bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost analysis of health workforce investments for COVID-19 response in Ghana
Authors: Asamani James Avoka , Ismaila Hamza , Okoroafor Sunny C. , Frimpong Kingsley Addai , Oduro-Mensah Ebenezer , Chebere Margaret , Ahmat Adam , Nabyonga-Orem Juliet , Christmals Christmal Dela , Nyoni Jennifer , Kuma-Aboagye Patrick
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic had multiple adverse impacts on the health workforce that constrained their capacity to contain and combat the disease. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the Ghanaian health workforce, the government implemented a strategy to recruit qualified but unemployed health workers to fill staffing gaps and incentivise all public sector health workers. This paper estimated the cost of the new recruitments and incentives given to health workers and presented lessons for health workforce planning in future health emergencies towards health systems resilience. Between March and November 2020, 45 107 health workers were recruited, representing a 35% boost in the public sector health workforce capacity, and an increase in the recurrent public health sector wage bill by about GHS103 229 420 (US$17 798 176) per month, and about GHS1.24 billion (US$213.58 million) per annum. To incentivise the health workforce, the government announced a waiver of personal income taxes for all health workers in the public sector from April to December 2020 and offered a 50% additional allowance to some health workers. We estimate that the Government of Ghana spent about GH¢16.93 million (equivalent to US$2.92 million) monthly as COVID-19 response incentives, which translates into US$35 million by the end of 2020. Ghana invested considerably in health workforce recruitment and incentives to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an almost 37% increase in the public sector wage bill. Strengthening investments in decent employment, protection and safety for the health workforce using the various resources are helpful in addressing future pandemics.
Skill decay in surgeons deployed on military operations: a systematic review
Authors: Stansfield Tim , Tai N
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Decay of surgical skills due to paucity of opportunity to operate is a potential threat to patients being cared for by the Defence Medical Services while on operational deployment. Our aim was to review the literature regarding skill decay in the trained surgeon in order to understand how it may affect clinical performance and patient outcomes. We also wished to survey the likely causes of such decay and possible means of mitigation.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Study bias assessment was also undertaken. Content summaries for the papers included study design and methodology, participant level of experience, measures and magnitude of effect, duration of no practice, and study limitations.

Results

Five papers met the selection criteria. There were insufficient quantitative data on the impact of surgical skill decay on patient outcome, surgeon performance or mitigation strategies, and a meaningful quantitative synthesis could not be undertaken.

Conclusions

This systematic review of the literature found very little specific evidence confirming or refuting surgical skill decay in trained surgeons, with measurement of decay hampered by the lack of an accepted methodology. Studying this in the deployed setting may offer a firmer evidence base from which to generate policy. Potential mitigation strategies are discussed.

PROSPERO registration numberID260846.
Maternal delays and unfavourable newborn outcomes among skilled deliveries in public hospitals of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a case–control study
Authors: Erjino Dawit Sullamo , Mekiso Abera Beyamo , Woiloro Lonsako Abute , Arficho Tegegn Tadesse , Watumo Aregash Mecha , Katiso Nuradin Abusha , Ermolo Tadesse Lelago
Published: May 2022

Object

We assessed maternal delays and unfavourable newborn outcomes among skilled deliveries in public hospitals of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia using ‘the three maternal delays’ framework.

Design

A case–control study was conducted.

Setting

Public hospitals in Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia.

Participants

Sample of 57 cases and 121 controls participated from 4 September 2019 to 30 October 2019. Consecutive dead newborns at discharge or admitted newborns for more 24 hours after delivery were selected as cases. Two consecutive controls were selected from none cases discharged within 24 hours of skilled delivery.

Results

Total of 57 cases and 121 controls participated with 97.3% response rate. Forty-eight (84.2%), 46 (80.7%) and 51 (89.5%) of cases had first, second and third maternal delay, respectively. Eighty-six (71.1%), 18 (14.9%) and 69 (53.7%) of controls had first, second and third maternal delay, respectively. Cases with second maternal delay were 23.9 times more likely to have unfavourable newborn outcome when compared with controls. The first and third delays and wealth index were not significantly associated with newborn outcome in this study.

Conclusions

First, second and third maternal delays were higher in cases than controls. ‘Delay in reaching health facility’ was determinant for unfavourable newborn outcome in this study. However, ‘delay in decision-making to seek care’ and ‘delay in receiving care’ were not significantly associated with new born outcome. Government should work to improve labouring mother transportation.
PCR-based detection of pathogens in improved water sources: a scoping review protocol of the evidence in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Gemeda Shibabaw Tadesse , Soboksa Negasa Eshete , Tefera Yonatal Mesfin , Desta Adey Feleke , Gari Sirak Robele
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Occurrence of diverse human enteric bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens in improved drinking water because of pathogenic microbial contamination is of increasing public health concern, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Detecting microbial pathogens in water supplies comprehensively and accurately is beneficial to ensure the safety of water in LMICs where water contamination is a major concern. Application of PCR-based methods in detecting the microbial quality of water provides more accurate, sensitive and rapid outcomes over conventional methods of microbial identification and quantification. Therefore, exploring water quality outcomes generated through PCR-based methods is important to better understand the status and monitor progress towards internationally set goals for LMICs. This scoping review aims to map the existing evidence on the magnitude and characteristics of diarrhoeagenic pathogens as detected by PCR-based methods in improved water sources within the context of LMICs.

