bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic compact stars in higher-order curvature theory
Authors: Nashed G. G. L. , Odintsov S. D. , Oikonomou V. K.
Published: June 2021

In this paper we shall consider spherically symmetric spacetime solutions describing the interior of stellar compact objects, in the context of higher-order curvature theory of the $${{\mathrm {f(R)}}}$$

f
(
R
)

type. We shall derive the non-vacuum field equations of the higher-order curvature theory, without assuming any specific form of the $${{\mathrm {f(R)}}}$$

f
(
R
)

theory, specifying the analysis for a spherically symmetric spacetime with two unknown functions. We obtain a system of highly non-linear differential equations, which consists of four differential equations with six unknown functions. To solve such a system, we assume a specific form of metric potentials, using the Krori–Barua ansatz. We successfully solve the system of differential equations, and we derive all the components of the energy–momentum tensor. Moreover, we derive the non-trivial general form of $${{\mathrm {f(R)}}}$$

f
(
R
)

that may generate such solutions and calculate the dynamic Ricci scalar of the anisotropic star. Accordingly, we calculate the asymptotic form of the function $${\mathrm {f(R)}}$$

f
(
R
)

, which is a polynomial function. We match the derived interior solution with the exterior one, which was derived in [1], with the latter also resulting to a non-trivial form of the Ricci scalar. Notably but rather expected, the exterior solution differs from the Schwarzschild one in the context of general relativity. The matching procedure will eventually relate two constants with the mass and radius of the compact stellar object. We list the necessary conditions that any compact anisotropic star must satisfy and explain in detail that our model bypasses all of these conditions for a special compact star $$\textit{Her X--1}$$

Her X
-
-
1

, which has an estimated mass and radius $$(mass = 0.85 \pm 0.15M_{\circledcirc }\ and\ radius = 8.1 \pm 0.41~\text {km}$$

(
m
a
s
s
=
0.85
±
0.15

M
⊚

a
n
d

r
a
d
i
u
s
=
8.1
±
0.41

km

). Moreover, we study the stability of this model by using the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation and adiabatic index, and we show that the considered model is different and more stable compared to the corresponding models in the context of general relativity.
Variability of the low-level circulation of the South American Monsoon analysed with complex networks
Authors: Gelbrecht Maximilian , Boers Niklas , Kurths Jürgen
Published: June 2021

Understanding the variability of low-level atmospheric circulation regimes is key for understanding the dynamics of monsoon systems. The South American Monsoon is characterized by strong year-long trade winds that are channeled southward into the South American Low-Level Jet after crossing the Amazon basin, which in turn is elementary for the moisture transport to Southern South America. In this study, we utilize streamflow wind networks, a type of climate networks that tracks the local flow of the wind field, together with the analysis of composites of wind, precipitation, and geopotential height fields, to investigate the variability of the South American low-level circulation. The streamflow wind networks are used here as they are able to directly track the wind flow and encode its spatiotemporal characteristics in their topology. We focus on intraseasonal variations in terms of active and break monsoon phases on the one hand, and on the interannual variability in terms of the impacts of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation on the other hand. Our findings highlight the importance of the South American Low-Level Jet, its spatial position and variability. Our study reveals the relation of the active and break regimes to anomalous high- and low-pressure systems over the southern Atlantic that are connected to Rossby wave trains from the southern Pacific, as well as the impact of these regimes on the cross-equatorial low-level flow. In addition, the streamflow networks that we use demonstrate significant shifts of the dominant wind flow pattern during El Niño and La Niña episodes.
Squeezed spectra of bosons and antibosons with different in-medium masses
Authors: Zhang Yong , Ding Hui-Qiang , Wang Shi-Yao
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we study the influence of the in-medium mass difference between boson and antiboson on their spectra. The in-medium mass difference may lead to a difference between the transverse momentum spectra of boson and antiboson. This effect increases with the increasing in-medium mass difference between boson and antiboson. The difference between the transverse momentum spectra of boson and antiboson increases with the increasing expanding velocity of the source and decreases with the increasing transverse momentum in large transverse mass region ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV). The interactions between the hadron and the medium may increase with the increasing temperature of the medium and the higher freeze-out temperature may lead to a larger mass difference between boson and antiboson, and may give rise to a larger difference between the transverse momentum spectra of boson and antiboson for higher freeze-out temperature.
Preservation of late Paleozoic glacial rock surfaces by burial prior to Cenozoic exhumation, Fleurieu Peninsula, Southeastern Australia
Authors: Holford Simon P. , Green Paul F. , Duddy Ian R. , Hillis Richard R. , Hill Steven M. , Stoker Martyn S.
Published: June 2021

The antiquity of the Australian landscape has long been the subject of debate, with some studies inferring extraordinary longevity (>10
8
 myr) for some subaerial landforms dating back to the early Paleozoic. A number of early Permian glacial erosion surfaces in the Fleurieu Peninsula, southeastern Australia, provide an opportunity to test the notion of long-term subaerial emergence, and thus tectonic and geomorphic stability, of parts of the Australian continent. Here we present results of apatite fission track analysis (AFTA) applied to a suite of samples collected from localities where glacial erosion features of early Permian age are developed. Our synthesis of AFTA results with geological data reveals four cooling episodes (C1-4), which are interpreted to represent distinct stages of exhumation. These episodes occurred during the Ediacaran to Ordovician (C1), mid-Carboniferous (C2), Permian to mid-Triassic (C3) and Eocene to Oligocene (C4).

