bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased incidence of musculoskeletal pain in medical students during distance learning necessitated by the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Salameh Muna A. , Boyajian Silvia D. , Odeh Hadeel N. , Amaireh Enas A. , Funjan Khaled I. , Al‐Shatanawi Tariq N.
Published: March 2022

As a consequence of lockdown during the COVID‐19 pandemic, the education system has changed globally. Face to face education has been replaced by distance learning. The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and syndromes among medical students during distance learning and to investigate the correlations of musculoskeletal pain with different causal factors. A total of 282 students completed an online questionnaire that measured time spent on digital devices, type of physical activity, time spent sitting, number of walking days/week, ergonomics, and postural habits. Some of these measurements were compared between periods before and during the pandemic. Because of distance learning, time spent on digital devices and total time spent sitting increased significantly from before to during the pandemic (p < 0.001); students' daily physical activities and the number of days per week with at least 10 min of walking decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Most of the students (75.9%) experienced at least one type of musculoskeletal pain, predominately shoulder and neck pain (65%). There was a very significant positive correlation between musculoskeletal pain and postural habits (p < 0.0001). This study suggested that postural habits while sitting have a profoundly negative effect on the musculoskeletal system and are factors in the causation of musculoskeletal pain.
Innovative GACP Approaches for Obtaining the QualityIris hybridaLeaves for the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Mykhailenko Olha , Buydin Yrii , Ivanauskas Liudas , Krechun Anastasia , Georgiyants Victoriya
Published: March 2022

The ever‐growing demand for active compounds of plant origin contributes to the implementation of cultivation methods for medicinal plants, according to the WHO guideline “Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Starting Materials of Herbal Origin” to obtain high‐quality raw material with the stable phytocomponent composition. Therefore, the development of the cultivation and processing stages ofIrisvarieties leaves is necessary and promising. The present article showed the potential of proper cultivation with GACP recommendations on affecting the phenolic compounds content inIris×hybridahort. ‘Indian Pow Waw’,Iris×hybridahort. ‘Galleon Gold’, andIris×hybridahort. ‘Mini Dinamo’ leaves. The cultivation process was carried out on the experimental sites of the flowering and ornamental plants department of M.M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine) during 2018–2021. A positive effect ofIrissamples proper cultivation and content of isoflavonoids (tectoridin, nigricin D‐glucoside, genistin, iristectorigenin B, nigricin, irigenin, irisolidone), xanthone mangiferin, and also chlorogenic acid inIrisesleaves by HPLC has been established. According to the analysis mangiferin (7.57∼28.75 μg/g), genistin (3324.82∼14642.10 μg/g), irisolidone (673.53∼2015.81 μg/g), and irigenin (3904.37∼1595.94 μg/g) were the dominant components and these compounds can be proposed as chemical markers forIrisraw material. The obtained results indicate a significant positive effect of the introduction and observance of the proper cultivation of medicinal plants to obtain a stable bioactive compounds content, in this case, on the example ofIrisgenus plants. Further work on the implementation of the good practice recommendation is planned to be carried out for various medicinal plants, since only controlled cultivation makes it possible to obtain high‐quality raw materials with a standardized composition.
Cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19 among healthcare workers: A Case report and literature review
Authors: Imen Youssfi , Mechergui Najla , Litaiem Noureddine , Youssef Imen , Gara Soumaya , Zeglaoui Faten , Rammeh Soumaya , Ladhari Nizar
Published: March 2022

Common clinical features of COVID‐19 are increasingly known but cutaneous manifestations are rarely described among healthcare workers. A review of cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19 especially among healthcare workers (HCW) is thus required. The aim of our current study was to provide a comprehensive review of cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19 among HCW through six case reports and a literature review. We conducted a literature search for cases reports, original and review articles using PubMed and the Google search engines. We included the written English studies that mentioned cutaneous symptoms during COVID‐19 infection. In addition to the review, 6 cases were collected among the HCW working at the Charles Nicolle Hospital of Tunis from September 2020 to January 2021. In our review, we included 17 articles in addition to our six cases. The type of papers was case series and case reports in respectively 8 and 9 studies. Skin manifestations were reported in two studies including two HCW, in addition to our series of six HCW. Skin manifestations were chilblain‐like lesions (44.5%), a generalized macular or maculopapular exanthem (32.1%), a papulovesicular rash and chicken pox‐like vesicles (11.5%), painful acral red–purple papules (4.6%), urticaria (2.8%), purpuric or petechial lesions (2.3%), and livedo reticularis lesions (0.45%). Of the 218 cases, 203 cases have reported the location of lesions. The very great majority of lesions were found on the trunk, hands, and feet. Fifty‐one patients (23.4%) experienced lesions on the trunk. The time of onset of cutaneous lesions was variable. At the diagnosis or the onset of COVID‐19 symptoms, 8.3% (18/218) of patients presented with cutaneous lesions. After the onset of respiratory symptoms or COVID‐19 diagnosis, 36.7% (80/218) of patients presented with cutaneous lesions. Of the 197 cases with reported healing times, healing times were up to 24 days. COVID‐19 has been associated with different cutaneous manifestations, likely of varying pathophysiology and severity, some preceding COVID‐19 symptomatology and others occurring during active disease or later in the course. Thus, heightened awareness and timely recognition of cutaneous manifestations in COVID‐19 are important for occupational physicians treating HCW with COVID‐19.
Spraying Characteristics of Alcohol‐Coal‐Water Slurries with Low Coal Content
Authors: Gvozdyakov Dmitry , Zenkov Andrey , Lavrinenko Sergey , Marysheva Yana , Larionov Kirill
Published: March 2022

