bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression Diagnosis by Deep Learning Using EEG Signals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Safayari Atefeh , Bolhasani Hamidreza
Published: November 2021

Depression is considered by WHO as the main contributor to global disability and it poses dangerous threats to approximately all aspects of human life, in particular public and private health. This mental disorder is usually characterized by considerable changes in feelings, routines, or thoughts. With respect to the fact that early diagnosis of this illness would be of critical importance ineffective treatment, some development has occurred in the purpose of depression detection. EEG signals reflect the working status of the human brain by which are considered the most proper tools for a depression diagnosis. Deep learning algorithms have the capacity of pattern discovery and extracting features from the raw data which is fed into them. Owing to this significant characteristic of deep learning, recently, these methods have intensely utilized in the diverse field of researches, specifically medicine and healthcare. Thereby, in this article, we aimed to review all papers concentrated on using deep learning to detect or predict depressive subjects with the help of EEG signals as input data. Regarding the adopted search method, we finally evaluated 22 articles between 2016 and 2021. This article which is organized according to the systematic literature review (SLR) method, provides complete summaries of all exploited studies and compares the noticeable aspects of them. Moreover, some statistical analysis performs to gain a depth perception of the general ideas of the latest researches in this area. A pattern of a five-step procedure was also established by which almost all reviewed articles fulfilled the goal of depression detection. Finally, open issues and challenges in this way of depression diagnosis or prediction and suggested works as the future directions discussed.
RFID Technology Serving Honey Bee Research: A Comprehensive Description of a 32-Antenna System to Study Honey Bee and Queen Behavior
Authors: Alburaki Mohamed , Madella Shayne , Corona Miguel
Published: November 2021

The fields of electronics and information technology have witnessed rapid development during the last decades, providing significant technical support to the field of biological sciences. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been used to automate the monitoring of animal location and behaviors in a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate species, including social insects such as ants and honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) This technology relies on electromagnetic fields to identify and track transponders attached to objects automatically. Implementing new technologies to serve research purposes could be time-consuming and require technical expertise from entomologists and researchers. Herein, we present a detailed description on how to harness RFID technology to serve honey bee research effectively. We describe how to build and operate a 32-antenna RFID system used to monitor various honey bee behaviors such as foraging, robbing, queen and drone mating, which can be used in other social insects as well. Preliminary data related to queen nuptial flights were obtained using this unit and presented in this study. Virgin queens labeled with ~5mg transponders performed multiple (1-4) nuptial/orientation flights a day (9 am to 5 pm) ranging from 8 to 145 seconds each. Contrary to virgin queens, no hive exit was recorded for mated-queens. At full capacity, this unit can monitor up to 32 honey bee colonies concurrently and is self-sustained by a solar panel to work in remote areas. All materials, hardware and software needed to build and operate this unit are detailed in this study, offering researchers and beekeepers a practical solution and a comprehensive source of information enabling the implementation of RFID technology in their research perspective.
Natural Language as a Window into the Subjective Effects and Neurochemistry of Psychedelic Drugs
Authors: Tagliazucchi Enzo
Published: November 2021

Psychedelics are drugs capable of eliciting profound alterations in the subjective experience of the users, sometimes with long-lasting consequences. Because of this, psychedelic research tends to focus on human subjects, given their capacity to construct detailed narratives about the contents of their consciousness experiences. In spite of its relevance, the interaction between serotonergic psychedelics and language production is comparatively understudied in the recent literature. This review is focused on two aspects of this interaction: how the acute effects of psychedelic drugs impact on speech organization regardless of its semantic content, and how to characterize the subjective effects of psychedelic drugs by analyzing the semantic content of written retrospective reports. We show that the computational characterization of language production is an emergent powerful tool to predict the therapeutic outcome of individual experiences, relate the effects elicited by psychedelics with those associated with other altered states of consciousness, draw comparisons between the psychedelic state and the symptomatology of certain psychiatric disorders, and investigate the neurochemical profile and mechanism of action of different psychedelic drugs. We conclude that researchers studying psychedelics can considerably expand the range of their potential scientific conclusions by analyzing brief interviews obtained before, during and after the acute effects. Finally, we list a series of questions and open problems that should be addressed to further consolidate this approach.
Patent Analysis Using Vector Space Model and Deep Learning Model : A Case of Artificial Intelligence Industry Technology
Authors: Yoo Yongmin , Lim Dongjin , Kim Kyungsun
Published: November 2021

