bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Water Flows in Internal and External Agricultural Product Trade in Central Asia
Authors: Zhou Xinyao , Han Shumin , Li Huilong , Ren Dandan , Sheng Zhuping , Yang Yonghui
Published: October 2021

Central Asia exports large amounts of virtual water through agricultural trade, a key factor for overexploitation of water resources in the region. Most studies analyze Central Asia’s virtual water outflows to the outside world, while ignore the agricultural trade within the region and the varying impacts of virtual water flows on the individual countries. In this study, the changes in virtual water flows embedded in trade with outside regions (external) and Central Asia countries (internal) were analyzed for the period 2000–2018 for wheat, cotton, and livestock. The results show that while Central Asia exported, respectively, 194.3 and 101.8 km3 of virtual water to the outside world through cotton and wheat trade, it imported 53.7 km3 of virtual water via livestock trade. Also, while cotton‐based virtual water outflows decreased, wheat‐based virtual water outflows increased. Total virtual water flows in internal trade reached 71.2 km3, with flow originating mainly from Kazakhstan and heading to other four countries through wheat trade.Kazakhstan was the largest net exporter of virtual water through wheat trade, Uzbekistan was the second‐largest net exporter through cotton trade. Green water (precipitation water used by crops) was dominant in virtual water flow related to wheat and blue water (surface water or groundwater used by crops) was dominant in virtual water flow related to cotton. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were most directly influenced by the virtual water trade.
Effects of Reservoir Levels on Arizona National Recreation Area Visitation, Visitor Spending, and Local Economies
Authors: Duval Dari , Bickel Ashley K. , Frisvold George B.
Published: October 2021

This study estimates the effects of reservoir levels on demand for recreation visits to Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area [NRA]) and Lake Mead NRA, correlating reservoir levels with overnight and total recreation visits. We also consider the effects of closures of recreation access points (such as launch ramps or marinas) when lake levels fall below critical thresholds. Our overall results are similar to past studies, but find that the access point closures are a more robust predictor of visits than simple elevation measures. Policies that manage the Colorado River, including those that seek to maintain reservoir levels above critical levels with the primary goal of preventing water delivery cutbacks, also affect recreation demand and the economies of nearby communities. Our analysis maps changes in visits (from changing elevations) to changes in visitor spending, recreationist user benefits, and regional economic indicators such as value added and employment. Such indicators could be used in future benefit‐cost or economic impact analyses of Colorado River water management policies.
Sample size considerations for stepped wedge designs with subclusters
Authors: Davis‐Plourde Kendra , Taljaard Monica , Li Fan
Published: October 2021

The stepped wedge cluster randomized trial (SW‐CRT) is an increasingly popular design for evaluating health service delivery or policy interventions. An essential consideration of this design is the need to account for both within‐period and between‐period correlations in sample size calculations. Especially when embedded in health care delivery systems, many SW‐CRTs may have subclusters nested in clusters, within which outcomes are collected longitudinally. However, existing sample size methods that account for between‐period correlations have not allowed for multiple levels of clustering. We present computationally efficient sample size procedures that properly differentiate within‐period and between‐period intracluster correlation coefficients in SW‐CRTs in the presence of subclusters. We introduce an extended block exchangeable correlation matrix to characterize the complex dependencies of outcomes within clusters. For Gaussian outcomes, we derive a closed‐form sample size expression that depends on the correlation structure only through two eigenvalues of the extended block exchangeable correlation structure. For non‐Gaussian outcomes, we present a generic sample size algorithm based on linearization and elucidate simplifications under canonical link functions. For example, we show that the approximate sample size formula under a logistic linear mixed model depends on three eigenvalues of the extended block exchangeable correlation matrix. We provide an extension to accommodate unequal cluster sizes and validate the proposed methods via simulations. Finally, we illustrate our methods in two real SW‐CRTs with subclusters.
Prevalence, behavioural, and management outcomes of infants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
Authors: Smalley Jason , Hole Kevin
Published: October 2021

Aim

To provide an overview of electrophysiological and behavioural outcomes from a large UK centres data set on children diagnosed with auditory neuropathy (ANSD) between 2002 and March 2018.

Method

A systematic audit was undertaken, collating the electrophysiological data from auditory brainstem response (ABR) follow‐up, risk factors, and later behavioural results/management. These were then compared to look for trends between groups. The study sample consisted of 118 925 infants born, with 46 (0.039%, 0.39 per 1000 births) being diagnosed with congenital ANSD (39 bilateral, seven unilateral).

Results

Twenty‐nine per cent of ears with ANSD had short latency components on ABR testing. Forty‐four per cent of ears with present cochlear microphonics but absent transient‐evoked otoacoustic emissions (TE‐OAE) and no ABR went on to have profound behavioural hearing threshold levels. All but one child went on to show a hearing loss on behavioural testing. ANSD was not confined to the population from neonatal intensive care units: there were three bilateral and five unilateral cases in the typically developing infant population.