The results of spraying characteristics of alcohol‐coal‐water slurries are presented. It has been experimentally proved that the lowest viscosity value of the studied slurries varies from 54 to 329 mPa s. The density value of alcohol‐coal‐water slurries decreases to 1130 kg m−3 when the content of isopropyl alcohol in the fuel composition is 8 wt %. The largest value of jet spraying angle corresponds to alcohol‐coal‐water fuel with an isopropyl alcohol content of 8 wt %. The number of sufficiently large droplets decreases in comparison with a typical two‐component coal‐water fuel. The calorific value of alcohol‐coal‐water slurries rises when the third liquid fuel component is introduced into the composition of coal‐water fuel.
A Flow Electrochemical Cell with Split Bipolar Electrode for Anodic Oxidation of Organic Compounds
Authors: Sakagami Hiroki , Takenaka Hiroaki , Iwai Suguru , Shida Naoki , Villani Elena , Gotou Akihiro , Isogai Tomohiro , Yamauchi Akiyoshi , Kishikawa Yosuke , Fuchigami Toshio , Tomita Ikuyoshi , Inagi Shinsuke
Published: March 2022

The recent development of flow electrochemical reactors has been remarkable, but efforts are still required to reduce the amount of supporting electrolyte used in electrosynthesis. To address this problem, herein an advanced process combining flow reactors and bipolar electrochemistry is proposed. The developed electrochemical system was successfully employed for the anodic fluorination and anodic coupling of organic compounds using low concentration of supporting electrolytes. Such combined electrochemical system would represent a promising electrosynthesis method toward green and sustainable chemistry.
NaWuReT Colloquium: From PhD Student to Assistant Professor – Early Career Chemical Engineers in Academia
Authors: Friedland Jens , Börnhorst Marion , Kreitz Bjarne , Moioli Emanuele , Wehinger Gregor
Published: March 2022

The Nachwuchs Reaktionstechnik (NaWuReT) are early‐career scientists from the ProcessNet Division Reaction Engineering. In autumn 2021, they organized an online colloquium with international early‐career scientists from the chemical engineering community. Five guests were invited to give a scientific talk and provide insights into their career paths. The guests gave advice and emphasized the main challenges and opportunities during their early careers. Crucial points are networking, guidance, mentoring, as well as funding acquisition and the personal work‐life balance.
Parcellation of the murine cortical hindlimb area is demonstrated by its subcortical connectivity and cytoarchitecture
Authors: Kameda Hiroshi , Murabe Naoyuki , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Hayashi Toshihiro , Sakurai Masaki
Published: March 2022

Although corticospinal neurons are known to be distributed in both the primary motor and somatosensory cortices (S1), details of the projection pattern of their fibers to the lumbar cord gray matter remain largely uncharacterized, especially in rodents. We previously investigated the cortical area projecting to the gray matter of the fourth lumbar cord segment (L4) (L4 Cx) in mice. In the present study, we injected an anterograde tracer into multiple sites to cover the entire L4 Cx. We found that (1) the rostromedial part of the L4 Cx projects to the intermediate and ventral zones of the lumbar cord gray matter, (2) the lateral part projects to the medial dorsal horn, and (3) the caudal part projects to the lateral dorsal horn. We also found that the border between the rostromedial and caudolateral parts corresponds to the border between the agranular and granular cortex. Analysis of the somatotopic patterns formed by the cortical projection cells and the primary sensory neurons innervating the skin of the hindlimb and its related area suggests that the lateral part corresponds to the S1 hindlimb area and the caudal part to the S1 trunk area. Examination of thalamic innervation by the L4 Cx revealed that the caudolateral L4 Cx focally projects to the ventrobasal complex (VB) and the posterior complex (PO), while the medial L4 Cx widely projects to the PO but little to the VB. These findings suggest that the L4 Cx is parceled into subregions defined by the cytoarchitecture and subcortical projection.
Elderly Hajj pilgrims activity recognition based on candidate classification technique
Authors: B A Mohammed Hashim , R Amutha
Published: March 2022

Every year, the rate of elderly people is rising, and monitoring them in mass gatherings like a pilgrimage is a tough task. Millions of Muslims around the world visit Makkah and Madinah for the Hajj pilgrimage. Since 1990, more than 4800 pilgrims have died in the stampede. Aged pilgrims are very much vulnerable to these stampedes. To support them, it is very important to monitor their activities. But only a little is done to monitor the elderly pilgrims. In this article, all the rituals performed in the Hajj pilgrimage have been studied and an activity recognition dataset for elderly pilgrims in line with the rituals of Hajj has been created. A novel classification method called the candidate classification technique (CCT) is proposed to recognize the activities accurately with less response time. Three publicly available activity recognition datasets namely UCI HAR, USC HAD, SKODA, and the proposed elderly hajj pilgrim activity recognition dataset have been used. The accuracy achieved using the proposed classification technique is 98.25%, 96.97%, and 99.29% for the UCI HAR, USC HAD, and SKODA datasets.
Sudden gains and treatment outcomes among depressed individuals in a partial hospitalization programme
Authors: Terrill Douglas R. , Levin‐Aspenson Holly , Zimmerman Mark
Published: March 2022

