bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and composition analysis of coal abandonment in abandoned mines
Authors: Liu Jinzhao , Chen Xiangjun , Feng Shuailong , Li Xinjian
Published: August 2022

The development and utilisation of gas resources in closed mines is based on statistics of coal reserves that have been abandoned for a variety of reasons, with the evaluation method and procedure playing a crucial role as the core technology. The following conclusions are reached through the analysis of the mass conservation method and scenario reproduction method, taking the differential supply of abandoned mine residual coal resources to gas resources as the research goal, taking into account the different levels of richness of geological, production, and recovery data: (1) The four provinces of "Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and Guizhou" formed the first tier of an industry pattern. (2) The scenario simulation technique is appropriate for mines with incomplete data or long-closed pits, whereas the mass conservation method is appropriate for abandoned mines with complete means of production. (3) Due to the steady decline in the proportion of coal pillar resources in residual coal resources and the gradual increase in the proportion of loose coal resources, there is a differentiated supply of abandoned mine gas resources as a result of the technical reform of coal mining methods.
A novel HPLC method for selexipag in human plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Ceylan Burhan , Tırıs Gizem , Tekkeli S. Evrim Kepekci , Önal Cem , Önal Armağan
Published: August 2022

A novel simple and cost effective HPLC technique was presented for the quantification of selexipag (SLP) in human plasma sample and the technique's applicability to a pharmacokinetic investigation. C18 (5 µm x 4.6 mm x 150 mm) column was used at 30°C with a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile: % 0.5 formic acid (65:35 v/v) at 1.2 mL min− 1 flow rate. The linearity range is 10–125 ng mL− 1. As sample preparation step human plasma was precipitated with acetonitrile and the detection was provided at 300 nm. LOD is found to be 3.3 ng mL− 1 for drug. Validation of the studied methods was carried out according to EMA guideline. The new method applied on a pharmacokinetic study by administration of 800 mg SLP to a healthy volunteer and parameters like AUC0 − 24, AUC0−∞, Cmax, tmax, and t1/2 were assessed.
Non-fragile robust output feedback control of uncertain active
suspension systems with stochastic network-induced delay
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhu Ya juan , Wong Pak Kin , Li Wen feng , Yang Zhi xin , Li Pan shuo , Song Chong hui
Published: August 2022

The vehicle active suspension has attracted considerable attention owing to its great contributions to the vertical dynamics of vehicle. This paper investigates the robust non-fragile H ∞ output feedback control problem of the uncertain vehicle active suspension with stochastic network-induced delay. Firstly, taking the variation of sprung and unsprung masses into consideration, an interval type-2 (IT-2) Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy model is introduced to describe the nonlinear characteristics of active suspension systems (ASSs). Secondly, to ensure that the control strategy is practicable when some states are unmeasured, a novel output feedback method is proposed by employing a variable substitution approach. Meanwhile, in order to approximate the real physical conditions of the control system, the gain perturbations are taken into account. Thirdly, with regard to the complexity of signal transmission delay in network control process, a more generalized lumped delay form is employed to represent the network-induced delay. Moreover, to describe the stochasticity of lumped delay, a Markovian process is introduced. Finally, both numerical simulations and experimental tests are carried out to examine the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed controller.
Impact of slow infusion of sodium bicarbonate solution on hemodynamic resuscitation of patients following blood loss during surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Khajavi Mohammad Reza , Aghaie Maryam , Malek Mohsen kupaei , Aghaie Marjan , Bidkhori Mohammad , Behseresht Alireza
Published: August 2022

Background: Maintaining systemic blood pressure and tissue perfusion in patients during hemorrhagic shock due to surgery is critical. In this study, the hemodynamic effects of bicarbonate infusion after hemorrhagic hypotension during surgery was investigated.Methods: This prospective clinical trial study was conducted on 59 candidates for total hip surgery at Sina hospital in 2020-2021. During surgery patients who had blood loss above 400 milliliters within 15 minutes and have systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 90 mm Hg, randomly divided to bicarbonate(B) and control(C) groups. If bleeding reaches the maximum tolerable limit, in each group transfusion is started. At the end of operation an arterial blood sample is sent to measure blood gases and lactate level. Hemodynamic parameters, blood gas analysis and lactic acid changes before and after intervention was analyzed in each group. Results: A total number of 59 patients were analyzed. The SBP and mean arterial blood pressure in the B group increased after 10 minutes and remained higher than C group until 50 minutes of study. Also, the acid-base values in the B group maintained in the normal range in comparison with C group. Finally, the blood lactate level in B group was lower than the C group.Conclusions: In patients with hemorrhagic hypotension during surgery, the use of slow rate 7.5% sodium bicarbonate solution infusion along with other crystalloids can correct the patient's hypotension and metabolic acidosis compared to crystalloids alone.
Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in UK Fenland study participants using smartphone-submitted vital sign measurements
Authors: Moore Alex , Dolezalova Nikola , Morelli Davide , Gkrania-Klotsas Effrossyni , Cunningham Adam , Booth Adam , Plans David , Reed Angus , Aral Mert , Rennie Kirsten , Wareham Nick
Published: August 2022

