bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of International Health Regulations Annual Reports to identify global disparities in the preparedness for radiation emergencies
Authors: Sharma Umesh C , Attwood Kristopher , Pokharel Saraswati
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Radiation emergencies are rare but can have minor confined effects to catastrophic consequences across the large geographical territories. Geographical disparities in the preparedness for radiation emergencies can negatively impact public-safety and delay protective actions. We examined such disparities using the global and regional radiation preparedness data from the revised annual International Health Regulations (IHR) data sets.

Settings

We used IHR State Party Annual Reporting (SPAR) tool and its associated health indicators developed to mitigate public health risk from radiation emergencies. Using the most recent (2019) SPAR database developed for radiation emergencies, along with 12 other cross-sector indicators, we examined the disparities among WHO state and region-wide capacity scores for operational preparedness.

Results

Based on the analysis of the 2019 annual reporting data sets from 171 countries, radiation emergency was one of the top three global challenges with an average global preparedness capacity of 55%. Radiation emergency preparedness capacity scores showed highest dispersion score among all 13 capacities suggesting higher disparities for preparedness across the globe. Only 38% of the countries had advanced functional capacity with ≥80% operational readiness, with 28% countries having low to very low operational readiness. No geographical regions had ≥80% operational readiness for radiation emergencies, with 4/6 geographical regions showing limited capacity or effectiveness. Global data from 171 countries showed that the capacity to respond to radiation emergencies correlated with the capacity for chemical events with a correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.70 (CI 0.61 to 0.77).

Conclusion

We found major global disparities for the operational preparedness against radiation emergencies. Collaborative approaches involving the public health officials and policymakers at the regional and state levels are needed to develop additional guidance to adapt emergency preparedness plans for radiation incidents.
What are common barriers and helpful solutions to colorectal cancer screening? A cross-sectional survey to develop intervention content for a planning support tool
Authors: Kotzur Marie , Macdonald Sara , O'Carroll Ronan E , O'Connor Rory C , Irvine Audrey , Steele Robert J C , Robb Kathryn A
Published: September 2022

Objective

Colorectal screening using faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) can save lives if the people invited participate. In Scotland, most people intend to complete a FIT but this is not reflected in uptake rates. Planning interventions can bridge this intention-behaviour gap. To develop a tool supporting people willing to do colorectal screening with planning to complete a FIT, this study aimed to identify frequently experienced barriers and solutions to these barriers.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Setting

Participants were recruited through the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme to complete a mailed questionnaire.

Participants

The study included 2387 participants who had completed a FIT (mean age 65 years, 40% female) and 359 participants who had not completed a FIT but were inclined to do so (mean age 63 years, 39% female).

Outcome measures

The questionnaire assessed frequency of endorsement of colorectal screening barriers and solutions.

Results

Participants who had not completed a FIT endorsed significantly more barriers than those who had completed a FIT, when demographic, health and behavioural covariates were held constant (F(1,2053)=13.40, p<0.001, partial η2=0.01). Participants who completed a FIT endorsed significantly more solutions than those who did not (U=301 585.50, z=−3.21, p<0.001, r=0.06). This difference became insignificant when covariates were controlled. Participants agreed on the most common barriers and solutions regardless of screening history. Barriers included procrastination, forgetting, fear of the test result, screening anxiety, disgust and low self-efficacy. Solutions included hand-washing, doing the FIT in private, reading the FIT instructions, benefit of early detection, feelings of responsibility, high self-efficacy and seeing oneself as a person who looks after one’s health.

Conclusion

This survey identified six barriers and seven solutions as key content to include in the development of a planning tool for colorectal screening using the FIT. Participatory research is required to codesign an engaging and accessible planning tool.
Risk prediction model for cardiovascular diseases in adults initiating pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Dobrosavljevic Maja , Fazel Seena , Du Rietz Ebba , Li Lin , Zhang Le , Chang Zheng , Jernberg Tomas , Faraone Stephen V , Jendle Johan , Chen Qi , Brikell Isabell , Larsson Henrik
Published: September 2022

Background

Available prediction models of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) may not accurately predict outcomes among individuals initiating pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Objective

To improve the predictive accuracy of traditional CVD risk factors for adults initiating pharmacological treatment of ADHD, by considering novel CVD risk factors associated with ADHD (comorbid psychiatric disorders, sociodemographic factors and psychotropic medication).

Methods

The cohort composed of 24 186 adults residing in Sweden without previous CVDs, born between 1932 and 1990, who started pharmacological treatment of ADHD between 2008 and 2011, and were followed for up to 2 years. CVDs were identified using diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases, and dispended medication prescriptions from Swedish national registers. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to derive the prediction model.