Sudden gains commonly occur among patients receiving psychotherapy for depression and have been found to consistently predict better treatment outcomes. However, the majority of prior research has examined sudden gains primarily in weekly or biweekly treatment settings. Individuals were divided into two groups: those who experienced at least one sudden gain and those who did not. Rates of sudden gain occurrence, pretreatment factors and posttreatment outcomes were examined between the two groups. Over 60% of this sample experienced at least one sudden gain, the majority of which occurred during the first 3 days of treatment. Sudden gains were associated with significantly lower baseline depression and anxiety severity. Patients who experienced sudden gains reported significantly greater improvement in depressive and anxiety symptoms, coping skills, functioning, positive mental health and well‐being at treatment termination. This study was conducted in a single location with a relatively homogeneous sample. Due to a lack of follow‐up data, we were unable to determine if treatment outcomes were sustained after treatment termination. The assessment timeline of the depressive symptoms differs between baseline and daily scales, which may have affected the number of observed sudden gains after the initial treatment day. The proportion of sudden gains in this study is higher than those found in outpatient settings, demonstrating that this phenomenon may commonly occur among depressed patients in acute treatment. These results suggest that the mechanisms by which sudden gains occur may be reinforced by daily, intensive treatment.
Strategies to Manage Drugs and Devices Approved Based on Limited Evidence: Results of a Modified Delphi Panel
Authors: Dhruva Sanket S. , Darrow Jonathan J. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Redberg Rita F.
Published: March 2022

Prescription drugs and medical devices are increasingly coming to market through expedited US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pathways that require only limited evidence of safety and efficacy, such as nonrandomized, unblinded trial data in small numbers of patients, or the use of surrogate end points. Reliance on more limited evidence means that there is often greater uncertainty about risks and benefits. Using a modified Delphi process, we sought to identify promising policy approaches that address physician‐patient decision‐making needs about the use of such drugs and medical devices. We convened 13 national leaders from academia, government, nonprofits, payors, and industry who had expertise in medical product regulation, payor policymaking, bioethics, physician practice, patient advocacy, public health expertise/advocacy, clinical trials, the pharmaceutical and device industry, institutional review board oversight, and real‐world evidence. Through multiple rounds of voting and meetings focused on evaluating the feasibility and impact of various interventions, the 13 participants reached the broadest consensus on 4 interventions: strengthening FDA post‐approval study requirements to ensure postmarket evidence is generated in a timely manner, better informing patients about the risks and benefits and level of evidence supporting therapies via simplified and patient‐centered product information “boxes” modeled on nutrition labels, limiting prices for drugs and medical devices approved based on surrogate end point data until confirmatory clinical evidence is generated, and improving health professional education about FDA regulation to better support clinician use of drugs and devices as well as communication with patients.
Hierarchical Carbon Composites for High‐Energy/Power‐Density and High‐Reliability Supercapacitors with Low Aging Rate
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Chia , Kirana Nindita , Puspita Daniel Fajar , Patra Jagabandhu , Hsieh Chien‐Te , Gandomi Yasser Ashraf , Lai Hong‐Zheng , Chang Tseng‐Lung , Tseng Chung‐Jen , Majumder Subhasish Basu , Wang Cheng‐Yu , Chang Jeng‐Kuei
Published: March 2022

A facile method for preparing hierarchical carbon composites that contain activated carbon (AC), carbon nanospheres (CNSs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for use as the electrode material in supercapacitors (SCs) was developed. The CNS/CNT network enabled the formation of three‐dimensional conducting pathways within the highly porous AC matrix, effectively reducing the internal resistance of an SC electrode. The specific capacitance, cyclability, voltage window, temperature profile during charging/discharging, leakage current, gas evolution, and self‐discharge of the fabricated SCs were systematically investigated and the optimal CNS/CNT ratio was determined. A 2.5 V floating aging test at 70 °C was performed on SCs made with various hierarchical carbon electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, postmortem electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were conducted to examine the electrode aging behavior. A hierarchical carbon architecture with an appropriate AC/CNS/CNT constituent ratio could significantly improve charge‐discharge performance, increase cell reliability, and decrease the aging‐related degradation rate.
Where the wild beavers are: Climate and landscape controls on beaver pond area in snow‐dominated rangeland headwaters
Authors: Fitch Kyle , Nippgen Fabian , Albeke Shannon E. , Paige Ginger B.
Published: March 2022

