bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of clarithromycin in patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia not receiving oxygen administration: protocol for an exploratory, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial (CAME COVID-19 study)
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuko , Hosogaya Naoki , Sakamoto Noriho , Yoshida Haruo , Ishii Hiroshi , Yatera Kazuhiro , Izumikawa Koichi , Yanagihara Katsunori , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged worldwide. Although several medications have been approved for treating moderate-to-severe COVID-19, very few treatment strategy has been established for patients with mild COVID-19 who do not require oxygen administration. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antimicrobial agent that has been widely used for bacterial respiratory infectious diseases. Clarithromycin also acts an immunomodulating drug and suppresses cytokine storms in viral respiratory diseases, including influenza. In this study, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin in patients with mild COVID-19.

Methods and analysis

This is an exploratory, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial. This study was initiated in May 2021 and will end in July 2022. Patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia who do not require oxygen administration will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to group A (administration of clarithromycin 800 mg/day), group B (administration of clarithromycin 400 mg/day) or group C (standard treatment without clarithromycin). The planned number of enrolled patients is 60 (20 patients × three groups). The primary endpoint is the number of days required to improve the clinical symptoms as measured by the severity score. Secondary endpoints include days for recovery of the body temperature, proportion of patients with oxygen administration, inflammatory cytokines, viral load, serum immunoglobulins, peripheral blood lymphocytes, blood biomarkers and pneumonia infiltrations.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of Nagasaki University in accordance with the Clinical Trials Act in Japan. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the Clinical Trials Act and other current legal regulations in Japan. Written informed consent will be obtained from all the participants. The results of this study will be reported as journal publications.

Trial registration number

jRCTs071210011.
Effectiveness of balance training in patients with chronic ankle instability: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ju , Zhang Di , Zhao Tianyu , Ma Jiang , Jin Song
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Up to 70% of individuals who sustain lateral ankle sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Balance training has been used in patients with CAI, but the evidence for its efficacy is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the short-term (end of the treatment period) and long-term (6 months after treatment) effectiveness of balance training for patients with CAI.

Methods and analysis

We will search PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Ovid, EBSCO-host, Pedro, ClinicalKey, ScienceDirect, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Technology Periodical Database (VIP), WanFang Data and China Biology Medicine for reports of randomised trials of balance training in patients with CAI, from inception to 1 October 2021. The language will be restricted to English and Chinese, and articles will be screened and collected by two reviewers independently. Dynamic balance and functional ankle instability are the primary outcomes of this study. Secondary outcomes include pain, ankle range of motion, ankle strength and health-related quality of life. Review Manager V.5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis, and stratification analysis will be conducted for study quality according to the Jadad score. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be conducted. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess confidence in the cumulative evidence. The protocol follows the Cochrane Handbook for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for literature-based studies. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.
Listen, look, link and learn: a stepwise approach to use narrative quality data within resident-family-nursing staff triads in nursing homes for quality improvements
Authors: Sion Katya Y J , Rutten Johanna E R , Hamers Jan P H , de Vries Erica , Zwakhalen Sandra M G , Odekerken-Schröder Gaby , Schols Jos M G A , Verbeek Hilde
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The use of qualitative data to assess quality of care in nursing homes from the resident’s perspective has shown to be valuable, yet more research is needed to determine how this data can be used to gain insight into the quality of care within nursing homes. Whereas it is crucial to stay close to the stories that are the strength of qualitative data, an intermittent step to classify this data can support the interpretation and use. Therefore, this study introduces an approach that enables the use of narrative quality of care data to learn from and improve with.

Design

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study in which qualitative data were collected with the narrative quality assessment method Connecting Conversations and interpreted for analysis.

Methods

Connecting Conversations was used to collect narrative data about experienced quality of care in nursing homes according to residents, their families and nursing staff (triads). Data analysis consisted of coding positive/negative valences in each transcript.

Findings

A stepwise approach can support the use of narrative quality data consisting of four steps: (1) perform and transcribe the conversations (listen); (2) calculate a valence sore, defined as the mean %-positive within a triad (look); (3) calculate an agreement score, defined as the level of agreement between resident-family-nursing staff (link); and (4) plot scores into a graph for interpretation and learning purposes with agreement score (x-axis) and valence score (y-axis) (learn).

