bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical communication in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review of the study of clinician–patient dialogue to inform research and practice
Authors: Karimi Neda , Kanazaki Ria , Lukin Annabelle , Moore Alison Rotha , Williams Astrid-Jane , Connor Susan
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This systematic review aims to investigate what is currently known about the characteristics of interactions between patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their clinicians and its effect on patient outcomes.

Data sources

Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Communication Abstracts, Health & Society, Linguistics and Language Behaviour Abstracts and PsycINFO were systematically searched from inception to June 2021.

Study eligibility criteria

Peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in English investigating the characteristics of naturally occurring interactions between clinicians that manage IBD and patients with IBD during recorded consultations were included.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Risk of bias was assessed using a specifically developed quality assessment tool, grounded in linguistic theory and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis guided by the linguistic concept of metafunction was performed to synthesise the findings.

Results

Of the 2883 abstracts reviewed five formed the basis of the review. Interactions between IBD nurses and patients have been mostly characterised in terms of information provision regarding prescribed medications without consideration of the interpersonal aspect. Discussing online medical information with nurses has been shown to improve patient satisfaction. Analyses of gastroenterologist–patient interactions have concentrated on the clinical relationship which has been shown to be disease-centred. Shared decision making in ulcerative colitis has been shown to be compromised due to lack of transparency regarding treatment goals.

Limitations

This review did not include articles in languages other than English. Cumulative evidence could not be produced due to the small number of included studies and the diversity of contexts, theories and data types.

Conclusions and implications of key findings

There is a paucity of systematic research on naturally occurring clinical communication in IBD and its effect on outcomes. Further research needs to be done to address this knowledge gap.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020169657.
Home-based screening tools for amblyopia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sii Samantha , Chean Chung Shen , Kuht Helen J , Thomas Mervyn G , Rufai Sohaib R
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Amblyopia is an important public health concern associated with functional vision loss and detrimental impact on the physical and mental well-being of children. The gold standard for diagnosis of amblyogenic conditions currently involves screening by orthoptists and/or ophthalmologists. The bloom of technology enables the use of home-based screening tools to detect these conditions at an early stage by the layperson in community, which could reduce the burden of screening in the community, especially during restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we propose a systematic review aiming to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of home-based screening tools compared with the existing gold standard.

Methods and analysis

We aim to search for studies involving home-based screening tools for amblyopia among children aged under 18 years. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Level 4 evidence and above will be included, without language or time restrictions. The following platforms will be searched from inception to 31 August 2021: PubMed, Medline, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and Clinicaltrials.gov. Two independent reviewers will identify studies for inclusion based on a screening questionnaire. The search and screening will start on 14 August 2021 until 1 October 2021. We aim to complete our data analysis by 30 November 2021. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool for diagnostic accuracy studies only. Our primary outcome measure is the diagnostic accuracy of home-based screening tools, while secondary outcome measures include validity, feasibility, reproducibility and cost-effectiveness, where available.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not necessary as no primary data will be collected. The findings will be disseminated through presentations at scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journal publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021233511.
Home-based rehabilitation programme compared with traditional physiotherapy for patients at risk of poor outcome after knee arthroplasty: the CORKA randomised controlled trial
Authors: Barker Karen L , Room Jonathan , Knight Ruth , Dutton Susan , Toye Francine , Leal Jose , Kenealy Nicola , Maia Schlüssel Michael , Collins Gary , Beard David , Price Andrew James , Underwood Martin , Drummond Avril , Lamb Sarah
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether a home-based rehabilitation programme for people assessed as being at risk of a poor outcome after knee arthroplasty offers superior outcomes to traditional outpatient physiotherapy.

Design

A prospective, single-blind, two-arm randomised controlled superiority trial.

Setting

14 National Health Service physiotherapy departments in the UK.

Participants

621 participants identified at high risk of a poor outcome after knee arthroplasty using a bespoke screening tool.

Interventions

A multicomponent home-based rehabilitation programme delivered by rehabilitation assistants with supervision from qualified therapists versus usual care outpatient physiotherapy.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the Oxford Knee Score (a disease-specific measure of function), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Quality of Life subscale, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, 5 dimension, 5 level version of Euroqol (EQ-5D-5L) and physical function assessed using the Figure of 8 Walk test, 30 s Chair Stand Test and Single Leg Stance.

Results

621 participants were randomised between March 2015 and January 2018. 309 were assigned to CORKA (Community Rehabilitation after Knee Arthroplasty) home-based rehabilitation, receiving a median five treatment sessions (IQR 4–7). 312 were assigned to usual care, receiving a median 4 sessions (IQR 2–6). The primary outcome, LLFDI function total score at 12 months, was collected for 279 participants (89%) in the home-based CORKA group and 287 participants (92%) in the usual care group. No clinically or statistically significant difference was found between the groups (intention-to-treat adjusted difference=0.49 points; 95% CI −0.89 to 1.88; p=0.48). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on any of the patient-reported or physical secondary outcome measures at 6 or 12 months.