Thanks to rapid development of artificial intelligence technology in recent years, the current artificial intelligence technology is contributing to many part of society. Education, environment, medical care, military, tourism, economy, politics, etc. are having a very large impact on society as a whole. For example, in the field of education, there is an artificial intelligence tutoring system that automatically assigns tutors based on student's level. In the field of economics, there are quantitative investment methods that automatically analyze large amounts of data to find investment laws to create investment models or predict changes in financial markets. As such, artificial intelligence technology is being used in various fields. So, it is very important to know exactly what factors have an important influence on each field of artificial intelligence technology and how the relationship between each field is connected. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze artificial intelligence technology in each field. In this paper, we analyze patent documents related to artificial intelligence technology. We propose a method for keyword analysis within factors using artificial intelligence patent data sets for artificial intelligence technology analysis. This is a model that relies on feature engineering based on deep learning model named KeyBERT, and using vector space model. A case study of collecting and analyzing artificial intelligence patent data was conducted to show how the proposed model can be applied to real-world problems.
Situational modeling in virtual environment systems
Authors: Mikhayliuk Mikhail Vasilievich , Kononov Dmitry Alekseevich , Loginov Dmitry Mikhaylovich
Published: November 2021

The technology of modeling various situations in virtual environment systems is considered. We propose a mechanism for setting situations by changing a virtual three-dimensional scene using configuration files and virtual control panels.
The first Internet typographers (to 50th anniversary of the oldest electronic library)
Authors: Polak Yuri Еvgenievich
Published: November 2021

In 2021, a number of memorable events are celebrated: 50th anniversary of Project Gutenberg (the first digital library); 10 years since the death of its founder, Michael Hart; 55th birthday of the creator of the famous Russian digital library Maxim Moshkov. This paper is an attempt to show the significance of these events for Internet and its users. Special attention is paid to the issues of copyright duration legislation. This has become one of the main obstacles in the activities of the mentioned digital libraries.
Verification of security properties of the TLS 1.3 extensions
Authors: Nikeshin Alexei Viacheslavovich , Shnitman Victor Zinovievich
Published: November 2021

This paper presents the experience of verifying server implementations of the TLS cryptographic protocol version 1.3. TLS is a widely used cryptographic protocol designed to create secure data transmission channels and provides the necessary functionality for this: confidentiality of the transmitted data, data integrity, and authentication of the parties. The new version 1.3 of the TLS protocol was introduced in August 2018 and has a number of significant differences compared to the previous version 1.2. A number of TLS developers have already included support for the latest version in their implementations. These circumstances make it relevant to do research in the field of verification and security of the new TLS protocol implementations. We used a new test suite for verifying implementations of the TLS 1.3 for compliance with Internet specifications, developed on the basis of the RFC8446, using UniTESK technology and mutation testing methods. The current work is part of the TLS 1.3 protocol verification project and covers some of the additional functionality and optional protocol extensions. To test implementations for compliance with formal specifications, UniTESK technology is used, which provides testing automation tools based on the use of finite state machines. The states of the system under test define the states of the state machine, and the test effects are the transitions of this machine. When performing a transition, the specified impact is passed to the implementation under test, after which the implementation's reactions are recorded and a verdict is automatically made on the compliance of the observed behavior with the specification. Mutational testing methods are used to detect non-standard behavior of the system under test by transmitting incorrect data. Some changes are made to the protocol exchange flow created in accordance with the specification: either the values of the message fields formed on the basis of the developed protocol model are changed, or the order of messages in the exchange flow is changed. The protocol model allows one to make changes to the data flow at any stage of the network exchange, which allows the test scenario to pass through all the significant states of the protocol and in each such state to test the implementation in accordance with the specified program. So far, several implementations have been found to deviate from the specification. The presented approach has proven effective in several of our projects when testing network protocols, providing detection of various deviations from the specification and other errors.
Multitrading Information Environment
Authors: Kasparinsky Felix Osvaldovich
Published: November 2021

The multitrading information environment provides simultaneous work with several financial instruments on many trading accounts of different forex brokers using optimal trading strategies (scalping, swing trading and positional trading). The hardware complex of multitrading is composed of Analytical, Operational and Overview displays, the operation of which is provided by separate computers. The characteristics of the hardware base of multitrading, which provide reliable and comfortable work in stationary and mobile conditions, have been determined. The principles of optimizing the configuration and color design of the contents of the displays of the multitrading system have been established. The Analytical display consists of 6 Analytical windows with progressively increasing time scales (timeframes) and is used to work with one (most liquid) financial instrument. The Analytical window contains a price chart and three Indicator windows, which are grouped by compatibility, purpose (anticipatory, main, confirming) and specificity (trend, oscillators, volume indicators). A technique is proposed for unmasking the latent phases of oscillation trends by Complex Indicators of Tendencies, which are formed through the sequential application of trend indicators of technical analysis to the data of oscillatory indicators. The Overview display (6-8 Analytical windows with the same timeframe and different financial instruments) provides a tactical choice of the instrument to be connected to the Analytical display windows. The Operational display allows a trader to simultaneously work with orders from multiple trading accounts of different brokers in separate browsers with web terminals. A set of suitable browsers and their specific settings have been determined. The article discusses the basic concepts necessary for the use of multitrading, defines the criteria for choosing the optimal brokers, trading platforms and forex terminals. A methodology for creating and using round-the-clock video recordings of the multitrading displays has been developed. A network of Internet services has been formed to exchange experience in optimizing the information environment of multitrading. Based on the results of three years of experimental work, methodological techniques were selected that contribute to the development of an individualized trading system based on the multitrading information environment.
Probabilistic analysis of the climatic seasonal cycle of atmospheric pressure fields in the Arctic region of Russia
Authors: Tuchkova Natalia Pavlovna , Belyaev Konstantin Pavlovich , Mikhaylov Gury Mikhaylovich , Salnikov Alexey Nikolaevich
Published: November 2021

