bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Biomechanical Simulation and Simulation of Badminton Splitting and Hanging Action Based on Edge Computing
Authors: Zhang Bo
Published: April 2021

Sports biomechanics refers to the science of the laws of mechanical motion produced in the process of biological movement. Its essence is to systematically and digitally reconstruct the fundamental attributes and characteristics of motion. At present, the research of sports biomechanics mainly focuses on the theoretical research of basic aspects and lacks the new technology of sports biomechanics digital simulation innovation and data measurement. This article takes the badminton chopping action as the research object and carries out biomechanical simulation and simulation research with the help of edge computing and genetic algorithm. First of all, this paper constructs a badminton chopping and hanging action system framework based on edge computing, so as to facilitate simulation and improve data transmission efficiency. Secondly, genetic algorithm is used in biomechanics simulation and simulation optimization and data analysis process. System testing and simulation verify the excellent performance of the biomechanical simulation of badminton chopping and hanging action established in this paper. The research will provide a reference for the academic circles to explore the field of sports biomechanics.
Computational Logistics for Container Terminal Handling Systems with Deep Learning
Authors: Li Bin , He Yuqing
Published: April 2021

Container terminals are playing an increasingly important role in the global logistics network; however, the programming, planning, scheduling, and decision of the container terminal handling system (CTHS) all are provided with a high degree of nonlinearity, coupling, and complexity. Given that, a combination of computational logistics and deep learning, which is just about container terminal‐oriented neural‐physical fusion computation (CTO‐NPFC), is proposed to discuss and explore the pattern recognition and regression analysis of CTHS. Because the liner berthing time (LBT) is the central index of terminal logistics service and carbon efficiency conditions and it is also the important foundation and guidance to task scheduling and resource allocation in CTHS, a deep learning model core computing architecture (DLM‐CCA) for LBT prediction is presented to practice CTO‐NPFC. Based on the quayside running data for the past five years at a typical container terminal in China, the deep neural networks model of the DLM‐CCA is designed, implemented, executed, and evaluated with TensorFlow 2.3 and the specific feature extraction package of tsfresh. The DLM‐CCA shows agile, efficient, flexible, and excellent forecasting performances for LBT with the low consuming costs on a common hardware platform. It interprets and demonstrates the feasibility and credibility of the philosophy, paradigm, architecture, and algorithm of CTO‐NPFC preliminarily.
AKI Epidemiology and Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study from the Prenephrology Era
Authors: Asmus K. , Erfurt S. , Ritter O. , Patschan S. , Patschan D.
Published: April 2021

Background. Acute kidney injury substantially worsens the prognosis of hospitalized patients. The Brandenburg Medical School was founded in 2014, and a nephrology section was opened in summer 2017. The aim of the study was to analyze AKI epidemiology and outcomes in one of two university hospitals belonging to the medical school. The period of interest dated from January to December 2015. Methods. The investigation was designed as a single-center, retrospective cohort study at the Brandenburg Hospital of the Brandenburg Medical School. All in-hospital patients treated between January and the end of December 2015 were included. AKI was defined as specified in the 2012 published KDIGO criteria (criteria 1 and 2). Four parameters were evaluated in particular: AKI incidence, in-hospital mortality, frequency of renal replacement therapy, and renal recovery during the stay at the hospital. Results. A total number of 5,300 patients were included in the analysis. AKI was diagnosed in 490 subjects (10.1%). The in-hospital mortality was 26%. The following conditions/parameters significantly differed between survivors (s) and nonsurviving (ns) subjects: duration of in-hospital treatment (s > ns), AKI onset (outpatient vs. in-hospital) (outpatient in s > ns), dialysis due to AKI (s < ns), vasopressor administration (s < ns), and invasive ventilation (s < ns). 5.6% received dialysis therapy, and renal recovery occurred in 31% of all surviving AKI subjects. Conclusion. Both, the AKI incidence and the frequency of dialysis were lower than reported in the literature. However, fewer subjects recovered from AKI. These discrepant findings possibly result from the lack of prehospitalization creatinine values, the lack of follow-up data, and a generally lower awareness for the need to perform renal replacement therapy in AKI.
Adolescent Fat Embolism Syndrome after Closed Tibial Shaft Fracture: Treatment with Emergent External Fixation
Authors: O’Neill Dillon C. , Dekeyser Graham J. , Mortensen Alexander J. , Makarewich Christopher A.
Published: April 2021

Case. An adolescent male developed fat embolism syndrome 24 hours after sustaining a closed right tibial shaft fracture in a football game. The patient was treated with emergent external fixator application due to declining respiratory and mental status and experienced swift recovery after stabilization. He was treated with an intramedullary nail within 1 week of injury. Conclusion. Pediatric fat embolism syndrome is uncommon, and a high index of suspicion is required to facilitate appropriate orthopaedic involvement. External fixation can be performed emergently with minimal fracture manipulation. Rapid provisional fixation appears to have facilitated recovery in this example.
Changing Perspectives on HDL: From Simple Quantity Measurements to Functional Quality Assessment
Authors: Thakkar Himani , Vincent Vinnyfred , Sen Atanu , Singh Archna , Roy Ambuj
Published: April 2021