Beavers are of increasing interest as a mechanism for ecosystem restoration. However, the physical watershed characteristics that allow for successful beaver re‐establishment are not consistent across habitat suitability models. We delineated the extent of beaver impounded surface water in the Pole Mountain Area (PMA) of south‐eastern Wyoming with six National Agricultural Imagery Program acquisitions over an 18‐year time period via a random forest classification algorithm. We computed beaver pond area for first‐ and second‐order watersheds within the PMA and related the impounded pond area to climatic metrics such as maximum annual snow water equivalent and snowmelt and rain input into the ground. There was no apparent relationship between annual climate metrics and beaver pond area. Further, we developed a random forest regression model to correlate beaver pond area with topographically derived watershed characteristics (e.g. hillslope size and riparian area size) to explore physical controls on impounded area at the watershed scale. Controls differed for first‐ and second‐order watersheds, with pond area in smaller watersheds largely being controlled by lateral water contributions from the hillslopes and in the larger watersheds by water from upstream and available space in the riparian areas. Interestingly, vegetation height did not emerge as an important predictor for pond area, likely because of generally good availability of forage material in all watersheds. This study improves our understanding of watershed characteristics that contribute to beaver habitat suitability and can be used to guide beaver reintroduction efforts through analysis targeted at identifying watersheds most appropriate to beaver pond construction.
Influence of landscape homogenization due to river damming on dragonfly (Odonata) community structuring in a subtropical forest in the southern Atlantic Forest
Authors: Araujo Breno R. , Pinto Ângelo P. , Padial Andre A.
Published: March 2022

Human activities affect the structure, dynamics and energy flow of aquatic ecosystems. River damming, a common anthropic impact in Brazil, changes solar incidence, water flow and temperature of waterbodies, thereby affecting their fauna. Due to their high sensitivity to environmental changes, the Odonata may be indicators of these impacts. We sampled two ecologically distinct sites, (1) a quasi‐pristine forested area and (2) a nearby human‐impacted reservoir landscape, to evaluate the effects of damming on odonate community structure. The species composition of quasi‐pristine communities was more heterogeneous and differed almost completely (indicating high turnover) from that of the reservoir‐area communities. The capacity of the reservoir to maintain local fauna was almost nil. The communities in the changed landscape had the highest local diversity, which is related to the high occurrence of widespread generalist South American species. We also tested two recently proposed bioindication ratio tools based on the richness or abundance of high‐level taxonomic categories; both effectively reflected the extent of the impacts of damming. The best performing ratios were Coenagrionidae/other Zygoptera richness ratio, Zygoptera/Anisoptera abundance ratio and Libellulidae/other Anisoptera richness ratio. The reservoir landscape promotes biotic homogenization. However, the water supply system entails the preservation of part of the native habitat in its surrounding areas, consequently maintaining forest‐dependent biodiversity in quasi‐pristine environments.
Europium (II) Sulfate EuSO4: Synthesis Methods, Crystal and Electronic Structure, Luminescence Properties
Authors: Denisenko Yuriy G. , Sedykh Alexander E. , Oreshonkov Aleksandr S. , Molokeev Maxim S. , Azarapin Nikita O. , Sal'nikova Elena I. , Chimitova Olga D. , Andreev Oleg V. , Razumkova Illaria A. , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: March 2022

In the present work, we report on the synthesis of EuSO4 powders by two different methods using EuS as starting material. The compound EuSO4 contains divalent europium and crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pnma with parameters close to SrSO4. The compound exhibits near isotropic thermal expansion over the temperature range 300–700 K. EuSO4 was examined by Raman, Fourier‐transform infrared absorption and luminescence spectroscopy methods. EuSO4 is found to be an indirect bandgap material with a bandgap close to direct electronic transition. The emission lifetime of divalent europium d‐f emission in EuSO4 shows an unusual behavior for stoichiometric compounds, as it shortens upon cooling from 1.11(1) μs at room temperature to 0.44(1) μs at 77 K.
Activation of translocator protein alleviates mechanical allodynia and bladder dysfunction in cyclophosphamide‐induced cystitis through repression of BDNF‐mediated neuroinflammation
Authors: Huang Yong , Su Minzhi , Zhang Chi , Zhan Hailun , Yang Fei , Gao Zhentao , Zhou Xiangfu , Liu Bolong
Published: March 2022

Background

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a refractory disease accompanied by bladder‐related pain and hyperactivity. Studies have shown that the translocator protein (TSPO) modulates neuroinflammation and central sensitisation associated with pain. Moreover, we previously demonstrated that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuroinflammation and mechanical allodynia in cyclophosphamide (CYP)‐induced cystitis through activation of glial cells. Here, we aimed to explore whether activation of TSPO attenuates mechanical allodynia and bladder dysfunction by regulating BDNF induced neuroinflammation in a CYP‐induced cystitis model.

Methods

Injection of CYP was performed to form a rat model of BPS/IC. The expression of TSPO was regulated by intrathecal injection of the TSPO agonist Ro5‐4864. The von Frey filament test was applied to evaluate suprapubic allodynia. Bladder function was assessed using filling cystometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TSPO, BDNF, GFAP, Iba‐1, p‐p38, p‐JNK, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β, and double immunofluorescence was performed to localise TSPO in the L6–S1 spinal dorsal horn (SDH).

