bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Insight of the Antifungal Potential of Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against Alternaria brassicae
Authors: Dhiman Shailja , Varma Ajit , Prasad Ram , Goel Arti
Published: May 2022

Alternaria brassicae is a necrotrophic fungus causes Alternaria blight disease in oilseed mustard crop. There is a 47% loss of the mustard crop due to the Alternaria blight disease. To control this disease, various chemical fungicides have been used till date which are harmful to our environment. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized from Terminalia bellerica have been reported to have significant antifungal potential against A. brassicae at 200 ppm concentration. In the present study, the effect of green synthesized zinc oxide (Tb‐ZnO) nanoparticles, chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, and chemical fungicides on A. brassicae has been anticipated by analysing changes in cytomorphology characteristics, biochemical constituent, and stress enzymes of A. brassicae. Cytomorphological studies by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy have shown the complete disintegration of cell wall, cell membrane, and cytoplasmic content at 200 ppm concentration of Tb‐ZnO nanoparticles. Decrement in biochemical constituents and changes in activity of stress enzymes in Tb‐ZnO nanoparticles treated cell confirm the toxicity of nanoparticles at 200 ppm concentrations. Hence, on the basis of all these results, the mechanism of action of Tb‐ZnO nanofungicides on A. brassicae has been hypothesized in the present study. This study confirms how nanoparticles inhibit the growth of A. brassicae and suggested the use of nanofungicides.
Organic Template‐Free Synthesis of Mesoporous ZnO Microparticles by Sol‐Gel Method and Low‐Temperature Hydrothermal Treatment
Authors: Murguía B. , Medina A. , Borjas S. , Díaz E. , Aguilar C.
Published: April 2022

Mesoporous zinc oxide microparticles were synthesized by the sol‐gel method, followed by hydrothermal treatment at three different temperatures (100°C, 120°C, and 140°C), confirming that the method is fast, simple, reproducible, and ecological. To carry out the synthesis of the samples, zinc acetate was used as a precursor and sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent. From the results obtained, the sample that shows the highest mesoporosity was the one synthesized at a hydrothermal treatment temperature of 140°C, obtaining an average particle size of 5 μm and a pore diameter of 1.7 nm. The importance of the results obtained was that mesoporous xerogel microparticles were obtained without using any type of organic template.
Role of Long Noncoding RNAs in Smoking-Induced Lung Cancer: An In Silico Study
Authors: Ge Lei , Zhao Shishun , Sun Jianguo , Cheng Jianhua , Wang Shaokun
Published: April 2022

The prevalence of lung cancer induced by cigarette smoking has increased over time. Long noncoding (lnc) RNAs, regulatory factors that play a role in human diseases, are commonly dysregulated in lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is closely related to changes in lncRNA expression, which can affect lung cancer. Herein, we assess the mechanism of lung cancer initiation induced by smoking. To calculate the impact of smoking on the survival of patients with lung cancer, we extracted data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases and identified the differentially expressed genes in the lung cancer tissue compared to the normal lung tissue. Genes positively and negatively associated with smoking were identified. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Cytoscape analyses were performed to determine the function of the genes and the effects of smoking on the immune microenvironment. lncRNAs corresponding to smoking-associated genes were identified, and a smoking-related lncRNA model was constructed using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. This model was used to assess the survival of and potential risk in patients who smoked. During screening, 562 differentially expressed genes were identified, and we elucidated that smoking affected the survival of patients 4.5 years after the diagnosis of lung cancer. Furthermore, genes negatively associated with smoking were closely associated with immunity. Twelve immune cell types were also found to infiltrate differentially in smokers and nonsmokers. Thus, the smoking-associated lncRNA model is a good predictor of survival and risk in smokers and may be used as an independent prognostic factor for lung cancer.
Geographic Distribution of HCV Genotypes and Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antivirals in Chronic HCV-Infected Patients in North and Northeast China: A Real-World Multicenter Study
Authors: Li Wencong , Liang Jing , An Jihong , Liu Lingdi , Hou Yihui , Li Lu , Zhao Wen , Cui Luyao , Xue Ningning , Al-Dhamin Zaid , Han Tao , Nan Yuemin , Zhang Liaoyun
Published: April 2022

Objective. To assess the geographic distribution of HCV genotypes, effectiveness, and safety of DAA treatment for HCV-infected patients in North and Northeast China. Methods. The geographic distribution of HCV genotypes was analyzed in 2162 patients recruited from April 2018 to February 2021. Sustained virologic response rates at 12 (SVR12) or 24 (SVR24) weeks posttreatment and safety were analyzed in 405 patients who completed DAA treatment according to patient baseline characteristics and treatment. Results. Four genotypes and six subtypes were identified as follows: 1b (1187, 54.90%), 2a (790, 36.54%), 3a/b (134, 6.20%), 6a/n (44, 2.04%), mixed genotypes (2a-6a or 2a-3a) (7, 0.32%). Overall, 99.01% patients achieved SVR12, while 98.43% achieved SVR24. All patients treated with elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir ± ribavirin (SOF/VEL ± RBV), and SOF/ledipasvir (LDV) achieved SVR12 or SVR24; 92.86% SVR12 and 95.83% SVR24 were observed in patients using SOF + RBV. SVR12 was higher in noncirrhosis versus compensated cirrhosis patients (100% vs. 97.09%,

p
=
0.022

). No severe drug-related adverse event was observed. Conclusions. Genotypes 1b and 2a were dominant subtypes in North and Northeast China. The approved drug regimens EBR/GZR and SOF/LDV for subtype 1b and SOF/VEL for nongenotype 1b are the optimal effective and safety profile.
Construction of E-Commerce Economic Management Platform Based on Data Visualization Technology
Authors: Meng Xianglin
Published: April 2022