Interpretation

The incidence of ANSD is higher in this sample than that reported previously in the literature. Children who had cochlear microphonics with absent ABR and absent TE‐OAE had significantly worse later behavioural outcomes than other patterns of electrophysiological results.
Three‐dimensional modeling of the mitral valve for surgical planning in a pediatric patient: A case‐based discussion of the technical challenges of segmentation and printing from 3D transthoracic echocardiographic datasets
Authors: Sturgeon Gregory M. , Andersen Nicholas D. , Campbell Michael J. , Barker Piers C. A.
Published: October 2021

Abnormal atrioventricular valve present great challenges to the surgeon in achieving a successful repair, and thus present a great opportunity for enhanced 3D imaging to guide pre‐ and intra‐operative management. Spatial and temporal resolution of 3D echocardiography enables 3D printing of valve morphology. However, non‐linearity, angle dependence, speckle, blur, and resampling complicate segmentation compared to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A case of complex mitral valve disease in a pediatric patient is therefore presented to illustrate the technical challenges of segmentation and 3D printing from echocardiographic data.
Smartphone‐derived keystroke dynamics are sensitive to relevant changes in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lam Ka‐Hoo , Twose James , McConchie Hannah , Licitra Giovanni , Meijer Kim , de Ruiter Lodewijk , van Lierop Zoë , Moraal Bastiaan , Barkhof Frederik , Uitdehaag Bernard , de Groot Vincent , Killestein Joep
Published: October 2021

Background

To investigate smartphone keystroke dynamics (KD), derived from regular typing, on sensitivity to relevant change in disease activity, fatigue, and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

Preplanned interim analysis of a cohort study with 102 MS patients assessed at baseline and 3‐month follow‐up for gadolinium‐enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, relapses, fatigue and clinical disability outcomes. Keyboard interactions were unobtrusively collected during typing using the Neurokeys App. From these interactions 15 keystroke features were derived and aggregated using 16 summary and time series statistics. Responsiveness of KD to clinical anchor‐based change was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The optimal cut‐point was used to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and compared to the smallest real change (SRC). Commonly used clinical measures were analyzed for comparison.

Results

A total of 94 patients completed the follow‐up. The five best performing keystroke features had AUC‐values in the range 0.72–0.78 for change in gadolinium‐enhancing lesions, 0.67–0.70 for the Checklist Individual Strength Fatigue subscale, 0.66–0.79 for the Expanded Disability Status Scale, 0.69–0.73 for the Ambulation Functional System, and 0.72–0.75 for Arm function in MS Questionnaire. The MCID of these features exceeded the SRC on group level. KD had higher AUC‐values than comparative clinical measures for the study outcomes, aside from ambulatory function.

Conclusions

Keystroke dynamics demonstrated good responsiveness to changes in disease activity, fatigue, and clinical disability in MS, and detected important change beyond measurement error on group level. Responsiveness of KD was better than commonly used clinical measures.
A multicenter retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 1188 cases of actinic keratosis in different ultraviolet radiation intensity areas of China
Authors: Xu Dan , Sun Jian‐Fang , Qi Rui‐Qun , Zhang Wei , Dong Ling‐Di , Liu Tong‐Yun , Zheng Song , Niu Rui‐Xian , Zhang Juan , Cui Ting‐Ting , He Li , Chen Hong‐Duo
Published: October 2021

Background

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous disease, caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV).

Objective

To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of AK in four areas with different ultraviolet radiation intensities.

Methods

1188 diagnosed AK patients, from January 2000 to July 2015, in dermatology department of four hospitals were collected. The UV intensity of hospital located cities from high to low is Kunming, Yinchuan, Shenyang and Nanjing. The information comes from medical records, and the pathological types and Keratinocyte Intraepithelial Neoplasia (KIN) grades were checked by two experienced pathologists. All information was conducted a retrospective multicenter research.

Results

The patients were mainly middle‐aged and elderly female, which was in direct contrast to the majority of men in European. The age of onset in Kunming group was lower than that in Yinchuan Group (p = 0.013) and Nanjing Group (p < 0.01). The course of disease in Kunming group was significantly shorter than that in Nanjing Group (p < 0.001). The lesions were almost located in the exposed area. The proportion of unexposed areas in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.001). There were statistical differences in pathological morphological classification among the four groups. These differences were not affected by age and gender. The number of KIN III grade patients in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The Asian patients were mainly female. The clinical characteristics of AK are closely related to UV intensity, and environmental pollution, lifestyle, religious beliefs and other factors are also related.
Efficacy and safety of Resveratrol combined with Ablative Fractional CO2 laser system in the treatment of skin photoaging
Authors: Du Yi‐Mei , Zeng Jing , Li Meng , Wang Yang‐Bin , Wu Yan , Qi Rui‐Qun , Gao Xing‐Hua , Chen Hong‐Duo
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of resveratrol combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser system (AFL) treating skin photoaging.

