bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of English Reading Based on Embedded Sensor System on the Cultivation of College Students’ Humanistic Spirit
Authors: Cui Limin , Zhang Jiangnan , Zhang Yuai
Published: March 2022

In order to better improve the cultivation goal of college students’ humanistic spirit, this paper puts forward the research on the role of English reading based on embedded sensor system in the cultivation of college students’ humanistic spirit. Embedded sensor system is used to carry out college English reading teaching in the humanistic teaching content in the teaching process. In addition, the evaluation index of college students’ English reading humanistic spirit cultivation is constructed, in order to achieve the goal of improving English reading teaching and task spirit training.
Research on the Construction of Deep Learning Based Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education System in the Internet Plus Era
Authors: Lin Xiong , Zhou Weiping
Published: March 2022

In order to cultivate the innovative and entrepreneurial (IAE) spirit of college students, let them introduce the concept teaching of Internet + mass entrepreneurship and innovation while learning professional knowledge, and colleges and universities can provide an entrepreneurship platform to turn theoretical knowledge into practice. The school platform provides all the resources and funding sources needed by students to start their own businesses, and the students through the theory, knowledge, and wisdom combined use the school to provide a platform to achieve entrepreneurship. College IAE education analyzes students’ entrepreneurship through deep learning and statistical data, and the superiority of the school Internet + IAE concept teaching and the entrepreneurship platform provided by the school is demonstrated through the number of entrepreneurship graduates, entrepreneurship motivation, entrepreneurship capital source, entrepreneurship recruitment, and entrepreneurship survival cycle of graduates in the three years’ class.
Research on the Evaluation Algorithm of English Viewing, Listening, and Speaking Teaching Effect Based on DA-BP Neural Network
Authors: Xi Tanping
Published: March 2022

Improving the teaching of viewing, listening, and speaking courses is the key to produce better workers for society. Improving teaching quality is therefore a key teaching objective. One way to improve the quality of English instruction is to conduct a scientific evaluation of videos, audios, and spoken language instructions. This paper investigates the neural network model and the evaluation of teaching effect in depth in order to solve the complex nonlinear problem of evaluating the impact of English viewing, listening, and speaking. The DA-BP neural network model is proposed as a result of the existing research’s shortcomings. The BP neural network is basically an algorithm which is multilayered feed-forward network that is trained actually to the error back propagation algorithm. The accuracy of the BP neural network’s evaluation is influenced by its parameter selection in this paper, and the dragonfly algorithm (DA) is used to optimize the BP model’s initial connection weight and threshold parameters. According to the research results, DA-BP improves the accuracy of evaluating the viewing, listening, and speaking classroom teaching quality in college English and offers a new approach for evaluating the audio-visual classroom teaching effect in college English.
The Educational and Psychological Need for Learning the English Language and Understanding the Different Anxieties
Authors: Vadivel Balachandran , Khalil Nawroz Ramadan , Tilwani Shouket Ahmad , Mandal Gurudas
Published: March 2022

This study examines the educational and psychological need for learning English and understands various anxieties. The first section, a literature review, examines the theoretical underpinnings of educational and psychological needs for English language learning and anxiety. An important subject running through this research is how anxiety plays a role in English language learning. On either hand, a student’s psychological state can affect the learning of the English language. A psychological factor focuses on the emotional or spiritual components of a student’s learning. In English as a foreign language-learning setting, the four essential psychological needs as stated in self-determination theory (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness, and novelty) are met. The major goal of this study was achieved using a quantitative technique. A mixed methodology was selected, which comprises both quantitative and qualitative methods for this research. A total of 70 enrolled students in the English language took part in this study. It has been identified that students in this study reportedly found it hard to talk in EFL classrooms, because of the anxiety. It shows that foreign language anxiety still has an important amount of power in explaining language achievement. It is found that education and psychological needs motivate students to learn the English language. The data also indicated that nearly all psychological elements are interconnected and have a significant impact on the students’ speaking performance in the context.
Collaborative Supply Mechanism of Government-Subsidized Rental Housing from the Perspective of Tripartite Evolutionary Game in Metropolitan Cities of China
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Dong Jie , Cui Peng , Wang Mengmeng , Guo Xiaotong
Published: March 2022

