bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mining Largest Maximal Quasi-Cliques
Authors: Sanei-Mehri Seyed-Vahid , Das Apurba , Hashemi Hooman , Tirthapura Srikanta
Published: April 2021

Quasi-cliques are dense incomplete subgraphs of a graph that generalize the notion of cliques. Enumerating quasi-cliques from a graph is a robust way to detect densely connected structures with applications in bioinformatics and social network analysis. However, enumerating quasi-cliques in a graph is a challenging problem, even harder than the problem of enumerating cliques. We consider the enumeration of top-
k
degree-based quasi-cliques and make the following contributions: (1) we show that even the problem of detecting whether a given quasi-clique is maximal (i.e., not contained within another quasi-clique) is NP-hard. (2) We present a novel heuristic algorithm K
ernel
QC to enumerate the
k
largest quasi-cliques in a graph. Our method is based on identifying
kernels
of extremely dense subgraphs within a graph, followed by growing subgraphs around these kernels, to arrive at quasi-cliques with the required densities. (3) Experimental results show that our algorithm accurately enumerates quasi-cliques from a graph, is much faster than current state-of-the-art methods for quasi-clique enumeration (often more than three orders of magnitude faster), and can scale to larger graphs than current methods.
Identifying Real-world Credible Experts in the Financial Domain
Authors: Huang Teng-Chieh , Zaeem Razieh Nokhbeh , Barber K. Suzanne
Published: April 2021

Establishing a solid mechanism for finding credible and trustworthy people in online social networks is an important first step to avoid useless, misleading, or even malicious information. There is a body of existing work studying trustworthiness of social media users and finding credible sources in specific target domains. However, most of the related work lacks the connection between the credibility in the real-world and credibility on the Internet, which makes the formation of social media credibility and trustworthiness incomplete. In this article, working in the financial domain, we identify attributes that can distinguish credible users on the Internet who are indeed trustworthy experts in the real-world. To ensure objectivity, we gather the list of credible financial experts from real-world financial authorities. We analyze the distribution of attributes of about 10K stock-related Twitter users and their 600K tweets over six months in 2015/2016, and over 2.6M typical Twitter users and their 4.8M tweets on November 2nd, 2015, comprising 1% of the entire Twitter in that time period. By using the random forest classifier, we find which attributes are related to real-world expertise. Our work sheds light on the properties of trustworthy users and paves the way for their automatic identification.
Flexibility of microstructural adaptations in airway smooth muscle
Authors: Dufour-Mailhot Alexis , Boucher Magali , Henry Cyndi , Khadangi Fatemeh , Tremblay-Pitre Sophie , Clisson Marine , Beaudoin Jonathan , Clavel Marie-Annick , Bossé Ynuk
Published: April 2021

This study confirms that airway smooth muscle undergoes an elastic transition during a sustained contraction even when it operates in dynamic conditions simulating breathing at tidal volume. It also demonstrates that the microstructural adaptations liable for this elastic transition withstand a strain that is at least twice as large as the oscillating strain that pertains during their evolution. This degree of flexibility might be an asset with major significant impact for a tissue such as the airway smooth muscle that displays an everchanging shape due to breathing.
Modulation of the Transmission Spectra of the Double‐Ring Structure by Surface Plasmonic Polaritons
Authors: Lai Senfeng , Guo Yanpei , Liu Guiyang , Shan Chun , Huang Lixin , Zhang Yicong , Wu Yanghui , Gu Wenhua , Wu Wen
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a new structural design to excite surface plasmonic polaritons to enhance the double‐ring interference structure. The double‐ring structure was etched into a thin film to form fundamental interference patterns, and periodic concentric‐ring grooves were employed to gather energy from the surrounding regions through the excitation of surface plasmonic polaritons. Accordingly, the energy of the incident light can be concentrated at the center. The surface plasmon modulates the interference pattern and the transmission spectra. The transmission peak position and its intensity can be tuned by changing the alignment of the grooves. The proposed structure can be applied for designing plasmonic devices as useful components of the plasmonic toolbox.
A Multistage Dynamic Emergency Decision-Making Method considering the Satisfaction under Uncertainty Information
Authors: Liu Yong
Published: April 2021

Emergency decision-making (EDM) is of paramount importance, especially when the emergency occurs. The evolution nature of the emergency, such as multistage, uncertainty, dynamic, and information updating, has been playing a key role in the dynamic emergency decision-making process. However, most existing studies ignored the aforementioned nature. Our approach accounts for the dynamics inherent to a real emergency decision-making process and presents a multistage dynamic emergency decision-making (MSDEDM) procedure of a dynamic programming model based on decision-makers’ psychological reference satisfactory degree. Firstly, interval-valued trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVTrIFNs) are used to depict the relevant fuzziness and uncertainty of information. Secondly, by considering the dynamic evolution process of emergency and the decision-makers’ psychological reference expectation effect, the principle of MSDEDM approach is presented. Based on the analysis, the dynamic model on the new psychological reference satisfactory parameter formula is presented to obtain the optimal satisfaction and weight of each stage. Then, the value utility function based on the DMs’ risk attitude is proposed to obtain the comprehensive value of each emergency alternative for each stage and achieve the ranking results of each stage. Furthermore, a case study involving the transportation emergency decision-making problem demonstrates that the proposed method can achieve selection of the optimal alternatives for each stage, as well as adjustment of the alternatives for neighbouring stages. Finally, the comparative analysis and sensitivity analysis for the results are used to further verify the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method.
Decentralized Data Aggregation: A New Secure Framework Based on Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms
Authors: Xie Xin , Chen Yu-Chi
Published: April 2021

