bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Flavonoids of Crocus sativus Petals Release tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress in BRL‐3A Cells
Authors: Ye Hong , Luo Juan , Hu Dongmei , Yang Shuting , Zhang Aolai , Qiu Yanxia , Ma Xiaona , Wang Jing , Hou Jing , Bai Jie
Published: June 2021

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities in vitro of saffron petals were examined in this study for better utilizing saffron (Crocus sativus L.) biowaste. Using the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging method, we compared the antioxidant activity and the content of total flavonoid extracts from petals (TFESP), stamens (TFESS), and both saffron petals and stamens (TFEMS). The results showed that the antioxidant capacity and the flavonoid content of TFESP were higher than those of TFESS and TFEMS. Then, the hepatoprotective activity of TFESP was determined, and the silymarin was used as a positive control. The main components of TFESP were analysed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) photodiode array (PDA)/mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The result showed that (1) TFESP could release oxidative liver injury induced by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BHP). (2) TFESP could reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); enhance the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH); and then improve the total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) in BRL‐3A cells. (3) TFESP could enhance the expression of B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (BCL-2) and decrease the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9; increase the expression of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein‐1 (Keap-1), nuclear factor, erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase, and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); and downregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), interleukin‐6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor kappa B‐9 (NF-κB-9). (4) The main hepatoprotective component of TFESP was identified as kaempferol‐3‐o‐sophoroside. The mechanism may be that kaempferol‐3‐o‐sophoroside can protect t‐BHP‐induced cell injury by regulating the expression of antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory genes. Thus, saffron petals are a potential hepatoprotective resource worthy of development.
Fault-Tolerant Time-Varying Formation Tracking Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarm Systems with Switching Topologies
Authors: Zhen Ran , Jin Yating , Wu Xiaojing , Wu Xueli , Lv Xuan
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates fault-tolerant time-varying formation tracking control problems for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm systems with switching topologies. Actuator faults such as loss of effectiveness and bias fault are mainly considered. Firstly, based on graph theory, an adaptive fault-tolerant time-varying formation tracking control protocol is constructed with adaptive updating parameters and the relative information of the neighboring UAVs, and the feasibility condition for formation tracking is given. The control protocol does not depend on the information of the actuator fault boundary by using adaptive technology. Then, by constructing a reasonable Lyapunov function and solving the algebraic Riccati equation, the stability of the designed controller is proved. For UAV swarm systems with switching topologies and actuator faults, the formation tracking control protocol designed is adopted to enable the followers form the desired time-varying formation and track the leader’s status at the same time. Finally, the simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Novel Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Biosilver Nanoparticles as a Colorimetric Probe for Highly Selective Detection of Fe (III) Ions in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Trang Nguyen Le Nhat , Hoang Van-Tuan , Dinh Ngo Xuan , Tam Le Thi , Le Van Phan , Linh Dong Thi , Cuong Doan Manh , Khi Nguyen Tien , Anh Nguyen Ha , Nhung Pham Tuyet , Le Anh-Tuan
Published: June 2021

In this work, an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) using botanical extracts in combination with an electrochemical process was carried out. We employed three types of plant extracts, including green tea leaf (GTE), grapefruit peel (GP), and mangosteen peel (MP) extracts to successfully synthesize the bio-AgNPs and optimized the experimental conditions aiming to get the highest synthetic yield. The formation of bio-AgNPs was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy via a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at about 420–430 nm. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed their spherical shape with the size range within 23–55 nm. While X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis described in detail the crystalline structure of the bio-AgNPs with a face-centered cubic crystal lattice of metallic silver. The chemical bonding and elemental compositions of the bio-AgNPs were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in which organic compounds in the natural extracts not only acted as effective reductants but also capping agents for the fabricated bio-AgNPs. The prepared bio-AgNPs exhibited high stability and excellent dispersion for about four months. Based on the linear relationship between obtained SPR band intensity of bio-AgNP GTE in the presence of Fe (III) and concentration of Fe (III) ions, our bio-AgNP GTE can be used to develop a highly selective colorimetric sensor for the determination of Fe (III) ions within a linear range from 1 to 25 μM. According to that, the limit of detection (LOD) was recorded at approximately 0.532 μM, and the quantitative limit (LOQ) was calculated to be 1.77 μM. A detection mechanism was proposed through redox reactions between bio-AgNP GTE and Fe (III) ions. More interestingly, this method was successfully applied for the determination of Fe (III) ions in a lake water sample with percentage recovery of 107-150% and high reproducibility (

RSD
=
1.49
%

).
Solvability for a Fully Elastic Beam Equation with Left-End Fixed and Right-End Simply Supported
Authors: Wei Mei , Li Yongxiang
Published: June 2021

