bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD8+PD-1+ to CD4+PD-1+ ratio (PERLS) is associated with prognosis of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with PD-(L)1 blockers
Authors: Duchemann Boris , Naigeon Marie , Auclin Edouard , Ferrara Roberto , Cassard Lydie , Jouniaux Jean-Mehdi , Boselli Lisa , Grivel Jonathan , Desnoyer Aude , Danlos François-Xavier , Mezquita Laura , Caramella Caroline , Marabelle Aurelien , Besse Benjamin , Chaput Nathalie
Published: February 2022

Background

Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) expression has been associated with activation and exhaustion of both the CD4 and CD8 populations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). Nevertheless, the impact of the balance between circulating CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ in patients treated with immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) is unknown.

Methods

The CD8+PD-1+ to CD4+PD-1+ ratio (PD-1-Expressing Ratio on Lymphocytes in a Systemic blood sample, or ‘PERLS’) was determined by cytometry in fresh whole blood from patients with aNSCLC before treatment with single-agent ICB targeting PD-1 or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1 (discovery cohort). A PERLS cut-off was identified by log-rank maximization. Patients treated with ICB (validation cohort) or polychemotherapy (control cohort) were classified as PERLS+/− (above/below cut-off). Circulating immune cell phenotype and function were correlated with PERLS. A composite score (good, intermediate and poor) was determined using the combination of PERLS and senescent immune phenotype as previously described in aNSCLC.

Results

In the discovery cohort (N=75), the PERLS cut-off was 1.91, and 11% of patients were PERLS+. PERLS + correlated significantly with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.63 months (95% CI 7.82 to not reached (NR)) versus 2.69 months (95% CI 1.81 to 5.52; p=0.03). In an independent validation cohort (N=36), median PFS was NR (95% CI 7.9 to NR) versus 2.00 months (95% CI 1.3 to 4.5; p=0.04) for PERLS + and PERLS−, respectively; overall survival (OS) followed a similar but non-significant trend. In the pooled cohort (N=111), PERLS + correlated significantly with PFS and OS. PERLS did not correlate with outcome in the polychemotherapy cohort. PERLS did not correlate with clinical characteristics but was significantly associated with baseline circulating naïve CD4+ T cells and the increase of memory T cells post-ICB treatment. Accumulation of memory T cells during treatment was linked to CD4+ T cell polyfunctionality. The composite score was evaluated in the pooled cohort (N=68). The median OS for good, intermediate and poor composite scores was NR (95% CI NR to NR), 8.54 months (95% CI 4.96 to NR) and 2.42 months (95% CI 1.97 to 15.5; p=0.001), respectively. The median PFS was 12.60 months (95% CI 9.63 to NR), 2.58 months (95% CI 1.74 to 7.29) and 1.76 months (95% CI 1.31 to 4.57; p<0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

Elevated PERLS, determined from a blood sample before immunotherapy, was correlated with benefit from PD-(L)1 blockers in aNSCLC.
Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia: towards definition of a threshold
Authors: Baillou Chloé , Jacomet Florence , Dejoie Thomas , Lureau Pierre , Beuvon Clément , Grados Aurélie , Martins Pauline , Roblot Pascal , Puyade Mathieu , Martin Mickael
Published: February 2022

Background

Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia (PH) represents a classic diagnosis problem in internal medicine. However, there is no consensus threshold for PH. The aim of this study was to define a threshold for PH.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective multicentric study using laboratory biological databases between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016 in two university hospitals and one non-university hospital. All patients 18 years old or over and with at least one serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) available in 2016 were included. Exclusion criteria were monoclonal, biclonal, or oligoclonal spikes or, in case of hypogammaglobulinaemia, proven free light chain gammopathy. The main endpoint was to define the threshold values for PH in this population. Another objective was to define the 95th percentile of the distribution.

Results

20 766 SPEs were included in this cohort. The PH threshold on 95th percentile was 18.9 g/L. The threshold varied according to geographical areas.

Conclusions

This is the first study to scientifically define a PH threshold. The main limitation is that our threshold is only biological. The study was not designed to associate this threshold with a clinically active disease. In conclusion, while the 19 g/L cut-off seems the most relevant threshold, but it will need to be validated by prospective studies.
Production of anti-PF4 antibodies in antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients is not affected by COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Lonati Paola Adele , Bodio Caterina , Scavone Mariangela , Martini Giuliana , Pesce Elisa , Bandera Alessandra , Lombardi Andrea , Gerosa Maria , Franceschini Franco , Tincani Angela , Podda Gianmarco , Abrignani Sergio , Grifantini Renata , Cattaneo Marco , Borghi Maria Orietta , Meroni Pier Luigi
Published: February 2022

Background

Antibodies against cationic platelet chemokine, platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4), have been described in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), but also in patients positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) even in the absence of heparin treatment and HIT-related clinical manifestations. Anti-PF4 antibodies have been recently described also in subjects who developed thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in association with adenoviral vector-based, but not with mRNA-based, COVID-19 vaccines.