Methods and analysis

This study will be undertaken in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. We will consider the available publications covering PCR-based microbial water quality assessment of improved drinking water sources in LMICs. Searches will be undertaken in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, JBI, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. A grey literature search will be conducted in Google and ProQuest.

Ethics and dissemination

The College of Natural and Computational Science Institution Review Board of Addis Ababa University gave formal ethical approval to this study protocol. The findings of this study will be disseminated to the concerned body through peer-reviewed publications, presentations and summaries.
Usability of Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis questionnaire in women hospitalised for hyperemesis gravidarum: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Laitinen Linda , Nurmi Miina , Kulovuori Nina , Koivisto Mari , Ojala Elina , Rautava Päivi , Polo-Kantola Päivi
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) questionnaire is mainly used in outpatient care to assess the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Our aim was to evaluate the usability of the Finnish-translated PUQE in hospitalised women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital in Finland.

Participants

Ninety-five women admitted due to HG for at least overnight.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Categorised and continuous PUQE scores, physical and mental quality of life (QoL) and urine ketones at admission and at discharge, analysing the first admission and readmissions separately.

Results

The most common PUQE categories at admission were ‘moderate’ and ‘severe’, whereas at discharge they were ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’. Likewise, continuous PUQE scores improved between admission and discharge (p<0.0001). At admission, women rating worse physical QoL (first admission adjusted OR (AOR) 1.09; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.16; readmissions AOR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.25) and women with ketonuria of +++ (first admission AOR 16.00; 95% CI 1.44 to 177.82) fell into higher PUQE score category. On discharge day, women with better physical QoL had lower PUQE score category (first admission AOR 0.94; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98; readmissions AOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.90 to 0.97). The results between physical QoL and continuous PUQE scores were similar. Concerning readmissions, better mental QoL was associated with lower PUQE score category at discharge (AOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.89 to 0.97). As for continuous PUQE score, worse mental QoL was associated with higher score at admission (readmissions, p=0.007) and better mental QoL with lower score at discharge (readmissions, p=0.007).

Conclusions

PUQE scores reflected alleviation of NVP severity in women hospitalised due to HG. Further, the decrease in PUQE score was associated with improved physical QoL and partly also with improved mental QoL. We therefore suggest PUQE as a complementary instrument for inpatient setting.
Adolescents’ media usage and self-reported exposure to advertising across six countries: implications for less healthy food and beverage marketing
Authors: Demers-Potvin Élisabeth , White Martin , Potvin Kent Monique , Nieto Claudia , White Christine M , Zheng Xueying , Hammond David , Vanderlee Lana
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The study objectives were to examine: (1) adolescents’ media viewing habits, (2) associations with media viewing and self-reported exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertising and (3) differences in trends among younger and older adolescents in six high and upper middle-income countries.

Design

Repeat cross-sectional online survey.

Setting

Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).

Participants

Respondents to the International Food Policy Study who provided information on all variables of interest in November–December 2019 aged 10–17 years (n=9171).

Outcome measures

Self-reported exposure to screen-based media (screen time by media channel), use of social media platforms and self-reported location and frequency of exposure to unhealthy food and beverage advertising.

Results

The average amount of time spent in front of various screens ranged from 7.6 hours to 10.2 hours across countries per week day, which may include possible viewing of multiple media channels simultaneously. Overall, Instagram was the most popular social media platform (52%–68% by country), followed by Facebook (42%–79%) and Snapchat (28%–52%). The percentage of respondents who self-reported having seen unhealthy food advertisements in the past 30 days was highest on television (43%–69%), followed by digital media (27%–60%) and gaming applications (10%–17%). Self-reported daily exposure to advertising varied between countries for sugary drinks (10%–43%) and fast food (19%–44%) and was positively associated with self-reported screen time. Self-reported exposure to screen-based media and social media platforms differed by sociodemographic characteristics and was higher among older adolescents than younger adolescents.

Conclusions

The important amount of time spent on screen-based media reported by adolescents and large percentage of adolescents reporting social media usage, coupled with high rates of self-reported advertising exposure, support the need for policies to restrict marketing of unhealthy food and beverages appealing to adolescents on screen-based media.
Inpatient hospitalisation and mortality rate trends from 2004 to 2014 in the USA: a propensity score-matched case–control study of hyperkalaemia
Authors: Tecson Kristen Michelle , Baker Rebecca A , Clariday Laura , McCullough Peter A
Published: May 2022

Objective

To study the trends of hyperkalaemia in USA inpatient hospitalisation records with heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI) and/or type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from 2004 to 2014 with respect to prevalence and inpatient mortality.

