bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are source-filter interactions detectable in classical singing during vowel glides?
Authors: Echternach Matthias , Herbst Christian T. , Köberlein Marie , Story Brad , Döllinger Michael , Gellrich Donata
Published: June 2021

In recent studies, it has been assumed that vocal tract formants (Fn) and the voice source could interact. However, there are only few studies analyzing this assumption in vivo. Here, the vowel transition /i/-/a/-/u/-/i/ of 12 professional classical singers (6 females, 6 males) when phonating on the pitch D4 [fundamental frequency (ƒo) ca. 294 Hz] were analyzed using transnasal high speed videoendoscopy (20.000 fps), electroglottography (EGG), and audio recordings. Fn data were calculated using a cepstral method. Source-filter interaction candidates (SFICs) were determined by (a) algorithmic detection of major intersections of Fn/nƒo and (b) perceptual assessment of the EGG signal. Although the open quotient showed some increase for the /i-a/ and /u-i/ transitions, there were no clear effects at the expected Fn/nƒo intersections. In contrast, ƒo adjustments and changes in the phonovibrogram occurred at perceptually derived SFICs, suggesting level-two interactions. In some cases, these were constituted by intersections between higher nƒo and Fn. The presented data partially corroborates that vowel transitions may result in level-two interactions also in professional singers. However, the lack of systematically detectable effects suggests either the absence of a strong interaction or existence of confounding factors, which may potentially counterbalance the level-two-interactions.
When Hockey Won’t Sell in Minnesota: Using Design Thinking to Innovate the Ticket Service
Authors: Warren Clinton
Published: June 2021

This case study asks students to assume the role of a ticket sales strategist hired to work as a consultant for the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher athletic department. In this case, you will be asked to work with members of the Gopher Fan Advisory Board to develop service innovations in the area of ticket sales. As a sales and marketing consultant, you will examine existing data on spectator attendance trends and focus group interviews to determine the current issues facing the athletic department. Then, you will be asked to suggest the manners by which the athletic department should innovate the ticket service, using a design thinking approach to grow ticket sales and spectator attendance for the men’s hockey program.
Fluoroquinolone Prescribing for Diabetic Foot Infections following an FDA Drug Safety Communication for Aortic Aneurysm Risk
Authors: Li Catherine , Mercuro Nicholas J. , Chapin Ryan W. , Gold Howard S. , McCoy Christopher
Published: June 2021

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding fluoroquinolone-associated aortic aneurysm.
Conservation of Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division Efflux Pump-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Burkholderia cepacia Complex and Burkholderia pseudomallei Complex Species
Authors: Somprasong Nawarat , Yi Jinhee , Hall Carina M. , Webb Jessica R. , Sahl Jason W. , Wagner David M. , Keim Paul , Currie Bart J. , Schweizer Herbert P.
Published: June 2021

Burkholderia cepacia
complex (Bcc) and
Burkholderia pseudomallei
complex (Bpc) species include pathogens that are typically multidrug resistant. Dominant intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance mechanisms are efflux mediated by pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) family.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of XAV-19, a Swine Glyco-humanized Polyclonal Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody, for COVID-19-Related Moderate Pneumonia: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIa Study
Authors: Gaborit Benjamin , Dailly Eric , Vanhove Bernard , Josien Régis , Lacombe Karine , Dubee Vincent , Ferre Virginie , Brouard Sophie , Ader Florence , Vibet Marie-Anne , Le Thuaut Aurélie , Danger Richard , Flet Laurent , Omnes Anne , Berly Laetitia , Chiffoleau Anne , Jobert Alexandra , Duvaux Odile , Raffi François
Published: June 2021

We assessed the pharmacokinetics and safety of XAV-19, a swine glyco-humanized polyclonal antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related moderate pneumonia. The objective was to evaluate the optimal dose and safety of XAV-19 during this first administration to patients with COVID-19-related moderate pneumonia.
Pneumocystis in metastatic lung cancer, a pragmatic approach in support of prophylaxis
Authors: Luque Paz David , Jouneau Stephane , Tattevin Pierre , Ricordel Charles
Published: June 2021

Lung cancer prognosis has improved in the last decade, including in patients with brain metastasis. However, few of these patients who receive corticosteroids have a primary prophylaxis forPneumocystis jiroveciipneumonia (PJP). We report the case of an 80-year-old man diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and concomitant symptomatic brain metastases, treated with 50 mg/day of prednisolone without any prophylaxis, who presented an acute PJP. After 72 hours of unsuccessful treatment of PJP, the patient died. In our review of this case and the existing literature, we emphasise the importance of a wide use of prophylaxis for PJP, especially in advanced lung cancer treated with corticosteroid therapy. We discuss this issue and report current evidence for primary prophylaxis by trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole.
Right ventricular thrombus and pulmonary embolism after infliximab therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ogilvie Jennifer Ann , Iraqi Ahmed , Haas Christopher , Bharaj Raman
Published: June 2021

