bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Venous Excess UltraSound (VExUS) score in hyponatraemia management in critically ill patient
Authors: Varudo Rita , Pimenta Inês , Blanco Jacobo Bacariza , Gonzalez Filipe André
Published: February 2022

Hyponatraemia is the most prevalent electrolyte disorder in the neurocritical care setting and is associated with a significant morbimortality. Cerebral salt wasting and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome have been classically described as the two most frequent entities responsible for hyponatraemia in neurocritical care patients. An accurate aetiological diagnosis of hypotonic hyponatraemia requires a proper volume status assessment. Nevertheless, determination of volume status based on physical examination, laboratory findings and imaging modalities have several limitations and can lead to improperly diagnosis and hyponatraemia mismanagement. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), specifically Venous Excess UltraSound (VExUS) score, is a fast and valuable tool to evaluate venous congestion at the bedside and identify hypervolaemia, helping the physicians in therapeutic decision making in a patient with hyponatraemia. We report a case where the use of POCUS, and more specifically VExUS, can be helpful in volume status assessment, complementing the complex management of multifactorial hyponatraemia in a neurocritical patient.
Consensus-based recommendations for optical coherence tomography angiography reporting in uveitis
Authors: Pichi Francesco , Carreño Ester , Pavesio Carlos , Denniston Alastair K , Grewal Dilraj S , Deak Gabor , Khairallah Moncef , Ruiz-Cruz Matilde , de Oliveira Dias Joao Rafael , Adan Alfredo , Burke Tomas , Invernizzi Alessandro , Schlaen Ariel , Tian Meng , Agarwal Aniruddha Kishandutt , Tucker William R , Sen H Nida , Lin Phoebe , Lim Lyndell L , Pepple Kathryn L , Munk Marion R
Published: February 2022

Background/aims

To establish a consensus in the nomenclature for reporting optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA findings in uveitis.

Methods

The modified Delphi process consisted of two rounds of electronic questionnaires, followed by a face-to-face meeting conducted virtually. Twenty-one items were included for discussion. The three main areas of discussion were: wide field OCTA (WF-OCTA), nomenclature of OCTA findings and OCTA signal attenuation assessment and measurement. Seventeen specialists in uveitis and retinal imaging were selected by the executive committee to constitute the OCTA nomenclature in Uveitis Delphi Study Group. The study endpoint was defined by the degree of consensus for each question: ‘strong consensus’ was defined as >90% agreement, ‘consensus’ as 85%–90% and ‘near consensus’ as >80% but <85%.

Results

There was a strong consensus to apply the term ‘wide field’ to OCTA images measuring over 70° of field of view, to use the terms ‘flow deficit’ and ‘non-detectable flow signal’ to describe abnormal OCTA flow signal secondary to slow flow and to vessels displacement respectively, to use the terms ‘loose’ and ‘dense’ to describe the appearance of inflammatory choroidal neovascularisation, and to use the percentage of flow signal decrease to measure OCTA ischaemia with a threshold greater than or equal to 30% as a ‘large area’.

Conclusions

This study sets up consensus recommendations for reporting OCTA findings in uveitis by an expert panel, which may prove suitable for use in routine clinical care and clinical trials.
Development of a core outcome set for lateral elbow tendinopathy (COS-LET) using best available evidence and an international consensus process
Authors: Bateman Marcus , Evans Jonathan P , Vuvan Viana , Jones Val , Watts Adam C , Phadnis Joideep , Bisset Leanne M , Vicenzino Bill
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To develop a core outcome set for lateral elbow tendinopathy (COS-LET) and to provide guidance for outcome evaluation in future studies.

Methods

We implemented a multi-stage mixed-methods design combining two systematic reviews, domain mapping of outcome measurement instruments to the core domains of tendinopathy, psychometric analysis of instruments, two patient focus groups and a Delphi study incorporating two surveys and an international consensus meeting. Following the OMERACT guidelines, we used a 70% threshold for consensus.

Results

38 clinicians/researchers and 9 patients participated. 60 instruments were assessed for inclusion. The only instrument that was recommended for the COS-LET was Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) for the disability domain. Interim recommendations were made to use: the PRTEE function subscale for the function domain; PRTEE pain subscale items 1, 4 and 5 for the pain over a specified time domain; pain-free grip strength for the physical function capacity domain; a Numerical Rating Scale measuring pain on gripping for the pain on activity/loading domain; and time off work for the participation in life activities domain. No recommendations could be made for the quality-of-life, patient rating of condition and psychological factors domains.

Conclusions

The COS-LET comprises the PRTEE for the disability domain. Interim-use recommendations included PRTEE subscales, time off work, pain-free grip strength and a Numerical Rating Scale measuring pain on gripping. Further work is required to validate these interim measures and develop suitable measures to capture the other domains.
Study protocol for a population-based observational surveillance study of culture-confirmed neonatal bloodstream infections and meningitis in South Africa: Baby GERMS-SA
Authors: Meiring Susan , Mashau Rudzani , Magobo Rindidzani , Perovic Olga , Quan Vanessa , Cohen Cheryl , de Gouveia Linda , von Gottberg Anne , Mackay Cheryl , Mailula Mphekwa Thomas , Phayane Rose , Dramowski Angela , Govender Nelesh P
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Worldwide, neonatal mortality remains high accounting for 47% of childhood deaths in 2019 and including an estimated 500 000 deaths from neonatal infections. While 42% of global neonatal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited understanding of population-level burden and aetiology of neonatal infections outside tertiary-level institutions.