Design

Observational cross-sectional and propensity score-matched case–control study.

Setting

The National Inpatient Sample (representing up to 97% of inpatient hospital discharge records in the USA) from 2004 to 2014

Participants

120 513 483 (±2 312 391) adult inpatient hospitalisation records with HF, CKD/end-stage renal disease (ESRD), AKI and/or T2DM.

Exposure

Hyperkalaemia, defined as the presence of an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code of ‘276.7’ in any of the first 15 diagnostic codes.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The outcomes of interest are the annual rates of hyperkalaemia prevalence and inpatient mortality.

Results

Among 120 513 483 (±2 312 391) adult inpatient hospitalisations with HF, CKD/ESRD, AKI and/or T2DM, we found a 28.9% relative increase of hyperkalaemia prevalence from 4.94% in 2004 to 6.37% in 2014 (p<0.001). Hyperkalaemia was associated with an average of 4 percentage points higher rate of inpatient mortality (1.71 post-matching, p<0.0001). Inpatient mortality rates decreased from 11.49%±0.17% to 6.43%±0.08% and 9.67%±0.13% to 5.05%±0.07% for matched cases with and without hyperkalaemia, respectively (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Hyperkalaemia prevalence increased over time and was associated with greater inpatient mortality, even after accounting for presentation characteristics. We detected a decreasing trend in inpatient mortality risk, regardless of hyperkalaemia presence.
One-sample quantitative and two-sample qualitative faecal immunochemical tests for colorectal cancer screening: a cross-sectional study in China
Authors: Wang Le , Chen Hongda , Zhu Yunfeng , Lu Ming , Wang Youqing , Chen Xinmin , Ma Weihua , Du Lingbin , Chen Wanqing
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are widely used for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the Western countries, whereas qualitative FITs are preferred in China. The present study aimed to compare the screening yield between one-sample quantitative FIT and two-sample qualitative FIT for CRC screening.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

A population-based CRC screening programme was conducted in 28 communities in Haining City, Zhejiang Province, China.

Participants

Consecutive participants aged 40–74 years were invited to undergo the CRC screening programme. Two-sample qualitative FITs were offered between January 2019 and December 2019, and one-sample quantitative FIT was offered between August 2019 and February 2020.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes were detection rates of advanced neoplasms, including CRCs and advanced adenomas. Secondary outcomes were positivity rates and colonoscopy resource demand for the two FITs. The positivity thresholds were 20 µg and 1–5 µg haemoglobin per gram of faeces for the quantitative and qualitative FITs, respectively.

Results

A total of 19 131 and 28 804 invitees were assigned to the two-sample qualitative and one-sample quantitative groups, respectively. Positivity rates were 14.2% for the two-sample qualitative FIT and 5.4% for the one-sample quantitative FIT. Detection rates of advanced colorectal neoplasms at colonoscopy using one-sample quantitative FIT and two-sample qualitative FIT were 17.6% (95% CI: 14.6% to 20.6%) and 10.5% (95% CI: 8.7% to 12.4%), respectively. Both detection rates of cancer and advanced adenoma were higher in the one-sample quantitative FIT group than those in the two-sample qualitative FIT group. Moreover, one-sample quantitative FIT significantly reduced the colonoscopy load for detection of one advanced neoplasm case (5, 95% CI: 5 to 7) than the two-sample qualitative FIT (10, 95% CI: 8 to 11).

Conclusions

The one-sample quantitative FIT for CRC screening increases the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and reduces the colonoscopy workload compared with the two-sample qualitative FIT.
Femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsulotomy in children undergoing cataract surgery: a large case series
Authors: Trifanenkova Irina G , Tereshchenko Aleksandr V , Isaev Sergey V
Published: May 2022

Objective

To evaluate safety and postoperative visual outcomes of low-energy femtosecond laser-assisted (FLA) anterior capsulotomy in paediatric cataract surgery.

Methods and analysis

We report a retrospective single-centre consecutive case series of 51 eyes of 33 paediatric cataract patients with a mean age of 3.22 years (range: 2 months to 13 years) who underwent cataract surgery with FLA anterior capsulotomy, using FEMTO LDV Z8 femtosecond laser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems). Anterior laser capsulotomy, phacoaspiration and intraocular lens implantation were performed in all eyes. Both intraoperative and long-term postoperative complications, along with long-term monocular corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), were assessed during average follow-up period of 32.96 months (range: 13–69 months).

