bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The International Fragile X Premutation Registry: building a resource for research and clinical trial readiness
Authors: Hessl David , Rosselot Hilary , Miller Robert , Espinal Glenda , Famula Jessica , Sherman Stephanie L , Todd Peter K , Cabal Herrera Ana Maria , Lipworth Karen , Cohen Jonathan , Hall Deborah A , Leehey Maureen , Grigsby Jim , Weber Jayne Dixon , Alusi Sundus , Wheeler Anne , Raspa Melissa , Hudson Tamaro , Sobrian Sonya K
Published: June 2022

FMR1premutation cytosine-guanine-guanine repeat expansion alleles are relatively common mutations in the general population that are associated with a neurodegenerative disease (fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome), reproductive health problems and potentially a wide range of additional mental and general health conditions that are not yet well-characterised. The International Fragile X Premutation Registry (IFXPR) was developed to facilitate and encourage research to better understand theFMR1premutation and its impact on human health, to facilitate clinical trial readiness by identifying and characterising diverse cohorts of individuals interested in study participation, and to build community and collaboration among carriers, family members, researchers and clinicians around the world. Here, we describe the development and content of the IFXPR, characterise its first 747 registrants from 32 countries and invite investigators to apply for recruitment support for their project(s). With larger numbers, increased diversity and potentially the future clinical characterisation of registrants, the IFXPR will contribute to a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the fragile X premutation in human health and support treatment studies.
Pregnancy outcomes in antiphospholipid antibody positive patients: prospective results from the AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and InternatiOnal Networking (APS ACTION) Clinical Database and Repository (‘Registry’)
Authors: Erton Zeynep Belce , Sevim Ecem , de Jesús Guilherme Ramires , Cervera Ricard , Ji Lanlan , Pengo Vittorio , Ugarte Amaia , Andrade Danieli , Andreoli Laura , Atsumi Tatsuya , Fortin Paul R , Gerosa Maria , Zuo Yu , Petri Michelle , Sciascia Savino , Tektonidou Maria G , Aguirre- Zamorano Maria Angeles , Branch D Ware , Erkan Doruk
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To describe the outcomes of pregnancies in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive patients since the inception of the AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and InternatiOnal Networking Registry.

Methods

We identified persistently aPL-positive patients recorded as ‘pregnant’ during prospective follow-up, and defined‘aPL-related outcome’as a composite of: (1) Preterm live delivery (PTLD) at or before 37th week due to pre-eclampsia (PEC), eclampsia, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and/or placental insufficiency (PI); or (2) Otherwise unexplained fetal death after the 10th week of gestation. The primary objective was to describe the characteristics of patients with and without aPL-related composite outcomes based on their first observed pregnancies following registry recruitment.

Results

Of the 55 first pregnancies observed after registry recruitment among nulliparous and multiparous participants, 15 (27%) resulted in early pregnancy loss <10 weeks gestation. Of the remaining 40 pregnancies: (1) 26 (65%) resulted in term live delivery (TLD), 4 (10%) in PTLD between 34.0 weeks and 36.6 weeks, 5 (12.5%) in PTLD before 34th week, and 5 (12.5%) in fetal death (two associated with genetic anomalies); and (2) The aPL-related composite outcome occurred in 9 (23%). One of 26 (4%) pregnancies with TLD, 3/4 (75%) with PTLD between 34.0 weeks and 36.6 weeks, and 3/5 (60%) with PTLD before 34th week were complicated with PEC, SGA and/or PI. Fifty of 55 (91%) pregnancies were in lupus anticoagulant positive subjects, as well as all pregnancies with aPL-related composite outcome.

Conclusion

In our multicentre, international, aPL-positive cohort, of 55 first pregnancies observed prospectively, 15 (27%) were complicated by early pregnancy loss. Of the remaining 40 pregnancies, composite pregnancy morbidity was observed in 9 (23%) pregnancies.
Natural history of pituitary apoplexy: a long-term follow-up study
Authors: Shaikh Ayesha A , Williams David Michael , Stephens Jeffrey Wayne , Boregowda Kusuma , Udiawar Maneesh Vasanth , Price David E
Published: June 2022

Background and aims

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare neurosurgical emergency, associated with deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones. Few studies have explored the relative outcomes associated with conservative and neurosurgical intervention.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of all patients with PA reviewed at Morriston Hospital was undertaken and diagnosis was obtained from Morriston database (Leicester Clinical Workstation database) between 1998 and 2019 from clinic letters and discharge summaries.