Methods and analysis

We aim to implement the first population-level surveillance for bloodstream infections and meningitis among neonates aged <28 days in South Africa. Tier 1 will include national surveillance of culture-confirmed neonatal infections at all public-sector hospitals describing infection incidence risk, pathogen profile and antimicrobial susceptibility by institution, province and healthcare level (2014–2021). Tier 2 (nested within tier 1) will be conducted at six regional neonatal units over 12 months, will compare the clinical characteristics of neonates with early-onset and late-onset infections and identify potentially modifiable risk factors for mortality. Through tier 2, we will determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of neonatal pathogens, evaluate the appropriateness of empiric antibiotic prescribing and determine the genomic epidemiology of multidrug resistant bacterial and fungal pathogens.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics clearance was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand (M190320). Funding for the study was obtained through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1208882). Baby GERMS-SA aims to impact on national policy, resource allocation and neonatal guidelines by describing the national burden of neonatal infections in South Africa. In addition, end-users in neonatal units will benefit from a facility-level dashboard displaying key indicators of the surveillance findings.
Working conditions in primary healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview study with physicians in Sweden
Authors: Fernemark Hanna , Skagerström Janna , Seing Ida , Hårdstedt Maria , Schildmeijer Kristina , Nilsen Per
Published: February 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the working conditions of physicians in Swedish primary healthcare.

Design

This is a descriptive, qualitative study with individual semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Setting

Swedish primary healthcare units in both rural and urban areas.

Participants

A total of 11 primary care physicians fulfilled participation.

Results

Two main categories emerged: ‘work organisation and routines’ and ‘psychosocial work environment’, containing three and five subcategories, respectively. The pandemic enforced changes in work organisation and routines. Increased flexibility, including more patient-oriented delivery of care, and novel means of interorganisational and intraorganisational interactions were perceived as positive by physicians. The pandemic also caused several changes in physicians’ psychosocial work environment. Increased workload, information overload, as well as ethical considerations and feelings of uncertainty made the work environment stressful for physicians.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the working conditions of physicians in Swedish primary healthcare in numerous ways. The pandemic enforced changes in work organisation and routines for physicians in primary healthcare. Further research is needed to investigate how the pandemic will affect primary healthcare in the longer term. Learning from the pandemic is important because this will not be the last crisis that primary care and its healthcare professionals will face.
Technical considerations and tips for using the Tegus remote proctoring system in elective and emergency cases and in webinars
Authors: von Hessling Alexander , Reyes del Castillo Tomás , Roos Justus Erasmus , Karwacki Grzegorz Marek
Published: February 2022

Smart angiography suites (SAS) refer to the incorporation of audio-video technology and internet connectivity into the angiography suite to enable bidirectional communication for teleproctoring. Remote streaming support (RESS) is intended to increase patient safety by supporting interventionalists with limited experience or who are practicing in geographically remote areas. The aim of this review is to describe real-life experience of the Tegus system and to share practical tips concerning its use and setup. We describe the platform itself, settings and integration in our angiography suite. We provide technical tips intended to help new and potential users to achieve an optimal experience for both neurointerventionalists and proctors. We describe both elective cases that we have performed with teleproctoring and emergencies. Lastly, we describe a different room setup and software solutions used in live workshops. Use of teleproctoring enabled involvement of proctors in cases where an already experienced interventionalist needed support in the decision-making process concerning the sizing and deployment of devices with which he was familiar only on a basic level. Excellent video feed quality and instant communication enabled optimal preparation and in vivo implantation of those devices without the need for physical proctors’ presence. In emergency cases the system allowed a senior physician to offer support during cases where optimal device sizing is critical. Our usage concept of the rig permitted monitoring of thrombectomy cases by junior physicians. During webinars a remote streaming platform enabled us to conduct workshops that simulated an “on-site” experience as closely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNLICENSED MONEYLENDING MARKETS: RELATIONAL CONTRACTING BETWEEN BORROWERS AND GUARANTORS
Authors: LEONG KAIWEN , LI DAN , LI HUAILU , XU HAIBO
Published: February 2022