Findings

The developed model included eight traditional and four novel CVD risk factors. The model showed acceptable overall discrimination (C index=0.72, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.74) and calibration (Brier score=0.008). The Integrated Discrimination Improvement index showed a significant improvement after adding novel risk factors (0.003 (95% CI 0.001 to 0.007), p<0.001).

Conclusions

The inclusion of the novel CVD risk factors may provide a better prediction of CVDs in this population compared with traditional CVD predictors only, when the model is used with a continuous risk score. External validation studies and studies assessing clinical impact of the model are warranted.

Clinical implications

Individuals initiating pharmacological treatment of ADHD at higher risk of developing CVDs should be more closely monitored.
Trends and Demographic Patterns in Biologic and Corticosteroid Prescriptions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Findings from Electronic Medical Records, 2011–2020
Authors: Xu Fang , Liu Yong , Greenlund Kurt , Carlson Susan
Published: September 2022

Prescriptions for biologic therapy for treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have increased during the past two decades; however, trends are less clear regarding corticosteroid prescriptions in this context. We designed a cross-sectional study using the IQVIA Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records databases. Weighted linear regressions by age group were used to estimate annual percentage change from 2011 to 2020 in prescriptions for biologics and for corticosteroids among patients with or without biologic prescriptions within the same calendar year. Using 2019 data, we compared patient demographic and lifestyle risk factors using χ2 test for biologic prescriptions and corticosteroids with or without biologics prescriptions. There was an 11% (CD) and 16% (UC) annual increase in the percentage of patients prescribed biologics during the study period. The percentage of patients with biologics prescriptions prescribed corticosteroids decreased by 2% (CD) and 3% (UC) annually after 2015, while the percentage remained unchanged for corticosteroid prescriptions among patients without biologics. In 2019, differences in medication prescriptions existed by patient's demographic and lifestyle factors for patients with CD (n=52,892) and UC (n=52,280), including a higher percentage prescribed biologics among younger patients, men, those with fewer comorbidities, and current alcohol drinkers, and a higher percentage prescribed corticosteroids without biologics among women, those with more comorbidities, and a history of smoking. While medications continue to evolve during the biologic era, it is important to continue to monitor trends and differences in prescription patterns to assess progress toward optimizing treatment for patients with CD or UC.
Recommendations for anatomical structures to identify on ultrasound for the performance of intermediate and advanced blocks in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia
Authors: Ashken Toby , Bowness James , Macfarlane Alan James Robert , Turbitt Lloyd , Bellew Boyne , Bedforth Nigel , Burckett-St Laurent David , Delbos Alain , El-Boghdadly Kariem , Elkassabany Nabil M , Ferry Jenny , Fox Ben , French James L H , Grant Calum , Gupta Ashwani , Gupta Rajnish K , Gürkan Yavuz , Haslam Nat , Higham Helen , Hogg Rosemary M G , Johnston David F , Kearns Rachel Joyce , Lobo Clara , McKinlay Sonya , Mariano Edward R , Memtsoudis Stavros , Merjavy Peter , Narayanan Madan , Noble J Alison , Phillips David , Rosenblatt Meg , Sadler Amy , Sebastian Maria Paz , Schwenk Eric S , Taylor Alasdair , Thottungal Athmaja , Valdés-Vilches Luis Fernando , Volk Thomas , West Simeon , Wolmarans Morné , Womack Jonathan , Pawa Amit
Published: September 2022

Recent recommendations describe a set of core anatomical structures to identify on ultrasound for the performance of basic blocks in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA). This project aimed to generate consensus recommendations for core structures to identify during the performance of intermediate and advanced blocks. An initial longlist of structures was refined by an international panel of key opinion leaders in UGRA over a three-round Delphi process. All rounds were conducted virtually and anonymously. Blocks were considered twice in each round: for “orientation scanning” (the dynamic process of acquiring the final view) and for “block view” (which visualizes the block site and is maintained for needle insertion/injection). A “strong recommendation” was made if ≥75% of participants rated any structure as “definitely include” in any round. A “weak recommendation” was made if >50% of participants rated it as “definitely include” or “probably include” for all rounds, but the criterion for strong recommendation was never met. Structures which did not meet either criterion were excluded. Forty-one participants were invited and 40 accepted; 38 completed all three rounds. Participants considered the ultrasound scanning for 19 peripheral nerve blocks across all three rounds. Two hundred and seventy-four structures were reviewed for both orientation scanning and block view; a “strong recommendation” was made for 60 structures on orientation scanning and 44 on the block view. A “weak recommendation” was made for 107 and 62 structures, respectively. These recommendations are intended to help standardize teaching and research in UGRA and support widespread and consistent practice.
Hyperbolic and trigonometric hypergeometric solutions to the star-star equation
Authors: Catak Erdal , Gahramanov Ilmar , Mullahasanoglu Mustafa
Published: September 2022