The paper analyzes the climatic seasonal variability of the atmospheric pressure field in the Arctic region of Russia. The main research method is the probabilistic and statistical analysis of the time series of the pressure field recorded at fixed points for 60 years long from 1948 to 2008 in the Arctic zone of Russia. Based on these data, the climatic seasonal variability was constructed as an averaging of the values of a given time series at each point in space for each fixed day. The characteristics of such a seasonal cycle, its amplitude and phase are studied. Analyzes of those characteristics has been performed and their geophysical interpretation is carried out. In particular, the minimum and maximum values of the series were determined over the entire region and the time series of these characteristics were constructed. Numerical calculations have been realized on the Lomonosov-2 supercomputer of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.
On the Issue of Modernization and Integration of Long-term Electronic Archives
Authors: Marchuk Alexander Gurievich , Troshkov Sergey Nikolaevich , Krayneva Irina Aleksandrovna
Published: November 2021

Over a period of about twenty years, the IIS SB RAS has created information systems of historical orientation: the Electronic Archive of Academician A. P. Ershov, the Photo Archive of the Siberian Branch of the RAS, the Archive of the newspaper "Science in Siberia", the Open Archive of the SB RAS, etc. Each of the resources has its own specifics but in general their content is based on the general social and territorial basis of scientific and public activities of the SB AS USSR/RAS and the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok. In this report we will look at some of the problems of integrating/disintegrating disparate electronic resources into a common platform using existing and emerging tools.
Replenishment of Documents of Mathematical Digital Retro-collections by Searching in Semantic Web
Authors: Andreichev Michael Dmitrievich , Gafurova Polina Olegovna , Elizarov Aleksandr Mikhajlovich , Lipachev Evgeny Konstantinovich
Published: November 2021

A method of forming a mandatory set of metadata for retro collections of a digital mathematical library is presented. The open resources of the Semantic Network were used as a source for completing metadata. With the help of the software tools of the metadata factory of the digital mathematical library Lobachevskii-DML, the main processes of text analysis of documents of digital retro collections are performed, in particular, the selection of named entities. Further, through the system of queries in the semantic network, the search and selection of information objects is carried out. After performing automatic filtering and normalization, the obtained information is included in the metadata set. As one of the results, the process of forming a mandatory set of metadata for one of the collections of the digital library Lobachevskii-DML – a retro-collection of articles of the journal "Izvestia of the Physics and Mathematics Society at Kazan University" is presented.
The system of accounting for the results of intellectual activity of scientists as the development of the information system "Proceedings of Scientists"
Authors: Vlasova Svetlana Aleksandrovna , Kalenov Nikolay Evgenevich
Published: November 2021

The article describes a WEB-system developed by the authors that implements services related to the formation and provision of multifaceted information about the results of scientific activities (publications, copyright certificates and reports at scientific events) of employees of an organization or a group of organizations. The system is focused both on the end user interested in obtaining specific data, and on the administrative staff, who generates reporting materials for the parent organization. The information base of the system contains metadata on the following classes of objects: persons (authors), organizations and their subdivisions; publications at analytical, monographic and summary levels; copyright certificates; scientific events (conferences, symposia, seminars); reports. The system includes two modules - an administrative one (intended for entering and editing data) and a user one, which is a special search engine that searches for information, visualizes it, provides navigation among related resources and exports data. A distinctive feature of the system is the introduced concept of "equivalent" objects. Objects are considered equivalent if they are represented in the system by different metadata, but referring to the same physical entity. Such objects are "persons" corresponding to one author with different spellings of the surname in the bibliographic descriptions of publications; organizations with different variants of names; articles published unchanged in various languages. In accordance with modern requirements for reporting on publications, the system reflects the sources of research funding, as well as the affiliations indicated in the articles for each author.
On theories of names and references in formal languages and implications for functional and object-oriented programming
Authors: Adamovich Alexei Igorevich , Klimov Andrei Valentinovich
Published: November 2021

