bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and photoluminescence of Si-doped boron carbide nanobelts
Authors: Fo Shaotong , Wang Zhuo , Fan Xiaoyong , Wu Wen-Wen
Published: September 2021

It is of great interest to synthesize boron carbide nanomaterials and explore their novel properties. We reported the synthesis of belt-like Si-doped boron carbide nanomaterials at a low temperature of 1500 °C with no catalyst. The structures and formation mechanism were investigated. Broad photoluminescence spectra between 400 and 500 nm were observed under 380 nm light excitation. The mechanism of the blue shift of the as-received samples in comparison with the reported boron carbide nanostructured materials is discussed.
Development and verification of winter traffic hazard models for the Alberta highway network
Authors: Roh Hyuk-Jae
Published: September 2021

This paper develops a weather traffic model and verifies its validity through temporal transferability within the context of the Alberta highway network. This research used traffic data and weather data collected at four weigh-in-motion (WIM) sites and weather stations for five years to develop models for two-vehicle classes. We collected an additional year of traffic data from the exact four WIM locations to conduct a temporal transferability test. We evaluated the estimation accuracy resulting from the temporal transferability by measuring the value of R2and the magnitude of five error measures. All in all, the developed models were transferred successfully to a different year. The study results reveal that different structural types of models could be better suitable for each vehicle type at other road functions.
Some co-tame automorphisms of affine spaces
Authors: Liu Dayan , Liu Fumei , Sun Xiaosong
Published: September 2021

The investigation of co-tame automorphisms of the affine space [Formula: see text] is helpful to understand the structure of its automorphisms group. In this paper, we show the co-tameness of several classes of automorphisms, including some 3-parabolic automorphisms, power-linear automorphisms, homogeneous automorphisms in small dimension or small transcendence degree. We also classify all additive-nilpotent automorphisms in dimension four and show that they are co-tame.
Can a tensorial analogue of gravitational force explain away the galactic rotation curves without dark matter?
Authors: Vishwakarma Ram Gopal
Published: September 2021

The dark matter problem is one of the most pressing problems in modern physics. As there is no well-established claim from a direct detection experiment supporting the existence of the illusive dark matter that has been postulated to explain the flat rotation curves of galaxies, and since the whole issue of an alternative theory of gravity remains controversial, it may be worth to reconsider the familiar ground of general relativity (GR) itself for a possible way out.

It has recently been discovered that a skew-symmetric rank-three tensor field — the Lanczos tensor field — that generates the Weyl tensor differentially, provides a proper relativistic analogue of the Newtonian gravitational force. By taking account of its conformal invariance, the Lanczos tensor leads to a modified acceleration law which can explain, within the framework of GR itself, the flat rotation curves of galaxies without the need for any dark matter whatsoever.
The Joint Impact of R&D and ICT on Innovation in Japanese Innovative SMEs by Panel Data Analysis Based on Firm-Level Survey Data
Authors: Shigeno Hidenori , Bunno Teruyuki , Ueki Yasushi , Taher Sheikh Abu , Tsuji Masatsugu
Published: September 2021

This study examines R&D and information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the innovation process, and how these two are integrated with each other for innovation by panel data analysis. The surveys were conducted in February 2012 and March 2017. The number of innovations is taken as an outcome variable, while explanatory variables related to R&D and ICTs were extracted from related questions by factor analysis. The fixed effect robust model with an instrumental variable is estimated, since the error term may contain heteroscedasticity. R&D autonomy and the cross-term of R&D autonomy and ICTs are significant, indicating that ICTs contribute to innovation via R&D autonomy.
Total double Roman domination numbers in digraphs
Authors: Amjadi J. , Pourhosseini F.
Published: September 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite and simple digraph with vertex set [Formula: see text]. A double Roman dominating function (DRDF) on digraph [Formula: see text] is a function [Formula: see text] such that every vertex with label 0 has an in-neighbor with label 3 or two in-neighbors with label 2 and every vertex with label 1 have at least one in-neighbor with label at least 2. The weight of a DRDF [Formula: see text] is the value [Formula: see text]. A DRDF [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] with no isolated vertex is called a total double Roman dominating function if the subgraph of [Formula: see text] induced by the set [Formula: see text] has no isolated vertex. In this paper, we initiate the study of the total double Roman domination number in digraphs and show its relationship to other domination parameters. In particular, we present some bounds for the total double Roman domination number and we determine the total double Roman domination number of some classes of digraphs.
Fertility Preservation Programme in a Tertiary-Assisted Reproduction Unit in Hong Kong
Authors: Ko Jennifer K. Y. , Lam Kevin K.W. , Cheng Heidi H.Y. , Lui Man Wa , Yung Sofie S.F. , Li Raymond H.W. , Lau Estella Y.L. , Ho Pak Chung , Yeung William S.B. , Ng Ernest H.Y.
Published: September 2021

Background: Fertility preservation is increasingly important with improving cancer survival rates and the delay in childbearing in modern societies. The objective of our study was to review the experience of the fertility preservation programme in a tertiary-assisted reproduction unit in Hong Kong.