We construct the hyperbolic and trigonometric solutions to the star-star relation via the gauge/YBE correspondence by using the three-dimensional lens partition function and superconformal index for a certain $$\mathcal N=2$$

N
=
2

supersymmetric gauge dual theories. This correspondence relates supersymmetric gauge theories to exactly solvable models of statistical mechanics. The equality of partition functions for the three-dimensional supersymmetric dual theories can be written as an integral identity for hyperbolic and basic hypergeometric functions.
ON COUPLED SYSTEM OF DRUG THERAPY VIA PIECEWISE EQUATIONS
Authors: SHAH KAMAL , ABDELJAWAD THABET , ALRABAIAH HUSSAM
Published: September 2022

This paper is devoted to establish some theoretical and computational results for a coupled system of drug therapy process. The considered problem is investigated by using the concept of piecewise modeling. We apply piecewise differentiation and integration to study the proposed model. We derive some adequate results for existence and uniqueness for solution to the proposed problems by using fixed point results. Further, we apply some numerical approach based on Newton interpolation formula for equally spaced arguments to find numerical results corresponding to our proposed model. We use some real values and two sets of fractional order to present the dynamics of the considered model graphically.
STUDY OF COUPLED SYSTEM OF FRACTIONAL HYBRID DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS VIA THE PRIOR ESTIMATE METHOD
Authors: ALI ANWAR , SARWAR MUHAMMAD , SHAH KAMAL , ABDELJAWAD THABET
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to establish some sufficient conditions needed for the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the coupled system of fractional hybrid differential equations (FHDEs). We make use of the prior estimate method to support the main results. An example is also provided to justify our main results.
ON EXISTENCE AND STABILITY RESULTS FOR PANTOGRAPH FRACTIONAL BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS
Authors: ALRABAIAH HUSSAM , ALI GAUHAR , ALI AMJAD , SHAH KAMAL , ABDELJAWAD THABET
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we investigated some essential provisions for the existence and stability of the solution to integral boundary value problems with proportional delay of fractional order Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo (ABC) derivative. By the guidance of fixed point theory, we acquire the deserted results. Moreover, different types of Ullam–Hyers stabilities are investigated for the proposed problem. We also provide an appropriate example for illustrative purposes.
Research Progress of the Health Code in China in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Ao Simin , Wang Tao
Published: September 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in an unprecedented attention and response to health surveillance in China, in which the Health Code has made outstanding contributions to digital social governance as well as epidemic control work. As China steps into the post-COVID-19 era, the Health Code will keep upgrading, optimizing and continue to play a role in regular epidemic prevention and control. This paper reviews the background, promoting reasons, significance and controversies of Health Code, so as to provide reference for the relative research and practical applications in the future.
The Role of Social Media in Government Communication During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of KSA
Authors: Shaher Maha Abdullah Al , Radwan Ahmed Farouk
Published: September 2022

This study aims to explore the role of official government social media accounts as a source of information during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the types of information that was posted on these accounts and the tools that were used to convey the content to the users. An online survey was conducted to answer the study questions. Findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the ways and the goals of communication from the government to the citizens to engage them in the process and enable them to interact with the content and the communicator.
Proactive or Reactive? An Analysis of Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Legislation
Authors: Malone Matthew
Published: September 2022

Disasters have occurred in the United States since our inception. Although we cannot know when or how the next disaster will occur, we can take measures to generally prepare for the effects of disasters. One of these measures is individual preparedness. Individuals may purchase power generators for use in the event of long-term power outages or standard AA batteries and a flashlight for short-term power outages. A struggle for both emergency managers and elected officials is convincing individuals that they should take proactive steps to prepare for the eventuality of a disaster. One policy implemented by five states has been Emergency or Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays. These states have identified a number of items deemed necessary for disaster preparedness and deemed a particular weekend each year as the “sales tax holiday.” This means that individuals can purchase the goods identified by the state without paying a state sales tax during that period. The basic thought is that by removing the tax and drawing attention to preparedness, individuals may be more likely to purchase these goods and become more prepared for disaster. In this paper, I seek to understand why these sales tax holidays were enacted in these states. Were they done during a policy window after a major disaster as a reactive measure, or were they done prior to a major event as a proactive measure? An analysis of legislative policies in each state, along with an examination of presidentially declared disasters, will be used to explore these questions.
Jitter-based Adaptive True Random Number Generation Circuits for FPGAs in the Cloud
Authors: Li Xiang , Stanwicks Peter , Provelengios George , Tessier Russell , Holcomb Daniel
Published: September 2022