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) comprises a heterogeneous group of particles differing in size, density, and composition. HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have long been suggested to indicate cardiovascular risk, inferred from multiple epidemiological studies. The failure of HDL-C targeted interventions and genetic studies has raised doubts on the atheroprotective role of HDL-C. The current consensus is that HDL-C is neither a biomarker nor a causative agent of cardiovascular disorders. With better understanding of the complex nature of HDL which comprises a large number of proteins and lipids with unique functions, recent focus has shifted from HDL quantity to HDL quality in terms of atheroprotective functions. The current research is focused on developing laboratory assays to assess HDL functions for cardiovascular risk prediction. Also, HDL mimetics designed based on the key determinants of HDL functions are being investigated to modify cardiovascular risk. Improving HDL functions by altering its composition is the key area of future research in HDL biology to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Improves Fatty Liver and Enhances Thermogenesis in Brown Adipose Tissue via Inhibiting BMP4-Related Signaling Pathway in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Wang Xingchun , Ma Bingwei , Chen Jiaqi , You Hui , Sheng Chunjun , Yang Peng , Qu Shen
Published: April 2021

Objective. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is effective in decreasing blood glucose and body weight. It could improve fatty liver with unclear mechanisms. Hence, we aimed to explore whether GLP-1 could improve fatty liver by regulating the BMP4-related signaling pathway. Methods. Fifteen C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Group A and Group B were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce fatty liver while Group C was fed with a regular diet (RD) for 24 weeks. Group A and Group B received a subcutaneous injection of exenatide and vehicle (0.9% NaCl), respectively, once daily at doses of 10 nmol/kg during the last 8 weeks. Bodyweight, liver weight, and lipid levels were measured. Histological analyses of liver tissue were performed. The expression of protein and gene measured by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was compared. Results. Eight-week exenatide treatment significantly decreased body weight in Group A (from 44.08 ± 2.89 g to 39.22 ± 1.88 g,

P

 = 0.045). Group A had lower body weight and liver weight than Group B at 24 weeks (39.22 ± 1.88 g vs. 47.34 ± 2.43 g,

P

 = 0.001 and 1.70 ± 0.20 g vs. 2.48 ± 0.19 g,

P

 = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, Group A showed significantly less liver steatosis than Group B. Additionally, Group A led to slightly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) levels compared to Group B. Western blotting showed that exenatide could prevent HFD-induced upregulation of BMP4 levels and downstream activation of Smad1/5/8 and the P38 MAPK signaling pathway in the liver. Furthermore, exenatide treatment could reduce BMP4 and enhance UCP-1 (an important thermogenin) in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Conclusion. Exenatide could improve HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and enhance thermogenesis in BAT, which may be partly attributed to the inhibition of the BMP4-related signaling pathway.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activity of CoO Nanoparticles from a Co (II) Complex Derived from Polyvinyl Alcohol and Aminobenzoic Acid Derivative
Authors: Al-Fakeh Maged S. , Alsaedi Roaa O.
Published: April 2021

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) were synthesized by the calcination method from the Co (II) complex which has the formula [Co(PVA)(P-ABA)(H2O)3], PVA = polyvinyl alcohol, and P-ABA = para-aminobenzoic acid. The calcination temperature was 550°C, and the products were characterized by element analysis, thermal analyses (TGA and DTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectra, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters (∆H ∗, ∆G ∗, and ∆S ∗) for the cobalt (II) complex are calculated. The charges been carried by the atoms cause dipole moment 10.53 and 3.84 debye and total energy 11.04 × 102 and 24.80 × 102k Cal mol−1 for the Co (II) complex and cobalt oxide, respectively. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the resulting oxide was pure single-crystalline CoO nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy indicating that the crystallite size of cobalt oxide nanocrystals was in the range of 36–54 nm. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles was evaluated using four bacterial strains and one fungal strain. Two strains of Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), two strains of Gram-negative bacilli (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and one strain of yeast such as fungi (Candida albicans) were used in this study.
Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Refractory Crohn’s Disease: An Observational Study
Authors: Feitosa Marley R. , Parra Rogério S. , Machado Vanessa F. , Vilar Gustavo N. , Aquino Jussara C. , Rocha José J. R. , Kotze Paulo G. , Féres Omar
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims. Patients may experience complications of Crohn’s disease (CD) even when treated with optimal medical therapy strategies. Previous data have shown the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of complicated CD. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal number of sessions or duration of treatment regimens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of HBOT in CD patients who were refractory to conventional medical management. Methods. This study included patients who underwent HBOT for the treatment of the following complications: perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (pCD), enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF), or pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Complete healing was defined as the closure of external orifice and the absence of active draining (in pCD), complete wound healing (in PG), and granulation or complete wound epithelialization with no enteric draining (in ECF). The persistence of draining and the absence of wound granulation were defined as incomplete healing. Results. Forty patients were included. The mean CD duration was