Objective

To investigate whether COVID-19 vaccination affects the production of anti-PF4 antibodies in aPL-positive patients and in control groups.

Methods

Anti-PF4 immunoglobulins were detected in patients’ and controls’ serum samples by ELISA and their ability to activate normal platelets was assessed by the platelet aggregation test.

Results

Anti-PF4 were found in 9 of 126 aPL-positive patients, 4 of 50 patients with COVID-19, 9 of 49 with other infections, and 1 of 50 aPL-negative patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical manifestations of TTS were not observed in any aPL patient positive for anti-PF4, whose serum failed to cause platelet aggregation. The administration of COVID-19 vaccines did not affect the production of anti-PF4 immunoglobulins or their ability to cause platelet aggregation in 44 aPL-positive patients tested before and after vaccination.

Conclusions

Heparin treatment-independent anti-PF4 antibodies can be found in aPL-positive patients and asymptomatic carriers, but their presence, titre as well as in vitro effect on platelet activation are not affected by COVID-19 vaccination.
E-cigarette brands and social media influencers on Instagram: a social network analysis
Authors: Vassey Julia , Valente Tom , Barker Joshua , Stanton Cassandra , Li Dongmei , Laestadius Linnea , Cruz Tess Boley , Unger Jennifer B
Published: February 2022

Background

Exposure to visual posts featuring e-cigarette products on social media is associated with increased e-cigarette use among US adolescents. Instagram is the largest source of e-cigarette social media marketing, where influencers—for example, bloggers, brand ambassadors—post promotional materials. This study analysed the network of e-cigarette brands and influencers on Instagram, characterising the most central players in e-cigarette social media marketing.

Methods

We tracked influencers with public profiles on Instagram who posted promotional e-cigarette content in 2020, had over 1000 followers and high user engagement rate (ratio of likes and comments to followers) of 1%–25% per post. By conducting a social network analysis, we identified the most central (highly involved in promotional activities) influencers and e-cigarette brands. The number of the influencers’ followers aged 13–17 years old and the age verification practices restricting youth access were also assessed.

Results

There is a highly interconnected network of engaging e-cigarette influencers (n=55) worldwide who collaborated with over 600 e-cigarette brands in 2020. The Asian and US influencers had five to six times more teenage followers compared with the European influencers. 75% of the influencers did not restrict youth access to their promotional content on Instagram. The brands Voopotech, Innokin, Geekvape, Lost Vape, Smok and Vaporesso collaborated with the largest number of influencers (mean n=20).

Conclusions

It is important to understand associations among influencers and e-cigarette use behaviours, especially youth, to inform effective public health communication and potential policies that could regulate social media marketing sponsored by e-cigarette companies.
SOCIAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS AND FIRM INVESTMENT: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM CHINA
Authors: ZHAO JING , WANG JIYUAN
Published: February 2022

This paper studies the impact of firm social insurance contribution on investment by exploiting a contribution collection administration reform in China. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we find that Chinese firms increase social insurance contribution after the reform that the premiums collection duty is transferred from local social insurance administrations to tax bureaus for better enforcement. As a consequence, the enforced increase in contribution decreases firm investment significantly. On average, a one percentage point increase in social insurance contribution decreases firm investment by 1.5 percentage points. The effects are more pronounced among firms with higher manufacturing costs or tighter financial constraints.
New measurement of the K+ → π+μ+μ− decay
Authors: Madigozhin D.
Published: February 2022

The flavor-changing neutral current decay [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) is well suited to explore the Standard Model structure. A new measurement of this decay branching fraction and form factor has been performed by the NA62 experiment at CERN based on data collected in 2017–2018. From the selected sample of 28011 [Formula: see text] event candidates with a negligible background, the decay form factor parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], as well as the branching fraction [Formula: see text] have been measured.
Quasi-exact solution of the anharmonic oscillator in curved space–time with tensor potential of type Ar + B/r3 and spin and pseudo-spin symmetries
Authors: de Oliveira M. D. , Schmidt Alexandre G. M.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we analyzed the anharmonic oscillator with spin and pseudo-spin symmetries in deformed nuclei. For that, we consider the Dirac equation in curved space–time which has a line element given by [Formula: see text] with electromagnetic field [Formula: see text]. We consider two forms of coupling of the spin 1/2 particle with the electromagnetic field and curved space–time: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where the spin and pseudo-spin symmetries were manifested, respectively. We calculate the spinorial wave function and the energy spectrum of the anharmonic oscillator quasi-exactly, and from this result it is obtained that the symmetries are broken due to the coupling of the electromagnetic field with the curvature of space–time. We analyzed the densities of radial probabilities and energy spectra in both symmetries.
Secure Vertical Handoff in Mobile Wireless Network Based on Secure Location Algorithm
Authors: Ji Jingchan
Published: February 2022