In this article, we present and evaluate a true random number generator (TRNG) design that is compatible with the restrictions imposed by cloud-based Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 F1. Because cloud FPGA providers disallow the ring oscillator circuits that conventionally generate TRNG entropy, our design is oscillator-free and uses clock jitter as its entropy source. The clock jitter is harvested with a time-to-digital converter (TDC) and a controllable delay line that is continuously tuned to compensate for process, voltage, and temperature variations. After describing the design, we present and validate a stochastic model that conservatively quantifies its worst-case entropy. We deploy and model the design in the cloud on 60 EC2 F1 FPGA instances to ensure sufficient randomness is captured. TRNG entropy is further validated using NIST test suites, and experiments are performed to understand how the TRNG responds to on-die power attacks that disturb the FPGA supply voltage in the vicinity of the TRNG. After introducing and validating our basic TRNG design, we introduce and validate a new variant that uses four instances of a linkable sampling module to increase the entropy per sample and improve throughput. The new variant improves throughput by 250% at a modest 17% increase in CLB count.
The circadian system in cystic fibrosis mice is regulated by histone deacetylase 6
Authors: Barbato Eric , Darrah Rebecca , Kelley Thomas J.
Published: September 2022

Disordered sleep experienced by people with cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest a possible disruption in circadian regulation being associated with the loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( Cftr) function. To test this hypothesis, circadian regulation was assessed in an F508del/F508del CF mouse model. CF mice exhibited significant alterations in both timing of locomotor activity and in mean activity per hour in both light-dark (LD) and dark-dark (DD) photoperiods compared with wild-type (WT) controls. It was also noted that in DD periodicity increased in CF mice, whereas shortening in WT mice as is expected. CF mice also exhibited altered timing of circadian gene expression and a reduction of melatonin production at all time points. Mechanistically, the role of microtubules in regulating these outcomes was explored. Mice lacking expression of tubulin polymerization promoting protein ( Tppp) effectively mimicked CF mouse phenotypes with each measured outcome. Depleting expression of the microtubule regulatory protein histone deacetylase 6 ( Hdac6) from CF mice (CF/ Hdac6) resulted in the reversal of each phenotype to WT profiles. These data demonstrate an innate disruption of circadian regulation in CF mice and identify a novel microtubule-related mechanism leading to this disruption that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
Role of mechanistic target of rapamycin in autophagy and alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Chao Xiaojuan , Williams Sha Neisha , Ding Wen-Xing
Published: September 2022

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine-threonine kinase and a cellular sensor for nutrient and energy status, which is critical in regulating cell metabolism and growth by governing the anabolic (protein and lipid synthesis) and catabolic process (autophagy). Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a major chronic liver disease worldwide that carries a huge financial burden. The spectrum of the pathogenesis of ALD includes steatosis, fibrosis, inflammation, ductular reaction, and eventual hepatocellular carcinoma, which is closely associated with metabolic changes that are regulated by mTOR. In this review, we summarized recent progress of alcohol consumption on the changes of mTORC1 and mTORC2 activity, the potential mechanisms and possible impact of the mTORC1 changes on autophagy in ALD. We also discussed the potential beneficial effects and limitations of targeting mTORC1 against ALD.
KCa3.1 potentiation stimulates Cl− secretion in F508del and G551D CFTR-corrected primary human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Devor Daniel C. , Green Matthew D. , Bridges Robert J.
Published: September 2022

We previously identified potentiators of KCa3.1 (5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one; DCEBIO) that stimulate Cl− secretion across human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEs) expressing wild-type (WT) cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). However, these compounds failed to stimulate Cl− secretion in F508del CFTR HBEs. Drug discovery efforts identified CFTR potentiators (VX-770) and correctors (VX-445, VX-661) for cystic fibrosis (CF) disease-causing mutations, including F508del and G551D. Herein, we evaluated the effect of KCa3.1 potentiation on Cl− equivalent current (ICl) across primary HBEs expressing WT, F508del, and G551D CFTR. Transepithelial impedance analysis was used to obtain estimates of apical (Ra) and basolateral membrane (BLM; Rb) resistances. In WT CFTR HBEs, DCEBIO stimulated ICl, which was increased by forskolin. Similarly, forskolin stimulated ICl, and this was increased by DCEBIO. The KCa3.1 blocker, TRAM-34 inhibited ICl. DCEBIO decreased Rb, whereas TRAM-34 increased Rb, consistent with BLM localization of KCa3.1. Following correction of F508del CFTR with VX-445 + VX-661, DCEBIO failed to stimulate ICl, although the subsequent addition of forskolin + VX-770 increased ICl. Importantly, following stimulation of ICl with forskolin + VX-770, DCEBIO induced a further significant increase in ICl. As above, DCEBIO reduced Rb, whereas TRAM-34 increased Rb, consistent with BLM localized KCa3.1. Finally, we assessed KCa3.1 potentiation on ICl in G551D/F508del CFTR HBEs in the absence or presence of VX-445 + VX-661. In both cases, DCEBIO failed to stimulate ICl. However, following stimulation with forskolin + VX-770, DCEBIO nearly doubled ICl. Our results demonstrate that following correction/potentiation of F508del and G551D CFTR, potentiation of KCa3.1 increases the Cl− secretory response, suggesting this class of compounds may represent a novel means of further increasing Cl− secretion across CF airway.
Oxidation alters myosin-actin interaction and force generation in skeletal muscle filaments
Authors: Elkrief Daren , Cheng Yu-Shu , Matusovsky Oleg S. , Rassier Dilson E.
Published: September 2022