With the advancement of urbanisation, the inflow of population in China’s large cities has been increasing and the demand for rental housing of “new citizens” with insufficient housing affordability has become increasingly strong. Therefore, the Chinese government proposes to provide government-subsidized rental housing (GSRH) different from public rental housing. At present, the supply mode of public rental housing in China is mainly government construction and operation, which has the problems of low supply efficiency and low service level. It is critical to explore an efficient supply model in the construction of the GSRH system. Therefore, this study, starting from the three supply subjects of government, market, and society, constructs an evolutionary game model and uses agent-based modelling simulation to explore how multisubjects achieve optimal collaboration in the supply process of GSRH. The results are as follows: First, the development of a collaborative supply system includes four stages: noncooperative behaviour, collaborative exploration, collaborative game, and three-subject collaborative supply. Second, the government is the core of realising multisubject coordination. Increasing government supervision will boost market participation, while increasing government subsidies can fully mobilise the enthusiasm of social subjects but cannot continuously improve the market’s enthusiasm. Third, increasing the participation ratio of social subjects will help mobilise the enthusiasm of other subjects to participate, while the excessive participation ratio of market subjects may cause an imbalance in the collaborative supply system. This study provides theoretical support for the efficient supply of GSRH.
Protective Mechanism of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin-Like Kexin Type 9 Inhibitor on Rats with Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Induced Cerebral Ischemic Infarction
Authors: Pu Shengxiong , Jia Chaojun , Li Zhimin , Zang Yunhua
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to research the mechanism of proprotein convertase subtilisin-like kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor in neural protective effect on rat cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury (I/RI). The transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model of rats was prepared by the suture method, and PCSK9 inhibitor was injected intraperitoneally immediately after I/R. The rats were scored for neurological deficits and the cerebral infarction volume was measured. The brain tissues were collected and western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of PCSK9. The rat cortical neural stem cells were treated with oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) to establish a cell model of ischemia/reperfusion. WB was used to detect the expression of PCSK9 and the apoptosis-related pathway proteins. After interfering with the expression of PCSK9 siRNA, the cell viability (cell counting kit-8 assay) and apoptosis (TUNEL staining, Annexin V/PI method) were detected, and the cell proliferation was detected by EdU staining and flow cytometry. The expression of PCSK9 in the brain tissue of the MCAO group was dramatically increased. PCSK9 inhibitor can improve neurobehavioral scores and reduce apoptosis and infarct volume. An OGD model of neural stem cells in vitro was constructed. Inhibiting PCSK9 with si-PCSK9 can increase cell viability, promote cell proliferation, and also reduce cell apoptosis. Inhibition of PCSK9 can decrease the cerebral infarct volume in rats with cerebral I/RI and improve the neural function. Mechanically, inhibition of PCSK9 can lead to the decrease of nerve cell apoptosis and promotion of cell proliferation.
Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Xu Xiaohua , Chen Jiaqi , Zhang Zhiping , Liu Feng
Published: March 2022

Objective. To assess the efficacy and safety of nivolumab for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) via meta-analysis. Methods. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using nivolumab for patients with advanced RCC published before 30 December 2021. Quality assessments and meta-analyses were performed on all the literature assessed for eligibility. Results. Of 203 studies identified as potentially eligible from 3214 studies in a preliminary search, three RCTs including 2550 RCC cases met the inclusion criteria and were of high quality. Meta-analysis showed benefits of nivolumab in the progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.99,

P
=
0.04

) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.78,

P
<
0.001

) of patients with advanced RCC, and no increase in documented adverse events was recorded. Conclusion. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab has significant benefits versus sunitinib in the treatment of advanced RCC in terms of tumor progression control and prolongation of OS and PFS, with a manageable safety profile.
Predictive Equations for Adult Pulmonary Function in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Dong Li , Chen Chengshui , Yang Qi , Zheng Yanwen , Feng Xueren , Chen Fang , Huang Gang , Dai Yuanrong , Pan Zhijie , Ge Huiqing , Zhao Tian , Qin Guangyue , Li Zhijun
Published: March 2022

Background. Accurate interpretation of lung function tests requires appropriate spirometry reference values derived from large-scale population-specific epidemiological surveys. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish normal spirometric values for the population of healthy, nonsmoking Han Chinese adults residing in Zhejiang province, China. Methods. We measured lung function parameters such as forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, maximal midexpiratory flow, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and considered age, height, and weight as independent factors that may modify these parameters. The clinical data were divided into the study arm and validation group. The study arms were used to construct predictive equations using stepwise multiple linear regression, and data from the validation group were used to assess the robustness of the equations. Results. The 3866 participants were randomized into a study arm (n = 1,949) and a validation arm (n = 1,917). Lung function parameters had a negative association with age and a positive association with height. Data from the two groups were similar. Predictive equations were constructed from the study arm, and the validation group was used to test the feasibility of the reference equations. Conclusions. The reference values we derived can be used to evaluate lung function in this cohort in both epidemiological studies and clinical practice.
Intelligent Analysis and Evaluation Method of Athletics Running Data Based on Big Data Statistical Model
Authors: Ge Yushan
Published: March 2022

To investigate the effectiveness of pedometry in athletics at different running speeds and on different walking surfaces, and to test whether it can be used for running for fitness and for pedometry on hardened concrete surfaces in daily life. The steps were measured under laboratory conditions using a running platform at 5 min at 5 speeds of 3.2 km/h, 4.8 km/h, 6.4 km/h, 8.0 km/h, and 9.6 km/h (actual steps were accurately determined by video playback), followed by 300 steps each at low, normal and fast speeds on an outdoor plastic athletics track. There were significant differences between the smart bracelet and the mobile phone sports app at low running speeds on four different surfaces: outdoor plastic track, dirt, concrete and mountainous terrain. The difference was not significant in normal pace and fast walking.
The Design of a Wireless Network Home-Based Elderly Care System Based on Artificial Intelligence Technology and Its Impact on the Construction of the Social Security System
Authors: Zhang Cheng
Published: March 2022