The long-standing problem of adequate formalization of local names in mathematical formulae and semantics of references in object-oriented languages taken “as is” without objects, is discussed. Reasons why the existing approaches cannot be considered suitable solutions, are explained. An introduction to the relatively recent works on the theories of names and references of the group headed by Andrew Pitts, is given. The notion of referential transparency, in which contextual equivalence is used instead of the usual equality of values, is analyzed. This is the main property, which these theories are based upon: it is preserved when a purely functional language is extended with names and references as data. It is argued that such referential transparency, along with many others, can be preserved for mutable objects that change to a limited extent. This leads to a model of computation between functional and object-oriented ones, allowing for a deterministic parallel implementation.
List of referring publications
Authors: Gorbunov-Possadov Mikhail Mikhailovich
Published: November 2021

The list of referring publications is a dynamically drawn-up list of works published after the publication under consideration and containing a reference to it. Leading foreign publishers of scientific journals, as a rule, post lists of referring publications on the web pages of their articles. In our country, the posting lists of referring publications has not yet become the norm. The implementations of the list of referring publications in a number of characteristic projects are considered.
RAS creates an academic rating of scientific journals
Authors: Polilova Tatyana Alekseevna
Published: November 2021

The Russian Academy of Sciences together with the Electronic Library eLibrary.ru have developed an academic rating of scientific journals from the Special Collection (SC), which includes about 15% of the journals of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). The academic rating is based on the methodology of calculating the thematic ratings of the RSCI. The basis of the academic rating formula is the impact factor of the journal, which takes into account the citations of articles only from the journals of the SC collection and journals included in the international bibliographic databases Web of Science and Scopus. The paper concludes that the methodology for calculating the academic rating has significant drawbacks, which did not allow the academic rating to give a complete and objective assessment of the authority of Russian scientific journals.
Utilization of black rice (Oryza sativa L. indica) extract in making sarabba as functional drink
Authors: Mahendradatta Meta , Mutmainnah Alri Ulfa , Bilang Mariyati , Bakar Tawali Abu
Published: November 2021

Indonesian traditional drink such as Sarabba is generally consumed for its taste. However, this drink has certain functional properties which originated from its basic ingredients. To enhance its functional properties, other natural ingredients such as black rice extract can be added to the basic ingredients. Therefore, the objectives of these study were to find out the best treatment for the use of black rice extract in producing of Sarabba and the effect of drying time on proximate value, anthocyanin, and thiamine contents; and solubility level of the product. Black rice is one type of local varieties that contains anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids, which is beneficial to health. This research used black rice as basic ingredient in making instant “Sarabba”. Sarabbais one traditional drink from South Sulawesi which is made from brown sugar, ginger and coconut milk. The aim of this research was to determine the best treatment of the utilization of black rice extract in making “sarraba” instant. Sarabbawas prepared with ratio of black rice and water, 50%: 50%; 30%: 70%; 70%: 30 %. The best treatment was then subjected to drying process at different times, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours to determine the effect of drying time on proximate, anthocyanin, thiamine and solubility content. The sensory value and solubility results obtained were treated with quantitative descriptive with three replications. The best result of sensory evaluation based on color, taste, odor and texture was found in treatment 70% rice:30% water. The result showed that best content of water, carbohydrate and solubility level were obtained at two hours drying which were 1.67%, 0.11% and 20 seconds, respectively. The best content of ash, anthocyanin, thiamin and fat content were obtained during one hour drying which were 2.3%, 11.83%, 0.056% and 0.03, respectively. The highest protein content was obtained from of 1.5 hours drying treatment (4.78%). Recommended Sarabbainstant processing was ratio of black rice 70% : water 30% and one hour drying.
Review of Single Centre Experience with Bronchial Thermoplasty in Obesity
Authors: RANDHAWA EKAMJEET , Shenoy Kartik
Published: November 2021

BackgroundBronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a bronchoscopic procedure that aims to reduce symptoms in patients with severe asthma by delivering controlled radiofrequency activations to reduce airway smooth muscle mass who are uncontrolled despite adequate therapy.ObjectiveTo evaluate response and outcomes of BT in asthma patients with obesity.MethodsA retrospective review of patients who had BT for severe asthma performed at our institution. We examined baseline differences in eosinophil, IgE levels, controller agent uses before and after BT, symptomatology and exacerbation rates post-procedure. A comparative analysis was done using t-test for unequal variables for those reported to have benefitted from the procedure against those who did not.ResultsIn total 23 patients were studied, 18 (78%) noted benefit from BT. Patients were predominantly female, 21/23 (91%) with average BMI of 37.9 and 35.3 kg/m2 in improved and not improved groups. Patients with improvement following completion of all three BT procedures were likely to be weaned off chronic oral steroids or biologicals, reduced albuterol uses, report a subjective improvement in symptoms or reduced exacerbations within 1 year following completion of procedures. There was a statistically significant average weight loss reduction in the improved group compared to not benefitted of 6.4kg versus a gain of 2.5kg; hospitalization rates for exacerbations were higher than those reported in the AIR2 and PAS2 studies at 43%.ConclusionBT can be beneficial for obese patients with a potential decrease in exacerbations and reduced oral corticosteroid dosage and an anticipated increased rate of post-procedure exacerbation hospitalization.
Evaluation of IMproving Palliative Care Education and Training Using Simulation in Dementia (IMPETUS-D) a Staff Simulation Training Intervention to Improve Palliative Care of People with Advanced Dementia Living in Nursing Homes: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Tropea Joanne , Nestel Debra , Johnson Christina E , Hayes Barbara J , Hutchinson Anastasia F , Brand Caroline A , Le Brian H , Blackberry Irene , Caplan Gideon A , Bicknell Ross , Hepworth Graham , Lim Wen K
Published: November 2021