Conclusions

Narrative quality data can be interpreted as a valence and agreement score. These scores need to be related to the raw qualitative data to gain a rich understanding of what is going well and what needs to be improved.
Charter to establish clinical exercise physiology as a recognised allied health profession in the UK: a call to action
Authors: Jones Helen , George Keith P , Scott Andrew , Buckley John P , Watson Paula M , Oxborough David L , Thijssen Dick H , Graves Lee E F , Whyte Greg P , McGregor Gordon , Naylor Louise H , Rosenberg Michael , Askew Christopher D , Green Daniel J
Published: September 2021

The UK population is growing, ageing and becoming increasingly inactive and unfit. Personalised and targeted exercise interventions are beneficial for ageing and the management of chronic and complex conditions. Increasing the uptake of effective exercise and physical activity (PA) interventions is vital to support a healthier society and decrease healthcare costs. Current strategies for exercise and PA at a population level mostly involve self-directed exercise pathways, delivered largely via the fitness industry. Even for those who opt-in and manage to achieve the current recommendations regarding minimum PA, this generic ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach often fails to demonstrate meaningful physiological and health benefits. Personalised exercise prescription and appropriate exercise testing, monitoring and progression of interventions for individuals with chronic disease should be provided by appropriately trained and recognised exercise healthcare professionals, educated in the cognate disciplines of exercise science (eg, physiology, biomechanics, motor control, psychology). This workforce has operated for >20 years in the Australian public and private healthcare systems. Accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) are recognised allied health professionals, with demonstrable health and economic benefits. AEPs have knowledge of the risks and benefits of distinct forms of exercise, skills in the personalised prescription and optimal delivery of exercise, and competencies to support sustained PA behavioural change, based on the established scientific evidence. In this charter, we propose a road map for the training, accreditation and promotion of a clinical exercise physiology profession in the UK.
Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and albumin levels recorded at the first emergency department evaluation: a multicentre retrospective observational study
Authors: Turcato Gianni , Zaboli Arian , Kostic Irena , Melchioretto Barbara , Ciccariello Laura , Zaccaria Eleonora , Olivato Alessia , Maccagnani Antonio , Pfeifer Norbert , Bonora Antonio
Published: September 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum albumin levels in the ED and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study conducted from 15 March 2020 to 5 April 2020 at the EDs of three different hospitals in Italy. Data from 296 patients suffering from COVID-19 consecutively evaluated at EDs at which serum albumin levels were routinely measured on patients’ arrival in the ED were analysed. Albumin levels were measured, and whether these levels were associated with the presence of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection or 30-day survival was determined. Generalised estimating equation models were used to assess the relationship between albumin and study outcomes, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was used to plot the adjusted dose-effect relationship for possible clinical confounding factors.

Results

The mean albumin level recorded on entry was lower in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than in those whose infections were not severe (3.5 g/dL (SD 0.3) vs 4 g/dL (SD 0.5)) and in patients who had died at 30 days post-ED arrival compared with those who were alive at this time point (3.3 g/dL (SD 0.3) vs 3.8 g/dL (SD 0.4)). Albumin <3.5 g/dL was an independent risk factor for both severe infection and death at 30 days, with adjusted odd ratios of 2.924 (1.509–5.664) and 2.615 (1.131–6.051), respectively. RCS analysis indicated that there was an adjusted dose–response association between the albumin values recorded on ED and the risk of severe infection and death.

Conclusion

Albumin levels measured on presentation to the ED may identify patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in whom inflammatory processes are occurring and serve as a potentially useful marker of disease severity and prognosis.
Predicting the formation characteristics of titanium alloy self-locking nuts
Authors: Yang Xin Sheng , Liu Kuan Yu , Zhou Li , Zhu Wei Jin
Published: September 2021

Titanium alloy is important for the aerospace industry because of its high specific strength as well as excellent anti-corrosion and anti-oxidative properties. In this paper, a three-dimensional thermo-mechanical coupled simulation was carried out to predict the formation characteristics of a TC4 titanium alloy self-locking nut during the upset forging process. The stability of the upset-forged material was analyzed, and the influences of initial temperature and deformation velocity on the quality of the formed material were investigated. The results show that if the length:diameter ratio of the sample is less than 3.27, the upset-forged material tends to be stable, so we selected a length:diameter ratio of 2.89. Additionally, the properties of the TC4 self-locking nut improved when the initial temperature was increase, and decreased when the velocity of the upper die was increased. Our results provide a theoretical guidance for the formation of TC4 titanium alloy nuts using upset forging.
Background modeling for dark matter search with 1.7 years of COSINE-100 data
Authors: Adhikari G. , de Souza E. Barbosa , Carlin N. , Choi J. J. , Choi S. , Djamal M. , Ezeribe A. C. , França L. E. , Ha C. , Hahn I. S. , Jeon E. J. , Jo J. H. , Joo H. W. , Kang W. G. , Kauer M. , Kim H. , Kim H. J. , Kim K. W. , Kim S. H. , Kim S. K. , Kim W. K. , Kim Y. D. , Kim Y. H. , Ko Y. J. , Lee E. K. , Lee H. , Lee H. S. , Lee H. Y. , Lee I. S. , Lee J. , Lee J. Y. , Lee M. H. , Lee S. H. , Lee S. M. , Leonard D. S. , Lynch W. A. , Manzato B. B. , Maruyama R. H. , Neal R. J. , Olsen S. L. , Park B. J. , Park H. K. , Park H. S. , Park K. S. , Pitta R. L. C. , Prihtiadi H. , Ra S. J. , Rott C. , Shin K. A. , Scarff A. , Spooner N. J. C. , Thompson W. G. , Yang L. , Yu G. H. ,   COSINE-100 Collaboration
Published: September 2021