Old age is the final stage in the life processes of a human being, and it is an age group comprising a segment of the oldest members of a population. During this phase of life, people need support and care. But in reality, due to changes in modern society, the elderly have to stay alone at home. Staying at old age homes is not possible for everyone. In current society, every member of the family has to work for a living and run the family. When this is the case, the elderly are left alone at home during the work hours of the other family members. In this research article, we are going to study the design of wireless network-based homes to ensure the safety and security of elderly people. Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to construct a safe and secure social system. In the current trend of smart homes, it is mandatory for people to install WSN-based home systems to take care of the elderly residents of their homes who stay alone for long periods of time. The home-based elderly care system is designed with the implementation of trending technologies like AI and WSN. The performance of the model is evaluated with the applied optimised neural network model and compared with the existing data summarization model. From the results, it can be seen that the proposed model has provided an accuracy of 98.89%, which is 4.77% higher than the proposed algorithm.
The Edge-Weighted Graph Entropy Using Redefined Zagreb Indices
Authors: Lu Jing , Mutee-ur-Rehman Hafiz , Nazeer Saima , An Xuemei
Published: March 2022

Measurements of graphs and retrieving structural information of complex networks using degree-based network entropy have become an informational theoretical concept. This terminology is extended by the concept of Shannon entropy. In this paper, we introduce entropy with graphs having edge weights which are basically redefined Zagreb indices. Some bounds are calculated to idealize the performance in limiting different kinds of graph entropy. In addition, we discuss the structural complexity of connected graphs representing chemical structures. In this article, we have discussed the edge-weighted graph entropy with fixed number of vertices, with minimum and maximum degree of a vertex, regular graphs, complete graphs, complete bipartite graphs, and graphs associated with chemical structures.
Security of Intelligent Sensors and Their Collaborative Roles in Human Resource Management in the Development of Smart Cities
Authors: Wang Shuwu , Cao Huijuan , Wang Dandan , Li Aining
Published: March 2022

The study is aimed at solving the security problems caused by malicious network attacks in human resource management in the development of smart cities. First, the Stackelberg game theory model is used to describe the interaction between intelligent sensors and intelligent jammers, and the security of the information physics system is effectively evaluated. Second, a denoise autoencoder machine model that can be used in human resource management with demographic information is proposed to ensure the security of intelligent sensors. Finally, its performance is simulated and analyzed. The results show that the more packets successfully arrive at the estimator, the more favorable the estimation effect of the estimator is. The designed defense strategy is very effective in protecting the security of intelligent sensors. When the number of nearest neighbor

K

increases, MAE of four datasets first decreases and then tends to be stable. With the increase of

K

, MAE of the algorithm proposed decreases from 0.8232 to 0.8095, 0.8086 to 0.7897, and 0.8563 to 0.8351, respectively. It decreases from 1.0169 to 1.0091 and then keeps stable. The recommendation algorithm proposed shows high accuracy in rating prediction and can quickly and effectively extract the hidden features of users and adjust the sparsity of data. Therefore, it can be applied to human resource management. This study provides a new idea for the research on the security of intelligent sensors and human resource management in the development of smart cities.
Research on the Movement Law of Roof Structure in Large-Inclined Coal Seam Working Face: A Case Study in Liu.Pan.Shui. Mining Area
Authors: Zhang Haidong , Hu Guozhong , Zhao Guangchen
Published: March 2022

In the Liu.Pan.Shui. coal field, Guizhou Province, China, 35°∼60° steeply inclined coal seams are widely distributed, and the coal resources present are of high quality and are mostly coking coal. However, because the roof overlying rock structure is affected by the geological conditions at a large dip angle, the combined cantilever beam structure of the overlying rock near the working face and the overlying rock masonry beam structure in front of the working face have different migration laws from when the condition of the near-level coal seam is generated. The pressure has emerged with new characteristics, posing a threat to coal mine production safety. Therefore, by establishing a mechanical model of roof overlying rock structure in accordance with the characteristics of coal seam inclination, mining height, and goaf overlap in the Liu.Pan.Shui mining area and using the analytical formula of material mechanics to calculate the behavior of rock pressure, guide the roof weakening means, construction technology, and parameters. It is used to quantitatively control the transportation load of the overlying rock on the roof of the large inclination coal seam and realize the safe and efficient mining of the precious coal resources of the Liu.Pan.Shui coal field.
New Quality Cost Framework (QCF) Based on the Hybrid Fuzzy MCDM Approach
Authors: Wu Qiong , Xuan Jing , Zhou Fuli , Mei Yuanfei , Su Jiafu
Published: March 2022

