bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partial-Body Cryotherapy Exposure 2 Hours Prior to a Shuttle Run Does Not Enhance Running Performance
Authors: Partridge Emily M. , Cooke Julie , McKune Andrew J. , Pyne David B.
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To determine whether a single acute preexercise bout of partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) enhanced maximal-effort shuttle run performance, salivary enzyme concentration, and self-reported performance readiness. Methods: A total of 18 male rugby league players (age = 20.1 [0.5] y; mass = 91.4 [12.4] kg) were exposed to either PBC for 3 minutes at −136°C (1°C) or a control condition prior to a continuous, high-intensity 6 × 40-m shuttle run test. Passive saliva samples were collected to determine salivary alpha amylase (sAA) concentration. Perceived performance readiness and well-being questionnaires were completed using a 1-to-7 Likert scale. Results: The PBC exposure did not elicit a greater improvement in 6 × 40-m shuttle run performance in comparison with the control condition (standardized difference; +0.4 [5.9%]; P = .881; mean ± 90% confidence limits). The increase in sAA concentration was moderately greater 15 minutes after PBC compared with the control group (+67 [32%], P = .012) and remained moderately higher up to 2 hours post-PBC exposure compared with the control condition (+41 [40%], P = .045). There were greater improvements in self-reported perceptions of muscle soreness (+0.6 [0.4%], P = .043; units ±90% confidence limits) and mood (+0.6 [0.7%], P = .038) after PBC compared with control. Conclusions: It appears that a single 3-minute bout of PBC does not augment maximal effort shuttle run performance in elite rugby league players. Beneficial increases in sAA concentration, coupled with improved perceptions of muscle soreness and mood, should be explored further for alternative training or precompetition practices.
Effect of Object Texture and Weight on Ipsilateral Corticospinal Influences During Bimanual Holding in Humans
Authors: Duval Laura , Zhang Lei , Lauzé Anne-Sophie , Zhu Yu Q. , Barthélemy Dorothy , Dancause Numa , Levin Mindy F. , Feldman Anatol G.
Published: December 2021

We tested the hypothesis that the ipsilateral corticospinal system, like the contralateral corticospinal system, controls the threshold muscle length at which wrist muscles and the stretch reflex begin to act during holding tasks. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over the right primary motor cortex in 21 healthy subjects holding a smooth or coarse block between the hands. Regardless of the lifting force, motor evoked potentials in right wrist flexors were larger for the smooth block. This result was explained based on experimental evidence that motor actions are controlled by shifting spatial stretch reflex thresholds. Thus, the ipsilateral corticospinal system is involved in threshold position control by modulating facilitatory influences of hand skin afferents on motoneurons of wrist muscles during bimanual object manipulation.
Electronically integrated microcatheters based on self-assembling polymer films
Authors: Rivkin Boris , Becker Christian , Singh Balram , Aziz Azaam , Akbar Farzin , Egunov Aleksandr , Karnaushenko Dmitriy D. , Naumann Ronald , Schäfer Rudolf , Medina-Sánchez Mariana , Karnaushenko Daniil , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: December 2021

Self assembled catheters with deep sub-mm diameters deliver liquids, carry out micromanipulation, and sense magnetic fields.
A viral ubiquitination switch attenuates innate immunity and triggers nuclear import of virion DNA and infection
Authors: Bauer Michael , Gomez-Gonzalez Alfonso , Suomalainen Maarit , Schilling Nicolas , Hemmi Silvio , Greber Urs F.
Published: December 2021

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Mib1 and proteasome promote infection by releasing the linchpin protein V from incoming adenovirus.
Supplemental Material: Middle Oxfordian carbon cycle perturbation expressed in the Smackover Formation, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Eldrett James S
Published: December 2021

Data tables and additional text discussion and methodology.
Supplemental Material: Secondary cratering on Earth: The Wyoming impact crater field
Authors: Kenkmann Thomas , al. et
Published: December 2021

Supplemental figures.
Gravitational Lensing and Wormhole Shadows
Authors: Bugaev M. A. , Novikov I. D. , Repin S. V. , Shelkovnikova A. A.
Published: December 2021

The problem of bending and scattering of light rays passing outside the entrance of a wormhole with zero gravitational mass is considered. The process of ray capture by a wormhole, as well as the formation process of a shadow when illuminated by a standard screen, is investigated. These mechanisms are also compared to the case of light ray motion in the vicinity of the Schwarzschild black hole.
Five-year follow-up of new cases after a coeliac disease mass screening
Authors: Sandström Olof , Norström Fredrik , Carlsson Annelie , Högberg Lotta , van der Palz Maria , Stenhammar Lars , Webb Charlotta , Ivarsson Anneli , Myléus Anna
Published: December 2021

Objective

We previously performed a population-based mass screening of coeliac disease in children aged 12 years in two birth cohorts resulting in 296 seropositive children, of whom 242 were diagnosed with coeliac disease after duodenal biopsies. In this follow-up study, we wanted to identify new cases in the screening population that tested negative—either converting from potential coeliac disease (seropositive but normal duodenal mucosa) or converting from seronegative at screening to diagnosed coeliac disease.