IntroductionMobile health applications are increasingly being used in health and clinical research. SARS-CoV-2 has proven to have high infectivity, making outbreaks difficult to contain. Early detection can help prevent spread, but there is a need to develop easy-to-use screening tools that can help identify potential infection as early as possible. Here, we describe the development of a machine learning classifier that can predict SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity using smartphone-submitted vital sign measurements.MethodsThe Fenland App study followed 2,199 UK participants using a smartphone application from August 2020 and for a minimum of six months. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and then monthly questionnaires about SARS-CoV-2 status and vaccinations. Three times a week, participants provided measurements of their blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, and resting heart rate via a pulse oximeter, digital thermometer, and their smartphone. The participants participated in self initiated SARS-CoV-2 testing as per concurrent public health guidelines.We built predictive models SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity status as obtained from national surveillance PCR test results.ResultsA total of 77 positive and 6,339 negative SARS-CoV-2 tests were recorded during the study. The final model achieved an ROC AUC of 0.695 ± 0.045. There was no difference in model performance when using 4, 8 or 12 weeks of baseline data before a SARS-CoV-2 test (F(2) = 0.80, p = 0.472). Addition of demographic or symptom information had no impact on model performance.ConclusionsUsing only three smartphone collected vital sign measurements, it is possible to predict SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity, using a four week baseline period. Smartphone based remote monitoring of patient vital signs could allow for earlier screening for potential infections. This method could be applicable to any infectious disease that causes physiological changes in vital signs.
Adjusting the RAPID score with 3 additional variables significantly increases its predictive value in patients with empyema
Authors: Stüben Björn-Ole , Plitzko Gabriel Andreas , Urban Franca , Kölzer Hannah , Kemper Marius , Wakker Jonas , Izbicki Jakob Robert , Bachmann Kai
Published: August 2022

BackgroundPleural empyema is a serious condition leading to a significant burden on health care systems due to protracted hospitalisations. Treatment ranges from non-surgical interventions such as antibiotic therapy and chest tube placement to thoracoscopic or open surgery. Various risk factors which impact outcomes have been investigated. The RAPID (renal, age, purulence, infection source, and dietary factors) score is a clinical risk score which identifies patients at risk of death and may be used to formulate individual treatment strategies accordingly. All patients undergoing surgical interventions for empyema at a major tertiary medical center in Germany from 2017-2020 were analysed. The aim was to identify perioperative risk factors which significantly impact treatment outcomes but are currently not included in the RAPID score. Methods245 patients with pleural empyema treated at the Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery at the University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany (admitted from January 2017 to April 2020) were retrospectively analysed. All patients which received either minimally invasive or open thoracic surgery were included. Epidemiological as well as perioperative data was analysed to identify risk factors which impact long-term overall outcomes. 90-day mortality rate was the primary endpoint. Postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay (LOS) were also investigated.ResultsThe mean age was 59.4 years with a bimodal distribution. There was a male predominance across the cohort (71.4% compared to 28.6%), with no significant differences across ages below or above 60 years. 53 (21.6%) patients died within the first 90 days. Diabetes type 1 and 2, renal insufficiency, immunosuppression, postoperative bleeding, intraoperative transfusion as well as microbiologically confirmed bacterial invasion of the pleura all led to higher mortality rates. Higher RAPID scores accurately predicted higher 90-day mortality rates. Modifying the RAPID score by adding the comorbidities diabetes, renal insufficiency and immunosuppression significantly increased the predictive value.ConclusionsWe demonstrated various perioperative and intraoperative risk-factors not included in the RAPID score which negatively impact postoperative outcome in patients receiving surgical treatment for pleural empyema. These should be taken into consideration when deciding on the best course of treatment. If confirmed in a prospective study with a significantly larger cohort, it may be worth considering expanding the RAPID score to include these.
Parasomnias manifest different phenotypes in age- and sex-groups. An internet-based video research
Authors: Corrêa Vivian M. , Vitrai József , Szűcs Anna
Published: August 2022