Quality cost framework (QCF), as a measurement tool and research method, has played a significant role on quality improvement procedure (QIP) and recognition on economics of quality. The four general QCFs are usually conceptually employed assist quality managers to measure the quality cost (QC/COQ) including PAF, intangible loss, process cost, and ABC framework. The question of how to select an appropriate quality cost framework for individual organization is of great significance for implementing quality improvement activities. Considering the effectiveness and feasibility of the alternative solution, a novel hybrid fuzzy MCDM approach integrating fuzzy DMEATEL, an antientropy weighting technique and FVIKOR method are employed to study the quality cost models and assist managers to select a best QCF for an auto factory. The combined weight from subjectivity and objectivity is embedded into fuzzy VIKOR procedure to obtain alternatives’ ranking order. The case study in a Chinese automaker enterprise shows high robustness of the hybrid MCDM approach, and it assists quality mangers to perform quality cost practice. Different from the previous study, the preferred solution is the ABC quality cost framework when feasibility dimension dominates, while the intangible loss framework shows first priority when the organization focuses on effectiveness principle.
Comments on the Clique Number of Zero‐Divisor Graphs of Zn
Authors: Tian Yanzhao , Li Lixiang
Published: March 2022

In 2008, J. Skowronek‐kaziw extended the study of the clique number ω(G(Zn)) to the zero‐divisor graph of the ring Zn, but their result was imperfect. In this paper, we reconsider ω(G(Zn)) of the ring Zn and give some counterexamples. We propose a constructive method for calculating ω(G(Zn)) and give an algorithm for calculating the clique number of zero‐divisor graph. Furthermore, we consider the case of the ternary zero‐divisor and give the generation algorithm of the ternary zero‐divisor graphs.
Application of Deep Neural Networks and Human-Computer Interaction Technology in Art and Design Area
Authors: Chen Xueying , Liu Fangyi
Published: March 2022

Technological development has given a new dimension to the art and design area. This research implements the deep learning model for human-computer integration technology in art and design with wireless sensor networks. In this human-computer interaction, each person and the devices are treated as network nodes. The user will act as a node requesting access privileges for utilizing the calligraphy design to learn the strokes in the self-pace mode for studies. In this research, the human-computer interaction is implemented for recognizing the strokes and curves in the calligraphy images loaded by the user. This identification will aid the user in learning different styles of calligraphy. The proposed fruit-fly optimization algorithm (FFOA) method is analyzed for high classification accuracy, less delay time, and reduced noise parameters against specific existing algorithms.
A Study on Differences between Professional Endoscopists and Gastroenterologists in Endoscopic Detection and Standard Pathological Biopsy of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Yang Dong , Li Yuqin , Sun Haibo , He Chuan , Chen Geng , Zhao Zhuo , Tang Tongyu
Published: March 2022

Objective. To assess whether professional endoscopists need additional training on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis. Methods. This retrospective study was conducted in patients with IBD, including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), which were diagnosed and treated for the first time in our hospital between January 2005 and December 2020. Doctors including gastroenterologists (group G) and professional endoscopists (group E) participated in the study. The data divided into CD or UC and group G or group E were compared. Results. Patients with CD exhibited higher rates of terminal ileal lesions, reexamined colonoscopy within 6 months, and intestinal stenosis than patients with UC (

P
<
0.001

). The positive endoscopic IBD diagnosis rate was significantly higher in group G than in group E (89.6% vs. 74.0%,

P
<
0.001

). In the subgroup analysis for patients with CD, the positive endoscopic IBD diagnosis rate was significantly higher for group G than for group E (81.5% vs. 41.8%,

P
<
0.001

). However, the two groups exhibited no significant difference in the subgroup analysis for patients with UC (94.1% vs. 86.5%,

P
=
0.060

). Group G exhibited a higher rate of terminal ileal intubation (83.1% vs. 65.3%,

P
<
0.001

) and standard pathological biopsy (72.7% vs. 26.0%,

P
<
0.001

) than Group E. Conclusion. Professional endoscopists showed lower rates of terminal ileal intubation, positive endoscopic diagnosis, and standard pathological biopsy than gastroenterologists. Hence, additional training on IBD, particularly on CD, must be provided to professional endoscopists to increase their efficiency for terminal ileal intubation and positive endoscopic diagnosis and to enhance their awareness regarding standard biopsy.
A Numerical Study on Newtonian Heating Effect on Heat Absorbing MHD Casson Flow of Dissipative Fluid past an Oscillating Vertical Porous Plate
Authors: Prabhakar Reddy B. , Sademaki L. Joseph
Published: March 2022