With the continuous development of social economy, mobile wireless network as an important network communication mode is more and more widely used, but its security is worth paying attention to. According to different environment possible switch mobile wireless network security problem, the paper introduced secure localization algorithm, through combing the existing security vertical switching process, the corresponding vertical safety switch security index system was constructed, and the simulation experiment, from safety factor to switch from the mobile wireless network security monitoring the status of the transformation, and use the safety parameter to carry on the quantified computation expression. The simulation results prove that the visualization of the 5G network clearly shows the status of WLAN1. The simulation results show that the secure location algorithm is effective and can support secure vertical handoff in mobile wireless network.
Intelligent Building with Multi-Energy System Planning Method Considering Energy Supply Reliability
Authors: Qiao Guanghua
Published: February 2022

Energy consumption is important to consume less power, reducing toxic fumes released by plants, preserving natural resources, and protecting ecosystems against damage. The challenging characteristics in energy supply include lack of renewable energy adoption, and policy and energy management are 0considered essential factors. An artificial intelligent building with a multi-energy planning method (AIBMEM) has been proposed to design multi-energy systems to achieve the best policy and energy management techniques. The intelligent construction problem with multi-energy is framed as a predictive energy model to minimize the overall utilization of energy levels. The normal distribution with the artificial intelligent model is introduced to solve the problem of renewable energy. The experimental results based on reliability, effectiveness, preservation, energy consumption, and control systems show that the suggested model is better than existing models, producing good performance analysis results.
Intelligent Retrieval Method of Power System Service User Satisfaction Based on Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Qi Xiaoxuan , Zhang Yaling , Cao Sheng , Yan Shengping , Su Hongbang
Published: February 2022

The definition of a general assessment of the efficiency of the power grid through an education test system is presented in this article. The paper expands an existing test scheme through the development of the requisite transmission and delivery networks. Major equipment such as generation, switching stations, transmission, and radial delivery networks within a functional framework has a comprehensive test system. Therefore, the trial machine is limited to analyzing reliability models and measurement methods using hand measurements or designing small computer programs. The overall reliability assessment of the power grid is to provide the customer with adequate service. This paper provides a basis for modeling and constructing intelligent and adaptive interfaces for Human-Computer Interaction In Power System Service Using A Genetic Algorithm (HCI-PS-GA). Integration of two-way connectivity and two-way power flow between utilities and customers turns the conventional infrastructure into an intelligent grid renowned for its intelligent grid (IG). IG is committed to ensuring reliability, flexibility, and sustainability. IG offers cyber threat and natural catastrophe surveillance, control, and endurance. It takes into account both storage and generation choices. The interfaces and their interaction styling framework play a vital role in the massive use of technology, search and explore multimodal, cloud system, adaptive, and intelligent interfacing styles of the next generation with good expression and natural characteristics for greater user acceptability, usability, and satisfaction which offers the accuracy rate of 89%.
The Feasibility Evaluation Model of Industrial Robot Entrepreneurship Based on Data Collection
Authors: Zhou Jingjing , Han Jianwei , Fu Cui , Liu Jingjing
Published: February 2022

Artificial intelligence and robots are changing the economic and entrepreneurship environment in the industrial revolution. Artificial intelligence and robotics have become prevalent in modern economic, professional, social, and daily lives. As a function of its ability to update and develop business processes and innovative ideas, services, and products and resolve difficult tasks to achieve new, entrepreneurship has experienced massive development. Significant changes are occurring in entrepreneurship and economic growth due to artificial intelligence. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the effect and components of data entrepreneurship overall with the help of an artificial intelligence-based feasibility evaluation model (AI-FEM). Robot, edge and physical resource layers are described in depth in this document. We first deploy an edge node near the data sources to combine multiple devices’ interfaces and function as a raw data filter. Then it provides opportunity recognition, opportunity development, and opportunity implementation processes are part of the framework’s processes described in this paper. This paper aims to develop a basic framework for evaluating AI’s potential implications for the interaction between entrepreneurship and economic growth. The economic growth of industrial robots reduces basic labor costs. However, it increases hourly compensation, suggesting that the productivity-enhancing advantage of industrial robots equals the wage-increasing influence. The results show that the system is feasible and performs better in real-time and network transmission than in an AI-based industry scenario. The experimental results of AI-FEM show the high-performance ratio of 95.5%, productivity ratio of 96.3%, reliability ratio of 93.4%, the employment rate of 92.6%, an efficiency ratio of 93.6%, industrial management ratio of 90.3%, and cost-effectiveness ratio of 20.3% compared to other methods.
The Local Diagnosability of Folded Hypercubes with Conditional Faulty Edges Under the PMC Model
Authors: Wang Shiying , Fan Changchang , Ma Xiaolei , Ren Yunxia
Published: February 2022