Results

Thirty-nine patients with PA were identified with a mean age of 74.5 years and 20 (51.3%) patients were women. Patients were followed up for a mean±SD 68.1±61.7 months. Twenty-three (59.0%) patients had a known pituitary adenoma. Commoner clinical presentations of PA were ophthalmoplegia or visual field loss. Following PA, 34 (87.2%) patients were noted to have a non-functioning pituitary adenoma (either pre-existing or new), while 5 (12.8%) patients had a pre-existing functional macroadenoma. Neurosurgical intervention was taken in 15 (38.5%) patients of which 3 (20.0%) patients also received radiotherapy, 2 (13.3%) patients had radiotherapy alone and the remainder managed conservatively. External ophthalmoplegia recovered in all cases. Visual loss remained in all cases. One (2.6%) patient with chromophobe adenoma had a significant second episode of PA requiring repeat surgery.

Conclusion

PA often occurs in patients with undiagnosed adenoma. Hypopituitarism commonly occurred following conservative or surgical treatment. External ophthalmoplegia resolved in all cases, however, visual loss did not recover. Pituitary tumour recurrence and further PA episodes are rare.

What is already known on this topic

What this study adds

How this study might affect research, practice or policy
Cryoanalgesia for shoulder pain: a motor-sparing approach to rotator cuff disease
Authors: Stogicza Agnes Reka , Peng Philip
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Rotator cuff disease is a common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability, and the management can be challenging. Joint denervation emerges as a new technique, but the literature on shoulder neural ablation procedure is largely limited to pulsed radiofrequency due to the concern of motor impairment. We described a novel motor-sparing approach of cryoablation for the management of shoulder pain based on the recent literature on the innervation of shoulder.

Methods

Four patients with a history of rotator cuff disease refractory to conservative therapy and not amenable to surgery underwent a ultrasound-guided cryoablation of the capsular branches of the shoulder joint after a positive diagnostic injection. The target articular branches were based on the anatomical landmarks described in recent publication. They were the acromial, superior and inferior branches of the suprascapular nerve, the anterior branch of the axillary nerve, the nerve to the subscapularis, which were all located around the superior, posterior and anterior glenoid. The lateral pectoral nerve articular branch was targeted at the coracoclavicular space.

Results

All four patients experienced at least 60% pain relief with improvement in function for 6–12 months following the procedure without any clinical evidence of motor impairment. No adverse effect was observed.

Discussion

Based on the current understanding of the glenohumeral joint articular branches and their relationship to the bony landmark, targeting the articular branches only was feasible and led to good outcomes. Further large prospective cohort study is needed.
Pollutants: a candidate as a new risk factor for osteoarthritis—results from a systematic literature review
Authors: Deprouw Camille , Courties Alice , Fini Jean-Baptiste , Clerget-Froidevaux Marie-Stéphanie , Demeneix Barbara , Berenbaum Francis , Sellam Jérémie , Louati Karine
Published: June 2022

Background

Considering non-classical environmental risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA), a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to summarise existing knowledge on associations between OA and pollutants.

Methods

PubMed was used to identify studies reporting data on OA and pollutants in humans (examples of MeSH terms: “Pesticides” or “Polychlorinated Biphenyls” or ‘Lead’). Reports included epidemiological clinical studies, pollutant assessments in ex vivo OA joint, and in vitro effects of pollutants on chondrocytes.

Results

Among the 193 potentially relevant articles, 14 were selected and combined with 9 articles obtained by manual search. Among these 23 articles there were: (1) 11 epidemiological studies on the relationship between OA and pollutants exposure, (2) 8 on pollutant concentrations in ex vivo OA joint, (3) 4 on the in vitro effects of pollutants on human chondrocytes. Epidemiological studies investigating mainly chlorinated and fluorinated pollutants suggested a possible link with OA. In cross-sectional studies, radiographic knee OA prevalence increased with higher serum lead levels. There was also a relationship between serum lead levels and serum/urine joint biomarkers. A high concentration of heavy metals in the cartilage tidemark was found in ex vivo joints. In vitro, the viability of chondrocytes was reduced in presence of some pollutants. However, the level of knowledge currently remains low, justifying the need for new methodologically sound studies.

Conclusions

This SLR supports the hypothesis of a possible involvement of pollutants in OA disease risk. Large-scale epidemiological and biological studies and ideally big-data analysis are needed to confirm that pollutants could be risk factors for OA.
Improved patient-reported outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with risankizumab: analysis of the Phase 3 trial KEEPsAKE 2
Authors: Ostor Andrew J K , Soliman Ahmed M , Papp Kim A , Padilla Byron , Wang Zailong , Eldred Ann , de Vlam Kurt , Kivitz Alan
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Determine the impact of 24-week risankizumab (RZB) versus placebo (PBO) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inadequate response to one or two biologics (Bio-IR) and/or ≥1 conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD-IR).