We present a background model for dark matter searches using an array of NaI(Tl) crystals in the COSINE-100 experiment that is located in the Yangyang underground laboratory. The model includes background contributions from both internal and external sources, including cosmogenic radionuclides and surface $$^{210}$$

210

Pb contamination. To build the model in the low energy region, with a threshold of 1 keV, we used a depth profile of $$^{210}$$

210

Pb contamination in the surface of the NaI(Tl) crystals determined in a comparison between measured and simulated spectra. We also considered the effect of the energy scale errors propagated from the statistical uncertainties and the nonlinear detector response at low energies. The 1.7 years COSINE-100 data taken between October 21, 2016 and July 18, 2018 were used for this analysis. Our Monte Carlo simulation provides a non-Gaussian peak around 50 keV originating from beta decays of bulk $$^{210}$$

210

Pb in a good agreement with the measured background. This model estimates that the activities of bulk $$^{210}$$

210

Pb and $$^{3}$$

3

H are dominating the background rate that amounts to an average level of $$2.85\pm 0.15$$

2.85
±
0.15

 counts/day/keV/kg in the energy region of (1–6) keV, using COSINE-100 data with a total exposure of 97.7 kg$$\cdot $$
·
years.
Magnetized Reissner–Nordstrom–Taub–NUT spacetime and microscopic entropy
Authors: Siahaan Haryanto M.
Published: September 2021

We present a novel solution describing magnetized spacetime outside an electrically charged massive object equipped with NUT parameter. To get the solution, we employ the Ernst magnetization to the Reissner–Nordstrom–Taub–NUT spacetime as the seed. After discussing some physical aspects of the spacetime, we show that the extremal entropy of a magnetized Reissner–Nordstrom–Taub–NUT black hole can be reproduced by using the Cardy formula.
Accretion disk around a Schwarzschild black hole in asymptotic safety
Authors: Zuluaga Fabián H. , Sánchez Luis A.
Published: September 2021

We study quantum gravity effects on radiation properties of thin accretion disks around a renormalization group improved (RGI-) Schwarzschild black hole. In the infrared (IR) limit of the asymptotically safe theory with higher derivatives, the running Newton couplingG(r) depends on a free parameter which encodes the quantum effects on the spacetime geometry. By varying this parameter, modifications to thermal properties of the disk as the time averaged energy flux, the disk temperature, the differential luminosity, and the conversion efficiency of accreting mass into radiation, are obtained. In addition to a shifting of the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) toward small values, we find an increase of the maximum values of these thermal properties and a greater efficiency than in the classical relativistic regime. We discuss astrophysical applications of these results by using observational data of the stellar-mass black hole candidate LMC X-3. Our findings could, in principle, be used to identify quantum gravity effects through astrophysical observations.
Hysteretic dipolar and quadrupolar properties of the spin-1 Blume–Emery–Griffiths model under pair approximation
Authors: Özüm Songül , Erdem Rıza , Yalçın Orhan , Görgülüer Ömer
Published: September 2021

As a continuation of previously published work [A. Erdinç and M. Keskin, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B 18, 1603 (2004), doi:10.1142/S0217979204024823] the hysteretic properties of magnetization ([Formula: see text]) and quadrupolar moment ([Formula: see text] have been investigated for the spin-1 Blume–Emery–Griffiths model using pair approximation. The magnetic field ([Formula: see text]) dependence of [Formula: see text] is produced for different values of the lattice coordination number ([Formula: see text]), biquadratic interaction ([Formula: see text]) and single-ion anisotropy ([Formula: see text]). The ([Formula: see text]) loops show different and novelty properties when [Formula: see text]. We also observed the hysteresis cycles in the ([Formula: see text], ([Formula: see text] and ([Formula: see text]) planes. These curves strongly depend on biquadratic interaction [Formula: see text]. Our results are found to be in good agreement with the other theoretical findings.
Investigating seepage paths at the Golfaraj earthen dam, NW Iran
Authors: Saberi Mehr Sadegh , Field Malcolm S.
Published: September 2021