Results

In 48 out of 51 eyes, a well-sized and well-located anterior capsulotomy was achieved without intraoperative complications. Anterior capsule tears occurred in three eyes; however, they did not extend posteriorly and the intraocular lens were placed in the bags without any further complications. Posterior capsular opacification developed in 45.10% of eyes (23 out of 51) and was subsequently treated with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy. Mean CDVA at final follow-up was 20/40 (range: 20/63 to 20/32) in unilateral cases younger than 12 months, 20/40 (range: 20/1000 to 20/25) in unilateral cases older than 12 months, 20/66 (range: 20/400 to 20/32) in bilateral cases younger than 12 months and 20/40 (range: 20/200 to 20/20) in bilateral cases older than 12 months.

Conclusions

Paediatric cataract surgery with low-energy FLA anterior capsulotomy is a procedure with long-term safety, resulting in significant improvement in CDVA.
Targeting CISH enhances natural cytotoxicity receptor signaling and reduces NK cell exhaustion to improve solid tumor immunity
Authors: Bernard Pierre-Louis , Delconte Rebecca , Pastor Sonia , Laletin Vladimir , Costa Da Silva Cathy , Goubard Armelle , Josselin Emmanuelle , Castellano Rémy , Krug Adrien , Vernerey Julien , Devillier Raynier , Olive Daniel , Verhoeyen Els , Vivier Eric , Huntington Nicholas D , Nunes Jacques , Guittard Geoffrey
Published: May 2022

Background

The success and limitations of current immunotherapies have pushed research toward the development of alternative approaches and the possibility to manipulate other cytotoxic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we targeted an intracellular inhibiting protein ‘cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein’ (CISH) in NK cells to evaluate the impact on their functions and antitumor properties.

Methods

To further understand CISH functions in NK cells, we developed a conditional Cish-deficient mouse model in NK cells (Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+). NK cells cytokine expression, signaling and cytotoxicity has been evaluated in vitro. Using intravenous injection of B16F10 melanoma cell line and EO711 triple negative breast cancer cell line, metastasis evaluation was performed. Then, orthotopic implantation of breast tumors was performed and tumor growth was followed using bioluminescence. Infiltration and phenotype of NK cells in the tumor was evaluated. Finally, we targetedCISHin human NK-92 or primary NK cells, using a technology combining the CRISPR(i)-dCas9 tool with a new lentiviral pseudotype. We then tested human NK cells functions.

Results

InCishfl/flNcr1Ki/+mice, we detected no developmental or homeostatic difference in NK cells. Global gene expression ofCishfl/flNcr1Ki/+NK cells compared withCish+/+Ncr1Ki/+NK cells revealed upregulation of pathways and genes associated with NK cell cycling and activation. We show that CISH does not only regulate interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling pathways but also natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) pathways, triggering CISH protein expression. PrimedCishfl/flNcr1Ki/+NK cells display increased activation upon NCR stimulation.Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+NK cells display lower activation thresholds andCishfl/flNcr1Ki/+mice are more resistant to tumor metastasis and to primary breast cancer growth. CISH deletion favors NK cell accumulation to the primary tumor, optimizes NK cell killing properties and decreases TIGIT immune checkpoint receptor expression, limiting NK cell exhaustion. Finally, using CRISPRi, we then targetedCISHin human NK-92 or primary NK cells. In human NK cells, CISH deletion also favors NCR signaling and antitumor functions.

Conclusion

This study represents a crucial step in the mechanistic understanding and safety ofCishtargeting to unleash NK cell antitumor function in solid tumors. Our results validate CISH as an emerging therapeutic target to enhance NK cell immunotherapy.
Quantum information scrambling: from holography to quantum simulators
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arpan , Joshi Lata Kh. , Sundar Bhuvanesh
Published: May 2022

In this review, we present the ongoing developments in bridging the gap between holography and experiments. To this end, we discuss information scrambling and models of quantum teleportation via Gao–Jafferis–Wall wormhole teleportation. We review the essential basics and summarize some of the recent works that have so far been obtained in quantum simulators towards a goal of realizing analogous models of holography in a lab.
Determination of the kinematic parameters from SNe Ia and cosmic chronometers
Authors: Benndorf D. , Jesus J. F. , Pereira S. H.
Published: May 2022

In this work, by assuming a spatially flat Universe, we have tested 8 kinematic parametrization models with H(z) data from Cosmic Chronometers and SNe Ia from Pantheon compilation. Our aim is obtain the current values for the Hubble constant ($$H_0$$

H
0

), deceleration parameter ($$q_0$$

q
0

), jerk ($$j_0$$

j
0

) and snap ($$s_0$$

s
0

) parameters independently from a dynamical model. By using a Bayesian model comparison, three models are favoured: a model with the deceleration parameter (q) linearly dependent on the redshift, q linearly dependent on the scale factor and a model with a constant jerk. The model with constant jerk is slightly favoured by this analysis, furnishing $$H_0=68.8^{+3.7}_{-3.6}$$

H
0

=
68
.