10.6
±
5.8

years. pCD comprised most of the included patients (25/62.5%), followed by ECF (

n
=
13
/
32.5
%

) and PG (

n
=
6
/
15
%

). In two patients (5%), a combination of ECF and PG was diagnosed, and in one patient (2.5%), all three complications were observed. A total of 32 patients (82.5%) had complete healing. Patients with PG had the highest healing rates (100%), followed by those with ECF (84.6%) and pCD (80%). Conclusions. Adjunctive HBO was associated with significant healing rates for CD-associated complications such as pCD, ECF, and PG.
Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Associated Factors among Medical Sciences Students in Kermanshah, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Azami Gilan Baharak , Janatolmakan Maryam , Ashtarian Hossein , Rezaei Mansour , Khatony Alireza
Published: April 2021

Background. Lifestyle includes routine and daily living activities affecting an individual’s health. The present study aimed at evaluating the health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) of medical sciences students of Kermanshah, Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 343 medical sciences students were enrolled by the stratified random sampling method. The data collection tools were demographic information form and the HPLP-II questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results. The mean overall HPLP-II score of the subjects was 2.25 ± 0.44 out of 4. Of the six HPLP-II dimensions, the highest and lowest scores belonged to interpersonal relations and physical activity, respectively. The mean overall HPLP-II score was statistically different in terms of gender, marital status, smoking habits, and economic status (

P
≤
0.05

). Conclusion. HPLP-II level was moderate in most of the students, and health-promoting behaviors, in the physical activity dimension, were in a low state. The results emphasized the need for interventions to improve students' lifestyles.
Investigation of the Large-Scale Pallet by Recycled Polypropylene and the Sequential Valve Gate System during the Injection Molding
Authors: Cheng Chun-Der , Tsai Hsi-Hsun , Liao Yi-Ling
Published: April 2021

Plastic pallets are essential devices for the transport of industrial products within containers and can be made from recycled plastics to be more environmentally friendly. However, numerous thin reinforcing ribs are required to mold such large-size pallets, thereby requiring a large-scale injection-molding machine. Many filling gates can reduce the welding lines to enhance the structural strength of the pallet to achieve injection molding using a lower locking force machine. This study simulated the production of recycled polypropylene plastic pellets using a 3500-ton super-large injection-molding machine and the Moldex3D package to derive the flow analysis of the moldability. The PTC Creo software is used to construct plastic pallets (

1100
 
mm
×
1100
 
mm
×
140
 
mm

), filled by twelve gates using a baffle cooling system. During the four-stage filling of the sequential valve gate system, the flow front spreads from the central gate to the four corners of the pallet, decreasing the number of welding lines, with an average filling pressure of 19.23 MPa by a sequential valve gate scheme which is approximately 65% of the concurrent valve gate opening scheme. The maximum clamping force by this sequential valve gate opening scheme in the molding of plastic pallet is 874.6 tons, only half of the one by concurrent valve gate opening scheme. The average welding angle was 85.7° in the concurrent valve gate opening scheme, with smaller angles than that of the sequential gates controlled scheme. The maximum temperatures during the filling by the two schemes with the concurrent valve gates opened and the sequential gates controlled were 230.5 and 232.5°C, respectively. The sequential valve gate opening scheme’s warpages are smaller than the ones by the concurrent valve gate opening scheme. The warpages of the pallet by the sequential valve gate system are smaller than the ones by the concurrent valve gate system. A higher temperature of the cooling channel and a medium level of cooling time result in lower warpage of the pallet.
Numerical Simulation of Free Convection in a Partially Heated Three-Dimensional Enclosure Filled with Ionanofluid ([C4mim][NTf2]-Cu)
Authors: Bouchta Said , Feddaoui M’barek , Dayf Abdellatif
Published: April 2021

A numerical analysis was performed to study free convection in a stationary laminar regime in a partially heated cube filled with ionanofluid. To numerically solve the dimensionless equations, we applied the finite volume method using the SIMPLEC algorithm for pressure correction. All walls are adiabatic, except for the left and right side walls which are partially heated differently. At the end of this simulation, several results are given in the form of current lines, isotherms, and variations in the Nusselt number. These results are obtained by analyzing the effect of a set of factors such as Rayleigh number, particle volume fraction, cold and source position on the dynamic and thermal fields, and heat transfer. It has been shown that the percentage of nanoparticles and high Rayleigh numbers significantly increase heat transfer by ionanofluid. Two comparisons have been made, between ionic fluid and ionanofluid at isotherms and streamlines, and between nanofluid and ionanofluid at Nusselt number, which show the advantage of using ionanofluid in heat transfer.
Construct a Teaching System Combining Image Linguistics and Multimedia Technology
Authors: Yuejue Yan , Xinze Sun , Bingyue Li , Xiaoyuan Wang
Published: April 2021