Methods

Thirty‐two subjects were assigned to the treatment group (TG) or the control group (CG), respectively, applied test product (resveratrol essence) or control product twice daily for 6 months. Each subject was given an AFL treatment or no laser treatment on left or right side of the face randomly. Subjective evaluations by investigators and subjects themselves were conducted after treatment. Melanin index, erythema index, and cuticle moisture content were conducted at baseline and after treatments. Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated during the study period.

Results

All subjects in TG achieved improvements of their photoaging signs compared to pre‐treatment both the laser side and the non‐laser side at 6 months (p < 0.05). On the laser side, TG produced a better improvement than CG at 6 months (p < 0.05). On the laser side, the difference values of MI in TG at the 2 months after enrollment (M2), M3, and M4 were more obvious than those in CG (p < 0.05). On the non‐laser side, the difference values of MI in TG at M3, M4, M5, and M6 were more obvious than those of CG (p < 0.05). Subjects in TG were more likely to have tingling and had a faster subsidence of erythema mild edema, and pigmentation induced by AFL compared to CG.

Conclusion

The resveratrol can improve photoaging alone and add an efficacy to the AFL treatment and subside the AEs induced by AFL.
Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES) 2.0—Reliability of diagnosis with and without computer‐assisted evaluation
Authors: Roehl Jakob C. , Jakstat Holger A. , Becker Kai , Wetselaar Peter , Ahlers M. Oliver
Published: October 2021

Background

Tooth wear is a multifactorial process, leading to the loss of dental hard tissues. Therefore, it is important to detect the level of tooth wear at an early stage, so monitoring can be initiated. The Tooth Wear Evaluation System (TWES) enables such a multistage diagnosis of tooth wear. The further developed TWES 2.0 contains a complete taxonomy of tooth wear, but its reliability has not yet been validated.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to examine in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) whether diagnoses made based on the TWES 2.0 are reproducible and whether this reproducibility is also achieved with computer‐assisted diagnostics.

Methods

44 dental students received extensive training in TWES 2.0 assessment and taxonomy. The students each evaluated at least 10 (of the present 14) anonymised patient cases using gypsum models and high‐resolution intra‐oral photographs according to TWES 2.0. One half initially evaluated on paper; the other half used dedicated software (CMDfact / CMDbrux). After half of the patient cases (5), the evaluation methods were switched (AB/BA crossover design). The diagnoses were then evaluated for agreement with the predefined sample solution.

Results

Evaluation of agreement with the sample solution according to Cohen's kappa indicated a value of 0.46 for manual (traditional) evaluation; and 0.44 for computer‐assisted evaluation. Evaluation of agreement between examiners was 0.38 for manual and 0.48 for computer‐assisted evaluation (Fleiss’ kappa).

Conclusion

The results of this study proved that the taxonomy of the TWES 2.0 has acceptable reliability and can thus be used by dentists. Accordingly, the system can be learned quickly even by untrained practitioners. Comparable results are achieved with computer‐assisted evaluation.
Toward the robust resolution of taxonomic ambiguity within Lepocinclis (Euglenida) based on DNA sequencing and morphology
Authors: Chaber Katarzyna , Łukomska‐Kowalczyk Maja , Fells Alicja , Milanowski Rafał , Zakryś Bożena
Published: October 2021

DNA sequences were analyzed for three groups of species from the Lepocinclis genus (L. acus‐like, L. oxyuris‐like, and L. tripteris‐like) along with cellular morphology. Phylogenetic analyses were based on nuclear SSU rDNA, LSU rDNA, and plastid‐encoded LSU rDNA. DNA sequences were obtained from species available in culture collections (L. acus SAG 1224‐1a and UTEX 1316) and those isolated directly from the environment in Poland (48 isolates), resulting in 79 new sequences. The obtained phylogenetic tree of Lepocinclis included 27 taxa, five of which are presented for the first time (L. convoluta, L. gracillimoides, L. longissima, L. pseudospiroides, and L. torta) and nine taxonomically verified and described. Based on morphology, literature data, and phylogenetic analyses, the following species were distinguished: in the L. acus‐like group, L. longissima and L. acus; in the L. tripteris‐like group, L. pseudospiroides, L. torta, and L. tripteris; in the L. oxyuris‐like group, L. gracillimoides, L. oxyuris var. oxyuris, and L. oxyuris var. helicoidea. For all verified species, diagnostic descriptions were emended, nomenclatural adjustments were made, and epitypes were designated.
Water Quality Monitoring in Inle Lake, Myanmar from the Floating Garden Activity
Authors: Khaung Theingi , Iwai Chuleemas Boonthai , Chuasavathi Thammared , Chuasavathi Thammared
Published: October 2021