There were 18 participants in the intervention group reporting a serious adverse event (5.8%), only one directly related to the intervention, all other adverse events recorded throughout the trial related to underlying chronic medical conditions.

Conclusions

The CORKA intervention was not superior to usual care. The trial detected no significant differences, clinical or statistical, between the two groups on either primary or secondary outcomes. CORKA offers an evaluation of an intervention utilising a different service delivery model for this patient group.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN13517704.
Comprehensive non-invasive prenatal screening for pregnancies with elevated risks of genetic disorders: protocol for a prospective, multicentre study
Authors: Xu Chenming , Cai Xiaoqiang , Chen Songchang , Luo Qiong , Xi Hui , Zhang Dan , Wang Hua , Wu Yanting , Huang He-Feng , Zhang Jinglan
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Chromosomal abnormalities and monogenic disorders account for ~15%–25% of recognisable birth defects. With limited treatment options, preconception and prenatal screening were developed to reduce the incidence of such disorders. Currently, non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) for common aneuploidies is implemented worldwide with superiority over conventional serum or sonographic screening approaches. However, the clinical validity for the screening of frequent chromosome segmental copy number variations and monogenic disorders still awaits to be proved.

Methods and analysis

This study is a multicentre, prospective study. The participants were recruited from three tertiary hospitals in China starting from 10 April 2021. The study is expected to conclude before 10 October 2022. Pregnant women with abnormal prenatal screening results indicated for invasive prenatal diagnosis or those who decide to terminate their pregnancies due to abnormal ultrasound findings will be evaluated for enrolment. Cell-free DNA extracted from the maternal plasma will be used for an analytically validated comprehensive NIPS test developed by Beijing BioBiggen Technology Co. (Beijing, China). The diagnostic results from prenatal or postnatal specimens as well as the pregnancy outcome data will be collected to examine the clinical sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the test.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (2020-178). Results of this study will be disseminated to public through scientific conferences and a peer-reviewed journal. Written informed consents will be obtained from participants.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100045739.
Partner loss and its effect on frailty trajectories: results from the 13-year follow-up Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)
Authors: Oberndorfer Moritz , Mogg Christina , Haider Sandra , Grabovac Igor , Drgac Deborah , Dorner Thomas
Published: August 2021

Background

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome closely linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes. Thus, it is important to identify factors associated with the development of frailty. It was the aim of this study to examine, if, and to what extent partner loss, a highly stressful life event, affects frailty trajectories of community dwelling adults aged 50 or older.

Methods

Using six waves of panel data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we investigated the effect of partner loss on frailty trajectories estimating growth curve models. Our sample included 183 502 observations of 83 494 community-dwelling individuals aged 50 or older from 21 European countries collected between 2004 and 2017. Frailty was measured using the validated sex-specific SHARE-Frailty-Instrument including muscular weakness, unintended weight loss, decrease in walking capacity, low physical activity and exhaustion.

Results

Our sample contained 79 874 participants who lived in a partnership during their entire observational period and 3620 participants who lost their partner during their observational period. Both men (β=0.184 (95% CI: −0.017 to 0.386), p=0.073) and women (β=0.237 (95% CI: 0.106 to 0.369), p<0.001) showed initial effects of partner loss on frailty, but while only women gradually recovered over time (β=−0.023 (95% CI: −0.039 to −0.008), p=0.002), among men, the effect of partner loss persisted (β<0.001 (95% CI: −0.029 to 0.029), p=0.998).

Conclusion

This study revealed that partner loss is followed by elevated frailty. However, while women’s frailty tended to recover from partner loss over time, men’s frailty remained elevated. Notable individual differences in the response of frailty trajectories to partner loss suggest the existence of effect modifiers.
IL-7 expands lymphocyte populations and enhances immune responses to sipuleucel-T in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
Authors: Pachynski Russell K , Morishima Chihiro , Szmulewitz Russell , Harshman Lauren , Appleman Leonard , Monk Paul , Bitting Rhonda L , Kucuk Omer , Millard Frederick , Seigne John D , Fling Steven P , Maecker Holden T , Duault Caroline , Ramchurren Nirasha , Hess Bruce , D’Amico Leonard , Lacroix Andreanne , Kaiser Judith C , Morre Michel , Grégoire Anne , Cheever Martin , Yu Evan Y , Fong Lawrence
Published: August 2021

Background

Sipuleucel-T (sip-T) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved autologous cellular immunotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We hypothesized that combining sip-T with interleukin (IL)-7, a homeostatic cytokine that enhances both B and T cell development and proliferation, would augment and prolong antigen-specific immune responses against both PA2024 (the immunogen for sip-T) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).