At present, the research on the theoretical system of multimedia image linguistics in my country is very limited. In order to further improve and develop the theoretical system of multimedia picture linguistics, this article extracts effective knowledge from the research results of educational technology, linguistics, psychology, and semiotics and establishes a teaching system based on image linguistics. Multimedia picture linguistics consists of three parts: structure, semantics, and pragmatics, corresponding to the artistic laws of multimedia pictures, the cognitive laws of multimedia pictures, and the humanization and naturalization of picture design. Therefore, the research in this article is an important part of establishing multimedia image linguistics. Starting from the research methods of multimedia technology and picture linguistics, this article introduces the theoretical framework and the relationship between the multimedia learning cognitive theory and Mayer’s multimedia learning cognitive theory and conducts in‐depth discussion and demonstration. The thesis constructs a teaching system that combines picture linguistics and multimedia technology and makes it a language tool for developing and designing multimedia learning materials. Experiments have proved that the teaching system combining picture linguistics and multimedia technology proposed in this paper can provide a framework, ideas, and methods for the related research of multimedia picture linguistics and multimedia technology and make multimedia picture language a multimedia learning material design and development The language tools that can be followed can effectively improve the teaching effect under the background of information technology.
Callus Formation in Fractured Femur of Rats Treated with Injection of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium
Authors: Anggita Marla , Nugroho Widagdo Sri , Fibrianto Yuda Heru , Budhi Setyo , Budipitojo Teguh
Published: April 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) is the extraction from stem cell medium containing biological substances, including growth factors and cytokines. These substances play roles in the various functions of body regulatory, including bone formation. However, the effect of MSC-CM derived from human umbilical cord injection in femur fracture healing of rats has not been reported previously. This study aims to see the effect of MSC-CM derived from human umbilical cord injection on the callus formation of bone fracture healing in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). A femur fracture in 54 Wistar rats was made by surgery according to the procedure under sterile conditions. After the surgery, rats were divided into 2 groups of 27, respectively. Injection in the control (0.1 mL/kg body weight NaCl) and MSC-CM group (0.1 mL/kg body weight MSC-CM) was performed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 after surgery. Radiographic images and the femur bone samples were taken and collected on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 60 after surgery. Bone samples were then fixed in Bouin solution. Histologic preparations were done by the paraffin method, by cutting the tissue blocks into 5 μm thickness and then staining with Mallory aniline blue staining. The results were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. The result showed that the soft callus formation occurred rapidly and got wider in the MSC-CM group than that of the control group. The administration of MSC-CM injection postfracture surgery to femur fracture cases in rats was capable to accelerate the callus formation.
Fairness‐Aware Resource Allocation in Full‐Duplex Backscatter‐Assisted Wireless Powered Communication Networks
Authors: Jiang Rui , Liu Meihua , Wang Xiaoming , Xu Youyun
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduce a full‐duplex backscatter‐assisted wireless powered communication network (FDBA‐WPCN) with a full‐duplex access point (FAP) and multiple energy harvesting wireless devices (WDs). The communication mode is a combination of backscatter communication (BC) and harvest‐then‐transmit (HTT). The entire time period of network is divided into energy harvesting/backscattering (EHB) period and information transmission (IT) period. In the EHB period, each WD either reflects information to the FAP by backscatter or harvests energy to prepare for the IT period. In the IT period, the WDs use their harvested energy to transmit information to FAP in time division multiple access (TDMA). However, under the setting, WDs with different distances from FAP will encounter unfairness in throughput due to the round‐trip path loss in backscatter and the doubly near‐far problem in HTT. To overcome the drawback, an optimization problem is considered to maximize the sum throughput under the condition of ensuring throughput fairness. By using convex optimization techniques, we obtain the optimal time allocation and the maximum same throughput of each WD. Comparing to the other two benchmark schemes, the simulation results prove the superiority of our proposed method.
Correlation between Prognostic Factors and the Histopathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Osteosarcoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Prabowo Yogi , Setiawan Iwan , Kamal Achmad Fauzi , Kodrat Evelina , Labib Zufar Muhammad Luqman
Published: April 2021