Blockchain has become very popular and suitable to the Internet of Things (IoT) field due to its nontamperability and decentralization properties. The number of IoT devices and leaders (who own IoT devices) is increased exponentially, and thus, data privacy and security are undoubtedly significant concerns. In this paper, we summarize some issues for the BeeKeeper system, a blockchain‐based IoT system, proposed by Zhou et al., and then aim for presenting an improved solution for decentralized data aggregation (DDA) on IoT. Firstly, we formally state the security requirements of DDA. Secondly, we propose our basic DDA system by using secret sharing to improve its efficiency and smart contracts as the computing processors. Moreover, the proposed full‐fledged system achieves data sharing (e.g., a leader to access data of others’ devices), which is realized by using local differential privacy and cryptographic primitives such as token‐based encryption. Finally, to show the feasibility, we provide some implementations and experiments for the DDA systems.
Anti‐Attack Scheme for Edge Devices Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xia Hui , Liu Chao , Jiang Ruo-bing , Cheng Xiang-guo
Published: April 2021

Internet of Things realizes the leap from traditional industry to intelligent industry. However, it makes edge devices more vulnerable to attackers during processing perceptual data in real time. To solve the above problem, we use the zero‐sum game to build the interactions between attackers and edge devices and propose an antiattack scheme based on deep reinforcement learning. Firstly, we make the k NN‐DTW algorithm to find a sample that is similar to the current sample and use the weighted moving mean method to calculate the mean and the variance of the samples. Secondly, to solve the overestimation problem, we develop an optimal strategy algorithm to find the optimal strategy of the edge devices. Experimental results prove that the new scheme improves the payoff of attacked edge devices and decreases the payoff of attackers, thus forcing the attackers to give up the attack.
Research on Camouflage Recognition in Simulated Operational Environment Based on Hyperspectral Imaging Technology
Authors: Zhao Donge , Liu Shuyan , Yang Xuefeng , Ma Yayun , Zhang Bin , Chu Wenbo
Published: April 2021

Hyperspectral imaging technology can obtain the spatial information and spectral information of the simulated operational background and its camouflage materials at the same time and identify and classify them according to their differences. In this paper, we collected the hyperspectral images (400–1000 nm) of the desert background, jungle background, desert camouflage netting, jungle camouflage netting, and jungle camouflage clothing through the hyperspectral imaging system, and the samples were preprocessed by denoising and black-and-white correction. Then, we analysed the region of interest (ROI) of the training samples by principal component analysis (PCA). After the pixels in the region of interest and their surrounding areas were averaged, 60% of the data was used as the training samples, and the remaining 40% was used as the test samples. According to their similarities and differences between them and referenced spectrum, the models of classification were established by combining the Naive Bayes (NB) algorithm, K-nearest neighbour (KNN) algorithm, random forest (RF) algorithm, and support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. The results show that among the four models, SVM model has the highest accuracy of classification and the recognition rate of jungle camouflage clothing is the highest. This study verifies the scientific and feasibility of hyperspectral imaging technology for camouflage identification and classification in a simulated operational environment, which has some practical significance.
Production of Biosurfactants by Ascomycetes
Authors: Sanches Michele Alves , Luzeiro Isabella Galvão , Alves Cortez Ana Cláudia , Simplício de Souza Érica , Albuquerque Patrícia Melchionna , Chopra Harish Kumar , Braga de Souza João Vicente
Published: April 2021

Surfactants are utilized to reduce surface tension in aqueous and nonaqueous systems. Currently, most synthetic surfactants are derived from petroleum. However, these surfactants are usually highly toxic and are poorly degraded by microorganisms. To overcome these problems associated with synthetic surfactants, the production of microbial surfactants (called biosurfactants) has been studied in recent years. Most studies investigating the production of biosurfactants have been associated mainly with bacteria and yeasts; however, there is emerging evidence that those derived from fungi are promising. The filamentous fungi ascomycetes have been studied for the production of biosurfactants from renewable substrates. However, the yield of biosurfactants by ascomycetes depends on several factors, such as the species, nutritional sources, and environmental conditions. In this review, we explored the production, chemical characterization, and application of biosurfactants by ascomycetes.
Integrated Thermal Insulation Packing and Vehicle Routing for Perishable Products in Community Group Purchase
Authors: Shui Wenbing , Zhao Huimin , Li Mengxia
Published: April 2021