Methods

Patients in the Phase 3 trial, KEEPsAKE 2, were randomised (1:1) to RZB 150 mg or PBO by subcutaneous injection. PROs assessed: 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), Patient’s Assessment of Pain by visual analogue scale (VAS), Patient’s global assessment of disease activity (PtGA), EuroQoL-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment—PsA (WPAI-PsA). Least squares mean change from baseline at week 24 was compared between RZB versus PBO by mixed-effects repeated regression modelling.

Results

At week 24, RZB versus PBO treatment resulted in significant differences (95% CIs) in mean change from baseline in ranked secondary endpoints SF-36 physical component summary score (3.9 (2.4 to 5.3); p<0.001) and FACIT-Fatigue (2.2 (0.6 to 3.9); p=0.009) and improvements in pain (–8.1 (–12.8 to –3.5)), PtGA (–8.8 (–13.5 to –4.2)) and EQ-5D-5L index (0.08 (0.04 to 0.11)) and VAS (5.9 (1.9 to 9.8)) (all nominal p<0.01). More RZB-treated versus PBO-treated patients reported improvements from baseline at week 24 in 7 of 8 SF-36 subdomains (nominal p<0.05). At week 24, more RZB-treated versus PBO-treated patients reported improvements in 3 of 4 WPAI-PsA domains (nominal p≤0.01).

Conclusion

Overall, RBZ treatment resulted in improvements in pain, fatigue, health-related quality of life and ability to perform work in Bio-IR and/or csDMARD-IR patients with PsA.

Trial registration number

NCT03671148.
How management practices influence vegetative and reproductive plant traits of wild lowbush blueberry species
Authors: Paré Maxime C. , Fournier Marie-Pier , Lafond Jean , Deslauriers Annie
Published: June 2022

Optimizing agricultural practices is an effective way to increase fruit productivity in commercial wild lowbush blueberry ( Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton; Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx) fields, but results from northern Quebec (Canada) are scarce. In this study, we assessed the effect of the main crop management practices, namely pruning method (mechanical and thermal), fungicide (with and without), and fertilization (mineral, organic, and without) on key vegetative and reproductive plant traits of both wild blueberry species. The experiment was conducted from fall 2016 to fall 2018, when the combination of pruning, fungicide, and fertilizing was applied. Results show that fertilizer application was the main management practice affecting vegetative and reproductive plant traits followed by fungicide application effects during pruning years only. Mineral fertilizer improved plant traits to a greater extent than organic fertilizer during the pruning phase only, and no significant differences in the second year after application (harvesting phase) suggest a delayed but similar final effect of organic fertilizer. Results also showed that V. myrtilloides produces taller stems with more leaves compared to V. angustifolium, whereas V. angustifolium produces more flower buds, a key reproductive plant trait. Results also highlight the fact that V. angustifolium needs both fertilizer and fungicide to keep leaves on the stem during late summer, whereas V. myrtilloides needs either fertilizers or fungicides. This study also shows that pruning method has no significant effect on any of the measured plant traits. However, we believe that long-term studies are still needed to assess the impact of pruning method over time.
A selective review of environmental perceptions, attitudes, place attachment, and their spatial characterisation: contrasting the South African and global perspectives
Authors: Dlamini Simangele , Tesfamichael Solomon G. , Mokhele Tholang
Published: June 2022

This selective review points to a rich body of literature on environmental perceptions, attitudes, and place attachment in South Africa. Research works highlight that the global-North dominates in human–nature relations studies, with relatively less work done in less developed economies such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa. Additionally, the review of the literature on these concepts points to the complexity of these aspects in terms of their conceptual distinctions, amorphous nature, and hence the difficulties surrounding their spatial characterisation. This selective review aims to provide a contrast between South African and international studies on these concepts. This review notes that human–nature studies in South Africa are dominated by place research, which is largely influenced by the country's spatio-political setting, where social engineering was influenced by past policies that had substantial impacts on the arrangement of space, identity, and belonging. Additionally, the review notes the dearth of literature that has attempted to spatially characterise human–nature relations in the country. Spatially characterising these concepts could be beneficial for urban and environmental planners and policymakers in the country, and assist in initiatives meant to reduce spatial inequalities in the country.
A FUZZY ANALYSIS OF SPIRITUAL POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN DEEP POVERTY-STRICKEN AREAS OF GANSU
Authors: GUO WEIWEI , MA YONGXIANG
Published: June 2022

This paper aims to find the importance and contribution of spiritual poverty alleviation using people’s subjective evaluation data of deeply impoverished areas. The research is conducted according to the method of five-level scale evaluation and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, combined with on-site questionnaires with the masses, and interviews with village cadres. The main findings reveal that the spiritual measures are more important than the material measures, and some of the second-level indicators have relatively low recognition of poverty alleviation contribution, which is an important basis for our targeted policies.
Two-parametric f(R) dark energy model and some observational constraints
Authors: Granda L. N.
Published: June 2022