The numerical study of Newtonian heating effect on unsteady free convection MHD Casson flow of radiating and chemically reacting fluid past an oscillating vertical porous plate embedded in a porous medium was conducted by considering the effects of heat sink and viscous dissipation. The fluid motion is persuaded due to the periodic oscillations of the plate along its length. This phenomenon is represented as nonlinear PDEs with initial and boundary conditions. By introducing suitable nondimensional variable and parameters, the leading equation with initial and boundary conditions is converted into dimensionless form, which are then solved numerically using a finite difference method. The effects of several relevant parameters on the velocity, temperature, and concentration are displayed graphically, whilst the effects of these parameters on the skin friction and Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are exhibited in tabular format and then discussed in detail. The final outcomes divulge that the radiation parameter and Eckert number have an increasing effect on the velocity and temperature, whilst reverse tendency is detected with increasing Prandtl number and heat absorption parameter. Newtonian heating parameter and thermal and mass buoyancy forces boost fluid velocity, whilst Schmidt number and chemical reaction have the opposite impact. It is noteworthy to point out in this study that the velocity boundary layer thickness for the Newtonian fluid is larger than the Casson fluid.
Estimations of Generalized Exponential Distribution Parameters Based on Type I Generalized Progressive Hybrid Censored Data
Authors: Nagy M. , Alrasheedi Adel Fahad
Published: March 2022

Type I generalized progressive hybrid censoring scheme is a combination of Type I and Type II progressive hybrid censoring schemes, and it is one of the most recent advancements in data censoring. In this article, based on Type I generalized progressive hybrid censoring data from generalized exponential distribution, the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimators of distribution’s parameters as well as the reliability and hazard functions are approximately calculated. Also, the credible interval estimators of these quantities are obtained. Since these quantities cannot be obtained in closed form, so simulation and analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation study with Gibbs sampling are taken. Finally, an illustrative example using real data set is presented to compare the proposed procedures presented and developed here.
Research on Coordinated Passenger Inflow Control for the Urban Rail Transit Network Based on the Station-to-Line Spatial-Temporal Relationship
Authors: Yang Ruixia , Zhou Weiteng , Han Baoming , Li Dewei , Zheng Bin , Wang Fangling
Published: March 2022

This study proposes a coordinated inflow control organization for the urban rail transit network to improve train capacity utilization and reduce inbound delay rate, considering existing operational requirements and station-to-line spatial-temporal relationship of passenger flow. The coordinated passenger flow control model is proposed with the objective to maximize the inbound flow rate and the train full load rate. A station-to-line spatial-temporal correlation formula is constructed to characterize the relationship between station inbound passenger volume and section passenger volume. A two-stage approach is employed to solve this passenger flow control problem. The proposed model and solution strategy are evaluated on a well-known Beijing network with 10 operating lines. The refined inflow control scheme is displayed with the accurate inbound volume at each station during each time period. The comparison between the proposed control strategy and the current control strategy shows that the former can effectively improve the service level and capacity utilization.
The Association of Prepregnancy Body Mass Index with Pregnancy Outcomes in Chinese Women
Authors: Zhang Jing , An Wensheng , Lin Li
Published: March 2022

Our study was to evaluate the association between prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and pregnancy outcomes. A total of 1546 women who attended prenatal care clinics and delivered at the Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China, from October 2018 to April 2020 was included. This research explored gestational, perinatal, and postpartum outcomes, including gestational diabetes, anemia, preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and postpartum hemorrhage. Participants were divided into underweight (

BMI
<
18.5
 
kg
/

m

2

), normal weight (

18.5
 
kg
/

m

2

≤
BMI
≤
23.9
 
kg
/

m

2

), overweight (

24
 
kg
/

m

2

≤
BMI
≤
27.9
 
kg
/

m

2

), and obese (

BMI
≥
28
 
kg
/

m

2

) groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between prepregnancy BMI and pregnancy outcomes, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. After adjusting potential confounders, the risk of PPROM was higher in the underweight group than the normal weight group (

OR
=
1.864

, 95% CI: 1.269-2.737,

P
<
0.01

). Prepregnancy obesity was associated with higher odds of gestational diabetes (

OR
=
2.649

, 95% CI: 1.701-4.126,

P
<
0.001

) and preeclampsia (

OR
=
3.654

, 95% CI: 1.420-9.404,

P
<
0.01

) than the normal weight group, whereas it correlated with the lower risk of anemia (

OR
=
0.300

, 95% CI: 0.128-0.704,

P
<
0.01

). Our findings may provide evidence for the importance of keeping normal weight for Chinese women when preparing for pregnancy.
Pituitary Stalk Germ Cell Tumors: Retrospective Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Han , Ni Ming , Xu Yun , Zhong Li-Yong
Published: March 2022