An investigation of seepage was conducted at the Golfaraj Reservoir Dam with a particular emphasis on determining the seepage areas based on regional and site-specific hydrogeological studies. The primary goal of the investigation was to develop strategies intended to minimize dam and reservoir seepage. Leakage from the reservoir is a serious problem and of considerable concern to the local populace. Substantial reduction of seepage from the Golfaraj Reservoir Dam is the ultimate goal of the investigations conducted. The Golfaraj Reservoir Dam, located in the East Azerbaijan province, NW Iran, was built to provide water for agricultural and industrial needs in the Golfaraj plain and neighbouring lands. The Golfaraj Reservoir was constructed through the Miocene Upper Red Formation, which consists of sequences of sandstone, mudstone, conglomerate and gypsiferous marl. Following reservoir filling, seepage of water into adjacent formations was found to occur at an estimated rate of 70 l s
−1
. After reservoir impoundment, groundwater levels in Shahmar village, 2 km downstream and just north of the dam axis, rose and land surfaces became abnormally wet. Lugeon values in some boreholes drilled around the Golfaraj Dam before and after dam construction were high enough to indicate that the dam base had sufficient permeability to allow water to escape by underflow. Twenty-four Casagrande piezometers installed around the dam axis at four sectors provided additional information on seepage pathways through the dam body and underneath or through the cutoff wall. Water-level variations in the Casagrande piezometers confirmed the seepage routes. Study results showed that reservoir water is likely to seep through the reservoir bottom, and beneath and through the cutoff wall. The west side of the dam and near the reservoir reflected water-level rises in accordance with the rise in reservoir-water level. Seepage in this area is probably due to its proximity to the Golfaraj Reservoir. Hydrogeochemical analyses further suggest that the water source at the Shahmar Drain,
c
. 1800 m north of the Golfaraj Dam, cannot be from the east or west embankments of the dam because the electrical conductivity in the Shahmar Drain water approximates to the electrical conductivity of the Golfaraj Reservoir water and is lower than the electrical conductivity of groundwater in some of boreholes. Potential future seepage mitigation measures will focus on methods to seal the reservoir floor and cutoff wall sections I2–I2 and I3–I3, although some efforts may be directed at the west side of the dam. Such measures could take the form of the installation of a geomembrane barrier over the west side of the dam, concrete cutoff walls downstream of the dam and pumping wells to intercept seepage.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Sustainability in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/sustainability-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology
Designing technology that promotes users' digital wellbeing
Authors: Roffarello Alberto Monge , De Russis Luigi
Published: September 2021

Existing tools for digital self-control strongly rely on users' self-regulation strategies and capabilities. Recent work, however, highlights the importance of proactively assisting users in learning how to use technology through customizable and adaptable interventions.
The role of online communities in supporting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Qu Chengcheng , Zhang Renwen
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on billions of lives, with online communities playing an active part in supporting people's mental health.
Flow and Drop Transport Along Liquid-Infused Surfaces
Authors: Hardt Steffen , McHale Glen
Published: September 2021

Liquid-infused surfaces (LISs) are composite solid–liquid surfaces with remarkable features such as liquid repellency, self-healing, and the suppression of fouling. This review focuses on the fluid mechanics on LISs, that is, the interaction of surfaces with a flow field and the behavior of drops on such surfaces. LISs can be characterized by an effective slip length that is closely related to their drag reduction property, which makes them suitable for several applications, especially for turbulent flows. Drag reduction, however, is compromised by failure mechanisms such as the drainage of lubricant from surface textures. The flow field can also sculpt the lubricant layer in a coupled self-organization process. For drops, the lubricant reduces drop pinning and increases drop mobility, but also results in a wetting ridge and the associated concept of an apparent contact angle. Design of LIS wettability and topography can induce low-friction drop motion, and drops can dynamically shape the lubricant ridges and film thickness.
The Search for Feebly Interacting Particles
Authors: Lanfranchi Gaia , Pospelov Maxim , Schuster Philip
Published: September 2021

At the dawn of a new decade, particle physics faces the challenge of explaining the mystery of dark matter, the origin of matter over antimatter in the Universe, the apparent fine-tuning of the electroweak scale, and many other aspects of fundamental physics. Perhaps the most striking frontier to emerge in the search for answers involves New Physics at mass scales comparable to that of familiar matter—below the GeV scale but with very feeble interaction strength. New theoretical ideas to address dark matter and other fundamental questions predict such feebly interacting particles (FIPs) at these scales, and existing data may even provide hints of this possibility. Emboldened by the lessons of the LHC, a vibrant experimental program to discover such physics is underway, guided by a systematic theoretical approach that is firmly grounded in the underlying principles of the Standard Model. We give an overview of these efforts, their motivations, and the decadal goals that animate the community involved in the search for FIPs, and we focus in particular on accelerator-based experiments.
Paving Luteolin Therapeutic Potentialities and Agro‐Food‐Pharma Applications: Emphasis on In Vivo Pharmacological Effects and Bioavailability Traits
Authors: Taheri Yasaman , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Antika Gizem , Yılmaz Yakup Berkay , Tumer Tugba Boyunegmez , Abuhamdah Sawsan , Chandra Subhash , Saklani Sarla , Kılıç Ceyda Sibel , Sestito Simona , Daştan Sevgi Durna , Kumar Manoj , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Rapposelli Simona , Cruz-Martins Natália , Cho William C.
Published: September 2021