Infliximab, an antitumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)agent, is a cornerstone of treatment of inflammatory bowel disease with a favourable and well-tolerated side effect profile. While the majority of side effects associated with infliximab have been well established, the pathophysiology of infliximab-associated thrombosis remains controversial and poorly defined. We present a case of a young woman with ulcerative colitis who presented with a right ventricular thrombus and bilateral pulmonary emboli after initiation of infliximab and was subsequently found to have underlying factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse event associated with anti-TNF agents, especially in individuals with predisposing prothrombotic mutations such as factor V Leiden or prothrombin gene mutation.
Benchmark NBC editions for seismic risk management of existing buildings in Canada
Authors: Fathi-Fazl Reza , Kadhom Bessam , Cai Zhen , Fazileh Farrokh
Published: June 2021

The National Research Council Canada recently developed a multi-criteria and multi-level framework for seismic risk management of existing buildings in Canada. One of the key criteria in this framework is benchmark NBC edition, which refers to the applicable edition of National Building Code of Canada (NBC) in which significantly improved seismic requirements were adopted and enforced. Since post-benchmark buildings are expected to demonstrate satisfactory seismic performance, they may be exempt from structural seismic risk assessment. This paper identifies benchmark NBC editions for 17 model building types in Canada. The identification starts by tracking major seismic improvements in the United States benchmark codes and standards. These improvements are then mapped to applicable NBC editions and relevant design standards. Provincial building code editions corresponding to benchmark NBC editions are also identified. The benchmark NBC editions and corresponding provincial building code editions help building owners quickly identify and exempt post-benchmark buildings with acceptable seismic risks and thus allocate resources to the buildings with potentially unacceptable seismic risks.
Ionization cross section by electron impact of helium-like ions
Authors: Hariz Belgacem Manel , Guedda Elhabib , Jelassi Haikel
Published: June 2021

In this paper we present our calculation of the ionization cross section by electron impact of C V, N VI, and O VII. Using the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC), we obtain the cross sections for the ionization of these ions from the ground state 11S, and from the unstable states 21S and 23S. Our results are in good agreement with those based on the Coulomb–Born (CB) approximation and the available measurements.
Constraining effective equation of state in f(Q, T) gravity
Authors: Arora Simran , Parida Abhishek , Sahoo P. K.
Published: June 2021

New high-precision observations are now possible to constrain different gravity theories. To examine the accelerated expansion of the Universe, we used the newly proposed f(Q, T) gravity, where Q is the non-metricity, and T is the trace of the energy–momentum tensor. The investigation is carried out using a parameterized effective equation of state with two parameters, m and n. We have also considered the linear form of $$f(Q,T)= Q+bT$$

f
(
Q
,
T
)
=
Q
+
b
T

, where b is constant. By constraining the model with the recently published 1048 Pantheon sample, we were able to find the best fitting values for the parameters b, m, and n. The model appears to be in good agreement with the observations. Finally, we analyzed the behavior of the deceleration parameter and equation of state parameter. The results support the feasibility of f(Q, T) as a promising theory of gravity, illuminating a new direction towards explaining the Universe dark sector.
Stochastic dynamic behavior of FitzHugh–Nagumo neurons stimulated by white noise
Authors: Li Tao , Wu Kaijun , Yan Mingjun , Liu Zhengnan , Zheng Huan
Published: June 2021

Stochastic noise exists widely in the nervous system, and noise plays an extremely important role in the information processing of the nervous system. Noise can enhance the ability of neurons to process information as well as decrease it. For the dynamic behavior of stochastic resonance and coherent resonance shown by neurons under the action of stochastic noise, this paper uses Fourier coefficient and coherence resonance coefficient to measure the behavior of stochastic resonance and coherence resonance, respectively, and some conclusions are drawn by analyzing the effects of additive noise and multiplicative noise. Appropriate noise can make the nonlinear system exhibit stochastic resonance behavior and enhance the detection ability of external signals. It can also make the coherent resonance behavior of the nonlinear system reach its optimal state, and the system becomes more orderly. By comparing the effects of additive and multiplicative noise on the stochastic resonance behavior and coherent resonance behavior of the system, it is found that additive and multiplicative noise can both make the system appear the phenomenon of stochastic resonance and have almost identical discharge state at the same noise intensity. However, with the increase of noise intensity, the coherent resonance of the system occurs, the multiplicative noise intensity is smaller than that of additive noise, but the coherent resonance coefficient of additive noise is smaller and the coherent resonance effect is better. The system whose system parameters are located near the bifurcation point is more prone to coherent resonance, and the closer the bifurcation point is, the more obvious the coherent resonance phenomenon is, and the more regular the system becomes. When the parameters of the system are far away from the bifurcation point, the coherent resonance will hardly appear. Besides, when additive and multiplicative noise interact together, the stochastic resonance and coherent resonance phenomena are more likely to appear at small noise, and the behavior of stochastic resonance and coherent resonance that the system shown is better in the local range.
Pattern-Based Deep Learning Method to Extract Information from the Log Dataset
Authors: Li Xi , Wang Ting , Wang Shexiong
Published: June 2021