Background.Multimodality treatment, incorporating neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, is the standard management plan for osteosarcoma that increases the overall survival (OS) rate. However, data regarding prognostic factors affecting the histopathological response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is limited. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma in our center between 2008 and 2018. We classified patient characteristics according to gender, age, tumor size, site and stage at diagnosis, site of metastasis, type of surgery, necrosis rate based on the Huvos grading system, and the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles. We divided response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy into poor responder for patients with Huvos grades 1 and 2 and good responder for patients with Huvos grades 3 and 4. We also documented patients’ survival and follow-up information. Results. We reviewed 64 patients within 5–65 years of age, dominated by men (62.5%). The distal femur (53.1%) was the most common site of osteosarcoma. Fifteen (23.4%) patients had a good response while 49 (76.6%) patients were poor responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the Huvos grading system. Based on multivariate analysis, gender (

p

 = 0.012), age (

p

 = 0.029), symptom duration (

p

 = 0.004), and tumor enlargement after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (

p

 < 0.001) were significantly associated with histopathological response. A scoring system was proposed integrating these significant variables (age > 20 years = 1 point, female gender = 1 point, symptom duration > 12 weeks = 1 point, and increased tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy = 2 points). This scoring system divides patients into two groups with a total score of more than two predicting a poor responder to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions. Age, gender, symptoms duration, and tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are the prognostic features that affect the histopathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with osteosarcoma.
A Two-Level Model for Traffic Signal Timing and Trajectories Planning of Multiple CAVs in a Random Environment
Authors: Jiang Yangsheng , Zhao Bin , Liu Meng , Yao Zhihong
Published: April 2021

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) trajectories not only provide more real-time information by vehicles to infrastructure but also can be controlled and optimized, to further save travel time and gasoline consumption. This paper proposes a two-level model for traffic signal timing and trajectories planning of multiple connected automated vehicles considering the random arrival of vehicles. The proposed method contains two levels, i.e., CAVs’ arrival time and traffic signals optimization, and multiple CAVs trajectories planning. The former optimizes CAVs’ arrival time and traffic signals in a random environment, to minimize the average vehicle’s delay. The latter designs multiple CAVs trajectories considering average gasoline consumption. The dynamic programming (DP) and the General Pseudospectral Optimal Control Software (GPOPS) are applied to solve the two-level optimization problem. Numerical simulation is conducted to compare the proposed method with a fixed-time traffic signal. Results show that the proposed method reduces both average vehicle’s delay and gasoline consumption under different traffic demand significantly. The average reduction of vehicle’s delay and gasoline consumption are 26.91% and 10.38%, respectively, for a two-phase signalized intersection. In addition, sensitivity analysis indicates that the minimum green time and free-flow speed have a noticeable effect on the average vehicle’s delay and gasoline consumption.
Barium Titanate Semiconductor Band Gap Characterization through Gravitationally Optimized Support Vector Regression and Extreme Learning Machine Computational Methods
Authors: Olatunji Sunday O. , Owolabi Taoreed O.
Published: April 2021

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is a class of ceramic multifunctional materials with unique thermal stability, prominent piezoelectricity constant, excellent dielectric constant, environmental friendliness, and excellent photocatalytic activities. These features have rendered barium titanate indispensable in many areas of applications such as electromechanical devices, thermistors, multilayer capacitors, and electrooptical devices. The photocatalytic activity of barium titanate semiconductor is hindered by its large band gap and high rate of charge recombination. Doping of the parent barium titanate compound for band gap tuning is challenging and consumes appreciable time and other valuable resources. This present work relates the influence of foreign material incorporation into the parent barium titanate with the corresponding energy band gap by developing extreme learning machine- (ELM-) based models and hybridization of support vector regression (SVR) with gravitational search algorithm (GSA) using the structural lattice distortion that emanated from doping as model descriptors. The developed gravitationally optimized SVR (GSVR) is characterized with a low value of mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.036 ev, 1.145 ev, and 0.122 ev, respectively. The developed GSVR model outperforms ELM-Sine and ELM-Sig models using various performance evaluators. The developed GSVR model investigates the significance of iodine and samarium incorporation on the band gap of the parent barium titanate and the attained energy gaps conform excellently to the experimentally reported values. The demonstrated precision of the developed GSVR as measured from the closeness of its estimates with the measured values provides a quick and accurate method of energy gap characterization with circumvention of experimental stress and conservation of valuable time as well as other resources.
The Impact of Financial Market Development on Agricultural Factor Misallocation: Household-Level Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Song , Wang Xiongzhi , Yang Mengyuan , Wang Ziling
Published: April 2021

We study the impact of financial market development on the allocation of agricultural factors in China, using national household-level survey data from 2010 to 2014. Our empirical results show the following: (1) the prices of capital and labor are negatively distorted, whereas the price of land is positively distorted; (2) the east region of China has the lowest efficiency of agricultural factor allocation; (3) the breadth of financial market development improves the agricultural factor allocation in all three regions in China, whereas the depth of financial market development only enhances the agricultural factor allocation in the west region of China. Our study presents the very first microlevel evidence on the extent of agricultural factor misallocation in China. Moreover, our results inform policymakers’ choice of prioritizing whether the breadth or the depth of the financial market alleviates agricultural factor misallocation.
STINGing Viral Tumors: What We Know from Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Saulters Emma , Woolley John F. , Varadarajan Shankar , Jones Terence M. , Dahal Lekh N.
Published: April 2021