Results

TSPO was activated in the SDH after CYP injection and was primarily colocalised with astrocytes. Ro5‐4864 reversed mechanical allodynia and bladder dysfunction induced by CYP. Moreover, the upregulation of BDNF and activation of astrocytes and microglia was suppressed by Ro5‐4864, resulting in downregulation of p‐p38, p‐JNK, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β.

Conclusions

Ro5‐4864 alleviated mechanical allodynia and bladder dysfunction in the CYP model, possibly by inhibiting the elevation of BDNF and consequent activation of astrocytes and microglia induced neuroinflammation. TSPO may be a potential target for the treatment of BPS/IC.

Significance

This study examined the mechanism underlying the ability of the translocator protein to modulate bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.
Will higher education adapt or transform in the future?
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: March 2022

In their recent book The Great Upheaval: Higher Education's Past, Present, and Uncertain Future, authors Arthur Levine and Scott Van Pelt make the case for the need for higher education to transition to meet the needs of governments, companies, and the student‐customer in the future.
Finding the right CRM saves time, effort, and money
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: March 2022

Customer relationship management software has changed the way businesses of all sizes operate and communicate. Many colleges and universities have already recognized the benefits of CRMs, not just for the enrollment process but throughout the student lifecycle.
Heat transfer intensification with field synergy principle in a fin‐and‐tube heat exchanger through convex strip installation
Authors: Syaiful  , Wicaksono Taufan Anindhito , Tony S. U. M. S. K. , Suprihanto Agus , Soetanto Maria F.
Published: March 2022

Improvement of heat transfer using surface protrusion (convex strip) has been effective recently. Surface protrusion is able to improve flow mixing which increases the rate of heat transfer. Therefore, this study aims to improve the heat transfer in a fin‐and‐tube heat exchanger by fitting convex strips around the tubes. Three‐dimensional modeling was carried out by placing four and eight convex strips around the staggered tubes at a constant temperature of 106°C. The turbulent k–ɛ model was applied at a Reynolds number range of 3438–15,926. The results of the study indicate that tubes with eight convex strips demonstrated a heat transfer improvement of 40.46%, compared to that with four convex strips. In this case, the TEF is 6.27% higher than the four convex strips. In addition, the synergy angle in the eight convex strips configuration was 0.13% lower than that of the four convex strips configuration. Meanwhile, the flow resistance in the tubes with eight convex strips configurations was 30.96% higher than that of the four convex strips.
A Novel 2D Conjugated Coordination Framework with a Narrow Bandgap for Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Pan Linyan , Jiang Kaiyue , Zhai Guangqun , Ji Huiping , Li Nana , Zhu Jinhui , Yang Chongqing , Qiu Feng , Lu Chenbao , Wang Tianfu , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: March 2022

The 2D conjugated coordination polymer frameworks (2D c‐CPFs), as a novel class of electronic materials, show significant potential in modern electronic devices. However, the lack of available construction monomers greatly hinders the development as well as the fundamental electronic process understanding of 2D c‐CPF in modern electronics. Herein, a novel conjugated coordination polymer framework is developed through coordination of a new planar ligand with copper ions. Benefiting from the in‐plane d–π conjugation and out‐of‐plane π stacking, as‐made coordination polymer framework exhibits a narrow bandgap of 1.12 eV. Then, a free‐standing hybrid layered film of coordination frameworks together with exfoliated graphene is prepared as the electrode for micro‐supercapacitors. The micro‐device displays the high areal specific capacitance of 14.3 mF cm−2, outperforming most of the reported conductive polymer‐based micro‐supercapacitors. Notably, the as‐prepared micro‐supercapacitor exhibits good electrochemical stability after 5000 cycles, as well as excellent flexibility for polyethylene terephthalate‐supported devices. Herein, not only is a novel d–π conjugated coordination polymer with narrow bandgap developed, but also its application in miniature and flexible devices is identified.
A new method of hybrid optimization of small cell range development and density for energy efficient ultra‐dense networks
Authors: Sidiq Sumina , Sheikh Javaid A. , Mustafa Farhana , Malik Bilal A.
Published: March 2022

Ultra‐dense networks (UDNs) which comprise of small and macro cells, are considered the principal solution for increasing demands of data. However, making energy efficient networks will be a challenge for researchers. In this article, a hybrid optimization technique is proposed to enhance the energy efficiency (EE) of the UDNs, considering the user correlation and hybrid optimization of the density and transmitting power of the small‐cell‐base‐station (SBS). More precisely, the problem framed is a problem of convex‐linear programming and hence is divided into two sub‐problems: cell correlation and hybrid optimization. The expression for the EE of the system is derived in the closed‐form as a factor of the density of SBSs and small cell‐range‐development (CRD) bias dependent on the Poisson point process (PPP) followed by the sequential‐search‐algorithm to improve the small CRD bias and SBS density correspondingly. Additionally, to realize hybrid optimization of the small CRD bias and density of SBSs, a heuristic algorithm is put forward to accomplish the EE of the system. It is revealed from the simulation outcomes that the proposed small CRD bias and SBS density hybrid optimization significantly enhances the EE of the system with low computational intricacy.
Evaluation of cooperative spectrum sensing with filtered bank multi carrier utilized for detecting in cognitive radio network
Authors: Perarasi T. , Nagarajan G. , Gayathri R. , Leeban Moses M.
Published: March 2022