Unlicensed moneylending is when an unlicensed individual, often called loan shark, lends money to another individual. We model the unlicensed moneylending market to analyze relational contracting between borrowers and guarantors. A guarantor repeatedly decides whether to act as the guarantor for a borrower, whereas the borrower repeatedly chooses a loan shark to borrow from and determines his effort in repaying loans. We show that the borrower starts by trying different loan sharks to learn about their forcefulness in collecting repayments and eventually only trades with those who are less forceful. Inefficient suspension or termination of relationship is necessary to discipline the borrower’s behavior when the parties are still uncertain about the loan sharks’ forcefulness, but can be avoided when the uncertainty is resolved. We also show in extensions that the borrower may increase his efforts over time as the relationship becomes more valuable to him, while the guarantor can resort to direct monitoring of the borrower’s effort as a substitute for the suspension or termination of relationship.
Higgs physics at CLIC
Authors: Vukas̆inović N. , Božović-Jelisavc̆ić I.
Published: February 2022

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a mature option for a future electron-positron collider operating at center-of-mass energies of up to 3 TeV. CLIC is foreseen in a staged approach with three center-of-mass energies, currently assumed to be 380, 1.5 and 3 TeV. This contribution discusses the physics potential of CLIC in the field of Higgs physics, based on the benchmark analyses using full detector simulation. The initial stage of operation allows study of Higgs production in Higgsstrahlung and WW-fusion, resulting in precise measurements of the production cross sections and the total Higgs-boson decay width. Operation at high energies will provide high-statistics samples of Higgs bosons enabling tight constraints on Higgs couplings and measurement of the Higgs self-coupling.
Cosmological analysis of noninteracting and interacting generalized ghost dark energy in Einstein–Aether gravity theory
Authors: Biswas Mahasweta , Debnath Ujjal
Published: February 2022

We have investigated the generalized QCD ghost model of dark energy (DE) in the framework of Einstein–Aether gravity. At first we have discussed the noninteracting generalized ghost DE (GGDE) model in flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe and then we have generalized the discussion to the interacting GGDE model in flat and nonflat universe. According to this, we have analyzed the nature of the equation of state (EoS) parameter, deceleration parameter and slow-roll parameters. We have used the sign of square speed of sound to determine the stability of the model in different cases. Also, we have analyzed [Formula: see text] plane in graphically and pointed out freezing region and thawing region in that plane. Then we enlarge our discussion to verify the effectiveness of this model under investigation by analyzing the statefinder diagnosis parameters for the present cosmological setup. The nature of slow-roll parameters in both scenarios with and without interactions has been shown diagrammatically.
Three-body force effect on Deuteron–Deuteron elastic scattering at medium energies
Authors: Elzayady M. E. , Salama T. N. E. , Hassan M. A.
Published: February 2022

In the framework of Glauber optical limit approximation taking into account D-state of deuteron and including three-nucleon force effect, the deuteron–deuteron elastic scattering differential cross-section is calculated at momenta [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text],GeV/c for incident deuteron. The D-state effect is not enough to obtain an agreement with the experimental data. The inclusion of three-nucleon force is necessary to improve the agreement with the data at momentum transferred squared greater than [Formula: see text] (GeV/c)2.
Structural Nonlinear Damage Identification Using the Residual Deviation Distance Conversion Index of the Time-Domain Model
Authors: Guo Huiyong , Zuo Heng
Published: February 2022

Steel structures such as transmission towers may have cracks and other damages during the service period. When the structure vibrates, the cracks will open and close, which makes the structure have nonlinear characteristics of variant stiffness. In order to identify this type of nonlinear damage, a time-domain damage identification method based on the residual deviation distance (RDD) of the autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model is proposed. First, the basic theory of the ARCH model is introduced, and the methods of model order determination and parameter estimation are given. Then, the time-domain nonlinear damage characteristics are analyzed, and the second-order variance (SOV) index based on the ARCH model is introduced. Considering that both the ARCH model coefficient and the RDD contain nonlinear information, a conversion index is constructed using the Euclidean distance (ED) of the ARCH model coefficients before and after the damage. On this basis, an RDD conversion index is further proposed to improve the identification accuracy. Finally, a three-storey frame experiment and a complex transmission tower model experiment are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed RDD conversion index can better identify the location of structural damage, and the identification results of the RDD conversion index are obviously better than those of the SOV conversion index and the ED conversion index.
A Double-Rail Phononic Crystal Model for the Ballasted Track
Authors: Liang Yuxiong , Feng Qingsong , Lu Jianfei , Guo Wenjie , Yang Zhou
Published: February 2022