The interpretation of AFTA results indicates that the Neoproterozoic
−
Lower Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks and granitic intrusions upon which the glacial rock surfaces generally occur were exhumed to the surface by the latest Carboniferous
−
earliest Permian during episodes C2 and/or C3, possibly as a far-field response to the intraplate Alice Springs Orogeny. The resulting landscapes were sculpted by glacial erosive processes. Our interpretation of AFTA results suggests that the erosion surfaces and overlying Permian sedimentary rocks were subsequently heated to between
c.
60 and 80°C, which we interpret as recording burial by a sedimentary cover comprising Permian and younger strata, roughly 1 km in thickness. This interpretation is consistent with existing thermochronological datasets from this region, and also with palynological and geochronological datasets from sediments in offshore Mesozoic
−
Cenozoic-age basins along the southern Australian margin that indicate substantial recycling of Permian
−
Cretaceous sediments. We propose that the exhumation which led to the contemporary exposure of the glacial erosion features began during the Eocene to Oligocene (episode C4), during the initial stages of intraplate deformation that has shaped the Mt Lofty and Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Our findings are consistent with several recent studies, which suggest that burial and exhumation have played a key role in the preservation and contemporary re-exposure of Gondwanan geomorphic features in the Australian landscape.
The grandest of them all: the Lomagundi–Jatuli Event and Earth's oxygenation
Authors: Prave A.R. , Kirsimäe K. , Lepland A. , Fallick A.E. , Kreitsmann T. , Deines Yu.E. , Romashkin A.E. , Rychanchik D.V. , Medvedev P.V. , Moussavou M. , Bakakas K. , Hodgskiss M.S.W.
Published: June 2021

The Paleoproterozoic Lomagundi–Jatuli Event (LJE) is generally considered the largest, in both amplitude and duration, positive carbonate C-isotope (

δ

13
C
carb
) excursion in Earth history. Conventional thinking is that it represents a global perturbation of the carbon cycle between 2.3–2.1 Ga linked directly with, and in part causing, the postulated rise in atmospheric oxygen during the Great Oxidation Event. In addition to new high-resolution

δ

13
C
carb
measurements from LJE-bearing successions of NW Russia, we compiled 14 943

δ

13
C
carb
values obtained from marine carbonate rocks 3.0–1.0 Ga in age and from selected Phanerozoic time intervals as a comparator of the LJE. Those data integrated with sedimentology show that, contra to consensus, the

δ

13
C
carb
trend of the LJE is facies (i.e. palaeoenvironment) dependent. Throughout the LJE interval, the C-isotope composition of open and deeper marine settings maintained a mean

δ

13
C
carb
value of +1.5 ± 2.4‰, comparable to those settings for most of Earth history. In contrast, the
13
C-rich values that are the hallmark of the LJE are limited largely to nearshore-marine and coastal-evaporitic settings with mean

δ

13
C
carb
values of +6.2 ± 2.0‰ and +8.1 ± 3.8‰, respectively. Our findings confirm that changes in

δ

13
C
carb
are linked directly to facies changes and archive
contemporaneous
dissolved inorganic carbon pools having variable C-isotopic compositions in laterally adjacent depositional settings. The implications are that the LJE cannot be construed
a priori
as representative of the global carbon cycle or a planetary-scale disturbance to that cycle, nor as direct evidence for oxygenation of the ocean–atmosphere system. This requires rethinking models relying on those concepts and framing new ideas in the search for understanding the genesis of the grandest of all positive C-isotope excursions, its timing and its hypothesized linkage to oxygenation of the atmosphere.

Supplementary material
: C–O isotope data, figure S1, tables S1–S5 and the dataset for

δ

13
C
carb
values are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5471815
The harm in conflating aging with accessibility
Authors: Knowles Bran , Hanson Vicki L. , Rogers Yvonne , Piper Anne Marie , Waycott Jenny , Davies Nigel , Ambe Aloha Hufana , Brewer Robin N. , Chattopadhyay Debaleena , Dee Marianne , Frohlich David , Gutierrez-Lopez Marisela , Jelen Ben , Lazar Amanda , Nielek Radoslaw , Pena Belén Barros , Roper Abi , Schlager Mark , Schulte Britta , Yuan Irene Ye
Published: June 2021

Including older adults as full stakeholders in digital society.
The limits of differential privacy (and its misuse in data release and machine learning)
Authors: Domingo-Ferrer Josep , Sánchez David , Blanco-Justicia Alberto
Published: June 2021