Two transportation modes have been used to solve the “last kilometer” delivery problem of perishable products in China. One mode involves the use of refrigerated vehicles, and the other involves transportation with nonrefrigerated vehicles but with thermal insulation packaging and phase-change refrigerants. In this paper, we studied the distribution of fresh products using nonrefrigerated vehicles under the community group purchase model. A new integrated model that can simultaneously select insulation packaging methods and vehicle paths was developed. We designed a heuristic algorithm based on genetic algorithm to solve larger-scale problems. We found that nonrefrigerated vehicle delivery was better than refrigerated vehicle delivery when neither the cost of the phase-change refrigerant nor the cost of packaging accounts for more than 50% of the total cost. There was an optimal balance between insulation packaging cost and shipping cost. The combination of thin and light packaging materials and high-efficiency cold storage materials could achieve the goals of ensuring the quality of fresh products and reducing transportation costs simultaneously.
An Effective Phytoconstituent Aconitine: A Realistic Approach for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Çankal Dilek , Akkol Esra Küpeli , Kılınç Yeliz , İlhan Mert , Capasso Raffaele
Published: April 2021

Trigeminal neuralgia pain remains a challenge to treat. Natural compounds may be promising options for relieving pain. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of aconitine in a rat model of trigeminal neuralgia pain. Infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury was performed in adult Wistar Albino rats. After the neuropathic pain developed, the rats were assigned to one of the treatment groups: carbamazepine 40 or 80 mg/kg; aconitine 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75 mg/kg; or saline injection (control group). Behavioral testing with von Frey filaments and the rotarod test were carried out before the surgical procedure and on the 24th to 29th postoperative days. Following the completion of tests, ipsilateral and contralateral spinal cords were harvested for Western blot analyses to assess NR-1 protein expression. ANOVA followed by Mann-WhitneyUtest was performed for the statistical analyses.Pvalues of <0.05 were considered significant. Aconitine significantly reduced mechanical sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner. A significant reduction in motor coordination was noted for the higher doses of aconitine which was similar with the 40 and 80 mg/kg doses of carbamazepine. NR-1 expression was reduced in the ipsilateral spinal cord, whereas no significant difference was noted between the groups in the expression of NR-1 in the contralateral spinal cord. Aconitine had a significant pain relieving effect, which was similar to carbamazepine, in a dose-dependent manner. Aconitine may be an alternative pharmacological agent for the control of trigeminal neuralgia pain.
Investigation on Creep Behavior and Permeability Evolution Characteristics of Sandstone under Different Pore Pressures
Authors: Shi Hongcai
Published: April 2021

To investigate the influence of pore pressure (

σ

w

) on the creep behavior and permeability of red sandstone, triaxial creep test with permeability test under different pore pressures was conducted using MTS 815 testing system. The experimental results demonstrate that water has significant weakening effect on the long-term mechanical properties of sandstone, and the long-term strength of sandstone gradually decreases with increase in pore pressures. All permeability-time curves demonstrate a “decreasing-increasing” trend, but two different permeability evolution trends during the steady creep stage are observed, which are related to deviatoric stress. The permeability of both intact (

k

0

) and fractured sandstone (

k

f

) samples increases with the increase in pore pressure, which are in consistent with the failure mode analysis of fractured sandstone samples. However, while the relationship between

k

0

and

σ

w

is positive linear, it is a positive exponential function relationship between

k

f

and

σ

w

.
Effects of Shade and Biochar Application on the Quercetin Content of Longevity Spinach in Inceptisol
Authors: Prasetya Angga , Nuryani Hidayah Utami Sri , Hanudin Eko
Published: April 2021

Traditional medicines have been used in both developed and developing countries for a long time, one of which is longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens). Its plants are one type of plant that is used by the community to treat various diseases with their flavonoid content. This plant produces various flavonoids, such as quercetin, which can be optimized by providing shade and increasing nitrogen nutrients by giving biochar and fertilizing. This study aimed to determine the effects of biochar, shade, and fertilizer on the growth and quercetin content of Gynura procumbens plants. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors. The first factor was the administration of biochar at four doses, consisting of B0 (without biochar), B10 (biochar 10 tons/ha), B15 (biochar 15 tons/ha), and B20 (biochar 20 tons/ha). Meanwhile, the second factor was the intensity of the shade with three levels of treatment, namely, I0 (without shade), I50 (50%), and I70 (70%). The results showed that the addition of 15 ton/ha of biochar with 70% shade increased the quercetin content by 0.51%.
The Effect of Processing of Hempseed on Protein Recovery and Emulsification Properties
Authors: Pihlanto Anne , Nurmi Markus , Pap Nora , Mäkinen Jarkko , Mäkinen Sari
Published: April 2021

The effect of carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzyme blend with or without supercritical CO2 (SFE) defatting on pretreat hempseed meal, hempseeds, peeled hempseeds, hempseed protein powder, and germinated hempseeds was determined. The raw materials and recovered fractions from the treatments were subjected to gel electrophoresis, and their emulsion capacity, activity, and stability as well as colour (CIE

