bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parton distributions from LHC, HERA, Tevatron and fixed target data: MSHT20 PDFs
Authors: Bailey S. , Cridge T. , Harland-Lang L. A. , Martin A. D. , Thorne R. S.
Published: April 2021

We present the new MSHT20 set of parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton, determined from global analyses of the available hard scattering data. The PDFs are made available at NNLO, NLO, and LO, and supersede the MMHT14 sets. They are obtained using the same basic framework, but the parameterisation is now adapted and extended, and there are 32 pairs of eigenvector PDFs. We also include a large number of new data sets: from the final HERA combined data on total and heavy flavour structure functions, to final Tevatron data, and in particular a significant number of new LHC 7 and 8 TeV data sets on vector boson production, inclusive jets and top quark distributions. We include up to NNLO QCD corrections for all data sets that play a major role in the fit, and NLO EW corrections where relevant. We find that these updates have an important impact on the PDFs, and for the first time the NNLO fit is strongly favoured over the NLO, reflecting the wider range and in particular increased precision of data included in the fit. There are some changes to central values and a significant reduction in the uncertainties of the PDFs in many, though not all, cases. Nonetheless, the PDFs and the resulting predictions are generally within one standard deviation of the MMHT14 results. The major changes are the$$u-d$$u-dvalence quark difference at smallx, due to the improved parameterisation and new precise data, the$${\bar{d}}, {\bar{u}}$$d¯,u¯difference at smallx, due to a much improved parameterisation, and the strange quark PDF due to the effect of LHCW, Zdata and inclusion of new NNLO corrections for dimuon production in neutrino DIS. We discuss the phenomenological impact of our results, and in general find reduced uncertainties in predictions for processes such as Higgs, top quark pair andW, Zproduction at post LHC Run-II energies.
Accurate modeling of the strong and weak lensing profiles for the galaxy clusters Abell 1689 and 1835
Authors: Nieuwenhuizen Theodorus M. , Limousin Marceau , Morandi Andrea
Published: April 2021

An accurate, spherically symmetric description of the mass distribution is presented for two quite virialized galaxy clusters, Abell 1689 and Abell 1835. A suitable regularization of the small eigenvalues of the covariance matrices is introduced. A stretched exponential profile is assumed for the brightest cluster galaxy. A similar stretched exponential for the dark matter and halo galaxies combined, functions well, as do thermal fermions for the dark matter and a standard profile for the halo galaxies. To discriminate between them, sensitive tests have been identified and applied. A definite verdict can follow from sharp data near the cluster centers and beyond 1 Mpc.
Norm inequalities for positive semi-definite matrices and a question of Bourin II
Authors: Hayajneh Mostafa , Hayajneh Saja , Kittaneh Fuad
Published: April 2021

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be [Formula: see text] positive semi-definite matrices. It is shown that [Formula: see text] for every unitarily invariant norm. This gives an affirmative answer to a question of Bourin in a special case. It is also shown that [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and for every unitarily invariant norm.
NEXUS BETWEEN FINANCIAL INNOVATION AND BANKRUPTCY: EVIDENCE FROM INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SECTOR
Authors: CHIEN FENGSHENG , PANTAMEE ABDURRAHMAN ADAMU , HUSSAIN MUHAMMED SAJJAD , CHUPRADIT SUPAT , NAWAZ MUHAMMAD ATIF , MOHSIN MUHAMMAD
Published: April 2021

This study examines the reliability of Altman’s [Formula: see text]-score model to predict the financial failure of the ICT sector in Pakistan. Data for 11 PSE-listed (Pakistan Stock Exchange) ICT companies were collected through Altman’s [Formula: see text]-score model in the period 2013–2018. The innovative Altman [Formula: see text]-bankruptcy forecast technique has been used for the analysis. Results show that the four companies, Pakistan International Airlines Corp. Ltd., TRG Pakistan Ltd., World call Telecom Ltd. and Media Times Ltd. were in the distress zone; Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd. was in the gray zone; and the remaining six companies (i.e., Hum Network Ltd., Nestle Technologies Ltd., Pakistan Int., Container Terminal Ltd., Pak Datacom Ltd., Pakistan National Shipping Corp. and Tele card Ltd.) were able to meet the safe zone criteria. On the other hand, the [Formula: see text]-score analysis suggests that seven ICT companies would not go bankrupt, while the remaining four companies failed financially and would not maintain businesses in the future. Furthermore, according to the innovative outcome analysis, X3-EBIT/TA has a significant positive relationship with X1-WC/TA and X4-TE/TL and X2-RETA has a significant positive association with X1-WC/TA and a negative association with X4-TE/TL.
Fast estimation on the pressure of detonation products of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine through molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Song Linlin , Huo Xiangyu , Zhang Li , Xie Yujuan , Yang Mingli
Published: April 2021