A modified [Formula: see text] viable model is proposed that behaves asymptotically as [Formula: see text]CDM and satisfies cosmological and local gravity constraints. Apart from a mass scale that is a priori defined, the model contains only one additional parameter, which is determined by the current value of the matter density parameter [Formula: see text]. Under the chameleon mechanism the model satisfies the thin shell restrictions for local gravity systems without imposing additional restrictions on model parameters. Signals of scalar–tensor regime in the growth of matter perturbations, are present. Using the mass scale to determine the matter density parameter today, the remaining free parameter covers the whole range of values needed to test the model against the more stringent constraints arising at galactic and galactic cluster scales. The finite time singularity of the model was analyzed. A comparison was made with known models with the same number of parameters.
Amplitudes meet cosmology: A (scalar) primer
Authors: Benincasa Paolo
Published: June 2022

Here, we review the most recent progress in our understanding of quantum mechanical observables in cosmology in the perturbative regime. It relies on an approach that considers them directly as functions of the data at the spacelike boundary at future infinity prescinding from the explicit time evolution. It takes inspiration from the on-shell formulation of perturbative scattering amplitudes developed in the past 20 years: starting with the requirement of consistency with some fundamental principles such as causality, unitarity and locality, it provides different ways of phrasing and extracting predictions. In this review, we aim to provide a pedagogical treatment of the most recent insights about the analytic structure of the perturbative quantum mechanical observables in cosmology, its relation to fundamental principles as well as physical processes, and how such observables and their features emerge from novel well-defined mathematical objects with their own first principle definition. The review is divided into three parts: Part 0 discusses the definition of quantum mechanical observables in cosmology and some general principles; Part I reviews the boundary approach to the analysis and computation of the perturbative wave function of the universe; Part II provides an introduction to the combinatorial-geometrical description of cosmological processes in terms of cosmological polytopes.
Exact solutions of Pauli oscillator with Snyder–de Sitter algebra
Authors: Guerira Belhi , Falek Mokhtar , Moumni Mustafa , Belghar Noureddine
Published: June 2022

In this work, we study an explicit calculation of the deformed Pauli–Schrödinger oscillator for nonrelativistic charged spin 1/2 particle in momentum space with Snyder–de Sitter model, where the energy eigenvalues are given in their exact forms, and the corresponding radial wave functions are expressed in associated Jacobi polynomials. We have also studied the effect of the spatial deformation parameter on the bound states of our system.
Quantum fluctuations, particles and entanglement: A discussion towards the solution of the quantum measurement problems
Authors: Konishi Kenichi
Published: June 2022

The quantum measurement problems are revisited from a new perspective. One of the main ideas of this work is that the basic entities of our world are various types of particles, elementary or composite. It follows that each elementary process, hence each measurement process at its core, is a space–time, pointlike, event. Another key idea is that, when a microsystem [Formula: see text] gets into contact with the experimental device, factorization of [Formula: see text] rapidly fails and entangled mixed states appear. The wave functions for the microsystem-apparatus coupled systems for different measurement outcomes then lack overlapping space–time support. It means that the aftermath of each measurement is a single term in the sum: a “wave function collapse.”

Our discussion leading to a diagonal density matrix, [Formula: see text] shows how the information encoded in the wave function [Formula: see text] gets transcribed, via entanglement with the experimental device and environment, into the relative frequencies [Formula: see text] for various experimental results [Formula: see text].

These results represent the first, significant steps towards filling in the logical gaps in the standard interpretation based on Born’s rule, and replacing it with a more natural one. Accepting objective reality of quantum fluctuations, independent of any experiments, and independently of human presence, one renounces the idea that in a fundamental, complete theory of Nature the result of each single experiment must necessarily be predictable.

A few well-known puzzles such as the Schrödinger cat conundrum and the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) paradox are briefly reviewed: they can all be naturally explained away.
Light charged Higgs search with deviation neural networks
Authors: Doğan Hatice , Sönmez Nasuf , Özkan Alkım Şükrü , Demir Güleser Kalaycı
Published: June 2022

