bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging breast cancer screening to promote timely detection, diagnosis and treatment among women in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Yakong Vida Nyagre , Afaya Agani , Alhassan Robert Kaba , Sang Somin , Salia Solomon Mohammed , Afaya Richard Adongo , Karim Jebuni Fuseini , Kuug Anthony , Selorm Daniels-Donkor Silas , Atakro Confidence Alorse , Akokre Renna , Adatara Peter , Ayanore Martin Amogre
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Female breast cancer is now the most often diagnosed cancer in the world. Breast cancer screening aims to reduce mortalities related to cancer, and morbidity associated with advanced stages of the disease, through timely detection in asymptomatic women. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the evidence on the factors that influence the provision and uptake of breast cancer screening among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods and analysis

PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature including Google Scholar will be searched to identify published studies on barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening from January 2010 to 2021. Two reviewers will independently assess the quality of all the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool version 2018. We envisage that this review will adduce evidence on common barriers and facilitators to breast cancer screening in SSA. Identifying these barriers and facilitators will help guide the initialisation of effective interventions that will improve breast cancer screening uptake among women in SSA. This review will also guide future research in developing, implementing and evaluating appropriate interventions tailored toward increasing breast cancer screening uptake.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for this protocol is not required since it does not involve collecting data from human participants. The outcomes of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
How can the healthcare system deliver sustainable performance? A scoping review
Authors: Zurynski Yvonne , Herkes-Deane Jessica , Holt Joanna , McPherson Elise , Lamprell Gina , Dammery Genevieve , Meulenbroeks Isabelle , Halim Nicole , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: May 2022

Background

Increasing health costs, demand and patient multimorbidity challenge the sustainability of healthcare systems. These challenges persist and have been amplified by the global pandemic.

Objectives

We aimed to develop an understanding of how the sustainable performance of healthcare systems (SPHS) has been conceptualised, defined and measured.

Design

Scoping review of peer-reviewed articles and editorials published from database inception to February 2021.

Data sources

PubMed and Ovid Medline, and snowballing techniques.

Eligibility criteria

We included articles that discussed key focus concepts of SPHS: (1) definitions, (2) measurement, (3) identified challenges, (4) identified solutions for improvement and (5) scaling successful solutions to maintain SPHS.

Data extraction and synthesis

After title/abstract screening, full-text articles were reviewed, and relevant information extracted and synthesised under the five focus concepts.

Results

Of 142 included articles, 38 (27%) provided a definition of SPHS. Definitions were based mainly on financial sustainability, however, SPHS was also more broadly conceptualised and included acceptability to patients and workforce, resilience through adaptation, and rapid absorption of evidence and innovations. Measures of SPHS were also predominantly financial, but recent articles proposed composite measures that accounted for financial, social and health outcomes. Challenges to achieving SPHS included the increasingly complex patient populations, limited integration because of entrenched fragmented systems and siloed professional groups, and the ongoing translational gaps in evidence-to-practice and policy-to-practice. Improvement strategies for SPHS included developing appropriate workplace cultures, direct community and consumer involvement, and adoption of evidence-based practice and technologies. There was also a strong identified need for long-term monitoring and evaluations to support adaptation of healthcare systems and to anticipate changing needs where possible.

Conclusions

To implement lasting change and to respond to new challenges, we need context-relevant definitions and frameworks, and robust, flexible, and feasible measures to support the long-term sustainability and performance of healthcare systems.
Importance of ideal cardiovascular health metrics in the risk of colorectal cancer among people aged 50 years or older: a UK Biobank cohort study
Authors: Zhang Jijuan , Yu Hancheng , Huang Tao , Huang Ninghao , Liang Hailun
Published: May 2022

Objective

To explore the correlation between the ideal cardiovascular health metrics (ICVHMs) and the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among people aged 50 years or older.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

The UK Biobank, a prospective cohort of middle-aged participants recruited between 2006 and 2010.

Participants

The study included 342 226 participants from the UK Biobank aged 50 years or older without prevalent cancer.

Exposure

The ICVHMs consist of four behavioural factors (abstinence from smoking, ideal body mass index (BMI), physical activity at goal and consumption of healthy diet) and three cardiometabolic factors (untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg and untreated fasting plasma glucose <100 mg/dL).

Main outcomes

The outcome was ascertained by linkage to cancer and death registries using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth codes C18–C20.