L
∗
a
∗
b
∗

values) were determined. The highest protein contents, 65% (

w
/
w

dm), were detected in soluble fractions prepared from germinated, defatted hempseeds followed by soluble fractions of peeled, defatted hempseed, 55% (

w
/
w

dm). The gel electrophoresis showed quite similar protein profiles for all samples; however, the edestin content was lower in the germinated samples than in the others. Enzyme treatment and SFE did not have a significant effect on the emulsion properties. Germinated samples demonstrated a higher ability to stabilise emulsions (15-20%) than other pretreated samples. On the other hand, hempseed meal samples had lower emulsification activity and stability values compared to the other samples. The colour of the sample solutions varied from light to dark with a brown to yellowish colour, and PHS samples showed overall higher

L
∗

values. In conclusion, germination and peeling in combination with defatting are promising methods to produce functional protein concentrates with efficient emulsion stability and activity as well as a mild colour for food applications.
Computational Resource Allocation Strategy in a Public Blockchain Supported by Edge Computing
Authors: Shao Sujie , Gong Weichao , Guo Shaoyong , Qiu Xuesong
Published: April 2021

Blockchain, as an emerging distributed data management technology, has attracted extensive attention in recent years. In particular, a public blockchain network can ensure data security by addressing computationally intensive cryptographic tasks. Therefore, for node devices, sufficient computing power is required. However, mobile devices with limited computing power do not meet the conditions required by public blockchain network applications (OZEX, CoininAsia, BitRewards, etc.). To copy with the mentioned problems, nodes can offload computing tasks to edge computing services with low latency. This paper mainly focuses on the trade between edge computing providers (ECP) and nodes. We build a computational resource market model based on auction. Meanwhile, we propose two strategies to deal with two methods of offloading to achieve higher system profit. We also prove that the proposed strategy has individual rationality, authenticity under resource constraints. The simulation results have significance for administrators of a public blockchain network to improve the efficiency of computing resource allocation.
CAR T cells Targeting Human Immunoglobulin Light Chains Eradicate Mature B-cell Malignancies While Sparing a Subset of Normal B Cells
Authors: Ranganathan Raghuveer , Shou Peishun , Ahn Sarah , Sun Chuang , West John , Savoldo Barbara , Dotti Gianpietro
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

CD19-redirected chimeric antigen receptor (CAR.CD19) T cells promote clinical responses in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, patients showing sustained clinical responses after CAR.CD19-T treatment show increased infection risk due to compromised B-lymphocyte recovery. Mature B cell–derived malignancies express monoclonal immunoglobulins bearing either κ- or λ-light chains. We initially constructed CAR-T targeting the κ-light-chain (CAR.κ) and established a clinical study with it. After optimizing the CAR molecule, cells developed CAR-T targeting the λ-light chain (CAR.λ) and we explored their antitumor activity.

Experimental Design:

Using Igλ+ lymphoma cell lines and patient-derived Igλ+ CLL cells, we evaluated the in vitro tumor cytotoxicity and cytokine profiles of CAR.λ. We also assessed the in vivo efficacy of CAR.λ in xenograft Igλ+ lymphoma models including a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of mantle cell lymphoma, and the effects of λ- or κ-light chain–specific CAR-T on normal B lymphocytes in a humanized murine model.

Results:

CAR.λ demonstrated antitumor effects against Igλ+ lymphoma cells and patient-derived CLL cells in vitro, and in vivo in xenograft and PDX Igλ+ lymphoma murine models. Antitumor activity of CAR.λ was superimposable to CAR.CD19. Furthermore, we demonstrated in the humanized murine model that λ- or κ-light chain–specific CAR-T cells only depleted the corresponding targeted light chain–expressing normal B cells, while sparing the reciprocal light chain carrying B cells.

Conclusions:

Adoptive transfer of CAR.λ and CAR.κ-T cells represents a useful and alternative modality to CAR.CD19-T cells in treating mature B-cell malignancies with minimal impact on humoral immunity.

See related commentary by Jain and Locke, p. 5736
Predictors of Survival in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A 10-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up Analysis
Authors: Moromizato Takuhiro , Kohagura Kentaro , Tokuyama Kiyoyuki , Shiohira Yoshiki , Toma Shigeki , Uehara Hajime , Arima Hisatomi , Ueda Shinichiro , Iseki Kunitoshi
Published: April 2021