Luteolin is a naturally occurring secondary metabolite belonging to the class of flavones. As many other natural flavonoids, it is often found in combination with glycosides in many fruits, vegetables, and plants, contributing to their biological and pharmacological value. Many preclinical studies report that luteolin present excellent antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiviral, and anti‐inflammatory effects, and as a consequence, various clinical trials have been designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of luteolin in humans. However, luteolin has a very limited bioavailability, which consequently affects its biological properties and efficacy. Several drug delivery strategies have been developed to raise its bioavailability, with nanoformulations and lipid carriers, such as liposomes, being the most intensively explored. Pharmacological potential of luteolin in various disorders has also been underlined, but to some of them, the exact mechanism is still poorly understood. Given the great potential of this natural antioxidant in health, this review is aimed at providing an extensive overview on the in vivo pharmacological action of luteolin and at stressing the main features related to its bioavailability, absorption, and metabolism, while essential steps determine its absolute health benefits and safety profiles. In addition, despite the scarcity of studies on luteolin bioavailability, the different drug delivery formulations developed to increase its bioavailability are also listed here.
Failure Fraction Calculation of the TRISO-Coated Particle Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Zhu Libing , Zhao Jianxun , Xiang Xincheng , Zhou Yu , Wang Xiangang
Published: September 2021

The geometrical shape of the TRISO-coated particle is closely related to its performance and safety. In this paper, models were set up to study the failure fraction of TRISO particle, considering the real asphericity induced by manufacturing uncertainties. TRISO is simplified as a pressure vessel model, and micro X-ray CT was employed to detect the real geometrical shape. Key geometrical parameters, thickness and volume of the real particle, were then obtained with the 3D measurement method and input into PANAMA code (a German code for fuel performance simulation). Release fraction of fission gas and failure fraction of the TRISO-coated particle were revised with the aforementioned parameters with more accuracy and compared with those of the spherical particle. Obvious increment of failure fraction of the particle is found, which may contribute to the release of fission products.
Analyzing Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources for Environmental Quality: Dynamic Investigation in Developing Countries
Authors: Khan Itbar , Han Lei , Khan Hayat , Kim Oanh Le Thi
Published: September 2021

Most of developing countries are facing environmental degradation challenges as these countries use energy from fossil fuels to enhance economic activities and that leads to environmental degradation. The use of renewable energy is required to mitigate environmental degradation; however, developing countries may not yet have reached the desired level to acquire renewable energy. It is important for developing countries to make polices to shift from nonrenewable energy to renewable energy use to protect environmental quality. In this regard, the importance of different energy sources and financial development in enhancing environmental quality in 21 developing countries is examined from 1970 to 2018. The study employed dynamic estimator, and the results indicate that the sources of renewable energy enhance environmental quality as compared to nonrenewable energy and its sources. Financial development also lowers environmental quality in our results. The study recommends reducing carbon emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuel energy and acquiring new technologies, attracting foreign investors in clean energy that provide clean technologies for green production, and investing in renewable energy sources to evade nonrenewable energy. Policy makers should adopt environmentally-friendly strategies and equipment to protect environmental quality, while striving for achieving economic growth.
Study on the Mechanical Behavior and Acoustic Emission Properties of Granite under Triaxial Compression
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Liu Pengfei , Fan Junqi , Zhang Hengyuan
Published: September 2021

To study the rock mechanical behaviors and damage process mechanism of granite samples under triaxial stress, conventional triaxial compression tests were carried out on an RMT-150B rock mechanics testing machine and acoustic emission detector. The test results show that the strength of the granite sample has a good linear relationship with the confining pressure, the cohesion force

c

of the granite samples is 29.37 MPa, and the internal friction angle is 54.23° by calculation based on the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion. The larger the initial confining pressure of the rock sample is, the larger the crack initiation stress (

σ

ci

) and dilatancy stress (

σ

cd

) of the granite specimen are, the larger the energy values at the crack initiation point and dilatancy point are, and the larger the peak energy storage and energy release rate at the failure are. In the case of a small initial confining pressure, the AE ringdowning counts and the cumulative AE ringing counts increase to their maximum instantaneously at the peak stress point, and the damage of the sample develops rapidly. While the initial confining pressure is high, the AE ringing counts and the cumulative AE ringing counts of the granite specimens increase evenly, and the deformation damage of the granite specimens is slow. Before the crack initiation point, AE signals are mainly low-energy and low-frequency friction-type AE events, while after the dilatation point, AE signals of samples are mainly high-frequency and high-energy fracture-type AE events. The failure mode of granite samples judged by acoustic emission parameters according to the distribution of characteristic values of AE parameters RA and AF is consistent with the reality. The AE

b

value of the granite sample is large when the confining pressure is low, and there will be a sudden drop, the decrease time is late, and the decrease rate is large. Under the same stress level, the larger the confining pressure is, the larger the damage variable

D

is.
MN-PGSOR Method for Solving Nonlinear Systems with Block Two-by-Two Complex Symmetric Jacobian Matrices
Authors: Feng Yu-Ye , Wu Qing-Biao
Published: September 2021