Methods

Fifty-four patients with mCRPC treated with sip-T were subsequently enrolled and randomized 1:1 into observation (n=26) or IL-7 (n=28) arms of a phase II clinical trial (NCT01881867). Recombinant human (rh) IL-7 (CYT107) was given weekly×4. Immune responses were evaluated using flow cytometry, mass cytometry (CyTOF), interferon (IFN)-γ ELISpot,3H-thymidine incorporation, and ELISA.

Results

Treatment with rhIL-7 was well tolerated. For the rhIL-7-treated, but not observation group, statistically significant lymphocyte subset expansion was found, with 2.3–2.6-fold increases in CD4+T, CD8+T, and CD56brightNK cells at week 6 compared with baseline. No significant differences in PA2024 or PAP-specific T cell responses measured by IFN-γ ELISpot assay were found between rhIL-7 and observation groups. However, antigen-specific T cell proliferative responses and humoral IgG and IgG/IgM responses significantly increased over time in the rhIL-7-treated group only. CyTOF analyses revealed pleiotropic effects of rhIL-7 on lymphocyte subsets, including increases in CD137 and intracellular IL-2 and IFN-γ expression. While not powered to detect clinical outcomes, we found that 31% of patients in the rhIL-7 group had prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling times of >6 months, compared with 14% in the observation group.

Conclusions

Treatment with rhIL-7 led to a significant expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CD56brightnatural killer (NK) cells compared with observation after treatment with sip-T. The rhIL-7 treatment also led to improved antigen-specific humoral and T cell proliferative responses over time as well as to increased expression of activation markers and beneficial cytokines. This is the first study to evaluate the use of rhIL-7 after sip-T in patients with mCRPC and demonstrates encouraging results for combination approaches to augment beneficial immune responses.
Adjuvant nivolumab for stage III/IV melanoma: evaluation of safety outcomes and association with recurrence-free survival
Authors: Mandalá Mario , Larkin James , Ascierto Paolo A , Del Vecchio Michele , Gogas Helen , Cowey C Lance , Arance Ana , Dalle Stéphane , Schenker Michael , Grob Jean-Jacques , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Marquez-Rodas Ivan , Butler Marcus O , Di Giacomo Anna Maria , Lutzky Jose , De La Cruz-Merino Luis , Atkinson Victoria , Arenberger Petr , Hill Andrew , Fecher Leslie , Millward Michael , Khushalani Nikhil I , de Pril Veerle , Lobo Maurice , Weber Jeffrey
Published: August 2021

Background

Several therapeutic options are now available in the adjuvant melanoma setting, mandating an understanding of their benefit‒risk profiles in order to make informed treatment decisions. Herein we characterize adjuvant nivolumab select (immune-related) treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and evaluate possible associations between safety and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the phase III CheckMate 238 trial.

Methods

Patients with resected stage IIIB–C or IV melanoma received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (n=452) or ipilimumab 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses and then every 12 weeks (n=453) for up to 1 year or until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. First-occurrence and all-occurrence select TRAEs were analyzed within discrete time intervals: from 0 to 3 months of treatment, from >3–12 months of treatment, and from the last dose (regardless of early or per-protocol treatment discontinuation) to 100 days after the last dose. Possible associations between select TRAEs and RFS were investigated post randomization in 3-month landmark analyses and in Cox model analyses (including a time-varying covariate of select TRAE), within and between treatment groups.

Results

From the first nivolumab dose to 100 days after the last dose, first-occurrence select TRAEs were reported in 67.7% (306/452) of patients. First-occurrence select TRAEs were reported most frequently from 0 to 3 months (48.0%), during which the most common were pruritus (15.5%) and diarrhea (15.3%). Most select TRAEs resolved within 6 months. There was no clear association between the occurrence (or not) of select TRAEs and RFS by landmark analysis or by Cox model analysis within treatment arms or comparing nivolumab to the ipilimumab comparator arm.

Conclusion

Results of this safety analysis of nivolumab in adjuvant melanoma were consistent with its established safety profile. In the discrete time intervals evaluated, most first-occurrence TRAEs occurred early during treatment and resolved. No association between RFS and select TRAEs was evident.

Trial registration number

NCT02388906.
International initiative for a curated SDHB variant database improving the diagnosis of hereditary paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma
Authors: Ben Aim Laurene , Maher Eamonn R , Cascon Alberto , Barlier Anne , Giraud Sophie , Ercolino Tonino , Pigny Pascal , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J , Mirebeau-Prunier Delphine , Mohamed Amira , Favier Judith , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule , Schiavi Francesca , Toledo Rodrigo A , Dahia Patricia L , Robledo Mercedes , Bayley Jean Pierre , Burnichon Nelly
Published: August 2021

Background

SDHB is one of the major genes predisposing to paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (PPGL). Identifying pathogenic SDHB variants in patients with PPGL is essential to the management of patients and relatives due to the increased risk of recurrences, metastases and the emergence of non-PPGL tumours. In this context, the ‘NGS and PPGL (NGSnPPGL) Study Group’ initiated an international effort to collect, annotate and classify SDHB variants and to provide an accurate, expert-curated and freely available SDHB variant database.