BackgroundAccess to palliative and end-of-life care for people with dementia living in nursing homes is suboptimal. Nursing home staff require training in palliative care for dementia to equip them with knowledge and skills to deliver high quality care. ObjectiveThe primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation training intervention (IMPETUS-D) aimed at nursing home staff on reducing unplanned transfers to hospital and/or deaths in hospital among residents living with dementia.Design Cluster randomised controlled trial of nursing homes with process evaluation conducted alongside.Subjects & setting1304 people with dementia living in 24 nursing homes (12 intervention/12 control) in three Australian cities, their families and direct care staff. MethodsRandomisation was conducted at the level of the nursing home (cluster). The allocation sequence was generated by an independent statistician using a computer-generated allocation sequence.Staff from intervention nursing homes had access to the IMPETUS-D training intervention, and staff from control nursing homes had access to usual training opportunities. The predicted primary outcome measure was a 20% reduction in the proportion of people with dementia who had an unplanned transfer to hospital and/or death in hospital at 6-months follow-up in the intervention nursing homes compared to the control nursing homes. ResultsAt 6-months follow-up, 128 (21.1%) people with dementia from the intervention group had an unplanned transfer or death in hospital compared to 132 (19.0%) residents from the control group; odds ratio 1.14 (95% CI, 0.82-1.59). There were suboptimal levels of staff participation in the training intervention and several barriers to participation identified. ConclusionThis study of a palliative dementia care staff training intervention found no difference in the proportion of residents with dementia who had an unplanned hospital transfer. Implementation of the intervention was challenging and likely did not achieve adequate staff coverage to improve staff practice or resident outcomes.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12618002012257. Registered 14/12/2018.
Evaluation of Child Emergency Department Utilization: Differences Between Refugee and Resident Children.
Authors: Baris Hatice Ezgi , Silahli Nicel Yildiz , Gul Nuriye Ayca , Qutranji Lubna , Goldhagen Jeffrey , Boran Perran
Published: November 2021

Objectives: Evaluation of emergency department (ED) utilization by Syrian refugee children will provide important information about their health care needs and utilization as a prerequisite for improving preventive health services and outcomes. We aimed to compare ED utilization of refugee and resident children in a tertiary university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.Methods: Electronic medical records of Syrian refugee children ≤18 years old presenting to the ED between January 2013 and July 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and compared with the resident children.Results: The study population consisted of 7299 refugee and 690127 resident children admitted to the ED. Emergent cases were more frequent in Syrian refugees (2.2% vs 1.0% p<0.001). One third of Syrian children were under 12 months of age (31.0% vs 17.4%, p<0.001). Syrian children were more commonly hospitalized (7.9% vs 3.1% p<0.001). Rate of intensive care unit hospitalization (13.4% vs 9.4%, p=0.001) and neonatal hospitalization was higher in Syrians compared to resident children (29.3% vs 12.0%, p<0.001). Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequent diagnoses which were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Refugee children as compared to native children are more likely to present to the ED with high acuity conditions, at a younger age resulting in higher rates of inpatient admissions. Strategies to increase access to preventive health care services for young refugee children should be explored to decrease ED and hospital services and improve health outcomes.
Expression Analysis of Irisin During Different Differentiation Stages of Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Yan Yi , Yang Ding , Wen Pei , Li Yilei , Ge Yufang , Ma Pei , Yuan Jiahui , Zhang Pengxiang , Zhu Zhiwei , Luo Xiaomao , Yu Xiuju , Wang Haidong
Published: November 2021