It draws researchers’ attentions how to make use of the log data effectively without paying much for storing them. In this paper, we propose pattern-based deep learning method to extract the features from log datasets and to facilitate its further use at the reasonable expense of the storage performances. By taking the advantages of the neural network and thoughts to combine statistical features with experts’ knowledge, there are satisfactory results in the experiments on some specified datasets and on the routine systems that our group maintains. Processed on testing data sets, the model is 5%, at least, more likely to outperform its competitors in accuracy perspective. More importantly, its schema unveils a new way to mingle experts’ experiences with statistical log parser.
Slow–Fast Behaviors and Their Mechanism in a Periodically Excited Dynamical System with Double Hopf Bifurcations
Authors: Zhang Miaorong , Zhang Xiaofang , Bi Qinsheng
Published: June 2021

This paper focuses on the influence of two scales in the frequency domain on the behaviors of a typical dynamical system with a double Hopf bifurcation. By introducing an external periodic excitation to the normal form of the vector field with double Hopf bifurcation at the origin and taking the exciting frequency far less than the natural frequency, a theoretical model with two scales in the frequency domain is established. Regarding the whole exciting term as a slow-varying parameter leads to a generalized autonomous system, in which the equilibrium branches and their bifurcations with the variation of the slow-varying parameter can be derived. With the increase of the exciting amplitude, different types of bifurcations may be involved in the generalized autonomous system, resulting in several qualitatively different forms of bursting attractors, the mechanism of which is presented by overlapping the transformed phase portraits and the bifurcations of the equilibrium branches. It is found that the single mode 2D torus may evolve to the bursting attractors with mixed modes, in which the trajectory alternates between the single mode oscillations and the mixed mode oscillations. Furthermore, the transitions between the quiescent states and the spiking states may not occur exactly at the bifurcation points because of the slow passage effect, while Hopf bifurcations may cause different forms of repetitive spiking oscillations.
Complex Dynamics of Discrete-Time Ring Neural Networks
Authors: Wu Xiaoying , Chen Yuanlong , Li Liangliang , Wang Fen
Published: June 2021

This paper mainly considers the complex dynamics of a discrete-time ring neural network with multiple time delays. By transforming the network system into a system of difference equations, one can obtain a chaotic neural network. More specifically, by projection method one can determine a closed invariant set of the system governed by some difference equations, and prove that some invariant subsystem is topologically conjugate to the two-sided symbolic dynamical system. Moreover, numerical simulations are presented to verify the theoretical results.
Characteristics of (α,β)-Mean Li–Yorke Chaos of Linear Operators on Banach Spaces
Authors: He Shengnan , Sun Xiaoli , Xiao Mingqing
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we introduce a new concept, [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaotic operator, which includes the standard mean Li–Yorke chaotic operators as special cases. We show that when [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaotic dynamics is strictly stronger than the ones that appeared in mean Li–Yorke chaos. When [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], it has completely different characteristics from the mean Li–Yorke chaos. We prove that no finite-dimensional Banach space can support [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaotic operators. Moreover, we show that an operator is [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaos if and only if there exists an [Formula: see text]-mean semi-irregular vector for the underlying operator, and if and only if there exists an [Formula: see text]-mean irregular vector when [Formula: see text], which generalizes the recent results by Bernardes et al. given in 2018. When [Formula: see text], we construct a counterexample in which it is an [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaotic operator but does not admit an [Formula: see text]-mean irregular vector. In addition, we show that an operator with dense generalized kernel is [Formula: see text]-mean Li–Yorke chaotic if and only if there exists a residual set of [Formula: see text]-mean irregular vectors, and if and only if there exists an [Formula: see text]-mean unbounded orbit.
On the Closure of Aging Classes Under the Formation of Coherent Structures
Authors: Triantafyllou Ioannis S.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we study the closure property of the Increasing Failure Rate (IFR) class under the formation of coherent systems. Sufficient conditions for the nonpreservation of the IFRattribute for reliability structures consisting of [Formula: see text] independent and identically distributed ([Formula: see text] components are provided. More precisely, we deal with the IFR preservation (or nonpreservation) under the formation of structures with two common failure criteria by the aid of their signature vectors.
Process Safety for Sustainable Applications
Authors: Stolar Alexander , Friedl Anton
Published: June 2021

Process safety techniques have been used in industry for decades to make processes and systems safer and to optimize them, and thus to improve sustainability. Their main aim is to prevent damage to people, equipment and the environment.