The aim of the present paper is to consider a fully elastic beam equation with left-end fixed and right-end simply supported, i.e.,u4t=ft,ut,u′t,u″t,u‴t, t∈0,1u0=u′0=u1=u″1=0, wheref:0,1×ℝ4⟶ℝis a continuous function. By applying Leray–Schauder fixed point theorem of the completely continuous operator, the existence and uniqueness of solutions are obtained under the conditions that the nonlinear function satisfies the linear growth and superlinear growth. For the case of superlinear growth, a Nagumo-type condition is introduced to limit thatft,x0,x1,x2,x3is quadratical growth onx3at most.
Tic Detection in Tourette Syndrome Patients Based on Unsupervised Visual Feature Learning
Authors: Wu Junya , Zhou Tianshu , Guo Yufan , Tian Yu , Lou Yuting , Ru Hua , Feng Jianhua , Li Jingsong
Published: June 2021

A clinical diagnosis of tic disorder involves several complex processes, among which observation and evaluation of patient behavior usually require considerable time and effective cooperation between the doctor and the patient. The existing assessment scale has been simplified into qualitative and quantitative assessments of movements and sound twitches over a certain period, but it must still be completed manually. Therefore, we attempt to find an automatic method for detecting tic movement to assist in diagnosis and evaluation. Based on real clinical data, we propose a deep learning architecture that combines both unsupervised and supervised learning methods and learns features from videos for tic motion detection. The model is trained using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation for both binary and multiclass classification tasks. For these tasks, the model reaches average recognition precisions of 86.33% and 86.26% and recalls of 77.07% and 78.78%, respectively. The visualization of features learned from the unsupervised stage indicates the distinguishability of the two types of tics and the nontic. Further evaluation results suggest its potential clinical application for auxiliary diagnoses and evaluations of treatment effects.
Shen Shuai II Recipe Attenuates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis by Improving Hypoxia via the IL-1β/c-Myc Pathway
Authors: Yang Liuyi , Wang Meng , Zhou Yuan , Yang Jing , Ye Chaoyang , Wang Chen
Published: June 2021

Background. Renal interstitial fibrosis is a pathological manifestation of progression of chronic kidney disease induced by various factors. Shen Shuai II Recipe (SSR) has been used in clinical practice for more than 20 years, and clinical studies have confirmed that SSR significantly improves the renal function of patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its efficacy require further research. This study aims to explore the influencing factors of renal interstitial fibrosis in the context of hypoxia via the IL-1β/c-Myc pathway and the potential molecular mechanisms of SSR intervention in vivo and in vitro. Methods. A rat model of chronic renal failure was developed by performing 5/6 (ablation/infarction, A/I) surgery on randomly selected, male Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty-six successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups: 5/6 (A/I), 5/6 (A/I) + SSR, and 5/6 (A/I) + losartan. Another 12 rats were used as the sham group. After 8 weeks of the corresponding intervention, renal function, liver function, and protein expression of renal-fibrosis-related factors, HIF-1α, IL-1β, and c-Myc, were detected. In vitro analysis was performed using hypoxia-induced rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) and IL-1β-stimulated rat renal interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F). IL-1β concentration in the culture medium and IL-1β protein expression in hypoxic NRK-52E treated with different concentrations of SSR were investigated. Furthermore, we also studied the changes in protein expression of c-Myc and fibrosis-related factors after c-Myc gene silencing in IL-1β-stimulated NRK-49F treated with SSR. Results. Shen Shuai II Recipe significantly reduced RIF and downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, c-Myc, and IL-1β proteins in 5/6 (A/I) rats with chronic renal failure. It also inhibited IL-1β secretion from NRK-52E induced by hypoxia, which in turn inhibited fibroblast activation mediated by the IL-1β/c-Myc pathway, and finally reduced the overproduction of the extracellular matrix. Conclusion. The renoprotective effects of SSR in rats with chronic renal failure may be related to its inhibition of hypoxia via the IL-1β/c-Myc pathway. Thus, SSR is a potentially effective drug for delaying the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis.
PackeX: Low‐Power High‐Performance Packet Classifier Using Memory on FPGAs
Authors: Rehman Khalid , Ullah Zahid
Published: June 2021

Networks are continuously growing, and the demand for fast communication is rapidly increasing. With the increase in network bandwidth requirement, efficient packet‐classification techniques are required. To achieve the requirements of these future networks at component level, every module such as routers, switches, and gateways needs to be upgraded. Packet classification is one of the main characteristics of a stable network which differentiates the incoming flow into defined streams. Existing packet classifiers have lower throughput to cope with the higher demand of the network. In this work, we propose a novel high‐speed packet classifier named as PackeX that enables the network to receive and forward the data packets in a simplest structure. A size of 128‐rule 32‐bit is successfully implemented on Xilinx Virtex‐7 FPGA. Experimental findings show that our proposed packet classifier is versatile and dynamic compared to the current FPGA‐based packet classifiers achieving a speed of 119 million packets per second (Mpps), while consuming 53% less power compared with the state‐of‐the‐art architectures.
A Novel Extrapolation-Based Grey Prediction Model for Forecasting China’s Total Electricity Consumption
Authors: Yang Xin-bo
Published: June 2021

