bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ginsenoside Rb1 Modulates the Migration of Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis and PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Liu Yimei , Liu Ninghua , Li Xiangyang , Luo Zhe , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2022

Background and Objectives. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) play a vital role in skin wound healing and skin regeneration through proliferation, migration, and paracrine interactions. A previous study indicated that ginsenoside Rb1 acted as a vital antidotal component which antagonized the oxidative stem cell. However, the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1-mediated BMSC migration remained unknown. Methods. Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were utilized to evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on the migration of BMSCs. RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (PKB; AKT). Results. Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly enhanced the migration of BMSCs through the activation of SDF-1, CXCR4, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-Akt/Akt relative expression. Furthermore, this stimulus was blocked by the pretreatment with AMD3100 and LY294002. Conclusions. Ginsenoside Rb1 facilitated the migration of BMSCs through the activation of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and PI3K/Akt pathway.
Data Legal Supervision of Online Car-Hailing Platform Based on Big Data Technology and Edge Computing
Authors: Zhang Weier , Zhong Siqi
Published: March 2022

There is a lack of fairness in market competition and disorder of order as a result of the lack of supervision. OCH (online car-hailing) driver accidents are also reported frequently, causing a slew of social and traffic safety issues. In this paper, we reconstruct the logical path of OCH platform data legal supervision in China’s big data era. We propose a big data encryption algorithm based on data redundancy technology that combines the characteristics of the ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) block cipher modes in terms of computing speed, parallelism, and security. The system can process large amounts of network data and detect distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks in real time. The observed feature change trend charts before and after the attacks show significant differences, demonstrating that the proposed features can better distinguish normal traffic from abnormal traffic.
Analysis of Human Geography Space Based on Geographic Information System in the Context of Rural Revitalization
Authors: Zhang Ershen , Zhou Yajuan , Qiao Jiajun , Wang Wei
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, it is proposed “Firmly implement the rural revitalization strategy”, and rural revitalization has risen to the level of national-level strategy. Human geography is to respond to the cultural effects produced by various residents with similar living habits together. As a spatial science, GIS, with its unique spatial viewpoint and spatial thinking, reveals the spatial distribution characteristics and dynamic change laws of various things and phenomena from spatial interconnections and interactions. From the spatial objects studied by GIS, this paper puts forward thoughts on the new directions of GIS development: expanding from Earth space to cosmic space, it is necessary to build coordinate system and cosmic geospatial information system, lunar geospatial information system, etc.; extending from outdoor space to indoor space, it is necessary to develop indoor geospatial information system and expand to underwater space and underground space; from macro to micro space, we can develop sports geospatial information system for games, human geospatial information system for life and health management, etc.; facing the era of big data, we can develop theories and methods of spatial analysis of big data and contribute to the development of big data science. Thus, the way of constructing GIS based on human geospatial analysis can be built in the context of the era of rural revitalization. The purpose of the research in this paper is mainly to show the role of GIS in the construction of human geography space. Through GIS means, it can better gather some villages in human geography, have a better form of expression, and can better construct a spatial information system.
Effect of Auricular Acupressure on Acute Pain in Nursing Home Residents with Mild Dementia: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study
Authors: Zhang Jun-Jun , Yu Li , Mei Jun-Hui , Wang Hong-Xin , Gao Hai-Xiang , Fu Ju-Fang , Cheng Ye , Gao Lu-Lu , Bu Lei , Yu Jian-Qiang , Wang Carol Chunfeng , Li Yu-Xiang
Published: March 2022

Introduction. Acute pain is a prevalent problem for dementia residents in nursing homes. A variety of intervention strategies have been applied to address this problem. However, there remains an issue of inadequate pain control. This study aims to explore the analgesic efficacy of auricular acupressure (AA) for dementia residents with acute pain in nursing homes. Methods. A multicenter, single-blind, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial was performed in three nursing homes in Yinchuan, China. All of the 206 eligible patients with acute pain were randomly divided into two groups for real AA therapy or sham AA (at sham point stimulation) therapy. The primary outcome was measured with a face pain scale revised (FPS-R) score before the procedure, 5 min after the start of the intervention, and 5 min after finishing the procedure. Secondary outcomes covered three physiological parameters, adverse reactions observed, satisfaction level of caregivers, acceptance of patients, and additional use of analgesics. Results. There was a significant difference in pain scores based on FPS-R between the two groups (

p
<
0.01

). Pain score in the true AA group was 1.84 ± 0.23, compared with 2.22 ± 0.81 in the sham AA group. No adverse events were found during the whole procedure for all patients. The satisfaction level of caregivers and acceptance of patients in the real AA group were significantly higher than those in the sham AA group. Conclusion. This study shows that real AA was an alternative analgesic modality in reducing acute pain in patients with mild dementia.
Genesis of the Daping Gold Deposit in the Middle Xuefeng Mountain Area, Southern China: Constraints from Geochemistry, Fluid Inclusion, and H-O-S Isotope
Authors: Kong Xu , Mi Wen-Tian , Qi Xue-Yuan , Lǚ Shu-Jun , Dong Yu-Jun , Xin Jie
Published: March 2022