Differential privacy is not a silver bullet for all privacy problems.
The Effects of Adding Reachability Predicates in Quantifier-Free Separation Logic
Authors: Demri Stéphane , Lozes Etienne , Mansutti Alessio
Published: June 2021

The list segment predicate ls used in separation logic for verifying programs with pointers is well suited to express properties on singly-linked lists. We study the effects of adding ls to the full quantifier-free separation logic with the separating conjunction and implication, which is motivated by the recent design of new fragments in which all these ingredients are used indifferently and verification tools start to handle the magic wand connective. This is a very natural extension that has not been studied so far. We show that the restriction without the separating implication can be solved in polynomial space by using an appropriate abstraction for memory states, whereas the full extension is shown undecidable by reduction from first-order separation logic. Many variants of the logic and fragments are also investigated from the computational point of view when ls is added, providing numerous results about adding reachability predicates to quantifier-free separation logic.
Allocation Problems in Ride-sharing Platforms
Authors: Dickerson John P. , Sankararaman Karthik A. , Srinivasan Aravind , Xu Pan
Published: June 2021

Bipartite-matching markets pair agents on one side of a market with agents, items, or contracts on the opposing side. Prior work addresses online bipartite-matching markets, where agents arrive over time and are dynamically matched to a known set of disposable resources. In this article, we propose a new model,
Online Matching with (offline) Reusable Resources under Known Adversarial Distributions
(
OM-RR-KAD
)
, in which resources on the offline side are
reusable
instead of disposable; that is, once matched, resources become available again at some point in the future. We show that our model is tractable by presenting an LP-based non-adaptive algorithm that achieves an online competitive ratio of ½-ϵ for any given constant ϵ > 0. We also show that no adaptive algorithm can achieve a ratio of ½ +
o
(1) based on the same benchmark LP. Through a data-driven analysis on a massive openly available dataset, we show our model is robust enough to capture the application of taxi dispatching services and ride-sharing systems. We also present heuristics that perform well in practice.
GPFS: A Graph-based Human Pose Forecasting System for Smart Home with Online Learning
Authors: Li Xin , Li Dawei
Published: June 2021

Forecasting human poses given a sequence of historical pose frames has several important applications, especially in the domain of smart home safety. Recently, computer vision-based human pose forecasting has made a breakthrough using deep learning technology. However, to implement a practical system deployed on an IoT edge environment, there are still two issues to be addressed. First, existing methods on pose forecasting fail to model the coherent structural information of connected human joints and thus cannot achieve satisfactory prediction accuracy, especially for long-term predictions. Second, a general and static pre-trained prediction model may not perform well in the deployment environment due to the visual domain shift problem. In this article, we propose a hybrid cloud-edge system called GPFS to solve those issues. Specifically, we first introduce a novel graph convolutional neural network (GCN)-based sequence-to-sequence learning method, which enhances the sequence encoder by using a graph to represent both the spatial and temporal connections of the human joints in the input frames. The GCN improves the forecasting accuracy by capturing the motion pattern of each joint as well as the correlations among different human joints over time. Second, to address the domain shift issue and protect data privacy, we extend the system to perform online learning on the IoT edge to adapt the cloud trained general model with online collected on-site domain data. Extensive evaluation on Human 3.6M and Penn Action datasets demonstrates the superiority of our proposed system.
Deriving equations from sensor data using dimensional function synthesis
Authors: Tsoutsouras Vasileios , Willis Sam , Stanley-Marbell Phillip
Published: June 2021

We present a new method for deriving functions that model the relationship between multiple signals in a physical system. The method, which we call
dimensional function synthesis
, applies to data streams where the dimensions of the signals (e.g., length, mass, etc.) are known. The method comprises two phases: a compile-time synthesis phase and a subsequent calibration using sensor data. We implement dimensional function synthesis and use the implementation to demonstrate efficiently summarizing multimodal sensor data for two physical systems using 90 laboratory experiments and 10,000 synthetic idealized measurements. The results show that our technique can generate models in less than 300 ms on average across all the physical systems we evaluated. This is a marked improvement when compared to an average of 16 s for training neural networks of comparable accuracy on the same computing platform. When calibrated with sensor data, our models outperform traditional regression and neural network models in inference accuracy in all the cases we evaluated. In addition, our models perform better in training latency (up to 1096X improvement) and required arithmetic operations in inference (up to 34X improvement). These significant gains are largely the result of exploiting information on the physics of signals that has hitherto been ignored.
Reimplementing software interfaces is fair use
Authors: Samuelson Pamela
Published: June 2021

A multifactored rationale for denying Oracle's claim against Google.
The Form and Function of PIEZO2
Authors: Szczot Marcin , Nickolls Alec R. , Lam Ruby M. , Chesler Alexander T.
Published: June 2021