Accurately forecasting China’s total electricity consumption is of great significance for the government in formulating sustainable economic development policies, especially, China as the largest total electricity consumption country in the world. The calculation method of the background value of the GM(1, 1) model is an important factor of unstable model performance. In this paper, an extrapolation method with variable weights was used for calculating the background value to eliminate the influence of the extreme values on the performance of the GM(1, 1) model, and the novel extrapolation-based grey prediction model called NEGM(1, 1) was proposed and optimized. The NEGM(1, 1) model was then used to simulate the total electricity consumption in China and found to outperform other grey models. Finally, the total electricity consumption of China from 2018 to 2025 was forecasted. The results show that China’s total electricity consumption will be expected to increase slightly, but the total is still very large. For this, some corresponding recommendations to ensure the effective supply of electricity in China are suggested.
Genomic and Transcriptome Analysis to Identify the Role of the mTOR Pathway in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Its Potential Therapeutic Significance
Authors: Che Xiangyu , Qi Xiaochen , Xu Yingkun , Wang Qifei , Wu Guangzhen
Published: June 2021

The mTOR pathway, a major signaling pathway, regulates cell growth and protein synthesis by activating itself in response to upstream signals. Overactivation of the mTOR pathway may affect the occurrence and development of cancer, but no specific treatment has been proposed for targeting the mTOR pathway. In this study, we explored the expression of mTOR pathway genes in a variety of cancers and the potential compounds that target the mTOR pathway and focused on an abnormal type of cancer, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Based on the mRNA expression of the mTOR pathway gene, we divided KIRC patient samples into three clusters. We explored possible therapeutic targets of the mTOR pathway in KIRC. We predicted the IC50 of some classical targeted drugs to analyze their correlation with the mTOR pathway. Subsequently, we investigated the correlation of the mTOR pathway with histone modification and immune infiltration, as well as the response to anti‐PD‐1 and anti‐CTLA‐4 therapy. Finally, we used a LASSO regression analysis to construct a model to predict the survival of patients with KIRC. This study shows that mTOR scores can be used as tools to study various treatments targeting the mTOR pathway and that we can predict the recovery of KIRC patients through the expression of mTOR pathway genes. These research results can provide a reference for future research on KIRC patient treatment strategies.
Stability and Hopf Bifurcation Analysis of a Vector-Borne Disease Model with Two Delays and Reinfection
Authors: Zhang Yanxia , Li Long , Huang Junjian , Liu Yanjun
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a vector-borne disease model with two delays and reinfection is established and considered. First of all, the existence of the equilibrium of the system, under different cases of two delays, is discussed through analyzing the corresponding characteristic equation of the linear system. Some conditions that the system undergoes Hopf bifurcation at the endemic equilibrium are obtained. Furthermore, by employing the normal form method and the center manifold theorem for delay differential equations, some explicit formulas used to describe the properties of bifurcating periodic solutions are derived. Finally, the numerical examples and simulations are presented to verify our theoretical conclusions. Meanwhile, the influences of the degree of partial protection for recovered people acquired by a primary infection on the endemic equilibrium and the critical values of the two delays are analyzed.
Fluorescence Spectroscopy and 13C NMR Spectroscopy Characteristics of HA in Black Soil at Different Corn Straw Returning Modes
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Dou Sen , Duan HongMei , Zhang BoYan , Bai Yue
Published: June 2021

A three-year field experiment was conducted to analyze the effects of straw enrichment and deep incorporation on the humus composition and the structure of humic acid (HA) in black soil. The differences in the HA structure between different straw returning methods were detected by three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and 13C NMR technology. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis and data support for improving the straw returning system. Four different treatments, including no straw applied (CK), straw mulching (SCR), straw deep ploughing (MBR), and straw enrichment and deep incorporation (SEDI: harvested the corn straw from four rows together with a finger-plate rake and then crushed and buried them in one row in the 20∼40 cm deep level in the subsoil with a wind-driven input cylindrical plough), were used in this study. Our results showed that compared to CK treatment, SEDI significantly increased the contents of organic carbon (SOC), soil humic acid carbon (HAC), fulvic acid carbon (FAC), and humin C content (HM-C) in the subsurface soil layer by 27.47%, 34.33%, 19.66%, and 31.49%, respectively. Among all the straw returning treatments, SEDI treatment had the most significant effect in increasing the contents of HEC, HAC, and FAC. Straw returning not only reduced the degree of condensation and oxidation of the HA structure but also increased the proportion of alkyl C and enhanced the hydrophobicity of the HA structure in subsurface soil. Moreover, SEDI treatment significantly increased the proportion of aliphatic C/aromatic C of the HA structure in subsurface soil and improved the aliphatic property of HA, which had a significant effect on the HA structure compared to other treatments.
Bilateral Simultaneous Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy following Total Knee Arthroplasty with Epidural Block
Authors: Habib Ahmed M. , Fouad Yousef A. , Mekkawy Mahmood O.
Published: June 2021