Inle Lake is the second largest inland lake in Myanmar. Floating gardens, mostly for tomato cultivation, are a unique and profitable method of agriculture used by people living on and around the lake. This study investigated the water quality of Inle Lake and how it has been affected by the different agricultural practices used in tomato cultivation on floating garden beds, by measuring pollution levels. Water samples were collected from the sites representing two types of agricultural practice from four villages. The first was designated as being grown under good agricultural practices (GAP), and the other as under non-good agricultural practices (non-GAP), with this study undertaken during wet season, 2019 and dry season, 2020. Two additional sets of water samples were collected as references. One of these sets was from the center of the lake and the other from an inlet stream to the lake. All water samples were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The results found that Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3- were dominant in the lake surface water. The results showed significant differences in the mean values for some water quality parameters between the GAP and non-GAP of each study sites in both seasons. In particular, nutrient pollution from chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the non-GAP were significantly higher than those from GAP. Water quality index was calculated to describe the overall quality of lake surface water. It was observed that the water quality was almost threatened in the floating garden areas.  In comparison between two practices, the non-GAP gave the higher water quality index value than the GAP. This investigated that poor management of fertilizers usage has had a negative effect on the water quality of the lake. The differences seen in water quality from the GAP and non-GAP areas, point to ways to successfully manage sources of water pollution in order to better conserve the lake by sustainable agricultural production.
Anisotropic solution for compact star in 5D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity
Authors: Maurya S. K. , Pradhan Anirudh , Banerjee Ayan , Tello-Ortiz Francisco , Jasim M. K.
Published: October 2021

In astronomy, the study of compact stellar remnants — white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes — has attracted much attention for addressing fundamental principles of physics under extreme conditions in the core of compact objects. In a recent argument, Maurya et al. [Eur. Phys. J. C 77, 45 (2017)] have proposed an exact solution depending on a specific spacetime geometry. Here, we construct equilibrium configurations of compact stars for the same spacetime that make it interesting for modeling high density physical astronomical objects. All calculations are carried out within the framework of the five-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity. Our main interest is to explore the dependence of the physical properties of these compact stars depending on the Gauss–Bonnet coupling constant. The interior solutions have been matched to an exterior Boulware–Deser solution for [Formula: see text] spacetime. Our finding ensures that all energy conditions hold, and the speed of sound remains causal, everywhere inside the star. Moreover, we study the dynamical stability of stellar structure by taking into account the modified field equations using the theory of adiabatic radial oscillations developed by Chandrasekhar. Based on the observational data for radii and masses coming from different astronomical sources, we show that our model is compatible and physically relevant.
Cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers in the diagnostic assays of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Liding , Liang Xiaohan , Zhang Zhihong , Luo Haiming
Published: October 2021

The anti-amyloid-β (anti-Aβ) fibrils and soluble oligomers antibody aducanumab were approved to effectively slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at higher doses in 2019, reaffirming the therapeutic effects of targeting the core pathology of AD. A timely and accurate diagnosis in the prodromal or pre-dementia stage of AD is essential for patient recruitment, stratification, and monitoring of treatment effects. AD core biomarkers amyloid-β (Aβ1−42), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) have been clinically validated to reflect AD-type pathological changes through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measurement or positron-emission tomography (PET) and found to have high diagnostic performance for AD identification in the stage of mild cognitive impairment. The development of ultrasensitive immunoassay technology enables AD pathological proteins such as tau and neurofilament light (NFL) to be measured in blood samples. However, combined biomarker detection or targeting multiple biomarkers in immunoassays will increase detection sensitivity and specificity and improve diagnostic accuracy. This review summarizes and analyzes the performance of current detection methods for early diagnosis of AD, and provides a concept of detection method based on multiple biomarkers instead of a single target, which may become a potential tool for early diagnosis of AD in the future.
Profunda Brachii Pseudoaneurysm following Supracondylar Fracture of Humerus Repair in an 8-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Johari Hamed Ghoddusi , Erfani Mohammad-Ali , Erfani Amirhossein , Shahriarirad Reza , Karami Mohammad-Mehdi
Published: October 2021

Arterial pseudoaneurysm can manifest in almost all arteries, but peripheral ones such as brachial artery pseudoaneurysm are rare and typically happen after trauma or infections. We describe an 8-year-old boy who presented with a large nonpulsatile soft tissue mass-like lesion 20 days after supracondylar fracture of the humerus which was fixed using Kirschner wire. The neurovascular examination was normal; CT angiography revealed a large pseudoaneurysm arising from the left profunda brachii artery. The patient went under surgical repair and was discharged from the hospital with an uneventful postop course. A high index of suspicion is necessary in cases with humeral fractures for the early diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm where the delayed diagnosis may cause fatal outcomes.
Research on Contract Coordination in the Manufacturing Supply Chain Given China’s Work Safety Constraints
Authors: Yang Zongkang , Mei Qiang , Wang Qiwei , Liu Suxia , Zhang Jingjing
Published: October 2021