Mechanosensation is the ability to detect dynamic mechanical stimuli (e.g., pressure, stretch, and shear stress) and is essential for a wide variety of processes, including our sense of touch on the skin. How touch is detected and transduced at the molecular level has proved to be one of the great mysteries of sensory biology. A major breakthrough occurred in 2010 with the discovery of a family of mechanically gated ion channels that were coined PIEZOs. The last 10 years of investigation have provided a wealth of information about the functional roles and mechanisms of these molecules. Here we focus on PIEZO2, one of the two PIEZO proteins found in humans and other mammals. We review how work at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels over the past decade has transformed our understanding of touch and led to unexpected insights into other types of mechanosensation beyond the skin.
The Effects of Perfluoroalkyl and Alkyl Backbone Chains, Spacers, and Anchor Groups on the Performance of Organic Compounds as Corrosion Inhibitors for Aluminum Investigated Using an Integrative Experimental-Modeling Approach
Authors: Milošev I. , Kokalj A. , Poberžnik M. , Carrière Ch. , Zimerl D. , Iskra J. , Nemes A. , Szabó D. , Zanna S. , Seyeux A. , Costa D. , Rábai J. , Marcus P.
Published: June 2021

The ability of surfactant-like compounds to inhibit the corrosion of aluminum in NaCl solution was systematically investigated. The basic idea of this study was to scrutinize the effect of type of backbone chain (alkyl and perfluoroalkyl), length of backbone chain (number of carbon atoms 7, 10, and 17), various anchor groups (carboxylic, thiol, and imidazole) and presence of alkylene and benzene spacers between perfluoroalkyl chain and anchor group. To tackle these effects, three model studies were designed for alkaline etched, superhydrophilic aluminum surface and then approached experimentally and by density functional theory modeling. This enabled us to decouple the adsorption affinity of selected anchor groups on the hydroxylated aluminum surface from the lateral intermolecular cohesive interactions between hydrophobic backbone chains. Fourteen compounds were used to study the changes in the surface composition, wettability and the electrochemical barrier properties. For the carboxylic anchor group, the length and type of chain are important for barrier properties and also for tuning the wettability of the surface. The addition of alkylene spacer to perfluoroalkyl chain significantly affects the properties of the modified surface. Thiol and imidazole anchor groups, however, are not efficient inhibitors regardless the type and length of backbone chains.
Systematic Performance Evaluation of Shield TBM Cutters for Excavating Multiple Soft Rock
Authors: Cao Chuyuan , Zhang Kui
Published: June 2021

Cutter performance evaluation is important for shield TBM during the design and refurbishment stage. To face the challenges of choosing the proper cutters for tunneling in complex condition, according to the concept of parameter profile analysis, a systematic evaluation method was proposed. In this novel method, by comparing with their expected best value and the corresponding unacceptable limit, all of the selected performance parameters can be synthesized to assess the proximity of the overall merit of each cutter with respect to all the performances considered under all possible geological conditions. Performance indexes including cutting efficiency, structural strength, wear life, and dynamic response were individually analyzed based on linear cutting tests, finite element analyses, and theoretical calculations. Finally, a case study was carried out to demonstrate how the method is applied to find the optimal cutter among a small‐scale disc cutter and two scrapers used for cutting multiple soft rock. In this case, three types of concrete specimens with distinct mechanical properties were carefully prepared to substitute for soft rock. The evaluation results show that the method has an intrinsic applicability in helping to make a reasonable trade‐off between cost and cutting performance during the cutter selection process.
Distribution and Afferent Effects of Transplanted mESCs on Cochlea in Acute and Chronic Neural Hearing Loss Models
Authors: Chang So-Young , Jeong Hee-Won , Kim Eunjeong , Jung Jae Yun , Lee Min Young
Published: June 2021