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) resulting in perioperative vision loss (POVL) is a rare occurrence following nonocular procedures. Bilateral simultaneous anterior ION (AION) is even rarer, and no cases have been reported after central neuraxial block. We report a case of bilateral simultaneous AION, confirmed by multimodal imaging, in a 66-year-old male patient who underwent total knee arthroplasty under epidural anesthesia in which episodes of hypotension—one intraoperatively and one late postoperatively—had occurred. Hypotension is the most common adverse effect to epidural block, and counseling about POVL should extend beyond general anesthesia to include those undergoing procedures with central neuraxial block.
Optimal Control Strategy of Platform Load Oriented to Network and Load Cooperation
Authors: Shao Xuesong , Cui Gaoying , Chen Xiao , Ji Xinrong , Yi Yongxian
Published: June 2021

In recent years, with the continuous growth of China’s power peak load and the rapid development of renewable energy, a large number of renewable energy sources are connected to the power grid, increasing the uncertainty of power grid operation and posing new major challenges to the power system regulation capacity. Flexible load has the characteristics of wide distribution, fast response, and high economy, which is an important control resource for the future power system. Based on the flexible load of commercial buildings and residential users, this paper studies the resource characteristics and response characteristics, clarifies the resource characteristics and demand response characteristic indexes of commercial and residential users, and establishes the response characteristics model of commercial buildings and residential users. Considering the influence of weather, holidays, incentive mechanism, and other factors on the response of flexible load, the quantitative analysis method of flexible load resource regulation potential for regional power grid dispatching was studied, and the feasibility of flexible load resources directly participating in the load control system was analyzed. Based on the uncertainty and mathematical characterization method of the active response of flexible loads, the optimal combination control strategy of demand response resources was proposed to eliminate the problems of heavy load and overload of regional power grid equipment by using the active response ability of flexible loads. Finally, the IEEE 14‐node system is selected for simulation verification, which provides a theoretical basis for alleviating the power grid operation pressure in the peak load period of the power grid in the urban core area, improving the safety and economic operation level of regional power grid dispatching and the utilization rate of power grid equipment assets.
Deep Learning-Driven Gaussian Modeling and Improved Motion Detection Algorithm of the Three-Frame Difference Method
Authors: Zheng Dingchao , Zhang Yangzhi , Xiao Zhijian
Published: June 2021

To enhance the effect of motion detection, a Gaussian modeling algorithm is proposed to fix holes and breaks caused by the conventional frame difference method. The proposed algorithm uses an improved three-frame difference method. A three-frame image sequence with one frame interval is selected for pairwise difference calculation. The logical “OR” operation is used to achieve fast motion detection and to reduce voids and fractures. The Gaussian algorithm establishes an adaptive learning model to make the size and contour of the motion detection more accurate. The motion extracted by the improved three-frame difference method and Gaussian model is logically summed to obtain the final motion foreground picture. Moreover, a moving target detection method, based on the U-Net deep learning network, is proposed to reduce the dependency of deep learning on the number of training datasets. It helps the algorithm to train models on small datasets. Next, it calculates the ratio of the number of positive and negative samples in the dataset and uses the reciprocal of the ratio as the sample weight to deal with the imbalance of positive and negative samples. Finally, a threshold is set to predict the results for obtaining the moving object detection accuracy. Experimental results show that the algorithm can suppress the generation and rupture of holes and reduce the noise. Also, it can quickly and accurately detect movement to meet the design requirements.
Conflict-Resilient Incremental Offloading of Deep Neural Networks to the Edge of Smart Environment
Authors: Chen Zhongmin , Xu Zhiwei , Wan Jianxiong , Tian Jie , Liu Limin , Zhang Yujun
Published: June 2021

Novel smart environments, such as smart home, smart city, and intelligent transportation, are driving increasing interest in deploying deep neural networks (DNN) in edge devices. Unfortunately, deploying DNN at resource-constrained edge devices poses a huge challenge. These workloads are computationally intensive. Moreover, the edge server-based approach may be affected by incidental factors, such as network jitters and conflicts, when multiple tasks are offloaded to the same device. A rational workload scheduling for smart environments is highly desired. In this work, we propose a Conflict-resilient Incremental Offloading of Deep Neural Networks at Edge (CIODE) for improving the efficiency of DNN inference in the edge smart environment. CIODE divides the DNN model into several partitions by layer and incrementally uploads them to local edge nodes. We design a waiting lock-based scheduling paradigm to choose edge devices for DNN layers to be offloaded. In detail, an advanced lock mechanism is proposed to handle concurrency conflicts. Real-world testbed-based experiments demonstrate that, compared with other state-of-the-art baselines, CIODE outperforms the DNN inference performance of these popular baselines by 20%to 70%and significantly improves the robustness under the insight of neighboring collaboration.
Viral Molecular Mimicry Influences the Antitumor Immune Response in Murine and Human Melanoma
Authors: Chiaro Jacopo , Kasanen Henna H.E. , Whalley Thomas , Capasso Cristian , Grönholm Mikaela , Feola Sara , Peltonen Karita , Hamdan Firas , Hernberg Micaela , Mäkelä Siru , Karhapää Hanna , Brown Paul E. , Martins Beatriz , Fusciello Manlio , Ylösmäki Erkko O. , Greco Dario , Kreutzman Anna S. , Mustjoki Satu , Szomolay Barbara , Cerullo Vincenzo
Published: June 2021