The medium-sized Daping gold deposit is located in the middle Xuefeng Mountain area of Southern China with gold ores hosted in sericite phyllite, sericitolite, and mylonite. The auriferous quartz-carbonate-sulfide veins and adjacent alteration rocks are structurally controlled within the NE (northeast) shear zone with NE, NNE (north-east-east), and NW (northwest) trending at high inclination angles. The petrogeochemistry analysis results show that the gold ores are characterized by high content values of SiO2, S, and As and low content values of Al2O3 and Na2O and display strong enrichment of LREE with δEu values ranging from 0.54 to 0.75. Four stages of mineralization/alteration were identified: the first stage has mineral assemblages of quartz+pyrite+arsenopyrite±carbonate minerals, the second stage has mineral assemblages of quartz+polymetallic sulfide minerals (pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcocite, galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite)±chlorite±carbonate minerals, the third stage has mineral assemblages of quartz and carbonate minerals, and the supergene stage is characterized by limonite±patina which were formed by the oxidation of metal sulfides. Among them, the first stage and the second stage are the main gold mineralization stages. The ore-forming fluid inclusions in quartz are mainly composed of liquid phase (H2O) and gas phase (H2O and CO2), and based on the microthermometric analysis, the first metallogenic stage and second metallogenic stage yielded average homogenization temperature of 184.5 and 255.8°C and average salinity of 7.64 wt.% NaCl eqv. and 11.35 wt.% NaCl eqv., respectively. Thus, the ore-forming fluids belong to H2O-CO2-NaCl, medium-low temperature, and medium-low salinity fluid. The

δ

D

H

2

O

and

δ

18

O

H

2

O

values of auriferous quartz are from -51‰ to 62‰ and from -1.44‰ to 5.42‰, respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluids may belong to mixing fluids of the magmatic fluid and meteoric hydrothermal fluid. The values of δ34S of metal sulfides range from -0.94‰ to 1.98‰ (-0.131‰ in average), implying that sulfur may source from the concealed granite and/or basement metamorphic strata. The Daping gold deposit formed in the Indosinian period under the tectonic environment of compression between the Cathaysian plate and Yangtze plate and may belong to orogenic gold deposits.
Virtual Machine Resource Allocation Optimization in Cloud Computing Based on Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Shi Feng , Lin Jingna
Published: March 2022

Cloud computing is an important milestone in the development of distributed computing as a commercial implementation, and it has good prospects. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is an important service mode in cloud computing. It combines massive resources scattered in different spaces into a unified resource pool by means of virtualization technology, facilitating the unified management and use of resources. In IaaS mode, all resources are provided in the form of virtual machines (VM). To achieve efficient resource utilization, reduce users’ costs, and save users’ computing time, VM allocation must be optimized. This paper proposes a new multiobjective optimization method of dynamic resource allocation for multivirtual machine distribution stability. Combining the current state and future predicted data of each application load, the cost of virtual machine relocation and the stability of new virtual machine placement state are considered comprehensively. A multiobjective optimization genetic algorithm (MOGANS) was designed to solve the problem. The simulation results show that compared with the genetic algorithm (GA-NN) for energy saving and multivirtual machine redistribution overhead, the virtual machine distribution method obtained by MOGANS has a longer stability time. Aiming at this shortage, this paper proposes a multiobjective optimization dynamic resource allocation method (MOGA-C) based on MOEA/D for virtual machine distribution. It is illustrated by experimental simulation that moGA-D can converge faster and obtain similar multiobjective optimization results at the same calculation scale.
Ulam Stability and Non-Stability of Additive Functional Equation in IFN-Spaces and 2-Banach Spaces by Different Methods
Authors: Uthirasamy N. , Tamilvanan K. , Kabeto Masho Jima
Published: March 2022

This paper introduces a new dimension of an additive functional equation and obtains its general solution. The main goal of this study is to examine the Ulam stability of this equation in IFN-spaces (intuitionistic fuzzy normed spaces) with the help of direct and fixed point approaches and 2-Banach spaces. Also, we use an appropriate counterexample to demonstrate that the stability of this equation fails in a particular case.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis via Modulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Feng Wan , Zhu Lei , Shen Hong
Published: March 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by relapsing and remitting inflammation of the bowel. In recent decades, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the therapy of UC. However, its underlying mechanisms have not been sufficiently elucidated. Accumulating studies indicate that the gut microbial dysbiosis is closely related to UC. It has been demonstrated that TCM could alter the composition of intestinal microbiota by enriching beneficial and SCFA-producing bacteria and reducing pathogenic bacteria. In this review, we discussed recent evidence regarding the TCM and its role in modulating gut microbiota for the treatment of UC.
Construction and Research of Amorphous Alloys and Ferroelectric Materials in the Digital Logistics Platform
Authors: Chen Zhi , Wang Ying
Published: March 2022