Results

During a median follow-up time of 8.72 years, 3060 CRC cases were identified. Compared with the reference (participants with ICVHMs ≤2), the multivariable-adjusted HRs for subgroups with 3, 4, 5 and ≥6 ICVHM factors were 0.98 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.12), 0.90 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.02), 0.85 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.98) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.90), respectively. Among the seven ICVHM factors, lower BMI, healthier diet and ideal fasting plasma glucose were significantly associated with lower risk of CRC (HR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.95; HR: 0.92, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99; HR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Adherence to the ICVHMs was associated with a lower risk of CRC among people aged 50 years or older. Among the seven ICVHM factors, BMI, diet and fasting plasma glucose played a more critical role in the prevention of CRC. These findings imply that adherence to ICVHMs should be encouraged to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease as well as CRC.
Impact of out-of-pocket expenses for surgical care on households in rural Haiti: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Padovany Michelson MN , Patterson Rolvix H , Bowder Alexis N , O'Brien Eva , Alkire Blake C , Katz Arlene M , Mitnick Carole D , Lu Chunling
Published: May 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to report household catastrophic spending on surgery and the experiences of patients and families seeking surgical care in rural Haiti.

Design

The study used an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods approach. We collected both quantitative and qualitative data from the participants through interviews.

Setting

A rural tertiary hospital (St. Boniface Hospital) in southern Haiti.

Participants

There were 200 adult Haitian surgical patients who entered the study. Of these, 41 were excluded due to missing variables or health expenditure outliers. The final sample included 159 participants.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcomes were (1) direct and indirect payments for surgical care; (2) the rate of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) (as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals (10% of total household expenditure) and WHO (10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of household capacity to pay)) due to surgical care; and (3) common themes across the lived experiences of households of surgical patients seeking care.

Results

The median household expenditure on surgery-related expenses was US$385.6, slightly more than half of per capita gross domestic product in Haiti (US$729.3). Up to 86% of households experienced CHE, as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals, due to receiving surgical care. Patients commonly paid for surgical costs through loans and donations (69.8%). The qualitative analysis revealed prominent themes related to barriers to care including the burden of initiating care-seeking, care-seeking journeys and social suffering.

Conclusions

CHE is common for Haitian surgical patients, and the associated care-seeking experiences are often arduous. These findings suggest that low, flat fees in non-profit hospital settings may not be sufficient to mitigate the costs of surgical care or the resulting challenges that patients experience.
Improving the uptake of cervical screening in pregnant and recently postnatal women: a quality improvement project
Authors: Coleridge Sarah Louise , Wiggans Alison , Nelissen Ellen , Bethune Rob , Blackwell Richard , Bryant Andrew , Morrison Jo
Published: May 2022

Background

In 2018, cervical screening uptake was at its lowest level since screening began, particularly in those aged 25–35, coinciding with the peak incidence of cervical cancer and average age at first delivery.

Problem

Retrospective baseline data of pregnant women found 47.3% (n=123/260) were overdue for screening by delivery, of whom 74% (n=91/123) remained overdue by 6 months postnatal.

Methods

We undertook a quality improvement project from April 2018 to April 2019 to improve cervical screening uptake in pregnant and postnatal women. We mapped out the screening process and canvassed stakeholders. The main theme was inconsistency of advice received by women. From February 2018 to May 2020, we undertook a prospective audit of 10 women per week who gave birth in our maternity department, recording screening status at delivery and 6 months postnatal.

Interventions included introducing evidence-based guidelines about cervical screening in pregnancy and the postnatal period, flow charts for maternity staff, multiprofessional teaching for all maternity staff and information dissemination to women (via the HANDiApp platform, a social media campaign and adapting results letters following colposcopy, highlighting dates when screening would be due). Primary care opening hours were extended for screening and women received a letter from their midwives, if they required cervical screening in pregnancy.

Results

Locally, the percentage of women overdue for cervical screening by 6 months postnatal improved by 8.0% during this project, compared with a 1.6% change in national screening rates in women aged 25–49.

Conclusions

We increased the percentage of local pregnant and postnatal women attending cervical screening by introduction of a package of information, targeted education and widening access to screening appointments.
Baseline platelet count in percutaneous coronary intervention: a dose–response meta-analysis
Authors: Galimzhanov Akhmetzhan , Sabitov Yersyn , Tenekecioglu Erhan , Tun Han Naung , Alasnag Mirvat , Mamas Mamas A
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The nature of the relationship between baseline platelet count and clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. We undertook dose–response and pairwise meta-analyses to better describe the prognostic value of the initial platelet count and clinical endpoints in patients after PCI.

Methods

A search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (up to 9 October 2021) was performed to identify studies that evaluated the association between platelet count and clinical outcomes following PCI. The primary outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding. We performed random-effects pairwise and one-stage dose–response meta-analyses by calculating HRs and 95% CIs.

Results

The meta-analysis included 19 studies with 217 459 patients. We report a J-shaped relationship between baseline thrombocyte counts and all-cause death, MACE and major bleeding at follow-up. The risk of haemorrhagic events exceeded the risk of thrombotic events at low platelet counts (<175×109/L), while a predominant ischaemic risk was observed at high platelet counts (>250×109/L). Pairwise meta-analyses revealed a robust link between initial platelet counts and the risk of postdischarge all-cause mortality, major bleeding (for thrombocytopenia: HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.49; HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.00, respectively) and future death from any cause and MACE (thrombocytosis: HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.98; HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.78, respectively).