Background: As a newly discovered muscle factor secreted by skeletal muscle cells, irisin is a polypeptide fragment formed after hydrolysis by fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). Previous studies have shown that irisin has biological functions that promote beigeing of WAT, regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the functions of irisin in muscle development and muscle fat metabolism remain unknown.Results: In order to study the expression of irisin in different growth stages of skeletal muscle, this study used SPF mice as experimental subjects to select skeletal muscle cells and muscle tissues of different developmental stages of mice. The expression of irisin precursor FNDC5 in different stages of cells and tissues was detected by western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the expression of FNDC5 in cells was detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that FNDC5 was expressed in all stages of tissues and cells, but the expression was different at different stages. FNDC5 protein has the highest expression in muscle of sexually mature mice, followed by elderly mice and adolescent mice, and low expression in pups. Secondly, FNDC5 protein is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and highest in muscle fibers. The myotubes were the second, and the lowest in C2C12 cells. Conclusions: This experiment can provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent study of irisin in skeletal muscle, and lay the foundation for targeted therapy of related diseases.
Improving Treatment Adherence and Control Rate of Patient with Hypertension Using Aweb-Based Management System in a Rural Community in China
Authors: Zhu Yanxia , Guo Liangm , Wu Tianran , Wu Xingli
Published: November 2021

The control rates of patients with hypertension remain extremely low in Chinese rural communities, therefor we aimed to improve treatment adherence and control rate for patients with hypertension by using a web-based management system, which included modeles of the user’s personal information, health education, adherence alerting, communication between physician and statistics analysis and data print functions. 350 patients with uncontrolled hypertension were included in the study through a multi-stage stratified sampling, and were divided radomis1y into the web-based intervention group and control group. Comparing with those in the control group, there was a significant improvement in the control rate of the blood pressure in the intervention group (93.7% vs 50.9%, p < 0.001) and a remarkable decrease in blood pressure (systolic blood pressure declined by 25.0 mmHg, < 0.001; diastolic blood pressure declined by 8.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) after 12 months follow-up. The medication adherence rate in intervention groups was improved significantly than that in the control group p < 0.01)，and the adherence scale correlated negatively with blood pressure (r=-0.518, P < 0.001), and positively correlated with control rate (0.623, P < 0.001). This study suggested that the web-based hypertension management system is worth spreading in rural areas in developing countries.
Spatio-temporal Analysis of Land Cover Changes in Al-Hubail Wetland (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Authors: CHOUARI Walid
Published: November 2021

Land cover dynamics were analyzed temporally and spatially in Al-Hubail wetland (Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) to determine the evolution of the environmental status of this biologically and ecologically interesting area in Saudi Arabia. Land cover changes were estimated for the next 41 years (1980-2021) using remote sensing data. For this analysis, three images from 1985 (Landsat 5 MSS) 2000 (Landsat 7 ETM+) and 2021 (Sentinel-2) were used to classify and detect changes. A machine learning algorithm was used and the images were classified into four main land cover classes: Water bodies, hydromorphic areas, vegetation and open ground. Change detection was performed for the year pairs 1985 to 2000 and 2000 to 2021. The results of this classification show that there was a significant increase in the area of hydromorphic areas and vegetation. The results were checked with a confusion matrix indicating an overall accuracy between 89.3 and 92.8%. The qualitative trend data show that the Al-Hubail wetland has changed significantly during the study period. Thus, a significant expansion of the wetland was observed in conjunction with an increase in agricultural drainage towards the wetland. This analysis shows the strong anthropogenic pressure on the area and highlights the need to strengthen the existing laws in order to preserve the local biodiversity in the long term. It suggests that more efforts should be made to effectively manage the water resources of the region.
Report On Complete Endpoints and Predictors of Response to Plasma Exchange – Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial in Septic Shock Patients
Authors: Stahl Klaus , Wand Philipp , Seeliger Benjamin , Schmidt Julius J. , Schmidt Bernhard M.W. , Sauer Andrea , Lehmann Felix , Budde Ulrich , Busch Markus , Wiesner Olaf , Welte Tobias , Haller Hermann , Wedemeyer Heiner , Putensen Christian , Hoeper Marius M. , Bode Christian , David Sascha , Schmidt W.
Published: November 2021