Methods: This is a retrospective study involving men and women who were seen at a tertiary-assisted reproduction unit for fertility preservation counselling before gonadotoxic treatment from January 2005 to December 2020. Their medical records in paper and electronic forms were reviewed.

Results: There were 75 consultations for female fertility preservation from 2010 to 2020 involving 72 women. Twenty women underwent 22 cycles of ovarian stimulation for oocyte or embryo cryopreservation, two of whom subsequently transported their oocytes abroad for further management and another two achieved natural conception. Additional four women who did not have oocyte or embryo cryopreservation achieved natural conception after cancer treatment. Eleven (15.2%) women were followed up at a reproductive endocrinology clinic after their cancer treatment. From 2005 to 2020, 265 men had sperm cryopreserved. Twenty-six (9.8%) came back to use the cryopreserved sperms, the wives of 13 (50.0%) of whom achieved an on-going pregnancy. Six of them transferred out and 40 discarded the cryopreserved sperms.

Conclusions: There was generally an increasing number of patient consultations for fertility preservation in our Centre over the past decade but a consistently low rate of utilisation of cryopreserved gametes for both women and men. Post-cancer treatment fertility evaluation and monitoring was a major area of deficiency in Hong Kong. More structured post-cancer treatment fertility follow-up is needed.
Jurassic–Cretaceous arc magmatism along the Shyok–Bangong Suture of NW Himalaya: formation of the peri-Gondwana basement to the Ladakh Arc
Authors: Saktura Wanchese M. , Buckman Solomon , Nutman Allen P. , Zhou Renjie
Published: September 2021

The Jurassic–Cretaceous Tsoltak Formation of the eastern borderlands of Ladakh Himalaya consists of conglomerates, sandstones and shales, and is intruded by norite sills. It is the oldest sequence of continent-derived sedimentary rocks within the Shyok Suture. It also represents a rare outcrop of the basement rocks to the voluminous Late Cretaceous–Eocene Ladakh Batholith. The Shyok Formation is a younger sequence of volcaniclastic rocks that overlie the Tsoltak Formation and record the Late Cretaceous closure of the Mesotethys Ocean. The petrogenesis of these formations, ophiolite-related harzburgites and norite sill is investigated through petrography, whole-rock geochemistry and U–Pb zircon geochronology. The youngest detrital zircon grains from the Tsoltak Formation indicate an Early Cretaceous maximum depositional age and a distinctly Gondwanan, Lhasa microcontinent-related provenance with no Eurasian input. The Shyok Formation has a Late Cretaceous maximum depositional age and displays a distinct change in provenance to igneous detritus characteristic of the Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatic arc along the southern margin of Eurasia. This is interpreted as a sign of collision of the Lhasa microcontinent and the Shyok ophiolite with Eurasia along the once continuous Shyok–Bangong Suture. The accreted terranes became the new southernmost margin of Eurasia and the basement to the Trans-Himalayan Batholith associated with the India–Eurasia convergence.

Supplementary material: Supplementary figures and Tables S1–S3 are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5633162
Machine learning applied to pore-space geometry in sandstones: a tool for evaluating grain-scale similarity?
Authors: Hall Alexander , Gillespie Martin , Everett Paul , Christodoulou Vyron , Walsh Jo
Published: September 2021

The ability to identify similar sandstones to a given sample is important where the provenance of the sample is unknown or the quarry of origin is no longer in operation. In the case of building stones from heritage buildings in protected areas, it may be mandatory. Here, a proof of concept for an automated similarity measure is presented by means of a convolutional autoencoder that is able to extract features from a sample thin section and use these features to identify the most similar sample in an existing image library. The approach considers only the shape of the pore space between grains, as, if the pore space alone contains enough information to distinguish between samples, the required image pre-processing and training of a model is greatly simplified. The trained model is able to predict correctly the progenitor quarry of a thin section, from an eight-class dataset of Scottish sandstones, with an accuracy of 47.9%. This prototype, although insufficient for commercial purposes, forms a benchmark for future models against which improvements can be assessed and some of which are suggested.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Digitization and Digitalization in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/digitization-and-digitalization-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology
Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Invasive Longlegged Ant,Anoplolepis gracilipes
Authors: Lee Chow-Yang , Yang Chin-Cheng Scotty
Published: September 2021