Background: Risk factors of mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients have not yet been sufficiently evaluated. In particular, chronological transits and interactions of the impact of risk factors have rarely been described. Methods: This study is a post hoc analysis of the participants in the Olme­sartan Clinical Trial in Okinawan Patients under OKIDS (OCTOPUS) study conducted between June 2006 and June 2011. We additionally followed up on the prognosis of the participants until July 31, 2018. Standardized univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the influences of the participants’ baseline characteristics on all-cause mortality. We also evaluated chronological changes in the impacts of risk factors, interactions among predictors, and the influence of missing values using sensitivity analyses. Results: Of the 469 original trial participants, 461 participants were evaluated. The median time of follow-up was 10.2 years. A total of 211 (45.8%) participants were deceased. The leading causes of death were infection (n = 72, 34.1%) and cardiovascular disease (n = 66, 31.3%). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the impact of diabetes mellitus, history of coronary intervention, and hypoalbuminemia were significant risk factors for mortality during the whole follow-up period. During the early follow-up period (≤3 years), standardized univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that history of amputation (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.61, p < 0.001), lower dry weight, higher cardiothoracic ratio, and lower potassium levels were statistically significant risks. In those who survived for longer than 3 years, a history of stroke (HR = 1.73, p = 0.006), higher systolic blood pressure, lower serum sodium levels, and higher levels of hemoglobin, and serum phosphate were significant risks. We also observed a stable interaction between the impacts of serum phosphate and albumin on all-cause mortality. Conclusion: In chronic hemodialysis patients, targets to improve the short-term prognosis and long-term prognosis are not equivalent. Hyperphosphatemia was a significant risk factor for the all-cause mortality among patients with normal serum albumin levels but not among patients with compromised albumin levels.
Cabergoline in Treatment of Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients and Its Effect on Serum Level of Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Alipour Mohammadesmaeil , Jafarian Maryam , Rastgoo Reza , Mokri Azarakhsh , Gorji Ali , Zarrindast Mohammad R. , Lorestani Fahimeh , Razaghi Emran M.
Published: April 2021

Background: Methamphetamine use disorder is an important public health problem, especially in the younger generation, and associated with various psychiatric, cognitive, social, economic, and legal issues. Cabergoline, a drug with dopaminergic properties and long half-life, has been considered for the treatment of stimulant dependence. The systemic use of cabergoline has been shown to increase glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression. Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of cabergoline on the serum level of GDNF and its effect on abstaining from methamphetamine in individuals treated for methamphetamine use disorder. Method: Sixty male subjects with methamphetamine use disorder were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving cabergoline and placebo, respectively. During a 12-week follow-up, we compared the serum level of GDNF, urine test results for methamphetamine use, and depression scale between the 2 groups. Results: We found that serum GDNF was lower in subjects who used methamphetamine than healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). However, the serum level of GDNF was not associated with cabergoline use. The rising number of cases testing positive in the placebo group showed a trend resulting in no significant difference between cases testing positive and negative (p = 0.585) at the end of week 12. In the verum group, however, the significantly high number of cases who tested negative – sober – for substances observed in early stages (weeks 7–8) continued to remain significantly higher till the end of the study (p = 0.043), resembling an association between treatment with cabergoline and remaining sober. Although reduced during treatment, recovery from depression was not associated with cabergoline treatment. Conclusion: The findings of this study confirmed the effect of cabergoline in reducing methamphetamine use. However, a serum level of the GDNF increase, as seen in animal studies, was not associated with cabergoline treatment of human subjects. This study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (TRN:IRCT2015050422077N1, October 06, 2015, https://en.irct.ir/trial/19134).
Aldosterone and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Signaling as Determinants of Cardiovascular and Renal Injury: From Hans Selye to the Present
Authors: Epstein Murray
Published: April 2021

Background: A full understanding of the mechanisms of action of aldosterone and its interaction with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) allows a theoretical framework to predict the therapeutic potential of MR antagonists (MRAs) in CKD, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Summary: The initial focus on the mechanisms of action of aldosterone was directed primarily on its role in modulating renal excretory function. In contrast, many recent studies have demonstrated a wider and expanded role for aldosterone in modulating inflammation, collagen formation, fibrosis, and necrosis. Increasing evidence has accrued that implicates the pathophysiological overactivation of the MR as a major determinant of progression of CKD. By promoting inflammation and fibrosis, MR overactivation constitutes a pivotal determinant of CKD progression and its associated morbidity and mortality. In accord with this mechanism of action, blockade of the MR is currently being investigated as a novel treatment regimen to slow the progression of CKD. The recently reported FIDELIO-DKD (FInerenone in reducing kiDnEy faiLure and dIsease prOgression in Diabetic Kidney Disease) study demonstrated that patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes who were treated with finerenone (a novel nonsteroidal MRA) manifested a lower risk of a composite primary outcome event compared with patients in the placebo arm (defined as kidney failure, or a sustained decrease of ≥40% in the estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline, or death from renal causes). In addition, patients in the finerenone group also manifested a lower risk of a key secondary outcome event (defined as death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure). Key Messages: Based on the success of the FIDELIO-DKD study, future studies should be implemented testing the hypothesis that a wide array of nondiabetic CKD is modulated by overactivation of the MR, and consequently may be amenable to treatment with novel nonsteroidal MRAs. Future studies are encouraged to elucidate the clinical implications of the interplay of nonsteroidal MRAs and the components of the renin-angiotensin cascade. The unique and recently reported interrelationship of fibroblast growth factor (FGF23) and aldosterone may also constitute a propitious subject for future investigation.
Artificial Intelligence Methods for Rapid Vascular Access Aneurysm Classification in Remote or In-Person Settings
Authors: Krackov Warren , Sor Murat , Razdan Rishi , Zheng Hanjie , Kotanko Peter
Published: April 2021