In this overview, process safety and risk management techniques are shown that can be applied in the different life cycle phases of an application without much implementation effort. A broad and universal applicability in a wide range of business sectors is set as the main focus.

In addition to the application of system improvement techniques, a number of additional considerations, such as maintenance and the consideration of abnormal operating conditions, are included in order to be able to comprehensively improve a system or application.
SURFACE MODIFICATION OF SS-316 TO ENHANCE CAVITATION RESISTANCE THROUGH COMPOSITE MICROWAVE CLADS
Authors: BANSAL SANDEEP , GUPTA DHEERAJ , JAIN VIVEK
Published: June 2021

Microwave cladding is one of the latest surface engineering techniques, which has been used to improve the surface properties of a material. This technique overcomes almost all limitations of the existing methods. In this study, Ni-based+10% Cr3C2 composite clads have been developed in domestic microwave oven of 2.45-GHz frequency and 900-W power. The developed composite clads have been characterized using various standard mechanical and metallurgical techniques like SEM/EDS, XRD and Vickers microhardness tester. Cavitation erosion resistance of developed composite clads has also been examined at different parametric conditions. The microstructure analysis exhibits that the developed composite clads of 730-[Formula: see text]m thickness are free of cracks (solidification and interfacial) and less porous. The presence of various intermetallic and hard carbide phases like FeNi3, CrSi2, Cr3Ni2SiC, SiC and NiC is confirmed from the XRD analysis. The Vickers microhardness study reveals that the average microhardness of clad region is [Formula: see text] HV[Formula: see text]. The cavitation erosion study (at different parametric conditions using vibratory cavitation erosion testing) reveals that the developed composite clads perform much better under cavitation erosion environment than the SS-316 substrate. The stand-off distance is found to be the most dominating factor followed by amplitude and immersion depth.
Efficiency in China’s Banking Sector: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Basel II Eras
Authors: Mohanty Sunil , Lin Hong-Jen
Published: June 2021

This study investigates the effects of Basel II and Basel III capital adequacy rules and the regulatory framework adopted by Chinese banking regulators on the efficiency of the banking sector in China during the post-Basel II era (2007–2017) and compares the results with that of the pre-Basel II era (1996–2006). The study finds that both cost and profit efficiency of the banking industry have improved significantly from the pre-Basel II era (1996–2006) to the post-Basel II era (2007–2017). Subperiod analyses show that the risk-based capital ratio (Tier 1 capital ratio) is significantly positively associated with profit efficiency during both pre- and post-Basel II eras. Overall, the “Big Four” national banks and regional commercial banks signal higher profit efficiency during the post-Basel II era.
Revisiting graphical rectangular b-metric spaces
Authors: Younis Mudasir , Singh Deepak , Shi Luoyi
Published: June 2021

Very recently, the notion of graphical rectangular [Formula: see text]-metric spaces has been introduced, where the weight of the symmetric edges endowing the directed graph is defined in terms of the underlying metric. Due to its intimate relationship with the directed graphs, such spaces have a wide range of applications in science and engineering. In this paper, we rectify some errors that arose in the paper [Younis et al., A novel approach of graphical rectangular [Formula: see text]-metric spaces with an application to the vibrations of a vertical heavy hanging cable, J. Fixed Point Theory Appl. 21(1) (2019) 33]. We show that the main result of the paper described above can be modified, and we present the same in this note.
Inductive limits of quasi-locally Baire spaces
Authors: Gilsdorf Thomas E.
Published: June 2021

Quasi-locally complete locally convex spaces are generalized to quasi-locally Baire locally convex spaces. It is shown that an inductive limit of strictly webbed spaces is regular if it is quasi-locally Baire. This extends Qiu’s theorem on regularity. Additionally, if each step is strictly webbed and quasi-locally Baire, then the inductive limit is quasi-locally Baire if it is regular. Distinguishing examples are provided.
Algorithm to check the existence of H for a given G such that A(G)A(H) is graphical
Authors: Bhat K. Arathi , Sudhakara G. , Vinay M.
Published: June 2021

A matrix with entries [Formula: see text] is graphical if it is symmetric and all its diagonal entries are zero. Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be graphs defined on the same set of vertices. The graph [Formula: see text] is said to be the matrix product of graphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], if [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the adjacency matrix of the graph [Formula: see text]. In such a case, we say that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are companions of each other. The main purpose of this paper is to design an algorithm to check whether a given graph [Formula: see text] has a companion. We derive conditions on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] so that the generalized wheel graph, denoted by [Formula: see text], has a companion and also show that the [Formula: see text]th power of the path graph [Formula: see text] has no companion. Finally, we indicate a possible application of the algorithm in a problem of coloring of edges of the complete graph [Formula: see text].
Balanced QSAR and Molecular Modeling to Identify Structural Requirements of Imidazopyridine Analogues as Anti-infective Agents Against Trypanosomiases
Authors: Mali Suraj N. , Pandey Anima
Published: June 2021