Background: Recently, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated rapid but individually variable hemodynamic improvement with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with septic shock. Prediction of clinical efficacy in specific sepsis treatments is fundamental for individualized sepsis therapy.Methods: In the original RCT patients with septic shock of < 24 h duration and norepinephrine (NE) requirement ≥ 0.4 μg/kg/min received standard of care (SOC) or SOC + one single TPE. Here we report all clinical and biological endpoints of this study. Subgroup analysis of NE reduction and 28-day mortality was performed to investigate characteristics that could be associated with clinical response.Results: Early hemodynamic stabilization was preserved in the TPE group for 24 hours and was accompanied by a reduction of lactate suggestive for shock reversal. A reduction of injurious mediators (such as PCT, vWF:Ag, Angpt-2, sTie-2) and a repletion of exhausted protective factors (such as AT-III, Protein C, ADAMTS-13) could be observed in the TPE but not in the SOC group. Significant NE reduction (> 50% from baseline) upon TPE occurred more often in patients with 1) a pulmonary focus of infection, 2) profound respiratory failure (pO2/FiO2<150 mmHg), 3) critical hemodynamic instability (NE > 0.6 μg/kg/min and lactate >0.4 mmol/l) as well as 4) substantial degree of organ failure (SOFA Score > 16) at randomization. Patients with a pulmonary focus of infection had a 28-day mortality of 15% in the TPE group while it was 42% in the SOC group. Conclusions: Adjunctive TPE is associated with the removal of injurious mediators and repletion of consumed protective factors altogether leading to preserved hemodynamic stabilization in refractory septic shock. It is We identified potential response predictors (lung focus, PF ratio < 150, higher SOFA score etc.) that might guide future designing of large RCTs that will further evaluate TPE with regard to hard endpoints. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered 18th January 2020 at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04231994), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04231994?term=NCT04231994&draw=2&rank=1
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Hydrogen in LPS-induced RAW264.7 Cells via Inhibiting NF-κB and MAPKs Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Fuping , Jiang Guoqiang , Chen Guobao , Han Lili , Chen Zhongmin
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen (H2), a new type of medical gas molecule, which has significant preventive effect on numerous diseases and its anti-inflammatory properties has been proven in previous studies. However, the mechanisms of H2 anti-inflammatory activity in signal transduction pathway or protein level regulation are inadequately inexplicit. In the current study, the effect of H2 on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells were assessed and its molecular mechanisms were clarified. The in vitro model of inflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Protein expression of inflammatory mediators were analyzed by ELISA and Western blot. mRNA levels were detected by RT-qPCR. In addition, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted to explore the molecular targets of H2 anti-inflammatory. According to the findings, H2 reversed LPS-induced variety in NO levels and TNF-a production as well as IL-6, IL-10 proteins and related mRNA levels in macrophages. RNA-seq newly discovered that H2 acted on inflammatory signaling molecule protein kinase C 8 (PKC8) and heterodimer activator protein-1 (AP-1). The WB analysis was then used to determine the key proteins in the inflammatory signaling pathway involved in PKC8 and AP-1, which found that H2 inhibited the phosphorylation of key proteins in the NF-kB and MAPKs pathways, thereby the expression of mRNA and inflammatory mediators were affected. The findings of this study show that H2 may serve as a promising anti-inflammatory gas in mitigating inflammatory conditions.
Bursts and Regularization in Financial Markets: Deterministic or Stochastic?
Authors: Orlando Giuseppe , Bufalo Michele , Stoop Ruedi
Published: November 2021

We analyze empirical finance data, such as the Financial Stress Index, a number of asset classes (swaps, equity and bonds), market (emerging vs. developed), issuer (corporate vs. government bond), maturity (short vs. long) data, asking whether the recently observed alternations between calm periods and financial turmoil can be modelled in a low-dimensional deterministic manner, or whether they demand for their description a stochastic model. We find that a deterministic model performs at least as well as one of the best stochastic models, but may provide additional insight into the essential mechanisms that drive financial markets.
TCN1 Deficiency Inhibits The Malignancy of Colorectal Cancer Cells By Regulating The ITGB4 Pathway
Authors: Zhu Xinqiang , Jiang Xuetong , Zhang Qinglin , Huang Hailong , Shi Xiaohong , Hou Daorong , Xing Chungen
Published: November 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the biological function and regulatory mechanism of TCN1 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We studied the biological functions of TCN1 using gain-of-function and loss-of-function analysis in HCT116 cell lines, and examined the effects of TCN1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of CRC cells and determined its potential molecular mechanisms using CRC lines and mouse xenotransplantation models. Tumor xenograft and tumor metastasis studies were performed to detect the tumorigenicity and metastasis of cells in vivo. Results: TCN1-knockdown attenuated CRC cell proliferation, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis. Overexpression of TCN1 yielded the opposite effects. In addition, TCN1-knockdown HCT116 cells failed to form metastatic foci in the peritoneum after intravenous injection. Molecular mechanism studies showed that TCN1 interacts with integrin subunit β4 (ITGB4) to positively regulate the expression of ITGB4. TCN1-knockdown promoted the degradation of ITGB4 and increased the instability of ITGB4 and filamin A (FLNA). Downregulation of ITGB4 at the protein level resulted in the disassociation of the ITGB4/PLEC complex, leading to cytoskeletal damage. Conclusion: TCN1 might exert oncogenic role in CRC via regulating the ITGB4 signaling pathway.
Estimation of Critical Nitrogen Concentration Based on Leaf Dry Matter in Drip Irrigation Spring Maize Production in Northern China
Authors: jia biao , Fu Jiangpeng , Liu Huifang , Li Zhengzhou , Lan Yu , Wei Xue , Zhai Yongquan , Yun Bingyuan , Ma Jianzhen , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2021