In particle physics, search for signals of new particles in the proton–proton collisions is an ongoing effort. The energies and luminosities have reached a level where new search techniques are becoming a necessity. In this work, we develop a search technique for light-charged Higgs boson (nearly degenerate with [Formula: see text]-boson), which is extremely hard to do with the traditional cut-based methods. To this end, we employ a deep anomaly detection approach to extract the signal (light-charged Higgs particle) from the vast [Formula: see text]-boson background. We construct a Deviation Network (DevNet) to directly obtain anomaly scores used to identify signal events using background data and few labeled signal data. Our results show that DevNet is able to find regions of high efficiency and gives better performance than the autoencoders, the classic semi-supervised anomaly detection method. It shows that employing Deviation Networks in particle physics can provide a distinct and powerful approach to search for new particles.
Turing–Hopf Bifurcation and Its Normal Form in a Diffusive Three-Species Food Chain System with Strong Allee Effect
Authors: Sun Guangxun , Dai Binxiang , Wang Lin
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we consider a diffusive three-species food chain system with strong Allee effect subject to the Neumann boundary condition. The dynamics of the local system including stability of interior equilibria and Hopf bifurcation are discussed. For the diffusive system, we study the existence of non-negative solutions, stability of a positive homogeneous steady state, diffusion-driven Turing instability and the occurrence of Turing–Hopf bifurcation. Employing the multiple scale analysis, we derive the normal form of Turing–Hopf bifurcation, which helps us classify the dynamical behaviors of the diffusive system near the Turing–Hopf bifurcation point.
FINE SURFACE FINISHING OF CIRCULAR TAPERED MOULD CAVITY FOR LIGHT COVERS USING MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL GRINDING PROCESS
Authors: AGGARWAL ANKIT , SINGH ANANT KUMAR
Published: June 2022

Moulds are used in industries to make plastic parts that require clear and defect-free surfaces. So, mould cavity surfaces must be finely finished. The novel magnetorheological grinding (MRG) process is employed in this study to fine finish the H13 circular tapered mould cavity surfaces, which are generally used for producing light covers. To achieve finely finished circular tapered mould cavity surfaces, the best process employing parametric combination of current, rotating workpiece, rotational and reciprocation speeds of MRG tool is obtained using the Taguchi technique. The roughness value on the circular tapered lateral and closed-end surfaces of the mould cavity decreased to 70[Formula: see text]nm from 450[Formula: see text]nm and to 60[Formula: see text]nm from 320[Formula: see text]nm, respectively, after using the present method with the best parametric combination. The surface characteristics improved significantly. Thus, the present process can help to achieve finely finished H13 circular tapered mould cavity surfaces for making clear and defect-free polycarbonate light covers.
Entropy of Dynamical Systems on Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Nazari Zohreh , Mosapour Batool , Zangiabadi Elham , Ebrahimzadeh Abolfazl
Published: June 2022

In this work, we introduce the concepts of Shannon entropy and conditional entropy of experiments in the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy case, and study the basic properties of the information measures. Subsequently, by means of the suggested notion of entropy of partitions, we define the entropy of a dynamical system on interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIF). A version of the Kolmogorov–Sinai theorem on generators for dynamical systems on the IVIF is proved. It is shown that this entropy is an invariant under isomorphisms of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy dynamical systems; thus, we obtain a tool for distinguishing some non-isomorphic interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy dynamical systems. The proposed measure can be used as a measure of information of experiment whose outcomes are interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy events.
Stability and metastability in a chemotaxis model
Authors: Chen Yimin , Tao Jicheng , Han Yazhou , Ma Manjun
Published: June 2022

This work studies the stability and metastability of stationary patterns in a diffusion-chemotaxis model without cell proliferation. We first establish the interval of unstable wave modes of the homogeneous steady state, and show that the chemotactic flux is the key mechanism for pattern formation. Then, we treat the chemotaxis coefficient as a bifurcation parameter to obtain the asymptotic expressions of steady states. Based on this, we derive the sufficient conditions for the stability of one-step pattern, and prove the metastability of two or more step patterns. All the analytical results are demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Spatiotemporal distribution of cellular injury and leukocytes during the progression of ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Mattson Courtney L. , Okamura Kayo , Hume Patrick S. , Smith Bradford J.
Published: June 2022

Supportive mechanical ventilation is a necessary lifesaving treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This intervention often leads to injury exacerbation by ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Patterns of injury in ARDS and VILI are recognized to be heterogeneous; however, quantification of these injury distributions remains incomplete. Developing a more detailed understanding of injury heterogeneity, particularly how it varies in space and time, can help elucidate the mechanisms of VILI pathogenesis. Ultimately, this knowledge can be used to develop protective ventilation strategies that slow disease progression. To expand existing knowledge of VILI heterogeneity, we document the spatial evolution of cellular injury distribution and leukocyte infiltration, on the micro- and macroscales, during protective and injurious mechanical ventilation. We ventilated naïve mice using either high inspiratory pressure and zero positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation or low tidal volume with positive end-expiratory pressure. Distributions of cellular injury, identified with propidium iodide staining, were microscopically analyzed at three levels of injury severity. Cellular injury initiated in diffuse, quasi-random patterns, and progressed through expansion of high-density regions of injured cells termed “injury clusters.” The density profile of the expanding injury regions suggests that stress shielding occurs, protecting the already injured regions from further damage. Spatial distribution of leukocytes did not correlate with that of cellular injury or ventilation-induced changes in lung function. These results suggest that protective ventilation protocols should protect the interface between healthy and injured regions to stymie injury propagation.
Increased exploration and hyperlocomotion in a cigarette smoke and LPS-induced murine model of COPD: linking pulmonary and systemic inflammation with the brain
Authors: Pelgrim Charlotte E. , Wang Lei , Peralta Marzal Lucía N. , Korver Stephanie , van Ark Ingrid , Leusink-Muis Thea , Braber Saskia , Folkerts Gert , Garssen Johan , van Helvoort Ardy , Kraneveld Aletta D.
Published: June 2022