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), a fatal infection caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) is considered as a neglected disease in the tropical areas, and newer agents with unique mechanism of action are urgently needed. In this work, 65 Imidazopyridine analogues from known literature were selected for building statistically robust genetic algorithm (GA) based QSAR models. Furthermore, values for the various cross-validation properties supported its statistical robustness (model 1, [Formula: see text], RMSE[Formula: see text], MAE[Formula: see text], CCC[Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]). Our in silico ADMET analysis revealed that a designed molecule, S10 may act as potent lead (T. brucei, pEC[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]M), [Formula: see text]) with better pharmacokinetics, no carcinogenicity, class III acute oral toxicity, minimal OCT1 and OCT2 inhibitions and no eye corrosion profiles. Our molecular docking analysis (on 42 drug targets) for a dataset and designed molecules demonstrated higher binding affinity of Imidazopyridine analogues with T. brucei farnesyl diphosphate synthase (TbFPPS) (PDB id: 2I19). This observation was further supported by 100[Formula: see text]ns molecular dynamics analysis retaining better stability of complex. Thus, imidazopyridine analogues would provide a promising scaffold for the development of anti-HAT agents.
On the Alignment Between Self-Declared Gender Identity and Topical Content from Wikipedia
Authors: Mcdonald David W. , Zachry Mark
Published: June 2021

Wikipedia is an important information source for much of the world. One well-established problem is that editors of Wikipedia are overwhelmingly men. This gender gap in participation has resulted in a concern that the content suffers biases as a result of the bias in participation. This problem is hard to study, because the relationships between participation, gender identity, and content have not been established. Prior studies, mostly with children, have shown some differences in topical preferences based on sex. However, this issue has not been studied with adults and has not been considered from more than a binary stance. In this study, we work to understand how gender identity relates to topical preferences. Through an empirical study, we ask participants to declare a gender identity and then present them with pairs of topical article content from Wikipedia. Through thousands of participants and tens of thousands of paired content trials, we uncover relationships between self-declared gender identity and topical preferences. Further, by focusing on topics that have a statistically significant bias, we leverage two of Wikipedia's category systems to illustrate relative categorical differences that are similar to categorical differences described in prior work. The discussion focuses on the subtly of these differences, potential future research, and the implications for interventions based on topical content. Further, the results help us reflect on relationships that might explain the persistent and worsening gender gap in participation.
Collapsible Pushdown Parity Games
Authors: Broadbent Christopher H. , Carayol Arnaud , Hague Matthew , Murawski Andrzej S. , Ong C.-H. Luke , Serre Olivier
Published: June 2021

This article studies a large class of two-player perfect-information turn-based parity games on infinite graphs, namely, those generated by collapsible pushdown automata. The main motivation for studying these games comes from the connections from collapsible pushdown automata and higher-order recursion schemes, both models being equi-expressive for generating infinite trees. Our main result is to establish the decidability of such games and to provide an effective representation of the winning region as well as of a winning strategy. Thus, the results obtained here provide all necessary tools for an in-depth study of logical properties of trees generated by collapsible pushdown automata/recursion schemes.
Passivation of Cu-Rh Alloys
Authors: Xie Yusi , Chatterjee Swarnendu , Liu Ling-Zhi , Jin Hai-Jun , Sieradzki Karl
Published: June 2021

Historically, there have been two general approaches for understanding alloy passivation behavior. One involves study of the composition and crystal structure of the passive film and the other is concerned with how the composition and structure of the metallic alloy dictates the formation of the film. Herein we describe a recently developed theory based on a conjecture of Sieradzki and Newman connected to percolation theory and use the theory to model the passivation behavior of a series of Cu-Rh alloys. Our results are in quantitative agreement with the predictions of this theory. We discuss how the theory elucidates the important role of short-range order in understanding how composition affects the details of the passivation process.
Higher glucose availability augments the metabolic responses of the C2C12 myotubes to exercise-like electrical pulse stimulation
Authors: Lautaoja Juulia H. , M. O’Connell Thomas , Mäntyselkä Sakari , Peräkylä Juuli , Kainulainen Heikki , Pekkala Satu , Permi Perttu , Hulmi Juha J.
Published: June 2021

The present study examined for the first time the metabolome of 1) C2C12 myotubes, 2) their growth media, and 3) cell-free media after exercise-like electrical pulse stimulation under distinct nutritional loads. We report that myotubes grown under high-glucose conditions had greater responsiveness to EL-EPS when compared with lower glucose availability conditions and increased media content of acetate and branched-chain fatty acids suggests they might act as putative exerkines warranting further research.
Actin-related protein 2/3 complex plays a critical role in the aquaporin-2 exocytotic pathway
Authors: Liu Chen-Chung Steven , Cheung Pui Wen , Dinesh Anupama , Baylor Noah , Paunescu Theodor C. , Nair Anil V. , Bouley Richard , Brown Dennis
Published: June 2021