Objective. Intracranial germ cell tumors with isolated pituitary stalk involvement are rare. Early recognition and long-term monitoring deserve further exploration. Methods. A retrospective study reviewing eleven intracranial germ cell tumor patients with isolated pituitary stalk involvement was performed. Results. Seven boys and four girls who presented with a hyperintense pituitary stalk on postcontrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging without a posterior pituitary signal were included. The average maximum width of the pituitary stalk was 5.2 ± 1.6 mm. Polydipsia and polyuria occurred in all patients, followed by growth retardation, fatigue, and amenorrhoea. Eight patients (72%) had concomitant partial anterior pituitary hormone deficiency. Seven patients initially had elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels. After chemoradiotherapy, ten patients attended follow-up. Central diabetes insipidus remained in all survivors, and four (40%) of them had concomitant partial anterior pituitary hormone deficiency, primarily of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1. The causes of the delayed diagnosis of previous studies were mainly negative tumor markers and the initial pathological diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Conclusion. Isolated pituitary stalk lesions could be a signal of intracranial germ cell tumors, especially coexisting with diabetes insipidus, hypopituitarism, and a worse response to glucocorticoid therapy. Negative results of tumor markers and pathology could not exclude the diagnosis. Chemoradiotherapy is an effective therapy, leaving mild-t-moderate hypothalamus-pituitary dysfunction. This rare neuroimaging feature may be used as a factor to predict long-term neuroendocrine outcomes.
Assessing the Variations in Breast/Ovarian Cancer Risk for Chinese BRCA1/2 Carriers
Authors: Li Ang , Hao Shuai , Luo Jiaqi , Zi Yi , Lan Zhaoji , Zhou Tianliangwen , Zhi Qihuan , Zhan Jiamin , Sun Gang , Shi Yujian , Luo Donglin
Published: March 2022

Background. Cancer risks vary in different BRCA1/2 mutations. We are interested in identifying regions associated with elevated/reduced risks of breast/ovarian cancers in the Chinese population and comparing with previously reported Caucasian-based breast/ovarian cancer cluster regions (OCCR/BCCR). We also aim to characterize the distribution and estimate the cancer risks of different Chinese recurrent mutations. Methods. A total of 3,641 cancer-free women and 4,278 female cancer patients were included in the study. Germline BRCA1/2 status was detected with amplicon-based next-generation sequencing. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) of breast cancer and OR of ovarian cancer, and their ratio of the two ORs (ROR) for each region. ROR >1 indicated elevated odds of breast cancer and/or decreasing odds of ovarian cancer, and vice versa. The frequency, distribution, and penetrance of six known Chinese founder mutations were characterized, respectively. Haplotype analysis and age estimation were performed on the most prevalent founder mutation BRCA1: c.5470_5477del. Results. A total of 729 subjects were detected with germline BRCA1/2 deleterious mutations. The putative Chinese OCCR/BCCR partially overlapped with Caucasian-based OCCR/BCCR and shared structural-functional characteristics. The six known Chinese founder mutations greatly vary in both distribution and penetrance. The two widely spread mutations are estimated to convey low penetrance, while the area-restricted founder mutations seemed to confer higher/complete penetrance. BRCA1: c.5470_5477del is estimated to have emerged ∼2,090 years ago (70 B.C.) during the Han dynasty. Conclusions. BRCA1/2 carriers with different genotypes have significantly different cancer risks. An optimal risk assessment should be mutation specific, rather than concerning a single figure.
Communication MWSN Data Transmission Mechanism Based on a Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Jin Wei , Gupta Rajeev Kumar , Tiwari Basant
Published: March 2022

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is considered to have a wide application prospect in a smart distribution network due to its unique low power consumption, fast self-organization, and superior coordination. In order to study the communication MWSN data transmission mechanism based on a wireless sensor network, the difficulty of applying a wireless sensor network to an intelligent distribution network communication is to meet the real-time and reliability requirements of power industry distribution network data communication specifications under the limited network resources. Firstly, the transmission probability is calculated by considering the path loss, the speed of the node, the direction of the node, and the residual energy of the node. In addition, the transmission and replacement order of the message is determined according to the survival time of the data message. Simulation experiments are carried out on MATLAB. The result shows the proposed routing algorithm, compared with the DT algorithm, flooding algorithm, and FAD algorithm, the delivery rate of data messages is increased by at least 6%, and the number of copies is reduced by at least 10% compared with the flooding algorithm and the FAD algorithm. On the basis of satisfying the mobility of sink nodes, the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively save network energy consumption and prolong the network lifetime.
Complex Interplay of Eastern Bloc SMEs Trade Credit Determinants: Changes due to the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Teplova Tamara , Sokolova Tatiana , Galenskaya Kristina , Gubareva Mariya
Published: March 2022

We investigate whether the determinants of small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) trade credits taken for purchasing fixed assets suffered substantial changes due to the global financial crisis (GFC). The geographical focus of this paper covers 18 former Eastern bloc countries. The data sample comprises opinions of the SMEs top managers relative to the trade credit financing. The two‐step Heckman procedure is applied to study complexity of the trade credit determinants. We find that before the GFC the equity concentration and inflation have negatively impacted the trade credit while foreign ownership and company’s longevity have had a positive effect. The GFC has changed this complex relationship. We evidence that, after the GFC, equity concentration and state subsidies have a positive effect.
Shearing Performance of Natural Joints with Different Roughnesses under Direct Shearing Tests
Authors: Zhang Yang , Song Jinliang , Hu Dawei , Liu Yuzhang , Zhou Fujian
Published: March 2022