People have higher and higher requirements for the size, sensitivity, measurement range, repeatability error, and power consumption cost of sensors and memories in the field of electronic information technology. “Logistics” as another new industry in the modern social division of labor is showing its infinite vitality, and the rise of digital logistics is the use of network technology to meet the development of this era. Based on the application of amorphous alloys and ferroelectric materials to the construction of logistics digital platform, this paper is aimed at demonstrating the function of nonstatic alloys and ferroelectric materials to promote the data storage of logistics digital platform and other aspects from multiple perspectives. This article is mainly divided into two general directions. The first is to study the physical and chemical properties of amorphous alloys and ferroelectric materials separately. The content of the article is more complete by referring to relevant research literature or obtaining relevant targeted information; the basic structure of the digital logistics platform is modeled, and the application of amorphous alloys and ferroelectric materials is mainly applied to the two parts of the data service composition and the data layer. This arrangement is based on the sensor as the key to data processing. Location is of great significance to the entire platform system. The experimental results show that the digital logistics platform constructed in this paper can reach a score of 7.75 in terms of data security and 7.39 in terms of flexibility. It also increases the efficiency of the entire operation process.
Superresolution Reconstruction of Remote Sensing Image Based on Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Zhou Qiaoliang
Published: March 2022

To recreate high-resolution, more detailed remote sensing images from existing low-resolution photos, this technique is known as remote sensing image superresolution reconstruction, and it has numerous uses. As an important research hotspot of neural networks, generative adversarial network (GAN) has made outstanding progress for image superresolution reconstruction. It solves the computational complexity and low reconstructed image quality of standard superresolution reconstruction algorithms. This research offers a superresolution reconstruction strategy with a self-attention generative adversarial network to improve the quality of reconstructed superresolution remote sensing images. The self-attention strategy as well as residual module is utilized to build a generator in this model that transforms low-resolution remote sensing images into superresolution ones. It aims to determine the discrepancy between a reconstructed picture and a true picture by using a deep convolutional network as a discriminator. For the purpose of enhancing the accuracy, content loss is used. This is done to obtain accurate detail reconstruction. According to the findings of the experiments, this approach is capable of regenerating higher-quality images.
Research on the Method of Prediction for Fuzzy Tooth Surface of Involute Gear
Authors: Liu Xinrong
Published: March 2022

Surface appearance of involute gear is the basis to research the dynamic performance of gear transmission system. The Delaunay triangulation method of layered local dynamic is proposed to construct the precise tooth surface of the known tooth surface appearances. The concave and convex region of the real tooth surface was extracted by isosurface subdivision. In order to smooth the surface, the energy method and the improved fractal method with minimum included angle are used to smooth the curve. On the basis of the loaded tooth contact analysis of involute gears, the loaded tooth contact analysis model of digital error tooth surface is constructed. The tooth surface appearances of fuzzy tooth surface were predicted by extracting contact patterns under various working parameters on the experimental platform. Through the analysis on actual examples, it is concluded that the method proposed in this manuscript can accurately predict the tooth surface morphology of fuzzy tooth surface and lay the foundation for the dynamic performance optimization of gear system with fuzzy tooth surface.
Central Neurocytoma with Hemorrhagic Presentation Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Alsadiq Mohammad Nasser , Al Sadah Zhra Muneer , Butt Sohail , Aldahmen Anwar Ali
Published: March 2022

Central neurocytoma (CN) is slow-growing rare intraventricular tumor that represents 0.25-0.5% of all intracranial tumors in adults. Typically, it is seen in young adults, yet with surgical resection, it has excellent prognosis. Due to CN rarity and its feature similarities with other common tumors, misdiagnosis can be an issue. With no pathognomonic clinical features of CN, a proper diagnosis can be achieved by radiological imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, histopathology assessment, and immunohistochemistry. Therefore, this is a case report of a 17-year-old male who presented with right lateral ventricular CN with intraventricular hemorrhage. Subtotal tumor resection was carried out via right transcortical approach. Subtle improvement for the patient condition was noted.
Inhibiting ERK5 Overcomes Breast Cancer Resistance to Anti-HER2 Therapy By Targeting the G1–S Cell-Cycle Transition
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Pearson Adam J. , Sabherwal Nitin , Telfer Brian A. , Ali Nisha , Kan Karmern , Xu Qiuping , Zhang Wei , Chen Fuhui , Li Shiyang , Wang Jinhua , Gray Nathanael S. , Risa-Ebrí Blanca , Finegan Katherine G. , Cross Michael J. , Giurisato Emanuele , Whitmarsh Alan J. , Tournier Cathy
Published: March 2022