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) undergoes constitutive recycling between the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, with an intricate balance between endocytosis and exocytosis. By inhibiting the actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 complex, we prevented AQP2 from entering the exocytotic pathway at the post- trans-Golgi network level and blocked AQP2 membrane accumulation. Arp2/3 inhibition, therefore, enables us to separate and target the exocytotic process, while not affecting endocytosis, thus allowing us to envisage strategies to modulate AQP2 trafficking and treat water balance disorders.
Kidney resident macrophages in the rat have minimal turnover and replacement by blood monocytes
Authors: Zimmerman Kurt A. , Yang Zhengqin , Lever Jeremie M. , Li Zhang , Croyle Mandy J. , Agarwal Anupam , Yoder Bradley K. , George James F.
Published: June 2021

In this report, we performed parabiosis surgery on inbred Lewis rats and showed that rat kidney resident macrophages (KRMs), identified using our novel cross-species markers, are minimally dependent on peripheral blood input. Thus, for the first time, to our knowledge, we confirm that a hallmark of mouse KRMs is also present in KRMs isolated from another species.
An Empirical Study on Application of Virtual Reality Animation Technology by Big Data Model
Authors: Sun Qinggang , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: June 2021

Regional cultural and creative products are paying more attention to the cultural core of their design and communication, while satisfying the basic design elements of appearance, function, and aesthetics; therefore, agricultural cultural and creative image (ACCI) also has its dual attributes of culture and commerce. Virtual reality (VR) animation technology can integrate video, text, and model into one, comprehensively display the three-dimensional digital content of regional cultural characteristics, bring users an immersive viewing experience, and enhance their interest in traditional culture, beneficial to the spreading and inheriting traditional culture. On the basis of summarizing and analyzing previous research works, this paper analyzed the development background, current status, and future challenges of VR animation technology and expounded the research situation and significance of design and dissemination of ACCI. Further, this paper proposed the design method, communication model, and approaches of ACCI based on VR animation technology, explored the reshaping of ACCI’s digital elements, resolution of ACCI’s artistic features, and discovery of ACCI’s artistic values, constructed the platform architecture and implementation technology of VR animation, and finally discussed the issue of the integration and innovation of cultural products and VR animation technology. Excellent regional cultural and creative products can achieve the multiple goals of promoting product sales, improving design aesthetics, and spreading cultural characteristics by pursuing cultural and creative values. The ACCI based on VR animation technology not only makes customers pay attention to the agricultural brands and consuming their products but also promotes regional identity and disseminate regional culture, inspiring the potential awareness of tourism and shopping and driving the economic development.
An Adaptation and Validation of Students’ Satisfaction Scale: The Case of McGraw–Hill Education Connect
Authors: Babtain Adel A.
Published: June 2021

This study aims to adapt and validate an Arabic version of the students’ satisfaction scale. It tries to measure students’ satisfaction with the McGraw–Hill Education Connect platform in Saudi Arabia. It provides Saudi and Arab academics with a valid instrument for further studies and interventions to improve students’ learning and environments. The study examined items to establish content, construct, convergent, and discriminant validity. It used two-phase Chemistry 101-student samples (N = 50 and N = 193). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the maximum likelihood extraction method and the Promax rotation method was used to explore the survey’s constructs in the pilot phase. It supported the five-factor construct of the survey. Three competitive construct models were investigated using the confirmatory factor analysis in the main phase study. The model that fitted the study data and satisfied reliability and validity standards was a second-order model identifying two primary constructs distinctively: satisfaction (N = 3, α = 0.912) and utility (N = 19, α = 0.965). The utility scale was composed of four subscales: understanding (N = 5, α = 0.913), studying (N = 3, α = 0.896), preparation (N = 4, α = 0.893), and usability (N = 7, α = 0.913). The results indicated that student’s overall satisfaction with MCGH Connect was significantly met (M = 3.52, SD = 0.176). Also, students were significantly satisfied with the MGHE Connect utility (M = 3.51, SD = 0.221). The highest level of satisfaction was understanding (M = 3.60, SD = 0.170), and the lowest was with preparation to classes (M = 3.23, SD = 0.259). Students were equally satisfied with using MGHE Connect to understand the materials, study and review for exams, and friendliness.
Research on Named Entity Recognition of Electronic Medical Records Based on RoBERTa and Radical‐Level Feature
Authors: Wu Yue , Huang Jie , Xu Caie , Zheng Huilin , Zhang Lei , Wan Jian
Published: June 2021