The equation of states (EOS) that correlates the pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) of detonation products is indispensable in the numerical modeling of blasting performances of energetic materials. Based on extensive molecular dynamics simulations on the mixtures of CO2, H2O, N2, CO and H2, which are the main components of detonation products of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX), the relation of pressure with density, temperature and composition is derived in the range of 1.4–2.2 g/cm3 for density, 3000–4400 K for temperature and 8–40 GPa for pressure. The proposed EOS exhibits good general applicability under the studied conditions and reasonable agreement with the experimentally established Becker–Kistiakowsky–Wilson (BKW) equation. Although several approximations are applied in the computations and some deviations remains, it suggests an effective and feasible approach to establish the EOS for detonation products of energetic materials by means of molecular modeling.
On the r-dynamic coloring of the direct product of a path and a k-subdivision of a star graph
Authors: Falcón Raúl M. , Venkatachalam M. , Gowri S. , Nandini G.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we obtain explicitly the [Formula: see text]-dynamic chromatic number of the direct product of a path [Formula: see text] with a [Formula: see text]-subdivision [Formula: see text] of a star graph, for every positive integers [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Particularly, it is obtained that [Formula: see text].
Study on Epoxy Resin‐Modified Asphalt Binders with Improved Low‐Temperature Performance
Authors: Luo Zhiqi , Liu Tao , Wu Yintan , Yuan Hongwei , Qian Guoping , Meng Xiantao , Cai Jun
Published: April 2021

Epoxy resin‐modified asphalt binder (ERMAB) has been wildly used in the pavement of steel bridges, while the improvement on its low temperature is still a big challenge to researchers. This paper tries to improve the low‐temperature performance of ERMAB by optimizing the modifier, epoxy resin. Firstly, three epoxy resins and three amine curing agents were prepared and used for the modification of asphalt binders. Secondly, the formula and prepared methods of ERMABs were optimized and determined through compatibility, viscosity growth rate, and tensile tests. Thirdly, an overall comparison on the phase structure, thermal stability, low‐temperature performance, temperature and frequency dependence, and fatigue performance of prepared ERMABs and control sample were made. Results show that polyurethane‐modified epoxy resin or dimer acid‐modified epoxy resin, with a suitable curing agent, can significantly improve the low‐temperature performance of ERMAB, and the curing time meets the construction requirements. Compared with the control sample, the two ERMABs have basically the same rheological properties at medium temperature, but slightly worse high‐temperature performance and fatigue resistance. The significance of this paper lies in proposing a feasible way to improve the low‐temperature performance of ERMAB.
Circular RNA ITCH Is a Tumor Suppressor in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis through miR-106b-5p/PDCD4 Axis
Authors: Gao Ping , Huang Yong , Hou Yanmei , Li Qian , Wang Haimei
Published: April 2021

High metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) significantly influenced survival rate of ccRCC patients. Here, we intended to investigate the impacts of circular RNA ITCH (circ-ITCH) on the metastasis of ccRCC. The expression of circ-ITCH in ccRCC tissues and cells was evaluated utilizing qRT-PCR. Transwell assay and wound healing were applied to investigate migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. Target gene prediction and screening and luciferase reporter gene assays were utilized to assess downstream target genes of circ-ITCH. Western blot was utilized to detect metastasis-related protein expression. A xenograft tumor model was established to evaluate the role of circ-ITCH in vivo. Results showed that circ-ITCH was low expressed in ccRCC tissues and cells. Downregulation circ-ITCH promoted cell migration, but overexpressing circ-ITCH inhibited cell migration and invasion in OSRC-2 and SW839 cells. Mechanism investigations claimed that circ-ITCH exerted its metastasis-inhibitory activity via sponging miR-106b-5p and regulating the expression of PDCD4. Conclusively, circ-ITCH suppresses ccRCC metastasis by enforcing PDCD4 expression through binding miR-106b-5p. circ-ITCH may function as a novel diagnostic target to suppress ccRCC metastasis.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with the t(7;7)(p15;p22) Translocation, a Novel Simple Variant of t(7;11)(p15;p15) Translocation: First Description
Authors: Shibusawa Motoharu
Published: April 2021

The t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation is a recurrent genetic abnormality associated with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The translocation results in a fusion between the nucleoporin 98 and homeobox genes. We describe a case of AML with t(7; 7)(p15;p22) translocation, which is a novel simple variant of the t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation. A 66-year-old woman presented with subcutaneous hemorrhage in both forearms. Laboratory test revealed hyperleukocytosis (white blood cell count: 97,800 cells/µL (blasts, 51.0%)), anemia (hemoglobin level: 7.6 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count: 6.5 × 104/μL), and hyperfibrinolysis (elevated d-dimer level: 12.4 µg/mL; fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products: 26.9 µg/mL). The patient was diagnosed with AML; the blast morphology was unclassifiable according to the French-American-British classification. Flow cytometry CD45 gating revealed that the blasts expressed CD34, CD13, CD33, and CD117. G-banding of tumor cells revealed the t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation [20/20]. The patient underwent chemotherapy. At 48 days of admission, the patient died of multiple organ failure. The t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation involved chromosome 7p15, indicating its association with the homeobox genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with AML with the t(7;7)(p15;p22) translocation, which is a simple novel variant of the t(7;11)(p15;p15) translocation.
Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Craft Villages and Industrial Environments of Vietnam
Authors: Phung Thi Vi , Nguyen Thuy Ngoc , Phan Thi Lan-Anh , Pham Hung Viet , Duong Hong Anh
Published: April 2021