Methods

A total of 223 distinct SDHB variants from 737 patients were collected worldwide. Using multiple criteria, each variant was first classified according to a 5-tier grouping based on American College of Medical Genetics and NGSnPPGL standardised recommendations and was then manually reviewed by a panel of experts in the field.

Results

This multistep process resulted in 23 benign/likely benign, 149 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants and 51 variants of unknown significance (VUS). Expert curation reduced by half the number of variants initially classified as VUS. Variant classifications are publicly accessible via the Leiden Open Variation Database system (https://databases.lovd.nl/shared/genes/SDHB).

Conclusion

This international initiative by a panel of experts allowed us to establish a consensus classification for 223 SDHB variants that should be used as a routine tool by geneticists in charge of PPGL laboratory diagnosis. This accurate classification of SDHB genetic variants will help to clarify the diagnosis of hereditary PPGL and to improve the clinical care of patients and relatives with PPGL.
Quantitative analysis of unruptured intracranial aneurysm wall thickness and enhancement using 7T high resolution, black blood magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Liu Xinke , Feng Junqiang , Li Zhixin , Zhang Zihao , Zhang Qiang , Jiang Yuhua , Huo Xiaochuan , Chai Xubin , Wu Yue , Kong Qingle , Liu Peng , Ge Huijian , Jin Hengwei , An Jing , Jiang Peng , Saloner David A , Li Youxiang , Zhu Chengcheng
Published: August 2021

Background

This study was performed to quantify intracranial aneurysm wall thickness (AWT) and enhancement using 7T MRI, and their relationship with aneurysm size and type.

Methods

27 patients with 29 intracranial aneurysms were included. Three-dimensional T1 weighted pre‐ and post-contrast fast spin echo with 0.4 mm isotropic resolution was used. AWT was defined as the full width at half maximum on profiles of signal intensity across the aneurysm wall on pre-contrast images. Enhancement ratio (ER) was defined as the signal intensity of the aneurysm wall over that of the brain parenchyma. The relationships between AWT, ER, and aneurysm size and type were investigated.

Results

7T MRI revealed large variations in AWT (range 0.11–1.24 mm). Large aneurysms (>7 mm) had thicker walls than small aneurysms (≤7 mm) (0.49±0.05 vs 0.41±0.05 mm, p<0.001). AWT was similar between saccular and fusiform aneurysms (p=0.546). Within each aneurysm, a thicker aneurysm wall was associated with increased enhancement in 28 of 29 aneurysms (average r=0.65, p<0.05). Thicker walls were observed in enhanced segments (ER >1) than in non-enhanced segments (0.53±0.09 vs 0.38±0.07 mm, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Improved image quality at 7T allowed quantification of intracranial AWT and enhancement. A thicker aneurysm wall was observed in larger aneurysms and was associated with stronger enhancement.
Learning from experience: what the emerging global marine assessment community can learn from the social processes of other global environmental assessments
Authors: Fawkes Kyle , Ferse Sebastian , Scheffers Anja , Cummins Valerie
Published: August 2021

In recent decades, international assessments of the ocean have evolved from specialized, technical evaluations of the state of the marine environment to more integrated and thematically extensive science-policy platforms. As assessment programmes such as the UN Regular Process blossom on the global stage and subsume responsibility for tracking progress on sustainable development, there is a need to consider how their processes wield influence and effectively translate knowledge into action. In the present paper, we undertake a comprehensive review of the literature on global environmental assessments (GEAs) and extract key principles that can be applied to global assessments of the marine environment. We were particularly inspired to identify how social processes could be arranged to best distill, communicate, and produce actionable knowledge. While we look to the advice of experts in the literature, we highlight specific examples from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and the Global Environment Outlook (GEO). From this review, knowledge coproduction, multilevel collaboration, and futures thinking emerged as the dominant principles of influential and action-oriented assessments. We conclude the paper by contextualizing how these principles may be operationalized for Global Marine Assessments in the future.
Determination of vibration of single-layered graphene sheets using nonlocal modified couple stress theory
Authors: Attar F. , Khordad R. , Zarifi A.
Published: August 2021

The free vibration of single-layered graphene sheet (SLGS) has been studied by nonlocal modified couple stress theory (NMCS), analytically. Governing equation of motion for SLGS is obtained via thin plate theory in conjunction with Hamilton’s principle for two cases: (1) using nonlocal parameter only for stress tensor, (2) using nonlocal parameter for both stress and couple stress tensors. Navier’s approach has been used to solve the governing equations for simply supported boundary conditions. It is found that the frequency ratios decrease with increasing nonlocal parameter and also with enhancing vibration modes, but increase with raising length scale parameter. The nonlocal and length scale parameters are more prominent in higher vibration modes. The obtained results have been compared with the previous studies obtained by using classical plate theory, the modified couple stress theory and nonlocal elasticity theory, separately.
POSTPONING RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN A TWO-SECTOR MODEL
Authors: SEN PARTHA
Published: August 2021