In the age of information explosion, users are exposed to overwhelmingly visual information every day. The raw unprocessed data are not attractive enough to the human brain. Thankfully, humans are extremely sensitive to graphic image perception and can understand the meaning behind numbers from graphic images. For this reason, data visualization is becoming the best way to communicate with people. In the context of big data, how to display complex data efficiently, what kind of drawing technology to use, and how to improve user interaction with data are urgent problems to be solved by data visualization technology. On the other hand, researchers’ understanding of data visualization is not consistent; there is no clear standard; and it is relatively confusing. Researchers engaged in data visualization and executives engaged in related data visualization industries have different interpretations of it, and the core theoretical basis and research methods are still in the exploration stage. Firstly, I systematically introduce the design principles of data visualization, software development related technologies, data visualization research methods, basic charts, and characteristics of data visualization. Secondly, based on the software development process, I analyzed the key issues of data visualization for the e-commerce system, gave the objectives of the design plan, and designed the whole architecture and development framework of the project. In particular, I designed the class diagram and timing diagram of the control layer, service layer, and data access layer for the visualization of user purchase preferences in the data visualization and analysis module as an example. Then, with the structure and characteristics of the data in the visualization studied, the business logic layer and the front-end visualization layer are implemented, and a good user interaction function is provided for the users. The data visualization is loaded asynchronously and on demand to improve the performance of data visualization and user interaction experience. Finally, the system data is presented with the analysis of the user population’s region, the analysis of user preferences, and the analysis of the product price sales relationship, and the product category tree diagram and the results of the data visualization run are given, providing a comprehensive platform for shopping, data analysis, and data visualization for the next generation e-commerce system.
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Lotus Effect in an Emerging Intelligent Drone for Persevering Solar Panel Efficiency
Authors: Almalki Faris A. , Albraikan Amani A. , Soufiene Ben Othman , Ali Obaid
Published: April 2022

Solar energy has been receiving increasing attention due to the wide range of functionality it now supports and the promise of reduced environmental pollution. However, there are a few ongoing challenges, one of which relates to regular maintenance, especially for those high roof-mounted solar panels whose efficiency might have been degraded because of dust and dirt particle deposits. This paper is aimed at developing an autonomous drone which is equipped with a camera, a GPS sensor, a transceiver, and a pump conical tank to hold water with lotus effects, for the purpose of maintenance cleaning of solar panels which have been mounted on the roof top of buildings. The proposed system considers the combination of MobileNet and VGG-16 CNN techniques together for object detection and recognition that will enable assessment of solar panels, alongside the lotus effect physical technique that will enable maintenance of the solar panels. This would also put out of danger those human lives who have previously risked carrying out such high installation inspections and maintenance. A pump tank is designed and fabricated using a 3D printer to hold water with the lotus effect and is fitted on the drone. The proposed intelligent drone has been prototyped and deployed on-site at Taif University. The experimental results confirm the ability to detect dust and dirt particle deposits on solar panels while flying autonomously before proceeding to maintain them. The cleaning process with the use of the lotus effect has led to an increase in the power efficiency of the solar panels by approximately 31%, while the accuracy of the MobileNet framework for detecting particle deposits on the solar panels and thereafter making maintenance decisions rose to approximately 99%.
Drifts in N‐Linked Glycosylation Result in ADCC Potency Variation of Perjeta® from August 2020 to October 2021 in China
Authors: Yao Bing , Zhang Di , Cao Weirong , Yang Gaoqiang , Li Wenbin , Hui Xiwu , Ouyang Pingkai , Chen Guoguang , Liu Boning
Published: April 2022