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted great concern because of their great recalcitrant nature and harmful environmental health effects. Eight PFASs in wastewater from craft villages and industrial environments of Vietnam were analyzed using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with negative electrospray ionization interface. For analysis of PFASs, percent recoveries ranged from 87 to 112, and MQL varied from 0.19 ng/L to 0.49 ng/L. Treated wastewater samples from eight metal-plating and eight textile-dyeing factories were collected for analysis of PFASs. Concentrations of PFOS in wastewater samples obtained from metal-plating factories with decorative plating stage were found at a range of 0.73–18.91 ng/L. For textile-dyeing factories, PFOA and/or PFHxA, which were present in all effluent wastewater samples, varied from 0.37 to 15.96 ng/L and 1.07 to 43.58 ng/L, respectively. Sixty surface water samples in four locations of the textile dyeing craft villages, a recycling plastic village, a paper recycling village, and 10 river water samples in the control area (a rural area without specific waste sources) were collected and analyzed for PFASs. The total concentrations of eight PFASs in surface water samples of craft villages ranged from 0.83 to 58.2 ng/L, which were significantly higher than those in the control area. PFOA, PFHxA, and PFOS are the three most dominant congeners in wastewater taken from craft villages with the highest concentrations of 27.4, 23.8, and 7.36 ng/L, respectively. The environmental risks posed by PFASs in surface water from craft villages were mainly in a range of extremely low to low level, particularly a few points have high ecological risks of PFDoA.
CT Imaging Characteristics and Influence Factors of Renal Dialysis-Associated Peritoneal Injury
Authors: Tong Jin , Xu Wangda
Published: April 2021

Peritoneal dialysis (PD), as one of the main renal replacement modalities for end-stage renal disease, gets the advantages of better protection of residual renal function and better quality of survival. However, ultrafiltration failure after peritoneal injury is an important reason for patients to withdraw from PD treatment. Peritonitis is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis, which results in an accelerated process of peritoneal injury due to direct damage from acute inflammation and local release of cytokine TGF-β. In this paper, the application of ultrasound to examine the peritoneum revealed a positive correlation between peritoneal thickness and the development of peritonitis. The results of this study also further confirmed the effect of peritonitis on peritoneal thickening. A multifactorial regression analysis also revealed that peritonitis and its severity were independent risk factors for peritoneal thickening and omental structural abnormalities. This paper reported a correlation between mural peritoneal thickness and peritoneal transit function. In this study, patients with high peritoneal transit and high mean transit were found to be more prone to omental structural abnormalities than patients with low mean and low transit and a higher proportion of patients with mural peritoneal thickening, but this did not reach statistical significance, which may be related to the still small number of cases.
Study on In Situ Stress Distribution Law of the Deep Mine: Taking Linyi Mining Area as an Example
Authors: Li Xuelong , Chen Shaojie , Wang Sheng , Zhao Meng , Liu Hui
Published: April 2021

The variation of the in situ stress state is closely related to various factors. In situ stress state is also an important indicator to guide mining production. The study of in situ stress measurement and its distribution characteristics has always been a basic and very important work in mine production. In this study, the deep mines of Linyi Mining Area were considered as the research object. In this regard, the stress distribution law of each mine was studied. We found that the relationship between principal stresses was σH > σv > σh, which belongs to the strike‐slip stress regime. In this stress regime, the lateral Earth pressure coefficient was greater than one, and the magnitude of the three principal stresses all showed an increasing trend with the increase of depth. The maximum horizontal stress direction of the Gucheng Coal Mine, Guotun Coal Mine, and Pengzhuang Coal Mine was NW‐SE under the influence of regional geological structure, while the maximum horizontal stress direction of Wanglou Coal Mine was NE‐SW under the influence of local geological structure. Besides, the relationship between mine in situ stress and mine geological structure, the impact of original rock stress on stope stability, and the effect of original rock stress on floor water inrushing were also investigated. We believe that the research results are beneficial to mine disaster prevention and safety production.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Portopulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Portal Hypertension: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Shao Yueming , Yin Xin , Qin Tingting , Zhang Ruihua , Zhang Yu , Wen Xiaoyu
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims. There are few studies on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) in patients with portal hypertension. In addition, invasive right heart catheterization further limits the clinical diagnosis of POPH patients. Methods. From January 2018 to December 2019, 1004 patients with portal hypertension were treated in the Department of Hepatology, the First Hospital of Jilin University. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 188 patients with portal hypertension were finally included. We collected complete clinical data, laboratory examinations, and imaging examinations. Patients were divided into a POPH group and a non‐POPH group based on echocardiographic results. We calculated the prevalence of POPH in patients with portal hypertension. The differences in clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared. Results. The prevalence of POPH in patients with portal hypertension was 2.8%. Among the 188 patients with portal hypertension with fingertip oxygen saturation < 95% at rest, 28 patients had POPH (12 males and 16 females), with an average age of 63 ± 8, and 160 patients did not have POPH (110 males, 50 women), with an average age of 59 ± 11. The proportion of women in the POPH group (P < 0.01) and patients without liver cancer (P = 0.044) was high. Compared to patients without POPH, patients with POPH had lower hemoglobin (related to the severity of anemia, P < 0.01), higher creatinine (P < 0.05), and lower partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide (P < 0.05). Patients with POPH had a higher incidence of atrial enlargement, ventricular enlargement, mitral valve regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary artery widening, pericardial effusion, and aortic regurgitation than those without POPH. The risk of POPH did not increase with the aggravation of the Child‐Pugh classification. Conclusion. The prevalence of POPH in patients with portal hypertension is 2.8%. The proportion of women and nonliver cancer in POPH patients was higher than that in non‐POPH patients. In addition, the POPH group had higher creatinine and lower hemoglobin, and echocardiography showed that POPH patients had more cardiac structural changes. In patients with portal hypertension, the risk in patients with POPH has nothing to do with the Child‐Pugh classification and MELD score.
Optimization of Multiple Tuned Mass Dampers for Road Bridges Taking into Account Bridge‐Vehicle Interaction, Random Pavement Roughness, and Uncertainties
Authors: Fadel Miguel Letícia Fleck , Piva dos Santos Guilherme
Published: April 2021