Pay-as-you-go social security schemes in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries are facing solvency problems, as people are living longer and birth rates have declined. Postponing the full retirement age (FRA), when retirees are entitled to full pension, has been proposed as a solution. This effectively lowers the payroll tax rate since pension is paid only in the post-FRA period. In a two-period two-sector overlapping generations model, I show that this shift lowers savings (because a part of the expected old-age income is consumed in the first period), as employment increases. In the transition to the new steady state, capital is decumulated and the wage rate falls. Contrast this with a reduction of the payroll tax rate where the initial old suffer reduced consumption, but the young have higher post-tax income and this spurs capital accumulation.
End-to-End Monaural Speech Separation with a Deep Complex U-Shaped Network
Authors: Zhang Wen , Li Xiaoyong , Zhou Aolong , Deng Kefeng , Ren Kaijun , Song Junqiang
Published: August 2021

Conventional time–frequency (TF) domain source separation methods mainly focus on predicting TF-masks or speech spectrums, where complex ideal ratio mask (cIRM) is an effective target for speech enhancement and separation. However, some recent studies employ a real-valued network, such as a general convolutional neural network (CNN) and a recurrent neural network (RNN), to predict a complex-valued mask or a spectrogram target, leading to the unbalanced training results of real and imaginary parts. In this paper, to estimate the complex-valued target more accurately, a novel U-shaped complex network for the complex signal approximation (uCSA) method is proposed. The uCSA is an adaptive front-end time-domain separation method, which tackles the monaural source separation problem in three ways. First, we design and implement a complex U-shaped network architecture comprising well-defined complex-valued encoder and decoder blocks, as well as complex-valued bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) layers, to process complex-valued operations. Second, the cIRM is the training target of our uCSA method, optimized by signal approximation (SA), which takes advantage of both real and imaginary components of the complex-valued spectrum. Third, we re-formulate STFT and inverse STFT into derivable formats, and the model is trained with the scale-invariant source-to-noise ratio (SI-SNR) loss, achieving end-to-end training of the speech source separation task. Moreover, the proposed uCSA models are evaluated on the WSJ0-2mix datasets, which is a valid corpus commonly used by many supervised speech separation methods. Extensive experimental results indicate that our proposed method obtains state-of-the-art performance on the basis of the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) and the short-time objective intelligibility (STOI) metrics.
Impact of Annealing Time on Structural Evolution of Pure and Dy3+-Doped CeO2 Nanopowder, Rietveld Refinement and Optical Behavior
Authors: Vats Rajni , Ahlawat Rachna
Published: August 2021

This work reports about annealing time effect on structural and optical properties of pure and Dy[Formula: see text]-doped CeO2 nanocrystallites. The nanopowders with an average grain size 13–15[Formula: see text]nm are successfully synthesized via a conducive and neoteric Pechini-type sol–gel technique. Surface morphology, composition, band gap and photoluminescence properties of the prepared samples are examined by multifarious characterization techniques like Rietveld refinement, FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and PL. The effects of annealing time on structural parameters including lattice parameter, bond distance, bond angle, strain, crystallite size and texture coefficient are computed for all prepared samples which are further ensured by Rietveld refinement. In absorption spectra, blue shift in the band gap of as-prepared samples has been observed due to well-known quantum size effect, however, red shift is noticed in further annealed samples. PL emission peaks are observed in violet, blue and green regions that are devoted to various defect levels and color centers such as F, F[Formula: see text], F[Formula: see text], etc. It is suggested that defects like oxygen vacancies play vital role in tailoring the band gap of prepared samples and therefore enhance its utility in photonics and oxygen storage appliances.
China’s Involvement in Syria’s Postwar Reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Xinping , Dai Jiawei
Published: August 2021

After years of war and chaos, the situation in Syria has stabilized with the active intervention of external forces, providing necessary conditions for national reconstruction. Security reconstruction, economic recovery, and political reconciliation will be the three key areas in post-civil war rebuilding. As an important node country along the Belt and Road Initiative, Syria’s urgent need for reconstruction makes it possible for China to play a larger role. Deeper Chinese involvement in postwar reconstruction will not only help restore political and economic order in a war-torn country and its neighborhood, but also improve Beijing’s image as a responsible stakeholder. At the same time, Beijing may find a bumpy road ahead as great power rivalry, Syria’s factional politics and weak economic foundation, and regional terrorism will pose significant challenges. While economic reconstruction should be the focus of Beijing’s efforts, China should also not lose sight of the role it can play in facilitating national political reconciliation in Syria.
Regional Transformation of the Horn of Africa
Authors: Zhang Chun
Published: August 2021