With supply chain management’s increasing importance in work safety, this paper establishes the leading enterprise with core enterprises as work safety units. These guide the small and medium‐sized enterprises within the supply chain to focus on improving work safety according to the leading position of the supply chain’s core enterprises. Therefore, the Stackelberg game model is applied to build and explain supply chain node‐enterprises’ optimal centralized and decentralized operational decisions. This research was conducted in the context of enterprise work safety constraints’ influence on the manufacturing supply chain’s equilibrium results. It also reveals the necessity in supply chain node enterprises’ contract coordination design by comparing the two decision models’ equilibrium results. Ultimately, the manufacturing supply chain’s overall profit and work safety can reach a level that includes centralized decisions through revenue‐ and cost‐sharing contracts. Furthermore, profits to the supply chain’s node enterprises also improve, and a Pareto optimality is achieved. An enlightened management demonstrates the importance of core enterprises’ leading position in the supply chain, and the supply chain node enterprises’ levels of work safety, product demand, and total profit can be promoted through revenue‐ and cost‐sharing contracts.
An Adaptive Deployment Algorithm for IaaS Cloud Virtual Machines Based on Q Learning Mechanism
Authors: Chen Shuguang
Published: October 2021

When deploying infrastructure as a service (IaaS) cloud virtual machines using the existing algorithms, the deployment process cannot be simplified, and the algorithm is difficult to be applied. This leads to the problems of high energy consumption, high number of migrations, and high average service‐level agreement (SLA) violation rate. In order to solve the above problems, an adaptive deployment algorithm for IaaS cloud virtual machines based on Q learning mechanism is proposed in this research. Based on the deployment principle, the deployment characteristics of the IaaS cloud virtual machines are analyzed. The virtual machine scheduling problem is replaced with the Markov process. The multistep Q learning algorithm is used to schedule the virtual machines based on the Q learning mechanism to complete the adaptive deployment of the IaaS cloud virtual machines. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has low energy consumption, small number of migrations, and low average SLA violation rate.
Enhanced Fuzzy Delphi Method in Forecasting and Decision-Making
Authors: Alharbi Majed G. , Khalifa Hamiden Abd El- Wahed
Published: October 2021

The Delphi method is a process where subjective data are transformed into quasi-objective data using statistical analysis and are converged to stable points. The Delphi method was developed by the RAND Corporation at Santa Monica, California, and is widely used for long-range forecasting in management science. It is a method by which the subjective data of experts are made to converge using some statistical analyses. This article proposes a variation of the Delphi method using triangular fuzzy numbers, where the communication method with the experts is the same, but the estimation procedure is different. The utility of the method is illustrated by a numerical example.
Effects of Three Traditional Chinese Fitness Exercises Combined with Antihypertensive Drugs on Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Dai Lulu , Jiang Yuerong , Wang Peili , Chen Keji
Published: October 2021

Objective. To compare the efficacy of three different traditional Chinese exercises (Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Wuqinxi) combined with antihypertensive drugs (AHD) on patients with essential hypertension (EH). Method. Eight electronic databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of traditional Chinese fitness exercises combined with AHD and AHD alone. The analysis mainly consists of network meta-analysis (NMA) and pairwise meta-analysis. The Cochrane assessment tool was adopted to assess the risk of bias of included literatures. This study used STATA/SE 15.1 (StataCorp, 2017), R software (version 4.0.1), and Cochrane’s Review Manager software (version 5.4) to conduct data analysis and figures generation. Results. A total of 30 RCTs were included in this study, of which 16 evaluated Tai Chi plus AHD versus AHD, 11 evaluated Baduanjin plus AHD versus AHD, and 3 evaluated Wuqinxi plus AHD versus AHD. No RCT compared directly among the three traditional Chinese fitness exercises. Pairwise meta-analysis showed that Tai Chi plus AHD was significantly superior to AHD alone in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). BDJ plus AHD was statistically superior to AHD alone in reducing SBP, DBP, and endothelin (ET) and increasing nitric oxide (NO). NMA results indicated that Tai Chi plus AHD (WMD −12.42 mmHg, 95% CI: −15.29 to −9.55) and Baduanjin plus AHD (WMD −7.03 mmHg, 95% CI: −9.80 to −4.26) were superior to AHD, and Tai Chi was more effective than other traditional exercises in lowering SBP, Tai Chi plus AHD (WMD −7.56 mmHg, 95% CI: −10.15 to −4.96) and Baduanjin plus AHD (WMD −4.51 mmHg, 95% CI: −7.38 to −1.65) were superior to AHD in reducing DBP, Baduanjin plus AHD (WMD 4.26 μmol/L, 95%CI: 2.68 to 5.83) was statistically superior to AHD in increasing NO, and Tai Chi plus AHD (WMD −7.64 pg/ml, 95% CI: −10.46 to −4.83) and Baduanjin plus AHD (WMD −9.23 pg/ml, 95% CI: −10.85 to −7.61) were superior to AHD in lowering ET. Conclusion. Compared with AHD alone, both Tai Chi plus AHD and Baduanjin plus AHD showed significant benefit in regulating SBP, DBP, and ET. Among the three traditional Chinese fitness exercises, Tai Chi may be the best as an adjunctive therapy for SBP reduction. These findings provided evidence for the therapeutic benefit of either Tai Chi or Baduanjin exercise as an adjunct therapy for patients with EH. Limited by the methodological quality and quantity of included studies, results need to be interpreted with caution, and it is necessary to carry out further high-quality RCTs on traditional Chinese fitness exercise-assisted treatment of EH in the future.
Design of the School-Enterprise Cooperation Management Information Platform Based on the B/S Architecture
Authors: Zhang Qiang
Published: October 2021