For solving the large sparse linear systems with

2
×
2

block structure, the generalized successive overrelaxation (GSOR) iteration method is an efficient iteration method. Based on the GSOR method, the PGSOR method introduces a preconditioned matrix with a new parameter for the coefficient matrix which can enhance the efficiency. To solve the nonlinear systems in which the Jacobian matrices are complex and symmetric with the block two-by-two form, we try to use the PGSOR method as an inner iteration, with the help of the modified Newton method as an efficient outer iteration method. This new method is called the modified Newton-PGSOR (MN-PGSOR) method. Local convergence properties of the MN-PGSOR are analyzed under the Hölder condition. Finally, we give the comparison of our new method with some previous methods in the numerical results. The MN-PGSOR method is superior in both iteration steps and computing time.
Artificial Intelligence System for College Students’ Physical Fitness and Health Management Based on Physical Measurement Big Data
Authors: Ai Li
Published: September 2021

Most of the current health management products are used in medical institutions and generally do not pay enough attention to the student population. Based on this, this paper designs a student‐oriented and functional autonomous health management system. This paper proposes a personal health management system based on a multidimensional data model based on the main social characteristics of the population with chronic diseases and the actual needs of personal health management for chronic diseases. The value of various health data for health management is deeply analyzed and mined, and a multidimensional model data warehouse is constructed according to relevant national health data standards to create a standard data platform for intelligent health warning and disease risk assessment. This paper researches and designs a closed‐loop personal health management method based on the Plan‐Do‐Check‐Action (PDCA) cycle management model, with detailed functional design in four aspects: health data collection and recording, health assessment, health planning, and tracking and execution. This paper researches health data collection, processing, and storage technologies and adopts HDFS data storage technology, html, css, Java Script, java, and other software development technologies, combined with j Query, UEditor, Date Range Picker, and other plug‐ins, as well as SMS email generation interface, wireless Bluetooth transmission interface, etc. This system web and mobile application platforms are designed and developed. Relational database is used as the system database, and a snowflake‐type multidimensional data model is designed. Finally, the functions and performance of this system were tested, and the development and trial run of the basic version have been completed.
Application of Primary/Secondary Circulating Tumor Cells for the Prediction of Biochemical Recurrence in Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer Patients following Radical Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Cao Liang , Hao Peng , Lin Dong , Li Yangming , Hu Tinghui , Cai Tao , Cui Shu , Wu Tao
Published: September 2021

Background. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been regarded as an independent prognostic marker for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Its prognostic value, however, in nonmetastatic prostate cancer (NMPC) is still unclear. Purpose. To elucidate whether CTCs can predict the biochemical recurrence (BCR) in NMPC patients following radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy (RT). Methods. PubMed, Cochrane Database, and Embase and the references in relevant studies were systematically searched. Studies that investigated the correlation of CTCs and BCR in NMPC patients after RP or RT were identified and reviewed. Overall odds ratio (OR) of BCR in such patients with/without CTCs was pooled. We also calculated and pooled overall prevalence of BCR in such CTC‐positive patients. Results. In total, 12 studies comprising 1917 participants were eligible for the meta‐analysis and showed that the presence of secondary circulating tumor cells (SCTCs) is associated with a higher BCR rate of 59% (95% CI: 22%‐88%) in patients with NMPC after RP or RT (OR = 6.12; 95% CI: 2.22‐16.85; P < 0.001). However, regardless of the presence of primary circulating tumor cells (PCTCs), it has not been shown to be associated with higher BCR. Conclusions. Our research demonstrated that SCTC‐positive patients are associated with higher BCR compared to SCTC‐negative patients in NMPC. Therefore, it is recommended that NMPC patients undergo CTC surveillance intensively after RP or RT.
The Key Ingredient Acacetin in Weishu Decoction Alleviates Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder Based on Network Pharmacology Analysis
Authors: Guo Xuan , Xu Yin , Tan Hua-liang , Wang Xiao-juan , Xiao Lin
Published: September 2021

Background. Gastrointestinal motility disorder is a common gastrointestinal disease, which seriously affects life quality. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used as an alternative therapy for gastrointestinal motility disorder. Acacetin is a natural flavonoid compound that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anticancer properties. However, the efficacy of Acacetin in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders has not been studied. Our aim was to investigate the mechanism of Acacetin-alleviated gastrointestinal motility disorder and its efficacy based on network pharmacology. Methods. We performed network pharmacology to predict the active components, match Weishu decoction (WSD) targets in gastrointestinal motility disorders, and investigate its potential pharmacological mechanisms. We performed the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. In vivo, we investigated the effects of Acacetin in the gastrointestinal motility disorder model. Results. Based on network pharmacological method, the key active ingredient of WSD was identified as Acacetin, and the enrichment signaling pathway was the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Acacetin and Mosapride accelerated gastric emptying time, reduced gastric remnant rate, and increased small intestinal propulsion rate. The levels of GAS and MTL were increased after using Acacetin. These results indicated that Acacetin could improve gastrointestinal motility disorders. Among them, high-dose Acacetin showed a better effect. Acacetin could regulate protein and lipid metabolism in mice with gastrointestinal motility disorder. Furthermore, Acacetin could modulate gastrointestinal inflammation and apoptosis. The detection of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway-related proteins showed that Acacetin improved gastrointestinal motility disorder by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion. The key ingredient Acacetin in WSD could alleviate gastrointestinal motility disorder by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway based on network pharmacology analysis. The efficacy and safety of Acacetin treatment provide strong experimental support for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorder.
Anomaly Detection in Encrypted Internet Traffic Using Hybrid Deep Learning
Authors: Bakhshi Taimur , Ghita Bogdan
Published: September 2021