Methods

All seropositive children were invited to a follow-up appointment 5 years after the screening with renewed serological testing and recommended endoscopic investigation if seropositive. Seronegative children in the screening study (n=12 353) were linked to the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register to find cases diagnosed in healthcare during the same period.

Results

In total, 230 (77%) came to the follow-up appointment, including 34 of 39 with potential coeliac disease. Of these, 11 (32%) had converted to coeliac disease. One new case was found in the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register who received the diagnosis through routine screening in children with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

There is a high risk of conversion to coeliac disease among those with potential disease. However, a negative screening test was associated with a very low risk for a clinical diagnosis within a follow-up period of 5 years.
Left hemispheric cortical watershed infarcts triggered by carotid sinus self-massage
Authors: Haber Georg , Loffeld Miriam , Braumiller Magret , Lorenzl Stefan
Published: December 2021

A 69-year-old man was presented to our emergency department with acute onset of hemianopsia, aphasia and dizziness. He reported that while he was sitting in front of his computer at home, he had performed a bilateral self-massage of his carotid arteries when suddenly the symptoms occurred. A neurological examination revealed a hemianopsia with a visual field loss on the right side. In addition, a mild aphasic syndrome with agraphia and a word-finding disorder (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): 3 points) was diagnosed. The initial brain CT scan with CT angiography showed neither an intracerebral haemorrhage nor a cerebral infarction. Also, no occlusion or any signs of artery dissection or a flow relevant stenosis of the brain supplying arteries were found. After excluding other contraindications, an intravenous thrombolysis with weight-adapted alteplase was performed. The symptoms of the patient significantly improved in the short-term follow-up. Three days after admission no neurological deficits remained. The MRI of the brain revealed multifocal, small, left hemispherical strokes in the middle cerebral artery territory. In general, watershed infarcts after carotid sinus self-massage follow a rare ischaemic stroke mechanism. This case emphasises the importance of a detailed anamnestic evaluation to determine the aetiological classification of ischaemic stroke as well as educating patients’ (poststroke) behaviour.
Dietary patterns and birth outcomes in the ELSPAC pregnancy cohort
Authors: Mikeš Ondřej , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Knutsen Helle Katrine , Torheim Liv Elin , Bienertová Vašků Julie , Pruša Tomáš , Čupr Pavel , Janák Karel , Dušek Ladislav , Klánová Jana
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns in a Czech pregnancy cohort established in the early postcommunist era and investigate associations between dietary patterns, maternal characteristics and birth outcomes.

Methods

Pregnant women were recruited for the Czech part of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. A self-reported questionnaire answered in late pregnancy was used to assess information about the weekly intake of 43 food items. Information about birth outcomes (birth weight, height, ponderal index, head circumference, cephalisation index, gestational length and Apgar score) was obtained from the National Registry of Newborns. Complete details on diet and birth outcomes were available for 4320 mother–infant pairs.

Results and conclusion

The food items were aggregated into 28 variables and used for extraction of two dietary patterns by principal component factor analysis. The patterns were denoted ‘unhealthy’ and ‘healthy/traditional’ based on the food items with the highest factor loadings on each pattern. The ‘unhealthy’ pattern had high positive loadings on meat, processed food and confectionaries. In contrast, the ‘healthy/traditional’ pattern had high positive loadings on vegetables, dairy, fruits and wholemeal bread. Following adjustment for covariates, we found that high adherence to the unhealthy pattern (expressed as beta for 1 unit increase in pattern score), that is, the higher consumption of less healthy foods, was associated with lower birth weight: −23.8 g (95% CI −44.4 to −3.2) and length: −0.10 cm (95% CI −0.19 to −0.01) and increased cephalisation index: 0.91 μm/g (95% CI 0.23 to 1.60). The ‘healthy/traditional’ pattern was not associated with any birth outcomes. This study supports the recommendation to eat a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy.
Characterisation of TRIM46 autoantibody-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndrome
Authors: Valencia-Sanchez Cristina , Knight Andrew M , Hammami M Bakri , Guo Yong , Mills John R , Kryzer Thomas J , Piquet Amanda L , Amin Anik , Heinzelmann Morgan , Lucchinetti Claudia F , Lennon Vanda A , McKeon Andrew , Pittock Sean J , Dubey Divyanshu
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To report the expanded neurological presentations and oncological associations of tripartite motif-containing protein 46 (TRIM46)-IgG seropositive patients.

Methods

Archived sera/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated by tissue-based immunofluorescence assay to identify patients with identical axon initial segment (AIS)-specific staining pattern. Phage immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP-Seq) was used to identify the putative autoantigen.