The interaction between actin and myosin is the basis of contraction and force production in muscle fibers. Studies have shown that actin and myosin oxidation cause myofibrillar weakness in healthy and diseased muscles. The degree to which oxidation of each of these proteins contributes to an attenuated force in myofibrils is unclear. In this study, we show that exposure of actin and myosin to the chemical 5-amino-3-(4-morpholinyl)-1,2,3-oxadiazolium chloride (SIN-1), an NO and O2•− donor, affected actin-myosin interactions, as shown by a decreased myosin-propelled actin velocity in the in vitro motility assay. We also observed that oxidation of actin and myosin resulted in a decrease in force generated by myosin and actin filaments, as determined by a system of microfabricated cantilevers. Although myosin is more sensitive to oxidative modifications than actin, as indicated by a steeper decrease in velocity and force by the filaments, modifications on actin are sufficient to affect force and velocity and also contribute to a decrease in contractile activity in muscles.
Blood pressure and the kidney cortex transcriptome response to high-sodium diet challenge in female nonhuman primates
Authors: Riojas Angelica M. , Reeves Kimberly D. , Shade Robert E. , Puppala Sobha R. , Christensen Clinton L. , Birnbaum Shifra , Glenn Jeremy P. , Li Cun , Shaltout Hossam , Hall-Ursone Shannan , Cox Laura A.
Published: September 2022

Blood pressure (BP) is influenced by genetic variation and sodium intake with sex-specific differences; however, studies to identify renal molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of sodium intake on BP in nonhuman primates (NHP) have focused on males. To address the gap in our understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating BP in female primates, we studied sodium-naïve female baboons ( n = 7) fed a high-sodium (HS) diet for 6 wk. We hypothesized that in female baboons variation in renal transcriptional networks correlates with variation in BP response to a high-sodium diet. BP was continuously measured for 64-h periods throughout the study by implantable telemetry devices. Sodium intake, blood samples for clinical chemistries, and ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies were collected before and after the HS diet for RNA-Seq and bioinformatic analyses. We found that on the LS diet but not the HS diet, sodium intake and serum 17 β-estradiol concentration correlated with BP. Furthermore, kidney transcriptomes differed by diet-unbiased weighted gene coexpression network analysis revealed modules of genes correlated with BP on the HS diet but not the LS diet. Our results showed variation in BP on the HS diet correlated with variation in novel kidney gene networks regulated by ESR1 and MYC; i.e., these regulators have not been associated with BP regulation in male humans or rodents. Validation of the mechanisms underlying regulation of BP-associated gene networks in female NHP will inform better therapies toward greater precision medicine for women.
Font Design Optimization Model for New Media Short Video Based on Virtual Reality Digital Processing Technology
Authors: Hu Hongwei , Zhu Wenyao
Published: September 2022

Time is not a static idea, but neither is the evolution of the media and design industries. Our creative tools and the media have seen a significant transformation in the last 20 years. Digital technology will shape the media and design industries in the future. Until the next major technological revolution, digitalization will have a lasting effect on the media and design industries. The development and liberation of many designers’ ideas and perspectives thanks to modern digital processing technology for virtual reality has sparked an unprecedented “boom” in design. People’s senses of sight, sound, and touch will be completely satisfied thanks to the incorporation of such technologies in the design process. A vast history and rich cultural heritage can be found in the field of font design. It has continuously played a crucial role in the advancement of science and technology. The creation of a new media short video typeface based on digital processing technology for virtual reality is suggested in this study. After mastering the font style, the new media short video font is extracted using virtual reality digital processing technology, and the identification system is built utilising virtual three-dimensional technology. The simulation test and analysis are done last. The proposed approach has an accuracy that is 9.34% greater than the conventional technique, according to simulation findings. This outcome demonstrates in detail how font design becomes more humanized when virtual reality digital processing technology is used. It demonstrates how people and information interact and genuinely stress the importance of human participation and dominance. Ethics and aesthetics are combined in font design. The fashion and aesthetic ideas of the new century are reflected in it like a mirror. As a result, font design is now being pursued in a new way, and its new application concept unquestionably has a significant impact on the design sector today.
Evaluation Model of Regional Comprehensive Disaster Reduction Capacity under Complex Environment
Authors: Wang Jiahu , Li Ming , Lin Ping
Published: September 2022