To investigate the properties of elastic waves propagating in the periodic ballasted track, a double-rail phononic crystal (DRPC) model which consists of two parallel rails fastened on equally spaced sleepers supported by ballast is proposed in this study. The presented numerical results show that there are twelve characteristic waves occurring in the DRPC. These waves can be divided into three kinds. Within the calculated frequency range, the first kind of characteristic wave always propagates except an initial lower frequency range. The second kind of characteristic wave has alternative pass bands and stop bands, showing obvious phononic property of the DRPC. The wavenumbers of the third kind of characteristic wave have larger imaginary parts, implying that this kind of wave is evanescent wave and can only propagate a few spans of the track away from the source. The numerical results show more advantages of the DRPC for explaining the elastic wave propagation mechanism in the ballasted track than the single-rail phononic crystal (SRPC) model.
On the Radon transform and the Dirac delta distribution in superspace
Authors: Guzmán Adán Alí , Sabadini Irene , Sommen Frank
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we obtain a plane wave decomposition for the delta distribution in superspace, provided that the superdimension is not odd and negative. This decomposition allows for explicit inversion formulas for the super Radon transform in these cases. Moreover, we prove a more general Radon inversion formula valid for all possible integer values of the superdimension. The proof of this result comes along with the study of fractional powers of the super Laplacian, their fundamental solutions, and the plane wave decompositions of super Riesz kernels.
Maximal acceleration and black hole evaporation
Authors: Gallego Torromé Ricardo
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we discuss how in certain theories of spacetime admitting a maximal proper acceleration Hawking radiation does not completely evaporate the black hole. The black hole remnant’s mass depends on the inverse of the maximal acceleration. Furthermore, as a consequence of a duality between the minimum mass that a Schwarzschild black hole can have in such spacetimes and the maximal acceleration, we show that in certain theories with a maximal acceleration, there must be an upper uniform bound on the value of the force that can be exerted on test particles.
Analysis of a free boundary problem for solid avascular tumor growth with a time delay in regulatory apoptosis
Authors: Xu Shihe , Zhang Fangwei , Zhou Qinghua
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a mathematical model for solid avascular tumor growth with a time delay in regulatory apoptosis is studied. In the model, two types of cell apoptoses are considered, one is natural apoptosis and the other is regulatory apoptosis. The process of regulatory apoptosis is delayed compared to the processes of proliferation and natural apoptosis. The existence and uniqueness of a solution to the model are proved. The long-time asymptotic behavior of the solutions is studied. The results show that the dynamical behavior of solutions to this mathematical model is similar to that of the corresponding quasi-stationary problem for some special parameter values. Numerical simulations of some special parameter values are also given to verify our results.
In silico Design of Glyco-D,L-Peptide Antiviral Molecules
Authors: Agostini Luigi , Morosetti Stefano
Published: February 2022

Background: Most licensed antiviral drugs are nucleoside analogs. A recent research focuses on blocking a virus from entering the cells in the viral cell adsorption/entry stage. In this entry mechanism, the glycans present on the viral surface play a fundamental role. Homochiral L-peptides acting this fusion mechanism have shown some inhibition of viral infection. Peptides with regularly alternating enantiomeric sequence (L,D-peptides) can assume structures that are not accessible to the corresponding homochiral molecules. Furthermore, L,D-peptides are less sensitive to enzymatic digestion. Aim: In silico design of an L, D-peptide with a high affinity for the viral surface glycans and consequently able to interfere with its fusion mechanism. Methods: We used a [Formula: see text]-Mannopentaose (3-6MP) molecule to simulate a viral surface glycan. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 3-6MP and D,L-peptide in water using the force field AMBER12-GLYCAM06i. We evaluated the binding constant from trajectories. The D,L-peptide molecule was modified over the sequence, the length, the terminals and finally glycosylated to attain a very high binding constant value for 3-6MP. In addition, we studied the specific interaction between T lymphocyte CD4 glycoprotein and HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 through MD simulations between a D,L-peptide, bounded to a typical CD4 glycan, and a highly conserved HIV gp120 glycan. Results: Concerning the interaction with 3-6MP molecule, the very effective molecule obtained was H-d-Trp-l-Pro-d-Asn-l-Pro-d-Trp-l-Pro-d-Asn-l-Pro-OH where the Asn residues in position 3 and 7 are glycosylated with alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])]-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1-OH. As far as the interaction with HIV envelope is considered instead, the very effective molecule obtained, able to antagonize the CD4 glycoprotein, was H-d-Trp-l-Pro-d-Asn-l-Pro-d-Trp-l-Pro-d-Asn-l-Pro-OH where the Asn residue in position 3 is glycosylated with alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])- N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])- [alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])- N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])- alpha-D-Mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])]- beta-D-mannopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-([Formula: see text])-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1-OH Conclusion: The above optimized glycosylated D,L-peptide molecules could be very promising representatives of a new powerful class of antiviral agents.
Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning
Authors: Rolnick David , Donti Priya L. , Kaack Lynn H. , Kochanski Kelly , Lacoste Alexandre , Sankaran Kris , Ross Andrew Slavin , Milojevic-Dupont Nikola , Jaques Natasha , Waldman-Brown Anna , Luccioni Alexandra Sasha , Maharaj Tegan , Sherwin Evan D. , Mukkavilli S. Karthik , Kording Konrad P. , Gomes Carla P. , Ng Andrew Y. , Hassabis Demis , Platt John C. , Creutzig Felix , Chayes Jennifer , Bengio Yoshua
Published: February 2022

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, and we, as machine learning (ML) experts, may wonder how we can help. Here we describe how ML can be a powerful tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping society adapt to a changing climate. From smart grids to disaster management, we identify high impact problems where existing gaps can be filled by ML, in collaboration with other fields. Our recommendations encompass exciting research questions as well as promising business opportunities. We call on the ML community to join the global effort against climate change.
Scanning Thermo-Ionic Microscopy: Probing Nanoscale Mechano-Chemical Via Thermal Stress-Induced Oscillation
Authors: Nasr Esfahani Ehsan , Gerwe Brian S , Adler Stuart B. , Li Jiangyu
Published: February 2022

A universal challenge facing the development of electrochemical materials is our lack of knowledge about physical and chemical processes in the 10-100 nm regime. Expanding this knowledge requires a new generation of functional imaging techniques that can resolve local and fast dynamics in electrochemical materials at the time and length scales relevant to strongly coupled reactions and transport phenomena.