Road bridge designs are based on technical standards, which, to date, consider dynamic loading as equivalent static loads. Additionally, the few engineers who perform a dynamic analysis typically do not consider the effects of bridge‐vehicle interaction and also simplify the road’s irregularity profile. Moreover, often, even when a simplified dynamic analysis is carried out and shows that there will be a high dynamic amplification factor (DAF), designers prefer to solve this problem by adopting high safety factors and thereby oversizing the bridge, rather than using energy dissipation devices that would allow reducing the amplitude of vibration. In this context, the present work proposes a complete methodology to minimize the dynamic response of road bridges by optimizing multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD), taking into account the bridge‐vehicle interaction, the random profile of pavement irregularities, and the uncertainties present in the coupled system and in the excitation. For illustrative purposes, the coupled vibration problem of a regular truck traveling on a random road profile over a typical Brazilian bridge is analyzed. Three different scenarios for the MTMD are considered. The proposed optimization problem is solved by employing the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). The results showed the excellent ability of the proposed methodology, reducing the bridge’s DAF to acceptable values for all analyzed cases, considering or not the uncertainties present in the system. Furthermore, the results obtained by the proposed methodology are compared with results obtained using classical tuned mass damper (TMD) design methods, showing the best performance of the proposed optimization method. Thus, the proposed method can be employed to optimize MTMD, improving bridge design.
HPLC Quantification of Thymoquinone Extracted from Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae) Seeds and Antibacterial Activity of Its Extracts against Bacillus Species
Authors: Habib Nida , Choudhry Shahnaz
Published: April 2021

The medicinal importance of Nigella sativa seeds for treating various ailments is portrayed by its traditional uses. Owing to its immense pharmacological importance, the thymoquinone phytoconstituent of N. sativa can prove beneficial for the South Asian countries including Pakistan, where this seed is commonly produced and healthcare facilities are limited. In this study, the antibacterial activity of various extracts of N. sativa seeds, extracted thymoquinone, and oil samples have been investigated against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis using well and disc diffusion assay. The inhibition zones ranged between 7 and 44 mm against both the bacterial strains by well diffusion assay, while disc diffusion assay provided inhibition zones in the range of 7–23 mm. Commercial and local Kalonji oil samples were included in the study. Oil samples dissolved in methanol showed increased inhibition of bacteria. However, the extracted thymoquinone showed highest antibacterial activity. Medicine formulated using thymoquinone will prove to be an herbal alternate against the resistant microbiota associated with bacterial infections. Antibacterial activity against some Bacillus species will help signify the effect on normal gut flora when oral therapy is followed. Trying different extraction protocols can help increase extraction efficiency. Study on extraction of thymoquinone in local produce of black seed can be fruitful for conducting the stability studies and can help to gain maximum benefits from the bioactives. The crude extracts from 10 g of these seeds were subjected to preliminary phytochemical investigation. Results showed that although methanol extract had the presence of maximum phytochemicals, hexane extract was the most potent in terms of antibacterial activity. Thymoquinone, a therapeutically important bioactive in N. sativa seed, was extracted employing both solvents. TLC assay and UV spectroscopy were used for its qualitative assessment, while HPLC-UV quantification showed that 250 mg/mL of methanol extract had 368.3 μg/mL thymoquinone, while its successive extraction yielded 32.94 μg/mL thymoquinone.
Bias in RNA‐seq Library Preparation: Current Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Shi Huajuan , Zhou Ying , Jia Erteng , Pan Min , Bai Yunfei , Ge Qinyu
Published: April 2021