Hypothesis There are typical patterns - phenotypes - of sleep behaviors characterizing age-, and sex-groups of parasomnia patients. Materials and methods We analyzed sleep-related behaviors likely representing parasomnias, looking for phenotypes in different groups. We searched public internet databases using the keywords “sleepwalking”, “sleep eating” “sleep sex”, “sleep talking”, “aggression in sleep” and somnambulism in six languages. Poor-quality vide-records and those showing apparently faked sleep behaviors were excluded. We classified those persons shown on the videos into estimated sex- and age (children, adults, elderly) - groups; scored the activity types by a self-made scoring scale; and applied binary logistic regression for analyzing the association between sleep behaviors versus sex- and age- groups by STATA package providing 95% confidence interval and the probability of statistical significance.Results Twohundred-twentyfour videos (102 women) were analyzed. The odds of sleepwalking and related dangerous behaviors were lower in the elderly than in adults (P<0.025). Females performed complex risky behaviors during sleepwalking more often than males (P<0.012). Elderly people presented emotional behaviors less frequently than adults (P<0.004), and females showed them twice often as males. Adults sleep talked full sentences more often than children and elderly people (P<0.001). Elderly males had 40-fold odds compared to adults and children, to perform aggressive movements, and 70-fold odds of complex movements in the bed, compared to adults.Conclusion Elderly people rarely sleepwalk in our research. Elderly males perform intense and violent movements in bed, unlike other groups. The existence of parasomnia phenotypes allows prevention of injury types and raises theoretical questions on the mechanism including social and brain-network features of parasomnias.
Research on Implicit Intent Recognition Method Based on Prompt Learning
Authors: Liu Shuhua , Li Lanting , Fang Ming , Hung Chih-Cheng , Yang Shihao
Published: August 2022

As one of the core modules of the dialogue system, intent recognition plays an important role in human-computer interaction. Most of the existing intent recognition research is limited to simple, direct, and explicit intent recognitions. However, the natural human-computer interactions are flexible and diverse, and the expressions are often the euphemistic implicit intentions. Therefore, the implicit intent recognition brings new research challenges in this field. This paper pioneers a Chinese Implicit Intent Dataset CIID, which covers 7 common intents from different fields, and the data is the text containing the user's implicit intent. Based on this corpus, it is the first time prompt learning is employed for implicit intent recognition and by constructing a suitable prompt template, the model can get "relevant hints" to dig out the true intention of the user. Finally, this paper evaluates a range of classification models on CIID dataset. Experimental results show that the recognition rate of the proposed model is 97.6%, and achieves the state-of-the-art recognition accuracy. Furthermore, since it is difficult to collect the user's implicit intention data, this paper also explores the performance of these classification models on the CIID dataset with few-shot settings, and the experimental results show when the training data is reduced to 4.7%, the recognition rate of the proposed model can still keep 92.4%, which is significantly higher than other baseline models, the results further prove this proposed method is advanced and robust.
GABRP is a potential chemoresistance regulator in colorectal cancer
Authors: tengyu wang , Zhen Qinghao , Wu Tong , Jin Lan , Yao Surui , Feng Yuyang , Chen Jinghua , Chen Chen , Huang Zhaohui
Published: August 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the cancers with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy is commonly used for metastatic or more advanced CRC. The mechanism of CRC chemoresistance is still under active investigation. Therefore, we identify and validate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between oxaliplatin/5-FU resistant and sensitive cells.Methods and Results: Three datasets of colorectal cancer patients (GSE28691, GSE81006, and GSE77932) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed and volcano plots for DEGs were generated using GEO2R tool. The intersection of three GEO datasets showed that GABRP was significantly upregulated in chemo-resistant CRC cells or patients with an adjusted p-value less than 0.01. The STRING website analyzed the potential protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with GABRP. The PPI network predicted ANKRD66, CLINT1, HAP1, PLCL1, GABARPAP, GABARAPL1, NSF, GABARAPL2, TRAK2, and CLIC3 had a high likelihood to interact with GABRP. Especially, GABARAP, GABARAPL1, ANKRD66, CLINT1, and CLIC3 were enriched as the most possible associated protein with GABRP among the networks. GABRP was significantly highly expressed in both oxaliplatin/5-FU resistant CRC cells than in those counterparts sensitive CRC cells using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. Consistently, TCGA and oncomine database confirmed that high expression of GABRP in various cancer patients including CRC patients tends to have relatively lower survival and disease-free survival rate.Conclusion: We identify GABRP as a promising drug target to mediate oxaliplatin or 5-FU resistance in CRC. It provided the theoretical basis and potential clinical value for CRC patients.
Development of a simple standardized scoring system for assessing large vessel vasculitis by 18F-FDG PET-CT, and differentiation from atherosclerosis
Authors: Bacour Y.A.A. , Kanten M.P. van , Smit F. , Comans E.F.I. , Akarriou M. , de Vet H.C.W. , Voskuyl A.E. , Laken C.J. van der , Smulders Yvo
Published: August 2022