Clinical named entity recognition (CNER) identifies entities from unstructured medical records and classifies them into predefined categories. It is of great significance for follow‐up clinical studies. Most of the existing CNER methods fail to give enough thought to Chinese radical‐level characteristics and the specialty of the Chinese field. This paper proposes the Ra‐RC model, which combines radical features and a deep learning structure to fix this problem. A bidirectional encoder representation of transformer (RoBERTa) is utilized to learn medical features thoroughly. Simultaneously, we use the bidirectional long short‐term memory (BiLSTM) network to extract radical‐level information to capture the internal relevance of characteristics and stitch the eigenvectors generated by RoBERTa. In addition, the relationship between labels is considered to obtain the optimal tag sequence by applying conditional random field (CRF). The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Ra‐RC model achieves F1 score 93.26% and 82.87% on the CCKS2017 and CCKS2019 datasets, respectively.
Ginsenoside Rg5 Inhibits Human Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation and Induces Cell Apoptosis through PI3K/Akt/mTORC1‐Related LC3 Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Liu Ming-Yang , Liu Fei , Li Yan-Jiao , Yin Jia-Ning , Gao Yan-Li , Wang Xin-Yue , Yang Chen , Liu Jian-Guo , Li Hai-Jun
Published: June 2021

The function and mechanism underlying the suppression of human osteosarcoma cells by ginsenoside‐Rg5 (Rg5) was investigated in the present study. MG‐63, HOS, and U2OS cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay after Rg5 treatment for 24 h. Rg5 inhibited human osteosarcoma cell proliferation effectively in a dose‐dependent manner. The range of effective inhibitory concentrations was 160‐1280 nM. Annexin V‐FITC and PI double‐staining assay revealed that Rg5 induced human osteosarcoma cell apoptosis. Western blotting, qRT‐PCR, and FACS experiments revealed that Rg5 inhibited human osteosarcoma cells via caspase‐3 activity which was related to the LC3‐mediated autophagy pathway. Rg5 decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTORC1 activation. In contrast, LC3‐mediated autophagy and caspase‐3 activity increased significantly. A PI3K/AKT stimulator, IGF‐1, reversed Rg5‐induced cell autophagy and apoptosis in MG‐63 cells. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that Rg5 induced human osteosarcoma cell apoptosis through the LC3‐mediated autophagy pathway. Under physiological conditions, activation of PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 inhibits LC3 activity and caspase‐3‐related cell apoptosis. However, Rg5 activated LC3 activity by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTORC1. The present study indicated that Rg5 could be a promising candidate as a chemotherapeutic agent against human osteosarcoma.
A Novel DBSCAN Clustering Algorithm via Edge Computing‐Based Deep Neural Network Model for Targeted Poverty Alleviation Big Data
Authors: Liu Hui , Liu Yang , Qin Zhenquan , Zhang Ran , Zhang Zheng , Mu Liao
Published: June 2021

Big data technology has been developed rapidly in recent years. The performance improvement mechanism of targeted poverty alleviation is studied through the big data technology to further promote the comprehensive application of big data technology in poverty alleviation and development. Using the data mining knowledge to accurately identify the poor population under the framework of big data, compared with the traditional identification method, it is obviously more accurate and persuasive, which is also helpful to find out the real causes of poverty and assist the poor residents in the future. In the current targeted poverty alleviation work, the identification of poor households and the matching of assistance measures are mainly through the visiting of village cadres and the establishment of documents. Traditional methods are time‐consuming, laborious, and difficult to manage. It always omits lots of useful family information. Therefore, new technologies need to be introduced to realize intelligent identification of poverty‐stricken households and reduce labor costs. In this paper, we introduce a novel DBSCAN clustering algorithm via the edge computing‐based deep neural network model for targeted poverty alleviation. First, we deploy an edge computing‐based deep neural network model. Then, in this constructed model, we execute data mining for the poverty‐stricken family. In this paper, the DBSCAN clustering algorithm is used to excavate the poverty features of the poor households and complete the intelligent identification of the poor households. In view of the current situation of high‐dimensional and large‐volume poverty alleviation data, the algorithm uses the relative density difference of grid to divide the data space into regions with different densities and adopts the DBSCAN algorithm to cluster the above result, which improves the accuracy of DBSCAN. This avoids the need for DBSCAN to traverse all data when searching for density connections. Finally, the proposed method is utilized for analyzing and mining the poverty alleviation data. The average accuracy is more than 96%. The average F‐measure, NMI, and PRE values exceed 90%. The results show that it provides decision support for precise matching and intelligent pairing of village cadres in poverty alleviation work.
Penile Hemodynamic Response to Phosphodiesterase Type V Inhibitors after Cavernosal Sparing Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation: A Prospective Randomized Open-Blinded End-Point (PROBE) Study
Authors: Zaazaa Adham , Bayerle-Eder Michaela , Elnabarawy Ramzy , Elbitar Mahmoud , Mostafa Taymour
Published: June 2021