An increasing number of Internet application services are relying on encrypted traffic to offer adequate consumer privacy. Anomaly detection in encrypted traffic to circumvent and mitigate cyber security threats is, however, an open and ongoing research challenge due to the limitation of existing traffic classification techniques. Deep learning is emerging as a promising paradigm, allowing reduction in manual determination of feature set to increase classification accuracy. The present work develops a deep learning-based model for detection of anomalies in encrypted network traffic. Three different publicly available datasets including the NSL-KDD, UNSW-NB15, and CIC-IDS-2017 are used to comprehensively analyze encrypted attacks targeting popular protocols. Instead of relying on a single deep learning model, multiple schemes using convolutional (CNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are investigated. Our results report a hybrid combination of convolutional (CNN) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) models as outperforming others. The hybrid approach benefits from the low-latency feature derivation of the CNN, and an overall improved training dataset fitting. Additionally, the highly effective generalization offered by GRU results in optimal time-domain-related feature extraction, resulting in the CNN and GRU hybrid scheme presenting the best model.
An Adaptive Authenticated Model for Big Data Stream SAVI in SDN-Based Data Center Networks
Authors: Zhou Qizhao , Yu Junqing , Li Dong
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development of data-driven and bandwidth-intensive applications in the Software Defined Networking (SDN) northbound interface, big data stream is dynamically generated with high growth rates in SDN-based data center networks. However, a significant issue faced in big data stream communication is how to verify its authenticity in an untrusted environment. The big data stream traffic has the characteristics of security sensitivity, data size randomness, and latency sensitivity, putting high strain on the SDN-based communication system during larger spoofing events in it. In addition, the SDN controller may be overloaded under big data stream verification conditions on account of the fast increase of bandwidth-intensive applications and quick response requirements. To solve these problems, we propose a two-phase adaptive authenticated model (TAAM) by introducing source address validation implementation- (SAVI-) based IP source address verification. The model realizes real-time data stream address validation and dynamically reduces the redundant verification process. A traffic adaptive SAVI that utilizes a robust localization method followed by the Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT) has been proposed to ensure differentiated executions of the big data stream packets forwarding and the spoofing packets discarding. The TAAM model could filter out the unmatched packets with better packet forwarding efficiency and fundamental security characteristics. The experimental results demonstrate that spoofing attacks under big data streams can be directly mitigated by it. Compared with the latest methods, TAAM can achieve desirable network performance in terms of transmission quality, security guarantee, and response time. It drops 97% of the spoofing attack packets while consuming only 9% of the controller CPU utilization on average.
Association Analysis of LEP Signaling Pathway with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Han Population from South China
Authors: Yu Haibing , Xu Lin , Liu Hao , Huang Jialu , Luo Ling , Chen Rong , Xu Jian , Lin Chunwen , Chen Weiying , Xie Yuxun , Yang Huihuang , Kong Danli , Ding Yuanlin
Published: September 2021