Targeting HER2 has become a landmark in the treatment of HER2-driven breast cancer. Nonetheless, the clinical efficacy of anti-HER2 therapies can be short-lived and a significant proportion of patients ultimately develop metastatic disease and die. One striking consequence of oncogenic activation of HER2 in breast cancer cells is the constitutive activation of the extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5) through its hyperphosphorylation. In this study, we sought to decipher the significance of this unique molecular signature in promoting therapeutic resistance to anti-HER2 agents. We found that a small-molecule inhibitor of ERK5 suppressed the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. As a result, ERK5 inhibition enhanced the antiproliferative activity of single-agent anti-HER2 therapy in resistant breast cancer cell lines by causing a G1 cell-cycle arrest. Moreover, ERK5 knockdown restored the antitumor activity of the anti-HER2 agent lapatinib in human breast cancer xenografts. Taken together, these findings support the therapeutic potential of ERK5 inhibitors to improve the clinical benefit that patients receive from targeted HER2 therapies.

Significance:

Here we demonstrate that targeting ERK5 in HER2-positive breast cancer cells reduces the level of phosphorylation of RB, an important mediator of the G1–S transition. This effect is associated with increased antitumor activity of lapatinib in combination therapy with ERK5 silencing. Collectively, these findings reveal that ERK5 constitutes a relevant therapeutic target for the many patients with resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.
Care for Transgender Young People
Authors: Krebs Damian , Harris Rebecca M. , Steinbaum Alyssa , Pilcher Sarah , Guss Carly , Kremen Jessica , Roberts Stephanie A. , Baskaran Charumathi , Carswell Jeremi , Millington Kate
Published: March 2022

Clinicians of all disciplines, including pediatric endocrinologists, are likely to encounter transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) young people in their practice regardless of whether they specialize in gender-affirming medical care. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the ways in which medical professionals can affirm these individuals. Although gender-affirming therapy should always include affirmation including proper use of names and pronouns, the transition journey will look different for each patient. The gender-affirming care of TGD young people may include both medical and nonmedical interventions (e.g., social transition). Therapies utilized for medical gender transition such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and/or gender-affirming hormones have implications for growth, bone health, cardiovascular health, and fertility, although these impacts are not yet completely understood. This review provides an overview of the care of transgender young people as well as a summary of what is known about the outcomes of these therapies. Clinicians should advise TGD young people and their families of the known and unknown risks and work together with patients to decide upon a treatment and follow-up regimen that aligns with their individual gender affirmation and health goals.
Systematic Review of the Evidence for Stroke Family Caregiver and Dyad Interventions
Authors: Bakas Tamilyn , McCarthy Michael J. , Miller Elaine L.
Published: March 2022

Stroke family caregiver and dyad literature has expanded over the past few years. The purpose of this review was to build upon 2 prior systematic reviews to critique, analyze, and synthesize the evidence pertaining to the impact of family caregiver and dyad interventions on stroke survivor and family caregiver outcomes. CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, and reference lists were searched from December 1, 2016 through March 31, 2021. Using PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), articles were identified that tested outcomes from stroke family caregiver or dyad interventions that targeted the health or well-being of family caregivers. Data from the articles were abstracted into tables for analysis, then compared with recommendations from the 2 prior systematic reviews. A total of 18 articles met inclusion criteria (10 caregiver interventions; 8 dyad interventions) representing sample sizes ranging from 7 to 349 caregivers or dyads. Most were randomized controlled trials (n=13); 2 were cluster randomized trials; and 3 were single-group quasi-experimental designs. Of the 18 studies, 8 had <50 caregivers or dyads and 5 were small feasibility studies that reported data trends rather than testing for significance. Only 6 studies reported significant survivor outcomes. Eleven studies reported significant caregiver outcomes, the most common being burden. A number of survivor and caregiver outcomes were not significant, or only significant for certain subgroups. The limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and conflicting results, made it difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the impact of these interventions on outcomes. Based on the available evidence from these 18 studies, recommendations from the 2 prior reviews were generally supported. Well-designed and well-powered randomized controlled clinical trials are still needed to confirm efficacy of stroke family caregiver and dyad interventions.
Advisory Proceedings before the Seabed Disputes Chamber and before the ITLOS as a Full Court
Authors: Kateka James L.
Published: March 2022

Advisory Opinions are of interest as they have the potential to develop law. The Seabed Disputes Chamber possesses such competence and has already used it.