The Horn of Africa (HoA) is on the threshold of a long-term transformation as the result of a confluence of political, economic, and social changes, namely, generational political leadership turnover as a reflection of the rise of a younger population; a palpable shift in governance approach from a “security-first” model to a “development-centered” one; and the return of geopolitics across the Red Sea, following global and regional political realignments. To steer the transformation in a sustainable and peaceful direction, the HoA has to enlist the assistance of external actors both as a source of trade and investment and as guarantors of regional peace and stability. This region-wide transformation presents challenges and opportunities for the implementation of the Chinese-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing should better align the economic connectivity-focused BRI with the development-centered approach of regional states, build national and regional capacity for HoA security governance, and join local and external actors in a multilateral effort to ensure a peaceful, secure, and economically dynamic HoA.
The influence of hemoconcentration on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in acute, prolonged, and lifelong hypoxemia
Authors: Stembridge Mike , Hoiland Ryan L. , Williams Alexandra M. , Howe Connor A. , Donnelly Joseph , Dawkins Tony G. , Drane Aimee , Tymko Michael M. , Gasho Christopher , Anholm James , Simpson Lydia L. , Moore Jonathan P. , Bailey Damian M. , MacLeod David B. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: August 2021

Red blood cell concentration influences the pulmonary vasculature via direct frictional force and vasoactive signaling, but whether the magnitude of the response is modified with duration of exposure is not known. By assessing the pulmonary vascular response to hemodilution in acute normobaric and prolonged hypobaric hypoxia in lowlanders and lifelong hypobaric hypoxemia in Andean natives, we demonstrated that a reduction in red cell concentration augments the vasoconstrictive effects of hypoxia in lowlanders. In high-altitude natives, hemodilution lowered pulmonary vascular resistance, but a compensatory increase in cardiac output following hemodilution rendered PASP unchanged.
Flexural Fatigue Life Reliability of Alkali‐Activated Slag Concrete Freeze‐Thaw Damage in Cold Areas
Authors: Chen Bin , Wang Jun
Published: August 2021

Studying the application of alkali‐activated slag concrete for roads in cold areas is of great significance for promoting and developing green building materials. In this study, the effect of freeze‐thaw damage on the flexural fatigue properties of alkali‐activated slag concrete was studied and the fatigue life of alkali‐activated slag concrete with various degrees of damage after freeze‐thaw cycles was studied through a three‐point flexural test. The results show that the flexural fatigue life decreases with freeze‐thaw cycles from 0 to 150 times. Through a distribution fitting test and K‐S test results, the flexural fatigue life followed both the two‐parameter and three‐parameter Weibull distributions. Between them, the three‐parameter Weibull distribution fitting had a higher accuracy and better test results. The results of the reliability analysis show that the curves of alkali‐activated slag concrete samples with various degrees of freeze‐thaw damage for various failure probabilities have good correlation under different stresses, and the correlation correlations were greater than 0.81. The flexural fatigue life of alkali‐activated slag concrete samples with various degrees of freeze‐thaw damage was more sensitive to freeze‐thaw damage under high stresses. It is suggested that the fatigue design of alkali‐activated slag concrete should consider the adverse effects of cold areas, and the reliability should be improved accordingly.
Prognostic Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on DNA Methylation Regulatory Factor Clustering
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhong Caiming , Bao Shujun , Fang Zheng , Tang Hao
Published: August 2021

There is a known link between DNA methylation and cancer immunity/immunotherapy; however, the effect of DNA methylation on immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains to be elucidated. In the current study, we aimed to screen key markers for prognostic analysis of LUAD based on DNA methylation regulatory factor clustering. We classified LUAD using the NMF clustering method, and as a result, we obtained 20 DNA methylation regulatory genes. These 20 regulatory genes were used to determine the pattern of DNA methylation regulation, and patients were grouped for further analysis. The risk score model was analyzed in the TCGA dataset and an external validation set, and the correlation between the risk score and DNA methylation regulatory gene expression was explored. We analyzed the correlation between the prognostic model and immune infiltration and checkpoints. Finally, we analyzed the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functions of the prognosis model and established the nomogram model and decision tree model. The survival analyses of ClusterA and ClusterB were significantly different. Survival analysis showed that patients with a high risk score had a poor prognosis. Survival models (tobacco, T, N, M, stage, sex, age, status, and risk score) were abnormally correlated with T cells and macrophages. The higher the risk score associated with smoking was and the higher the stage was, the more severe the LUAD and the more maladjusted the immune system were. Immune infiltration and abnormal expression of immune checkpoint genes in the prognostic model of LUAD were associated with the risk score. The prognostic models were mainly enriched in the cell cycle and DNA replication. Characterization of DNA methylation regulatory patterns is helpful to improve our understanding of the immune microenvironment in LUAD and to guide the development of a more personalized immunotherapy strategy in the future.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Potential of Qicao Rukang Powder in Bovine Subclinical Mastitis
Authors: Imam Bereket H. , Oladejo Ayodele O. , Wu Xiaohu , Yang Jie , Ma Xiaoyu , Shen Wenxiang , Wei Jiang , Yan Zuoting , Ding Xuezhi
Published: August 2021