The proposed biosimilar candidate needs to demonstrate biosimilarity with reference products, and the quality target product profile and biosimilarity assessment criteria are prerequisite, which should be based on extensive characterization of the reference products. In this study, 13 lots of China‐sourced pertuzumab (trademark: Perjeta®), with an expiration date from 2020 to 2021, were comprehensively characterized. Despite the consistency of purity, drifts in N‐glycan profile were observed, which resulted in the variation of antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. In detail, four parametric curves of ADCC activity of the reference product were unparalleled, and the maximum response value was highly related to the content of %afucose than half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50). As ADCC is a potential critical quality attribute of Perjeta®, the glycosylation of Perjeta® and its biosimilars should be tightly monitored and controlled.
Oncolytic Adenovirus with SPAG9 shRNA Driven by DD3 Promoter Improved the Efficacy of Docetaxil for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lu Meng , Wei Fu-kun , Wu Chuang , Xu Zi-yang , Mao Li-jun , Yang Dong-rong
Published: April 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant tumor of the male urinary system and ranks the second in the causes of tumor-related deaths. Differential display code 3 (DD3) is a noncoding gene that is specifically expressed in PCa. High expression of sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) is closely related to tumorigenesis of PCa, and SPAG9 is a therapeutic target for PCa. In this study, a new oncolytic adenovirus DD3-ZD55-SPAG9 was constructed by using DD3 promoter to enhance the efficacy and safety of adenovirus. The combined use of DD3-ZD55-SPAG9 and docetaxel showed that DD3-ZD55-SPAG9 significantly improved the anti-tumor efficacy of docetaxel in PCa both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism was related to the induction of tumor cell apoptosis and the inhibition of tumor cell invasion. In conclusion, DD3-ZD55-SPAG9 combined with docetaxel is an effective strategy for PCa therapy.
Time and Accuracy to Establish the Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Tumors: A Comparative Analysis from the Swiss Sarcoma Network
Authors: Wellauer Hanna , Studer Gabriela , Bode-Lesniewska Beata , Fuchs Bruno
Published: April 2022

Soft tissue tumors are rare tumors, and their histological examination remains a challenge. The establishment of the correct initial histopathologic diagnosis is critical. However, due to the rarity of soft tissue and bone tumors and the inherent difficulty of their classification and diagnostics, discrepancies may occur in up to one third of cases. For these reasons, several studies recommend the involvement of experienced pathologists frequently performing sarcoma diagnostics. Until now, there is only scarce information about how long it takes to establish a correct sarcoma diagnosis. We thus analyzed all consecutive patients presented to the Swiss Sarcoma Network Tumor Board (SSN-MDT/SB) with a primary diagnosis of a soft tissue tumor over a 2-year period (01/2019 to 12/2020) based on a tumor biopsy. We then compared the final histopathological diagnosis of two comparable institutions with similar case load, but different workflows: (i) institution A, with an initial diagnosis performed by a local pathologist, and reviewed by a reference pathologist, and (ii) institution B, with the final diagnosis performed directly by a reference pathologist. In addition, we analyzed the time from biopsy to establishment of the diagnosis. A total of 347 cases were analyzed, 196 from institution A, and 149 from institution B. In 77.6% of the cases, the diagnosis from the local pathologist was concordant with the expert review. Minor discrepancies were found in 10.2% of the cases without any consecutive changes in treatment strategy. In the remaining 12.2% of the cases, there were major discrepancies which influenced the treatment strategy directly. Establishing the final report took significantly longer in institution A (4.7 working days) than in institution B (3.3 working days;

p
<
0.01

). Our results confirm the importance of a pathological second review by a reference pathologist. We recommend direct analysis by experts, as diagnoses can be made more accurately and quickly. Within the SSN, establishing the sarcoma diagnosis is overall accurate and quick but still can be improved.
Fabrication, Characteristics, and Therapeutic Applications of Carbon‐Based Nanodots
Authors: Zaidi Zoya , Maiti Niladri , Ali Mohammad Irfan , Sharma Gunjan , Moin Sarmad , Padhy Harihara , Balaji G. L. , Sundramurthy Venkatesa Prabhu
Published: April 2022

Carbon nanodots are a recently discovered sort of carbon nanoparticles, demonstrating excellent fluorescence and physical‐chemical properties that make them appealing for diagnostics and chemotherapeutics, including biosensing, bioimaging, and nanocarriers for drug delivery ground‐breaking therapeutic agents in photothermal and photodynamic therapy. This critical review strongly focuses on the varied sorts of processes involved in the synthesis of carbon nanodots alongside the benefits and shortcomings. Furthermore, the multiple applications of carbon nanodots are established and used to develop potential theranostic nanoarchitectures. This review paper analyses with a discussion focusing on the discovery, synthesis processes, and diverse biomedical applications.
Does Preoperative Waiting Time Affect the Short-Term Outcomes and Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer Patients? A Retrospective Study from the West of China
Authors: Liu Xiao-Yu , Li Zi-Wei , Kang Bing , Cheng Yu-Xi , Tao Wei , Zhang Bin , Zhang Hua , Wei Zheng-Qiang , Peng Dong
Published: April 2022