Molecular mimicry is one of the leading mechanisms by which infectious agents can induce autoimmunity. Whether a similar mechanism triggers an antitumor immune response is unexplored, and the role of antiviral T cells infiltrating the tumor has remained anecdotal. To address these questions, we first developed a bioinformatic tool to identify tumor peptides with high similarity to viral epitopes. Using peptides identified by this tool, we demonstrated that, in mice, preexisting immunity toward specific viral epitopes enhanced the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy via molecular mimicry in different settings. To understand whether this mechanism could partly explain immunotherapy responsiveness in humans, we analyzed a cohort of patients with melanoma undergoing anti-PD1 treatment who had a high IgG titer for cytomegalovirus (CMV). In this cohort of patients, we showed that high levels of CMV-specific antibodies were associated with prolonged progression-free survival and found that, in some cases, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could cross-react with both melanoma and CMV homologous peptides. Finally, T-cell receptor sequencing revealed expansion of the same CD8+ T-cell clones when PBMCs were expanded with tumor or homologous viral peptides. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that preexisting immunity and molecular mimicry could influence the response to immunotherapies. In addition, we have developed a free online tool that can identify tumor antigens and neoantigens highly similar to pathogen antigens to exploit molecular mimicry and cross-reactive T cells in cancer vaccine development.
Metastatic Prostate Cancer Synchronous with Male Breast Papillary Ductal Carcinoma in situ: Management Dilemma and Literature Review
Authors: Hasbullah Harissa Husainy , MdYusof Farah Wahida , Ahmad Amirah Hayati , Alzallal Omar , T Sharif Sharifah Emilia T.
Published: June 2021

Prostate cancer is common in men, but tumour of the male breast is rare. For these two tumours to be presented synchronously in a male patient is even rarer. The focus of this paper is the case of a 72-year-old man diagnosed with papillary ductal carcinoma in situ after he presented with a unilateral breast mass associated with nipple discharge. Imaging staging for his breast tumour and subsequent prostate biopsy found an incidental synchronous asymptomatic prostate adenocarcinoma as well as bone metastases. He denies risk factors for malignancies and refuses genetic testing. The first part of our discussion will highlight the uncommon occurrence of male breast ductal carcinoma in situ and its management controversies. The subsequent part of our discussion will focus on the association between male breast cancer and prostate cancer, and implication of this on the future treatment of these patients. More importantly, our case will illustrate the challenges in managing dual primaries that present concurrently.
Effects of the Sonas Program on Anxiety and Depression in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Goyal Alka R. , Engedal Knut , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Strøm Benedicte Sørensen
Published: June 2021

Introduction: There is a dearth of evidence about the effects of Sonas, a multisensory stimulation on people with dementia (PWD). The main aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Sonas program on anxiety and depression in nursing home (NH) residents with dementia. Methods: In all, 120 PWD ≥65 years of age from 6 NHs were included in a randomized control trial and were allocated to 1 of 3 groups for 24 weeks: a Sonas program group (n = 48), a reading group (n = 32), and a control group (n = 40). One hundred and five participants completed follow-up assessments. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Rating Anxiety in Dementia (RAID) scale and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), respectively. Generalized linear mixed models were estimated to assess trends in the proportion of participants with anxiety (a RAID score ≥11) and depression (a CSDD score ≥10). Results: No significant reduction in anxiety from baseline to follow-up was observed in any of the groups. Participants in the Sonas group showed a significant reduction in depression from baseline to 12 weeks (p = 0.001) and from baseline to 24 weeks (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The Sonas program had no effect on severity of anxiety but a reduction in depressive symptoms was found in PWD.
Using Wikipedia to teach scholarly peer review
Authors: Thomas Paul Anthony , Jones Matthew , Mattingly Spencer
Published: June 2021

This paper outlines a creative Wikipedia-based project developed by the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries and the KU Biology Department. Inspired by the tenets of open pedagogy, the purpose of this project is to use Wikipedia as a way for students to learn about the scholarly peer review process while also producing material that can be shared and used by the world outside the classroom. The paper is divided into three sections, with the first summarizing pertinent related literature related to the paper’s topic. From here, the paper describes the proposed assignment, detailing a process wherein students write new articles for the encyclopedia which are then anonymously peer reviewed by other students in the class; when articles are deemed acceptable, they are published via Wikipedia. The parallels between this project and academic peer review are emphasized throughout. The paper closes by discussing the importance of this project, arguing that it fills a known scholarly need, actively produces knowledge, furthers the aims of the open access movement, and furthers scientific outreach initiatives.
Four new species of Macrostomus Wiedemann and a checklist of Empididae s. str. (Diptera) from Peru
Authors: RAFAEL JOSÉ ALBERTINO , MARQUES DAYSE WILLKENIA A.
Published: June 2021