In this work, we introduce scanning thermo-ionic microscopy (STIM), an AFM-based technique for probing local ionic concentration at the nanoscale. STIM utilizes dynamic Vegard strain stimulated by simultaneous hydrostatic stress and temperature excitation, which can be accurately measured through the AFM cantilever deflection. We have applied this technique on a variety of electrochemical materials using both photo-thermal heating (blueDrive™ laser) and resistively heated probes. Temporal dynamics of ionic motion can be captured from point-wise spectroscopic studies, whereas spatial variations in ionic concentration or mobility can be revealed by STIM mappings. Since the ionic oscillations are detected at higher order harmonics, their response can be isolated electromechanical, electrostatic, and capacitive effects making in-operando testing possible. In principle, STIM can provide a powerful tool for probing local electrochemical functionalities at the nanoscale.
Analysis of O2 Diffusion Resistance without Cathode Humidification in a PEMFC
Authors: Cho Jaewoo , Park Sehkyu
Published: February 2022

Fuel cells are power-generating devices from chemical energy by electrochemical reactions. Especially, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have a high-power density, even if they utilize polymer electrolyte and run at a low temperature.

It is generally ascribed that oxygen transport to the cathode catalyst layer (CL) greatly affect a PEMFC performance. When molecular oxygen travels from the cathode flow channel to the surface of Pt, it is gradually in three diffusion regimes: molecular diffusion (MD), Knudsen diffusion, and ionomer film diffusion.

Recently, much effort has been devoted to understanding oxygen diffusion resistance at the cathode, especially in the CL. Using the Stefan-Maxwell equation, Mashio et al.1 separated total oxygen diffusion resistance into three different oxygen diffusion that includes pressure-dependent resistance and two pressure-independent resistance, and they determined molecular diffusion resistance RMD and non-molecular diffusion resistance Rnon-MD from the experimentally measured limiting current with diluted gaseous oxygen.

Similarly, in this study, we measured limiting current to study oxygen diffusion resistance at various RHs of the anode without the cathode humidification. Fig. 1a shows total oxygen diffusion resistance RMD with increasing total pressure Ptot at the cathode. RMD increases with increasing Ptot, while it decreases with higher RH at the anode. Fig. 1b gives Rnon-MD against pressure. The value of Rnon-MD decreases with increasing RH at the anode. It is inferred from the results that i) MD is dominant at the cathode with no humidification, depending on RHs at the anode that affect water content at the cathode and ii) smaller Rnon-MD with higher RH at the anode is associated with increased sites available for oxygen diffusion possibly due to ionomer swelling.2

References

T. Mashio, A. Ohma, S. Yamamoto, K. Shinohara, ECS trans., 11(1) 529-540 (2007).

M. Schalenbach, T. Hoefner, P. Paciok, M. Carmo, W. Lueke, and D. Stolten, J. Phys. Chem. C, 119, 25145-25155 (2015)

Figure caption

Fig. 1(a) Molecular oxygen diffusion resistance RMD and (b) non-molecular oxygen diffusion resistance Rnon-MD against total pressure at various relative humidity at the anode (No humidification at the cathode).

Figure 1
A Novel Image Encryption Technique Based on Cyclic Codes over Galois Field
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Asamoah Joshua Kiddy K. , Hazzazi Mohammad Mazyad , Alharbi Adel R. , Ashraf Muhammad Usman , Alghamdi Ahmed M.
Published: February 2022

In the modern world, the security of the digital image is vital due to the frequent communication of digital products over the open network. Accelerated advancement of digital data exchange, the importance of information security in the transmission of data, and its storage has emerged. Multiple uses of the images in the security agencies and the industries and the security of the confidential image data from unauthorized access are emergent and vital. In this paper, Bose Chaudhary Hocquenghem (BCH) codes over the Galois field are used for image encryption. The BCH codes over the Galois field construct MDS (maximum distance separable) matrices and secret keys for image encryption techniques. The encrypted image is calculated, by contrast, correlation, energy, homogeneity, and entropy. Histogram analysis of the encrypted image is also assured in this paper. The proposed image encryption scheme’s security analysis results are improved compared to the original AES algorithm. Further, security agencies can utilize this work for their confidential image data.
Decoupling Technique Using Ferrite-Film Loading for 5G MIMO Applications
Authors: Wu Di , Qiu Yang , Yu Guoliang , Guo Rongdi , Wu Guohua , Wang Jiawei , Zhang Yi , Zhu Mingmin , Zhou Hao-Miao
Published: February 2022