It has now become increasingly clear that viruses, which may not be directly oncogenic, can affect the biology of tumors as well as immune behavior against tumors. This has led to a fundamental question: Should tumors associated with viral infection be considered distinct from those without? Typically, viruses activate the host innate immune responses by stimulating pathogen recognition receptors and DNA-sensing pathways, including the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. However, regulation of the STING pathway in a virus-associated tumor microenvironment is poorly understood. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection within a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) promotes a unique etiology and clinical outcome. For reasons currently not well understood, patients with HPV+ tumors have a better outcome in terms of both overall survival and reduced risk of recurrence compared with HPV− HNSCC. This observation may reflect a greater intrinsic immunogenicity associated with HPV infection, pertaining to innate immune system pathways activated following recognition of viral nucleotides. Here we discuss how HNSCC provides a unique model to study the STING pathway in the context of viral-induced tumor type as well as recent advances in our understanding of this pathway in HSNCC.
Influence of Nutritional Status and Leptin Action on Agrp and Pomc Co-Expression in Hypothalamic Melanocortin System Neurons
Authors: Morano Rachel , Yates Emily , Barnes Rachel , Wohleb Eric S. , Perez-Tilve Diego
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The control of energy balance relies on the counterbalancing release of neuropeptides encoded by the pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) and agouti-related protein (Agrp) genes, expressed by 2 distinct neuronal populations of the arcuate (ARC) nucleus of the hypothalamus. Although largely segregated, single-cell resolution techniques demonstrate some degree of co-expression. We studied whether challenges to the control of energy balance influence the degree of Agrp and Pomc co-expression in ARC melanocortin neurons. Methods: We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent in situ hybridization to measure Pomc and Agrp gene co-expression in POMC or AGRP neurons in response to (1) acute or chronic calorie restriction, or (2) obesity due to loss of leptin receptor expression or chronic high-fat diet feeding in male mice. Results: Melanocortin ARC neurons of fed mice exhibited low, yet detectable, levels of Pomc and Agrp gene co-expression. Calorie restriction significantly increased and decreased total Agrp and Pomc expression, respectively, and reduced the expression of Pomc relative to Agrp in AGRP neurons. Leptin-deficient db/db mice showed increased total Agrp levels and decreased Pomc expression, as well as significantly increased Agrp expression relative to Pomc in POMC neurons. Expression or co-expression levels did not differ between diet-induced obese mice and lean controls. Conclusions: Changes in Agrp and Pomc co-expression within POMC and AGRP neurons following chronic calorie restriction or in db/db mice suggest an additional mechanism to further suppress the melanocortin signaling during conditions of severely reduced leptin action.
Effect of egg yolk-based extender and seminal plasma removal on sperm viability of cooled donkey semen
Authors: Alonso Carolina Natalia , Castañeira Catalina , Bragulat Ana Flores , Losinno Luis
Published: April 2021

Developing effective cooled semen protocols is essential to increase pregnancy rates and reproductive efficiency in donkeys. This study aimed to evaluate the effect on sperm kinetic parameters and membrane integrity in cooled donkey semen diluted with defined milk proteins extender with 1% or 2% of egg yolk and the removal of seminal plasma. Twenty-four ejaculates from six jackasses were collected. Each ejaculate was divided into four aliquots that were diluted in extender with 1% (EY1) or 2% (EY2) egg yolk. One sample from each group was centrifuged, seminal plasma was removed (CEY1, CEY2 groups, respectively), and the samples were then refrigerated at 5 °C for 24 h. Fresh and cooled semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, morphology, and plasma membrane integrity. Total motility, progressive motility, sperm kinetic parameters, or live sperm cells were not statistically different when semen was cooled with an extender supplemented with 1% or 2% of egg yolk. Seminal plasma removal does not affect total motility or sperm kinetic parameters. However, progressive motility decreased (P<0.05) when semen was extended with 2% of egg yolk and seminal plasma was removed. Membrane integrity was affected (P<0.05) in centrifuged samples. In conclusion, the obtained results suggest that there is no difference in sperm kinetics and membrane integrity when 1% or 2% of egg yolk was added to the Equiplus(R) extender. Also, the removal of seminal plasma by centrifugation did not have any beneficial effect on cooled donkey semen. Further studies are needed to relate these results with in vivo fertility tests with cooled donkey semen.
donkey skin trade: a growing global problem
Authors: Skippen Laura , Collier Jonathan , Kithuka James Mutiiria
Published: April 2021

Growing demand for ejiao – gelatin produced from donkey skin and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine – is putting global donkey populations at risk and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people that depend on them in lower and middle-income countries. Hundreds of thousands of donkeys are slaughtered for their skins and exported annually, mostly from Africa to China. However, the trade is spreading across the globe, including Brazil. This article highlights the appalling welfare conditions for donkeys caught up in both the legal and illegal trade, as well as the effects on vulnerable people and the potential for disease spread and hazards to human health.
union between technical knowledge and activism as a tool to save the donkey
Authors: Brandão Gislane Junqueira , Medeiros Joice Heloisa de , Barros Geuza Leitão , Pessoa Adriana Wanderley Pinho , Zanella Adroaldo José , Oliveira Chiara Albano de Araujo , Macgregor Elizabeth , Nunes Vânia Plaza
Published: April 2021