Results

IgG in serum (17) and/or CSF (16) from 25 patients yielded unique AIS-specific staining on murine central nervous system (CNS) tissue. An autoantibody specific for TRIM46 was identified by PhIP-Seq, and autoantigen specificity was confirmed by transfected COS7 cell-based assay. Clinical information was available for 22 TRIM46-IgG seropositive patients. Fifteen were female (68%). Median age was 67 years (range 25–87). Fifteen (68%) patients presented with subacute cerebellar syndrome (six isolated; nine with CNS accompaniments: encephalopathy (three), brainstem signs (two), myelopathy (two), parkinsonism (one)). Other phenotypes included limbic encephalitis (three), encephalopathy with/without seizures (two), myelopathy (two). Eighteen (82%) had cancer: neuroendocrine carcinomas (9; pancreatic (3), small-cell lung (4), oesophagus (1), endometrium (1)), adenocarcinomas (6; lung (2), ovarian (2), endometrial (1), breast (1)), sarcoma (2) and gastrointestinal tumour (1). Neurological symptoms in three followed immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) administration.

Conclusions

This study supports TRIM46-IgG being a biomarker of paraneoplastic CNS disorders and expands the neurological phenotypes, oncological and ICI-related adverse event associations.
Composite endpoint for ALS clinical trials based on patient preference: Patient-Ranked Order of Function (PROOF)
Authors: van Eijk Ruben P A , van den Berg L H , Lu Ying
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) show considerable variation in symptoms. Treatments targeting an overall improvement in symptomatology may not address what the majority of patients consider to be most important. Here, we propose a composite endpoint for ALS clinical trials that weighs the improvement in symptoms compared with what the patient population actually wants.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent out to a population-based registry in The Netherlands. Patients with ALS were asked to score functional domains with a validated self-reported questionnaire, and rank the order of importance of each domain. This information was used to estimate variability in patient preferences and to develop the Patient-Ranked Order of Function (PROOF) endpoint.

Results

There was extensive variability in patient preferences among the 433 responders. The majority of the patients (62.1%) preferred to prioritise certain symptoms over others when evaluating treatments. The PROOF endpoint was established by comparing each patient in the treatment arm to each patient in the placebo arm, based on their preferred order of functional domains. PROOF averages all pairwise comparisons, and reflects the probability that a patient receiving treatment has a better outcome on domains that are most important to them, compared with a patient receiving placebo. By means of simulation we illustrate how incorporating patient preference may upgrade or downgrade trial results.

Conclusions

The PROOF endpoint provides a balanced patient-focused analysis of the improvement in function and may help to refine the risk–benefit assessment of new treatments for ALS.
What matters to people with multiple long-term conditions and their carers?
Authors: Spiers Gemma , Boulton Elisabeth , Corner Lynne , Craig Dawn , Parker Stuart , Todd Chris , Hanratty Barbara
Published: December 2021

Background

The number of people living with multiple long-term conditions is increasing worldwide. This presents challenges for health and care systems, which must adapt to meet the needs of this population. This study drew on existing data to understand what matters to people living with multiple long-term conditions and identify priorities for future research.

Methods

Two studies were conducted. (1) A secondary thematic analysis of interview, survey and workshop data collected from the 2017 James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Older People with Multiple Conditions, and patient and public involvement workshops; (2) a review of ongoing research and published research priorities, relating to older people (80+) living with multiple long-term conditions.

Findings

Older people with multiple long-term conditions identified a number of key concerns: access to care, support for both the patient and their carer, physical and mental health and well-being and identifying opportunities for early prevention. The review identified no published research priorities or ongoing research focusing specifically on populations aged over 80 years with multiple long-term conditions.

Conclusion

Older people living with multiple long-term conditions experience care that is inadequate for their needs. A holistic approach to care that extends beyond treating single conditions will ensure wide-ranging needs are met. As multimorbidity rises worldwide, this is a critical message for practitioners across health and care settings. We also recommend key areas that should be given greater focus in future research and policy to inform effective and meaningful forms of support for people living with multiple long-term conditions.
Does robotic-assisted surgery improve outcomes of total hip arthroplasty compared to manual technique? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Patel Sandeep , Baburaj Vishnu , Rajnish Rajesh Kumar , Aggarwal Sameer
Published: December 2021

Background

Robot-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an emerging technology that claims to position implants with very high accuracy. However, there is currently limited data in literature on whether this improved accuracy leads to better long-term clinical outcomes. This systematic review compares the outcomes of THA done with the help of robotic assistance (RA) to those done with conventional manual techniques (MTs).

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched for eligible articles that directly compared robot-assisted THA to manual THA and had data on the radiological or clinical outcomes of both. Data on various outcome parameters were collected. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model with 95% CIs.

Results

A total of 17 articles were found eligible for inclusion, and 3600 cases were analysed. Mean operating time in the RA group was significantly longer than in the MT group. RA resulted in significantly more acetabular cups being placed inside Lewinnek’s and Callanan’s safe zones (p<0.001) and had significantly reduced limb length discrepancy compared with MT. There were no statistically significant differences in the two groups in terms of incidence of perioperative complications, need for revision surgery and long-term functional outcome.