Although RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) has become the most advanced technology for transcriptome analysis, it also confronts various challenges. As we all know, the workflow of RNA‐seq is extremely complicated and it is easy to produce bias. This may damage the quality of RNA‐seq dataset and lead to an incorrect interpretation for sequencing result. Thus, our detailed understanding of the source and nature of these biases is essential for the interpretation of RNA‐seq data, finding methods to improve the quality of RNA‐seq experimental, or development bioinformatics tools to compensate for these biases. Here, we discuss the sources of experimental bias in RNA‐seq. And for each type of bias, we discussed the method for improvement, in order to provide some useful suggestions for researcher in RNA‐seq experimental.
Predictors of Mortality in Critically Ill COVID‐19 Patients Demanding High Oxygen Flow: A Thin Line between Inflammation, Cytokine Storm, and Coagulopathy
Authors: Popadic Viseslav , Klasnja Slobodan , Milic Natasa , Rajovic Nina , Aleksic Aleksandra , Milenkovic Marija , Crnokrak Bogdan , Balint Bela , Todorovic-Balint Milena , Mrda Davor , Zdravkovic Darko , Toskovic Borislav , Brankovic Marija , Markovic Olivera , Bjekic-Macut Jelica , Djuran Predrag , Memon Lidija , Brajkovic Milica , Todorovic Zoran , Hadzi-Djokic Jovan , Jovanovic Igor , Nikolic Dejan , Zdravkovic Marija
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Mortality among critically ill COVID‐19 patients remains relatively high despite different potential therapeutic modalities being introduced recently. The treatment of critically ill patients is a challenging task, without identified credible predictors of mortality. Methods. We performed an analysis of 160 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection admitted to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit between June 23, 2020, and October 2, 2020, in University Hospital Center Bezanijska kosa, Belgrade, Serbia. Patients on invasive, noninvasive ventilation and high flow oxygen therapy with moderate to severe ARDS, according to the Berlin definition of ARDS, were selected for the study. Demographic data, past medical history, laboratory values, and CT severity score were analyzed to identify predictors of mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess potential predictors of mortality in critically ill COVID‐19 patients. Results. The mean patient age was 65.6 years (range, 29–92 years), predominantly men, 68.8%. 107 (66.9%) patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation, 31 (19.3%) on noninvasive, and 22 (13.8%) on high flow oxygen therapy machine. The median total number of ICU days was 10 (25th to 75th percentile: 6–18), while the median total number of hospital stay was 18 (25th to 75th percentile: 12–28). The mortality rate was 60% (96/160). Univariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the significance of age, CRP, and lymphocytes at admission to hospital, serum albumin, D‐dimer, and IL‐6 at admission to ICU, and CT score. Serum albumin, D‐dimer, and IL‐6 at admission to ICU were independently associated with mortality in the final multivariate analysis. Conclusion. In the present study of 160 consecutive critically ill COVID‐19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS, IL‐6, serum albumin, and D‐dimer at admission to ICU, accompanied by chest CT severity score, were marked as independent predictors of mortality.
The Formidable yet Unresolved Interplay between Endometriosis and Obesity
Authors: Pantelis Athanasios , Machairiotis Nikolaos , Lapatsanis Dimitris P.
Published: April 2021

Obesity and endometriosis are two very common entities, yet there is uncertainty on their exact relationship. Observational studies have repeatedly shown an inverse correlation between endometriosis and a low body mass index (BMI). However, obesity does not protect against endometriosis and on the contrary an increased BMI may lead to more severe forms of the disease. Besides, BMI is not accurate in all cases of obesity. Consequently, other anthropometric and phenomic traits have been studied, including body adiposity content, as well as the effect of BMI early in life on the manifestation of endometriosis in adulthood. Some studies have shown that the phenotypic inverse correlation between the two entities has a genetic background; however, others have indicated that certain polymorphisms are linked with endometriosis in females with increased BMI. The advent of metabolic bariatric surgery and pertinent research have led to the emergence of biomolecules that may be pivotal in understanding the pathophysiological interaction of the two entities, especially in the context of angiogenesis and inflammation. Future research should focus on three objectives: detection and interpretation of obesity-related biomarkers in experimental models with endometriosis; integration of endometriosis-related queries into bariatric registries; and multidisciplinary approach and collaboration among specialists.
Automatic Discoid Lateral Meniscus Diagnosis from Radiographs Based on Image Processing Tools and Machine Learning
Authors: Li Xibai , Sun Yan , Jiao Juyang , Wu Haoyu , Yang Chunxi , Yang Xubo
Published: April 2021

The aim of the present study is to build a software implementation of a previous study and to diagnose discoid lateral menisci on knee joint radiograph images. A total of 160 images from normal individuals and patients who were diagnosed with discoid lateral menisci were included. Our software implementation includes two parts: preprocessing and measurement. In the first phase, the whole radiograph image was analyzed to obtain basic information about the patient. Machine learning was used to segment the knee joint from the original radiograph image. Image enhancement and denoising tools were used to strengthen the image and remove noise. In the second phase, edge detection was used to quantify important features in the image. A specific algorithm was designed to build a model of the knee joint and measure the parameters. Of the test images, 99.65% were segmented correctly. Furthermore, 97.5% of the tested images were segmented correctly and their parameters were measured successfully. There was no significant difference between manual and automatic measurements in the discoid (