The longlegged ant ( Anoplolepis gracilipes) is one of the most damaging invasive tramp ants globally. It is generally found between latitudes 27°N and 27°S in Asia, although it has been introduced to other continents. Its native range remains debatable, but it is believed to be in Southeast Asia. Anoplolepis gracilipes invasion has many serious ecological consequences, especially for native invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant communities, altering ecosystem dynamics and functions. We examine and synthesize the literature about this species’ origin and distribution, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, biology and ecology, chemical control, and potential biocontrol agents. We highlight emerging research needs on the origin and invasion history of this species, its reproductive mode, its relationship with myrmecophiles, and its host–microbial interactions, and we discuss future research directions.
I Am Here: It Took a Global Village
Authors: Agbandje-McKenna Mavis
Published: September 2021

The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” has never been truer than in my case. This autobiographical article documents my growing up and working on three different continents and my influencers along the way. Born in a village in Nigeria, West Africa, I spent the first 12 years of life with my grandmother living in a mud house and attending a village primary school. I walked barefoot to school every day, learned to read, and wrote on a chalk slate. At the age of 13, I moved to my second “village,” London, England. In secondary school my love of science began to blossom. I attained a double major in chemistry and human biology from the University of Hertfordshire and a PhD in biophysics from the University of London, with a research project aimed at designing anticancer agents. I was mentored by Terence Jenkins and Stephen Neidle. For my postdoctoral training, I crossed the ocean again, to the United States, my third “village.” In Michael Rossmann's group at Purdue University, my love for viruses was ignited. My independent career in structural virology began at Warwick University, England, working on pathogenic single-stranded DNA packaging viruses. In 2020, I am a full professor at the University of Florida. Most of my research is focused on the adeno-associated viruses, gene delivery vectors. My list of mentors has grown and includes Nick Muzyczka. Here, the mentee has become the mentor, and along the way, we attained a number of firsts in the field of structural virology and contributed to the field at the national and international stages.
Development of Bed Linen Performance Index
Authors: Dubale Messay , Ejegu Hermela , Mamuye Wondwossen , Addis Solomon
Published: September 2021

In order to develop the performance of the bed linen index objectively, the first seven properties of the fabric are selected by twenty-four experts subjectively, and these experts also give the weight for each property according to the necessity. These properties are total hand value (THV), moisture management, abrasion resistance, air permeability, wrinkle recovery, thermal resistance, and drape of fabric. After selecting the properties and the weight for each characteristic, an integrated index for bed linen performance value is developed. Before directly using the value of each property into the equation, normalization of data should be done to shrink the range of the data such that the range is fixed between 1 and 5. The correlation between subjective and objective evaluations was very high (r = 0.82). This indicates that the bed linen performance index could be estimated as well.
Chromatographic Fingerprinting Based on Column Switching Technology for Quality Evaluation of Tianmeng Oral Liquid
Authors: Yuan Meng , Liu Xiaoyan , Sun Yue , Wang Linlin , Jin Pian , Zhuang Xiaoqi , Zang Hengchang , Zhang Zhonghu , Nie Lei
Published: September 2021

Separation power was limited when the conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting method based on a single column was used to analyze very complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations. In this research, a novel HPLC fingerprinting method based on column switching technology by using a single pump was established for evaluating the quality of Tianmeng oral liquid (TMOL). Twelve batches of TMOL samples were used for constructing HPLC fingerprints. Compared with the 16 common peaks in fingerprinting with a single column, 25 common peaks were achieved with two columns connected through a six-way valve. The similarity analysis combined with bootstrap method was applied to determine the similarity threshold, which was 0.992 to distinguish expired samples and unexpired samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were also applied to classify the TMOL samples, and results revealed that expired and unexpired samples are classified into two categories. The HPLC fingerprinting based on column switching technology with better separation power and higher peak capacity could characterize chemical composition information more comprehensively, providing an effective and alternative method to control and evaluate the quality of TMOL, which would offer a valuable reference for other TCM preparations.
[Retracted] Research on Information Visualization Graphic Design Teaching Based on DBN Algorithm
Authors: Xue Manjun
Published: September 2021

With the advent of the era of big data, how to quickly obtain effective information and efficiently disseminate information technology has become the most popular topic. Studies have shown that the ability of the human brain to process data and information is unmatched by machines, and the processing of graphics is tens of thousands of times faster than that of words. Based on the deep belief network (DBN) algorithm, this paper studies the technology of information visualization graphic design teaching application. Firstly, the structure of the deep belief network is analysed to explore its technical application in graphic information reconstruction. It is concluded that the DBN algorithm can be used to deal with the problems of classification, regression, dimension calculation, feature point acquisition, accuracy calculation, and so on in machine learning training. Then, the deformation technology of graphic local design is studied based on the DBN algorithm to construct the visual teaching platform and analyse the technical research results of this algorithm in information graphic design. The results show that the DBN algorithm can quickly solve the problem of processing complex features in graphics, change the local deformation design of the original graphics to form new feature point data and add it to the teaching platform, and improve the ability of model fast learning and training, optimizing the operation efficiency of the teaching platform.
Global Adaptive Consensus Control for Multiagent Systems with Predefined Accuracy
Authors: Zhang Chunsheng , Wu Jian
Published: September 2021