Hearing loss is a sensory deprivation that can affect the quality of life. Currently, only rehabilitation devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants are used, without a definitive cure. However, in chronic hearing‐deprived patients, in whom secondary auditory neural degeneration is expected, a relatively poor rehabilitation prognosis is projected. Stem cell therapy for cochlear neural structures would be an easier and feasible strategy compared with cochlear sensory cells. Considering the highly developed cochlear implantation technology, improving cochlear neural health has significant medical and social effects. Stem cell delivery to Rosenthal’s canal in an acutely damaged mouse model has been performed and showed cell survival and the possibility of differentiation. The results of stem cell transplantation in chronic auditory neural hearing loss should be evaluated because neural stem cell replacement therapy for chronic (long‐term) sensorineural hearing loss is a major target in clinics. In the present study, we established a mouse model that mimicked chronic auditory neural hearing loss (secondary degeneration of auditory neurons after loss of sensory input). Then, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were transplanted into the scala tympani and survival and distribution of transplanted cells were compared between the acute and chronic auditory neural hearing loss models induced by ouabain or kanamycin (KM), respectively. The mESC survival was similar to the acute model, and perilymphatic distribution of cell aggregates was more predominant in the chronic model. Lastly, the effects of mESC transplantation on neural signal transduction observed in the cochlear nucleus (CN) were compared and a statistical increase was observed in the chronic model compared with other models. These results indicated that after transplantation, mESCs survived in the cochlea and increased the neural signaling toward the central auditory pathway, even in the chronic (secondary) hearing loss mouse model.
Application of a Computerized Decision Support System to Develop Care Strategies for Elderly Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Zhu Yiqiu , Zheng Xiyi
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the strategy of elderly haemodialysis patients’ care is analysed by the computer’s decision system to conduct an in-depth research machine. Maintenance haemodialysis patients have a high demand for continuation care, and healthcare workers should provide personalized and specialized seamless continuation care services for patients according to patients’ needs, by reasonably using the hospital, community, and other health resources and with the help of emerging network technologies, such as information platforms and wearable devices to prolong the survival period of patients and improve their self-management ability and quality of life. The service provision and compensation strategy of the combined healthcare model should be optimized to improve the health protection of the elderly and promote health equity. On the one hand, it should target strengthening the service provision of healthcare integration, guide the elderly to reasonably choose the healthcare integration model, and pay attention to the spiritual and cultural needs and end-of-life care services for the elderly. On the other hand, we should expand the financing channels of medical insurance, optimize the design of compensation mechanisms, explore the role of health risk sharing, and accelerate the development of long-term care insurance, independent of basic medical insurance. The reliability of the scale was found to be 0.916 for the total Cronbach alpha coefficient, 0.798–0.919 for each dimension, and 0.813 for the fold-half reliability of the scale; the validity indicated that the correlation coefficient range of each article day with the total scale score was 0.27–0.72, and the correlation coefficient range of each dimension with the total scale was 0.56–0.72. The validation factor analysis was used to verify the structure of the scale. The validation factor analysis indexes met the fitting criteria after correction. The model fitted better with the actual model after correction, indicating that the scale has good reliability.
Random Target Localization for an Upper Limb Prosthesis
Authors: Zhang Xinglei , Fan Binghui , Wang Chuanjiang , Cheng Xiaolin , Feng Hongguang , Tian Zhaohui
Published: June 2021

To achieve the purpose of accurately grasping a random target with the upper limb prosthesis, the acquisition of target localization information is especially important. For this reason, a novel type of random target localization algorithm is proposed. Firstly, an initial localization algorithm (ILA) that uses two 3D attitude sensors and a laser range sensor to detect the target attitude and distance is presented. Secondly, an error correction algorithm where a multipopulation genetic algorithm (MPGA) optimizes backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is utilized to improve the accuracy of ILA. Thirdly, a general regression neural network (GRNN) algorithm is proposed to calculate the joint angles, which are used to control the upper limb prosthetic gripper to move to the target position. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to the 5‐DOF upper limb prosthesis, and the simulations and experiments are proved to demonstrate the validity of the proposed localization algorithm and inverse kinematics (IK) algorithm.
Research on Energy Dissipation Laws of Coal Crushing under the Impact Loads
Authors: Xu Dengke , Mu Chaomin , Zhang Wenqing , Li Zhongqing
Published: June 2021

Dynamic crushing characteristics of coals are closely related with energy absorption and release of coals under certain strain rate. Hence, it is necessary to investigate energy dissipation laws of coal crushing under the impact loads with different strain rates. Based on the dynamic and static mechanical tests, crushing energy, total absorption energy, total releasable elastic latent energy, and relations between fractal feature of fragments, mean particle diameter and energy during crushing behaviors of outburst coal and nonoutburst coal were investigated. According to research results, crushing energy, total absorption energy, and releasable elastic latent energy of outburst coal and nonoutburst coal are related with strain rate, and they present exponential growths with the increase of the strain rate. However, the energy dissipation rate (ratio of crushing energy and incident energy) was basically constant at about 10%∼20%, that is, energy dissipation rate is a variable unrelated with strain rate. There is a good logarithmic relationship between the dynamic compressive strength of coals and the absorption energy density and elastic latent energy density, and dynamic comprehensive strength of coals has important impacts on energy absorption. The fractal features of coal fragments were obvious under dynamic impacts. The higher fractal dimension of fragment and the smaller mean particle diameter of experimental fragments bring the greater energy needed.
A Study on Synthesis and Characterization of Dy-Doped La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ via the Coprecipitation Method
Authors: Mohammadi Negin , Khakpour Zahra , Maghsoudipour Amir , Faeghinia Aida
Published: June 2021