Objective. This study is aimed at analyzing the relationship between leptin (LEP) signaling pathway and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and at providing support for molecular genetic research on the pathogenesis of T2DM in Chinese Han population. Methods. A case‐control study was designed, including 1092 cases with T2DM and 1092 healthy controls of Chinese Han origin recruited from ten hospitals in Guangdong Province, Southern China. Twenty‐three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 15 genes in LEP signaling pathway were genotyped by SNPscan™ kit. The Pearson chi‐square test, Cochran‐Armitage trend test, MAX3, and logistic regression were applied to analyze the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and T2DM; unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze haplotype in LD block; and SNP set analysis based on logistic kernel machine regression was used to analyze pathway. All statistical analysis was performed by SPSS25.0, R2.14, Haploview4.2, SNPStats, and other statistical software packages. Results. In association analysis based on SNP, rs2167270 had statistical significance both in the adjusted and unadjusted covariate dominant model and in the unadjusted covariate overdominant model while it had no significant difference in the adjusted covariate overdominant model. Compared to GG genotype, rs2167270 of AG genotype had statistical significance in both the adjusted and unadjusted covariate codominant models. And rs16147 had statistical significance in robust test, stealth model and overdominant model, and adjusting and unadjusting covariate. This study found linkage disequilibrium existed between rs2167270 and rs4731426 of LEP, rs10889502 and rs17127107 of JAK1, rs2970847 and rs6821591 of PPARGC1A, rs249429 and rs3805486 of PRKAA1, rs1342382 and rs6588640 of PRKAA2, rs3766522 and rs6937 of PRKAB2, rs2970847 and rs6821591 of PRKAG2, and rs6436094 and rs645163 of PRKAG3. There was no positive finding with statistical significance from the unconditional logistic regression of the mentioned genes’ haplotype of LD block. Conclusions. LEP signaling pathway association with T2DM remained to be confirmed in Chinese Han population, although rs2167270 and rs16147 were significantly associated with T2DM.
Natural Killer T (NKT) Cells and Periodontitis: Potential Regulatory Role of NKT10 Cells
Authors: Melgar-Rodríguez Samanta , Cafferata Emilio A. , Díaz Nicolás I. , Peña Miguel A. , González-Osuna Luis , Rojas Carolina , Sierra-Cristancho Alfredo , Cárdenas Angélica M. , Díaz-Zúñiga Jaime , Vernal Rolando
Published: September 2021

Natural killer T (NKT) cells constitute a unique subset of T lymphocytes characterized by specifically interacting with antigenic glycolipids conjugated to the CD1d receptor on antigen-presenting cells. Functionally, NKT cells are capable of performing either effector or suppressor immune responses, depending on their production of proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. Effector NKT cells are subdivided into three subsets, termed NKT1, NKT2, and NKT17, based on the cytokines they produce and their similarity to the cytokine profile produced by Th1, Th2, and Th17 lymphocytes, respectively. Recently, a new subgroup of NKT cells termed NKT10 has been described, which cooperates and interacts with other immune cells to promote immunoregulatory responses. Although the tissue-specific functions of NKT cells have not been fully elucidated, their activity has been associated with the pathogenesis of different inflammatory diseases with immunopathogenic similarities to periodontitis, including osteolytic pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. In the present review, we revise and discuss the pathogenic characteristics of NKT cells in these diseases and their role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis; particularly, we analyze the potential regulatory role of the IL-10-producing NKT10 cells.
Investigation on Seismic Behavior of Historical Tokatlı Bridge under Near‐Fault Earthquakes
Authors: Karalar Memduh , Yeşil Mustafa
Published: September 2021

The main purpose of this study is to compare the static and dynamic behavior of a historical single‐span masonry arch bridge under different near‐fault earthquakes. The historical Tokatlı Bridge, built in Karabük, is chosen for this study. To investigate the behavior of near‐fault earthquakes on the historical masonry bridge, first, a finite element model is built and analyzed under various near‐fault earthquakes by using ANSYS and SAP2000. To build a finite element model, 162920 nodes and 47818 elements are used in ANSYS. First, finite element analysis results are compared to each other under Earth gravity. Then, ground motions near the fault are chosen to be used in this study. These earthquakes can be listed as follows: Cape Mend (1992), Kobe (1995), Superstition Hills (1987), Northridge (1994), Imperial Valley (1979), and Chi‐Chi (1999). The behavior of the single‐span historical bridge is obtained under these ground motions, and the results are compared with each other using contour diagrams using ANSYS. Furthermore, at the end of these analyses, it is observed that the tensile stresses have reached the permissible masonry tensile strength, especially on the upper side of the large belt, on the upper side of the belt, and on the side of the belt, and pose a risk for damage.
A Novel Stock Index Intelligent Prediction Algorithm Based on Attention‐Guided Deep Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Yangzi
Published: September 2021

The stock market is affected by economic market, policy, and other factors, and its internal change law is extremely complex. With the rapid development of the stock market and the expansion of the scale of investors, the stock market has produced a large number of transaction data, which makes it more difficult to obtain valuable information. Because deep neural network is good at dealing with the prediction problems with large amount of data and complex nonlinear mapping relationship, this paper proposes an attention‐guided deep neural network stock prediction algorithm. This paper synthesizes the daily stock social media text emotion index and stock technology index as the data source and applies them to the long‐term and short‐term memory neural network (LSTM) model to predict the stock market. The stock emotion index is extracted by constructing a social text classification emotion model of bidirectional long‐term and short‐term memory neural network (Bi‐LSTM) based on attention mechanism and glove word vector representation algorithm. In addition, a dimensionality reduction model based on decision tree (DT) and principal component analysis (PCA) is constructed to reduce the dimensionality of stock technical indicators and extract the main data information. Furthermore, this paper proposes a model based on nasNet for pattern recognition. The recognition results can be used to automatically identify short‐term K‐line patterns, predict reliable trading signals, and help investors customize short‐term high‐efficiency investment strategies. The experimental results show that the prediction accuracy of the proposed algorithm can reach 98.6%, which has high application value.