Brain-related comorbidities are frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are related to increased disease progression and mortality. To date, it is unclear which mechanisms are involved in the development of brain-related problems in COPD. In this study, a cigarette smoke and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure murine model was used to induce COPD-like features and assess the impact on brain and behavior. Mice were daily exposed to cigarette smoke for 72 days, except for days 42, 52, and 62, on which mice were intratracheally exposed to the bacterial trigger LPS. Emphysema and pulmonary inflammation as well as behavior and brain pathology were assessed. Cigarette smoke-exposed mice showed increased alveolar enlargement and numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. Cigarette smoke exposure resulted in lower body weight, which was accompanied by lower serum leptin levels, more time spent in the inner zone of the open field, and decreased claudin-5 and occludin protein expression levels in brain microvessels. Combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure resulted in increased locomotion and elevated microglial activation in the hippocampus of the brain. These novel findings show that systemic inflammation observed after combined cigarette smoke and LPS exposure in this COPD model is associated with increased exploratory behavior. Findings suggest that neuroinflammation is present in the brain area involved in cognitive functioning and that blood-brain barrier integrity is compromised. These findings can contribute to our knowledge about possible processes involved in brain-related comorbidities in COPD, which is valuable for optimizing and developing therapy strategies.
Myopia: Mechanisms and Strategies to Slow Down Its Progression
Authors: Russo Andrea , Boldini Alessandro , Romano Davide , Mazza Giuseppina , Bignotti Stefano , Morescalchi Francesco , Semeraro Francesco
Published: June 2022

This topical review aimed to update and clarify the behavioral, pharmacological, surgical, and optical strategies that are currently available to prevent and reduce myopia progression. Myopia is the commonest ocular abnormality; reinstated interest is associated with high and increasing prevalence, especially but not, in the Asian population and progressive nature in children. The growing global prevalence seems to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors such as spending more time indoor and using digital devices, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Various options have been assessed to prevent or reduce myopia progression in children. In this review, we assess the effects of several types of measures, including spending more time outdoor, optical interventions such as the bifocal/progressive spectacle lenses, soft bifocal/multifocal/extended depth of focus/orthokeratology contact lenses, refractive surgery, and pharmacological treatments. All these options for controlling myopia progression in children have various degrees of efficacy. Atropine, orthokeratology/peripheral defocus contact and spectacle lenses, bifocal or progressive addition spectacles, and increased outdoor activities have been associated with the highest, moderate, and lower efficacies, respectively.
Research on the Optimization Art Design of Internet Smart Home System Based on the New Era
Authors: Li Jinkun , Liang Yiqing , Liu Li
Published: June 2022

The rapid development of contemporary technology has subtly changed people’s way of life, and the quality of people’s life has been greatly improved. With great room for development and bright prospects for development, as the Internet develops, people are paying more and more attention to smart home experiences. However, the traditional household is increasingly ill-suited to today’s increasingly fast pace of life and there is an urgent need to develop a human smart home system. The aim of this paper is to explore the optimal design of an Internet-based smart home system for the new era. In this paper, we first present a general schematic diagram of an Internet-based smart home system. The system focuses on the main control module and uses a combination of wireless communication technologies in its design. Android will then be used as an adaptive platform, and the development of the system on the mobile side will be completed using Java and cloud services and other related technologies. The smart home system proposed in this paper actually creates a technology platform for smart home applications that monitor real-time changes in the indoor environment of the house, the security status of the house, and the remote control of the house’s electrical appliances. Finally, the experimental results obtained from testing the system proposed in this paper show that the system proposed in this paper is feasible. In this paper, the control commands of five nodes are sent 200 times cyclically, and the communication frequency of each node is more than 95%.
Role of Epigenetics in Modulating Phenotypic Plasticity against Abiotic Stresses in Plants
Authors: Dar Fayaz Ahmad , Mushtaq Naveed Ul , Saleem Seerat , Rehman Reiaz Ul , Dar Tanvir Ul Hassan , Hakeem Khalid Rehman
Published: June 2022