According to article 138 of its Rules the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has such an advisory competence and – since the beginning of 2013 – it is faced with a request for an Advisory Opinion. It will have to deal with the admissibility of this Advisory Opinion in abstracto as well as in concreto and thus shed some light on the legal parameters for such an exercise of jurisdiction.
Seasonal changes in the width and structure of non-collapsed phloem affect the assessment of its potential conducting efficiency
Authors: Gričar Jožica , Prislan Peter
Published: March 2022

Quantitative phloem anatomy is increasingly used in dendroecological studies since recent evidence shows that phloem traits are a valuable indicator of the morphological and physiological strategies of tree performance in different environments. To better understand intra-annual variations in non-collapsed phloem (NCPH) width and structure in three temperate species (Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, and Quercus petraea), we investigated phloem samples repeatedly taken during the growing season, using light microscopy. The diameter and area of sieve elements were measured in early and late phloem to estimate their conducting potential. The seasonal dynamics of phloem formation and the collapse of sieve elements significantly affect the structure and width of the NCPH. In combination with sieve element characteristics, they determine the conducting potential of the NCPH, which is not constant throughout the growing season. Although the three species differed in terms of wood porosity, the seasonal structural variations of the NCPH followed a similar pattern. At the onset of the growing season, the phloem increment of the previous year was crucial for the function and accounted for over 80% of the NCPH, whereas at the end of the growing season, the phloem increment of the current year constituted the majority of the NCPH. These results indicate that sampling time should be considered when comparing quantitative phloem anatomy data from different laboratories, indicating the need for a uniform sampling protocol and methodology. Otherwise, the assessment of the conducting potential of phloem sieve elements is difficult to compare.
Zosimos and Theosebeia
Authors: Grimes Shannon
Published: March 2022

This paper fleshes out the relationship of the third-century alchemist Zosimos of Panopolis and his colleague, Theosebeia, which was later dramatized in the Book of Pictures, an illustrated Arabic manuscript (thirteenth century) that depicts the couple crowned with the sun and moon, representing various alchemical processes. Their relationship provides an important window into the historical development of erotic themes in alchemical literature. I argue that there is an erotics of pedagogy at work in this text, rooted in alchemical allegories of the fusion of male and female substances and Islamic notions of the initiatory relationship between teacher and student.
The Cosmological Gnosis of Miguel Serrano
Authors: Versluis Arthur
Published: March 2022

A close look at a very unusual instance of how gnosis, and specific concepts from early Christian-era Gnosticism, appear directly in the numerous late works of a recent Chilean author, Miguel Serrano (1917–2009), and of how his work and thought exemplifies cosmological gnosis. Many international readers knew Serrano as author of unusual fictional works, and as an ambassador for Chile to several countries. During his time abroad, he met, and in many cases befriended, famous figures of the day, including Carl Jung, Herman Hesse, Ezra Pound and the fourteenth Dalai Lama. But fewer are aware of his works promoting a grand cosmological synthesis of many world religious traditions with esoteric Hitlerism expressed in gnostic terms. His syncretic system includes references to a demiurge and to gnosis, as well as to many other esoteric traditions from Europe, India, Tibet, and elsewhere, largely in a Gnostic context. This article by Arthur Versluis is the first to explore this aspect of Serrano’s work.
Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman and Ancient Jewish Worlds
Authors: Davila James R.
Published: March 2022

In Drawing Down the Moon: Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World, Radcliffe Edmonds provides us with a new etic framework for understanding ancient magic, but one steeped in the emic perspectives of the actual practitioners and clients as preserved in the literary, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence. In this paper I examine Edmonds’s findings in relation to the ancient Jewish magical and mystical traditions found mainly in Sefer HaRazim, “The Book of the Mysteries,” a late-antique ritual handbook written in Hebrew.
The present state of the leech fauna (Annelida: Hirudinea) in Lithuania
Authors: ŠATKAUSKIENĖ INGRIDA , RUTKAUSKAITĖ-SUCILIENĖ JURGITA
Published: March 2022

The aim of the present study is to present the composition of the leech fauna from Lithuania. Based on morphology, 12 species of leeches belonging to 10 genera and 5 families (Haemopidae, Hirudinidae, Glossiphoniidae, Erpodellidae and Piscicolidae) were identified in the country. Comparison of the data generated in current study with historical records, we extend the list of species to 21. Additional localities of Hirudo medicinalis and Erpobdella monostriata, two uncommon leeches, were established in Lithuania.
Uloma (Uloma) metogana Ren, 2004: redescription of the adult and descriptions of the larva and pupa (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, Ulomini)
Authors: LIU SHAN-SHAN , LI XIU-MIN , REN GUO-DONG
Published: March 2022

The adult of Uloma (Uloma) metogana Ren, 2004, an endemic species to the southeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China, is redescribed and illustrated. The male of this species is newly discovered, its larva and pupa are described and illustrated for the first time. Meanwhile, sequences of three gene fragments (COI, Cytb and 16S rDNA) are obtained for the larva, pupa and adult to further confirm their identity.
Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni sp. nov., a new cranefly (Diptera, Tipulidae) from the Western Himalayas
Authors: STARKEVICH PAVEL , PODĖNAS SIGITAS , SIVELL DUNCAN
Published: March 2022

A new cranefly, Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on males and females collected in India and Nepal. The illustrations of male and female genitalia for the most closely related regional species, T. (V.) tanycera Alexander, 1961 and T. (V.) mitchelli Edwards, 1927 are also provided. The female of T. (V.) mitchelli is described for the first time.
The Role of Atlantic Basin Geometry in Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Ragen Sarah , Armour Kyle C. , Thompson LuAnne , Shao Andrew , Darr David
Published: March 2022