Cognitive radio (CR) is defined as a procedure that uses the range with and without impedance. Elements of psychological radio systems incorporate spectrum sensing, spectrum sharing, spectrum mobility and spectrum decision. This manuscript proposes cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) with filtered bank multi carrier (FBMC) in cognitive radio network (CRN) for mitigating the interference with proficient bandwidth utilization. Here, five primary users (PU) and one secondary user (SU) are considered. The secondary user occupies the slot only in the absence of primary user. During cooperative spectrum sensing with FBMC evaluation, it produces problem in hidden terminal, false alert and auxiliary client identification with effective radio spectrum sharing for the secondary users, which automatically reduces the channel capacity, energy efficiency, and channel interference. To overcome the issues, optimal red deer algorithm (ORDA) is used in FBMC Weight parameters. The proposed method is executed in MATLAB platform. The simulation outcomes demonstrate that the performance of the proposed CSS‐FBMC‐ORDA has high efficiency with less error rate. The proposed CSS‐FBMC‐ORDA attains higher efficiency of 3.99%, 8.90%, and 4.09%, higher reliability of 5.66%, 9.44%, and 2.43%, lower bit error rate (BER) of 4.756%, 4.86%, and 8.97% when compared with the existing methods, such as spectrum resource optimization for non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) based cognitive radio at 5G communications joint optimization algorithm (JOA) (CSS‐CRN‐NOMA‐JOA), maximizing the total throughput for generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) system using hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO)‐pattern search (PSO‐PS) approach (CSS‐CRN‐GFDM‐Hyb PSO‐PS), energy efficiency for various spectrum sensing scenarios using a novel hybridization of particle swarm optimization (PSO) with gravitational search algorithm (GSA) (CSS‐CRN‐OFDM‐Hybrid PSO‐GSA) respectively.
Purification, structural characterization, and bioactivities of a polysaccharide from Coreopsis tinctoria
Authors: Yu Qian , Chen Wei , Zhong Jing , Huang Dong , Shi Wenting , Chen Haiyun , Yan Chunyan
Published: March 2022

Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. has been widely cultivated in Xinjiang, Yunnan as well as other western regions of China. In folk medicine, the flower tea C. tinctoria is often used as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. To explore the chemicals responsible for the health benefits of C. tinctoria, a water‐soluble polysaccharide (CT70‐1) was isolated from C. tinctoria. The structure feature analyses revealed that CT70‐1 was a heteropolysaccharide with a relative molecular weight of 2.1×103 Da. It consisted of α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, →4)‐α‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, →5)‐α‐L‐Araf‐(1→, →6)‐2‐OAc‐β‐D‐Galp‐(1→, →3)‐α‐L‐Rhap‐(1→, →3,6)‐β‐D‐Manp‐(1→, →6)‐β‐D‐Manp‐(1→, →1,6)‐β‐D‐Fruf‐(2→, α‐L‐Araf‐(1→, and →3)‐β‐D‐Manp‐(1→. Further, CT70‐1 exhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 2.79 ± 0.17 mM and 3.00 ± 0.02 mM, respectively. Moreover, CT70‐1 significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated nitric oxide production of RAW264.7 and BV2 cells with IC50 values of 0.07 mM and 0.12, respectively. In conclusion, the above findings provide a foundation for promising natural ingredient CT70‐1 in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with trisomy 3 and CBFA2T3::GLIS2: A case report
Authors: Gillam Joseph , Catic Aida , Paulraj Prabakaran , Dalton Justin , Lai Guanhua , Jackson‐Cook Colleen , Turner Scott , Ferreira‐Gonzalez Andrea , Barrie Elizabeth
Published: March 2022

Non‐Down‐syndrome‐related acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (non‐DS‐AMKL) is a rare form of leukemia that can present with a variety of initial symptoms, including fever, rash, bruising, bleeding, or other more clinically challenging symptoms. Herein, we describe a 19‐month‐old female patient who presented with left lower extremity pain and language regression who was diagnosed with AMKL, not otherwise specified (NOS), on the basis of peripheral blood and bone marrow analysis, as well as cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic phenotyping. Of note, in addition to this patient's karyotype showing trisomy 3, a fusion between CBFA2T3 (core‐binding factor, alpha subunit 2, translocated to, 3) on chromosome 16 and GLIS2 (GLIS family zinc finger protein 2), also on chromosome 16, was observed. Patients with AMKL who have trisomy 3 with CBFA2T3::GLIS2 fusions are rare, and it is not known if the co‐occurrence of these abnormalities is coincidental or biologically related. This highlights the continued need for further expansion of genetic testing in individuals with rare disease to establish the groundwork for identifying additional commonalities that could potentially be used to identify therapeutic targets or improve prognostication.
Long‐term hydro‐meteorology and water quality data from low‐gradient catchments of varying scales on the Santee experimental Forest, South Carolina
Authors: Amatya Devendra M. , Trettin Carl C. , Harrison Charles A. , Arnold Julie A.
Published: March 2022