Twelve Peruvian species of Macrostomus Wiedemann were studied. Macrostomus apicalis (Bezzi, 1909) is redescribed based on female holotype. Four new species are described: M. chelicercus sp. nov. (type-locality: Cuzco, Quincemil), M. contortus sp. nov. (type-locality: Cuzco, Quincemil), M. hyalopteryx sp. nov. (type-locality: Cuzco, Ttio) and M. unilineatus sp. nov. (type-locality: Junin, Oxapampa). A key to the 12 species of Macrostomus found in Peru is presented. A checklist of 50 known species of Peruvian Empididae s. str. is included. Atrichopleura schnusei Bezzi, 1909 is excluded from the Peruvian fauna.
A Fire Warning Method Using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Feng Lin , Wang Jian , Ding Chao
Published: June 2021

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology is adopted herein to detect fire gas produced in the early stage of the fire. Based on this technology, a fire warning detection system with multiple lasers and detectors is proposed. Multiple drivers input laser’s
temperature and injected current data, making its output wavelength consistent with the measured gas’ absorption peak wavelengths in absorption spectroscopy. Multiple light beams are coupled to the same optical fiber. After the light beams pass through the long optical path absorption
cell filled with fire gas, the beams are separated by a converter. The signals are demodulated by different detectors and further analyzed for fire warnings. After the fire warning system’s design, the system’s various hardware modules are designed, including the light source module,
TDLAS controller, gas chamber module, photoelectric detector, and data collection. When the temperature remains unchanged, the output wavelength is linearly related to the injected current. When the injected current remains unchanged, the output wavelength is linearly related to the operating
temperature. With a semiconductor laser’s injected current of 40 mA, the initial temperature of 38.6 °C, and the output wavelength of 1578.16 nm, the output wavelength increases continuously as the temperature increases. The harmonic signal amplitude after gas absorption is positively
correlated with the measured gas concentration, indicating that the second harmonic signals can estimate the fire gas concentration.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Trace Cobalt(II) Extraction from Cobalt Chloride Aqueous Solution Using Cyanex 272 in Kerosene
Authors: Ning Zhi-Qiang , Sang Chun-Yuan , Liu Jia-Hui , Xie Hong-Wei , Song Qiu-Shi , Yin Hua-Yi
Published: June 2021

In this study, it was researched that the extraction of Co(II) from CoCl2 aqueous solutions using Cyanex 272 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphonic acid) in kerosene and determined the effects of the equilibrium pH value, extractant concentration and chloride ion concentration
on the extraction of cobalt at different temperatures. The results indicate that the distribution ratio of cobalt increases as the equilibrium pH value, extractant concentration and extraction temperature increase. However, the cobalt distribution ratio decreases as the chloride ion concentration
increases. We calculated the equilibrium constants (AH9, AG9, and AS9) for a range of temperatures and investigated the relationship between AG9 and T. The extraction reaction of cobalt was determined to be an endothermic
reaction; thus, raising the temperature was beneficial to the reaction.
The Role of the Mindoro-Sibutu Pathway on the South China Sea Multi–layer Circulation
Authors: LI MINGTING , XUE HUIJIE , WEI JUN , LIANG LINLIN , GORDON ARNOLD L. , YANG SONG
Published: June 2021

The role of the Mindoro Strait-Sibutu passage pathway in influencing the Luzon Strait inflow to the South China Sea (SCS) and the SCS multi-layer circulation is investigated with a high-resolution (0.1° × 0.1°) regional ocean model. Significant changes are evident in the SCS upper layer circulation (250-900 m) by closing the Mindoro-Sibutu pathway in sensitivity experiments, as Luzon Strait transport is reduced by 75%, from −4.4 Sv to −1.2 Sv. Because of the vertical coupling between the upper and middle layers, closing the Mindoro-Sibutu pathway also weakens clockwise circulation in the middle layer (900–2150 m), but there is no significant change in the deep layer (below 2150 m). The Mindoro-Sibutu pathway is an important branch of the SCS throughflow into the Indonesian Seas. It is also the gateway for oceanic waves propagating clockwise around the Philippines Archipelago from the western Pacific Ocean into the eastern SCS, projecting El Niño-Southern Oscillation sea level signals to the SCS, impacting its interannual variations and multi-layer circulation. The results provide insights into the dynamics of how upstream and downstream passage throughflows are coupled to affect the general circulation in marginal seas.
Measurement and control of system resilience recovery by path planning based on improved genetic algorithm
Authors: Wu YuMei , Li Zhen , Sun Chenxu , Wang ZhaoBin , Wang DongSheng , Yu Zhengwei
Published: June 2021