Background: Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) have proven to be effective contributors to high-quality health care. We examined the beneficial role AI can play in noninvasively grading vascular access aneurysms to reduce high-morbidity events, such as rupture, in ESRD patients on hemodialysis. Methods: Our AI instrument noninvasively examines and grades aneurysms in both arteriovenous fistulas and arteriovenous grafts. Aneurysm stages were adjudicated by 3 vascular specialists, based on a grading system that focuses on actions that need to be taken. Our automatic classification of aneurysms builds on 2 components: (a) the use of smartphone technology to capture aneurysm appearance and (b) the analysis of these images using a cloud-based convolutional neural network (CNN). Results: There was a high degree of correlation between our noninvasive AI instrument and the results of the adjudication by the vascular experts. Our results indicate that CNN can automatically classify aneurysms. We achieved a >90% classification accuracy in the validation images. Conclusion: This is the first quality improvement project to show that an AI instrument can reliably grade vascular access aneurysms in a noninvasive way, allowing rapid assessments to be made on patients who would otherwise be at risk for highly morbid events. Moreover, these AI-assisted assessments can be made without having to schedule separate appointments and potentially even via telehealth.
Endoparasites of donkeys (Equus asinus) used in commercial skin exploitation in the Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Santos Jamisson Bispo de Sousa , Silva Aline Rocha , Oliveira Jarbiane Gomes de , Carmo Ivana Ferro , Fonseca Lucas Santana da , Nunes Geyanna Dolores Lopes , Oliveira Chiara Albano de Araujo , Escodro Pierre Barnabé
Published: April 2021

The present study identified the main endoparasites present in donkeys (Equus asinus) used in skin exploitation located in Cando municipality, Bahia State, Northeast of Brazil. The samples were collected from September 2019. Feces were collected from the rectal ampulla of 34 animals, macroscopically visualized for parasitic forms, and microscopically evaluated to identify endoparasites forms using the McMaster method. Parasitological results were associated with sex, age, and bodyweight Stata Corp LLC 14. Endoparasites were found in 82.3% of the animals, with the egg count ranging from 50 to 1050 eggs per gram (EPG). The sole presence of superfamily Trichostronglylidae was observed in 67.6% of the donkeys, in 8.8% co-infected by Trichostronglylidae and Eimeria spp., while Trichostronglylidae and Strongyloides westeri was detected in 2.9%, and simultaneous infection by Trichostronglylidae, Strongyloides westeri, and Oxyuris equi was observed in 2.9%. The occurrence of parasitic infections varies according to nutritional status, age, sex, and environmental exposure (p>0.05). A high occurrence of infection was observed in young animals and those with lower body weight.
A Psicologia Política das Políticas Públicas e as Políticas Linguísticas Brasileiras: foco na educação de surdos
Authors: Soares Rubem da Silva
Published: April 2021

Invariavelmente, vemos experiências de formulação, implementação e avaliação de políticas públicas nas quais não há espaço para o homem enquanto sujeito político e sujeito da política. É comum o tecnicismo e o burocratismo desumanizarem esse processo, deixando à margem o ser humano. Um enfoque psicopolítico das políticas públicas pode trazer um novo olhar para o fenômeno, o que não pode ser feito sem que elementos como subjetividade e emoções em política sejam seriamente considerados. Nesse sentido, este artigo discute as políticas linguísticas brasileiras, com foco na educação de surdos, entendendo que a psicologia política das políticas públicas pode contribuir para a efetivação dos direitos linguísticos dessa população marginalizada. Conclui-se que as políticas públicas nessa área somente serão implementadas em sua plenitude na medida em que o Brasil pensar uma política de formação de professores que também contemple o ensino de língua portuguesa como segunda língua, o que seria um caminho para se consolidar uma política linguística que efetive o bilínguismo para os surdos.
Ciudades para la gente: perspectivas situadas e interculturales desde el movimiento social y popular en Bogotá.
Authors: Cortés-Millán Germán Andrés
Published: April 2021

El proyecto de investigación “Construcción social del territorio, desde una perspectiva intercultural crítica”, abre paso a un marco de reflexión - acción denominado “Ciudades para la gente. Por el derecho a la ciudad”, en el que se convocan activamente las voces de habitantes de la ciudad, vinculados con procesos organizativos y de movilización social, que por razones distintas, han puesto al territorio y a la ciudad en sus agendas y en sus procesos de trabajo comunitario y político. Es así que el documento que se presenta, abre toda una discusión sobre el valor y el sentido intercultural, asociado a la concepción de la ciudad como derecho, que posee, para los movimientos y las organizaciones sociales y populares de la ciudad de Bogotá, el territorio en construcción.  El proceso se circunscribe en la investigación acción participativa decolonial en dos fases denominadas “contextualización de la Interculturalidad” y “propuestas para la acción colectiva intercultural”, y se orienta a partir de tres dimensiones categoriales definidas como “lo intercultural y los desafíos al modelo”, “lo intercultural y los procesos organizativos”, y “lo intercultural como proyecto político”.
Mammals of northeastern India: an updated checklist
Authors: Talukdar Nazimur Rahman , Choudhury Parthankar , Barbhuiya Rofik Ahmed , Ahmad Firoz , Daolagupu Deborah , Baishya Jyoti Bikash
Published: April 2021