8

-
3.6

+
3.7

km/s/Mpc, $$q_0=-0.58\pm 0.13$$

q
0

=
-
0.58
±
0.13

, $$j_0=1.15^{+0.56}_{-0.53}$$

j
0

=
1
.

15

-
0.53

+
0.56

and $$s_0=-0.25^{+0.40}_{-0.30}$$

s
0

=
-
0
.

25

-
0.30

+
0.40

. The other models are compatible with the constant jerk model, except for the snap parameter, where we have found $$s_0=4.0^{+3.4}_{-3.0}$$

s
0

=
4
.

0

-
3.0

+
3.4

for the model with q linearly dependent on the scale factor.
Derivation problem for quandle algebras
Authors: Elhamdadi M. , Makhlouf A. , Silvestrov S. , Zappala E.
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and investigate the notion of derivation for quandle algebras. More precisely, we describe the symmetries on structure constants providing a characterization for a linear map to be a derivation. We obtain a complete characterization of derivations in the case of quandle algebras of dihedral quandles over fields of characteristic zero, and provide the dimensionality of the Lie algebra of derivations. Many explicit examples and computations are given over both zero and positive characteristic. Furthermore, we investigate inner derivations, in the sense of Schafer for non-associative structures. We obtain necessary conditions for the Lie transformation algebra of quandle algebras of Alexander quandles, with explicit computations in low dimensions.
Do Stable Institutional Investors Influence Employee Safety?
Authors: Amin Md Ruhul , Sakaki Hamid
Published: May 2022

Using establishment-level data compiling incidents of work-related injuries from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we find that workplace injury and illness rates decrease with institutional ownership stability. Our further analyses show that firms with more stable institutional ownership are likely to initiate socially responsible investing proposals and have lower employee workloads/pressure. These results suggest two potential mechanisms through which stable institutional investors influence workplace safety. Overall, stable institutional investors seem to benefit from improvements in employee safety, as work-related injuries have a negative impact on firm value.
EI-MTD: Moving Target Defense for Edge Intelligence against Adversarial Attacks
Authors: Qian Yaguan , Guo Yankai , Shao Qiqi , Wang Jiamin , Wang Bin , Gu Zhaoquan , Ling Xiang , Wu Chunming
Published: May 2022

Edge intelligence has played an important role in constructing smart cities, but the vulnerability of edge nodes to adversarial attacks becomes an urgent problem. A so-called adversarial example can fool a deep learning model on an edge node for misclassification. Due to the transferability property of adversarial examples, an adversary can easily fool a black-box model by a local substitute model. Edge nodes in general have limited resources, which cannot afford a complicated defense mechanism like that on a cloud data center. To address the challenge, we propose a dynamic defense mechanism, namely EI-MTD. The mechanism first obtains robust member models of small size through differential knowledge distillation from a complicated teacher model on a cloud data center. Then, a dynamic scheduling policy, which builds on a Bayesian Stackelberg game, is applied to the choice of a target model for service. This dynamic defense mechanism can prohibit the adversary from selecting an optimal substitute model for black-box attacks. We also conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the proposed mechanism, and results show that EI-MTD could protect edge intelligence effectively against adversarial attacks in black-box settings.
An Efficient Learning Framework for Federated XGBoost Using Secret Sharing and Distributed Optimization
Authors: Xie Lunchen , Liu Jiaqi , Lu Songtao , Chang Tsung-Hui , Shi Qingjiang
Published: May 2022

XGBoost is one of the most widely used machine learning models in the industry due to its superior learning accuracy and efficiency. Targeting at data isolation issues in the big data problems, it is crucial to deploy a secure and efficient federated XGBoost (FedXGB) model. Existing FedXGB models either have data leakage issues or are only applicable to the two-party setting with heavy communication and computation overheads. In this article, a lossless multi-party federated XGB learning framework is proposed with a security guarantee, which reshapes the XGBoost’s split criterion calculation process under a secret sharing setting and solves the leaf weight calculation problem by leveraging distributed optimization. Remarkably, a thorough analysis of model security is provided as well, and multiple numerical results showcase the superiority of the proposed FedXGB compared with the state-of-the-art models on benchmark datasets.
Diaphragm muscle function in a mouse model of early-onset spasticity
Authors: Fogarty Matthew J. , Brandenburg Joline E. , Zhan Wen-Zhi , Sieck Gary C.
Published: May 2022

Developmental motor control dysfunctions, including spastic cerebral palsy (sCP) often have respiratory components. Spa mutant mice exhibit a spastic phenotype closely resembling sCP symptoms. Using the spa mouse model of spastic cerebral palsy (sCP), we quantified transdiaphragmatic pressure deficits, diaphragm muscle weakness, and fiber type-specific atrophy, improving our understanding of respiratory dysfunctions in sCP.
A leak-free head-out plethysmography system to accurately assess lung function in mice
Authors: Bruggink Stephanie , Kentch Kyle , Kronenfeld Jason , Renquist Benjamin J.
Published: May 2022