We present idealized simulations to explore how the shape of eastern and western continental boundaries along the Atlantic Ocean influences the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). We use a state-of-the art ocean–sea ice model (MOM6 and SIS2) with idealized, zonally symmetric surface forcing and a range of idealized continental configurations with a large, Pacific-like basin and a small, Atlantic-like basin. We perform simulations with five coastline geometries along the Atlantic-like basin that range from coastlines that are straight to coastlines that are shaped like the coasts of the American and African continents. Changing the Atlantic basin coastline shape influences AMOC strength in a manner distinct from simply increasing basin width: widening the basin while maintaining straight coastlines leads to a 10-Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) increase in AMOC strength, whereas widening the basin with the geometry of the American and African continents leads to a 6-Sv increase in AMOC strength, despite both cases representing the same average basin-width increase relative to a control case. The structure of AMOC changes are different between these two cases as well: a more realistic basin geometry results in a shoaled AMOC while widening the basin with straight boundaries deepens AMOC. We test the influence of the shape of the both boundaries independently and find that AMOC is more sensitive to the American coastline while the African coastline impacts the abyssal circulation. We also find that AMOC strength and depth scales well with basin-scale meridional density difference, even with different Atlantic basin geometries, illuminating a robust physical link between AMOC and the North Atlantic western boundary density gradient.
Statistical Analysis Framework to Evaluate Asphalt Concrete Overlay Reflective Cracking Performance
Authors: Haslett Katie , Dave Eshan , Sias Jo , Linder Ernst
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this paper is to provide a robust process to statistically analyze reflective cracking field performance data. There is often a lack of consistency and transparency in statistical analysis of pavement field performance data, which may not satisfy ANOVA or regression modeling assumptions. Twelve full-scale asphalt concrete (AC) overlay pavement test sections located at the MnROAD test facility are used to demonstrate the statistical framework. The percentage of cracking reported at joint locations (%RC) is used to represent reflective cracking performance, and its relationships to pre-overlay load transfer efficiency (LTE), truck traffic, overlay thickness, and common performance indices determined from laboratory tests are investigated. The three laboratory tests considered in this study are the disk-shaped compact tension (DCT), semi-circular bend (SCB) and overlay tester (OT). Logistic regression models are used for estimation. Predictive abilities of various models are compared in relation to the percentage odds (%odds) of reflective cracking. Model output is binary: it estimates not the relative amount of reflective cracking but instead the probability of a given pavement structure cracking. Varying ability to perform asphalt mixture laboratory performance testing is assumed. One such model, where no laboratory performance testing variables are included, shows that a one-unit increase (1-in.) in AC overlay thickness may result in approximately a third decrease in the %odds of reflective cracking. A logistic regression model developed that considers laboratory performance data from DCT, SCB, and OT results in the optimal model balancing best fit and best prediction properties without overfitting.
A Study of Tail-risk Spillovers in Cryptocurrency Markets
Authors: Nair Jithin V. , Kayal Parthajit
Published: March 2022

This study is an extension of the work by Xu et al. (2021 , Finance Research Letters, vol. 38, p. 101453). We analyse tail-risk spillovers among 63 cryptocurrencies and identify systemically important cryptocurrencies using a Tail-Event driven NETwork (TENET)-based approach as proposed by Fan et al. (2018 , Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, vol. 36, pp. 212–226). We observe that cryptocurrencies with high market capitalization, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP, have weaker spillovers compared to other cryptocurrencies. We find that Bitcoin is the largest systemic risk receiver and Bitcoin Cash is the largest systemic risk emitter. Bitcoin Cash is the most interactive cryptocurrency. This study helps in understanding tail-risk dependency across cryptocurrencies and thereby can be valuable for portfolio creation and risk mitigation purposes.
Insecticidal and growth inhibitory activity of gut microbes isolated from adults of Spodoptera litura (Fab.)
Authors: Devi Sarita , Saini Harvinder Singh , Kaur Sanehdeep
Published: March 2022

Background

Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) commonly known as tobacco caterpillar is a polyphagous pest that causes significant damage to many agricultural crops. The extensive use of chemical insecticides against S. litura has resulted in development of resistance. In order to find potential biocontrol agents, gut microbes were investigated for insecticidal potential. These microbes live in a diverse relationship with insects that may vary from beneficial to pathogenic.

Results

Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus mundtii, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas paralactis and Pantoea brenneri were isolated from adults of S. litura. Screening of these microbial isolates for insecticidal potential against S. litura showed higher larval mortality due to K. pneumoniae and P. paralactis. These bacteria also negatively affected the development of insect along with significant decline in relative growth and consumption rate as well as efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food of insect. The bacteria significantly decreased the reproductive potential of insect. Perturbations in the composition of gut microbiome and damage to gut epithelium were also observed that might be associated with decreased survival of this insect.