Background. Subclinical mastitis is one of the most common reproductive diseases in dairy cows. Qicao Rukang powder is a Chinese herbal compound mixture developed to treat subclinical mastitis in dairy cows by clearing heat, tonifying qi, and improving blood and milk circulation. The study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy of Qicao Rukang powder in treating subclinical mastitis in dairy cows at the manufacturer’s recommended dose. Methods. Forty (40) Holstein dairy cows with milk somatic cell count (SCC) ≥ 500,000 cellml−1 were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. Cows in the treatment group were administered with 150 grams of Qicao Rukang powder orally for five days, while the control group received no treatment. The authors analyzed the milk SCC, milk composition, bacteriological cure rate of the drug, blood serum levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (INF-γ) quantified by using ELISA kits on day 0 and day 6. Results. SCC of the treated group reduced very significantly (

P
<
0.001

) compared with the control group. Milk fat, protein, and total solids increased significantly (

P
<
0.05

) after treatment, whereas lactose and milk urea nitrogen levels showed a nonsubstantial rise. The bacteriological cure percentage of Qicao Rukang powder therapy was 77.8% for Aeromonas spp. (14 of 18), 75% for Pseudomonas spp. (6 of 8), and 100% for Acinetobacter spp. and Enterococcus spp. giving 81.8% cured for all isolates (27 of 33). Only 26.7% (8 of 30) of untreated cows recovered spontaneously. Analysis of IL-1β, IL-6, and INF-γ in the blood serum of the treated group revealed a significant decrease (

P
<
0.01

) with nonsignificant rises in TNF-α and IL-8 levels. Conclusions. This research demonstrates that Qicao Rukang powder has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, supporting its use as an alternative to conventional treatment for subclinical dairy cow mastitis. However, further investigations will be required to explain the role of the active ingredients and the mechanisms involved in the pharmacological activities of the Qicao Rukang powder.
Automatic Recognition Algorithm of Information Architecture Reliability Based on Energy Internet Network Topology
Authors: Ren Guowen , Wu Minrong , Yu Miao
Published: August 2021

As a type of energy network, the scale of the power network is constantly expanding, and its structure has become more and more complicated. Correspondingly, the risks to the energy network are even less likely to be discovered, which will undoubtedly cause great troubles for the safe operation of the network. The traditional manual inspection method can no longer meet the requirements of huge and complex energy networks. Therefore, this paper proposes the algorithm, a research on the automatic identification of reliability of information architecture based on the topology of the energy Internet network. Abstract the server, storage, and other devices in the Energy Internet as network nodes, divide them according to service modules, and use Bayes estimation to evaluate and judge the impact of these nodes on the system function, so as to find the nodes with hidden risks. The results show that, compared with the traditional manual inspection method, the method proposed in this paper can efficiently and accurately find the nodes with risks and can help optimize the topology of the energy Internet network.
Comprehensive Analysis of YTH Domain Family in Lung Adenocarcinoma: Expression Profile, Association with Prognostic Value, and Immune Infiltration
Authors: Hu Kuan , Yao Lei , Yan Yuanliang , Zhou Lei , Li Juanni
Published: August 2021

Background. All YTH domain family members are m6A reader proteins accounting for the methylation modulation involved in the process of tumorgenesis and tumor progression. However, the expression profiles and roles of the YTH domain family in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain to be further illustrated. Methods. GEPIA2 and TNMplot databases were used to generate the expression profiles of the YTH family. Kaplan-Meier plotter database was employed to analysis the prognostic value of the YTH family. Coexpression profiles and genetic alterations analysis of the YTH family were undertaken using the cBioPortal database. YTH family protein-associated protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was identified by using STRING. Functional enrichment analysis was performed with the help of the WebGestalt database. The correlation analysis between the YTH family and immune cell infiltration in LUAD was administrated by using the TIMER2.0 database. Results. mRNA expression of YTHDC1 and YTHDC2 was significantly lower in LUAD, whereas YTHDF1, YTHDF2, and YTHDF3 with apparently higher expression. YTHDF2 expression was observed to be the highest in the nonsmoker subgroup, and its expression gradually decreased with the increased severity of smoking habit. LUAD patients with low expression of YTHDC2, YTHDF1, and YTHDF2 were correlated with a better overall survival (OS) time. The YTHDF1 genetic alteration rate was 26%, which was the highest in the YTH family. The major cancer-associated functions of YTH family pointed in the direction of immunomodulation, especially antigen processing and presentation. Most of the YTH family members were significantly correlated with the infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, indicating the deep involvement of the YTH domain family in the immune cell infiltration in LUAD. Conclusion. The molecular and expression profiles of the YTH family were dysregulated in LUAD. YTH family members (especially YTHDC2) were promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets that may bring benefit for the patients with LUAD.
Low-Dose CT Image Denoising with Improving WGAN and Hybrid Loss Function
Authors: Li Zhihua , Shi Weili , Xing Qiwei , Miao Yu , He Wei , Yang Huamin , Jiang Zhengang
Published: August 2021