Background: The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer not only increases crop yield but also improves the N utilization efficiency. The critical N concentration (Nc) can be used to diagnose crops N nutritional status. The Nc dilution curve model of maize was calibrated with leaf dry matter (LDM) as the indicator, and the performance of the model for diagnosing maize N nutritional status was further evaluated. Three field experiments were carried out in two sites between 2018 and 2020 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region with a series of N levels (application of N from 0 to 450 kg N ha-1). Two spring maize cultivars, i.e., Tianci19 (TC19) and Ningdan19 (ND19), were utilized in the field experiment. Results: The results showed that a negative power function relationship existed between LDM and leaf N concentration (LNC) for spring maize under drip irrigation. The Nc dilution curve equation was divided into two parts: when the LDM < 1.11 t ha-1, the constant leaf Nc value was 3.25%; and when LDM > 1.11 t ha-1, the Nc curve was 3.33*LDM-0.24. Conclusion: The LDM based Nc curve can well distinguish data the N-limiting and non-N-limiting N status of maize, which was independent with maize varieties, growing seasons and stages. Additionally, the N nutrition index (NNI) had a significant linear correlation with the relative leaf dry matter (RLDM). This study revealed that the LDM based Nc dilution curve could accurately identify spring maize N status under drip irrigation. NNI can thus, be used as a robust and reliable tool to diagnose N nutritional status of maize.
Plant Peptides (NCRs) and Plant Immunity Play Vital Roles in Determining Specificity Between Alfalfa Cultivars and Sinorhizobium Meliloti Strain
Authors: Kang Wenjuan , Li Xiaolong , Zhang Xiaoyan , Shi Shangli
Published: November 2021

Alfalfa expresses significantly distinct sets of genes in response to infection by different rhizobia strains at the below-species level (i.e., biotype or strain). However, differences in the transcriptomic profiles of two alfalfa cultivars nodulated by a single rhizobium strain have been largely unexamined. In this study, the comparative RNA-seq analysis of two alfalfa cultivars, Medicago sativa cv. Gannong No. 3 and Gannong No. 9 inoculated with one Sinorhizobium meliloti strain LL2, with varying in symbiotic performance, was conducted, followed by a hub gene interaction network construction based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The G9-LL2 symbiotic system showed better nodule-formation, nitrogen-fixing, and growth characteristics than the G3-LL2 system. Compared with the uninoculated control (CK), the LL2-inoculated G9 plants (10053) produced more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than the LL2-inoculated G3 plants (7112). A group of 227 (2623 shared) genes displayed completely distinguished expression in G9 (6.63 < log2(FC) < 15.45) and G3 (‒3.05 < log2(FC) < 12.05), which are primarily involved in encoding nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptides (NCRs), nodulin, and leghemoglobin. Although genes with predicted roles in nitrogen metabolism were primarily upregulated, and almost all of those in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and plant-pathogen interaction were suppressed, interestingly, a consistently higher expression level measured by log2(FC) was observed in G9 plants. Hub gene interaction networks showed that the NCRs, late nodulin, and genes related to plant immunity (TIR-NBS-LRR, defensin, thioredoxin, thionine, and polygalacturonase) regulated other genes at the source node positions. After the successful initiation of nodulation in both alfalfa cultivars G3 and G9 by S. meliloti strain LL2, G9 achieved preferable outcomes of rhizobia-alfalfa symbiosis by equilibrating the antagonism and compatibility of plant immunity. It elevated PTI and suppressed defense and ETI, as well as enhancing nitrogen fixation and utilization efficiency by inducing the expression of genes encoding NCRs, nodulin, and leghemoglobin. Hub genes predominantly underlying the highly specific rhizobia-alfalfa symbiosis, positively governed by NCRs and fine-tuned immune antagonism, comprise NCRs, late nodulin, and TIR-NBS-LRR. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the modification and efficient utilization of semi-compatible and incompatible rhizobia resources.
Job Quality In The Micro And Small Business Sector In Ethiopia: Evidence From Firm-Level Data
Authors: Gebrehiwot Berihu Assefa
Published: November 2021

Using a large dataset from the 10 largest cities in Ethiopia, this paper studies what entrepreneurial characteristics and attributes contribute to quality job creation in the micro and small enterprises (MSE) sector. We measure job quality in two ways – i) using wage and contract, and ii) health and occupational safety variables. We find that micro and small enterprises that create quality jobs tend to be operated by highly educated and experienced entrepreneurs. This highlights the role of human capital in quality job creation and poverty reduction. Further, we find that micro and small enterprises that create quality jobs tend to be larger in size and managed by professionally recruited managers.
ICESat-2 shows sea ice leads decrease the Arctic cloudiness in cold months
Authors: Liu Zheng , Schweiger Axel
Published: November 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.