Conclusion

RA leads to highly accurate implant placement and leads to significantly reduced limb length discrepancies. However, the authors do not recommend robot-assisted techniques for routine THAs due to lack of adequate long-term follow-up data, prolonged surgical times and no significant differences in the rate of complications and implant survivorship compared with conventional MTs.
Strategies for giving feedback in the operating room
Authors: Marton Akos , Ashcroft James
Published: December 2021

Feedback is crucial to learning and is a difficult concept to define, occurring as a consequence of learner performance with the ultimate aim of influencing change in the learner. Here, we discuss strategies for giving feedback in the operating room revolving around the following themes: encouraging a sociocultural process, forming an educational alliance, sharing training goals, finding the appropriate time, giving task-specific feedback, approaching unsatisfactory performance and providing follow-up. It is essential that surgeons understand the fundamental feedback theories at play in the operating room described in this article and how they influence surgical training at all stages.
Electro-osmosis-modulated biologically inspired flow of solid–liquid suspension in a channel with complex progressive wave: application of targeted drugging
Authors: Zeeshan A. , Bashir F. , Alzahrani F.
Published: December 2021

Electrokinetic microperistaltic pumps are important biomechanical devices that help target drug delivery to specific body parts. The current study focuses on the mathematical modelling and analysis of some important aspects of such flows in a channel with complex waves. It is considered that solid particles are uniformly distributed in the flow, and that these particles are non-conducting. Parameters such as the particle volume fraction coefficient, electro-osmotic parameter, and Helmholtz–Smoluchowski parameter are specifically focused on in this study. Equally sized spherical particles were uniformly floated in a non-Newtonian Powell–Eyring base fluid. The defined flow problem was modelled and analyzed analytically for the transport of a solid–liquid suspension. It is accepted that the flow is steady, non-turbulent, and propagating waves have a considerably longer wavelength compared to the amplitude. The conditions and assumptions lead to a model of the coupled partial differential equations of order two. The exact results of the homotopy perturbation method expansion method are obtained and shown accordingly. Predictions of the behavior of important parameters are displayed in the figures. The impact of several parameters was analyzed. The current study involved transporting or targeted drug delivery systems using peristaltic micropumps and magnetic fields in the pharmacological engineering of biofluids, such as blood.
A phenomenological approach to anomalous transport in complex or disordered media
Authors: Saglam Ugur , Deger Deniz
Published: December 2021

We aim to derive a phenomenological approach to link the theories of anomalous transport governed by fractional calculus and stochastic theory with the conductivity behavior governed by the semi-empirical conductivity formalism involving Debye, Cole–Cole, Cole–Davidson, and Havriliak–Negami type conductivity equations. We want to determine the anomalous transport processes in the amorphous semiconductors and insulators by developing a theoretical approach over some mathematical instruments and methods. In this paper, we obtain an analytical expression for the average behavior of conductivity in complex or disordered media via the fractional-stochastic differential equation, the Fourier–Laplace transform, some natural boundary initial conditions, and familiar physical relations. We start with the stochastic equation of motion called the Langevin equation, develop its equivalent master equation called the Klein–Kramers or Fokker–Planck equation, and consider the time-fractional generalization of the master equation. Once we derive the fractional master equation, we then determine the expressions for the mean value of the variables or observables through some calculations and conditions. Finally, we use these expressions in the current density relation to obtain the average conductivity behavior.
Static analysis
Authors: Thomson Patrick
Published: December 2021

The fundamental challenge of software engineering is one of complexity.
Monetizing your personal data
Authors: Kirkpatrick Keith
Published: December 2021

What is your private data worth, to you and to the companies willing to pay you for it?
Epic versus Apple and the future of app stores
Authors: Cusumano Michael A.
Published: December 2021

Seeking a more equitable way to govern and distribute the revenues generated by App-store marketplaces.
Kinetics of the Near Infrared Electrochemiluminescence from Metal Nanoclusters on Surface and in Solution
Authors: Ma Hedi , Brown Warren , Chen Shuang , Ake Sarah A , Wang Gangli
Published: December 2021

The electronics structures of some metal nanoclusters enable strong photoluminescence in the near infrared spectrum range. Activation of the luminescence via electrode reactions, rather than light source, i.e., electrochemiluminescence (ECL), has received growing interests due to the various potential benefits, but has been mostly limited to steady-state behaviors such as overall emission intensity and materials optimizations. Here, the ECL kinetics in representative experiments where nanoclusters as luminophores are either immobilized on the surface or free diffusing in solution were investigated based on classic theory. An analytical equation derived under a sequential mass transport limit regime quantitates the experimental ECL kinetics features in a wide range of conditions. Deconvolution of non-faradic charging current from redox current provides the threshold in time ranges for the analysis of ECL kinetics. The ECL kinetics profiles suggest that bimolecular or pseudo first order reactions limit the ECL generation immediately following the establishment of the applied potentials, while later ECL generation is governed by diffusion or mass transport displaying a Cottrell type decay over inverse square root time. Physical meanings of key parameters as defined in classic theorem are discussed in representative experimental systems for appropriate quantitation and evaluation of ECLs properties from different materials systems.
Rearrangement of Oxide Scale on Ni-11Fe-10Cu-6Al Pre-Oxidized at 950 °C during Anodic Polarization in Molten Carbonate
Authors: Cheng Xinhua , Du Kaifa , Wang Dihua
Published: December 2021