Aiming at the problems of basic genetic algorithm in the field of path planning to system resilience recovery such as excessive randomness of initial population, slow convergence, low efficiency of evolution operator, and poor population diversity, this paper uses quotient model to measure resilience, uses overall task importance to measure system performance, and proposes an improved genetic algorithm on initial population and evolutionary operation. Improved genetic algorithm (IHGA) proposes a new greedy model that considers system node tasks importance, travel time, and maintenance time, which uses greedy ideas to generate partial high-quality initial population. And a new operator is also designed as intra-group head-to-head mutation operator (IHMO) to control the evolution to be more determinate and less ineffectively random. The simulation results in three cases show that the IHGA overcomes the defects and can better effectively recover system resilience with comparison to basic genetic algorithm (BGA) and multi-chromosome genetic algorithm (MCGA). Specially, it has obviously better optimal solution, convergence, and stability, especially in the harsh conditions as shorter repair time, more and unbalanced demands for spare parts, which shows the IHGA has great value to deal with measurement and control of system resilience recovery in practice.
The association between ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation and receipt of hospital-based palliative care for people with Covid-19: A dual centre service evaluation
Authors: Bajwah Sabrina , Edmonds Polly , Yorganci Emel , Chester Rosemary , Russell Kirsty , Lovell Natasha , Marsh Lynne , Sleeman Katherine E
Published: June 2021

Background:

People from ethnic minority groups and deprived socioeconomic backgrounds have worse outcomes from COVID-19.

Aim:

To examine associations between ethnicity and deprivation with timing of palliative care referral for inpatients with COVID-19.

Design:

Service evaluation of consecutive patients with COVID-19 referred to palliative care. Sociodemographic (including age, sex, Index of Multiple Deprivation, ethnicity coded as White/non-White) and clinical variables were described. The primary outcome was timing of referral to palliative care. Associations between ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation with the primary outcome were explored using multivariable regression.

Setting/participants:

Patients with COVID-19 referred to a hospital palliative care service across two London hospitals February–May 2020.

Results:

A total of 334 patients were included. 119 (36%) were from a non-White ethnic group; most commonly Black British (77, 23%) and Asian British (26, 8%). A longer time between admission and palliative care referral was associated with male gender (IRR 1.23, 95% CI 1.14–1.34) and lower levels of socioeconomic deprivation (IRR 1.61, 95% CI 1.36–1.90) but not ethnicity (IRR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.87–1.06).

Conclusions:

This large service evaluation showed no evidence that patients from ethnic minority or more deprived socioeconomic groups had longer time to palliative care referral. Ongoing data monitoring is essential for equitable service delivery.
The role of lymph node dissection and a new N-staging system for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a study from the SEER database
Authors: Hu Hanjie , Zhao Hong , Cai Jianqiang
Published: June 2021

Background

Although the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend routine lymph node dissection (LND) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), the role of LND remains controversial, and the node (N) stage is oversimplified.

Methods

Patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results research data 18 (SEER 18). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias, and Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare overall survival (OS). The best cutoff values were found using X-tile software.

Results

Of 2037 patients included in SEER 18, 1147 underwent LND (56.3%); 389 (34.3%) had pathologically confirmed lymph node metastasis (LNM), and 316 (27.6%) had at least 6 LNDs. The median OS was worse for LND patients (34 months vs. 40 months, respectively), and this result remained after PSM. Male sex, age ≥60 years, tumor size > 5 cm, and LNM were independent prognostic risk factors for ICC. LNM ≥3 was associated with worse OS.

Conclusions

Only a few LNDs met the requirements per the guidelines. LND does not improve OS in ICC, and the best approach to LND and a better N staging method should be explored further.
MiR-223 or miR-126 predicts resistance to dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Xiaojing , Yao Qi , Cui Hanbin , Yang Jun , Wu Nan , Liu Yahui , Zhou Ying , Zhang Yinwei , Su Jia , Xia Yezi , Chen Xiaomin
Published: June 2021

Objective

To explore the role of miR-223 and miR-126 in predicting treatment responses to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

Plasma miR-223 and miR-126 levels were measured before treatment. Treatment responses and 2-year survival were determined. In vitro experiments were performed to explore the mechanism of action.

Results

Patients with resistance to DAPT had a lower level of miR-223 and miR-126. Cardiac-event-free survival was shorter in patients with lower miR-223 or miR-126 levels. MiR-223 and miR-126 independently predicted DAPT resistance. Modulating miR-223 or miR-126 in platelets in vitro significantly changed the response to clopidogrel by regulating platelet aggregation.

Conclusion

MiR-223 and miR-126 play a role in DAPT resistance and may provide potential biomarkers in patients with STEMI.
Changes in Health Behaviors Associated With Weight Gain by Weight Classification During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rupp Kristie , Friel Ciarán P.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

To determine whether perceived changes (i.e. perception of engagement during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic) in specific health behaviors differ by weight status (i.e. healthy weight, overweight, obese).

Design:

Cross-sectional. Recruitment took place between June-August 2020, via social media posts and Qualtrics online panels.

Setting:

Participants completed the survey online through the Qualtrics platform.

Sample:

Analyses included N = 502 participants (≥18 years); 45.2% healthy weight (n = 227), 28.5% overweight (n = 143), and 26.3% obese (n = 132).

Measures:

Study-specific survey items included questions about demographics and perceived changes in health behaviors.

Analysis:

Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and COVID-19 diagnosis, assessed the odds of perceiving changes in health behaviors considered a risk for weight gain.