A systematic review was carried out to prepare a checklist of the mammalian species of northeastern India.  The region is located between two prominent biodiversity hotspots, Himalaya and Indo-Burma. Though it is only 8% of the country, it supports almost half of the country’s total wild flora and fauna.  Ongoing developmental activities such as the construction of roads, electrification, and mining in and around the wildlife habitats have threatened the survival of many species of wildlife.  A lot of literature has been checked to understand the status and distribution of wildlife in the region and the present manuscript is prepared from existing literature.  A total of 267 species representing 11 orders and 38 families from the region have been reported.  A state-wise updated list of species along with their status as per IUCN, WPA (Wildlife Protection Act) of India, 1972 and CITES has been provided which is intended to serve as a baseline data for further research in mammalian fauna of the region.
Carbon Monoxide Suppresses Neointima Formation in Transplant Arteriosclerosis by Inhibiting Vascular Progenitor Cell Differentiation
Authors: Sakihama Hideyasu , Lee Ghee Rye , Chin Beek Y. , Csizmadia Eva , Gallo David , Qi Yilin , Gagliani Nicola , Wang Hongjun , Bach Fritz H. , Otterbein Leo E.
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Evidence indicates that bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPC) are a major contributor to neointima formation in transplant arteriosclerosis. HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1,
Hmox1
) and carbon monoxide (CO), a product of heme degradation by HO-1, ameliorate neointima formation by inhibiting proliferation of smooth muscle cells. We investigated the mechanism whereby HO-1 and CO modulate BMPC and mitigates neointima formation in transplant arteriosclerosis.

Approach and Results:

Using a murine model of aortic transplantation, bone marrow chimeric mice, and in vitro experiments, we report that CO does not inhibit mobilization of BMPC into the circulation or their homing to the vessel adventitia, but instead suppresses differentiation of BMPC into smooth muscle cells after they arrive in the adventitia. Specifically, the effect of CO on differentiation of BMPC into smooth muscle cell is mediated in part, by limiting PDGFR-β (platelet derived growth factor receptor-β) signaling.
Hmox1
−/−
BMPC exhibit a greater propensity to differentiate into smooth muscle cell in vitro, in part by regulating PDGFR-β
+
expression. Furthermore, wild-type mice transplanted with
Hmox1
−/−
bone marrow cells show augmented neointima formation after allografting versus control. CO exposure significantly ameliorated neointima formation, which remains more severe with
Hmox1
−/−
bone marrow cell versus air-treated mice receiving HO-1-expressing bone marrow cell, highlighting the importance of endogenous HO-1 in neointima formation.

Conclusions:

Host BMPC contribute to neointima formation in transplant arteriosclerosis and the protective effect afforded by HO-1/CO against neointima formation is mediated in part through the regulation of PDGFR-β expression. We propose that suppressing differentiation of BMPC is a major mechanism by which HO-1 and CO prevent neointima expansion after transplant.
Synaptotagmin-Like Protein 2a Regulates Angiogenic Lumen Formation via Weibel-Palade Body Apical Secretion of Angiopoietin-2
Authors: Francis Caitlin R. , Claflin Shea , Kushner Erich J.
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Vascular lumen formation requires the redistribution of intracellular proteins to instruct apicobasal polarity, thereby enforcing maturation of both luminal and basal domains. In the absence of proper apical signaling, lumen formation can be distorted leading to lumen collapse and cessation of blood flow. Slp2a (synaptotagmin-like protein-2a) has been implicated in apical membrane signaling; however, the role of Slp2a in vascular lumen formation has never been assessed.

Approach and Results:

Our results demonstrate that Slp2a is required for vascular lumen formation. Using a 3-dimensional sprouting assay, sub-cellular imaging, and zebrafish blood vessel development, we establish that Slp2a resides at the apical membrane acting as a tether for Rab27a that decorates Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs). We show that Slp2a regulates exocytic activity of WPBs, thus regulating release of WPB contents into the luminal space during angiogenesis. Angiopoietin-2 is a Tie-2 receptor ligand that is selectively released from WPB secretory granules. We identify a critical role for angiopoietin-2 in regulating endothelial lumenization and show that in the absence of Slp2a, WPB contents cannot fuse with the apical membrane. This disrupts the release of angiopoietin-2 and blocks Tie-2 signaling necessary for proper lumen formation.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate a novel requirement of Slp2a for vascular lumen formation. Moreover, we show that Slp2a is required for the exocytic release of WPB secretory granule cargo during vascular lumen development, and thus is a core upstream component of the WPB secretory pathway. Furthermore, we provide evidence that WPB-housed angiopoietin-2 is required for vascular lumen formation.
Joint Associations Between Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference With Atrial Fibrillation in Men and Women
Authors: Poorthuis Michiel H. F. , Sherliker Paul , de Borst Gert J. , Carter Jennifer L. , Lam Kin Bong Hubert , Jones Nicholas R. , Halliday Alison , Lewington Sarah , Bulbulia Richard
Published: April 2021

Background

Associations between adiposity and atrial fibrillation (AF) might differ between sexes. We aimed to determine precise estimates of the risk of AF by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in men and women.