The diagnosability of a multiprocessor system is of great significance in measuring the reliability and faulty tolerance of interconnection networks. In this paper, we firstly study the diagnosability of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional folded hypercube [Formula: see text] under the PMC model. We prove that [Formula: see text] keeps the strong local diagnosability property even if it has the set [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] faulty edges and [Formula: see text] is maximum number of faulty edges. Secondly, we study the diagnosability of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is odd) with conditional faulty edges under the PMC model. We prove that [Formula: see text] keeps strong local diagnosability property even if it has the set [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] faulty edges, provided that each vertex of [Formula: see text] is incident with at least two fault-free edges, where [Formula: see text] is maximum number of faulty edges. Finally, we prove that [Formula: see text] keeps strong local diagnosability property no matter how many edges are faulty, provided that each vertex of [Formula: see text] is incident with at least three fault-free edges.
Some Studies on Measurement of Worn Surface by Digital Image Processing
Authors: Shashikala T. D. , Sunitha B. L. , Basavarajappa S. , Davim J. P.
Published: February 2022

Digital image processing (DIP) becomes a common tool for analyzing engineering problems by fast, frequent and noncontact method of identification and measurement. An attempt has been made in the present investigation to use this method for automatically detecting the worn regions on the material surface and also its measurement. Brass material has been used for experimentation as it is used generally as a bearing material. A pin on disc dry sliding wear testing machine has been used for conducting the experiments by applying loads from 10 N to 50 N and by keeping sliding distance and sliding speed constant. After testing, images are acquired by using 1/2 inch interline transfer CCD image sensor with 795(H)[Formula: see text]896(V) spatial resolution of 8.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m (H)[Formula: see text]8.3[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m (V) unit cell. Denoising has been done to remove any possible noise followed by contrast stretching to enhance image for wear region extraction. Segmentation tool was used to divide the worn and unworn regions by identifying white regions greater than a threshold value with an objective of quantifying the worn surface for tested specimen. Canny edge detection and granulometry techniques have been used to quantify the wear region. The results revel that the specific wear rate increases with increase in applied load, at constant sliding speed and sliding distance. Similarly, the area of worn region as identified by DIP also increased from 42.7% to 69.97%. This is because of formation of deeper groves in the worn material.
Resource Allocation and Task Scheduling in Fog Computing and Internet of Everything Environments: A Taxonomy, Review, and Future Directions
Authors: Jamil Bushra , Ijaz Humaira , Shojafar Mohammad , Munir Kashif , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: February 2022

The Internet of Everything paradigm is being rapidly adopted in developing applications for different domains like smart agriculture, smart city, big data streaming, and so on. These IoE applications are leveraging cloud computing resources for execution. Fog computing, which emerged as an extension of cloud computing, supports mobility, heterogeneity, geographical distribution, context awareness, and services such as storage, processing, networking, and analytics on nearby fog nodes. The resource-limited, heterogeneous, dynamic, and uncertain fog environment makes task scheduling a great challenge that needs to be investigated. The article is motivated by this consideration and presents a systematic, comprehensive, and detailed comparative study by discussing the merits and demerits of different scheduling algorithms, focused optimization metrics, and evaluation tools in the fog computing and IoE environment. The goal of this survey article is fivefold. First, we review the fog computing and IoE paradigms. Second, we delineate the optimization metric engaged with fog computing and IoE environment. Third, we review, classify, and compare existing scheduling algorithms dealing with fog computing and IoE environment paradigms by leveraging some examples. Fourth, we rationalize the scheduling algorithms and point out the lesson learned from the survey. Fifth, we discuss the open issues and future research directions to improve scheduling in fog computing and the IoE environment.
The Tuberculous Granuloma and Preexisting Immunity
Authors: Cohen Sara B. , Gern Benjamin H. , Urdahl Kevin B.
Published: February 2022

Pulmonary granulomas are widely considered the epicenters of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). Recent animal studies have revealed factors that either promote or restrict TB immunity within granulomas. These models, however, typically ignore the impact of preexisting immunity on cellular organization and function, an important consideration because most TB probably occurs through reinfection of previously exposed individuals. Human postmortem research from the pre-antibiotic era showed that infections in Mtb-naïve individuals (primary TB) versus those with prior Mtb exposure (postprimary TB) have distinct pathologic features. We review recent animal findings in TB granuloma biology, which largely reflect primary TB. We also discuss our current understanding of postprimary TB lesions, about which much less is known. Many knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding how preexisting immunity shapes granuloma structure and local immune responses at Mtb infection sites.
Exploring Highly Efficient Dual-Metal-Site Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction by First Principles Screening
Authors: Li Lei , Li Yameng , Zhao Tao , Huang Rao , Cao Xinrui , Fan Tiane , Wen Yuhua
Published: February 2022