Purpose: to develop a structured approach to distinguishing large-artery vasculitis from atherosclerosis using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with low-dose computed tomography (FDG PET/CT).Methods: We evaluated the FDG PET/CT images of 60 patients, 30 having biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA; the most common form of large-artery vasculitis), and 30 with atherosclerosis. Twelve nuclear medicine physicians evaluated images using 5 criteria: FDG uptake pattern (intensity, distribution, circularity), the degree of calcification, and co-localization of calcifications with FDG-uptake. Criteria that passed agreement and reliability tests were subsequently analysed for accuracy using receiver operator curve (ROC) analyses. Criteria that showed discriminative ability were then combined in a multi-component scoring system. Observers also reported both initial and final ‘gestalt’ conclusion before and after detailed examination of the images. Results: Agreement and reliability analyses disqualified 3 of the 5 criteria, leaving only FDG uptake intensity and calcification for potential use in a scoring system. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 (95%CI 0.87 - 0.92) for FDG uptake intensity. Degree of calcification showed poor discriminative ability on its own (AUC of 0.62 (95%CI 0.58 - 0.66). When combining presence of calcification with FDG uptake intensity into a 6-tiered scoring system, the AUC remained similar at 0.91 (95%CI 0.88-0.93). After exclusion of cases with arterial prostheses, the AUC increased to 0.93 (95%CI 0.91 - 0.95). The accuracy of the ‘gestalt’ conclusion was initially 89% (95%CI 86% - 91%) and increased to 93% (95%CI 91 - 95%) after detailed image examination. Conclusion: Standardised assessment of arterial wall FDG uptake intensity, preferably combined with assessment of arterial calcifications into a scoring method enables accurate distinction between large artery vasculitis and atherosclerosis.
Effects of a self-efficacy-centred self-management program on neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yu Zepeng , Tang xiangxiang , Huang Jin , Liu Qian , Wang Wenyan , Su Xiaoping
Published: August 2022

Study design:
A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.
Objective
The present research aimed to investigate the effects of a self-efficacy-centred self-management program on persons with neurogenic bladder (NGB) after spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting:
The spinal surgery department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.
Methods
Eighty-two individuals with NGB after SCI were randomized into the control or intervention group. The control group received standard admission and discharge education and follow-up. The intervention group received the self-efficacy-centred self-management programme. Self-efficacy was assessed at preintervention, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks postintervention. Self-management ability, the incidence of UTI, residual urine volume, bladder safety capacity and quality of life were assessed at 12 weeks postintervention. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS 26.0.
Results
Ultimately, 79 participants (control group: n = 39, 66.67% males, intervention group: n = 40, 57.50% males) received the full intervention. A significant difference was observed in self-efficacy between the control and intervention groups (2.54 ± SD 0.247 versus 2.71 ± SD 0.218, mean 95% CI: 0.174, 0.070 to 0.278, p < 0.05) at 12 weeks postintervention. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in self-management ability, the incidence of UTI, residual urine volume and bladder safety capacity between the groups at 12 weeks postintervention. There were significant differences in quality of life (vitality, mental health, p < 0.05) between the two groups.
Conclusions
The self-efficacy-centred self-management program developed in this study can significantly increase participants’ self-efficacy and bladder self-management ability, thereby improving their bladder functional status and quality of life.
Fixed-time adaptive fuzzy control for nonlinear interconnection high-order systems with unknown control direction
Authors: Bai Wen , Liu Peter Xiaoping , Wang Huanqing
Published: August 2022