Plants being sessile are always exposed to various environmental stresses, and to overcome these stresses, modifications at the epigenetic level can prove vital for their long-term survival. Epigenomics refers to the large-scale study of epigenetic marks on the genome, which include covalent modifications of histone tails (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and the small RNA machinery). Studies based on epigenetics have evolved over the years especially in understanding the mechanisms at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in plants against various environmental stimuli. Epigenomic changes in plants through induced methylation of specific genes that lead to changes in their expression can help to overcome various stress conditions. Recent studies suggested that epigenomics has a significant potential for crop improvement in plants. By the induction and modulation of various cellular processes like DNA methylation, histone modification, and biogenesis of noncoding RNAs, the plant genome can be activated which can help in achieving a quicker response against various plant stresses. Epigenetic modifications in plants allow them to adjust under varied environmental stresses by modulating their phenotypic plasticity and at the same time ensure the quality and yield of crops. The plasticity of the epigenome helps to adapt the plants during pre- and postdevelopmental processes. The variation in DNA methylation in different organisms exhibits variable phenotypic responses. The epigenetic changes also occur sequentially in the genome. Various studies indicated that environmentally stimulated epimutations produce variable responses especially in differentially methylated regions (DMR) that play a major role in the management of stress conditions in plants. Besides, it has been observed that environmental stresses cause specific changes in the epigenome that are closely associated with phenotypic modifications. However, the relationship between epigenetic modifications and phenotypic plasticity is still debatable. In this review, we will be discussing the role of various factors that allow epigenetic changes to modulate phenotypic plasticity against various abiotic stress in plants.
Intelligent Financial Data Analysis and Decision Management Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Cheng Guansong
Published: June 2022

In this era of data explosion, in order to make better use of data, people need to collect information to analyze and judge future decisions. For enterprises, the management of time, capital, and decision-making can directly affect the acquisition of enterprise profits. The sooner we analyze financial data, the earlier we use an intelligent system to assist management and promote operators to make reasonable business decisions. Traditional enterprise data management is very backward and has few functions. In order to achieve the purpose of optimal allocation of enterprise resources, information-based financial management. According to the financial status and functional requirements of enterprises, the specific functions of the system are designed. The method based on edge computing has a high reference value. This paper puts forward a financial management system of intelligent analysis. It can provide rich solutions to financial problems. Data mining and analysis of financial situation provide support for decision-making management of enterprises. The research results show that (1) after 10 times of inspection and adjustment, the system grade is all D grade, and there is no defect. (2) There is no abnormality in system response time; the average response time of F1, F2, F3, and F4 functions is in line with expectations. The fluctuation of time range is no more than 3 s; the overall average response time is 1 s. (3) After CPU detection, the CPU of the system is less than 70% of the expected utilization rate. The system is qualified. (4) The whale algorithm is used to combine new and old tasks. After comparison, it has an excellent performance in computing resources and delays energy consumption. Some follow-up improvement work needs to be optimized.
IoT Enabled Sustainable Automated Greenhouse Architecture with Machine Learning Module
Authors: Lanitha B. , Poornima E. , Sudha R. , David D. Beulah , Kannan K. , Jegan R. , Peroumal Vijayakumar , Kirubagharan R. , Tesfaye Meroda
Published: June 2022

In recent years, the information system has laid a profound foundation in agriculture with greenhouse development, leading to accelerated growth. The green infrastructure thus built is easily accessible remotely using the intelligent system of Internet of Things (IoT). In this proposed work, an IoT‐based environment is designed, developed, and implemented with sensors which are connected to the laptop/computer or a mobile phone with Internet. Further to save electricity, a separate control unit is built which provides the devices an energy efficient way of functioning. Thus, information regarding growth of the plants, moisture content in the soil, energy consumed by each smart appliances in the farm, etc., is collected using data acquisition. The data thus gathered is then segregated depending on the applications and sent to the Firebase cloud. To monitor the environmental parameters within the greenhouse, we have used a cloud‐based data collection mechanism. Interfacing the dashboard with the cloud platform, it is possible to analyze the power consumed by the system using the data present. When a discontinuity occurs with data missing for about an hour, the missing data is filled with the help of previous data automatically. The maximum temperature within the greenhouse is set as 28°C, and the soil moisture content threshold is set between 50% and 80%. An artificial environment is thus created to improve the crop yield per square meter on continuous monitoring of climatic parameters resulting in an optimal environment.
AHP‐FSE‐Based Risk Assessment and Mitigation for Slurry Balancing Shield Tunnel Construction
Authors: Li Kang , Xiahou Xiaer , Huang Hong , Tang Lingyi , Huang Jie , Li Qiming , Feng Ping
Published: June 2022