We describe a low-cost, variable-pressure head-out plethysmography system that can be used to assess lung function in mice. A balloon cuff is inflated around the mouse’s neck to prevent air leak, allowing for accurate measurements of lung volume and air flow. Custom software facilitates system calibration, removes movement artifacts, and eases data analysis. The system was validated by measuring tidal breathing, responses to methacholine, and changes associated with house dust mite sensitization, sex, and aging.
Preparation and Characterization of High Modulus Agent Modified Asphalt and Its High Modulus Mixture
Authors: Mi Shi-Zhong , Li Yong-Xiang , Zhang Hai-Wei
Published: May 2022

Improving the high-temperature stability and water damage resistance of asphalt pavements has always been a priority. This study proposed a composite high modulus modifier with rock asphalt and nanopolymer as main materials (HRMA) to prepare the high modulus asphalt mixture for their excellent rutting resistance. Moreover, its modification effect and modification mechanism were studied. The effect of HRMA content on the rheological performance of asphalt was investigated using Brookfield rotational viscosity, dynamic shear rheometers (DSR), and bending beam rheometers (BBR). Their modification mechanisms were revealed by Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Besides, the properties of the mixtures were studied in various laboratory tests and compared with the 90# asphalt mixture and SBS asphalt mixture. Some of these included the rutting test, the bending test, the Marshall immersion test, and the freeze-thaw indirect tension test. The results indicated that with the increase of HRMA content, the deformation resistance of the asphalt mixture under high-temperature conditions was significantly improved, and the temperature sensitivity was changed. However, the crack resistance of its asphalt mixtures under low temperature was reduced due to the lower ductility of HRMA-modified asphalt. The recommended HRMA content was 21.8% of the asphalt, combining performance and construction cost.
A Secure and Privacy-Preserving Medical Data Sharing via Consortium Blockchain
Authors: Zhang Duo , Wang Shangping , Zhang Yinglong , Zhang Qian , Zhang Yaling
Published: May 2022

Medical data sharing is of great significance in promoting smart medicine. However, the heterogeneity of information systems used by various medical institutions makes sharing difficult. In addition, since medical data involves a great deal of sensitive information, sharing it could easily lead to the leakage of personal privacy. Blockchain, gained popularity as a distributed ledger technology, has great potential to connect heterogeneous systems and provides authenticity and integrity guarantees for medical data sharing. Focusing on the issues of medical data sharing and privacy protection, we propose a medical data sharing scheme based on consortium blockchain. To achieve access control, attribute-based access control technique is implemented, where patients preset attribute-specific access policies for their medical records, and record requesters are described by a set of attributes. For patients, we devise a hybrid storage mode to write access policies of medical records on the consortium blockchain network and store encrypted medical records off-chain. Leveraging blockchain and smart contracts, access privilege control and access history tracking can be realized. To enhance the key management, a tree of medical records is constructed for each patient, and by simply keeping the medical record trees, patients can recover their encryption keys at any time. Furthermore, we carry out an extensive analysis to show the high security and efficiency of our proposed scheme. Finally, we build a Quorum consortium blockchain on the Tencent Cloud and deploy smart contracts on the chain to simulate transactions in our scheme. The experiment results indicate the proposed scheme achieves good feasibility.
Implementation of Driving Safety Early Warning System Based on Trajectory Prediction on the Internet of Vehicles Environment
Authors: Wang Rongxia , Liu Zhifang , Yang Shufeng , Wang Jianxing
Published: May 2022

Traffic accidents cause a large number of casualties and economic losses every year. The primary causes of traffic accidents are the inadvertent response and inappropriate disposal of drivers. The Internet of Vehicles system is a large network based on intranets, the Internet, and mobile Internet. It performs wireless communication and information exchange between vehicles and roadways in accordance with the agreed-upon communication protocol and data exchange standards. It provides technical assistance in the implementation of vehicle hazard detection and opens up new avenues for safety early warning. In this study, a driving safety early warning system is proposed based on trajectory prediction on the Internet of Vehicles environment. After analyzing the system requirements, the driving safety system based on trajectory prediction is designed according to the demand analysis and tested. The trajectory prediction error is detected, and the collected trajectory is predicted. Data are divided into 3 groups, and to validate the performance of the system, the experiment is repeated five times. The test results show that the trajectory prediction accuracy of the trajectory prediction system designed is 89.4%, as compared to the accuracy of existing driving safety early warning systems, most of which are concentrated at accuracy lower than 89%. The proposed early warning method has the potential to reduce vehicle collisions and road traffic accidents.
Harr-NMF Feature Extraction for Multilevel Educational Technology Teaching Big Data System
Authors: Fu Siyi , Mojtahe Kaza
Published: May 2022