The perovskite Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite (LSCF) is investigated as the cathode material used in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). In the present study, La0.6−xDyxSr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6) was synthesized through the coprecipitation method. The obtained precipitate was calcined at 500, 700, 900, and 1000°С. Phase characterization of the synthesized LSCF and LDySCF powder before and after heat treatment at 700°С was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD patterns revealed that the perovskite phase was obtained at 700°С in all calcined samples. Chemical bond study to investigate the synthesis process was conducted using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique. Thermal analysis of DTA and TG has been utilized to investigate how the calcination temperature affects the perovskite phase formation. According to the STA results, the perovskite phase formation started at 551°С and completed at 700°С. The density values of synthesized powders were 6.10, 6.11, and 6.37 g·cm−3for the undoped and doped samples calcined at 700°С. Powder morphology was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The micrographs showed the spherical-shaped particles with the average particle size of 24–131 nm.
Spontaneous Bilateral Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy in a Low-Risk Patient: A Case Report with Implications for Preoperative Patient Counseling
Authors: Gathura Josephine Eva , Elfeky Amro , McLaren Rodney , Herzog David , Grazi Richard
Published: June 2021

Bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancies (BTP) are the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy. They are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, and an evidence-based guideline for management does not exist. In this report, we discuss a 35-year-old patient who presented with suspected right tubal ectopic pregnancy. BTP was diagnosed intraoperatively, and a laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy was performed without complication. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by pathology. This case highlights the importance of patient counseling and comprehensive preoperative planning. Due to the poor presurgical diagnosis of BTP, patient counseling should include the possibility of BTP, appropriate options for management, and potential loss of fertility following treatment. In addition, all cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy necessitate a thorough preoperative investigation of bilateral adnexa and intraoperative inspection of the pelvis.
Protective Effects of Huangqi Shengmai Yin on Type 1 Diabetes-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Improving Myocardial Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Cao Zhanhong , Pan Jianheng , Sui Xin , Fang Chunqiu , Li Na , Huang Xiaowei , Qu Xiaobo , Han Dong
Published: June 2021

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the many complications of diabetes. DCM leads to cardiac insufficiency and myocardial remodeling and is the main cause of death in diabetic patients. Abnormal lipid metabolism plays an important role in the occurrence and development of DCM. Huangqi Shengmai Yin (HSY) has previously been shown to alleviate signs of heart disease. Here, we investigated whether HSY could improve cardiomyopathy caused by type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and improve abnormal lipid metabolism in the diabetic heart. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to establish the T1DM mouse model, and T1DM mice were subsequently treated with HSY for eight weeks. The changes in the cardiac conduction system, histopathology, blood myocardial injury indices, and lipid content and expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism were evaluated. Our results showed that HSY could improve electrocardiogram; decrease the serum levels of CK-MB, LDH, and BNP; alleviate histopathological changes in cardiac tissue; and decrease myocardial lipid content in T1DM mice. These results indicate that HSY has a protective effect against T1DM-induced myocardial injury in mice and that this effect may be related to the improvement in myocardial lipid metabolism.
Research on Highway Roadside Safety
Authors: Cheng Guozhu , Cheng Rui , Pei Yulong , Han Juan
Published: June 2021

Frequent and serious traffic accidents have become a focal issue because they hinder the sustainable development of society. In China, roadside accidents account for 40% of fatalities resulting from traffic accidents. Roadside safety has become an important issue of traffic management departments worldwide, and performing research on roadside safety contributes to improving the level of road safety and reducing the number of traffic accidents and fatalities. By systematically sorting a large number of relevant studies, this paper analyzed the current development trends of roadside safety in terms of three aspects (i.e., the year of publication, the country of publication, and the source of publication) and then summarized the research status, existing gaps, and future development directions of roadside safety in terms of three aspects: the frequency of roadside accidents, the severity of roadside accidents, and the practice of roadside safety design. This paper reviewed the different prediction methods and evaluation models for the frequency and severity of roadside accidents. According to the number of times mentioned in the literature, the first five significant risk factors that cause frequent roadside accidents are small-radius curves, heavy traffic, objects adjacent to the lane (such as poles and trees), narrow lanes, and narrow shoulders, and the first five significant risk factors that cause fatal roadside accidents are driver age ≤25 or ≥65, alcohol, speeding, failure to use seat belts, and heavy trucks. Future research on the frequency and severity of roadside accidents should focus on quantitatively analyzing the probability of roadside accidents and occupant injury risk and developing methods for identifying roadside accident blackspots. For roadside safety design, roadside clear zones and safety slopes should be precisely quantified based on a cost-benefit analysis in future studies.
Tai Chi for Improving Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Gao Shan , Ni Xixiu , He Zhenxi , Wang Yanan , Sun Mingsheng , Liu Lu , Yu Yang , Liu Qing , Chen Xingyu , Wu Jianwei , Zhao Ling
Published: June 2021