This study investigates an adaptive fixed-time tracking problem of nonlinear interconnected high-order systems with unknown control direction and stochastic disturbances. By utilizing the Nussbaum gain technique, an adaptive fixed-time controller is proposed to overcome difficulties associated with unknown control directions. Under the framework of adaptive feedback, the backstepping method and fuzzy logic system are utilized to deal with the stochastic disturbances and the packaged unknown nonlinearities. Adding a power integrator is used within the adaptive backstepping control scheme to deal with the positive odd integer terms. The designed control strategy guarantees that the tracking error converges within a fixed settling time and all signals of the closed-loop system are fixed-time bounded. Simulation results validate the designed control approach.
A simple and efficient process for the synthesis of 2D carbon nitrides and related materials.
Authors: Huc Vincent , Silva Cora Moreira Da , Vallet Maxime , Saint-Martin Romuald , Leroy Jocelyne , Dragoé; Diana , semion clément , Brisset François , Blin Thomas , guillot regis , Gillet Cynthia
Published: August 2022

This manuscript describes a new process for the synthesis of very high quality 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), such a C2N and CN carbon nitrides. The structure/quality of these materials is demonstrated by extensive cross-characterisations at different scales. The availability of such very large, high quality layers of these materials opens interesting perspectives, for example in photochemistry and electronics (intrinsic transport properties, high gap substrate for graphene, etc...). We thus consider that this work could be of interest to a broad readership, considering that this topic is among the current hottest ones.
A case of pulmonary Sequestration with blood supply from lar ge aorta treated by thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Chen Jian , Hu Jiangwei , He Junming , Fu Yin , Guan Wei , Lou Guoliang
Published: August 2022

Pulmonary Sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital lung disease in which the fetal part of the lung tissue separates from the main part of the pulmonary lung tissue, the separate development form does not have lung function and accepts systemic arterial blood supply of cystic masses, clinically mostly asymptomatic. However, due to the risk of infection and cancer, surgical removal of the current is still the preferred treatment for the disease. Thoracoscopic and direct thoracotomy are both feasible treatment options. Despite the fact the isolation vessel in this case was unusually thick, the surgery was successful, confirming that thoracoscopic surgery remains safe and effective.
FTO deubiquitinated by USP7 influenced NEDD4 mRNA stability enhancing the chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine by promoting cell proliferation and upregulating RRM1 expression
Authors: Lin Kai , Zhou Endi , Zheng Ziruo , Zhang Siqing , Shi Ting , Yang Chaozhi , Zhang Guodong , Cai Jingsheng , Gao Wentao
Published: August 2022

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. It has been proven that the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) alteration is an important regulator of human cancer, however, it is unclear how FTO affects gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer.Methods: Gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancer cells and tissues were used to evaluated the expression level of FTO. The biological functions of FTO to gemcitabine resistant cells were investigated through cell counting kit-8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and inhibitory concentration 50. Immunoprecipitation/MassSpectrometry, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA sequencing and RNA immunoprecipitation assays, RNA stability, luciferase reporter, and RNA pull down assays were performed to explore the mechanism of FTO in gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancer cells.Results: FTO was substantially expressed in cells and tissues that were resistant to gemcitabine. Functionally, FTO enhanced gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer in vitro. Depletion of FTO inhibited tumor growth of gemcitabine resistance cells in vivo. By immunoprecipitation/massSpectrometry we found FTO protein can be bound to USP7 and deubiquitinated by USP7 and lead to the upregulation of FTO. Mechanistically, FTO knockdown substantially reduced the expression level of NEDD4 in an m6A dependent manner. FTO enhanced the mRNA stability of NEDD4 through targeting its exonic regions. RNA pull down and RNA immunoprecipitation verified YTHDF2 was the reader of NEDD4. NEDD4 promoted the proliferation and chemoresistance of gemcitabine resistance cells. FTO knockdown markedly reduced RRM1 expression level in NEDD4 dependent manner, thus influence the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. Conclusion: We found FTO regulated gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer by demethylated NEDD4 RNA in m6a-dependent manner which then influenced the RRM1 expression level. Meanwhile, we identified FTO protein level can be upregulated by USP7.
Heart Failure Classification based on Resting Ejection Fraction does not Display a Unique Exercise Response Pattern
Authors: Wernhart Simon , Papathanasiou Maria , Hedderich Juergen , Rassaf Tienush , Luedike Peter
Published: August 2022