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of preoperative waiting time on the short-term outcomes and prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 3744 CRC patients who underwent primary CRC surgery at a single clinical medical center from Jan 2011 to Jan 2020. The baseline information, short-term outcomes, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared among the short-waiting group, the intermediate-waiting group, and the long-waiting group. Results. A total of 3744 eligible CRC patients were enrolled for analysis. There were no significant differences in all of the baseline information and short-term outcomes among the three groups. In multivariate analysis, older age (OS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.631–2.324; DFS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.693, 95% CI = 1.445–1.983), advanced clinical stage (OS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.301, 95% CI = 1.161–1.457; DFS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.262, 95% CI = 1.139–1.400), overall complications (OS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.613, 95% CI = 1.303–1.895; DFS:

p
=
0.000

, HR = 1.560, 95% CI = 1.312–1.855), and major complications (OS:

p
=
0.001

, HR = 1.812, 95% CI = 1.338–2.945; DFS:

p
=
0.006

, HR = 1.647, 95% CI = 1.153–2.352) were independent factors of OS and DFS. In addition, no significant difference was found in all stages (OS,

p
=
0.203

; DFS,

p
=
0.108

), stage I (OS,

p
=
0.419

; DFS,

p
=
0.579

), stage II (OS,

p
=
0.465

; DFS,

p
=
0.385

), or stage III (OS,

p
=
0.539

; DFS,

p
=
0.259

) in terms of OS and DFS among the three groups. Conclusion. Preoperative waiting time did not affect the short-term outcomes or prognosis in CRC patients.
NEIL3 Mediates Lung Cancer Progression and Modulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling: A Potential Therapeutic Target
Authors: Huang Hongbo , Hua Qingwang
Published: April 2022

Background. Nei endonuclease VIII-like 3 (NEIL3) is widely involved in pathophysiological processes of the body; however, its role in lung cancer has not been conclusively determined. Objective. This study is aimed at exploring the role of NEIL3 in lung cancer. Methods. The public data used in this study were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. “Limma” in R was used for the analysis of differentially expressed genes. Clinical correlations and prognostic analyses were performed using the survival package in R. The proliferative abilities of lung cancer cells were evaluated by the CCK8 and colony formation assays while their invasive and migration abilities were assessed by the transwell and wound healing assays. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses were utilized to detect RNA and protein levels. Biological differences between groups were determined by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) as well as Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) was used for immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic sensitivity analyses. Results. NEIL3 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, implying that it is involved in lung cancer initiation and progression. Clinical correlation and prognostic analyses showed that NEIL3 was associated with worse clinical features (stage and T and N classifications) and poor prognostic outcomes. In vitro, NEIL3 significantly enhanced NSCLC proliferation, invasion, and migration. GSEA indicated that NEIL3 might be involved in PI3K/AKT/mTOR, G2/M checkpoints, and E2F target pathways. Inhibition of NEIL3 suppressed cyclinD1 and p-AKT protein levels; however, it had no effects on AKT levels, indicating that NEIL3 can partially activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The predicted result of TIDE indicated that immunotherapeutic nonresponders had elevated NEIL3 levels. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between NEIL3 levels and chemosensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel. Conclusion. In general, NEIL3 mediates NSCLC progression and affects sensitivity to immunotherapy and chemotherapy; therefore, it is a potential molecular target for treatment.
A Secure and Stable Humanoid Healthcare Information Processing and Supervisory Method with IoT-Based Sensor Network
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Khan Shadab , Singh Yash Veer , Singh Ram Sewak
Published: April 2022

Nowadays, the Internet of things- (IoT-) based emerging technologies are playing a very pervasive role in healthcare systems where information is required on a real-time basis. These systems may provide real-time alerts with continuous monitoring to the concern in the odd conditions. Thus, these systems help the elderly and ill person with a good quality life and reduce the number of caregiver persons. Based on the above facts, this paper proposes a secure, efficient, and stable humanoid healthcare information processing and supervisory method with an IoT-based sensor network. Here, five different parameters specifically network residual energy, node density, node average energy, number of neighbors surrounded of a node, and distance between the sensor node and sink are considered for effective utilization of the energy of the sensor nodes. This method also reduces the communication distance of the nodes which helps in proficient data collection from the human body. The performance of the proposed and the existing work is considered the stability period, number of alive and dead nodes, total energy consumption, number of packets send to cluster heads, and base station metrics with two different monitoring areas. Thus, the stability period of the proposed method is increased by 144.52% with respect to the existing method protocol.
Seasonal Changes in Pesticide Residues in Water and Sediments from River Tano, Ghana
Authors: Nyantakyi Jackson Adiyiah , Wiafe Samuel , Akoto Osei
Published: April 2022

Pollution due to pesticide residues has been reported in the downstream of the Tano Basin in the rainy season and has been attributed to the anthropogenic activities upstream. However, data on the seasonal variations in pesticide residues in the upstream of Tano Basin are limited. Seasonal variations in 13 organochlorine pesticide residues, 8 organophosphorus pesticide residues, and 5 synthetic pesticide residues in water and sediment samples of River Tano upstream were assessed through extraction and Varian CP‐3800 gas chromatography equipped with a CombiPAL Auto sampler set at ionization mode electron impact methods. Significantly higher pesticide residues were detected in water and sediment samples in the rainy season than the dry season. Permethrin (rainy: 0.007 ± 0.01 mg/kg; dry: 0.008 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and profenofos (rainy: 0.021 ± 0.02 mg/kg; dry: 0.026 ± 0.01 mg/kg) showed higher dry season concentrations in the sediment samples. Two isomers of lindane (δ‐HCH = 0.059 ± 0.24 μg/L; γ‐HCH = 0.002 ± 0.01 μg/L) were detected in the water in the rainy season, but 3 were detected in the sediment samples (δ‐HCH = 0.004 ± 0.12 mg/kg; γ‐HCH = 0.003 ± 0.01 mg/kg; aldrin = 0.001 ± 0.01 mg/kg) suggesting possible illegal use. The detected pesticide residual levels in both water and sediment samples were lower than the maximum residual levels in water and sediment. The Chemical Control and Management Centre of the Environmental Protection Agency should check possible faking and adulteration of banned organochlorine pesticides.
Construction of English Translation Model Based on Neural Network Fuzzy Semantic Optimal Control
Authors: Zhang Bingjie , Liu Yiming
Published: May 2022