An essential role in improving educational informatization and encouraging new approaches to education is played by educational technology, a specialist field that supports both theorising and doing in this area. When it comes to learning educational technology, students must have excellent professional knowledge and abilities, as well as a thorough understanding of data. Harr-NMF feature extraction for educational technology teaching large data systems is the focus of this project. With the help of big data technology, the construction of a teaching resource sharing system provides useful solutions for the storage and sharing of current and future massive teaching resources, enables fast and accurate analysis and retrieval of massive teaching resources and data, improves the security and scalability of the system while maintaining system stability, and promotes education teaching informatization to a new level. The system can be used to analyze and retrieve data quickly and accurately. By mapping different types of Harr-NMF features into a gradient matrix using grayscale projection, pattern classification is performed through the simplified gradient matrix as features. The algorithm complexity of feature extraction is eventually reduced to a great extent by the fast advantage of feature extraction by this algorithm. The Harr-NMF algorithm and the similarity relation matrix are used to obtain the optimal parameter values and the corresponding affiliation matrix and class centers, thus providing effective initial values for Harr-NMF, which effectively solves the problems of slow convergence and easy to fall into local minima of the Harr-NMF algorithm. The algorithm of this paper is compared with several improved algorithms of Harr-NMF in terms of convergence, recognition rate, and other performance to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of this paper. With a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the data literacy of teaching educational technology is dissected and constructed to enhance its data literacy and improve the quality of education technology discipline personnel training.
Efficiency Improvement and Application of the Groundwater Heat Pump Cooling System in Linglong Gold Mine
Authors: Wang Chunlong , Cheng Li , Hao Yingjie , Jiang Mingwei , Chen Kexu , Shao Kun
Published: May 2022

Deep thermal damage in mines has had a significant impact on mining efficiency and safety. Local cooling technology can effectively mitigate the problem of heat hazard prior to the formation of the return air system. Aiming at the problem of heat damage in the Lingbei transportation tunnel at the Linglong Gold Mine’s -870 m level, a local cooling system based on water source heat pump is constructed. The basic parameters for the local cooling system are determined using measured data, calculation analysis, and numerical simulation. The refrigeration, water supply, heat discharge, and cooling systems are then optimized by utilizing underground water inflow, installing thermally insulated drainage pipelines, and adding an auxiliary pressure fan. Finally, a local cooling system based on groundwater heat pump is established. Once the system is stable, the overall temperature and humidity of the Lingbei transportation tunnel are significantly reduced; the working face temperature is reduced to 26.4°C, the relative humidity is reduced to 61%, compared with that before cooling, the decline reached 11.9°C and 37%, respectively, and the average temperature within 100 m of the working face is reduced to below 28°C, which meets the requirements for safe production. The system addresses the critical issues of water supply, heat removal, and cooling in the local cooling system, lowers investment and operating costs, increases refrigeration efficiency, and serves as a reference for similar mines’ deep mining processes.
Targeting the Axl and mTOR Pathway Synergizes Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy to Butylidenephthalide in a Recurrent GBM
Authors: Liu Ching-Ann , Harn Horng-Jyh , Chen Kuan-Pin , Lee Jui-Hao , Lin Shinn-Zong , Chiu Tsung-Lang
Published: May 2022

Background. The role of inherent tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment in therapeutic resistance has been determined to be of importance for the better management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Some studies have suggested that combined drugs with divergent mechanisms may be promising in treating recurrent GBM. Methods. Intracranial sustained (Z)-n-butylidenephthalide [(Z)-BP] delivery through Cerebraca Wafers (CWs) to eliminate unresectable brain tumors was combined with the administration of temozolomide (TMZ), pembrolizumab, and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells for treating a patient with recurrent glioblastoma. Neurological adverse events and wound healing delay were monitored for estimating tolerance and efficacy. Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria were applied to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS); further, the molecular characteristics of GBM tissues were analyzed, and the underlying mechanism was investigated using primary culture. Results. Intracerebral (Z)-BP in residual tumors could not only inhibit cancer stem cells but also increase interferon gamma levels in serum, which then led to the regression of GBM and an immune-responsive microenvironment. Targeting receptor tyrosine kinases, including Axl and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and inhibiting the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) through (Z)-BP were determined to synergize CIK cells in the presence of pembrolizumab and TMZ in recurrent GBM. Therefore, this well-tolerated regimen could simultaneously block multiple cancer pathways, which allowed extended PFS and improved quality of life for 22 months. Conclusion. Given the several unique functions of (Z)-BP, greater sensitivity of chemotherapy and the synergism of pembrolizumab and CIK cells could have affected the excellent prognosis seen in this patient with recurrent GBM.
Development of the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship in the United States
Authors: Westcott Lauren Zammerilla , Jones Ronald C. , Fleshman James W.
Published: May 2022