Background:Heart failure with preserved (HFpEF), mildly reduced (HFmrEF) and reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction (EF) remains a controversial categorization. Since variables of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have been associated with cardiopulmonary morbidity, they may provide additional benefit to better classify heart failure patients. We aimed to analyze whether predictive CPET variables differ between all heart failure categories. We analyzed predictive CPET variables of HFpEF (n=123), HFmrEF (n=31), and HFrEF (n=153) patients reporting to our clinic between 01.04.2021 and 31.03.2022. Laboratory markers and transthoracic echocardiography were performed within 48 hours of CPET. The association between heart failure category and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was used as a primary outcome, while the association between HF category and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), increase of O2 pulse during exercise, VE/VCO2, exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV), rise of endtidal CO2 (PETCO2) >3mmHg during exercise, and the oxygen equivalent at the first ventilatory threshold (EqO2 at VT1) were analyzed as secondary outcomes.Results:VO2peak displayed a consistent decline with EF (19.8±6.2ml/kg/min vs. 17.5± 7.9ml/kg/min vs. 13.7± 4.0ml/kg/min, p<.001). Increase of O2 pulse (7.7±3.5ml vs. 5.5±3.0ml, p<.001), EqO2 at VT1 (25.7±7.2ml vs. 27.3±5.8ml, p=.001) and VE/VCO2 (34.9±8.9 vs. 39.1±10.7, p=0.001) only differed between HFpEF and HFrEF, while OUES showed differences between HFpEF and HFrEF (1.8±0.6 vs 1.4±0.5, p<.001) as well as HFmrEF and HFrEF (1.9±0.9 vs. 1.4±0.5, p=0.004). EOV (p=0.081) and rise of PETCO2>3mmHg (p=0.399) showed no difference between groups. BB intake resulted in lower VO2peak in HFpEF and HFmrEF, but higher values in HFrEF (each p<.001).Conclusions:Major predictive CPET variables differed between HFpEF and HFrEF, but distinction to HFmrEF was not consistent across variables. Thus, the current EF-based categorization does not appropriately reflect exercise limitations. CPET variables could contribute to better characterize HF.
Evaluating the potential of suburban and rural areas for tourism and recreation, including individual short-term tourism under pandemic conditions
Authors: Bielska Anna , Borkowski Andrzej , Czarnecka Adrianna , Delnicki Maciej , Kwiatkowska-Malina Jolanta , Piotrkowska Monika
Published: August 2022

Limited mobility and restrictions in social life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's recreational behaviour and made them seek more contact with nature. As a result, the provision of new recreational spaces in the vicinity of cities gained importance. In conditions of social distancing, rural and suburban areas can be an attractive alternative to individual short-term tourism, satisfying the need for recreation and mental and physical health restoration of urban residents. In the study a methodology for assessing the tourist and recreational potential of the area (METPRET) concerning the recreational behaviours identified in the pandemic was proposed. It includes the Recreational Potential Index (RPI), which comprises four criteria: landscape values and socio-economic conditions; environmental protection; air quality; transportation accessibility. The application of the methodology is exemplified in the Mazovia Voivodeship, Poland. The research allows the determination of characteristics that potential recreation areas should have under pandemic conditions. The RPI makes it possible to select new rural and suburban areas attractive for short-term tourism. Designating additional recreational areas may contribute to the dispersion of users in existing green areas in cities, which is particularly important during a pandemic.
Increased serum homocysteine in first episode and drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia: Sex differences and correlations with pathophysiology
Authors: Yang Xu , Yang Haidong , Li Na , Li Chunyu , Liang Weiye , Zhang Xiaobin
Published: August 2022

Background Accumulating evidence shows that homocysteine (Hcy) is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and plays an important role in clinical characteristics. This study evaluated the relationships between Hcy levels and clinical features in first-episode, Chinese Han, drug-naïve (FEDN) patients with schizophrenia. Methods FEDN patients (119 with schizophrenia and 81 healthy controls matched for age, sex, education, and body mass index (BMI)) were enrolled. The serum Hcy levels were determined by enzyme cycle assay experiments. Severities of clinical symptoms were rated on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results FEDN patients with schizophrenia had higher Hcy levels compared with healthy controls (F = 46.865, P < 0.001). Correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that serum Hcy levels in FEDN schizophrenia patients were positively correlated with PANSS general psychopathology subscale (r = 0.294, P = 0.001) and PANSS total score (r = 0.273, P = 0.003). No significant association was found between Hcy and age, BMI, PANSS positive subscale, and the PANSS negative subscale (all, P > 0.05). Male patients had significantly higher serum Hcy levels than female patients (F = 7.717, P = 0.006) after controlling for confounding factors (F = 0.759, P = 0.011). Conclusions Serum Hcy levels were increased in FEDN patients with schizophrenia, and Hcy levels may be involved in pathophysiological mechanisms. Sex differences in Hcy levels were observed, with higher levels in male FEDN patients compared to females.
Androgen supplement did not accelerate tunica albuginea remodeling to facilitate penile growth
Authors: Sun Fa , Li Tao , Jiang Yiting , Jiang Kehua , Tian Ye , Wang Zhen , Ban Yong , Gu Jiang
Published: August 2022