This work addresses four aspects of the English translation model: consistency, model structure, semantic understanding, and knowledge fusion. To solve the problem of lack of personality consistency in the responses generated by neural networks in English translation models, an English translation model with fuzzy semantic optimal control of neural networks is proposed in this study. The model uses a fuzzy semantic optimal control retrieval mechanism to obtain appropriate information from an externally set English information table; to further improve the effectiveness of the model in retrieving correct information, this work adopts a two-stage training method, using ordinary English translation data for model pretraining and then fine-tuning the model using English translation data with optimal control containing fuzzy semantic information. The model consists of two parts, a sequence generation network that can output the probability distribution of words and an evaluation network that can predict future whole-sentence returns. In particular, the evaluation network can evaluate the impact of currently generated words on whole sentences using deep inheritance features so that the model can consider not only the optimal solution for the current words, as in other generative models, but also the optimal solution for future generated whole sentences. The experimental results show that the English translation model with fuzzy semantic optimal control of the neural network proposed in this study can obtain better semantic feature representation by using a novel bidirectional neural network and a masked language model to train sentence vectors; the combination of semantic features and fuzzy semantic similarity features can obtain higher scoring accuracy and better model generalization. In English translation applications, there are large improvements in scoring accuracy and generality.
Mathematical Problems in Engineering Landscape Ecological Security Assessment and Ecological Pattern Optimization of Inland River Basins in Arid Regions: A Case Study in Tarim River Basin
Authors: Mu Yuanrui , Shen Wei
Published: May 2022

Tarim River Basin (TRB), located at the Eurasia center, is a typical arid inland basin. It is critical to maintain the ecological security of TRB for the sustainable development of oases. With the inputs of four period land use data, the landscape ecological risk assessment model, the minimum cumulative resistance model, and network analysis were applied to analyze the landscape ecological security pattern and to optimize the landscape pattern. The results show that, during the period 1990–2020, (1) landscape ecological risks of TRB increased by 1.76%; (2) landscape ecological risks tend to agglomerate in space in each period. The clusters of high-high risk are mainly distributed in the central and eastern desert areas, while low-low risk clusters are mainly distributed in watersheds Oasis and mountains. (3) Ecological security pattern network of the basin becomes more complex and better. The optimized pattern, called Oasis Corridor Functional Area with one ring, two screens, two belts, ten corridors, and multicenter, is expected to provide reference for the ecological environment management and restoration.
Infrared and Visible Image Fusion in a Multilevel Low-Rank Decomposition Framework Based on Guided Filtering and Feature Extraction
∗
Authors: Fang Chao , Feng Xin , Gong Haifeng , Lou Xicheng
Published: April 2022

A novel infrared and visible image fusion method in a multilevel low-rank decomposition framework based on guided filtering and feature extraction is proposed to address the lack of edge information and blurred details in fused images. Based on multilevel low-rank decomposition, the fusion strategy of base part and detail contents has been improved. Firstly, the source infrared and visible images are decomposed to the base part coefficients and

n

-level detail content coefficients by multilevel low-rank decomposition. Secondly, the base part coefficients are learned by the VGG-19 network to get the weight map, and then, the improved weight map is obtained by guided filtering, and the coefficients of the base part are fused to acquire the fused base part coefficients. The

n

-level detail content coefficients are fused using the rule of dynamic level measurement with maximum value and then reconstructed to obtain the final fused detail content coefficients. Finally, the fused base part and detailed content information are superimposed to get the final fusion result. The results show that the fusion algorithm can effectively preserve the edge and detail features of the source image. Compared with other state-of-the-art fusion methods, the proposed method performs better in objective assessment and visual quality. The average value of evaluation metrics

E
N

and

M
I

have been improved by 0.5337 and 1.0673 on the six pair images.
Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Taryam Manal O. , Rabiu M. Mansur , AlBanna Shurooq , Al Shamsi Noora , Albastaki Bushra , Khan Hayat , Chettiankandi Salam , Alnakhi Wafa Khamis , Hussain Hamid Y. , Rao Prasan , Singh Gurdeep , Pai Sivakami , Sinjab Mazen M. , Sharbek Lama Toufik , Shang Xianwen , He Mingguang
Published: April 2022