In order to realize the evaluation of regional comprehensive disaster reduction capacity in a complex environment, an evaluation model of regional comprehensive disaster reduction capacity in a complex environment based on remote sensing monitoring and data image feature analysis is proposed. According to the geographical location and scale of disaster spots and the parameter analysis of the model of disaster‐bearing bodies around the disaster spots, the remote sensing monitoring method is adopted to extract the geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster spots in a complex environment. The collected geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster points under the complex environmental background are filtered and preprocessed, and the texture parameters of the geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster points under the complex environmental background are recognized by combining the method of image texture feature extraction. Based on the method of tone mapping, the rapid filtering and feature analysis of the geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster points under the complex environmental background are carried out, and the time, position, damage, and so on in the geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster points under the complex environmental background are analyzed. By using the method of parameter analysis and gradient operator operation, a comparison model of geographical remote sensing images of regional disaster points under the complex environmental background is established, and the reliability evaluation of regional comprehensive disaster reduction ability under the complex environmental background is realized according to the method of contrast and detail significance enhancement. The test shows that this method has high accuracy in evaluating regional comprehensive disaster reduction capability under a complex environment, high accuracy in marking the geographical location of regional disaster points under a complex environment, and good fusion performance and reliability of regional comprehensive disaster reduction capability evaluation parameters.
The Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Combined with Core Stability Exercise on Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence following the Treatment of Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Nipa Shamima Islam , Sriboonreung Thanyaluck , Paungmali Aatit , Phongnarisorn Chailert
Published: September 2022

Aim. To compare the combined effects of core stability exercise and pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) with the effects of PFME alone on women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who experience nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Methods. A stratified randomized controlled trial study (RCT) was conducted with 50 women with SUI who experienced LBP, aged 18–60 years and with pad weight ≥2 grams for the one-hour pad test. The respondents were divided into two groups: the intervention group (PFME + core stability exercise) and the control group (PFME). The primary outcomes were the amount and frequency of urine leakage, which were measured using the one-hour pad test and the Bengali-ISI subjective questionnaire. A secondary outcome was quality of life (QoL), which was measured using King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ). An ITT analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA (2 × 2) with Bonferroni’s post-hoc analysis. Results/Preliminary Findings. The findings illustrated that 72% (n = 18) of the intervention and 28% (n = 7) of the control group participants showed improvement in UI after 12 weeks of intervention. In addition, the amount and frequency of urine leakage significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (

p
≤
0.001

). Conclusion. The RCT-illustrated improvement of SUI in women with nonspecific chronic low back pain, reduction of frequency, and improvement of the QoL were more evident from PFME with core stability exercise than from PFME alone.
Study of Multiscale Fused Extraction of Cropland Plots in Remote Sensing Images Based on Attention Mechanism
Authors: Song Xu , Zhou Hongyu , Liu Guoying , Sheng-Xian Teo Brian
Published: September 2022

Cropland extraction from remote sensing images is an essential part of precise digital agriculture services. This paper proposed an SSGNet network of multiscale fused extraction of cropland based on the attention mechanism to address issues with complex cropland feature types in remote sensing images that resulted in blurred boundaries and low accuracy in plot partitioning. The proposed network contains different modules, such as spatial gradient guidance and dilated semantic fusion. It employs the image gradient attention guidance module to fully extract cropland plot features. This causes the feature to be transferred from the encoding layer to the decoding layer, creating layers full of key features within the cropland and making the extracted cropland information more accurate. In addition, this study also solves the problem caused by a large amount of spatial feature information, which losses easily during the downsampling process of continuous convolution in the coding layer. Aiming to solve this issue, we put forward a model for consensus fusion of multiscale spatial features to fuse each-layer feature of the coding layer through dilated convolution with different dilated ratios. This approach was proposed to make the segmentation results more comprehensive and complete. The lab findings showed that the Precision, Recall, MIoU, and F1 score of the multiscale fusion segmentation SSGNet network based on the attention mechanism had achieved 93.46%, 90.91%, 85.54%, and 92.73%, respectively. Its segmentation effect on cropland was better than other semantic segmentation networks and can effectively promote cropland semantic extraction.
Rotary Flexible Joint Control Using Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Scheme
Authors: Aljohani Abdulah Jeza , Mehedi Ibrahim M. , Bilal Muhammad , Mahmoud Mohamed , Meem Rahtul Jannat , Iskanderani Ahmed I.M. , Alam Md Mottahir , Alasmary Waleed
Published: September 2022