Emerging as a new frontier in oxygen reduction electrocatalysis, dual-atom catalysts (DACs) exhibit a promising application prospect in the large-scale commercialization of fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Here, we present a density-functional theory-based computational scheme to identify highly active noble-metal-free DACs for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from a series of graphene-based N-coordinated M1M2 DACs (referred to as M1M2N6) and their complexes with ligand of *OH. According to the evaluation of catalytic activity and stability, NiNiN6, NiCuN6, CuCuN6, and CoNiN6(OH) were found to possess excellent ORR activity comparable to, even superior to Pt catalyst. Especially, NiNiN6 with the lowest overpotential (0.35 V) exhibited the highest electrochemical activity, which should be attributed to the appropriate binding strength between DAC and ORR intermediates. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the O2 adsorption energy, the electronegativity of metal atoms, and the adsorption free energy of *OH (ΔG
*OH) can be used to qualitatively predict the ORR activity. It was inferred from the derived classic volcano plot that the optimal overpotential could be lowered to 0.28 V for ΔG
*OH of 0.95 eV. This work provides a significant guidance for the discovery and design of highly active noble-metal-free ORR DACs.
Nanoelectrode Atomic Force Microscopy Probes Enable the in-Operando Measurement of Surface Electrochemical Potentials during Oxygen Evolution Catalysis
Authors: Nellist Michael R. , Laskowski Forrest A.L. , Qiu Jingjing , Boettcher Shannon W.
Published: February 2022

Heterogeneous electrochemical processes, including (photo)electrochemical water splitting to evolve hydrogen via semiconductors and/or electrocatalysts, are driven by the accumulation of charge carriers and thus the interfacial electrochemical potential gradients that promote charge transfer. Conventional electrochemical techniques measure/control potentials at the conductive substrate, but are unable to isolate processes and electrochemical potentials at the surface during operation.1 In this talk, we will show that a nanoelectrode tip of an atomic force microscope cantilever can effectively sense the surface electrochemical potential of electrocatalysts in operando.2 First, we will discuss fundamental aspects and capabilities of the probes used.3 We then will show how the technique allows for measurement of the surface potential and thickness-dependent electronic properties of cobalt (oxy)hydroxide phosphate (CoPi). We show that when CoPi is deposited on illuminated photoanodes like hematite (a-Fe2O3), it acts as both a hole collector and an oxygen evolution catalyst. We highlight the versatility of the technique by comparing surface potentials of CoPi-decorated planar and mesoporous hematite, as well as bismuth vanadate photoelectrodes.

References:

(1) Nellist, M. R.; Laskowski, F. A. L.; Lin, F.; Mills, T. J.; Boettcher, S. W. Semiconductor-Electrocatalyst Interfaces: Theory, Experiment, and Applications in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. Acc. Chem. Res.
2016, 49, 733–740.

(2) Nellist, M. R.; Laskowski, F. A. L.; Qiu, J.; Hajibabaei, H.; Sivula, K.; Hamann, T. W.; Boettcher, S. W. Potential-Sensing Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy for In-Operando Analysis of Electrocatalysis During (Photo)electrochemical Water Splitting. Accepted, Nature Energy
2017.

(3) Nellist, M. R.; Chen, Y.; Mark, A.; Gödrich, S.; Stelling, C.; Jiang, J.; Poddar, R.; Li, C.; Kumar, R.; Papastavrou, G.; Retsch, M.; Brunschwig, B. S.; Huang, Z.; Xiang, C.; Boettcher, S. W. Atomic Force Microscopy with Nanoelectrode Tips for High Resolution Electrochemical, Nanoadhesion and Nanoelectrical Imaging. Nanotechnology
2017, 28, 95711.
Three-Dimensional Tin Oxide Nanohelix Structures with Thin Iron Oxide Layer for Efficient Visible Light Driven Water Splitting
Authors: Choi Il Yong , Jeon Tae Hwa , Chae Byeong-Gyu , Kim Dong Yeong , Park Chan-Gyung , Choi Wonyong , Kim Jong Kyu
Published: February 2022

Solar-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has been a promising candidate for producing hydrogen in a clean and renewable way. Photoelectrodes are key components in PEC cells for efficient and stable hydrogen generation because they play crucial roles in absorption of photons, the separation and transportation of photo-generated charge carriers, as well as the chemical reactions with water. A variety of metal oxides for efficient photoelectrode have been intensively explored, but it is still challenging to find desirable materials to satisfy lots of requirements for PEC water splitting.

Iron oxide (hematite, Fe2O3) has recently attracted much attention due to its earth abundance, low cost as well as desirable material properties for PEC water oxidation including narrow band gap energy of 2.0~2.2eV for visible light absorption and proper energy band alignment, etc. However, Fe2O3 has very short hole diffusion length and low carrier mobility, which causes considerable recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. A lot of approaches such as nanostructures, heterojunction with other materials, surface modification, etc. have been reported to improve electrical properties of Fe2O3 which unfortunately cause poor light absorption.