Decreasing the mutual coupling between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna elements requires the selection of an appropriate decoupling technique without changing the geometry or operating frequency of the antenna. In this paper, a simple and flexible approach that involves loading a small ferrite film on the radiation patch of an MIMO antenna pair has been proposed to mitigate the unwanted mutual coupling. Through a thorough investigation, the two IFA elements with an element distance of only 1.4 mm can be decoupled adequately by properly controlling the ferrite-film loading area and the thickness of the ferrite film, along with maintaining the desired operating frequencies and acceptable radiation characteristics at the LTE Band 42 (3.4–3.6 GHz). The optimum ferrite-film loading on the grounding branch of the IFA element can increase the isolation from −6.64 dB to −10.43 dB and enhance the bandwidth from 3.20–3.88 GHz to 2.83–3.65 GHz, and its efficiency can reach to 45.5%, as well as a 2 dB gain. A physical model has also been established to interpret the operating mechanism of ferrite-film loading on the IFAs. The proposed simulated procedure is validated via measurements. This technique of ferrite loading on MIMO antennas can effectively decouple the mutual coupling at a low cost and with low design complexity, indicating its potential applicability for use in MIMO antennas in mobile handsets.
Mortality among Alaska Native Adults with Confirmed Hepatitis C Virus Infection Compared with the General Population in Alaska, 1995–2016
Authors: Bressler Sara S. , Bruden Dana , Nolen Leisha D. , Bruce Michael G. , Towshend-Bulson Lisa , Spradling Philip , McMahon Brian J.
Published: February 2022

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection incidence rates in the United States have increased since 2010 as a byproduct of the opioid crisis despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents in 2013. HCV infection is associated with higher rates of liver-related and nonhepatic causes of death. Methods. This study compared demographic characteristics and age-adjusted death rates from 1995 to 2016 among Alaska Native (AN) adults infected with HCV (AK-HepC) to rates among the AN and non-AN adult populations living in Alaska. Liver-related disease (LRD) and other disease-specific age-adjusted death rates were compared between the populations. Results. The all-cause death rate among the AK-HepC cohort was 2.2- and 3.4-fold higher than AN and non-AN adults, respectively, and remained stable over time in all populations. The LRD death rate among the AK-HepC cohort was 18- and 11-fold higher than the non-AN and AN, respectively. The liver cancer rate among the AK-HepC cohort was 26-fold higher compared to the Alaska statewide population. The AK-HepC cohort had elevated rates of death associated with nonhepatic diseases with circulatory disease having the highest rate in all populations. Among liver cancer deaths in the AK-HepC cohort, 32% had HCV listed as a contributing cause of death on the death certificate. Conclusions. Death rates in the AK-HepC cohort remained stable since 1995 and higher compared to the general population. People with HCV infection had an elevated risk for all-cause, liver-related, and nonhepatic causes of death. Hepatitis C infection may be underrepresented as a cause of mortality in the United States.
Prognostic and Immunological Roles of MMP‐9 in Pan‐Cancer
Authors: Zeng Yudan , Gao Mengqian , Lin Dongtao , Du Guoxia , Cai Yongming
Published: February 2022

Background. Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) can degrade the extracellular matrix and participate in tumor progression. The relationship between MMP‐9 and immune cells has been reported in various malignant tumors. However, there is a lack of comprehensive pan‐cancer studies on the relationship between MMP‐9 and cancer prognosis and immune infiltration. Method. We used data from TCGA and GTEx databases to comprehensively analyze the differential expression of MMP‐9 in normal and cancerous tissues. Survival analysis was performed to understand the prognostic role of MMP‐9 in different tumors. We then analyzed the expression of MMP‐9 across different tumors and at different clinical stages. Based on the results, we assessed the correlation between MMP‐9 expression and immune‐associated genes and immunocytes. Finally, we calculated the tumor mutation burden (TMB) of 33 cancer types and analyzed the correlation between MMP‐9 and TMB, DNA microsatellite instability, and DNA repair genes. Results. MMP‐9 significantly affected the prognosis and metastasis of various cancers. It was associated based on overall survival, disease‐specific survival in five tumors, progression‐free interval in seven tumors, and clinical stage in eight tumors, as well as with prognosis and metastasis in adrenocortical carcinoma and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. It was also coexpressed with immune‐related genes and DNA repair genes. The expression of MMP‐9 was positively correlated with the markers of T cells, tumor‐associated macrophages, Th1 cells, and T cell exhaustion. Furthermore, MMP‐9 expression was highly correlated with macrophage M0 in 28 tumors. In addition, its expression was associated with TMB in eight cancer types and DNA microsatellite instability in six cancer types. Conclusion. MMP‐9 is related to immune infiltration in pan‐cancer and can be used as a biomarker related to cancer prognosis and metastasis. Our findings provide prognostic molecular markers and new ideas for immunotherapy.
LncRNA UCA1 Promotes the Progression of AML by Upregulating the Expression of CXCR4 and CYP1B1 by Affecting the Stability of METTL14
Authors: Li Jiajia , Li Zhongyu , Bai Xue , Chen Xiaofeng , Wang Meng , Wu Yanping , Wu Haotian
Published: February 2022