An adaptive fuzzy sliding control (AFSMC) approach is adopted in this paper to address the problem of angular position control and vibration suppression of rotary flexible joint systems. AFSMC consists of fuzzy-based singleton control action and switching control law. By adjusting fuzzy parameters with the self-learning ability to discard system nonlinearities and uncertainties, singleton control based on fuzzy approximation theory can estimate the perfect control law of feedback linearization. To enhance robustness, an additional switching control law is incorporated to reduce the approximation error between the derived singleton control action and the perfect control law of feedback linearization. AFSMC's closed-loop stability will be demonstrated via sliding surface and Lyapunov function analysis of error function. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the AFSMC in tracking performance as well as its ability to respond to model uncertainties and external perturbations, simulations are carried out using Simulink and Matlab in order to demonstrate how well it adapts to these situations. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the AFSMC performs satisfactorily in terms of tracking.
The Impacts of Mobile Wallet App Characteristics on Online Impulse Buying: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Lee Yi Yong , Gan Chin Lay , Liew Tze Wei
Published: September 2022

The adoption of cashless payment methods compels impulse buying. This research studies impulse purchase behavior by focusing on E-wallet app characteristics, a field where empirical research is still scarce. This paper is aimed at developing and testing a theoretical model to examine a moderated mediation model of mobile wallet app characteristics and impulse buying through perceived enjoyment moderated by mobile wallet user experience. An online survey acquired 208 valid responses from active E-wallet users. The framework was empirically analyzed by using Smart PLS-SEM. Findings indicate that perceived interactivity and visual appeal have positive relationships with perceived enjoyment and impulse buying, respectively. Perceived enjoyment is positively associated with impulse buying, and perceived enjoyment mediates the relationship between visual appeal and impulse buying. The impacts of perceived interactivity on perceived enjoyment and impulse buying are moderated by user experience. Moreover, user experience moderates the relationship between visual appeal and perceived enjoyment. This study identifies differences in consumer behavior between more experienced and less experienced E-wallet users. More experienced E-wallet users emphasize the app’s interactivity, while less experienced users pay more attention to the app’s appealing design. Practical implications are offered for E-wallet system developers and designers to attract new users and, at the same time, retain existing users.
Identification of Potential miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Contributing to Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Yin Xi , Wang Miao , Wang Wei , Chen Tong , Song Ge , Niu Yixuan , Jiang Ziying , Gao Zhongbao , Wang Zhenfu
Published: September 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, and the mechanism underlying PD pathogenesis is not completely understood. Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical regulatory role in the pathogenesis of PD. This study aimed to explore the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network for PD. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmis) and genes (DEGs) between PD patients and healthy donors were screened from the miRNA dataset GSE16658 and mRNA dataset GSE100054 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Target genes of the DEmis were selected when they were predicted by three or four online databases and overlapped with DEGs from GSE100054. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were then conducted by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Metascape analytic tools. The correlation between the screened genes and PD was evaluated with the online tool Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were built by the STRING platform. We further investigated the expression of genes in the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in blood samples collected from PD patients and healthy donors via qRT-PCR. We identified 1505 upregulated and 1302 downregulated DEGs, and 77 upregulated and 112 downregulated DEmis were preliminarily screened from the GEO database. Further functional enrichment analysis identified 10 PD-related hub genes, including RAC1, IRS2, LEPR, PPARGC1A, CAMKK2, RAB10, RAB13, RAB27B, RAB11A, and JAK2, which were mainly involved in Rab protein signaling transduction, AMPK signaling pathway, and signaling by Leptin. A miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was then constructed with 10 hub genes, and their interacting miRNAs overlapped with DEmis, including miR-30e-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-101-3p, miR-32-3p, miR-508-5p, miR-642a-5p, miR-19a-3p, and miR-21-5p. Analysis of clinical samples verified significant upregulation of LEPR and downregulation of miR-101-3p and miR-30e-5p in PD patients as compared with healthy donors. Thus, the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was initially constructed and has the potential to provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of PD.
Lightweight Authentication Billing Enhancement Mechanism Based on the Fourier Fast Transform Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Jing , Wang Qingdong
Published: September 2022