Purpose. To study the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the Dubai Emiratis and non-Emiratis. Methods. The survey was a population-based cross-sectional eye health study conducted 2019-2020. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select local (Emirati) and expatriate (non-Emirati) Dubai residents aged 40 years and older. Ocular examinations were conducted in selected eye clinics to determine the visual acuity (VA) and cause(s) of VI if any. Trained nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmologists did the examinations. VA was measured using ETDRS visual chart. The World Health Organization VI and blindness definitions and classifications for the cause(s) of VI were used. Results. A total of 892 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age [SD] was 52.09 [9.48] years, with 55.8% as males. Prevalence of presenting mild, moderate, and severe VI was 4.7% (2.94–7.11%), 1.8% (0.78–3.5%), and 0% for Emiratis, and 3.6% (2.06–5.76), 1.6% (0.63–3.21), and 0% for non-Emiratis, respectively. Four Emirati participants were blind, with a prevalence of 0.9% (0.25%–2.28%). Men had lower likelihood of VI than women (odds ratio [OR] (95% CI): 0.42 (0.24–0.77)) after adjustment for covariates. Diabetes (OR (95% CI): 1.91 (1.04–3.52)) was an independent risk factor for VI. Higher education level was associated with a lower likelihood of VI (OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.13–0.89). Leading causes of VI among Emiratis were uncorrected refractive error (52%) and cataract (17.2%). Glaucoma, optic atrophy, and absent globe were the causes of blindness. Conclusions. Prevalence of VI is comparably low with leading causes readily treatable. An effective strategy to improve spectacle correction and cataract services would reduce the VI burden.
Differential Effects of Urban Particulate Matter on BV2 Microglial-Like and C17.2 Neural Stem/Precursor Cells
Authors: Morris Rebecca H. , Chabrier Gwladys , Counsell Serena J. , McGonnell Imelda M. , Thornton Claire
Published: May 2022

Air pollution affects the majority of the world’s population and has been linked to over 7 million premature deaths per year. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) contained within air pollution is associated with cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological ill health. There is increasing evidence that exposure to air pollution in utero and in early childhood is associated with altered brain development. However, the underlying mechanisms for impaired brain development are not clear. While oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are documented consequences of PM exposure, cell-specific mechanisms that may be triggered in response to air pollution exposure are less well defined. Here, we assess the effect of urban PM exposure on two different cell types, microglial-like BV2 cells and neural stem/precursor-like C17.2 cells. We found that, contrary to expectations, immature C17.2 cells were more resistant to PM-mediated oxidative stress and cell death than BV2 cells. PM exposure resulted in decreased mitochondrial health and increased mitochondrial ROS in BV2 cells which could be prevented by MitoTEMPO antioxidant treatment. Our data suggest that not only is mitochondrial dysfunction a key trigger in PM-mediated cytotoxicity but that such deleterious effects may also depend on cell type and maturity.
Observações e experiências de Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira sobre agricultura no Pará (1784)
Authors: Pataca Ermelinda Moutinho
Published: May 2022

Em consonância ao pensamento fisiocrático setecentista, a agricultura consistiu em um dos principais objetos de reflexão de Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira ao longo da Viagem Filosófica (1783-1792), com destaque especial  para o texto Estado Presente da Agricultura do Pará. Neste artigo, analisaremos este manuscrito, avaliando como a observação e a experiência fundamentaram os projetos políticos e econômicos implementados nas esferas locais e metropolitanas. Analisaremos a construção de um gênero epistêmico, o “Estado Presente”, destacando as práticas científicas em toda sua complexidade, abrangendo as investigações na viagem e o processo de escrita, reflexão e síntese do texto. Destacaremos os discursos sobre a decadência da agricultura e suas proposições reformistas para a implementação de políticas agrícolas, num processo civilizador associando a ordenação e a domesticação natural aos projetos coloniais.
Drug Interactions Affecting Antiarrhythmic Drug Use
Authors: Mar Philip L. , Horbal Piotr , Chung Mina K. , Dukes Jonathan W. , Ezekowitz Michael , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Miletello Mike , Noseworthy Peter A. , Reiffel James A. , Tisdale James E. , Olshansky Brian , Gopinathannair Rakesh ,   from the American Heart Association Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee of the Council of Clinical Cardiology
Published: May 2022

Antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) play an important role in the management of arrhythmias. Drug interactions involving AAD are common in clinical practice. As AADs have a narrow therapeutic window, both pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynamic interactions involving AAD can result in serious adverse drug reactions ranging from arrhythmia recurrence, failure of device-based therapy, and heart failure, to death. Pharmacokinetic drug interactions frequently involve the inhibition of key metabolic pathways, resulting in accumulation of a substrate drug. Additionally, over the past 2 decades, the P-gp (permeability glycoprotein) has been increasingly cited as a significant source of drug interactions. Pharmacodynamic drug interactions involving AADs commonly involve additive QT prolongation. Amiodarone, quinidine, and dofetilide are AADs with numerous and clinically significant drug interactions. Recent studies have also demonstrated increased morbidity and mortality with the use of digoxin and other AAD which interact with P-gp. QT prolongation is an important pharmacodynamic interaction involving mainly Vaughan-Williams class III AAD as many commonly used drug classes, such as macrolide antibiotics, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, antipsychotics, and antiemetics prolong the QT interval. Whenever possible, serious drug-drug interactions involving AAD should be avoided. If unavoidable, patients will require closer monitoring and the concomitant use of interacting agents should be minimized. Increasing awareness of drug interactions among clinicians will significantly improve patient safety for patients with arrhythmias.
Association Between the Acidemia, Lactic Acidosis, and Shock Severity With Outcomes in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Jentzer Jacob C. , Schrage Benedikt , Patel Parag C. , Kashani Kianoush B. , Barsness Gregory W. , Holmes David R. , Blankenberg Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Westermann Dirk
Published: May 2022

Background

Lactic acidosis is associated with mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Elevated lactate levels and systemic acidemia (low blood pH) have both been proposed as drivers of death. We, therefore, analyzed the association of both high lactate concentrations and low blood pH with 30‐day mortality in patients with CS.

Methods and Results

This was a 2‐center historical cohort study of unselected patients with CS with available data for admission lactate level or blood pH. CS severity was graded using the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) shock classification. All‐cause survival at 30 days was analyzed using Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox proportional‐hazards analysis. There were 1814 patients with CS (mean age, 67.3 years; 68.5% men); 51.8% had myocardial infarction and 53.0% had cardiac arrest. The distribution of SCAI shock stages was B, 10.8%; C, 30.7%; D, 38.1%; and E, 18.7%. In both cohorts, higher lactate or lower pH predicted a higher risk of adjusted 30‐day mortality. Patients with a lactate ≥5 mmol/L or pH <7.2 were at increased risk of adjusted 30‐day mortality; patients with both lactate ≥5 mmol/L and pH <7.2 had the highest risk of adjusted 30‐day mortality. Patients in SCAI shock stages C, D, and E had higher 30‐day mortality in each SCAI shock stage if they had lactate ≥5 mmol/L or pH <7.2, particularly if they met both criteria.

Conclusions

Higher lactate and lower pH predict mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock beyond standard measures of shock severity. Severe lactic acidosis may serve as a risk modifier for the SCAI shock classification. Definitions of refractory or hemometabolic shock should include high lactate levels and low blood pH.
Auf verschlungenen Pfaden ins Paradies
Authors: Geus Armin
Published: April 2022

Franz Wydrinski, alias Franz von Wendrin, used the famous rock pictures of Bohuslän in southern Sweden as a proof that the Teutons have been the oldest civilization of mankind and therefore paradise must have been a part of Germany.The results of his dubious investigations served him for antisemitic agitation, which surpassed all that was written between the two world wars.
Der erste Internationale Kongress für Psychiatrie und Neurologie 1907
Authors: Müller Christian
Published: April 2022

The first International Congress of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurology took place in Amsterdam in 1907 with the participation of a remarkable number of the best-known specialists of the time. The author persues a study of the arrangements made prior to the Congress and the reports published subsequently. The difference of opinion between the supporters of Freudian psychoanalysis and those of traditional neuropsychiatry that existed at that time was expressed only half-heartedly. Parallels with the great, modern congresses are drawn.
Parola e gesto nelFinsegnamento medico: le lezioni chirurgiche di Antonio Scarpa
Authors: Aldini Nicolö Nicoli
Published: April 2022

Antonio Scarpa (1752-1832) was chairman of anatomy and surgery at the university of Pavia for thirty years since 1783. The study of the manuscripts containing his surgical lectures, collected by his pupils, is the basis for the knowledge of the method of teaching in its twofold dimension of the theoretical matter and of the practical demonstration. Starting from the analysis of one of these manuscripts, entitled «Lezioni di operazioni chirurgiche del Cav. Prof. Antonio Scarpa» the value of these collections of notes is discussed and their significance as a textbook for the students is emphasized. The survey of every single lecture demonstrates that the theoretical exposition immediately preceded the operative procedure on the corpse. Finally the qualities expected by Scarpa in the teachers and the students for a satisfactory education in surgery are considered. Fulfilling his mastership Scarpa Struggled to convey to the pupils the method learned when he himself was a student. He was therefore considered the head of the anatomy and surgery school in Pavia.
Psychiatrie und Fürsorge. Zum Verhältnis von Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft um 1900
Authors: Leimgruber Walter
Published: April 2022

Psychiatrists undertaking historical research, poets praising advances in the natural sciences, sociologists speaking the language of medicine and biology: these are only some examples of how various approaches started to flow together around 1900. This convergence was attributable on the one hand to a fear of social disintegration and the consequences of modernization, and on the other hand to a widespread belief in scientific progress. The nineteenth century concept of individual integrity and a right to cultural education was now replaced by collective approaches emphasizing the role of society as a whole (the "masses") and heredity. During the next few decades eugenic approaches to the treatment of "asocial elements" and minorities predominated. Rather than deriving, as claimed, from scientific principles, these approaches were often based on cultural argumentation. The trend was more toward a culturalization of the scientific and medical discourse than toward a biologization of thinking with regard to society. A good many areas in this connection have hardly been researched yet. Interdisciplinary studies would be required to elucidate the relationships between medically defined "health" and socially defined "normality", the intertwinement of disciplines, and the implementation of scientific concepts into social and political models.
Handschriftenfunde zur Alchemie im alten Zürich
Authors: Gantenbein Urs Leo
Published: April 2022