Conclusions

Our study reveals the toxic effects of K. pneumoniae and P. paralactis on biology of S. litura. These bacteria may be used as potential candidates for developing ecofriendly strategies to manage this insect pest.
An insight into patients’ perspectives on barriers affecting participation in shared decision making among patients with diabetes mellitus in Malawi
Authors: Makwero Martha , Muula Adamson S. , Anyanwu Felix Chima , Igumbor Jude
Published: March 2022

Background

Patient participation in decision making is a basic tenet for a patient centred care experience and, has potential to improve care experiences and responsiveness in chronic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM). However, documented experiences show that patient participation in decisions making is wanting. As Malawi strives to institutionalise patient centred care delivery, it is important to examine patients’ experiences and perceptions to identify barriers affecting their participation in shared decision making because this may provide evidence supporting strategies in implementation of the institutionalisation.

Aim

The study sought to describe perspectives about barriers to participation in shared decision making among patients with DM in Malawi.

Methods

This was an exploratory qualitative study. We targeted patients attending DM clinics in four public health facilities in southern Malawi from September to December 2019. We used In-Depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data was managed using Nvivo version 11 software and analysed using Content Analysis.

Results

The study highlights the values, perceptions and benefits of shared decision making. Furthermore, patients’ narratives expose the struggles and vulnerabilities in their attempts to engage their providers towards shared decision making.

Conclusion

Interactional power imbalances, insufficient dialogue and patients’ own restrictive attitudes towards engagement with their providers thwarts SDM in clinical encounters. To make SDM a reality, transforming medical education that emphasizes on the value of good patient-provider relationship and providers’ attitudes to regard patients as active partners may be a good starting point. Additionally, strategies that empower and change patients’ perceptions about SDM require investment.
Undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the colon: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Han Xu , Zhao Linxian , Mu Yu , Liu Guoliang , Zhao Guohong , He Hongyu , Wang Shu , Li Jiannan
Published: March 2022

Background

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), also known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), hardly originates from the colorectum.

Case presentation

We reported a 65-year-old female presented with UPS in the descending colon. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an irregularly thickened descending colon. On colonoscopy examination, an ulcerative tumour was identified. The patient received radical resection of the left colon and partial enterectomy. The resected tumor was ulcerative, 10 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm in size, and infiltrated the serosa layer. Postsurgical pathology showed that the tumor was high-graded UPS in the colon with large amounts of necrotic tissues.

Conclusions

UPS in the large intestine is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and unknown pathogenesis. The main treatment for UPS is early complete resection. Postsurgery adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be attempted.
Trends in treatment patterns and survival outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a Canadian population-based real-world analysis
Authors: Carroll Robert , Bortolini Margherita , Calleja Alan , Munro Robin , Kong Shiying , Daumont Melinda J. , Penrod John R. , Lakhdari Khalid , Lacoin Laure , Cheung Winson Y.
Published: March 2022

Background

As part of the multi-country I-O Optimise research initiative, this population-based study evaluated real-world treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) in patients treated for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before and after public reimbursement of immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies in Alberta province, Canada.

Methods

This study used data from the Oncology Outcomes (O2) database, which holds information for ~ 4.5 million residents of Alberta. Eligible patients were adults newly diagnosed with NSCLC between January 2010 and December 2017 and receiving first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB or IV) either in January 2010-March 2016 (pre–I-O period) or April 2016-June 2019 (post–I-O period). Time periods were based on the first public reimbursement of I-O therapy in Alberta (April 2017), with a built-in 1-year lag time before this date to allow progression to second-line therapy, for which the I-O therapy was indicated. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to estimate OS.

Results

Of 2244 analyzed patients, 1501 (66.9%) and 743 (33.1%) received first-line treatment in the pre–I-O and post–I-O periods, respectively. Between the pre–I-O and post–I-O periods, proportions of patients receiving chemotherapy decreased, with parallel increases in proportions receiving I-O therapies in both the first-line (from < 0.5% to 17%) and second-line (from 8% to 47%) settings. Increased use of I-O therapies in the post–I-O period was observed in subgroups with non-squamous (first line, 15%; second line, 39%) and squamous (first line, 25%; second line, 65%) histology. First-line use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors also increased among patients with non-squamous histology (from 26% to 30%). In parallel with these evolving treatment patterns, median OS increased from 10.2 to 12.1 months for all patients (P < 0.001), from 11.8 to 13.7 months for patients with non-squamous histology (P = 0.022) and from 7.8 to 9.4 months for patients with squamous histology (P = 0.215).