The effect of anodic polarization in molten Na2CO3-K2CO3 at 750 °C was investigated on the structure of oxide scale formed by pre-oxidation of Ni-11Fe-10Cu-6Al alloy at 950 °C in air. The pre-formed oxide scale evolves and rearranges under anodic polarization related to melt corrosion and non-uniformly distributed electric field. Both of pre-oxidized and as-rearranged electrodes can serve as inert anodes with oxygen evolution. Anodic polarization exhibits a negative rearrangement-destructivity effect for the pre-formed oxide scale with corrosion protection of the rearranged oxide scale decreasing. The structure rearrangement of pre-formed oxide scale is also discussed during anodic polarization in the melt.
Migration Learning-Based Bridge Structure Damage Detection Algorithm
Authors: Chen Ruling
Published: December 2021

Most of the bridge structures in the world are built of reinforced concrete. With the growth of service life and the increase of urban traffic and other factors, most bridges put into service have more or less damage. Traditional bridge damage detection methods include the manual inspection method and bridge inspection vehicle method, which have many shortcomings. Moreover, the detection of cracks in bridges is critical to the safety of transportation due to the extremely large number of bridges built in the road networks across the world. To this end, this paper uses the most widely used CNN in deep learning to identify and classify crack images and proposes a migration learning technique to solve the problem of the large amount of training data required for training CNN. The data augmentation and sliding window techniques are introduced to divide the collected crack data into training establish and test set. The experiments show that the method in this paper can classify the crack images better, extract and locate the cracks of bridge crack units, and finally extract the crack coordinates of boxing. Compared with the customary image recognition methods, the method used in this paper is easier to operate in practical engineering, and the accuracy of the obtained results is higher.
Research on the Construction of Evaluation Index System for Chongqing International Marathon in the New Era
Authors: Su Yuqin , Huang Dalin , Jin Zhengcheng , Chen Shifan , Chen Ao
Published: December 2021

Chongqing International Marathon event is one of the top marathon events in China. Under the background of the new era, constructing a scientific and reasonable marathon evaluation system plays an important role in the development of this event. In this study, literature method, field investigation method, Delphi method, interview method, analytic hierarchy process, and other methods are used. And it includes 5 primary indicators, 13 secondary indicators, and 58 tertiary indicators. What is more, AHP is used to determine the weight of indicators at each level. This evaluation system can help the race-organizing committee more scientifically understand this event and lay a solid foundation for finally building an excellent brand event.
NR1D1 Deletion Induces Rupture‐Prone Vulnerable Plaques by Regulating Macrophage Pyroptosis via the NF‐κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway
Authors: Wu Zhinan , Liao Fei , Luo Guqing , Qian Yuxuan , He Xinjie , Xu Wenyi , Ding Song , Pu Jun
Published: December 2021

Vulnerable plaque rupture is the main trigger of most acute cardiovascular events. But the underlying mechanisms responsible for the transition from stable to vulnerable plaque remain largely unknown. Nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1 (NR1D1), also known as REV‐ERB α, is a nuclear receptor that has shown the protective role in cardiovascular system. However, the effect of NR1D1 on vulnerable plaque rupture and its underlying mechanisms are still unclear. By generating the rupture‐prone vulnerable plaque model in hypercholesterolemic ApoE−/− mice and NR1D1−/−ApoE−/− mice, we demonstrated that NR1D1 deficiency significantly augmented plaque vulnerability/rupture, with higher incidence of intraplaque hemorrhage (78.26% vs. 47.82%, P = 0.0325) and spontaneous plaque rupture with intraluminal thrombus formation (65.21% vs. 39.13%, P = 0.1392). In vivo experiments indicated that NR1D1 exerted a protective role in the vasculature. Mechanically, NR1D1 deficiency aggravates macrophage infiltration, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Compared with the ApoE−/− mice, NR1D1−/−ApoE−/− mice exhibited a significantly higher expression level of pyroptosis‐related genes in macrophages within the plaque. Further investigation based on mice bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) confirmed that NR1D1 exerted a protective effect by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis in a NLRP3‐inflammasome‐dependent manner. Besides, pharmacological activation of NR1D1 by SR9009, a specific NR1D1 agonist, prevented plaque vulnerability/rupture. In general, our findings provide further evidences that NR1D1 plays a protective role in the vasculature, regulates inflammation and oxidative stress, and stabilizes rupture‐prone vulnerable plaques.
Generalized SEIR Epidemic Model for COVID-19 in a Multipatch Environment
Authors: Meng Lan , Zhu Wei
Published: December 2021