The surgical treatment of breast cancer has rapidly evolved over the past 50 years, progressing from Halsted’s radical mastectomy to a public campaign of surgical options, aesthetic reconstruction, and patient empowerment. Sparked by the research of Dr. Bernard Fisher and the first National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project trial in 1971, the field of breast surgery underwent significant growth over the next several decades, enabling general surgeons to limit their practices to the breast. High surgical volumes eventually led to the development of the first formal breast surgical oncology fellowship in a large community-based hospital at Baylor University Medical Center in 1982. The establishment of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, as well as several landmark clinical trials and public campaign efforts, further contributed to the advancement of breast surgery. In 2003, the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), in partnership with the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Disease, approved its first fellowship training program in breast surgical oncology. Since that time, the number of American fellowship programs has increased to approximately 60 programs, focusing not only on training in breast surgery, but also in medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, breast imaging, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. This article focuses on the happenings in the United States that led to the transition of breast surgery from a subset of general surgery to its own specialized field.
Targeting Aβ and p-Tau Clearance in Methamphetamine-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology: Roles of Syntaxin 17 in Autophagic Degradation in Primary Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Zhu Yuanhui , Wang Xi , Hu Miaoyang , Yang Tingyu , Xu Huaisha , Kang Xiuwen , Chen Xufeng , Jiang Lei , Gao Rong , Wang Jun
Published: May 2022

Methamphetamine (Meth), a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant with strong neurotoxicity, causes progressive cognitive impairment with characterized neurodegenerative changes. However, the mechanism underlying Meth-induced pathological changes remains poorly understood. In the current study, Meth elicited a striking accumulation of the pathological proteins hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid beta (Aβ) in primary hippocampal neurons, while the activation of autophagy dramatically ameliorated the high levels of these pathological proteins. Interestingly, after the Meth treatment, Aβ was massively deposited in autophagosomes, which were remarkably trapped in early endosomes. Mechanistically, syntaxin 17 (Stx17), a key soluble n-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein responsible for autophagosome and mature endosome/lysosome fusion, was significantly downregulated and hindered in combination with autophagosomes. Notably, adenovirus overexpression of Stx17 in primary neurons facilitated autophagosome-mature endosome/lysosome fusion, which dramatically reversed the Meth-induced increases in the levels of p-tau, Aβ, beta-secretase (Bace-1), and C-terminal fragments (CTFs). Immunofluorescence assays showed that Stx17 retarded the Meth-induced Aβ, p-tau, and Bace-1 accumulation in autophagosomes and facilitated the translocation of these pathological proteins to lysosomes, which indicated the importance of Stx17 via enhanced autophagosome-mature endosome/lysosome fusion. Therefore, the current study reveals a novel mechanism involving Meth-induced high levels of pathological proteins in neurons. Targeting Stx17 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for Meth-induced neurodegenerative changes.
Pedestrian Reidentification Algorithm Based on Local Feature Fusion Mechanism
Authors: Liu Xiaobing
Published: May 2022

In the application of pedestrian reidentification, misjudgment is often caused by low video resolution, illumination variation, and background interference. In order to solve these problems, this study proposes a pedestrian reidentification algorithm based on local feature fusion. Taking advantage of the inherent structure of the human body, we pay attention to pedestrian parts with prominent features and ignore other parts with interference information. Feature extraction is carried out for detected pedestrian parts with significant features, and new fusion features are generated. By calculating distance measurement between image features, pedestrians are classified and recognized. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed algorithm is superior to that of other comparison algorithms on the datasets of Market1501, Duke, and CUHK03. It is proved that the proposed algorithm has a good pedestrian reidentification effect.
Exploring Data Integrity of Dual-Channel Supply Chain Using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Gan Wei , Huang Bo
Published: May 2022

The study intends to solve the problems of complex product circulation caused by information asymmetry and the untimely communication of production and sales information in the process of product sales to reduce the cost in the process of product circulation. Based on blockchain technology, the data integrity of the dual-channel supply chain is studied. First, the data of the supply chain conduct coordinated management to achieve the integrity of the supply chain data. Then, under the background that both retailers and suppliers are risk-neutral individuals, the benchmark model of the dual-channel supply chain is constructed, and the online and offline sales prices of products under different decision-making modes are analyzed. Finally, taking fresh agricultural products as an example, the sales strategies of the online and offline sales channels of fresh agricultural products are studied, and a dual-channel supply chain model is constructed. The profit of each member in the supply chain system under this model is obtained by the inverse method. The simulation results demonstrate that the retailer’s revenue and the total revenue of the system increase obviously with the growth of the price discount coefficient after the price discount strategy is applied. When the compensation cost is between 1,000 and 3,000, the profit of retailers in the supply chain system is improved by using the price coordination mechanism, while the profit of suppliers decreases to some extent. When the value of compensation cost is 7,000–9,000, the application of the price coordination mechanism increases the profit of suppliers in the supply chain system, while the profit of retailers declines to a certain extent. The research content reported here effectively alleviates the profit conflict and the double marginal effect between the two channels and enriches the theoretical system knowledge of the coordination of the two channels’ supply chain of agricultural products.