Background. Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain (CPMP) is a major health problem that has physical and psychological impacts as well as an associated economic burden. Currently, pharmacological treatment remains unsatisfactory because of side effects and potential misuse. Therefore, nonpharmacological approaches for pain are being actively explored, and Tai Chi has attracted increased attention as a therapy for pain. Although clinical trials have shown that Tai Chi may be effective in treating CPMP, no systematic review has clarified its effectiveness and safety. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect and safety of Tai Chi for patients suffering from CPMP. Methods and Analysis. We will search relevant electronic databases from inception to May 31, 2021: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang database, the Chongqing VIP database, and China Biology Medicine Disc. Studies comparing the use of Tai Chi with other managements for CPMP patients will be included. Our review will include studies that measured change in pain intensity as the primary outcome using patient-reported ratings (visual analog scale or numerical rating scale). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, SF-36 Health Survey scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, and adverse effects will be explored as secondary outcomes. The risk of bias and the reporting quality of included studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias assessment method. The data will be analyzed using RevMan v5.3 software. Study Registration. This study protocol was registered on PROSPERO. The registration number for this protocol is CRD42020165048.
Improvement of Acupuncture Based on Smart Medical Care for Post-Stroke Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain and Upper Limb Motor Function
Authors: Lu Tingting , Wang Wenxia , Wang Yongpin
Published: June 2021

As a new stage in the development of medicine and health, smart medicine has attracted attention from all parties in recent years. Especially, under the impetus of the Internet, due to the development of new technologies, smart medical care has made considerable progress, and it has also brought us new challenges. The concept, hypothesis, and design of intelligent medical care are analyzed, and the design objects and design principles of intelligent medical care are highlighted. In Africa, 79 patients with shoulder pain after stroke and hemiplegia in the recession period were disintegrated and divided into observation group (40 people) and control group (39 people). The observation group and the control group used two different treatment methods, acupuncture treatment and traditional western medicine treatment. Finally, the situation of the two groups is checked. From the results, the treatment effect of the control group was not as good as that of the observation group (

P
<
0.05

). After treatment, the effects of capillary disease and patients’ living conditions in the observation group were better than those in the control group (

P
<
0.05

). It is concluded that the therapeutic effect of wisdom acupuncture treatment has a certain effect and can be used in medical treatment.
Intravascular Lithotripsy for Calcium Modification in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Øksnes Anja , Cosgrove Claudia , Walsh Simon , Løland Kjetil Halvorsen , Laffan Jack , Biswas Sinjini , Shaukat Aadil , Hanratty Colm , Strange Julian , Spratt James C. S. , McEntegart Margaret
Published: June 2021

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been shown to be safe and effective for calcium modification in nonocclusive coronary artery disease (CAD), but there are only case reports of its use in calcified chronic total occlusions (CTO). We report data from an international multicenter registry of IVL use during CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and provide provisional data regarding its efficacy and safety. During the study period, IVL was used in 55 of 1053 (5.2%) CTO PCI procedures. IVL was used within the occluded segment after successful CTO crossing in 53 procedures and during incomplete CTO crossing in 2 cases. The mean J-CTO score was 3.1. CTO PCI technical and procedural success was achieved in 53 (96%) and 51 (93%) cases. Six patients had a procedural complication, with 3 main vessel perforations (5%). Two had covered stent implantation, one required pericardiocentesis, and one was managed conservatively. All had combination therapy with another calcium modification device. Two patients had a procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) (4%), and two others had a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (4%) at a median follow-up of 13 (4–21) months. IVL can effectively facilitate calcium modification during CTO PCI. More data are required to establish the efficacy and safety of IVL and other calcium modification devices when used extraplaque or in combination during CTO PCI.
Global Bifurcation Structure of a Predator‐Prey System with a Spatial Degeneracy and B‐D Functional Response
Authors: Feng Xiaozhou , Li Changtong , Sun Hao , Wang Yuzhen
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we investigate a predator‐prey system with Beddington–DeAngelis (B‐D) functional response in a spatially degenerate heterogeneous environment. First, for the case of the weak growth rate on the prey (), a priori estimates on any positive steady‐state solutions are established by the comparison principle; two local bifurcation solution branches depending on the bifurcation parameter are obtained by local bifurcation theory. Moreover, the demonstrated two local bifurcation solution branches can be extended to a bounded global bifurcation curve by the global bifurcation theory. Second, for the case of the strong growth rate on the prey (), a priori estimates on any positive steady‐state solutions are obtained by applying reduction to absurdity and the set of positive steady‐state solutions forms an unbounded global bifurcation curve by the global bifurcation theory. In the end, discussions on the difference of the solution properties between the traditional predator‐prey system and the predator‐prey system with a spatial degeneracy and B‐D functional response are addressed.
TERMINOLOGICAL VOCABULARY OF COMMUNICATIVE CULTURE IN THE PARADIGM OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCE
Authors: Vorona I. I. , Kitura H. Ya.
Published: June 2021

