.9% were from dogs within a geographic area called the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which represents a cross shaft to the center of the country. Silica concentrations in tap water ranged between 3 and 76 mg/L, with a range of 27 to 76 mg/L, a mean of 49.9 ± 12 mg/L within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and a concentration from 3 to 30 mg/L, with a mean of 16.4 ± 7 mg/L outside this area; these were significantly different (

p
<
0.001

). These findings demonstrate that there is a geographic risk factor for silicate urolithiasis in urolith-forming dogs, related to the consumption of tap water with a high concentration of silica. Further studies are necessary to identify this same pathophysiological association in other species.
Research on the Complex Mechanism of Placeness, Sense of Place, and Satisfaction of Historical and Cultural Blocks in Beijing’s Old City Based on Structural Equation Model
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Qiang
Published: July 2021

Using a structural equation model, this study explores the complex influence mechanism between the place experience and satisfaction of the historical and cultural blocks in the old city of Beijing and the mechanism differences between different types. Based on the data obtained in the questionnaire survey, this study uses the structural equation model method to propose a theoretical model of the relationship between place experience and satisfaction, and through path analysis, the theoretical model of the path relationship between the dimensions of placeness, sense of place, and satisfaction is estimated and tested. Through the mathematical verification of the structural model, on the basis of establishing the final theoretical model, the hypothesis to be proved is further verified. This study also uses the bootstrap method to test the significance of the mediating effect of place experience and uses multiple‐group analysis to try to explore the moderating role of residents’ and tourists’ identity types in the model. The study found that there are multiple correlations among placeness, sense of place, and place satisfaction in the historical and cultural blocks in the old city of Beijing. The placeness is the foundation and the sense of place is the intermediary variable, which both affect satisfaction; furthermore, tourists and residents have differences in the mechanism of placeness and sense of place on satisfaction. On the one hand, the perception of placeness directly affects satisfaction, and on the other hand, the sense of place has an indirect effect on satisfaction. The positive effects of tourists′ placeness on sense of place and sense of place on satisfaction are greater than that of residents. However, the positive effect of residents′ placeness on satisfaction is greater than that of tourists.
Anticollusion Attack Strategy Combining Trust Metrics and Secret Sharing for Friendships Protection
Authors: Tian Junfeng , Li Yue
Published: July 2021

Online social networks provide users with services such as online interaction, instant messaging, and information sharing. The friend search engine, a new type of social application, provides users with the service for querying the list of other individuals’ friends. Currently, the existing research focuses on independent attacks for friend search engines while ignoring the more complicated collusion attacks, which can expose more friendships that users are not willing to share. Compared with independent attackers, collusion attackers share query results by cooperating with each other. In this article, we propose a resistance strategy against collusion attacks to protect the friendship privacy. The proposed trust metric is based on users’ behaviors and is combined with Shamir’s secret sharing system, which can transform friendships into secrets. Through secret distribution and reconfiguration, only the participants who meet the query requirements can successfully reconstruct the secret, while the participants who do not meet the query conditions cannot successfully obtain the secret fragments even if they obtain the secret fragments. Experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy and proved that this strategy can greatly limit the number of malicious attackers, greatly reduce the probability of successful collusion attacks, and reduce the number of victims.