Conclusion

Low platelet counts were associated with the predominant bleeding risk, while high platelet counts were only associated with the ischaemic events.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021283270.
A generalized Frenkel–Kontorova model for a propagating austenite–martensite phase boundary: revisited numerically
Authors: Quapp W. , Bofill J. M.
Published: May 2022

We explain the propagating austenite–martensite phase boundary by a Frenkel–Kontorova model for a chain of meshes along a ledge of the phase transitions. We demonstrate such steps for example chains of 16 and 47 meshes. We can represent a Langevin solution which describes possible cases of a consecutive excitation of a higher phase under a low external force.

Graphic abstract
$$(g-2)_\mu $$ and SUSY dark matter: direct detection and collider search complementarity
Authors: Chakraborti Manimala , Heinemeyer Sven , Saha Ipsita , Schappacher Christian
Published: May 2022

The electroweak (EW) sector of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) can account for a variety of experimental data. The EW particles with masses of a few hundred GeV evade the LHC searches owing to their small production cross sections. Such a light EW sector can in particular explain the reinforced $$4.2\,\sigma $$

4.2

σ

discrepancy between the experimental result for the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, $$(g-2)_\mu $$

(
g
-
2
)

μ

, and its Standard Model (SM) prediction. The lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP), assumed to be the lightest neutralino, $${\tilde{\chi }_{1}}^0$$

χ
~

1

0

, as a Dark Matter (DM) candidate is furthermore in agreement with the observed limits on the DM content of the universe. Here the Next-to LSP (NLSP) serves as a coannihilation partner and is naturally close in mass to the LSP. Such scenarios are also to a large extent in agreement with negative results from Direct Detection (DD) experiments. The DM relic density can fully be explained by a nearly pure bino or a mixed bino/wino LSP. Relatively light wino and higgsino DM, on the other hand, remains easily below the DM relic density upper bound. Using the improved limits on $$(g-2)_\mu $$

(
g
-
2
)

μ

, we explore the mass ranges of the LSP and the NLSP in their correlation with the DM relic density for bino, bino/wino, wino and higgsino DM. In particular, we analyze the sensitivity of future DM DD experiments to these DM scenarios. We find that higgsino, wino and one type of bino scenario can be covered by future DD experiments. Mixed bino/wino and another type of bino DM can reach DD cross sections below the neutrino floor. In these cases we analyze the complementarity with the (HL-)LHC and future $$e^+e^-$$

e
+

e
-

linear colliders. We find that while the prospects for the HL-LHC are interesting, but not conclusive, an $$e^+e^-$$

e
+

e
-

collider with $$\sqrt{s} \lesssim 1 \,\, \mathrm {TeV}$$

s

≲
1

TeV

can cover effectively all points of the MSSM that may be missed by DD experiments.
Gravitational waves in models with multicritical-point principle
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Kawai Hikaru , Kawana Kiyoharu , Oda Kin-ya , Yagyu Kei
Published: May 2022

The multicritical-point principle (MPP) provides a natural explanation of the large hierarchy between the Planck and electroweak scales. We consider a scenario in which MPP is applied to the Standard Model extended by two real singlet scalar fields $$\phi $$
ϕ
and S, and a dimensional transmutation occurs by the vacuum expectation value of $$\phi $$
ϕ
. In this paper, we focus on the critical points that possess a $${\mathbb {Z}}_2$$

Z
2

symmetry $$S\rightarrow -S$$

S
→
-
S

and all the other fields are left invariant. Then S becomes a natural dark matter (DM) candidate. Further, we concentrate on the critical points where $$\phi $$
ϕ
does not possess further $${\mathbb {Z}}_2$$

Z
2

symmetry so that there is no cosmological domain-wall problem. Among such critical points, we focus on maximally critical one called CP-1234 that fix all the superrenormalizable parameters. We show that there remains a parameter region that satisfies the DM relic abundance, DM direct-detection bound and the current LHC constraints. In this region, we find a first-order phase transition in the early universe around the TeV-scale temperature. The resultant gravitational waves are predicted with a peak amplitude of $${{\mathcal {O}}}(10^{-12})$$

O
(

10

-
12

)

at a frequency of $$10^{-2}{-}10^{-1}$$

10

-
2

-

10

-
1

 Hz, which can be tested with future space-based instruments such as DECIGO and BBO.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of (Dy3+, Eu3+) ions co-doped double-perovskite Ba2LaNbO6 phosphors
Authors: Chen Hao-Long , Lin Po-Hsueh , Shih Hung-Rung , Chang Yee-Shin
Published: May 2022