Die beschriebenen Handschriftenfunde zur Geschichte der Zürcher Alchemie beleuchten verschiedene Aspekte der Scheidekunst: die transmutatorisehe, die medizinische und die spirituelle Alchemie. Unter dem Versprechen des Goldmachens führten die Junker Heinzel von Degernstein weite Kreise der Zürcher Oberschicht in die Irre und entlockten diesen beträchtliche Geldsummen. Anton von Muralts Rezepte zeugen von einem tiefen Interesse an der pharmazeutischen Alchemie, die zu idealen Heilmitteln führen sollte. Dem Freimaurer Diethelm Lavater diente die praktische Beschäftigung mit alchemischen Prozessen als Gleichnis für die geistige Höherentwicklung.
Aspects genevois de l'affaire Lyssenko
Authors: Paunier Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2022

T. Lyssenko (1898-1976) was an Ukrainian agricultural expert who defended and tried to proof the inheritance of acquired characteristics. He rejected the validity of the chromosome theory of heredity inspired by Mendel and Morgan and finally came to the top of the scientific authorities of Soviet biology. Since 1948 he was known in the Western countries, and a few scientists adopted his views, especially in France, Belgium and Geneva. At the Institute of Botany of the University of Geneva several papers inspired by him were written and a doctoral thesis; a public debate also took place in 1949. Lyssenko lost power in the sixties and since then has lost credibility everywhere.
Hermann Mooser, Typhus, Warsaw 1941
Authors: Lindenmann Jean
Published: April 2022

Hermann Mooser (1891-1971), a Swiss rickettsiologist, sent his friend Peyton Rous (1879-1970) of the Rockefeller Institute (New York) a telegram on November 3,1941, asking for financial help for the manufacture of typhus vaccine in Zurich for the Warsaw Ghetto. His explanatory letter from November 4 reached Rous too late to have any influence on the negative decision (by the Rockefeller Foundation and the American Red Cross) in this matter. Contrary to Weindling's affirmation Mooser was neither in Warsaw in 1941, nor was he a member of the Swiss Sanitary Missions to the eastern front.
Métamorphoses de l'utérus d'Hippocrate à Ambroise Paré
Authors: Dasen Véronique
Published: April 2022

The treatise Des monstres etprodiges (1579,1585) by Ambroise Paré includes a vignette depicting a monstrous embryo in the form of a human head surrounded by snakes. This picture belongs to the iconographic tradition relating to the Graeco-Roman mythology of sexuality and procreation. It derives from the belief in the womb's animal nature, illustrated on magic Graeco-Roman and Byzantine gemstones, where the uterus is shown in turn as a cupping vessel, a scarab-beetle, an octopus or the head of Gorgo.
Comparisons of Newly Qualified Primary Teachers Past and Present
Authors: O’Hara Paul , Cameron-Jones Margot
Published: April 2022

This research note re-analyses the grades received by primary teachers (PGCE and BEd trained) graduating from one institution in 1988 and also analyses grades from students graduating from the same college and courses in 1996. The results suggest that the two courses are producing teachers whose relative strengths are different.
Staffing our Schools: Expedient or Plan
Authors: Weir Douglas
Published: April 2022

There has recently been considerable media attention over the difficulty of attracting applicants to enter the teaching profession. While that difficulty affects England more than Scotland at present, there are indicators of a similar problem looming in Scotland. That difficulty is however only part of the problem of teaching standards in schools. Of equal concern is the lack of a requirement that teachers who take on new roles or new subjects have their competence to do so formally accredited. A new consultation paper from the Scottish Office about the continuing professional development of teachers may help tackle some of these concerns over standards, but a more comprehensive review of the recruitment, training, and employment of teachers would be preferable.
The Passing of Monotechnic Teacher Education in Scotland
Authors: Kirk Gordon
Published: April 2022

Monotechnic teacher education provision persisted in Scotland long after it had been discarded elsewhere and was officially endorsed as recently as 1986. Despite that, teacher education is now almost fully integrated into the universities. This paper offers an analysis of that change. Its thesis is that three mutually reinforcing influences were at work. Firstly, in marked contrast to its heavily interventionist stance in regard to college closures in the early ‘80s, the government established a regulated market for higher education, thereby creating the conditions in which institutional collaboration would evolve through negotiation within the policy community itself. Secondly, the colleges of education faced a range of financial and other pressures which made merger with a university an attractive proposition. Thirdly, the recently repatriated universities saw benefits in the establishment of faculties of education, not least as a means of integrating themselves more fully into the educational life of Scotland.