In this study, three-dimensional tin oxide (SnO2) nanohelix (NH) structures were fabricated as scaffolds for a thin Fe2O3 layer on fluorine-doped SnO2 glass substrate by oblique angle deposition method using electron beam evaporator. SnO2 NH structures based photoelectrode can simultaneously enhance light absorption and charge separation and transport for efficient PEC water splitting by trapping the incident light through strong light scattering effect as well as by providing pathways for charge separation and transport and large surface area. In addition, SnO2 NH structures are easy to be hybridized with Fe2O3 through only simple solution-based spin-coating method due to its high porosity, aspect ratio and large surface area. Thin Fe2O3 layer was coated along the surface of SnO2 NH structures forming a type-II band hetero-junction and these Fe2O3 coated SnO2 NH are significantly desirable for efficient visible light driven water splitting by simultaneously improving light absorption, charge separation and transport. Highly efficient PEC performance of our hybridized photoelectrode (including more than 5.0mAcm-2 photocurrent density at 1.23VRHE under AM1.5G solar spectrum and 1 sun illumination which is a significantly excellent performance for Fe2O3 based photoelectode) will be investigated and the advantages of three-dimensional SnO2 NH structures as scaffolds for very thin Fe2O3 layer as well as its potential for practical application will be discussed in detail based on electrochemical analysis, FEM simulation, angular-dependent reflectance, PEC analysis at different intensity of incident light, etc.
Virtual Reality (VR) Advertising Communication Design Based on 3D Wireless Active Visual Sensing
Authors: Geng Yunshan
Published: February 2022

With the vigorous development of the advertising industry, advertising in the era of intelligent media fills all aspects of our lives, and more and more intelligent media are applied to the advertising industry. The current three-dimensional advertising and interactive advertising are too fragmented in form, with three-dimensional advertising having a strong sense of three-dimensionality but lacking interactivity and interactive advertising having strong interactivity but lacking visual attraction. How to integrate 3D advertising and interactive advertising in order to make advertising in the future has greater development potential and market, whether in the visual or interactive experience can attract the target consumers becomes very necessary. It is found that VR technology has a wide range of application prospects, and intelligent media advertising mediated by VR technology follows the trend of advertising industry development. This thesis uses VR (virtual reality) technology as a medium to study the integration of 3D advertising and interactive advertising in the smart media era. In the second phase, the development direction of VR as an advertising medium in the era of intelligent media is identified. The research on the integration of 3D animated ads and interactive ads under VR technology is launched, and the research on 3D stereoscopic and interactive design of advertisements in the era of smart media is a reflection and exploration of the future language of advertising design. And through the comparison with traditional advertising, it is concluded that the aesthetic subject of VR advertising is “polycentric,” the aesthetic object. Then, we analyze the theoretical roots of the formation of the aesthetic characteristics of VR advertising from three levels: media technology, communication theory, and audience psychology. Finally, we return to the general environment of visual culture and explore the deconstruction of visual culture by the aesthetic characteristics of VR advertising in three levels: “symbol collapse,” “audience reshaping,” and “immersive communication.”
Research Questions and Priorities for Pediatric Tuberculosis: A Survey of Published Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Vukugah Thomas Achombwom , Ntoh Vera Nyibi , Akoku Derick Akompab , Leonie Simo , Jacob Amed
Published: February 2022

Background. Advancing a research agenda designed to meet the specific needs of children is critical to ending pediatric TB epidemic. Systematic reviews are increasingly informing policies in pediatric tuberculosis (TB) care and control. However, there is a paucity of information on pediatric TB research priorities. Methodology. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on any aspect related to pediatric TB published between 2015 and 2021. We used the UK Health Research Classification System (HRCS) to help us classify the research questions and priorities. Findings. In total, 29 systematic reviews, with 84 research questions, were included in this review. The four most common research topics in the area of detection were 43.33% screening and diagnosis of TB, 23.33% evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions, 13.34% TB etiology and risk factors, and 13.34% prevention of disease and conditions and promotion of well-being. The research priorities focused mainly on evaluating TB diagnosis by improving yield through enhanced in specimen collection or preparation and evaluating of bacteriological TB diagnostic tests. Other topics of future research were developing a treatment for TB in children, assessing the use of IPT in reducing TB-associated morbidity, evaluating the prioritization of an IPT-friendly healthcare environment, and providing additional guidance for the use of isoniazid in the prevention of TB in HIV-infected children. Conclusion. There is a need for more systematic reviews on pediatric TB. The review identified several key priorities for future pediatric TB research mainly in the domain of (1) “Detection, screening and diagnosis,” “Development of Treatments and Therapeutic Interventions,” and “Prevention of Disease and Conditions, and Promotion of Well-Being.” These domains are very relevant in the research component of the roadmap towards ending TB in children. It also will serve as an additional action in the WHO End TB strategy.
Meta-Analysis of Tai Chi Chuan in Treating Lumbar Spondylosis and Back Pain
Authors: Zhang Fushun , Zhao Junfang , Jiang Nan , Zhai Qiao , Hu Juanjuan , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2022