Dy[Formula: see text] and Eu[Formula: see text] ions co-doped double-perovskite Ba2LaNbO6 phosphor was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The effects of ions co-doping concentration onto the crystal structures, surface morphologies and photoluminescence properties of phosphors were elucidated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. The XRD patterns reveal that the crystallization of Dy[Formula: see text] and Eu[Formula: see text] ions co-doped Ba2LaNbO6 was monoclinic phase with space group of C2/m. For the Dy[Formula: see text] ion-doped Ba2LaNbO6 phosphors under an excitation wavelength of 293 nm, the main emission wavelengths are between 460 and 520 nm and 560 and 620 nm, which are due to the 4F[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text] magnetic dipole transition and the 4F[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text] super sensitive transition of Dy[Formula: see text] ion, respectively. The concentration quenching effect occurs as the Dy[Formula: see text] ion concentration is 4 mol%. The CIE chromaticity coordinates shift from the light blue region to the green region as the Dy[Formula: see text] ion doping concentration increases. When the Dy[Formula: see text] and Eu[Formula: see text] ions co-doped Ba2LaNbO6 phosphors, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of Ba2(La[Formula: see text] Dy[Formula: see text]Eu[Formula: see text]Nbo6 phosphors are moved from the green light region to the near white-light region due to the mixing of the strong magnetic dipole transition of 5D[Formula: see text]F1 at 594 nm, and electric dipole transition of 5D[Formula: see text]F2 at 617 nm for the characteristic [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition of Eu[Formula: see text] ion.
Analysis of process factors for applying pultrusion process of carbon fiber–polyester composites
Authors: Lee Kyo-Moon , Chu Yong-Sik , Kim Nam-Il , Kim Yun-Hae , Bae Sung-Youl
Published: May 2022

This study was conducted for the purpose of deriving the optimal process conditions for the pultrusion of carbon fiber–polyester composite materials. For this purpose, the mechanical characteristics were evaluated according to fiber content, curing time, and curing temperature. Tensile strength characteristics are improved as the fiber content, curing temperature, and curing time increased. But, in a fiber content of 70% over, it does not improve due to internal defects such as delamination and voids. The effect of curing temperature and curing time was analyzed through the fracture mode. Fracture characteristics due to un-curing were observed in tensile specimens. In addition, the curing reaction of the polyester as the heating rate was confirmed through differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, the optimal process conditions for the pultrusion of carbon fiber–polyester composite materials were derived.
The Extended GREEN-A Framework: A Gender Comparison in Consumer Support for Sustainable Businesses Practices
Authors: Kaakeh Mohamad , Shirazi Sabina Sheherbano , Gokmenoglu Korhan K.
Published: May 2022

This study analyses the attributes of consumer support for sustainable business practices utilising the GREEN-A model. We formulated three different models to observe the role of gender. Data employed, within the investigation, was obtained through an online survey during 2021 and analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling. Findings for all three models confirm that green advertisement practices play the most crucial role in promoting consumer support for sustainable business within Pakistan. Our gender-specific models display that ethical practices are of crucial importance for women, whilst the quality of life is found to be fundamental for men. Based on the study’s findings, firms must communicate their eco-friendly attributes and ethically sourced products to their customers through green advertisement. This strategy will improve brand awareness and ultimately endorse consumer support. In addition, firms should sponsor community-driven events to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the consumers while improving the firm’s image.
Geometry, kinematics and mechanism of growth unconformities in the Biertuokuoyi piggy-back basin: implications for episodic growth of the Pamir frontal thrust
Authors: Chen Jiajun , He Dengfa
Published: May 2022

Piggy-back basins are characterized by growth stratigraphic sequences bounded by growth unconformities and record the complete deformational history of the related structures. The Biertuokuoyi piggy-back basin, located in the hanging wall of the Pamir frontal thrust (PFT), provides a remarkable example documenting the geometry, kinematics and mechanism of growth unconformities. High-resolution seismic data reveal that multiple growth sequences were folded with constant-dip kink band migration and their dips are equal to the change in the fault-bend angle of the PFT, indicating their kinematic coupling. Divided by a basal Cenozoic detachment, the PFT system contains five lower thrust ramps that cut Paleozoic–Mesozoic strata and an upper thrust ramp that cuts Cenozoic strata. The growth strata and unconformities record
c.
4425 m of dip-slip and six stages of episodic thrusting for the PFT. We propose a coeval thrusting style for the five lower thrust ramps. The present seismic section reveals at least 31.1 km of total shortening at the northeastern Pamir front. In particular, the latest shortening of
c.
8.0 km is recorded by the Biertuokuoyi Basin and the Mushi anticline. Our results show that multiple growth sequences bounded by growth unconformities are powerful resources for documenting the evolution of deformation.