In this paper, an

n

-patch SEIR epidemic model for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presented. It is shown that there is unique disease-free equilibrium for this model. Then, the dynamic behavior is studied by the basic reproduction number. The transmission of COVID-19 is fitted based on actual data. The influence of quarantined rate and population migration rate on the spread of COVID-19 is also discussed by simulation.
A Polar Codes‐Based Distributed UEP Scheme for the Internet of Things
Authors: Cui Chen , Wu Shuang , Wang Zhenyong , Guo Qing , Xiang Wei
Published: December 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT), which is expected to support a massive number of devices, is a promising communication scenario. Usually, the data of different devices has different reliability requirements. Channel codes with the unequal error protection (UEP) property are rather appealing for such applications. Due to the power‐constrained characteristic of the IoT services, most of the data has short packets; therefore, channel codes are of short lengths. Consequently, how to transmit such nonuniform data from multisources efficiently and reliably becomes an issue be solved urgently. To address this issue, in this paper, a distributed coding scheme based on polar codes which can provide UEP property is proposed. The distributed polar codes are realized by the groundbreaking combination method of noisy coded bits. With the proposed coding scheme, the various data from multisources can be recovered with a single common decoder. Various reliability can be achieved; thus, UEP is provided. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed coding scheme is viable.
Regulation of Temperature on Multitrays in an Indirect Solar Dryer (ISD) with Energy Storage and Three Airflow Modes
Authors: Tchaya G. B. , Tchoffo Houdji E. , Tchami J. H , Kapseu C. , Kamta M.
Published: December 2021

This work presents the regulation of temperature in an indirect multitrays solar dryer with oriented flux under the irradiance fluctuation. The temperature regulator using a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) as a sensor and fans is designed, and a similar device is also used to measure humidity through a sensor. Inlet and outlet dryer temperature and temperature on the three trays have been recorded with the regulation system according to different airflow modes. Irradiance and humidity have also been recorded. The model of outlet temperature with energy storage was given by using heat transfer equations. The results have shown that in the linking airflow mode, the average temperature on the three trays is 51.3 ± 1.5a°C, 52.18 ± 1.4a°C, and 51.9 ± 1.2a°C, respectively, with 52°C as setpoint temperature and NTC fixed on tray number 2. With temperature sensor in the same tray and 51°C as setpoint temperature, the average temperatures on the three trays are 51.86 ± 1.54°C, 51.60 ± 1.16°C, and 50.42 ± 1.13°C, respectively, in mixed mode, whereas in crossing airflow mode, the temperature gradient does not allow regulation on all trays. The regulation is possible when the temperature in the dryer chamber exceeds the set point temperature by more than 5%. The proportional type corrector is suitable for the temperature controller in indirect solar dryers. When the energy source is unstable, humidity which is a variable parameter is used to mark the end of drying instead of time.
Green Economic Efficiency Evaluation Based on the GMM Model
Authors: Wang Haohui , Peng Gang
Published: December 2021

This paper uses a panel data sample of 30 resource-based cities (hereinafter referred to as R-B cities) in China from 2009 to 2019, constructs the green economic efficiency level (hereinafter referred to as GEE) using the super-SBM model, incorporates the GEE value into the endogenous economic growth model, combines the difference equation and the level equation, and estimates the relationship between the green efficiency level and economic growth using the systematic GMM method. The study came to the following major conclusions: First, green development in Chinese resource-based cities is moderately high, and green economic efficiency varies by region, with a relatively low level of GEE in the central region and a relatively high level of GEE in the eastern and western regions. Second, on both static and dynamic dimensions, Chinese resource-based cities can be classified into seven types based on their level of green development. Third, the GEE of Chinese resource-based cities has a significant positive relationship with economic growth, with the effect of green economic efficiency on economic growth being stronger in the central and northeastern regions.
Multistage Feature Complimentary Network for Single-Image Deraining
Authors: Wang Kangying , Wang Minghui
Published: December 2021

Rain will cause the occlusion and blur of background and target objects and affect the image visual effect and subsequent image analysis. Aiming at the problem of insufficient rain removal in the current rain removal algorithm, in order to improve the accuracy of computer vision algorithm in the process of rain removal, this paper proposes a multistage framework based on progressive restoration combined with recurrent neural network and feature complementarity technology to remove rain streak from single images. Firstly, the encoder-decoder subnetwork is adapted to learn multiscale information and extract richer rain features. Secondly, the original resolution image restored by decoder is used to preserve refined image details. Finally, we use the effective information of the previous stage to guide the rain removal of the next stage by the recurrent neural network. The final experimental results show that a multistage feature complementarity network performs well on both synthetic rainy data sets and real-world rainy data sets can remove rain more completely, preserve more background details, and achieve better visual effects compared with some popular single-image deraining methods.
Cloud Computing Image Recognition System Assists the Construction of the Internet of Things Model of Administrative Management Event Parameters
Authors: Xie Peikun , Ma Enchen , Xu Zaihua
Published: December 2021