This case report presents the importance of articulation between legal professionals with the expertise of those who work in different areas of animal science and the activists of animal cause. The report is based on the experience that took place in the interior of the State of Bahia, with a donkey herd, the target of foreign groups interested in donkey hide exploration. The animals were rescued from mistreatment and slaughter, thanks to efficient legal work, aided by several areas of the veterinary sciences, and supported politically by the movement of animal activists. The union between activism and technical knowledge in the areas of health, breeding, nutrition, animal welfare, and legal knowledge is a tool that should not be overlooked. On the contrary, it has proved effective, confirming a strong and innovative link capable of saving animals, promoting their welfare, generating technical knowledge, and new and promising proposals for intersectoral action.
Assessment of the microbiological quality of pattern minas cheese commercialized in Uberlândia and Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais
Authors: Sampaio Aryele Nunes da Cruz Encide , Castro Bruna Godoi , Raghiante Fernanda , Silva Felipe Chaimsohn Gonçalves da , Azevedo Everton Cruz de , Oliveira Jéssica Fernandes de , Velame Marise  Santiago , Garcia Lorena Natalino Haber , Pinto José Paes de Almeida Nogueira , Baldini Eduardo Delbon , Possebon Fábio Sossai , Biondi Germano , Pereira Juliano Gonçalves , Martins Otávio Augusto
Published: April 2021

Pattern minas cheese is a product developed with pasteurized milk, fermented with mesophilic cultures, and with the final addition of rennet. This cheese undergoes an artisanal maturation process and possesses a firm shell of yellowish color and striking and acidic flavor. Our study objective was to evaluate the microbiological quality of pattern minas cheese. We collected 40 samples from two micro regions (Uberlândia and Patos de Minas) of the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba mesor regions of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The microbiological test results were recorded as counts of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms at 35°C, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and Salmonella spp. In the Patos de Minas micro region, the results were 45%, 35%, 20%, and 20% higher than 103 CFU/g for the counts of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms at 35°C, and Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, respectively. Five percent of the analyzed samples were positive for Salmonella spp. in the Uberlândia micro region. Based on the findings of the microbiota in the cheese analyzed from the micro regions (Uberlândia and Patos de Minas), we concluded that the hygiene conditions in the manufacturing, handling, transport, and storage stages were precarious, requiring the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) systems, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
Identificação de tendências de segregação residencial socioeconômica a partir da análise de dados censitários com SIG: o caso da sub-região noroeste do município de São Paulo
Authors: Nepomuceno Pablo Luiz , Nagatoshi Leandro Itiro
Published: April 2021

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar a possibilidade de uso de dados censitários do IBGE (2010) na identificação de tendências de segregação residencial socioeconômica na Região Noroeste do Município de São Paulo-SP a partir de análises estatísticas e espaciais de diferentes atributos socioeconômicos relacionados a determinadas categorias socioprofissionais da população economicamente ativa residente na região. Como resultado foram gerados diversos mapas e tabelas que possibilitaram a identificação destas tendências, evidenciando, portanto, a viabilidade técnica e metodológica de utilização desta base de dados em Sistemas de Informações Geográficas para a identificação de padrões de segregação residencial na escala intraurbana.
Danação e redenção da memória do Infante D. Pedro nas Crônicas de Gomes Eanes de Zurara
Authors: Guimarães Jerry Santos , Moreira Marcello
Published: April 2021

Neste artigo, discute-se como a damnatio memoriae imposta por D. Afonso V ao infante D. Pedro no contexto da Batalha de Alfarrobeira, em 1449, bem como a revogação de tal pena, em 1455, refletem-se nas crônicas de Gomes Eanes de Zurara. Demonstra-se que, no período em que vigorou a citada damnatio memoriae, Zurara escreveu, a mando do rei, suas duas primeiras obras: a Crónica da Tomada de Ceuta e a Crónica de Guiné, motivo pelo qual o infante D. Pedro, enquanto personagem, quando não é esquecido, é lembrado desfavoravelmente pelo cronista. Contudo, observa-se uma redenção mnemônica do infante D. Pedro nas duas últimas crônicas zurarianas, a saber, a Crónica do Conde D. Pedro de Meneses e a Crónica do Conde D. Duarte de Meneses, compostas após a reabilitação oficial da memória do ex-regente por parte do monarca.
Sex Differences in Carotid Plaque Composition in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
Authors: Song Jae W. , Cao Quy , Siegler James E. , Thon Jesse M. , Woo John H. , Cucchiara Brett L.
Published: April 2021

Background

We examined sex differences in nonstenotic carotid plaque composition in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS).