Methods and Results

Between 2008 and 2013, over 3.2 million adults attended commercial screening clinics. Participants completed health questionnaires and underwent physical examination along with cardiovascular investigations, including an ECG. We excluded those with cardiovascular and cardiac disease. We used multivariable logistic regression and determined joint associations of BMI and WC and the risk of AF in men and women by comparing likelihood ratio χ
2
statistics. Among 2.1 million included participants 12 067 (0.6%) had AF. A positive association between BMI per 5 kg/m
2
increment and AF was observed, with an odds ratio of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.57–1.73) for men and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.30–1.42) for women among those with a BMI above 20 kg/m
2
. We found a positive association between AF and WC per 10 cm increment, with an odds ratio of 1.47 (95% CI, 1.36–1.60) for men and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.26–1.49) for women. Improvement of likelihood ratio χ
2
was equal after adding BMI and WC to models with all participants. In men, WC showed stronger improvement of likelihood ratio χ
2
than BMI (30% versus 23%). In women, BMI showed stronger improvement of likelihood ratio χ
2
than WC (23% versus 12%).

Conclusions

We found a positive association between BMI (above 20 kg/m2) and AF and between WC and AF in both men and women. BMI seems a more informative measure about risk of AF in women and WC seems more informative in men.
Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Peak Wall Stress and Peak Wall Rupture Index in Ruptured and Asymptomatic Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Singh Tejas P. , Moxon Joseph V. , Gasser T. Christian , Golledge Jonathan
Published: April 2021

Background

Prior studies have suggested aortic peak wall stress (PWS) and peak wall rupture index (PWRI) can estimate the rupture risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but whether these measurements have independent predictive ability over assessing AAA diameter alone is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to compare PWS and PWRI in participants with ruptured and asymptomatic intact AAAs of similar diameter.

Methods and Results

Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify studies assessing PWS and PWRI in ruptured and asymptomatic intact AAAs of similar diameter. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed using inverse variance‐weighted methods. Leave‐one‐out sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of findings. Risk of bias was assessed using a modification of the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale and standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research papers. Seven case‐control studies involving 309 participants were included. Meta‐analyses suggested that PWRI (standardized mean difference, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.14–0.70;
P
=0.004) but not PWS (standardized mean difference, 0.13; 95% CI, −0.18 to 0.44;
P
=0.418) was greater in ruptured than intact AAAs. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the findings were not dependent on the inclusion of any single study. The included studies were assessed to have a medium to high risk of bias.

Conclusions

Based on limited evidence, this study suggested that PWRI, but not PWS, is greater in ruptured than asymptomatic intact AAAs of similar maximum aortic diameter.
How Much Does Public School Facility Funding Depend on Property Wealth?
Authors: Brunner Eric J. , Schwegman David , Vincent Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2021

We examine how funding for public school facilities varies with school district property wealth and household income. Using data on school facility (i.e., capital) funding in California from fiscal years 1986–87 to 2015–16, we find that funding for school construction and modernization varies widely across districts. Disparities in funding are driven primarily by interdistrict differences in property wealth, with the highest property wealth districts raising considerably more funding for school facilities. Assessed value per pupil in California is also negatively correlated with the share of disadvantaged students and students of color. As a result, school facility funding tends to be substantially lower in districts with the highest concentrations of disadvantaged students and students of color.
Teachers’ Preferences for Proximity and the Implications for Staffing Schools: Evidence from Peru
Authors: Bertoni Eleonora , Elacqua Gregory , Hincapié Diana , Méndez Carolina , Paredese Diana
Published: April 2021

This paper uses the 2015 Peruvian national teacher selection process to explore candidates’ rank-ordered preferences for public schools. We show that, in seeking a permanent position, candidates prefer schools that are closer to where they attended their Teacher Education Program and that are located in urban areas. These preferences vary by candidates’ attributes: urban location seems to be particularly important for women and higher-performing candidates. Preferences for proximity to previous workplace are weaker for younger candidates and stronger for high performers. Candidates also prefer larger schools located in low-poverty districts, with one teacher per classroom (versus non-single-teacher/multigrade), Spanish language instruction (versus non-bilingual), and access to basic services. A greater understanding of which school characteristics are most valued by teachers can help to design effective policies for attracting candidates to hard-to-staff schools.