Conclusions

Following public reimbursement, there was a rapid and profound adoption of I-O therapies for advanced NSCLC in Alberta, Canada. In addition, OS outcomes were significantly improved for patients treated in the post–I-O versus pre–I-O periods. These data lend support to the emerging body of evidence for the potential real-world benefits of I-O therapies for treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.
News events and their relationship with US vape sales: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Janmohamed Kamila , Nakamura-Sakai Shinpei , Soale Abdul-Nasah , Forastiere Laura , Altice Frederick L. , Kumar Navin
Published: March 2022

Objective

News coverage around vaping-related events may have furthered misconceptions regarding the relative harms of vapes. Such information may influence the decisions of individuals who smoke, around switching to vaping, potentially affecting the overall tobacco mortality burden. Thus, it is prudent to study how news events (e.g., 2019 vaping illness epidemic) are associated with vape sales in the United States, to possibly reduce the tobacco mortality burden.

Methods

We used weekly retail sales data for e-cigarettes (30 December 2018 - 28 December 2019) from the US retail scanner data compiled by the Nielsen Company. We used an interrupted time series design with segmented regression analysis to determine immediate and longer-term impacts of individual news events (e.g. Trump administration’s planned ban on some flavored vaping products) on vape sales, controlling for pre-existing trends.

Results

Unexpectedly, we noted a statistically significant positive relationship between vape sales and the CDC announcing an investigation into vaping-related illnesses (Change: 6.59%, Estimate: 0.066; 95% CI: 0.036, 0.092; P < 0.001). We also observed a similar positive association between vape sales and the CDC’s announcement on the link between Vitamin E acetate and EVALI (Change: 2.93%, Estimate: 0.029; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.055; P < 0.05). There was a steep decline in sales after these events.

Conclusions

News events may be associated with US vape sales. Findings have implications for the management of risk perceptions around vaping to improve health outcomes of tobacco users. Information-based policy instruments can be applied to balance the effects of news events that may influence vape sales.
Network analytics and machine learning for predicting length of stay in elderly patients with chronic diseases at point of admission
Authors: Hu Zhixu , Qiu Hang , Wang Liya , Shen Minghui
Published: March 2022

Background

An aging population with a burden of chronic diseases puts increasing pressure on health care systems. Early prediction of the hospital length of stay (LOS) can be useful in optimizing the allocation of medical resources, and improving healthcare quality. However, the data available at the point of admission (PoA) are limited, making it difficult to forecast the LOS accurately.

Methods

In this study, we proposed a novel approach combining network analytics and machine learning to predict the LOS in elderly patients with chronic diseases at the PoA. Two networks, including multimorbidity network (MN) and patient similarity network (PSN), were constructed and novel network features were created. Five machine learning models (eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, Random Forest, Linear Support Vector Machine, and Deep Neural Network) with different input feature sets were developed to compare their performance.

Results

The experimental results indicated that the network features can bring significant improvements to the performances of the prediction models, suggesting that the MN and PSN are useful for LOS predictions.

Conclusion

Our predictive framework which integrates network science with data mining can forecast the LOS effectively at the PoA and provide decision support for hospital managers, which highlights the potential value of network-based machine learning in healthcare field.
Peripapillary vessel density correlates with visual field mean sensitivity in highly myopic eyes
Authors: Zhong Hua , Dong Qingqing , Cun Qing , He Guangyu , Tao Yijin , Song Keyao , Lu Yunqing , Zhu Qin , Chen Xi , Chen Qin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To identify the global and regional distribution of peripapillary vessel density (pVD) and try to find out the relationships between pVD and the visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) in healthy myopic eyes.

Design

Prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods

Two hundred and twenty-two participants (393 eyes) with myopia (myopic refractive error < − 0.5 diopters) from two clinical centers were recruited in this study and were divided into 4 groups according to the spherical equivalent (SE): Group1:− 0.5D ≥ SE > − 6.00D, Group2: − 6.00D ≥ SE > − 8.00D, Group3:− 8.00D ≥ SE > − 10.00D, Group4:SE ≤ -10.00D.The pVD assessed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was quantified in 8 sectors. Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) imaging was performed with SD-OCT. Visual field (VF) tests were performed with the 30-2 SITA standard program on the Humphrey 750i Visual Field Analyzer and were grouped into 8 regions that matched the structure.

Results

The pRNFL had no significant difference in all groups (p = 0.422). The average pVD were significantly lower in group 4 (47.61 ± 6.58) than in group 2 and 3 (51.49 ± 3.21, 50.48 ± 3.43 respectively) (p < 0.05). While both pVD in group2 and 3 were statistically lower than group1 (52.77 ± 2.86). The average VFMS was significantly lower in group 4 (901.85 ± 386.54) than other three groups (1169.15 ± 328.94, 1081.77 ± 338.83, 1076.89 ± 358.18, for group1,2,3 respectively). The pVD and VFMS were positively correlated in group3 (r = 0.184) and group4 (r = 0.476) (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that VFMS were positively associated with pVD especially in temporal and nasal quadrants in myopic eyes.

Conclusions

The pVD shows a significant positive correlation with VFMS in highly myopic eyes with SE ≤ − 8.00D. We suggest that pVD measurement by OCTA could be a sensitive and useful method for monitoring myopic functional change.