This paper addresses a consensus problem for uncertain nonlinear multiagent systems with predefined precision under disturbance. By employing the neural networks method and backstepping technique, adaptive controllers for each agent are created. In contrast to the exiting global control methods for multiagent systems, global precision consensus control scheme is first put forward. Moreover, by using three nth‐order continuous differentiable functions, adaptive tuning laws and virtual controllers and the real controller are designed. It is proved that the presented method can ensure that all signals are globally bounded and systems can be consistent with a given accuracy under disturbance. Finally, a practical simulation verifies the correctness for the devised control protocol.
Using Artificial Intelligence for the Construction of University Physical Training and Teaching Systems
Authors: Li Liang , Zhang Lu , Zhang Su
Published: September 2021

The combination of education and artificial intelligence is the developmental direction of future educational systems. Through the participation of artificial intelligence, an educational system with sensibility and computer rationality can be created. Albeit the advantages and importance of this education system are beyond doubt, nevertheless, at present, the combination of artificial intelligence and education is still in its infancy. This is because the theoretical application, equipment research, and development are neither perfect nor up to the required standard. The research points out the reality that artificial intelligence technology has been widely used in sports and analyzes the specific application of artificial intelligence in sports. In this paper, the knowledge of artificial intelligence is combined with the physical training and teaching in colleges and universities, and an educational system is developed to guide teachers' and students’ training, which improves the teaching quality and training efficiency.
A Novel S100 Family-Based Signature Associated with Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment in Glioma
Authors: Hu Yifang , Song Jiahang , Wang Zhen , Kan Jingbao , Ge Yaoqi , Wang Dan , Zhang Rihua , Zhang Wensong , Liu Yun
Published: September 2021

Background. Glioma is the most common central nervous system (CNS) cancer with a short survival period and a poor prognosis. The S100 family gene, comprising 25 members, relates to diverse biological processes of human malignancies. Nonetheless, the significance of S100 genes in predicting the prognosis of glioma remains largely unclear. We aimed to build an S100 family-based signature for glioma prognosis. Methods. We downloaded 665 and 313 glioma patients, respectively, from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database with RNAseq data and clinical information. This study established a prognostic signature based on the S100 family genes through multivariate COX and LASSO regression. The Kaplan–Meier curve was plotted to compare overall survival (OS) among groups, whereas Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate model accuracy. A representative gene S100B was further verified by in vitro experiments. Results. An S100 family-based signature comprising 5 genes was constructed to predict the glioma that stratified TCGA-derived cases as a low- or high-risk group, whereas the significance of prognosis was verified based on CGGA-derived cases. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the high-risk group was associated with the dismal prognosis. Furthermore, the S100 family-based signature was proved to be closely related to immune microenvironment. In vitro analysis showed S100B gene in the signature promoted glioblastoma (GBM) cell proliferation and migration. Conclusions. We constructed and verified a novel S100 family-based signature associated with tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which may shed novel light on the glioma diagnosis and treatment.
Predicting Fluid Properties in the MUFITS Reservoir Simulator with User-Supplied Modules
Authors: Afanasyev Andrey , Utkin Ivan
Published: September 2021

We present a recent development of the MUFITS reservoir simulator aiming at modelling the transport of fluids whose properties and phase equilibria are calculated in a user-supplied external shared library. Both the explicit correlations and tabulated data for the fluid parameters can be implemented in the library that we name the EoS-module (Equation of State-module). An iterative approach—which, for example, is based on the phase equilibria calculation through the Gibbs energy minimisation (GEM) method, can also be used in the EoS-module. A considerable effort has been undertaken to minimise the number of program procedures exported by the shared library. This should facilitate and ease the usage of the developed software extension by the scientific community. Furthermore, we supplement the article with the source code of two simple EoS-modules that can serve as templates in other modelling and software development efforts. The EoS-modules are also useful for coupling MUFITS with other elaborate software for fluid property prediction. To demonstrate such a possibility, we supplement the article with the source code of a more complicated EoS-module that couples MUFITS with the geochemical code GEMS3K. This module is used in a simple 1-D benchmark study showing the capabilities of MUFITS for modelling reactive transport in porous media.
Morning Peak-Period Pricing Surcharge of Elderly Passengers Taking Express Buses
Authors: Chen Jingxu , He Chengxin , Yu Xinlian , Chen Wendong
Published: September 2021