The SEC teaching management platform provides a good support for school-enterprise cooperation. This paper conducts research on the SEC management information platform based on the B/S architecture. On the basis of the analysis of the relevant functional needs of the system, the overall functional framework of the system includes the college management platform, enterprise management platform, resource-sharing platform, and user login platform, then the B/S architecture is used to develop the SEC teaching management platform, and the test experiments of the SEC teaching management platform are carried out. The maximum number of concurrent tests shows that the maximum number of concurrencies of the platform is 989. Through the system response time test, the system response time is between 0.2 and 0.45, which meets the system response time requirements. In the CPU use test, the CPU share of the system was between 25% and 31%, meeting the needs of the system. From the above experimental results, the system is relatively high.
Effect of Systemic Intraoperative Heparin Use on Upper Extremity Arteriovenous Fistula Patency in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients
Authors: Bahi Morwan
Published: October 2021

The formation of the arteriovenous fistula is an important method of vascular access for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This allows renal filtration resulting in improved life quality and expectancy for ESRD patients. The biggest drawback to arteriovenous fistula formation is thrombosis, which can occur at an early or delayed stage. One suggested method of reducing postoperative arteriovenous fistula thrombosis rates is the administration of intraoperative systemic heparin. Heparin use in this context is debated, and there is currently no consensus on its use. There are a number of small randomised control studies trialling use of heparin but no large systematic trials. In this report, we collate existing evidence in the form of a review article and attempt to extrapolate a consensus of the evidence.
Clinical Outcomes after Intravenous Alteplase in Elderly Patients with Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A Retrospective Analysis of Patients Treated at a Tertiary Neurology Centre in England from 2013 to 2018
Authors: Huang Xuya , Nash Phillip , Alakbarzade Vafa , Clarke Brian , Pereira Anthony C.
Published: October 2021

Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase within 4.5 hours from symptom onset is a well-established treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). The aim was to compare alteplase for AIS between patients aged >80 and ≤80 years in our registry data, from 2013 to 2018. Mechanical thrombectomy cases were excluded. We assessed clinical outcomes over the six-year period and between patients aged over 80 and ≤80 years, using measures including the discharge modified Rankin Scale (mRS), 24-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) improvement, and symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) rate. Of a total of 805 AIS patients who received intravenous alteplase, 278 (34.5%) were over 80 years old, and 527 (65%) were younger. 616 (76.5%) received

thrombolysis
≤
3

hours after symptom onset and 189 (23.5%) within 3-4.5 hours. Median baseline mRS and NIHSS of the elderly cohort were 1 (IQR 0-5) and 13 (IQR 2-37), respectively, compared to the younger cohort 0 (IQR 0-5) and 9 (IQR 0-29). The sICH rate was 7.2% in the elderly and 4.6% in those ≤80 years,

p
=
0.05

. NIHSS improved within 24 hours in 34% of the elderly cohort compared to 35% in the younger cohort. At hospital discharge, the mortality rate was 9% in the elderly cohort compared to the 6% in the younger cohort,

p
=
0.154

. 25% of patients aged >80 years had

mRS
≤
2

compared to 47% in the younger patients (

p
<
0.0001

). In conclusion, thrombolysis in elderly patients results in clinical improvement comparable to younger patients.
Study on Mechanism of Jiawei Chaiqin Wendan Decoction in Treatment of Vestibular Migraine Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technology
Authors: Liu Menglin , Fan Genhao , Zhang Daopei , Zhu Mingjun , Zhang Huailiang
Published: October 2021

Objective. To predict the main active ingredients, potential targets, and key pathways of Jiawei Chaiqin Wendan decoction treatment in vestibular migraine and explore possible mechanisms by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods. The active ingredients and related targets of Jiawei Chaiqin Wendan decoction were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The corresponding genes of the target were queried by UniProt database, and the “drug-compound-target-disease” network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by R software and Bioconductor, and column chart and bubble chart were drawn by Prism software and OmicShare database for visualization. Finally, the mechanism and potential targets of Jiawei Chaiqin Wendan decoction in the treatment of vestibular migraine were predicted. Results. The “drug-compound-target-disease” network contains 154 active ingredients and 85 intersection targets. The key targets include AKT1, IL6, MAPK3, VEGFA, EGFR, CASP3, EGF, MAPK1, PTGS2, and ESR1. A total of 1939 items were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis (

P

 < 0.05). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis screened 156 signal pathways (