Results:

Participants with obesity, but not overweight, were significantly more likely to report deleterious changes to health behaviors compared to healthy weight peers, including: (1) decreased fruit/vegetable consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.13, 3.26)]; (2) increased processed food consumption [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI: (1.15, 3.00)]; (3) increased caloric intake [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: (1.06, 2.61)]; (4) decreased physical activity [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.31, 3.28)]; and (5) deterioration in sleep quality [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.32, 3.25)].

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that adults with obesity may be at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors during a period of prolonged social distancing, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic.
Non-Sterile to Sterile Compounding: An Unconventional Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Belisle Caryn D. , Anger Kevin , Kanaan Dareen , Rocchio Megan A. , Triggs Angela , Chacon Pablo , Kwok Keely , Cotugno Michael , Morris Charles A. , Fanikos John
Published: June 2021

The drug supply chain has suffered many interruptions over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already fragile infrastructure for supplying critical medications to hospitals and health-systems. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight to the history, thought-processes, and response to critical medication shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on hydromorphone infusions and the action steps taken to engage in non-sterile to sterile (NSTS) compounding. Over a period of 6 weeks, we compounded 1,613 NSTS hydromorphone infusion bags. All lots were cleared for sterility, particulate, potency, and endotoxin testing by an outside FDA registered laboratory. We did not have any safety reports filed specific to the NSTS compounded hydromorphone infusion bags. Over a period of 15 weeks, 715 infusions were consumed. The drug supply chain suffers frequent interruptions and critical shortages, particularly in times of a natural disaster or a global pandemic. Non-sterile to sterile compounding is often associated with risks of inaccuracies, impurities, and contamination. There are instances in which non-sterile to sterile compounding is appropriate and should be considered in times of drug shortages to support the care of hospitalized patients.
Comparison of Antinociceptive Effect of Octreotide With Morphine in a Rat Model of Acute Inflammatory Pain
Authors: Singh Perminder , Ray Subrata Basu
Published: June 2021

Background:

Opioids such as morphine are used for treating moderate to severe pain. However, they also produce adverse effects such as nausea, constipation, addiction, and respiratory depression. Thus, other suitable analgesics need to be identified. Somatostatin is an inhibitory neuropeptide that modulates the transmission of pain. However, the half-life of somatostatin is short. In the present study, the antinociceptive effect of octreotide (a stable long-acting analog of somatostatin) was evaluated in rats with acute inflammatory pain.

Methods:

Sprague Dawley rats ( n = 42) were divided into control ( n = 6) and carrageenan injected groups ( n = 36). The carrageena group was divided into three equal subgroups and treated with saline, morphine (10 mg/kg), and octreotide (3 µg). Rats belonging to each subgroup ( n = 12) were again randomly divided into two equal sets. They were subjected to (a) behavioral evaluation of pain (allodynia) and estimation of paw edema, followed by immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of somatostatin type 2 receptor (sst2r) in the spinal cord and (b) estimation of open-field activity. Allodynia and paw edema were measured by von Frey filaments and plethysmometer, respectively, at 3 and 4 h after carrageenan injection. Expression of sst2r was examined after 24 hours, whereas open-field activity was evaluated after 3 hours.

Results:

In comparison to the saline-treated group, allodynia was partially attenuated by octreotide, though this was almost completely reversed by morphine. Paw edema was unaffected by octreotide, though it was marginally increased by morphine. This was not related to increased activity of rats, following relief from pain. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant increase in the expression of sst2r in saline-treated rats, but a decrease in other groups.

Conclusion:

Octreotide has an antinociceptive effect, which was less than morphine. Increased edema following morphine could result from venodilation. Variations in the sst2r expression suggest its involvement in pain modulation at the spinal level. This information may have clinical relevance.
Cross-border exchange of tax information upon request and fundamental rights – Can the right balance be struck?: Joined cases C-245/19 and C-246/2019 État luxembourgeois contre B
Authors: Moreno González Saturnina
Published: June 2021

On 6 October 2020, in joined cases C-245/19 and C-246/19, État luxembourgeois contre B, the Court of Justice delivered a landmark ruling about the fundamental right to a judicial remedy against an information order issued by the national tax authorities of a Member State in the application of Directive 2011/16/EU. The Court ruled that the holders of the taxpayer’s information have the right to directly challenge the request to provide information but, differing from the Opinion of Advocate General Kokott, the Court decided that, when other remedies are available, the taxpayer under tax investigation and other third parties concerned do not have the right to direct judicial remedy against the information order. Likewise, the Court clarified how specific and precise the information requested must be in order to admit that the request for information is foreseeably relevant for the taxation of the concerned taxpayer. Following the Berlioz case, the ruling at hand continues to outline the content, scope and limits of fundamental rights in cross-border exchanges of tax information upon request in the European Union. However, this casuistic approach will not necessarily result in the development of a coherent and general framework of protection, which underlines the need for a common minimum standard to enhance the protection of fundamental rights in cross-border situations.