Supplementary material:
Supporting figures and data, including seismic profiles and kinematic simulation results, are available at
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DNQBS
.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Fold-and-thrust belts collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/fold-and-thrust-belts
Computing Area-Optimal Simple Polygonizations
Authors: Fekete Sándor P. , Haas Andreas , Keldenich Phillip , Perk Michael , Schmidt Arne
Published: May 2022

We consider methods for finding a simple polygon of minimum (
Min-Area
) or maximum (
Max-Area
) possible area for a given set of points in the plane. Both problems are known to be NP-hard; at the center of the recent CG Challenge, practical methods have received considerable attention. However, previous methods focused on heuristic methods, with no proof of optimality. We develop exact methods, based on a combination of geometry and integer programming. As a result, we are able to solve instances of up to

\( n=25 \)

points to provable optimality. While this extends the range of solvable instances by a considerable amount, it also illustrates the practical difficulty of both problem variants.
A Pressure-Aware Policy for Contention Minimization on Multicore Systems
Authors: Kundan Shivam , Marinakis Theodoros , Anagnostopoulos Iraklis , Kagaris Dimitri
Published: May 2022

Modern Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs) are integrating an increasing amount of cores to address the continually growing demand for high-application performance. The cores of a CMP share several components of the memory hierarchy, such as Last-Level Cache (LLC) and main memory. This allows for considerable gains in multithreaded applications while also helping to maintain architectural simplicity. However, sharing resources can also result in performance bottleneck due to contention among concurrently executing applications. In this work, we formulate a fine-grained application characterization methodology that leverages Performance Monitoring Counters (PMCs) and Cache Monitoring Technology (CMT) in Intel processors. We utilize this characterization methodology to develop two contention-aware scheduling policies, one
static
and one
dynamic
, that co-schedule applications based on their resource-interference profiles. Our approach focuses on minimizing contention on both the main-memory bandwidth and the LLC by monitoring the pressure that each application inflicts on these resources. We achieve performance benefits for diverse workloads, outperforming Linux and three state-of-the-art contention-aware schedulers in terms of system throughput and fairness for both single and multithreaded workloads. Compared with Linux, our policy achieves up to 16% greater throughput for single-threaded and up to 40% greater throughput for multithreaded applications. Additionally, the policies increase fairness by up to 65% for single-threaded and up to 130% for multithreaded ones.
3D Skeleton and Two Streams Approach to Person Re-identification Using Optimized Region Matching
Authors: Han Qing , Liu Huiting , Min Weidong , Huang Tiemei , Lin Deyu , Wang Qi
Published: May 2022

Person re-identification (Re-ID)
is a challenging and arduous task due to non-overlapping views, complex background, and uncontrollable occlusion in video surveillance. An existing method for capturing pedestrian local region information is to divide person regions into horizontal stripes, which may lead to invalid features and erroneous learning. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a 3D skeleton and a two-stream approach to person Re-ID. The first stream of the method uses the 3D skeleton for background filtering and region segmentation. The second stream uses Siamese net to extract the global descriptor. The features of the two streams are fused to preserve the integrity of the person. An optimized region matching method for metric learning is designed. Extensive comparing experiments were conducted with state-of-the-art Re-ID methods on the Market-1501, CUHK03, and DukeMTMC-reID datasets. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing methods in recognition accuracy.
Threats to Training: A Survey of Poisoning Attacks and Defenses on Machine Learning Systems
Authors: Wang Zhibo , Ma Jingjing , Wang Xue , Hu Jiahui , Qin Zhan , Ren Kui
Published: May 2022

Machine learning (ML) has been universally adopted for automated decisions in a variety of fields, including recognition and classification applications, recommendation systems, natural language processing, and so on. However, in light of high expenses on training data and computing resources, recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in outsourced ML training, either partially or completely, which provides vulnerabilities for adversaries to exploit. A prime threat in training phase is called poisoning attack, where adversaries strive to subvert the behavior of machine learning systems by poisoning training data or other means of interference. Although a growing number of relevant studies have been proposed, the research among poisoning attack is still overly scattered, with each paper focusing on a particular task in a specific domain. In this survey, we summarize and categorize existing attack methods and corresponding defenses, as well as demonstrate compelling application scenarios, thus providing a unified framework to analyze poisoning attacks. Besides, we also discuss the main limitations of current works, along with the corresponding future directions to facilitate further researches. Our ultimate motivation is to provide a comprehensive and self-contained survey of this growing field of research and lay the foundation for a more standardized approach to reproducible studies.
Biogenesis and Regulatory Roles of Circular RNAs
Authors: Yang Li , Wilusz Jeremy E. , Chen Ling-Ling
Published: May 2022