P

 < 0.05), involving PI3K-Akt signal pathway, AGE-RAGE signal pathway in diabetes complications, MAPK signal pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, IL-17 signal pathway, etc. Molecular docking results showed that quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, tanshinone IIa, wogonin, naringenin, nobiletin, dihydrotanshinlactone, beta-sitosterol, and salviolone have good affinity with core target proteins IL6, PTGS2, MAPK1, MAPK3, and CGRP1. Conclusion. The active ingredients in Jiawei Chaiqin Wendan decoction may regulate the levels of inflammatory factors and neurotransmitters by acting on multiple targets such as IL6, MAPK3, MAPK1, and PTGS2, so as to play a therapeutic role in vestibular migraine.
Selecting Hub Genes and Predicting Target Genes of microRNAs in Tuberculosis via the Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Deng Siqi , Shen Shijie , El-Ashram Saeed , Lu Huan , Luo Dan , Ye Guomin , Zhen feng  , Zhang Bo , Zhang Hui , Zhang Wanjiang , Wu Jiangdong , Chen Chuangfu
Published: October 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's most prevalently infectious disease. Molecular mechanisms behind tuberculosis remain unknown. microRNA (miRNA) is involved in a wide variety of diseases. To validate the significant genes and miRNAs in the current sample, two messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile datasets and three miRNA expression profile datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed (DE) genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DE miRNAs) between healthy and TB patients were filtered out. Enrichment analysis was executed, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was developed to understand the enrich pathways and hub genes of TB. Additionally, the target genes of miRNA were predicted and overlapping target genes were identified. We studied a total of 181 DEGs (135 downregulated and 46 upregulated genes) and two DE miRNAs (2 downregulated miRNAs) from two gene profile datasets and three miRNA profile datasets, respectively. 10 hub genes were defined based on high degree of connectivity. A PPI network's top module was constructed. The 23 DEGs identified have a significant relationship with miRNAs. 25 critically significant Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were discovered. The detailed study revealed that, in tuberculosis, the DE miRNA and DEGs form an interaction network. The identification of novel target genes and main pathways would aid with our understanding of miRNA's function in tuberculosis progression.
Market Integration and Regional Innovation in China: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Chang Ching-Ter
Published: October 2021

Market integration is an important tool for China’s regionally coordinated economic development. At the same time, China is implementing an innovation-driven development strategy. Therefore, the way the market integration affects regional innovation is of great significance to analyze this problem. The panel data of 27 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region in China with the highest degree of economic integration from 2009 to 2018 are used to investigate the impact of market integration (MI) on regional innovation (RI). The main findings are as follows: the first-order lag term of RI is significantly positive, and RI has certain path dependence. In this regard, MI has a positive impact on RI and promotes RI. The estimated coefficient of MI is significantly positive and has a positive impact on RI and promotes RI. This provides a reference for promoting RI through MI. The contributions of the paper are threefold: (1) This paper examines the impact of MI on RI to provide policy implications for the coordinated development of innovation between regions. (2) The relative price method is adopted to measure the MI, which covers 16 kinds of commodities, covering a wider range than does the traditional method. (3) This paper uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) to test the effect of MI on RI for the first time.
Analysis of the Influence of Upper Protective Layer Mining on the Effect of Pressure Relief and Protection of Coal and Rock Masses between the Lower Overburden Layers
Authors: Dang Jiaxin , Tu Min , Zhang Xiangyang , Bu Qingwei
Published: October 2021

Protective seam mining is an effective gas pressure relief method in deep mining. Effective theoretical calculation methods in the current studies on the prediction of pressure relief protection effect of interbed coal and rock masses and their distribution laws are lacking. Thus, the evaluation and research with respect to pressure relief effect in protective seam mining relatively lag behind. This situation restricts the engineering feasibility evaluation and decision making in the protective seam mining. Therefore, the influence of upper protective seam mining on the pressure relief protection effect of coal and rock mass between underlying beds was investigated in this study. On the basis of an analysis of concrete engineering projects, a mechanical model was constructed for the pressure relief protection effect of upper protective seam mining on the coal and rock mass between underlying beds. The distribution equation of pressure relief expansion ratio in the underlying protected seam was also derived. The influence laws of main influencing factors on the pressure relief protection effect of the protected seam were revealed as well. In the end, the pressure relief effect was analyzed and verified for the protected seam before and after mining through numerical simulation and similarity simulation test. The pressure relief effect of upper protective seam mining on the coal and rock mass between underlying beds and the distribution characteristics were deeply explored in this study, which could provide a theoretical reference for the decision making in the gas extraction engineering design and pre‐evaluation of extraction effect. Results show that the effective pressure relief zone (expansion rate>0.3%) of the protected seam beneath the goaf is located within the range of approximately 40 m from the coal wall to the rear part. It also presents an approximate “Λ‐shaped distribution characteristic,” that is, it experiences migration and evolution with the advancement in the working face. Moreover, the peak pressure relief lags behind the coal wall on the working face by nearly 10–20 m. In the numerical simulation, the expansion ratio in the goaf also presents an approximate “Λ‐shaped distribution.” Its effective pressure relief zone is the 50 m range from the coal wall to the rear part of the goaf, and the peak value lags behind the coal wall by around 15 m. The theoretical results and numerical simulation results are basically consistent with the physical experiment results. The expansion rates are 1.25%, 1.268%, and 1.32%, respectively. The elastic modulus E of coal seam and interbed spacing H are the main influencing factors of the swelling deformation and are negatively correlated with the expansion ratio. In the actual mining process, E and H of the protected layer can be measured to infer the expansion deformation of the protected layer.
Cartilage Injury after Patellar Dislocation Surgery and Evaluation of the Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment by Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques Based MRI
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ruan Mo , Xu Yongqing , Jiang Jianfei , Li Xinneng , Tan Hongbo
Published: October 2021