In order to successfully apply the Internet of Things and cloud computing to the administrative management of spatial structures and realize the systematization, digitization, and intelligence of administrative management, this article draws on research experience in related fields and considers the data characteristics and computing tasks of administrative management. The whole cycle of transmission, storage, postprocessing, and visualization is the main line of research, and a cloud computing‐based spatial structure administrative management IoT system is constructed. First, by summarizing the application status of the Internet of Things, the general Internet of Things system is summarized into three levels, and combined with the specific work in the spatial structure administrative management, the overall framework of the spatial structure administrative management of the Internet of Things system is proposed, and the functional sublayers are carried out. Secondly, in response to the above problems, through the traditional image recognition system research and practical application investigation, in order to meet the user’s requirements for the computing efficiency and recognition accuracy of the image recognition system, an image recognition system in the cloud computing environment is proposed. It proposes a fuzzy evaluation algorithm of health grade hierarchy analysis optimized for the index system and scoring system and a calculation method that uses time series to identify regular outliers. The optical image pixel‐level fusion method and the infrared and visible image fusion method based on complementary information are proposed, and the image fusion software is developed. Finally, in order to enable the application layer to use cluster resources to efficiently and intelligently process massive monitoring data containing redundancy, heterogeneity, anomalies, and many other defects, according to the calculation process of each specific task of data preprocessing and postprocessing in the application layer, demonstrations are made one by one. After analysis, it is concluded that vertical storage of data blocks according to different sensor channels is the optimal strategy.
Empirical Analysis of Financial Statement Fraud of Listed Companies Based on Logistic Regression and Random Forest Algorithm
Authors: Liu Xinchun
Published: December 2021

Financial supervision plays an important role in the construction of market economy, but financial data has the characteristics of being nonstationary and nonlinear and low signal-to-noise ratio, so an effective financial detection method is needed. In this paper, two machine learning algorithms, decision tree and random forest, are used to detect the company's financial data. Firstly, based on the financial data of 100 sample listed companies, this paper makes an empirical study on the fraud of financial statements of listed companies by using machine learning technology. Through the empirical analysis of logistic regression, gradient lifting decision tree, and random forest model, the preliminary results are obtained, and then the random forest model is used for secondary judgment. This paper constructs an efficient, accurate, and simple comprehensive application model of machine learning. The empirical results show that the comprehensive application model constructed in this paper has an accuracy of 96.58% in judging the abnormal financial data of listed companies. The paper puts forward an accurate and practical method for capital market participants to identify the fraud of financial statements of listed companies and has certain practical significance for investors and securities research institutions to deal with the fraud of financial statements.
Neuroprotective Effects of Hesperetin in Regulating Microglia Polarization after Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Zhang Jiawen , Jiang Hao , Wu Fang , Chi Xiaofei , Pang Yu , Jin Hongwei , Sun Yuyang , Zhang Shicun
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to explore the influence of hesperidin on the polarization of microglia to clarify the key mechanism of regulating the polarization of M2 microglia. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into middle cerebral artery occlusion model group (MCAO group), MCAO + hesperidin treatment group (MCAO + hesperidin group), and sham group (sham operation group). The mice were assessed with neurological scores for their functional status. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazole chloride (TTC) was used to determine the volume of cerebral infarction. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to detect brain loss. The system with 1% O2, 5% CO2, and 92% N2 was applied to establish BV2 in vitro model induced by MCAO. TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β, and IL-10 levels of cytokines in the supernatant were detected by ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA levels of M1 iNOS, CD11b, CD32, and CD86, and mRNA levels of M2 CD206, Arg-1, and TGF-β. The Iba-1, iNOS, and Arg-1 of microglia and protein levels of TLR4 and p-NF-κB related to the pathway were detected by Western blot. After treatment with hesperidin, BV2 cells induced by MCAO in vitro can reduce the proinflammatory cytokines of TNF-α and IL-1β significantly, further upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines of TGF-β, IL-10 while inhibiting TLR4 and p-NF-κB expression. The MCAO-induced BV2 cells treated by TLR-4 inhibitor TAK-242 and NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 had similar polarization effects to those treated with hesperidin. This study found that hesperetin gavage treatment can improve the neurological deficit and regulate the polarization of microglia in MCAO mice. In vitro experiments further verified that hesperidin plays a neuroprotective role by inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB pathway, thus providing new targets and strategies for neuroprotection and nerve repair after ischemic stroke.
Self-Reported Violence Experienced by Swiss Prehospital Emergency Care Providers
Authors: Savoy Simon , Carron Pierre-Nicolas , Romain-Glassey Nathalie , Beysard Nicolas
Published: December 2021