In recent years, with the development and extensive application of Internet technology and computer technology, and under the role of the continuous expansion and enrollment expansion of colleges and universities, how to effectively solve the Internet problems faced by teachers and students in colleges and universities has gradually become an important problem that the university information management department should solve in time. In order to continuously improve the efficiency of Internet access in universities, the Internet authentication and billing system for universities proposed in this paper take J2EE as the development platform and combines RADIUS protocol and PPPoE protocol to provide users with diversified Internet billing methods and strategies. At the same time, based on the Fourier fast transform algorithm, the development environment for the Internet authentication and billing system for colleges and universities is deployed, and after the Internet authentication and billing system is implemented, from the functional point of view of the system, the main functional modules are designed and implemented, including the authentication management function. module, billing management function module. The experimental results have shown that the throughput of PPPoE access server in the campus network using the Fourier rapid transform algorithm for traffic load balancing delay is small and stable between 200 ms and 300 ms after the optimization, which provides a feasible solution to promote the healthy and harmonious development of the university campus network.
A Small Target Detection Method Based on the Improved FCN Model
Authors: Ma Guofeng
Published: September 2022

Traditional object detection is mainly aimed at large objects in images. The main function achieved is to identify the shape, color, and trajectory of the target. However, in practice, small target objects in the image must be detected in addition to large targets. Common small target detection (STD) is mainly used in intelligent transportation, video surveillance, and other fields. Small targets have small size, few pixels, and low resolution and are easily blocked. Small object detection has emerged as a research problem and a hotspot in the field of object detection. This study proposes an improved FCN model based on the full convolutional neural network (FCN) and applies it to the STD. The following is the central concept of the proposed method. Small targets are prone to occlusion and deformation in the image data. The deformation here is mainly reflected in the larger shape obtained by shooting at different angles. Therefore, it is a challenge to fully and accurately obtain the characteristics of small targets. The traditional method based on multilayer feature fusion cannot achieve ideal results for STD. This study is based on FCN and introduces a spatial transformation network. The network can optimize the handling of problems such as partial occlusion or deformation of small objects. The use of a spatial transformation network can alleviate the problem of poor feature extraction caused by partial occlusion or deformation of small targets, improving final detection accuracy. The experimental results on public datasets show that the proposed method outperforms other deep learning algorithms (DLA) in the detection accuracy of small target objects. Furthermore, the model’s training time is reduced. This study’s research provides a good starting point for the detection, recognition, and tracking of some small objects.
Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorder-Related Pain among Adults Seeking Dental Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alkhubaizi Qoot , Khalaf Mai E. , Faridoun Afnan
Published: September 2022

Objectives. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a constellation of painful conditions that affect the craniofacial complex. The etiology and risk factors of these conditions have been extensively studied; however, the data available describing the epidemiology of TMD in the Middle East are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of TMD-related pain in a sample population of dental school clinic patients. Methods. This observational cross-sectional study used a translated and culturally adapted temporomandibular disorders pain screener, a part of the Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) criteria instrument, and questions related to demographic characteristics and risk factors for TMD. Data were analyzed through chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests using SPSS. Results. The sample population included 199 participants (66% female and 34% male). The prevalence of TMD-related pain was 26.8% (n = 42); men and women did not differ statistically in their TMD-related pain. TMD-related pain cases differed significantly on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and body pain scores compared with noncases. Conclusion. The prevalence of TMD-related pain in the clinical sample population was high. Hence, the onus is on dental health services to screen and educate patients on TMD conditions regularly.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Primary Bladder Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Liang , Wang Qiang , Yuan Haibo
Published: September 2022

Introduction. The aim of this study is to examine the treatment pattern and predictors of long-term survival of patients with primary signet ring cell carcinoma (PSRCC) of the urinary bladder based on the analysis of the SEER database. Methods. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Then, we compared the CSS curves by the log-rank test. The independent risk factors were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Results. The 3-year OS and CSS rates for PSRCC of the bladder were 25.3% and 33.3%. The 5-year OS and CSS rates for the entire cohort were 16.4% and 25.2%. The CSS rates, respectively, were 0, 25.0, 66.7, 33.2, 42.4, and 31.7% at 3 years and 0, 25.0, 34.3, 24.1, 27.2, and 31.7% at 5 years for none, transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), partial cystectomy, radical cystectomy with reconstruction, pelvic exenteration, and other surgeries (P = 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed independent risk factors only including T stage, M stage, lymph node removal, and surgical approach. Conclusions. T stage, M stage, lymph node removal, and surgical approach are independent risk factors of PSRCC of the urinary bladder. TURB and radical cystectomy with reconstruction appear to provide a better outcome.