This study deals with the elderly fare pricing issue for taking express buses in the morning peak period. As many elderly passengers are not commuters, fare discount policy may not be an opportune option when buses get overcrowded. Imposing surcharge on the elderly becomes a potentially beneficial measure that encourages an appropriate number of elderly passengers to circumvent the most crowded buses. The elderly pricing surcharge problem is formulated as a bilevel model, in which the upper-level model is to make the pricing surcharge decision, and the lower-level model is the equilibrium passenger assignment that represents passengers’ bus choice behavior. It is classified into the special case and the generic case depending on the number of buses that impose surcharge. Several useful properties of two cases are analyzed, and a trial-and-error solution method is later developed to solve these two cases. Numerical experiments show that the elderly pricing surcharge scheme is not always applicable to all the demand scenarios, which owns a certain effective interval.
National Health-Oriented Hazard Assessment in Iran Based on the First Priority for Action in Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
Authors: Khankeh Hamidreza , Akbari Shahrestanaki Yousof , Bahrampouri Saiedeh , Beyramijam Mehdi
Published: September 2021

Background. Understanding disaster risk is the first priority for action based on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR), and hazard assessment is the first step in the assessment of disaster risks. Therefore, assessing health-oriented hazards is the first measure in disaster risk assessment in the medical universities area in Iran. This article introduces a national experience and results obtained from designing a national tool for defining and assessment of health-oriented hazards in Iran. Methods. In the present study, a National Health-Oriented Hazard Assessment tool (NHHAT) was developed by experts and implemented by the Iranian Ministry of Health for gathering data according to frequency, probability, magnitude, and vulnerability of the hazards to identify the first ten hazards of medical universities in the two decades ago (2000–2021). Finally, the top 20 health-oriented hazards were identified among the ten hazards reported by each university. Results. According to the findings, the four most important hazards were road traffic accidents, earthquakes, drought, and seasonal floods. Nevertheless, the hazards such as desertification, tunnel events, soil liquefaction, mass population movement, and sea progression were among the rarest ones reported in the medical universities in Iran. Conclusion. Many functional aspects of disaster risk management depend on the realistic and accurate information related to the main elements of risk, especially the probable hazards in the communities. The comprehensive hazard assessment can only provide such information using context-bond tools. This is an applied study and a national implementation to fulfill the priority of the Sendai framework (i.e., understanding disasters risk) in Iran. It is suggested that other countries should also compile standard tools to explore the hazards for designing up-to-date hazard maps.
Social Support as a Mediator of the Relationship between Hope and Decisional Conflict in Patients Deciding Whether to Receive Dialysis
Authors: Hu Ching-Wen , Chang Kuang-Hsi , Hsish Hsiu-Chuan , Chang Hui-Chen , Yu Shu
Published: September 2021

Background. The incidence rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Taiwan is the highest worldwide. Patients often hesitate and feel helpless when deciding whether to receive dialysis. However, the resulting delay in starting dialysis can potentially threaten patients’ lives. Purpose. This study aimed to understand the current situation and correlations between hope, social support, and decisional conflict among patients with ESRD deciding whether to receive dialysis. In addition, the role of social support as a mediating variable of the relationship between hope and decisional conflict was investigated. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive correlation study. Data, including demographic information, were collected from 85 patients with ESRD who were deciding whether to receive dialysis. Research tools included the Chinese versions of the Herth Hope Index, the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, and the Decisional Conflict Scale. Results. When deciding whether to receive dialysis, patients with ESRD felt a low sense of hope, a moderate degree of social support, and a moderate degree of decisional conflict. Hope was significantly correlated with social support and decisional conflict. Social support demonstrated a full mediating effect of 47.7% (

P
<
0.001

). Conclusions. Patients with ESRD facing the decision to receive dialysis felt a low sense of hope and exhibited decisional conflict. Social support was found to be a mediating variable of the relationship between hope and decisional conflict; therefore, medical personnel should increase the social support of patients with ESRD who are deciding whether to commence dialysis to promote patients’ hope and reduce their decisional conflict.
Summary and Evaluation of the Application of Knowledge Graphs in Education 2007–2020
Authors: Mao Yanmei
Published: September 2021

Since 2007, knowledge graphs, an important research tool, have been applied to education and many other disciplines. This paper firstly overviews the application of knowledge graphs in education and then samples the knowledge graph applications in CSSCI- (Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index-) indexed journals in the past two years. These samples were classified and analyzed in terms of research institute, data source, visualization software, and analysis perspective. Next, the situation of knowledge graph applications in education was summarized and evaluated in detail. Furthermore, the authors discussed and assessed the normalization of knowledge graph applications in education. The results show that in the past 15 years, knowledge graphs have been widely used in education. The academia has reached a consensus on the paradigm of the research tool: examining the hotspots, topics, and trends in the related fields from the angles of keyword cooccurrence network (KCN), time zone map, clustering network, and literature/author cocitation, with the aid of CiteSpace and other visualization software and text analysis. However, there is not yet a thorough understanding of the limitations of the visualization software. The relevant research should be improved in terms of scientific level, normalization level, and quality.
An Intriguing Case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in an Adult Patient with Remote Infection with COVID-19 and Acute Chlamydia
Authors: Chandnani Madhuri , Charini William A. , Jha Anil , Dodhia Chetan , Haddad Eduardo
Published: September 2021