Objective. Increasing numbers of studies have proved that m6A methylation plays crucial roles in different cancers. However, how lncRNA regulates m6A methylation and participates in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the function and mechanism of UCA1 in AML by regulating m6A methylation. Methods. qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the expression of METTL14, CXCR4, and CYP1B1. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of UCA1. CCK8, flow cytometry, and transwell assays were used to detect the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of HL60 and U937 cells, respectively. m6A methylation was detected by dot blot analysis. Tumor-bearing mice were established, and tumor weight and volume were analyzed. Immunofluorescence staining, co-localization, and RNA pull-down were used to confirm the reaction between UCA1 and METTL14. Results. Overexpression of UCA1 promotes AML development in vitro. Furthermore, we found that METTL14-influenced m6A methylation could be affected by UCA1. UCA1 promoted AML development by regulating m6A methylation. Moreover, the expression of CYP1B1 and CXCR4 was affected by METTL14. In addition, UCA1 promoted AML development by affecting m6A methylation in vivo. Conclusion. In the present study, we demonstrated that lncRNAUCA1 promotes the progression of AML by upregulating the expression of CXCR4 and CYP1B1 by affecting the stability of METTL14.
Transient Analysis Method of an Axially Magnetized Novel Passive Eddy Current Damper for Suppressing Lateral Vibrations
Authors: Eisa Abdelrahman I. A. , Shusen Li , Yan Zhang , Helal Wasim M. K.
Published: February 2022

A passive eddy current damper (PECD) can be adopted to provide a damping effect and drag force in rotating structure applications. The damping effect is formed as the result of induced eddy current, while the drag force is produced as the result of the repulsive force between the same axially poled magnets. However, modeling and approximating the damping effect, repulsive force, stiffness, the magnetic flux density (MFD) distribution, and eddy current prompted in PECD is a challenging task because of the complicated structure and operational conditions. This paper presents a new method for modeling and estimating the dynamic parameters of novel PECDs such as the damping effect, repulsive force, and stiffness for suppressing vibration in rotating structure applications. This self-powered, cost-effective PECD utilizes four arc-shaped and single ring-shaped permanent magnets with a cylindrical conductor placed between the arc magnets and the ring magnet to generate a damping effect and spring. Eddy currents are generated in the cylindrical conductor as the effect of the relative motion of the ring magnet concerning the arc magnets. An accurate and transient analysis method of the proposed system is carried out by using a three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM). According to the procedures applied in the FE model solution, this new numerical method is appropriate and validated for analyzing PECDs and gaining good results by configuring the conductor and permanent magnets symmetrically. Finally, this novel 3D transient analysis method presents a perfect ability and accuracy for both modeling and calculating the PECD parameters.
Visual Interaction Force Estimation Based on Time-Sensitive Dual-Resolution Learning Network
Authors: Wang Feilu , Jiang Yanan , Song Yang , Lv Shanna , Li Mingkun , Ye Rungen
Published: February 2022

Haptic force feedback is an important perception method for humans to understand the surrounding environment. It can estimate tactile force in real time and provide appropriate feedback. It has important research value for robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, interactive tactile robots, and other application fields. However, most of the existing noncontact visual power estimation methods are implemented using traditional machine learning or 2D/3D CNN combined with LSTM. Such methods are difficult to fully extract the contextual spatiotemporal interaction semantic information of consecutive multiple frames of images, and their performance is limited. To this end, this paper proposes a time-sensitive dual-resolution learning network-based force estimation model to achieve accurate noncontact visual force prediction. First, we perform continuous frame normalization processing on the robot running the video captured by the camera and use the hybrid data augmentation to improve the data diversity; secondly, a deep semantic interaction model is constructed based on the time-sensitive dual-resolution learning network, which is used to automatically extract the deep spatiotemporal semantic interaction information of continuous multiframe images; finally, we construct a simplified prediction model to realize the efficient estimation of interaction force. The results based on the large-scale robot hand interaction dataset show that our method can estimate the interaction force of the robot hand more accurately and faster. The average prediction MSE reaches 0.0009 N,