Covalently closed, single-stranded circular RNAs can be produced from viral RNA genomes as well as from the processing of cellular housekeeping noncoding RNAs and precursor messenger RNAs. Recent transcriptomic studies have surprisingly uncovered that many protein-coding genes can be subjected to backsplicing, leading to widespread expression of a specific type of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in eukaryotic cells. Here, we discuss experimental strategies used to discover and characterize diverse circRNAs at both the genome and individual gene scales. We further highlight the current understanding of how circRNAs are generated and how the mature transcripts function. Some circRNAs act as noncoding RNAs to impact gene regulation by serving as decoys or competitors for microRNAs and proteins. Others form extensive networks of ribonucleoprotein complexes or encode functional peptides that are translated in response to certain cellular stresses. Overall, circRNAs have emerged as an important class of RNAmolecules in gene expression regulation that impact many physiological processes, including early development, immune responses, neurogenesis, and tumorigenesis.
Division and Transmission: Malaria Parasite Development in the Mosquito
Authors: Guttery David S. , Zeeshan Mohammad , Ferguson David J.P. , Holder Anthony A. , Tewari Rita
Published: May 2022

The malaria parasite life cycle alternates between two hosts: a vertebrate and the female Anopheles mosquito vector. Cell division, proliferation, and invasion are essential for parasite development, transmission, and survival. Most research has focused on Plasmodium development in the vertebrate, which causes disease; however, knowledge of malaria parasite development in the mosquito (the sexual and transmission stages) is now rapidly accumulating, gathered largely through investigation of the rodent malaria model, with Plasmodium berghei. In this review, we discuss the seminal genome-wide screens that have uncovered key regulators of cell proliferation, invasion, and transmission during Plasmodium sexual development. Our focus is on the roles of transcription factors, reversible protein phosphorylation, and molecular motors. We also emphasize the still-unanswered important questions around key pathways in cell division during the vector transmission stages and how they may be targeted in future studies.
Signal Transduction Network Principles Underlying Bacterial Collective Behaviors
Authors: Bridges Andrew A. , Prentice Jojo A. , Wingreen Ned S. , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: May 2022

Bacteria orchestrate collective behaviors and accomplish feats that would be unsuccessful if carried out by a lone bacterium. Processes undertaken by groups of bacteria include bioluminescence, biofilm formation, virulence factor production, and release of public goods that are shared by the community. Collective behaviors are controlled by signal transduction networks that integrate sensory information and transduce the information internally. Here, we discuss network features and mechanisms that, even in the face of dramatically changing environments, drive precise execution of bacterial group behaviors. We focus on representative quorum-sensing and second-messenger cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) signal relays. We highlight ligand specificity versus sensitivity, how small-molecule ligands drive discrimination of kin versus nonkin, signal integration mechanisms, single-input sensory systems versus coincidence detectors, and tuning of input-output dynamics via feedback regulation. We summarize how different features of signal transduction systems allow groups of bacteria to successfully interpret and collectively react to dynamically changing environments.
Mycovirus Diversity and Evolution Revealed/Inferred from Recent Studies
Authors: Kondo Hideki , Botella Leticia , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: May 2022

High-throughput virome analyses with various fungi, from cultured or uncultured sources, have led to the discovery of diverse viruses with unique genome structures and even neo-lifestyles. Examples in the former category include splipalmiviruses and ambiviruses. Splipalmiviruses, related to yeast narnaviruses, have multiple positive-sense (+) single-stranded (ss) RNA genomic segments that separately encode the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase motifs, the hallmark of RNA viruses (members of the kingdom Orthornavirae). Ambiviruses appear to have an undivided ssRNA genome of 3∼5 kb with two large open reading frames (ORFs) separated by intergenic regions. Another narna-like virus group has two fully overlapping ORFs on both strands of a genomic segment that span more than 90% of the genome size. New virus lifestyles exhibited by mycoviruses include the yado-kari/yado-nushi nature characterized by the partnership between the (+)ssRNA yadokarivirus and an unrelated dsRNA virus (donor of the capsid for the former) and the hadaka nature of capsidless 10–11 segmented (+)ssRNA accessible by RNase in infected mycelial homogenates. Furthermore, dsRNA polymycoviruses with phylogenetic affinity to (+)ssRNA animal caliciviruses have been shown to be infectious as dsRNA–protein complexes or deproteinized naked dsRNA. Many previous phylogenetic gaps have been filled by recently discovered fungal and other viruses, which haveprovided interesting evolutionary insights. Phylogenetic analyses and the discovery of natural and experimental cross-kingdom infections suggest that horizontal virus transfer may have occurred and continue to occur between fungi and other kingdoms.
Finite Element Modeling of Electrochemical Polishing of Niobium in Hydrofluoric-Sulfuric Acid Electrolyte
Authors: Wang Kaiwen , Cai Wenjun , Tian Hui , Reece Charles E.
Published: May 2022

Niobium (Nb) used in superconducting radio-frequency cavities requires smooth surface to achieve optimal performance. In this work, a finite element model that coupled electrochemistry, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics was developed to investigate the electrochemical polishing mechanisms of Nb, using experimentally measured polarization results of coupon samples as validations. The current and potential distribution, oxide growth kinetics of Nb in a complex cavity geometry was investigated as a function of temperature and coolant flow. A low temperature coolant with intermediate flow rate was found to reduce surface current and ensure oxide uniformity. These results could shed light on the design of future particle accelerators.
Spatial Variations of Cathode Reaction and Discharge Precipitate in Li-Air Batteries: Analysis and Experimental Measurement
Authors: Yuan Hao , Seo Bongjin , Wang Yun
Published: May 2022