Introduction. COVID-19 is associated with a broad range of immune inflammatory phenomena, with different manifestations in adults and children. We describe a case of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in an adult (MIS-A), similar to that described in children (MIS-C), which may have been set off by an unrelated secondary infection. Case. A 27-year-old male patient presented with acute epididymitis secondary to acute Chlamydia infection that progressed to multisystem inflammatory failure with respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, cardiogenic shock with heart failure, and gastrointestinal and renal dysfunction. He tested negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on a nasopharyngeal swab thrice within 4 days of presentation, but positive for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibody signifying remote infection. The patient was treated with tocilizumab and steroids, along with doxycycline for concurrent Chlamydia infection, resulting in dramatic improvement in all organ function. We suspect that C. trachomatis infection in this instance may have triggered an aberrant immune response that was shaped by prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion. We present a case of an adult patient with acute Chlamydia trachomatis infection occurring in the wake of asymptomatic (or at least unrecognized) COVID-19 resulting in MIS-A. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of other such unusual reactions occurring in the aftermath of COVID-19. This case also highlights the importance for clinicians who care for adult patients of being familiar with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children, as an identical syndrome may occur in adult patients.
Drought and Wetness Variability and the Respective Contribution of Temperature and Precipitation in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Lele , Gao Liming
Published: September 2021

Quantifying drought and wetness fluctuations is of great significance to the regional ecological environment and water resource security, especially in the fragile Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). In this paper, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was calculated based on the observed data and China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD) in the QTP for the period of 1979–2015, and the drought and wetness evolution based on the SPEI series and respective contribution of temperature and precipitation were also analyzed. Results indicated that meteorological stations are mainly concentrated in the eastern part of the plateau, which cannot reflect the drought and wetness trend of the whole QTP. The linear trend and Mann–Kendall test revealed that SPEI series calculated based on CMFD data at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 24-month time scales all showed significant upward trend

p
<
0.01

, indicating that the QTP as a whole tended to be wetter. Spatially, the regions with significant drying

p
<
0.1

and increased drought probability were mainly concentrated in the Qaidam Basin and the southern part of the QTP, and the mean contribution rates of temperature and precipitation variability to SPEI trend in these regions were 60% and −11%, respectively. The regions with significant wetting

p
<
0.1

and decreased drought probability were mainly concentrated in the northeast, central, and western parts of the plateau, and the mean contribution rates of temperature and precipitation variability to SPEI trend were −9% and 61% in these regions. From the statistics in different climatic regions, most of the arid and humid regions in the QTP tended to be drier, while the semiarid regions tended to be wetter.
Analysis of the Effect of Intensive Care Based on Lean Nursing Intervention
Authors: Yang Jing , Xu Mingjun , Wang Yili , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: September 2021

In order to improve the effect of intensive care, this paper proposes a lean nursing intervention method and evaluates the lean nursing intervention through a controlled experiment. According to the actual situation of intensive care, this paper starts with the research from several aspects of patients’ ICU nursing time, patients’ satisfaction, patients’ pathological knowledge familiarity, patients’ autonomous nursing, and enthusiasm of patients and their families. Moreover, this paper collects and displays experimental results through mathematical statistics, gives patients lean management concepts and methods based on routine care, and finds that it has good management effects. Thus, lean management concepts and methods can effectively improve the anxiety state of critically ill patients, improve the patient’s knowledge of disease, and reduce adverse nursing events to improve patient nursing satisfaction, which is worthy of further promotion in the clinic.
Diagnosing Spinal Gout: A Rare Case of Back Pain and Fever
Authors: Cordova Sanchez Andres , Bisen Maneesh , Khokhar Farzam , May Adriana , Ben Gabr Jihad
Published: September 2021

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that has a high prevalence worldwide. It is characterized by monosodium urate deposition, usually affecting the joints and soft tissue of the lower extremities. Urate deposition in the axial skeleton resulting in spinal gout is rare. However, it seems to be more prevalent than usually thought, largely because it is underdiagnosed. Imaging findings are, for the most part, nonspecific and often mimic infectious etiologies. Definitive diagnosis requires pathological examination. Thus, it can be easily missed. We present a 41-year-old male with a seven-year history of untreated gout who came in with severe back pain, fevers, and radiculopathy. He was initially diagnosed with vertebral osteomyelitis. However, after a biopsy, spinal gout was confirmed. Spinal gout can be misdiagnosed as vertebral osteomyelitis given the similarities in presentation and imaging findings. This case report highlights the importance of keeping spinal gout as a differential of vertebral osteomyelitis, especially in patients with long-standing or uncontrolled gout with tophi.
[Retracted] An Economic Forecasting Method Based on the LightGBM‐Optimized LSTM and Time‐Series Model
Authors: Lv Jiehua , Wang Chao , Gao Wei , Zhao Qiumin
Published: September 2021