The forest landscape of the Southeastern Atlantic coastal plain of the United States is experiencing increased threats from extreme precipitation events, tropical storms, flooding, droughts, and growing urbanization impacting on vegetation, road infrastructure, water extraction and other related ecosystem processes (e.g., storm runoff, nutrient and carbon cycling) and functions (e.g., flood protection, aquatic habitat). We describe ongoing hydro‐meteorologic monitoring on two first—(1.6 km2 each), the second—(5 km2), and the third—(52.5 km2) order catchments. The catchments are located on the Santee Experimental Forest at the headwaters of the Cooper River that drains into Charleston Harbour, South Carolina. Monitoring started in 1946, with a gap between 1982 and 1989, includes precipitation, weather, streamflow, water table, and water quality (anions, cations, and physical parameters) at varying temporal scales. The catchments are forest ecosystems dominated by loblolly (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) (LLP) mixed hardwood stands on the uplands and bottomland hardwoods on well‐drained to poorly‐drained soils characteristic of the low‐gradient Atlantic Coastal Plain. These data support multiple field and modelling studies, ranging from water and carbon budgets to hydrologic and biogeochemical processes to effects of microtopography and extreme climate on hydrology and water quality of these coastal catchments withstands regenerated since Hurricane Hugo (1989). One significant finding from the long‐term data was a reversal of the pre‐Hugo flow pattern between the paired watersheds 3 years after Hugo. This reversal persisted for 10 years and was attributed to change in forest vegetation due to hurricane damage to older pine and larger hardwood stands followed by delayed regeneration before full forest recovery. These publicly available data serve as a reference within a rapidly developing landscape and also for addressing potential impacts of extreme climate and forest disturbance on ecohydrology, biogeochemistry, habitat, water supply and infrastructure using validated models and tools.
What drives the distress risk–return puzzle? A perspective on limits of arbitrage
Authors: Sha Yezhou , Bu Ziwen , Wang Zilong
Published: March 2022

Empirical research has documented a negative relationship between distress risk and stock returns. This negative risk–return trade‐off, known as the distress puzzle, poses a challenge to asset pricing models. In this study, we provide a new explanation of the distress puzzle by considering the effect of arbitrage asymmetry. We find that the negative distress risk–return relation is stronger in stocks that have higher limits of arbitrage. The investors are virtually unable to short sell mispriced high distress risk stocks due to the low supply of lendable stocks from institutions and that arbitrage is costly. In addition, we show that the limits of arbitrage effect is distinct from liquidity effect in explaining the distress puzzle.
β‐Elemene induces apoptosis by activating the P53 pathway in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts
Authors: Guo Qin , Li Yujia , Chen Yuan , Ji Jin , Zheng Shizhong , Xu Xuefen , Zhang Biyun , Ye Jianzhou
Published: March 2022

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a condition characterized by excessive synthesis and deposition of collagen. There are many clinical methods to alleviate HS, but most of them are accompanied by many complications. To investigate the effects of β‐Elemene, extracted from the ginger family plant Wenyujin, on human hypertrophic scar fibroblast (hHSFs). Cultured hHSFs and human normal fibroblasts, observed the effect of β‐Elemene on apoptosis, extracellular matrix, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) by western blot, Real Time‐Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR), and flow cytometry. Based on our findings, it is clear that β‐Elemene could inhibit the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), collagen I, and fibronectin, reduced collagen deposition. Further studies had found that β‐Elemene could increase the expression of ERS‐related proteins CHOP and Calnexin in a dose‐dependent manner, thereby promoting the aggregation of cleaved‐caspase‐3 and inducing hHSFs to undergo poptosis. This process may depend on the regulation of P53. The results of our study indicates that β‐Elemene induced hHSFs to undergo apoptosis though ERS pathway in a P53‐dependent manner, which means that our research provided a new strategy for the development of drugs for the treatment of HS.
Band selection for mapping chromophores of skin tissue
Authors: Sun Jiuai , Wu Zhonghang , Wang Le , Wu Peiyu , Li Min , Yao Qi , Yao Guangyu
Published: March 2022

A numerical approach has been proposed to identify bands for optimally estimating the concentration of three types of viable chromophores within biological tissue. The bands are determined according to the condition number of absorption matrix associated with the attenuation coefficients of chromophores. The effectiveness of different sets of selected band combination was verified by using the spectral reflectance images of skin tissue acquired from standard forearm vascular occlusion tests via a spectroradiometer. Experimental results demonstrated that the concentration of chromophores within skin tissue could be estimated correctly and robustly only when the bands were deliberately selected.
LncRNA SLC16A1‐AS1 contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by modulating miR‐411/MITD1 axis
Authors: Duan Chun
Published: March 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with high morbidity. The current study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of lncRNA SLC16A1‐AS1 in the tumorigenesis of HCC.

Material and methods

The expression of SLC16A1‐AS1 and miR‐411 was examined in clinical HCC tissues. HCC cell lines Hep3B and Huh‐7 were employed and transfected with si‐SLC16A1‐AS1. The correlation between SLC16A1‐AS1 and miR‐411 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. Cell viability was detected by CCK‐8 assay. Cell migration and invasion capacity were examined by transwell assay. The protein level of MITD1 was analyzed by western blotting.