R
2

reaches 0.9833, and the average inference time for a single image is 6.5532 ms; in addition, our method has good prediction generalization performance under different environments and parameter settings.
Surgery and Radioactive Iodine Therapeutic Strategy for Patients Greater Than 60 Years of Age with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Tang Tao , Zhi Jingtai , Zhang Wei , Hu Linfei , Ruan Xianhui , Chen Xiaoyu , Wang Zhaohui , Zheng Xiangqian , Gao Ming
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to determine whether older patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who received surgical treatment had a better cause-specific survival (CSS) than patients who were recommended surgery, but declined, and whether patients who underwent postoperative RAI-131 therapy had an impact on CSS based on TNM staging and number of lymph node metastases for all total or near-total thyroidectomy patients. Patients and Methods: This retrospective, population-based study analyzed the clinical data of 162 DTC patients from signal institution in China and 26,487 cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program registry. The patients were divided into two groups (underwent surgery and surgery recommended, but not performed) in the SEER cohort. Furthermore, patients were grouped as follows: T4; N1b; M1; T1-3N0-1a; specific number of lymph node metastases; and total or near-total thyroidectomy. Results: The 120-month cause-specific survival (CSS) rate of women and men showed a gradual declining trend from 60–64 to ≥80 years of age in the group that underwent surgery. The CSS rate of women and men showed a marked downward and irregular trend with an increase in age in the recommended, but no surgery group in the SEER cohort. Univariate analysis indicated that the surgery group had a higher 120-month CSS in women in most stages and men, compared with the no surgery group in the SEER cohort. The analysis of the SEER cohort showed that RAI-131 therapy was associated with an improved 80-month CSS in T4/N1b/M1 women (

P
<
0.0183

) and men (

P
<
0.0011

). However, there were no CSS differences between the RAI-131 therapy and the no-RAI-131 group for the patients with T4/N1b/M1 (AJCC 7th) thyroid cancer in the Chinese cohort. There was no CSS difference in women or men between the T1-3N0 and T1-3N1a patients in the SEER cohort. And similar findings were observed in T1-3N1a patients in the Chinese cohort. There was no statistical difference between the two subgroups. Conclusions: Surgical treatment should be recommended for elderly DTC patients because surgery can lead to a better CSS. High-risk patients achieve a higher benefit-to-risk ratio with RAI-131 therapy. To avoid the adverse effects associated with RAI-131 therapy, a multidisciplinary discussion should be arranged for intermediate- and low-risk patients.
Online Missing Data Imputation Using Virtual Temporal Neighbor in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Deng Yulong , Han Chong , Guo Jian , Li Linguo , Sun Lijuan
Published: February 2022

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is one of the most typical applications of the Internet of Things (IoT). Missing values exist in the sensor data streams unavoidably because of the way WSNs work and the environments they are deployed in. In most cases, imputing missing values is the universally adopted approach before making further data processing. There are different ways to implement it, among which the exploitation of correlation information hidden in the sensor data interests many researchers, and lots of results have emerged. Researching in the same way, in this paper, we propose VTN imputation, an online missing data imputation algorithm based on virtual temporal neighbors. Firstly, the virtual temporal neighbor (VTN) in the sensor data stream is defined, and the calculation method is given. Next, the VTN imputation algorithm, which applies VTN to make estimates for missing values by regression is presented. Finally, we make experiments to evaluate the performance of imputing accuracy and computation time for our algorithm on three different real sensor datasets. The experiment results show that the VTN imputation algorithm benefited from the fuller exploitation of the correlation in sensor data and obtained better accuracy of imputation and acceptable processing time in the real applications of WSNs.
Monitoring and Analysis of English Classroom Teaching Quality Based on Big Data
Authors: Xun Zhang
Published: February 2022

In order to deal with the problems of low evaluation accuracy and long evaluation time in the traditional English classroom teaching quality monitoring and evaluation methods, this study proposes an English classroom teaching quality monitoring and evaluation method based on big data. According to the selection principle of English classroom teaching quality monitoring factors, this study analyzes the English classroom teaching quality monitoring factors, constructs the English classroom teaching quality monitoring index system, obtains the monitoring index data, filters and compresses the monitoring data, and takes the preprocessed English classroom teaching quality monitoring data as the evaluation index. This study uses the principal component analysis method to calculate the weight of the English classroom teaching quality evaluation index and constructs an English classroom teaching quality evaluation model. The simulation results show that the proposed method has high accuracy and short evaluation time.
Camelina sativa Oil Treatment Alleviates Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhea in ICR Mice by Regulating Intestinal Flora Composition
Authors: Zhu Jie , Yu Liqin , Fan Yi , Zhang Huanan , Li Feifei , Li Xiao , Wei Yue , Wang Zhiyao
Published: February 2022

Diarrhea, occurring due to intestinal flora disturbance, is potentially lethal, and its current treatments have adverse effects such as constipation and vomiting. Camelina sativa oil (CSO) is a cooking ingredient and natural remedy used in several countries; however, its pharmacological effects on intestinal health remain unknown. Here, we explored the CSO treatment effects on intestinal flora in male ICR mice with castor oil-induced diarrhea. The rate and degree of loose stools, the diarrhea index, serum inflammatory indices, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora were measured. Castor oil-administered mice experienced diarrhea, reduced intestinal flora diversity and fecal SCFAs concentrations, altered intestinal flora composition, and increased serum proinflammatory indices. In contrast, CSO treatment relieved diarrhea, improved intestinal flora composition, and increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae. Additionally, CSO significantly increased the concentrations of fecal propionic acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, and serum sIgA, while it reduced those of serum interleukin-17. These findings suggest that CSO could be a promising preventive agent against diarrhea.