Roughness is one of the major characteristics of natural fracture in hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs, which has a significant influence on the activation of fractures during hydraulic stimulation. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different roughnesses and high normal stresses on shear behaviors of rock joints. To do this, replicas of natural rock joint surfaces were constructed using the 3D optical scanning and 3D rigid engraving technique. Direct shear tests were performed on rock joint replicas with three joint roughness coefficient (JRC) indices (i.e., 1.42, 4.98, and 7.96) at two high normal load conditions (i.e., 15 and 30 MPa). The results show that the shear strength dependence on surface roughness is similar at normal stresses of 15 and 30 MPa. In addition, JRC-JCS shear strength criterion can reasonably describe the peak shear strengths that obtained from experimental curves, and the peak shear stresses have a positive correlation with JRC values at both normal stresses. Moreover, at normal stresses of 15 and 30 MPa, the shearing mechanism of joints with different JRC values is asperity shearing off. Results also show that the friction coefficient of joint surface increases as joint roughness increases, and higher normal loads may lead to a decrease of apparent cohesion, which weakens the residual strength during the slip. The results of this study improve insight into the natural fracture activation behavior during hydraulic fracturing.
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Factors of Primary Malignant Bone Neoplasms with Bone Metastasis at Initial Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Xiao Zheng-Wei , Guo Hui-ling , Chen Hong-chao , Yan Lai-peng , Liao Yi-lin , Li Shu-lin , Zhao Li-lan , Su Ling-bo , Li Jun-jie , Tang Fa-qiang
Published: March 2022

Background. Bone metastasis (BM) has been proven to be responsible for the poor prognosis of primary malignant bone neoplasms (PMBNs). We aimed to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic factors for PMBNs patients with BM based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methods. 4,758 patients diagnosed with PMBNs from 2010 to 2018 were selected from the SEER database. All patients were divided into two groups: the BM group or the non-BM group. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact method were used to assess baseline characteristics, and logistic regression analysis was applied to assess risk factors. In addition, a nomogram was constructed based on the results of Cox regression analysis among 227 patients with BM. The good performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram were tested by the concordance index, operating characteristic curve, area under the curve, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Results. 227 (4.8%) patients had metastasis to bone at diagnosis. Primary site outside the extremities (axial: odds ratio,

OR
=
1.770

; others:

OR
=
1.951

), Ewing sarcoma (

OR
=
2.845

), larger tumor size (5–8 cm:

OR
=
3.403

; >8 cm:

OR
=
5.562

), tumor extension beyond the periosteum (

OR
=
2.477

), and regional lymph node metastasis (

OR
=
2.900

) were associated with a higher risk of BM at the initial diagnosis of PMBNs. Five independent prognostic factors were found in the survival analysis: pathological type (chondrosarcoma vs. osteosarcoma: hazard ratio,

HR
=
0.342

; Ewing sarcoma vs. osteosarcoma:

HR
=
0.592

; and chordoma vs. osteosarcoma:

HR
=
0.015

), marital status (

HR
=
2.457

), pulmonary metastasis (

HR
=
1.934

), surgery at the primary site (

HR
=
0.164

), and chemotherapy (

HR
=
0.084

). A nomogram based on these prognostic factors could be a good predictor of cancer-specific survival. Conclusions. We identified the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic factors correlated with BM in PMBNs patients. The related nomogram could be a practical tool for therapeutic decision-making and individual counseling.
Low Activation of CD8+ T Cells in response to Viral Peptides in Mexican Patients with Severe Dengue
Authors: Estrada-Jiménez Tania , Flores-Mendoza Lilian , Ávila-Jiménez Laura , Vázquez-Rodríguez Carlos Francisco , Sánchez-Burgos Gilma Guadalupe , Vallejo-Ruiz Verónica , Reyes-Leyva Julio
Published: March 2022

It is acknowledged that antiviral immune response contributes to dengue immunopathogenesis. To identify immunological markers that distinguish dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), 113 patients with confirmed dengue infection were analyzed at 6 or 7 days after fever onset. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated, lymphocyte subsets and activation biomarkers were identified by flow cytometry, and differentiation of T helper (Th) lymphocytes was achieved by the relative expression analysis of T-bet (Th1), GATA-3 (Th2), ROR-γ (Th17), and FOXP-3 (T regulatory) transcription factors quantified by real-time PCR. CD8+, CD40L+, and CD45+ cells show higher numbers in DF compared to DHF patients, whereas CD4+, CD19+, and CD25+ cells show higher numbers in DHF than DF patients. High expression of GATA-3 accompanied by low expression of T-bet indicates predominance of Th2 response. In addition, higher expression of FOXP-3 and reduced functional cytotoxic T cells (CD8+perforin+) were observed in DHF patients. In further experiments, PBMC were stimulated ex vivo with dengue virus E, NS3, NS4, and NS5 peptides, and proliferating T cell subsets were determined. Lower proliferative responses to NS3 and NS4 peptides and reduced CD8+ cytotoxic T cells were observed in DHF patients. Our results suggest that immune response to dengue is dysregulated with predominance of CD4+ T cells, low activation of Th1 cells, and downregulation of the antiviral cytotoxic activity during severe dengue, likely induced by regulatory T cells.
Practical Machine Learning Model to Predict the Recovery of Motor Function in Patients with Stroke
Authors: Kim Jeoung Kun , Lv Zhihan , Park Donghwi , Chang Min Cheol
Published: March 2022