Penile size is closely concerned and short penis contributes serious sexual dysfunction and tremendous psychological problems to couples. Androgen is essential for penile development and testosterone replacement is recommended to patients with micropenis. We previously proved that inhibiting activity of lysyl oxidase (Anti-lysyl oxidase, Anti-LOX) combined with vacuum erectile device (VED) lengthened penis by remodeling tunica albuginea. We thus explored whether androgen supplement could accelerate tunica albuginea remodeling (induced by Anti-LOX+VED) to promote penile growth. Forty-two SD male rats (4 weeks old) were purchased and divided into 7 groups: control, Anti-LOX, HCG, VED (with a negative aspirated pressure of -300 mmHg), Anti-LOX+VED, HCG+VED, and Anti-LOX+HCG+VED. After an intervention for 4 weeks, all rats’ penile length, exposed penile length, and erectile function were measured. Serum samples were collected to detect hormone levels and penile corpus cavernosum were harvested for histo-pathological analysis. All intervention groups showed significantly longer penis than controlled rats. Anti-LOX sharply increased penile length and exposed length by 15% and 9% respectively, this lengthening effect was more obvious in Anti-LOX+VED group (26% and 19%, respectively). Although HCG promoted penile length by 8%, this effect was slight for exposed length (3%). Moreover, Anti-LOX+HCG+VED dramatically increased penile length and exposed length by 22% and 18%, respectively, which was similar with that in Anti-LOX+VED (26% and 19%, respectively). HCG dramatically stimulated testosterone and dihydrotestosterone secretions than control group, whether with or without Anti-LOX and VED; while it induced more AR expression than other groups. Finally, all procedures did not improve or deteriorate normal erectile function. Although we verified that Anti-LOX+VED lengthened penis by inducing tunica albuginea remodeling, however, androgen supplement did not synergize with Anti-LOX+VED to accelerate albuginea remodeling to facilitate penile growth.
The Continuous Treatment of Anterior Segment Open Globe Injury: Eye Injury Vitrectomy Study
Authors: Wang Xijuan , Feng Kang , Xie Xin , Ma Zhizhong
Published: August 2022

Background:To evaluate whether better prognosis can be obtained from the continuous surgical treatment (CST) before fibrosis /scar formation in open anterior segment (AS) injury.Methods:Prospective cohort study.19 eyes of 19 patients were selected from the database of Eye Injury Vitrectomy Study, which is a multi-center prospective cohort study and began in 1990s, from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. Of these, 9 patients who received CST were assigned to group 1, and 10 patients without continuous treatment after initial wound repairment were included in group 2. Comparison between two groups was conducted in final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presumably significant complications with X² test. Corneal leucoma area ratio, astigmatism and score of AS abnormalities were analyzed by Students’ t-test.Results:Gross appearance displays remarkable differences between two groups with observation on AS. The individually paradigm, such as corneal-scleral wound and intraocular abnormalities, can be noted over various post-traumatic time intervals. The final BCVA is better in group 1(P=0.011). The complications directly caused by AS injury, adhesive corneal leucoma, uneven anterior chamber, block of light pass through pupil and fibrosis/scar are more frequent in group 2 (P=0.011, 0.022, 0.037 and 0.040, respectively). Secondary glaucoma (three cases) and severe AS structure destruction (two cases) occurred only in group 2 (P=0.037 and 0.474, respectively).Conclusions:Relying on comprehensive evaluations, advantages of CST of initiating before fibrosis/scar formation in open AS injury show dominance over following nature course of wound healing after wound repairment.
2D carbon network arranged into high-order 3D nanotube arrays on flexible microelectrode: integrated in electrochemical micro-biosensor devices for cancer detection
Authors: Xiao Fei , Sun Yimin , Dong Xulin , Zhang Yan , Chi Kai , Xu Yun , Asif Muhammad , He Wenshan , Liao Kin
Published: August 2022