P
=
0.28

) and control groups (

P
=
0.15

). The mean and standard deviations of the ratio of lateral joint space distance to the height of the lateral tibial spine were compared with the results of manual measurement. The software performed well on raw radiographs, showing a satisfying success rate and robustness. Thus, it is possible to diagnose discoid lateral menisci on radiographs with the help of radiograph-image-analyzing software (BM3D, etc.) and artificial intelligence-related tools (YOLOv3). The results of this study can help build a joint database that contains data from patients and thus can play a role in the diagnosis of discoid lateral menisci and other knee joint diseases in the future.
Mutational Analysis of Myoclonin1 Gene in Pakistani Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Saleem Tayyaba , Mustafa Arooj , Sheikh Nadeem , Mukhtar Maryam , Irfan Mavra , Suqaina Saira Kainat
Published: April 2021

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most prevalent and genetically heterogeneous form of epilepsy and accounts for 10–30% of all the cases worldwide. Ef‐hand domain‐ (c‐terminal‐) containing protein 1 (EFHC1) encodes for a nonion channel protein and mutations in this gene have been extensively reported in different populations to play a causative role in JME. Linkage between JME and 6p11‐12 locus has already been confirmed in Mexican and Dutch families. A case‐control study was conducted on Pakistani JME patients for the first time, aimed at finding out EFHC1 mutations that have been reported in different populations. For this purpose, 66 clinically diagnosed JME patients and 108 control subjects were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from all the participants, and DNA was isolated from the lymphocytes by the modified organic method. Total 3 exons of EFHC1, harboring extensively reported mutations, were selected for genotypic analysis. We identified three heterozygous variants, R159W, V460A, P436P, and one insertion in the current study. V460A, an uncommon variant identified herein, has recently been reported in public databases in an unphenotyped American individual. This missense variant was found in 3 Pakistani JME patients from 2 unrelated families. However, in silico analysis showed that V460A may possibly be a neutral variant. While the absence of a majority of previously reported mutations in our population suggests that most of the mutations of EFHC1 are confined to particular ethnicities and are not evenly distributed across the world. However, to imply the causation, the whole gene and larger number of JME patients should be screened in this understudied population.
[Retracted] Molecular Mechanism of Expression Changes of Immunological Indexes of PD‐1/sPD‐L1 after Radiotherapy in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Qu Yanli , Wang Huan , Liu Hangyu , Sun Xiaohu , Li Ji , Yu Hong
Published: April 2021

It is aimed at investigating the changes of serum soluble programmed death‐ligand 1 (sPD‐L1) expression level in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after radiotherapy, the correlation of PD‐L1, PD‐1, and proteins of Akt (protein kinase B), mTOR, and HIF‐1α, and the molecular mechanism of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway in the development of NSCLS. A total of 126 NSCLC patients receiving radiotherapy in Liaoning Cancer Hospital from September 2018 to September 2019 were selected as the observation group, and another 58 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. NSCLC patients were divided into group A (stage I‐II, stereotactic radiotherapy) and group B (stage III, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy) according to the cancer stage. The efficacy of radiotherapy was evaluated, and sPD‐L1 expression was detected by ELISA. The immunohistochemical staining was adopted to detect protein expressions of Akt, mTOR, and HIF‐1α in NSCLC tissues. The correlation between their expression and expression of PD‐L1 and PD‐1 was analyzed. The results showed that the overall response rate (ORR) of group A was 89.29%, the clinical benefit response (CBR) was 96.43%, the median survival time (MST) was 25 months, and the survival rate within three years was 72.56%. In group B, the ORR was 70.41%, the CBR was 97.96%, the MST was 18 months, and the survival rate within three years was 34.67%. Comparison of overall serum sPD‐L1 expression in the control group, group A, and group B and between groups before radiotherapy was statistically significant (P < 0.01). After radiotherapy, serum sPD‐L1 expression in group A and group B decreased compared with that before radiotherapy (P < 0.01). Among NSCLC patients, the positive expression rate of Akt, mTOR, and HIF‐1α was 71.32%, 41.26%, and 80.65%, respectively. PD‐L1 expression and Akt, mTOR, and HIF‐1α expression showed a significant correlation. PD1 expression and Akt, mTOR, and HIF‐1α expression also showed a significant correlation. It indicated that the expression level of sPD‐L1 in NSCLC patients was higher than that in normal subjects, but the expression level of sPD‐L1 was decreased after radiotherapy. PD‐1/PD‐L1 may play important roles in NSCLC procession through the Akt/mTOR and HIF‐1α pathway.
Context-Aware Services Using MANETs for Long-Distance Vehicular Systems: A Cognitive Agent-Based Model
Authors: Raees Muhammad , Khan Tamim Ahmed , Mustafa Abbasi Khurrum , Ahmed Afzal , Fazilat Samina , Ahmed Inaam
Published: April 2021