In this study, we investigate the spatial variations of discharge precipitate and cathode reaction rate in lithium (Li)-air battery both theoretically and experimentally: (1) the reaction variation of local oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate is theoretically analyzed, with analytical solutions as a function of the Damköhler (Da) number; (2) a novel experimental method is proposed to probe local ORR rate by designing a multi-layer cathode which consists of three identical Toray® carbon clothes that have a porosity of 0.8 and a thickness of about 0.4 mm. The morphology of insoluble Li compounds at different thickness locations is uncovered by SEM images. An overall very small volume fraction of precipitates was observed in the air cathode. It is found that the local ORR rate decreases from the air side of cathode to the separator side in the case of study, which is consistent with our model predictions for two orders of the cathode reaction. The theoretical analysis and experimental method can be applied to design and optimize materials for the air cathode of Li-air batteries.
Thermally-Driven Micro-Walled Nano-Composite Microfluidic Platform for Controlled Localized Surface Plasmonic Detection of Bovine Growth Hormones
Authors: Ozhikandathil Jayan , Badilescu Simona , Packirisamy Muthukumaran
Published: May 2022

A novel method of integration of a silver-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite in a microfluidic channel for the realization of a lab-on-a-chip is reported in this work. By using a silver nitrate aqueous precursor solution, silver nanostructures are formed on, and under the surface of PDMS, by in situ reduction. The silver aggregates formed by reduction have a wide absorbance plasmon band in the UV–Visible range. Separated silver nano-islands, having narrow absorbance bands are formed by using the post-reduction annealing process. The plasmonic property of the silver nanostructures is used for the detection of bovine growth hormone. Subsequently, the nanocomposite was integrated into a specially fabricated micro-wall in the channel which is the actual sensing area in the microfluidic environment. The experiments confirmed that the nanocomposite can be integrated into the microfluidic device in order to enhance the detection sensitivity.
Mechanisms and mathematical modeling of ROS production by the mitochondrial electron transport chain
Authors: Chenna Sandeep , Koopman Werner J. H. , Prehn Jochen H. M. , Connolly Niamh M. C.
Published: May 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are recognized both as damaging molecules and intracellular signaling entities. In addition to its role in ATP generation, the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) constitutes a relevant source of mitochondrial ROS, in particular during pathological conditions. Mitochondrial ROS homeostasis depends on species- and site-dependent ROS production, their bioreactivity, diffusion, and scavenging. However, our quantitative understanding of mitochondrial ROS homeostasis has thus far been hampered by technical limitations, including a lack of truly site- and/or ROS-specific reporter molecules. In this context, the use of computational models is of great value to complement and interpret empirical data, as well as to predict variables that are difficult to assess experimentally. During the past decades, various mechanistic models of ETC-mediated ROS production have been developed. Although these often-complex models have generated novel insights, their parameterization, analysis, and integration with other computational models are not straightforward. In contrast, phenomenological (sometimes termed “minimal”) models use a relatively small set of equations to describe empirical relationship(s) between ROS-related and other parameters and generally aim to explore system behavior and generate hypotheses for experimental validation. In this review, we first discuss ETC-linked ROS homeostasis and introduce various detailed mechanistic models. Next, we present how bioenergetic parameters (e.g., NADH/NAD+ ratio and mitochondrial membrane potential) relate to site-specific ROS production within the ETC and how these relationships can be used to design minimal models of ROS homeostasis. Finally, we illustrate how minimal models have been applied to explore pathophysiological aspects of ROS.
Salvianolic Acid B Alleviates Limb Ischemia in Mice via Promoting SIRT1/PI3K/AKT Pathway-Mediated M2 Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Niu Wenhao , Wu Feng , Cao Wenyue , Chen Yihong , Zhang Yanda , Chen Yasha , Ding Ru , Liang Chun
Published: May 2022

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is an effective treatment agent for ischemic disease in China. However, Sal B’s effects on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its mechanism remains poorly understood. Macrophage polarization plays a crucial role in PAD. Nevertheless, treatment modalities that increase the population of anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages are limited. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Sal B on limb perfusion and investigate the mechanism of Sal B-induced macrophage polarization. C57BL/6 male mice (6 weeks) were randomized into control, Model + NS, and Model + Sal B groups (n = 5). Then, we established a hind limb ischemia mouse model to assess the Sal B’s role (15 mg/kg/d) in PAD. We quantified the blood perfusion via laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and measured the capillary density and muscle edema with CD31 and H&E staining. The Sal B-induced macrophage polarization was confirmed by qPCR and ELISA. The results showed that the Sal B group exhibited a significant improvement in the blood perfusion, capillary density, muscle edema, and M2 markers gene expressions. Cell migration and tube formation were promoted in the endothelial cells stimulated with a culture supernatant from Sal B-treated macrophages. In contrast, endothelial functions improved by Sal B-treated macrophages were impaired in groups treated with SIRT1 and PI3K inhibitors. These findings provide evidence for Sal B’s protective role in PAD and demonstrate the enhancement of macrophage polarization via the SIRT1/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Construction and Application of Text Entity Relation Joint Extraction Model Based on Multi-Head Attention Neural Network
Authors: Xue Yafei , Zhu Jing , Lyu Jing
Published: May 2022