Methods and Results

Patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke imaged with neck computed tomographic angiography who met criteria for ESUS or had atrial fibrillation were identified. Patients with atrial fibrillation were included as a negative control. Semiautomated plaque quantification software analyzed carotid artery bifurcations. Plaque subcomponent (calcium, intraplaque hemorrhage [IPH], and lipid rich necrotic core) volumes were compared by sex and in paired analyses of plaque ipsilateral versus contralateral to stroke. Multivariate linear regressions tested for associations. Ninety‐four patients with ESUS (55% women) and 95 patients with atrial fibrillation (47% women) were identified. Men with ESUS showed significantly higher volumes of calcified plaque (63.9 versus 19.6 mm
3
,
P
<0.001), IPH (9.4 versus 3.3 mm
3
,
P
=0.008) and a IPH/lipid rich necrotic core ratio (0.17 versus 0.07,
P
=0.03) in carotid plaque ipsilateral to stroke side than women. The atrial fibrillation cohort showed no significant sex differences in plaque volumes ipsilateral to stroke. Multivariate analyses of the ESUS cohort showed male sex was associated with IPH
ipsi
(β=0.49; 95% CI, 0.11–0.87) and calcium
ipsi
(β=0.78; 95% CI, 0.33–1.23). Paired plaque analyses in men with ESUS showed significantly higher calcified plaque (63.9 versus 34.1 mm
3
,
P
=0.03) and a trend of higher IPH
ipsi
(9.4 versus 7.5 mm
3
,
P
=0.73) and lipid rich necrotic core
ipsi
(59.0 versus 48.4 mm
3
,
P
=0.94) volumes.

Conclusions

Sex differences in carotid plaque composition in ESUS suggest the possibility of a differential contribution of nonstenosing carotid plaque as a stroke mechanism in men versus women.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Versus Aspirin in Patients With Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Bhatia Kirtipal , Jain Vardhmaan , Aggarwal Devika , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Arora Sameer , Hussain Zeeshan , Uberoi Guneesh , Tafur Alfonso , Zhang Cen , Ricciardi Mark , Qamar Arman
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose:

Antiplatelet therapy is key for preventing thrombotic events after transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke. Although the role of aspirin is well established, there is emerging evidence for the role of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in preventing recurrent stroke.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic review and study-level meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes of early initiation of short-term DAPT (aspirin+P2Y12 inhibitor for up to 3 months) versus aspirin alone in patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. Primary efficacy outcome was risk of recurrent stroke and primary safety outcome was incidence of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes studied were risk of any ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause death. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and CIs were calculated using a random-effects model.

Results:

Four trials with a total of 21 459 patients were included. As compared to aspirin alone, DAPT had a lower risk of recurrent stroke (RR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.68–0.83];
P
<0.001; I
2
=
0%) but a higher risk of major bleeding events (RR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.14–4.34],
P
=0.02, I
2
=
46.5%). Patients receiving DAPT had a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (RR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.69–0.84],
P
<0.001, I
2
=
0%) and recurrent ischemic events (RR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.67–0.82],
P
<0.001, I
2
=
0%).

Conclusions:

As compared to aspirin alone, short-term DAPT within 24 hours of high-risk transient ischemic attack or mild-moderate ischemic stroke reduces the risk of recurrent stroke at the expense of higher risk of major bleeding.
Molecular phylogenetics of Pterocyclus (Apiaceae) based on nrDNA ITS sequences: revised circumscription with a restored species
Authors: ZHOU JING , WEI JIN , NIU JUNMEI , LIU XIAOLI , LIU ZHENWEN
Published: April 2021

The genus Pterocyclus Klotzsch, along with many others, constituted the taxonomically complex Pleurospermum s.l. To delimit its circumscription and clarify its interspecific relationships, molecular phylogenetic analysis and detailed specimen examination were carried out. Its status as an independent genus was confirmed, with four species recognized. Pterocyclus wolffianus, the synonymous species of Pterocyclus forrsetii should be restored as an independent species. A new taxonomic account for Pterocyclus and an identification key to its four species, are provided.
Begonia rigidifolia ssp. sonhungii (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae), a new subspecies from limestone hills in Central Vietnam

Authors: Lin Che-Wei , Phan Luong Cong Son , Nguyen Ngoc Hung
Published: April 2021

Begonia rigidifolia Aver. ssp. sonhungii C.W.Lin (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) from Central Vietnam is hereby described and illustrated as new. It resembles B. rigidifolia ssp. rigidifolia, but differs in its very sparsely puberulous (vs. glabrous), darker toned lamina that is embellished with a pale green broad band (vs. emerald green lamina with irregular radiantly arranged dark spots), stamens widely obovate (vs. obovate) and capsule with wider abaxial wing 6–10 mm (vs. 2–3 mm).