Long-distance transportation systems play an important role in economic growth. Yet, these systems are incurred with multifaceted delays and cost problems. The major incites affecting transportation systems are congestion, breakdowns, emergencies, and inclement weather. Scarcity of information about the environment also exacerbates travel problems. It is essential to employ monitoring and guidance that aid in making timely decisions through premediated information. This work aims to provide a flexible model for the long-distance transport system. The model is based on problems faced in long-distance transportation. Moreover, we examine the possible use of emerging Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for better transportation. The system dynamics study the problem at hand through cognitive agent-based modelling (ABM) concepts. The integrated model lays the rules to abate traffic delays. In this model, the distance travelled by vehicles is divided into sections using checkpoints. Every section is composed of different agents such as medical units, police stations, workshops, and petrol pumps. The vehicle shifts connection over the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) when enters or leaves a section. We used NetLogo for simulation of the model. A monitoring and guidance system is tested, and obtained results are analyzed by addressing problems causing delays. The guidance system helps vehicles to take optimal decisions for the time, congestion, and rests. The model can be used to improve decision-making for vehicles through premediated decisions. The proposed model can help to improve the efficiency of the transportation systems by reducing travel time.
Study on Dynamic Evolution of Roof Crack and Support Timing of Secondary Tunneling for Large Section Open‐Off Cut in Deep Mines
Authors: Liu Shuaigang , Bai Jianbiao , Wang Xiangyu , Wu Bowen , Wang Guanghui , Li Yanhui , Xu Jun
Published: April 2021

The stability of large section open‐off cut in deep mines (LODM) is the key factor affecting the normal equipment installation and safe mining in fully mechanized top‐coal caving face. The mechanical model shows that the deflection of the roof of the LODM is proportional to the cubic of span. In this paper, UDEC Trigon model is established, and the parameters of different coal measures strata are modified in detail. The evolution law, failure mode, and damage degree of roof cracks in secondary tunneling are studied, and the roof support effect is analyzed. The numerical simulation results show that the process of roof crack evolution after the primary excavation section and the second excavation section can be divided into three stages according to microseismic activities, and the reasonable supporting time can control the propagation of roof microcracks and reduce the development height of macrocracks. The rock bridge existing in the roof rock stratum after the combined support of long and short anchor cables can effectively limit the formation of macrocracks and their interaction; especially the key support in the interface area can reduce the development height of roof cracks in secondary tunneling and weaken the damage degree of roof rock stratum in the LODM. The field test shows that the moved volume of rib‐to‐rib and roof‐to‐floor of the LODM is stable at about 350 mm and 550 mm, respectively. The numerical simulation in this paper is helpful to understand the failure mode of roof in LODM with large mining height and provides a method for the design of its control technologies.
[Retracted] Consumption Reduction Solution of TV News Broadcast System Based on Wireless Communication Network
Authors: Qiang Haifeng
Published: April 2021

At present, the news broadcast system using mobile network on the market provides the basic functions required by TV stations, but there are still many problems and shortcomings. In view of the main problems existing in the current system and combined with the actual needs of current users, this paper has preliminarily developed a news broadcast system based on 5G Live. The card frame adaptive strategy significantly improves the user experience by using gradual video frame buffering technology. Hardware codec technology significantly reduces the consumption of system resources; H.264 high‐compression algorithm can reduce network bandwidth by 50% compared with MPEG‐2 and MPEG‐4 without a significant change in image quality. At the same time, the use of mobile video acquisition terminals in the system not only solves the problem that satellite broadcast vehicles cannot reach the site due to the lack of roads but also greatly reduces the cost of early deployment and late maintenance of the news broadcast system. This paper studies the card frame adaptive strategy, the system resource consumption reduction solution, and the deployment scheme of the mobile video and audio transmission terminal, which is of great significance to improve the design and research of the news broadcast system under the wireless network application and also has certain reference value for the design of other broadcasting and television solutions.
Research on Urban Traffic Active Control in Cooperative Vehicle Infrastructure
Authors: Zhang Li-li , Wang Li , Zhao Qi , Wang Fang , Zhu Yadongyang , Zhang Ling-yu
Published: April 2021

Urban intersection control mainly undertakes two tasks: traffic safety and traffic efficiency. Traditional intersection control models and methods have been insufficient in improving traffic efficiency, which is composed of the increase in traffic demand and the complexity of demand at present. In this paper, we propose a novel model and method called ATCM, which is based on the advanced technology of cooperative vehicle infrastructure. In this paper, a novel active traffic control model (ATCM) is proposed, which is based on the advanced technology of cooperative vehicle infrastructure. ATCM increases the intersection control model variables from the traditional two dimensions to five dimensions. It reshapes intersection control from the perspective of road designers and managers, so it can achieve more flexible and efficient traffic control. To this end, a multivariable active traffic control model is constructed, which includes road speed, lane control, sequence, phase, and green light time; a D-double layer optimization method is designed for this model. The first part of this optimization method combines speed control and dynamic phase sequence control. The second part is realized by the combination of lane control and dynamic phase sequence control. By conducting comprehensive experiments, the results demonstrate that the proposed approach is more flexible and efficient than traditional methods.
Is There a Place for Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Management of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Rapisarda Alessandro , Ioannoni Eleonora , Izzo Alessandro , D’Ercole Manuela , Montano Nicola
Published: April 2021