The article deals with interpretation of terminological concepts of medical specialists’ communicative culture in the context of foreign language communication. The essence of speech culture is clarified, which is an important component of the professional profile of a future healthcare worker. It is emphasized that the formation of foreign language competence of a medical student is an integral aspect of professionally oriented education in medical institutions of higher educationand is carried out by mastering the features of communicative culture.Emphasis is placed on the need to analyze various methods and approaches to the formation of communicative culture in students with different levels of knowledge and skills. The issues of content and efficiency of the process of foreign language communicative competenceformation, selection of educational material, development of communicative component in the process of students’ mastering the basics of communication culture, modeling of foreign language communicationphenomena, analysis of speech situations are examined.The basic skills necessary for valuable professional activity are characterized; the principles of formation of future specialists’ communicative culture during studying of foreign languages are considered (humanization, individualization and differentiation, variability, emotional expressiveness, competence, coherence and continuity); the need to learn vocabulary for the correct formulation of the statement is emphasized; the main dominants of communicative culture (emotional, cognitive and behavioral components) are outlined. It is proposed to structure the formation of students’ speech culture in directions that involve the development of emotional, cognitive and behavioural components. It was found that the terminological vocabulary of the communicative culture of the future specialist covers the concepts of individual-personal component, motivational-volitional, social-communicative and speech activities, which complement each other in professional activity.
Abstract 318: Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 is Causally Implicated in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Hedin Ulf , Mahdessian Hovsep , Perisic Ljubica , Lengquist Mariette , Gertow Karl , Sennblad Bengt , Humphries Steve E , de Faire Ulf ,   IMPROVE study group, Hamsten Anders , Eriksson Per , Mälarstig Anders
Published: June 2021

Recent evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene cluster located at chromosome 11q22.3 are associated with large-vessel stroke. In the present study, we evaluated and extended the reported association by examining the relationship between MMPs and vascular disease in both clinical and experimental samples. Plasma concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-10 and MMP-12 were measured in 3 394 subjects with high-risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) using the Olink ProSeek CVD array. Plasma MMP-12 concentration showed association with incident cardiovascular events (199 events over 36 months) and intima-media thickness progression over time (p=3.6x10
-5
). The SNP variant rs1892971 was strongly associated with plasma MMP-12 concentration (p=8x10
-29
) and weakly with susceptibility to coronary heart disease in the CardiogramplusC4D consortium study (p=8.8x10
-5
). The same SNP was also significantly associated with
MMP-12
gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using microarrays from patients with carotid atherosclerosis (n=96; p=1.8x10
-4
). Expression of
MMP-12
was strongly increased in carotid plaques (n=127) compared with undiseased arteries (n=10; p<0.0001) and in plaques from symptomatic (n=87) compared to asymptomatic patients (n=40; p=0.03) and localised to CD68+ macrophages. Using proximity ligation assay MMP-12 and elastin was demonstrated to co-interact in plaques in situ, particularly in regions with moderate to strong MMP-12 expression. Silencing of
MMP-12
using siRNA in differentiated THP-1 cells indicated that MMP-12 has a role in macrophage migration. In conclusion, our study suggests that MMP-12 is a causal factor in CVD that is highly upregulated in human atherosclerotic plaques where it interacts with elastin and appears to enhance macrophage invasion.
Abstract 500: DNA Methylation Profiling Reveals an Epithelial/Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition-like Signature of Intima-Media Cells in the Ascending Aorta of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients
Authors: Björck Hanna M , Du Lei , Paloschi Valentina , Maleki Shohreh , Pulignani Silvia ,   MIBAVA Leducq Consortium, Franco-Cereceda Anders , Eriksson Per
Published: June 2021

Introduction:
Individuals with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are at increased risk of ascending aortic aneurysm than individuals with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV), but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Aberrant DNA methylation has been described in various human diseases, and we have shown that key enzymes in the methylation machinery are differentially expressed in the aortic intima-media of BAV and TAV patients. In the present study, we assessed the hypothesis that DNA methylation may play an important role during aneurysm formation in BAV. We undertook a global methylation approach to delineate biological processes associated with BAV aortopathy, using TAV as a reference.

Methods:
Ascending aortic biopsies were collected from 21 BAV and 24 TAV patients, with either a non-dilated or a dilated aorta, at the time of surgery. Global DNA methylation was measured in the intima-media layer using Illumina 450k Array. Gene expression was analyzed in the same samples using Affymetrix Exon Array.

Results:
Compared with TAV, the BAV dilated aorta was hypomethylated (P=0.031), correlating with an up-regulation of global gene expression. A total of 4913 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified and Hallmark analysis of the DMR-associated genes with a fold change of 10% (n=3147) showed a gene signature of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) (FDR q=2.91e-29). This was further confirmed by functional annotation analysis of hypomethylated DMRs using the Genomic Regions Enrichment of Annotations Tool (Stanford University), showing association to actin filament bundle (P=7.09e-12), stress fibers (P=1.72e-11) and adherence junctions (P=2.97e-8). Interestingly, analysis of non-dilated BAV and TAV aorta revealed that genes involved in EMT were the most differentially methylated genes prior to dilatation (FDR q=1.18e-6). We further confirmed the EMT-related molecular signature by immunostaining of some key players of EMT. In conclusion, epigenetic profiling clearly revealed differential methylation between BAV and TAV aorta, particularly in EMT-related genes. Aberrant EMT in the ascending aorta prior to dilatation may constitute the basis for the increased aneurysm susceptibility in BAV patients.