Entity relationship extraction is one of the key areas of information extraction and is an important research content in the field of natural language processing. Based on past research, this paper proposes a combined extraction model based on a multi-headed attention neural network. Based on the BERT training model architecture, this paper extracts textual entities and relations tasks. At the same time, it integrates the naming entity feature, the terminology labeling characteristics, and the training relationship. The multi-attention mechanism and improved neural structures are added to the model to enhance the characteristic extraction capacity of the model. By studying the parameters of the multi-head attention mechanism, it is shown that the optimal parameters of the multi-head attention are h = 8, dv = 16, and the classification effect of the model is the best at this time. After experimental analysis, comparing the traditional text entity relationship extraction model and the multi-head attention neural network joint extraction model, the model entity relationship extraction effect was evaluated from the aspects of comprehensive evaluation index F1, accuracy rate P, and system time consumed. Experiments show: First, in the accuracy indicator, Xception performance is best, reaching 87.7%, indicating that the model extraction feature effect is enhanced. Second, with the increase of the number of iterative times, the verification set curve and the training set curve have increased to 96% and 98%, respectively, and the model has a strong generalization ability. Third, the model completes the extraction of all data in the test set in 1005 ms, which is an acceptable speed. Therefore, the model test results in this article are good, with a strong practical value.
GIP Evaluation and Path Improvement of Technological SMEs Based on Digital Information Technology
Authors: Yang Hailin , Liu Fengming , Zhang Lihong
Published: May 2022

Small and medium-sized technology-based SMEs also play a certain role in promoting the economic development and social progress of a country and can provide relative social resources. However, under the wave of green development, green technology innovation for SMEs is also important, which is of great significance to the sustainable development of enterprises. This paper summarizes the situation of a certain stage of Chinese enterprises’ green technology innovation and builds a GIP evaluation index system suitable for small and medium-sized technology-based enterprises. This paper selects Z province for analysis and uses data envelopment analysis and Malmquist index analysis to analyze the GI situation of 11 cities in Z province. And this paper proposes a green innovation performance (GIP) evaluation path for technology-based SMEs. The results show that the overall green innovation (GI) level of Z province shows an upward and progressive trend from 2016 to 2020, and the total factor productivity change index (TPF) in the overall period from 2018 to 2020 is 0.913. The overall GIP of enterprises in cities C and D in Z province is insufficient and needs to be further expanded.
Male Breast Cancer: An Updated Review of Epidemiology, Clinicopathology, and Treatment
Authors: Zheng Guoliang , Leone Jose Pablo
Published: May 2022

Male breast cancer (MaBC) is a rare clinical entity, which makes up approximately 1% of all breast cancers. However, the incidence of MaBC has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. The risk factors for MaBC include age, black race, family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations, liver cirrhosis, and testicular abnormalities. The majority of patients with MaBC present with painless lumps, and about half of the patients have at least one lymph node involved at the time of diagnosis. The treatment of MaBC models that of female breast cancer (FeBC), but this is mainly due to lack of prospective studies for MaBC patients. The treatment modality includes surgery, adjuvant radiation, endocrine therapy, and chemotherapy. However, there are some distinct features of MaBC, both clinically and molecularly, that may warrant a different clinical approach. Ongoing multinational effort is required, to conduct clinical trials for MaBC, or the inclusion of MaBC patients in FeBC trials, to help clinicians improve care for MaBC patients.
Trust of Information during the Dissemination of Popular Science Web Videos in the New Media Era
Authors: Wu Haolin , Cheng Ming
Published: May 2022

Web videos have gradually replaced text, voice, pictures, and other information carriers to become an important way of information dissemination in the new media era. As digital technology brings a new dissemination ecology, the original dissemination trust theory and its framework are facing the crisis of explanatory power failure. This paper considers the popular science web video as an object of study. It analyses and interprets the development of popular science web videos based on the evolution of dissemination form and the basic principle of social trust, from perspectives such as mediology, informatics, and sociology. To maintain or improve the trust relationship in web videos, it’s necessary to find positive incentive and reverse punishment, and establish a trust certification and regulation mechanism. In this way, active dissemination and sharing of information can be promoted for a more vigorous society and culture. Moreover, this paper explores a new way of web video development from the perspective of trust.