Results

The expression of SLC16A1‐AS1 markedly increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Subsequent studies identified SLC16A1‐AS1 as a downstream target of miR‐411. In addition, SLC16A1‐AS1 knockdown and miR‐411 overexpression significantly stagnated the progression of HCC cells. SLC16A1‐AS1 knockdown also downregulated MITD1 levels.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that SLC16A1‐AS1 was overexpressed in HCC cells and tissues. SLC16A1‐AS1 promoted the malignant characteristics of HCC cells and acted as an oncogene. Its regulatory effect may be associated with miR‐411/MITD1 axis. Therefore, SLC16A1‐AS1 has the potential to be used as a biomarker or therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
A multi‐omics‐based investigation of the immunological and prognostic impact of necroptosis‐related genes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Hang , Jiang QiNian
Published: March 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common histological subtype of liver cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer globally. Recent studies suggested cell death is also a key regulator of tumour progression. The purpose of this study was to generate a new predictive signature for HCC patients based on a complete analysis of necroptosis‐associated genes.

Methods

We extracted the mRNA expression profiles of HCC patients from the TCGA and ICGC databases and their clinical data. In addition, we used the IMvigor210 cohort to validate our model molecule's ability to predict the effect of immunotherapy. In the TCGA cohort, a seven‐gene risk‐prognostic model was constructed using univariate cox‐Lasoo regression. External validation was conducted using the ICGC cohort. The ssGSEA algorithm is used to determine the degree of immune function response. The CMAP databases are used for chemotherapy drug analysis and screening for drugs that reduce the expression of high‐risk genes. The cbioportal database was used to explore mutations in model genes.

Results

Survival analysis shows shorter survival for high‐risk patients. Immune function analysis revealed significant differences in the activity of immune pathways between risk subgroups. Varied risk scores result in dramatically diverse immune infiltration and tumour growth, as well as significantly different chemotherapeutic sensitivity. In addition, Apigenin and LY‐294002 reduced the expression of high‐risk genes, while Arecoline had the opposite effect. In the immunotherapy IMvigor210 cohort, risk scores were significantly different between the objective responder and non‐responder groups. By comparing the models constructed with published literature, it is suggested that our model has better predictive power.

Conclusions

We created a new prognostic signature of necroptosis‐related genes that can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers to guide effective personalized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
GSTT1, an increased risk factor for prostate cancer in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Liu Dongdong , Che Bangwei , Chen Pan , He Jun , Mu Yi , Chen Kehang , Zhang Wenjun , Xu Shenghan , Tang Kaifa
Published: March 2022

Background

Glutathione S‐transferase (GSTs) gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (Mets) are generally considered to be risk factors for prostate cancer (PCa). However, this conclusion is still controversial. There is a close relationship between GSTs gene polymorphism and Mets. We suspect that the effect of GSTs gene polymorphism and Mets on PCa may be the result of their joint action. As a result, the purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of GSTs gene polymorphism on PCa in patients with Mets.

Methods

We collected blood samples from 128 patients with PCa and 200 controls. The GSTs gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). Age, characteristics of Mets, frequencies of GSTs gene polymorphism, total prostate volume (TPV), Gleason score, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) were recorded and analyzed.

Results

There were significant differences in BMI, TG, LDL‐C, FBG, SBP, DBP, and HDL‐C among the control group, N‐PCa group, and Mets‐PCa group (p < 0.05). GSTT1 null genotype (OR = 2.844, 95% CI: 1.791–4.517), GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 2.192, 95% CI: 1.395–3.446), and GSTP1 (A/G + G/G) genotype (OR = 2.315, 95% CI: 1.465–3.657) were associated with PCa susceptibility and malignancy. Only the GSTT1 null genotype in Mets patients was positively correlated with PCa.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that GSTs gene polymorphism may be a risk factor for PCa and can predict the susceptibility and malignancy of PCa. Secondly, in Mets patients, GSTT1 null genotype significantly increased the risk of PCa. GSTM1 null genotype and the effect of GSTP1 (AG + GG) on PCa were not significantly related to Mets.
The connectivity of the dual
Authors: Bokal Drago , Brinkmann Gunnar , Zamfirescu Carol T.
Published: March 2022

The dual of a polyhedron is a polyhedron—or in graph‐theoretical terms: the dual of a 3‐connected plane graph is a 3‐connected plane graph. Astonishingly, except for sufficiently large facewidth, not much is known about the connectivity of the dual on higher surfaces. Are the duals of 3‐connected embedded graphs of higher genus 3‐connected, too? If not, which connectivity guarantees 3‐connectedness of the dual? In this article, we give answers to some of these and related questions. We prove that there is no connectivity that guarantees the 3‐connectedness or 2‐connectedness of the dual for every genus, and give upper bounds for the minimum genus for which (with ) a c‐connected embedded graph with a dual that has a 1‐ or 2‐cut can occur. We prove that already on the torus, we need 6‐connectedness to guarantee 3‐connectedness of the dual and 4‐connectedness to guarantee 2‐connectedness of the dual. In the last section, we answer a related question by Plummer and Zha on orientable embeddings of highly connected noncomplete graphs.