The study focused on the application value of Algebraic Reconstruction Techniques (ART) based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of cartilage injury in patients with patellar dislocation, as well as the treatment effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). 50 patients with patellar dislocation admitted to the hospital were selected as the research subjects, and they were randomly divided into the experimental group (lateral retinaculum plasty and PRP treatment) and the control group (lateral retinaculum plasty), with 25 cases in each group. The ART-based MRI technology was used to judge the recovery of patients after surgery and analyze the differences in clinical data between the two groups. The results showed that the running speed under ART algorithm was significantly faster than the traditional Joseph algorithm and Siddon algorithm, and the image reconstruction effect was better. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores of preoperative and postoperative pain and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score in the experimental group were better than those of the control group (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, the ART-based MRI technology can clearly show cartilage injury and the PRP treatment can effectively relieve postoperative pain, with reliable curative effects and simple operations.
Taxonomic review of the grassland leafhopper genus Maiestas Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Deltocephalini) from Pakistan with description of a new species and two new records
Authors: SHAH BISMILLAH , NAVEED HASSAN , WEBB MICHAEL D. , DUAN YANI
Published: October 2021

The grassland leafhopper genus Maiestas Distant is reviewed from Pakistan with the description and illustrations of one new species, Maiestas sinuata Shah & Duan sp. n., and two new records, i.e., Maiestas maculata n. rec. and Maiestas trispinosa n. rec. A checklist of the known species of Maiestas from Pakistan is also given together with a key for their separation (males).
Novel cholesterol efflux assay using immobilized liposome-bound gel beads: Confirmation and improvement for application in clinical laboratory
Authors: Horiuchi Yuna , Lai Shao-Jui , Kameda Takahiro , Tozuka Minoru , Ohkawa Ryunosuke
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), an atheroprotective function of high-density lipoprotein, is expected to be a potential biomarker for cardiovascular disease. However, CEC has not been widely introduced for application in clinical laboratories because of the complexity of the conventional CEC assay using cells and radioactive materials. Previously, we developed a novel CEC assay using immobilized liposome-bound gel beads (ILG), which solves these issues. We aimed to confirm the validation and further improve the ILG method for application in the clinical setting.

Methods

Cholesterol efflux capacity values by the ILG method assayed for shorter incubation time (4 h) were compared to those assayed for 16 h (our previous ILG method). To investigate a reference material that can correct the variation between ILG manufacturing lots, bovine serum albumin, human gamma-globulins, and globulin complexes were evaluated. CEC values were also estimated in plasmas obtained with different anticoagulants, serum treated with freeze-thaw cycles, and serum mixed with several interference substances.

Results

The CEC of 4- and 16-h incubation times were well correlated. Globulin complexes may be used as a reference material. Plasma can be used as the specimen. The serum and stored temperature of the specimen did not largely affect CEC. Hemoglobin and chyle did not have an effect on CEC, whereas high-bilirubin serum showed elevated CEC. The effect of bilirubin was nearly canceled by subtracting basal fluorescence intensity.

Conclusions

Present ILG method further fulfills some requirements for application in clinical laboratory. Using this reliable simple method, evaluation for clinical significance of CEC is expected.
Modified strain gradient theory for nonlinear vibration analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric doubly curved microshells
Authors: Movahedfar Vahid , Kheirikhah Mohammad M , Mohammadi Younes , Ebrahimi Farzad
Published: October 2021

Based on modified strain gradient theory, nonlinear vibration analysis of a functionally graded piezoelectric doubly curved microshell in thermal environment has been performed in this research. Three scale parameters have been included in the modeling of thin doubly curved microshell in order to capture micro-size effects. Graded material properties between the top and bottom surfaces of functionally graded piezoelectric doubly curved microshell have been considered via incorporating power-law model. It is also assumed that the microshell is exposed to a temperature field of uniform type and the material properties are temperature-dependent. By analytically solving the governing equations based on the harmonic balance method, the closed form of nonlinear vibration frequency has been achieved. Obtained results indicate the relevance of calculated frequencies to three scale parameters, material gradation, electrical voltage, curvature radius, and temperature changes.