The X-ray radiation from computed tomography (CT) brought us the potential risk. Simply decreasing the dose makes the CT images noisy and diagnostic performance compromised. Here, we develop a novel denoising low-dose CT image method. Our framework is based on an improved generative adversarial network coupling with the hybrid loss function, including the adversarial loss, perceptual loss, sharpness loss, and structural similarity loss. Among the loss function terms, perceptual loss and structural similarity loss are made use of to preserve textural details, and sharpness loss can make reconstruction images clear. The adversarial loss can sharp the boundary regions. The results of experiments show the proposed method can effectively remove noise and artifacts better than the state-of-the-art methods in the aspects of the visual effect, the quantitative measurements, and the texture details.
Adjusting LQG with Noise Signals, PID Controller for Acrobot System
Authors: Danh Nguyen Cong
Published: August 2021

Acrobot is a robotic system that is actuated to achieve a certain degree through a controller and/or motion motors. In order to control acrobot in a given position, the designers have to come up with appropriate algorithms. In fact, input signals into the system are affected by noise signals. Therefore, it is necessary to remove noisy signals. In this paper, a method to control the balance under the influence of noise signals affecting the system (LQG) is proposed. Through acrobot's equations of motion, the system is linearized to facilitate the use of the above regulator for positions around the equilibrium point. The role of a Kalman filter of an LQG regulator is also depicted. Besides, a PID controller was used to survey this system as a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of control methods for acrobot. As acrobot stability surveys are rare in recent years according to the data referenced below, this paper is useful for acrobot control purposes and can serve as an important database for the application of acrobots in practice. Simulations are performed on Matlab.
[Retracted] The Development of Data Acquisition System of Formula SAE Race Car Based on CAN Bus Communication Interface and Closed‐Loop Design of Racing Car
Authors: Li Zhonghao , Wang Da , Kang Qiao
Published: August 2021

This paper is mainly based on the college formula race car, through the application of CAN bus communication interface settings, the layout and adjustment of the car sensors, and then carry out the data collection and analysis of the car. CAN bus is the local area network of controller and is one of the field bus which is put forward by German Bosch company and applied most widely in the world. The development of the data analysis system is mainly based on the MoTeC i2 data analysis software. MoTeC i2 data analysis software has been developed for many years under the continuous research of professional teams all over the world. According to the data analysis requirement of FSAE undergraduate Formula 1 teams, this paper introduces a series of data analysis methods closely related to FSAE, mainly including data channel research. This paper expounds the reliability, suspension, tire temperature, steering, and braking data analysis, respectively. Based on the data analysis template created by Motec i2, this paper conducts analysis and basic application according to the data of the real car, so as to meet the requirements of verifying design made by simulation model and tuning the real car scientifically. By means of wheel speed sensor, acceleration sensor, displacement sensor, multichannel temperature sensor, and so on, we conduct a series of tests on 2020 season car, including endurance test, linear acceleration experiment, steady rotation, etc., evaluate the data collected, and then carry on a reasonable set‐up of racing, ultimately improving lap speed.
Efficient yet Robust Privacy Preservation for MPEG-DASH-Based Video Streaming
Authors: Cranfill Luke , Kim Jeehyeong , Lee Hongkyu , Kemmoe Victor Youdom , Cho Sunghyun , Son Junggab
Published: August 2021

MPEG-DASH is a video streaming standard that outlines protocols for sending audio and video content from a server to a client over HTTP. However, it creates an opportunity for an adversary to invade users’ privacy. While a user is watching a video, information is leaked in the form of meta-data, the size of data and the time the server sent the data to the user. After a fingerprint of this data is created, the adversary can use this to identify whether a target user is watching the corresponding video. Only one defense strategy has been proposed to deal with this problem: differential privacy that adds sufficient noise in order to muddle the attacks. However, that strategy still suffers from the trade-off between privacy and efficiency. This paper proposes a novel defense strategy against the attacks with rigorous privacy and performance goals creating a private, scalable solution. Our algorithm, “No Data are Alone” (NDA), is highly efficient. The experimental results show that our scheme is more than two times efficient in terms of excess downloaded video (represented as waste) compared to the most efficient differential privacy-based scheme. Additionally, no classifier can achieve an accuracy above 7.07% against videos obfuscated with our scheme.