Objective. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive technique mainly used to treat neuropathic pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome. However, this therapy has been utilized to treat other chronic painful conditions, such as pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nonetheless, the efficacy of SCS in MS patients has not been fully established. In fact, in most of SCS series, MS patients represent only a subset of a bigger cohort which comprises different causes of pain, motor disorder, and other functional limitations. The aim of our study was to systematically review the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of SCS in MS patients. Methods. A literature search was performed through different databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase) using the following terms: “multiple sclerosis,” “spinal cord stimulation,” and “dorsal column stimulation,” according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. Results. A total of 452 articles were reviewed, and 7 studies were included in the present analysis. 373 MS patients were submitted to a stimulation trial, and 82 MS patients underwent a de novo implantation. 285/373 (76.4%) of cases submitted to the SCS trial were enrolled for permanent stimulation. We found a long-lasting improvement in 193/346 (55.8%) MS patients with motor disorders, in 90/134 (67.13%) MS patients with urinary dysfunction, and in 28/34 (82.35%) MS patients with neuropathic pain. The efficacy of SCS was higher for urinary dysfunction (

p

 = 0.0144) and neuropathic pain (

p

 = 0.0030) compared with motor disorders. Conclusions. Our systematic review evidences that SCS is effective in MS patients. Urinary dysfunction and pain symptoms seem to be most responsive to SCS. Further studies are needed to improve the patient selection and clarify the best timing to perform SCS in these patients.
MiR-506-3p Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Targeting KLF4
Authors: Dong Hang , Jiang Guangyu , Zhang Jiayue , Kang Yuming
Published: April 2021

Background: The dysregulation of proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the major causes of atherosclerosis (AS). Accumulating studies confirm that Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of VSMCs through multiple signaling pathways. However, the mechanism of KLF4 dysregulation remains unknown. Methods: Apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE−/−) mice and human VSMCs were used to establish AS animal model and cell model, respectively. qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expressions of miR-506-3p and KLF4. Cell Counting Kit -8, Transwell, TUNEL assays, and flow cytometry were performed to measure the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of VSMCs. The upstream miRNAs of KLF4 were predicted by microT, miRanda, miRmap, and TargetScan databases. The interaction between KLF4 and miR-506-3p was confirmed using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: KLF4 expression was significantly decreased in the VSMCs of ApoE−/− mice fed with high-fat diet and in human VSMCs treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. The transfection of miR-506-3p mimics or KLF4 shRNA promoted the proliferation and migration of VSMCs but inhibited the apoptosis while miR-506-3p inhibitors and pcDNA3.1-KLF4 exerted opposite effects. Additionally, KLF4 was confirmed as a target gene of miR-506-3p and could be negatively regulated by miR-506-3p. Conclusion: MiR-506-3p can promote the proliferation and migration of VSMCs via targeting KLF4, which can probably contribute to the pathogenesis of AS.
Air Pollution Is Associated with Cognitive Deterioration of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Lin Feng Cheng , Chen Chih Yin , Lin Chung Wei , Wu Ming Tsang , Chen Hsuan Yu , Huang Poyin
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. Alz­heimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, has great impact on the health-care system of developed nations. Several risk factors are suggestive of an increased risk of AD, including APOE-ε4, male, age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and low social engagement. However, data on risk factors of AD progression are limited. Air pollution is revealed to be associated with increasing dementia incidence, but the relationship between air pollution and clinical AD cognitive deterioration is unclear. Methods: We conducted a case-control and city-to-city study to compare the progression of AD patients in different level of air-polluted cities. Clinical data of a total of 704 AD patients were retrospectively collected, 584 residences in Kaohsiung and 120 residences in Pingtung between 2002 and 2018. An annual interview was performed with each patient, and the Clinical Dementia Rating score (0 [normal] to 3 [severe stage]) was used to evaluate their cognitive deterioration. Air pollution data of Kaohsiung and Pingtung city for 2002–2018 were retrieved from Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. Annual Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and concentrations of particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) were obtained. Results: The PSI was higher in Kaohsiung and compared with Pingtung patients, Kaohsiung patients were exposed to higher average annual concentrations of CO, NO2, PM10, and SO2. AD patients living in Kaohsiung suffered from faster cognitive deterioration in comparison with Pingtung patients (log-rank test: p = 0.016). When using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, higher levels of CO, NO2, PM10, and SO2 exposure were associated with increased risk of AD cognitive deterioration. Among all these air pollutants, high SO2 exposure has the greatest impact while O3 has a neutral effect on AD cognitive deterioration. Conclusions: Air pollution is an environment-related risk factor that can be controlled and is associated with cognitive deterioration of AD. This finding could contribute to the implementation of public intervention strategies of AD.