Stock price prediction is very important in financial decision‐making, and it is also the most difficult part of economic forecasting. The factors affecting stock prices are complex and changeable, and stock price fluctuations have a certain degree of randomness. If we can accurately predict stock prices, regulatory authorities can conduct reasonable supervision of the stock market and provide investors with valuable investment decision‐making information. As we know, the LSTM (Long Short‐Term Memory) algorithm is mainly used in large‐scale data mining competitions, but it has not yet been used to predict the stock market. Therefore, this article uses this algorithm to predict the closing price of stocks. As an emerging research field, LSTM is superior to traditional time‐series models and machine learning models and is suitable for stock market analysis and forecasting. However, the general LSTM model has some shortcomings, so this paper designs a LightGBM‐optimized LSTM to realize short‐term stock price forecasting. In order to verify its effectiveness compared with other deep network models such as RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) and GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit), the LightGBM‐LSTM, RNN, and GRU are respectively used to predict the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 indexes. Experimental results show that the LightGBM‐LSTM has the highest prediction accuracy and the best ability to track stock index price trends, and its effect is better than the GRU and RNN algorithms.
LncRNA LINC00662 Exerts an Oncogenic Effect on Osteosarcoma by the miR-16-5p/ITPR1 Axis
Authors: Yu Miao , Lu Weihao , Cao Zhenglin , Xuan Tianhang
Published: September 2021

Background. Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most malignant bone tumors and has a high metastatic rate. Increasing research has demonstrated the vital roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human cancers, including OS. LncRNA LINC00662 has been revealed to act as an oncogene involved in multiple tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, function, and regulatory mechanism of LINC00662 in OS. Methods. Patients who underwent OS surgery were involved in this study. Experiments including RT-qPCR, MTT, western blot, FISH, RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter, colony formation, transwell invasion and migration, and sphere formation assay were performed to investigate the regulatory role of LINC00662 in OS. Results. In the present study, our findings demonstrated the upregulation of LINC00662 expression in OS tissues and cells, and high expression of LINC00662 predicted a poor clinical prognosis of patients’ iNOS. Through a series of in vivo assays, LINC00662 knockdown suppressed OS cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and stemness property maintenance. Further mechanistical investigations indicated that LINC00662 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for sponging microRNA-16-5p (miR-16-5p) to upregulate the expression of IP receptor type 1 (ITPR1) in OS cells. Restoration assays validated the involvement of ITPR1 in LINC00662-mediated regulation of cell functions in OS. Conclusion. LINC00662 exerts oncogenic functions in OS by targeting the miR-16-5p/ITPR1 axis.
EFL Teachers’ Practices and Implementations of Speaking Activities in Ethiopian English Textbooks
Authors: Asfaw Bulbula Dereje , Alemu Bulti Tesfa , Yaya Sada Eyasu
Published: September 2021

Speaking activities are educational procedures used to motivate learners through experience and exposure. Therefore, this research investigated EFL teachers’ practices and implementations of speaking skill activities in the Ethiopian grade 10 English textbooks. To achieve this objective, 72 grade 10 students, using simple random sampling techniques, were selected to fill in a questionnaire, and 4 EFL teachers were taken using comprehensive sampling techniques for classroom observations and interviews. A descriptive case study research design with mixed methods of data collection and analysis was applied. In order to gather relevant data, one-month observations were carried out by the use of a checklist. Next, a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was administered to students. Finally, an interview was also conducted with EFL teachers. The data revealed that EFL teachers rarely present speaking skill activities, and even when they present, they did not motivate students and did not provide clear instructions. Moreover, they mostly used students’ mother tongue (L1) by ignoring the target language, and they were limited only to some common activities and failed to use all or various techniques of presenting speaking skill activities. Therefore, EFL teachers are strongly recommended to follow the four stages of presenting the speaking skill activities.
Fatigue Acetabular Fracture after Lumbopelvic Instrumented Fusion in Elderly
Authors: Korovessis Panagiotis , Tsekouras Vasileios , Korovesis Alkis
Published: September 2021