Background: Machine learning (ML) is an artificial intelligence technique in which a system learns patterns and rules from a given data. Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the potential of ML for predicting motor recovery in stroke patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 833 consecutive stroke patients using 3 ML algorithms: deep neural network (DNN), random forest, and logistic regression. We created a practical ML model using the most common data measured in almost all rehabilitation hospitals as input data. Demographic and clinical data, including modified Brunnstrom classification (MBC) and functional ambulation classification (FAC), were collected when patients were transferred to the rehabilitation unit (8–30 days) and 6 months after stroke onset and were used as input data. Motor outcomes at 6 months after stroke onset of the affected upper and lower extremities were classified according to MBC and FAC, respectively. Patients with an MBC of <5 and an FAC of <4 at 6 months after stroke onset were considered to have a “poor” outcome, whereas those with MBC ≥5 and FAC ≥4 were considered to have a “good” outcome. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) for the DNN model for predicting motor function was 0.836 for the upper and lower limb motor functions. For the random forest and logistic regression models, the AUCs were 0.736 and 0.790 for the upper and lower limb motor functions, respectively. The AUCs for the random forest and logistic regression models were 0.741 and 0.795 for the upper and lower limb motor functions, respectively. Conclusion: Although we used simple and common data that can be obtained in clinical practice as variables, our DNN algorithm was useful for predicting motor recovery of the upper and lower extremities in stroke patients during the recovery phase.
Nail-Patella Syndrome: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings
Authors: Zuberi Hafsa Z. , Angirekula Ashika , Akram Muhammad R. , Kooner Karanjit S.
Published: March 2022

We describe a 51-year-old Hispanic female with nail-patella syndrome (NPS), a rare genetic disease with a wide range of systemic features such as nail dysplasia and finger abnormalities, elbow webbing, iliac horn, patellar subluxation, and proteinuria. Some patients additionally have a history of glaucoma and other ocular features such as thick central corneal thickness, Lester’s sign, prominent iris processes, and optic nerve cupping. Our patient had a history of glaucoma suspicion, prominent iris processes, increased cup to disc ratios, tilted optic discs, and tigroid fundi. In addition, we report optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings of focal areas of poor vessel densities in the macular and circumpapillary regions of both eyes, suggesting early compromised vascular supplies to these areas. Our OCTA findings (which include both structural and vascular details of retina and optic nerve) lend support to the use of this technology in patients with NPS.
Disorder of Selfhood in Schizophrenia: A Symptom or a Gestalt?
Authors: Sandsten Karl Erik , Zahavi Dan , Parnas Josef
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The concept of schizophrenia (SCZ) was originally associated with a disorder of formal strata of the self. During the last two decades, empirical studies have demonstrated a selective hyper-aggregation of self-disorders in the SCZ spectrum. As with other scientific research areas, the role of self-disturbances in SCZ has been up for debate in various disciplines including cognitive sciences, philosophy of mind, and psychopathology. Several philosophical papers have used the psychopathological phenomena of “thought insertion” as an alleged example of a complete loss of minimal selfhood. In the field of psychopathology, it has been claimed that self-disorders may comprise a transdiagnostic phenotype. Common to these approaches is the underlying assumption that self-disorders reflect well-delineated and isolated symptoms akin to the notion of symptom in the medical model. The aim of this paper was to argue that the clinical manifestation of self-disturbances is to be seen as aspects of a Gestalt of disturbed experiential selfhood. Methods: Seven videotaped interviews of patients with SCZ who were emblematic of very diverse symptomatological constellations were selected and jointly watched and discussed by the authors, who reached a consensus assessment. The interviews were semi-structured and narrative in nature in order to obtain faithful self-descriptions according to the standards of phenomenologically oriented interviews. For the purpose of this article, we chose 4 videos from which excerpts were verbatim transcribed and translated from Danish into English. Results: The patients describe unique combinations of various psychopathological phenomena such as diminished sense of embodied self-presence, loss of ego boundaries, diminished sense of self, alienation and objectification of the experiential processes, mirror-phenomena, and Schneiderian passivity phenomena. Discussion: Through an interweaving of the four vignettes and their subsequent psychopathological discussions, we argue that the invariant commonality across the different symptomatic expressions in these patients resides in a Gestalt of pervasive disturbance of self-experience. From a phenomenological perspective, these self-disturbances target a basic structure of phenomenal consciousness, namely, the first-person givenness of experience. We conclude that self-disorders reflect a trait-instability in the most basic structures of consciousness in SCZ and that its clinical manifestations are to be seen as aspects of a particular Gestalt rather than appearing as separate and well-delineated symptoms.