Slurry balancing shield construction is a method in which slurry pressure and groundwater pressure are balanced to achieve stability of excavation working face. It is widely used in tunnel construction due to its safety and high‐efficiency characteristics. At present, research on safety risk management of slurry balancing shield construction is relatively lacking, and most scholars still mainly focus on technical research. In this paper, based on system engineering theory and from the perspective of whole construction process, a comprehensive evaluation index system for shield construction risk analysis is built by taking “human‐machine‐material‐method‐environment” as assessment dimensions. This paper modifies the existing analytic hierarchy process (AHP), combines AHP with fuzzy synthetic evaluation to build a risk analysis model, and quantifies the construction risk by evaluation set and matrix. Combined with case study, the effectiveness of the proposed model is verified, and measures to mitigate safety risks of slurry shield construction are proposed from perspectives of management, economy, and technology. This paper evaluates the overall risk level of project from a systematic perspective, which is an extension of traditional technology‐oriented research.
Clinical Observation of Reduning Combined with Recombinant Human Interferon α-2b in the Treatment of Children with Viral Pneumonia
Authors: Li Zhuangzhuang , Xie Lingling , Wang He , Wang Shugen , Wu Jinguang
Published: June 2022

Purpose. To observe the clinical efficacy of Reduning injection combined with recombinant human interferon α-2b spray in the treatment of children with viral pneumonia. Methods. A total of 200 children with viral pneumonia over 2 years old who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of the Cangzhou Central Hospital from September 2018 to November 2020 were recruited and randomized into the control group and observation group at a ratio of 1 : 1, with 100 cases in each group. The children in the control group were given recombinant human interferon α-2b spray, and the children in the observation group were given Reduning injection on the basis of the control group. The clinical symptoms and signs, clinical efficacy, levels of inflammatory mediators, and drug safety were compared between the two groups. Results. The t-test results showed that the disappearance time of body temperature, respiratory rate, pulmonary rales, and cough in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group. The chi-square revealed a significantly higher total effective rate in the observation group vs. the control group. After treatment, the levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in the two groups were lower than the corresponding values before treatment, and greater reduction was observed in the observation group in relative to the control group (both

p
<
0.05

). The two groups have a similar safety profile. Conclusion. Reduning combined with recombinant human interferon α-2b produces a remarkable effect in the treatment of children with viral pneumonia, and it ameliorates clinical symptoms and reduces inflammatory response with a good safety profile.
Review of the Generation of Fractures and Change of Permeability due to Water-Shale Interaction in Shales
Authors: Liu Kerui , Wang Dangliang , Sheng James J. , Li Jianfeng
Published: June 2022

In shale development, water-based liquids are injected into the formations. In this process, water can interact with shales, especially with clay content. The interaction can lead to some phenomena, including clay swelling, reduction of mechanical properties of shales and fractures, generation and propagation of fractures, particle detachment, and permeability change. All the phenomena can impact productivity during the development, thereby impacting our investment and return on investment (ROI). So far, many researchers have put their time and efforts into this topic, and many articles have been published. However, some discrepancies still exist in shale reservoirs regarding the role of the interaction between water and shale, especially the impact of clay swelling. Some believe that clay swelling causes formation damage, mainly impairing shale permeability. Others state that fractures can be induced because of clay swelling, leading to the enhancement of shale permeability. So far, few articles have reviewed the various views on this interaction. Additionally, the relationship between each phenomenon is not discussed. In this paper, we try to draw a clear picture of water-shale interaction by reviewing the published studies, mainly focusing on experimental methodology and experimental results. Based on the review, we summarized the influencing factors as well as the mechanisms about the formation of fractures and change of permeability due to water-shale interaction. In water-shale interaction, the induced fractures are generated by the combined effects from clay swelling, reduction of mechanical properties of shales and fractures, and stress anisotropy. Shale permeability can be enhanced if the generated fractures can form an effective flow channel. However, if the generated fractures cannot serve as an effective flow channel, shale permeability will be impaired by clay swelling, water blocking, stress-sensitive, etc.
Venture Risk of Small- and Medium-Sized Sci-Tech Enterprises Based on Markov Model
Authors: Shou Yijun
Published: June 2022

Small- and medium-sized enterprises are an important part of my country’s national economy. Among the small- and medium-sized enterprises, scientific and technological small- and medium-sized enterprises account for a considerable proportion and play an extremely important role. Compared with large enterprises, technology-based small- and medium-sized enterprises have small scale and weak financial strength. In R&D activities, they will encounter external environmental risks such as market change risks and government policy restrictions. At the same time, the internal technical strength and management ability of enterprises will also affect the development effect of enterprise R&D work. Therefore, this paper will study the risk of small- and medium-sized high-tech enterprises in the start-up period through Markov model and design and experiment the feasibility and accuracy of the risk prediction model. Markov model is a probabilistic model about time series, which is used in many fields such as speech and behavior recognition and fault diagnosis. The risk prediction in this paper can play a key role. In the experiment, the accuracy of environmental risk assessment and analysis reached 74.4%, which will greatly help enterprises make reasonable development strategies to deal with the pressure from different periods and places.