Purpose. Only several cases of acetabular “fatigue”/insufficiency fractures have been reported in elderly patients with osteoporosis. However, fatigue acetabular fracture below lumbopelvic fixation has not been published. This review reports on the frequency and mechanisms of acetabular fatigue fractures in elderly individuals, including postmenopausal osteoporosis, and presents a case of an acetabular “fatigue” fracture in association with lumbopelvic fusion. Methods. We report on a 71-year-old postmenopausal woman who underwent in our department a L2-pelvis instrumented fusion for failed lumbar decompression and interbody fusion performed in another institution. For at least one year, the patient was receiving antiosteoporotic treatment (Alendronate plus Calcium and Vitamin D) and was fully ambulatory without limping. Eighteen months following our surgery, the patient sought again our department because of increasing pain in her right hip and limping without trauma. Results. The physical examination disclosed painful passive motion in her right hip. The roentgenograms and CT-scans disclosed a transverse acetabular fracture with radiolucencies around both iliac screw tips, particularly the right. Additionally, a severe compression fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebral body and upper endplate of the L2 vertebra was disclosed. We recommended open stabilization of the acetabulum and T12 and L2 vertebrae. Immediately before the planned surgeries, the patient had a serious heart infarct, and thus, surgeries were canceled by the patient’s cardiologist because of the high perioperative risk. The patient and relatives denied further surgeries because of the heart disease. In the final telephone call and CT and roentgenographic evaluation that went to us after request, there was an acetabular pseudarthrosis in the right hip without however associated complaints. Since surgery was not accepted, the patient was prescribed Denosumab injection therapy plus Vitamin and Calcium supplement. Conclusion. This case report emphasizes the significance of follow-up observation of elderly patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis following lumbopelvic fusions, for possible fatigue acetabular and vertebral fractures. The authors speculate that this extremely rare acetabular “fatigue”/insufficiency fracture should be the result of increased repetitive mechanical forces acting around the acetabulum in association with osteoporosis.
Application of Single-Hole Laparoscopy and Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging in Early Endometrial Carcinoma in Special Population
Authors: Zhou Jianqing , Zhu Weili , Zhu Tao , Tang Xuedong
Published: September 2021

Aim. To explore the clinical efficacy of single-hole laparoscopy combined with sentinel lymph node imaging in the treatment of early endometrial carcinoma in a special population. Method. A retrospective analysis was made on the clinicopathological data of 8 patients with early endometrial carcinoma who underwent extra fascial total hysterectomy plus double adnexal resection and pelvic sentinel lymphadenectomy by transumbilical single-hole laparoscopy in Jiaxing Maternal and Child Health Hospital from Apr. 2019 to Apr. 2021. Result. Single-hole laparoscopy and sentinel lymph node imaging were successfully performed in 8 patients with early endometrial carcinoma, and none of them was converted to porous or laparotomy. At the same time, all 8 patients have a high demand for body shape. All FIGO pathological grades were grade I before operation. Operation time is

160.87
±
40.61
 
min

, amount of bleeding is

68.75
±
12.31
 
ml

, the catheter was removed for 2 days, anal exhaust time is

30.13
±
10.99
 
h

, and postoperative hospital stay is

4.00
±
1.07
 
d

. There was no related organ injury during the operation, no case of blood transfusion, or case of poor wound healing. The evaluation of postoperative satisfaction was very satisfactory. Conclusion. The application of single-hole laparoscopy and sentinel lymph node imaging in the treatment of early endometrial carcinoma in the special population should be safe and feasible with high satisfaction.
Determinants of Helminthic Infections and Anemia among Schoolchildren in Bahir Dar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Fetene Yeshimebet , Hailu Tadesse , Yimer Mulat , Alemu Megbaru
Published: September 2021

Background. Soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni are the major helminthic parasites that cause major public health problems among schoolchildren in developing countries. Infection with the above parasites decreases the hemoglobin level of children. However, information regarding the current status of helminthic infections and anemia is limited. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of helminthic infections and anemia among children. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 schoolchildren at Sekelet primary school in northwest Ethiopia, from February to March 2017. Study participants were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were collected and processed via the modified Ritchie’s concentration technique to detect parasites in stool. A HemoCue Hb 201 analyzer was used to determine the hemoglobin level. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 statistical software. Association of helminthic infections and anemia with independent variables was determined using logistic regression analysis. Variables with

P
<
0.05

were considered statistically significant. Results. From the total of 394 participants, 185 (46.9%), 164 (41.6%), and 112 (28.4%) were infected with intestinal parasites, helminths, and STHs, respectively. The prevalence of hookworm and Schistosoma mansoni were 106 (25.6%) and 54 (13.7%), respectively. The prevalence of anemia among the schoolchildren was 278 (70.6%). Anemia was prevalent among 55 (51.9%) hookworm-infected and 19 (35.2%) S. mansoni-infected children. Not wearing shoes and improper utilization of latrine were significantly associated (

P
<
0.05

) with hookworm infection, and frequent swimming in the river was also significantly associated (

P
≤
0.001

) with Schistosoma mansoni infection. Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm infections were also significantly associated (

P
≤
0.001

) with low levels of hemoglobin. Conclusion. Hookworm and Schistosoma mansoni infections and anemia are highly prevalent among schoolchildren. Hookworm and Schistosoma mansoni infections are significantly associated with anemia. Therefore, helminthic detection and hemoglobin determination should be done simultaneously among schoolchildren.