Background. Workplace violence is a serious and increasing problem in health care. Nevertheless, only few studies were carried out concerning this topic and then mainly in English-speaking countries. The objectives were to describe the acts of violence experienced by prehospital emergency care providers (PECPs) in the western part of Switzerland between January and December 2016 and to assess the consequences for subsequent PECPs behaviors. Methods. An observational cross-sectional study, carried out using an online survey, has been sent to all 416 PECPs in the Canton of Vaud, in the western, French-speaking, part of Switzerland. The survey contained items of demographic data and items to assess the type and consequence of violence sustained. This was classified as five types: verbal assault, intimidation, physical assault, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. Results. 273 (65.6%) PECPs participated in the survey. During 2016, workplace violence was reported by 229 survey participants (83.9%). Most declared to be the victim of such violence between one and three times during the year. In all cases of violence described, the patient and/or a relative initiated aggressive behavior in 96% of cases. Verbal assaults were the most common (99.2% of all acts), followed by intimidation (72.8%), physical assault (69.6%), and sexual harassment (16.3%). Concerning physical assault, PECPs were predominantly victims of spitting and/or jostling (50%). After a violent event, in 50% of cases, the PECPs modified their behavior owing to the experience of workplace violence; 82% now wear protective vests, and 16% carry weapons for self-defense, such as pepper sprays. Seventy-five percent changed their intervention strategies, acting more carefully and using verbal de-escalation techniques or physical restraints for violent patients. Conclusions. Workplace violence is frequent and has significant consequences for PECPs. In order to increase their own security, they increased their protection. These results illustrate their feelings of insecurity, which may have deleterious effects on work satisfaction and motivation. Trial Registration. Our article does not report the results of a health care intervention on human participants.
Concurrent Inhibition of IGF1R and ERK Increases Pancreatic Cancer Sensitivity to Autophagy Inhibitors
Authors: Stalnecker Clint A. , Grover Kajal R. , Edwards A. Cole , Coleman Michael F. , Yang Runying , DeLiberty Jonathan M. , Papke Björn , Goodwin Craig M. , Pierobon Mariaelena , Petricoin Emanuel F. , Gautam Prson , Wennerberg Krister , Cox Adrienne D. , Der Channing J. , Hursting Stephen D. , Bryant Kirsten L.
Published: December 2021

The aggressive nature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) mandates the development of improved therapies. As KRAS mutations are found in 95% of PDAC and are critical for tumor maintenance, one promising strategy involves exploiting KRAS-dependent metabolic perturbations. The macrometabolic process of autophagy is upregulated in KRAS-mutant PDAC, and PDAC growth is reliant on autophagy. However, inhibition of autophagy as monotherapy using the lysosomal inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has shown limited clinical efficacy. To identify strategies that can improve PDAC sensitivity to HCQ, we applied a CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screen and found that a top sensitizer was the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). Additionally, reverse phase protein array pathway activation mapping profiled the signaling pathways altered by chloroquine (CQ) treatment. Activating phosphorylation of RTKs, including IGF1R, was a common compensatory increase in response to CQ. Inhibition of IGF1R increased autophagic flux and sensitivity to CQ-mediated growth suppression both in vitro and in vivo. Cotargeting both IGF1R and pathways that antagonize autophagy, such as ERK–MAPK axis, was strongly synergistic. IGF1R and ERK inhibition converged on suppression of glycolysis, leading to enhanced dependence on autophagy. Accordingly, concurrent inhibition of IGF1R, ERK, and autophagy induced cytotoxicity in PDAC cell lines and decreased viability in human PDAC organoids. In conclusion, targeting IGF1R together with ERK enhances the effectiveness of autophagy inhibitors in PDAC.

Significance:

Compensatory upregulation of IGF1R and ERK–MAPK signaling limits the efficacy of autophagy inhibitors chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, and their concurrent inhibition synergistically increases autophagy dependence and chloroquine sensitivity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Facts and Hopes in Prediction, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Immune-Related Adverse Events
Authors: Smithy James W. , Faleck David M. , Postow Michael A.
Published: December 2021

Over the past decade, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has expanded across a wide spectrum of oncology indications. Immune-related adverse events (irAE) from ICIs represent a significant source of morbidity, and in rare instances, can lead to treatment-related mortality. There are significant opportunities to better identify patients at increased risk for immune-related toxicity, diagnose irAEs more accurately and earlier in their course, and develop more individualized therapeutic strategies once complications arise. Clinical characteristics, germline and somatic genetic features, microbiome composition, and circulating biomarkers have all been associated with higher risk of developing irAEs in retrospective series. Many of these data suggest that both antitumor and anti-host ICI-associated immune reactions may be driven by common features of either the tumor or the patient's preexisting immune milieu. While irAE diagnosis is currently based on clinical history, exclusion of alternative etiologies, and sometimes pathologic confirmation, novel blood-based and radiographic assays are in development to identify these complications more precisely. Anecdotal reports and small case series have highlighted the potential role of targeted immunomodulatory agents to treat irAEs, though further prospective investigation is needed to evaluate more rigorously their use in these settings. In this review, we highlight the current state of knowledge about predicting, diagnosing, and treating irAEs with a translational focus and discuss emerging strategies which aim to improve each of these domains.