Forceful corporal dilatation amidst penile prosthesis implantation may injure cavernosal arteries compromising penile vasculature. In this study, we aimed to compare the conventional and cavernosal sparing techniques regarding cavernosal artery preservation. Overall, 33 patients underwent inflatable penile prosthesis implantation with Coloplast Titan Touch® three-piece inflatable penile implants. 16 patients had conventional implantations with serial vigorous dilatations, while 17 patients were implanted with the cavernosal sparing technique, consisting of a single minimal corporal dilatation after an intraoperative intracavernosal injection (ICI) of Alprostadil. Postoperatively, a penile duplex Doppler ultrasound study was performed. Whenever a cavernosal artery was spared and thus successfully probed, its hemodynamics were studied before and after an oral administration of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). A cavernosal artery was successfully probed in 16/17 (94%) of patients in the cavernosal sparing group compared to 5/16 (31%) of patients in the conventional group with a significant statistical difference (

P
=
0.001

). This demonstrated that the cavernosal sparing technique was superior to the conventional approach in preserving the cavernosal artery (odds ratio 35.2, 95% IC 3.5–344.2;

P
=
0.0022

). Whenever a cavernosal artery could be probed, its hemodynamic responsiveness was also preserved. This trial is registered with NCT03733860.
Towards AI-Based Traffic Counting System with Edge Computing
Authors: Dinh Duc-Liem , Nguyen Hong-Nam , Thai Huy-Tan , Le Kim-Hung
Published: June 2021

The recent years have witnessed a considerable rise in the number of vehicles, which has placed transportation infrastructure and traffic control under tremendous pressure. Yielding timely and accurate traffic flow information is essential in the development of traffic control strategies. Despite the continual advances and the wealth of literature available in intelligent transportation system (ITS), there is a lack of practical traffic counting system, which is readily deployable on edge devices. In this study, we introduce a low-cost and effective edge-based system integrating object detection models to perform vehicle detecting, tracking, and counting. First, a vehicle detection dataset (VDD) representing traffic conditions in Vietnam was created. Several deep learning models for VDD were then examined on two different edge device types. Using this detection, we presented a lightweight counting method seamlessly combining with a traditional tracking method to increase counting accuracy. Finally, the traffic flow information is obtained based on counted vehicle categories and their directions. The experiment results clearly indicate that the proposed system achieves the top inference speed at around 26.8 frames per second (FPS) with 92.1% accuracy on the VDD. This proves that our proposal is capable of producing high-accuracy traffic flow information and can be applicable to ITS in order to reduce labor-intensive tasks in traffic management.
Diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Lineages Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Southwestern, Uganda
Authors: Micheni Lisa Nkatha , Kassaza Kennedy , Kinyi Hellen , Ntulume Ibrahim , Bazira Joel
Published: June 2021

Uganda is among the 22 countries in the world with a high burden of tuberculosis. The southwestern region of the country has consistently registered a high TB/HIV incidence rate. This study is aimed at characterizing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) genotypic diversity in southwestern Uganda. A total of 283 sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were genotyped using specific single nucleotide polymorphism markers for lineages 3 and 4. Most of the patients were males with a mean age of 34. The lineage 4 Ugandan family was found to be the most dominant strains accounting for 59.7% of all cases followed by lineage 3 at 15.2%. The lineage 4 non-Ugandan family accounted for 14.5% of all cases while 4.2% showed amplification for both lineage 4 and lineage 3. Eighteen samples (6.4%) of the strains remained unclassified since they could not be matched to any lineage based on the genotyping technique used. This study demonstrates that a wide diversity of strains is causing pulmonary tuberculosis in this region with those belonging to the lineage 4 Ugandan family being more predominant. However, to confirm this, further studies using more discriminative genotyping methods are necessary.
Effect of Model Parameters on the Biomechanical Behavior of the Finite Element Cervical Spine Model
Authors: Dogru Suzan Cansel , Arslan Yunus Ziya
Published: June 2021

Finite element (FE) models have frequently been used to analyze spine biomechanics. Material parameters assigned to FE spine models are generally uncertain, and their effect on the characterization of the spinal components is not clear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of model parameters on the range of motion, stress, and strain responses of a FE cervical spine model. To do so, we created a computed tomography-based FE model that consisted of C2-C3 vertebrae, intervertebral disc, facet joints, and ligaments. A total of 32 FE analyses were carried out for two different elastic modulus equations and four different bone layer numbers under four different loading conditions. We evaluated the effects of elastic modulus equations and layer number on the biomechanical behavior of the FE spine model by taking the range of angular motion, stress, and strain responses into account. We found that the angular motions of the one- and two-layer models had a greater variation than those in the models with four and eight layers. The angular motions obtained for the four- and eight-layer models were almost the same, indicating that the use of a four-layer model would be sufficient to achieve a stress value converging to a certain level as the number of layers increases. We also observed that the equation proposed by Gupta and Dan (2004) agreed well with the experimental angular motion data. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute to the determination of the model parameters used in FE spine models.