Background. The effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan in treating various ailments has been well reported; however, its effect on back pain and lumbar spondylosis remains unclear. Methods. We performed this meta-analysis under the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and the research-associated search was performed over the provided databases: Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL in the period of 2008 to 2016, to recognize the related studies. We used the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale to measure the standard of the involved randomized control trials (RCTs). The accumulated outcomes with parameters of weighted mean difference (WMD) and confidence level (CI) of 95% were evaluated to discover the influence of Tai Chi over pain as well as dysfunction among the patients suffering from pain depending on the outcome model. Results. Seven eligible studies with a total of 296 participants were identified that met inclusion criteria for the systematic review; in the forest plot analysis, it was noted that for 95% CI, the standardized mean difference found to be -1.58 (-1.79, -1.38) with the heterogeneity of 87%, thereby favoring Tai Chi over the control group; a comparison was drawn for Tai Chi with routine therapy against the routine therapy alone, where 95% CI for -1.22 [-1.47, -0.97] is observed for

I

2

=
0
%

for the overall effect

Z
=
9.42

(

P
<
0.00001

); pain intensity of Tai Chi was compared with the control group, where 95% CI for -1.62 [-2.09, -1.14] was observed for

Z
=
6.69

(

P
<
0.00001

). The forest plot subgroup analysis of Tai Chi was compared with the control group for an unchanged lifestyle, where 95% CI for -2.26 [-2.61, -1.91] was observed for

Z
=
12.76

(

P
<
0.00001

). Conclusion. Our results indicate that Tai Chi individually or with additional treatment along with routine physical exercises might reduce the pain and functional disorders for the patients suffering from back pain.
Analytical Approximant to a Quadratically Damped Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Salas S Alvaro H.
Published: February 2022

The Duffing oscillator of a system with strong quadratic damping is considered. We give an elementary approximate analytical solution to this oscillator in terms of exponential and trigonometric functions. We compare the analytical approximant with the Runge–Kutta numerical solution. We also solve the oscillator by menas of He’s homotopy method and the famous Krylov–Bogoliubov–Mitropolsky method. The approximant allows estimating the points at which the solution crosses the horizontal axis.
Study of Nonlocal Boundary Value Problem for the Fredholm–Volterra Integro-Differential Equation
Authors: Raslan K. R. , Ali Khalid K. , Ahmed Reda Gamal , Al-Jeaid Hind K. , Abd-Elall Ibrahim Amira
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the existence and uniqueness of the Fredholm–Volterra integro-differential equation with the nonlocal condition will be studied. Also, we study the continuous dependence of the initial data. The numerical solution of the problem will be studied using the central difference approximations and trapezoidal rule to transform the Volterra–Fredholm integro-differential equation into a system of algebraic equations which can be solved together to get the solution. Finally, we solve some examples numerically to show the accuracy of the proposed method.
The Impact of Online Learning System on Students Affected with Stroke Disease
Authors: Wassan Sobia , Xi Chen , Shen Tian , Gulati Kamal , Ibraheem Kinza , Amir Latif Rajpoot Rana M.
Published: February 2022

Stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is a medical emergency that causes temporary or permanent behavioral dysfunction in people. Sleep deprivation affects our brains in a variety of ways. The advantages of sleep much justify the risks of not having enough sleep. Sleep deprivation (SD) includes a variety of factors, including prolonged awake. Neuroimaging investigates SD’s impact on attention, working memory, mood, and hippocampal learning. We analyzed how this data enriches our mechanistic understanding of these alterations and the clinical illnesses linked with sleep disruption. We have used Cronbach’s alpha to test the reliability of a scale, so we then have 19 individual attributes responding to 174 participants via survey. The evaluated result shows the reliability statistics; the value for Cronbach’s alpha is .962, which is very excellent as it reaches 1. So, there is very strong reliability. If the value falls under .6, we look back to the mean and standard deviation table and remove the attribute with low values for mean or standard deviation and try the remaining attributes. Cronbach’s alpha tells us which attribute or item to delete to increase the reliability, and we also have analyzed the correlation among the class students while watching the same video lecture. We have collected data for at least ten students watching the same video using a webcam. Once the data is collected, we then have applied some correlation techniques to determine the class students’ behavior towards the same video lecture. This way, we can see the overall behavior of the class upon a specific video lecture. The study further reveals that subjective happiness is influenced by its efficiency, entertainment value, and effectiveness. Does the research offer an original emphasis on analyzing how does lack of sleep affect our brains? Sleep loss frameworks are minimal compared to the benefits of sleep.
Explanation of the Compensation Law and the Isokinetic Point in the Electrical Conduction of Crosslinked Polyethylene
Authors: Walker Roger , Furman Eugene , Woodward William H. Hunter , Lanagan Michael
Published: February 2022

Thermally activated direct current (DC) electrical conductivity in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is known to be subject to the compensation law. Accordingly, the preexponential factor follows a specific relation with activation energy, reducing overall changes in conductivity. This relationship is governed by the Meyer-Neldel temperature. However, there is no published evidence for a corresponding isokinetic point, a temperature where the conductivity of all LDPE samples is the same. Here, it is determined that the compensation law applies to both DC and alternating current (AC) conduction for LDPE and for crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) without an observed isokinetic point. The potential origins of compensation in polyethylene are discussed as well as reasons for similarity between LDPE and XLPE. It is observed that prolonged water exposure removed the compensation behavior. Meanwhile, preheating samples in the oven prior to measurements modifies the compensation behavior and reduced the spread around the isokinetic point. It is thus deduced that an isokinetic point can be observed in polyethylene but is obscured by contributions from water and other impurities.
Optimum Design of Fully Composite, Unstiffened, Built-Up, Hybrid Steel Girder Using GRG, NLR, and ANN Techniques
Authors: El-Aghoury Mohamed A. , Ebid Ahmed M. , Onyelowe Kennedy C.
Published: February 2022

Composite steel beams are commonly used element in multistorey steel buildings to enhance floor economy and serviceability and provide more clear height. Due to the low level of stress in the webs of such beams, hybrid sections are used where the flanges have higher strength than the webs. A lot of earlier research was carried out to optimize the design of the hybrid and nonhybrid composite steel beams under both static loading and dynamic behavior. However, there is still a need to develop a more practical optimization method. The aim of this research is to develop simple and practical equations to determine the optimum cross section dimensions for both shored and unshored, simply supported, hybrid and nonhybrid, composite steel beam under static loads. To achieve that goal, a research program of two phases was carried out. The first phase was generating a database of 504 composite beams with different steel grades for flanges and webs, subjected to different values of bending moment. The cross section of each beam in the database was optimized using GRG technique to minimize the cost considering the unit price of each steel grade. In the second phase, the generated database was divided into training and validation subsets and used to develop two predictive models using Nonlinear Regression (NLR) technique and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique to predict the optimum cross section dimensions and hence the optimum weight and cost. The accuracies of the developed models were measured in terms of average error percent. NLR and ANN models showed average error percent of 16% and 11%, respectively.
Pre-Existing Microbiome Signature in a SARS-CoV-2 Discordant Family
Authors: Hazan Sabine
Published: February 2022

Our index patient is a 19-year-old man with Crohn’s disease. After developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, he, his 62-year-old father, and 14-year-old sister tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in May 2020. Despite a shared household, his 50-year-old mother with a history of asthma and his healthy brother and sister-in-law (a married couple) remained negative. The index patient and his mother had undergone microbiome analysis in May 2019, following his brother and his sister-in-law in November 2020. We observed significant differences between the fecal microbiota of the SARS-CoV-2-positive son and those of his healthy family. There were differences in the bacterial phylum, class, order, family, and genus level with the increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and reductions or deletions in bacterial diversity, particularly of the Bifidobacterium family. This unique study may signal a new exploratory avenue for the prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
A Case Report of Post-Radiotherapy c-MYC-Positive Angiosarcoma of the Breast
Authors: Retter Edna , Benn Carol-Ann , Maske Christopher , Rapoport Bernardo Leon
Published: February 2022

Angiosarcoma of the breast is an unusual malignancy and carries a poor prognosis, with a 5-year overall survival rate ranging from 27 to 48%. Radiotherapy-induced angiosarcoma (RIAS) of the breast is very uncommon, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 1,000 cases of breasts treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer. The increase in radiotherapy usage may lead to an increased incidence of RIAS. A case presentation of a 67-year-old patient with tubular adenocarcinoma of the left breast who developed c-MYC-positive RIAS of the breast is presented. The patient was successfully treated with surgery. We presented a classic case of c-MYC RIAS. c-MYC was reported to be positive in RIAS and other types of angiosarcomas. Clinical examination and early detection of RIAS breast angiosarcoma is vital to improving outcomes in these patients.
Meta-Analysis of the Genetic Association between PTPN22 and CTLA-4 Variants and Risk of Uveitis
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhou Peng , Hu Shuqiong , Qi Jian
Published: February 2022

Background: Though the risk of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) genetic variants with uveitis have been developed, the combined results still remain uncertain and controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to estimate the precise association of PTPN22 (rs2488457 and rs2476601) and CTLA-4 (rs231775, rs5742909, rs4553808, and rs3087243) polymorphisms with uveitis susceptibility. Method: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biomedical Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were systematically searched for relevant literature up to July 20, 2021. All statistical analyses were evaluated by Stata 12.0 software and R programming language. Results: Our meta-results indicated that PTPN22 rs2488457 conferred positive susceptibility to uveitis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.38, p = 0.029). In stratified analysis by ethnicity, the rs2488457 C allele had a growing tendency toward uveitis in the Asian region (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.00–1.45, p = 0.046). For CTLA-4 rs231775, subgroup analysis based on ethnicity manifested a negative association among uveitis individuals in the Africa region (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.19–0.33, p < 0.001). For CTLA-4 rs4553808, subgroup analysis by the disease type revealed that the GG genotype was associated with an elevated risk of Behcet’s disease (BD) (OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.05–9.90, p = 0.042). Conclusions: Our research revealed that PTPN22 rs2488457 conferred strong susceptibility to uveitis in general, especially in the Asian region. CTLA-4 rs231775 conveyed protection against uveitis in African populations, and CTLA-4 rs4553808 displayed an increased risk of BD.