In this work, we develop a new type of mesoporous 2D N, B, P co-doped carbon network (NBP-CNW) arranged into high-order 3D nanotube arrays (NTAs), which is wrapping onto flexible carbon fiber microelectrode and employed as high-performance carbon-based nanocatalyst for electrochemical biosensing. NBP-CNW-NTAs synthesized by a facile, controllable, eco-friendly and sustainable template strategy using ionic liquids as precursors possess high structural stability, large surface area, abundant active sites, and effective charge transport pathways, these dramatically improve their electrocatalytic activity and durability to redox reaction of cancer biomarker H2O2. Benefiting from the unique structural merits, superb electrochemical activity and good biocompatibility, the NBP-CNW-NTAs modified microelectrode demonstrates excellent sensing performances towards H2O2, and can be embed in a homemade microfluidic electrochemical biosensor chip for real-time tracking H2O2 secreted from different live cancer cells with or without radiotherapy treatment, which provides a new strategy to distinguish the types of cancer cells and evaluate the radiotherapeutic efficacy to cancer cells. Furthermore, the functional microelectrode has been integrated into an implantable probe for in situ detection of surgically resected human specimens to identify cancer tissues from the normal one. These will be of vital significance for cancer diagnoses and therapy in clinic practice.
Research on Fusion of Deep Learning Models Based on Microservice Architecture
Authors: Zhang Hang
Published: August 2022

Due to the differences in development languages and development frameworks, various difficulties are often faced in the process of integrating microservice architecture and deep learning models. This paper proposes a DND-P (Deep Model in Nacos Discovery Protocol) protocol to realize the rapid integration of deep learning models and microservice architectures. First, this paper selects three representative deep learning models DCN (Deep & Cross Network), DeepFM and xDeepFM in the field of CTR (Click Through Rate) as the research objects, and randomly samples 600,000 of them from the Criteo public data set. The model is trained with 10,000 sample sets to obtain a relatively stable model version. Second, use the Django framework to integrate the trained model as a web application. Finally, the DND-P protocol is directly referenced in Django to implement service registration in the microservice architecture, and the CTR is estimated at the business layer through OpenFeign. Through experiments, it is concluded that the integration of microservice architecture and deep learning model with DND-P protocol can break the barriers between the two, so as to quickly realize the integration of business applications.
Development and Evaluation of Reablement Literacy among Home Health Professionals in Taiwan
Authors: Yu Hsiao-Wei , Chiu Tzu-Ying , Lin Pay-Shin , Wang Mei-Wen
Published: August 2022

Background:Taiwan has introduced home health services with a focus on reablement. A structured design for studying the competencies of home health professionals (HHP) providing reablement services merits investigation. This study aimed to (1) develop an assessment scale for reablement literacy among HHP based on Sorensen and colleagues’ framework; and (2) evaluate the performance of reablement literacy among HHP in Taiwan.Methods:We employed a modified Delphi method to develop an assessment scale of reablement literacy for HHP. Initial questions were generated by a focus group of experts and then reviewed through repeated rounds of consensus from a Delphi expert panel. After developing the assessment scale, we used purposive sampling to recruit HHP working in reablement to complete the scale. Study participants also answered questionnaires regarding demographics and work experience (N = 154).Results:Following a three-round Delphi consensus process, the final assessment scale consisted of 32 questions with acceptable reliability and content validity. The results of the test revealed that HHP who had in-person experiences of co-working with home care assistants had better scores than HHP without such co-working experience. Reablement literacy was associated only with work experience providing reablement services specifically and not with clinical health care experience.Conclusions:This evidence-based study examined performance of reablement literacy among HHP providing reablement in Taiwan. In line with Taiwan’s policy of long-term care addressing reablement, there is a need to advance reablement competencies among HHP. To do so, practitioners should emphasize the unique contexts of reablement skills rather than general home health knowledge. Having HHP engage in in-person interdisciplinary collaboration with home care assistants is also likely to advance their reablement competency.
Protocatechuic acid and quercetin attenuate ETEC-caused IPEC-1 cell inflammation and injury associated with inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways
Authors: Xiao Kan , Xu Qilong , Lv Qingqing , He Pengwei , Wang Dan , Zhao Jiangchao , Liu Yulan
Published: August 2022

Background
Necroptosis and pyroptosis are newly identified forms of programmed cell death, which play a vital role in development of many gastrointestinal disorders. Although plant polyphenols have been reported to protect intestinal health, it is still unclear whether there is a beneficial role of plant polyphenols in modulating necroptosis and pyroptosis in intestinal porcine epithelial cell line (IPEC-1) infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. This research was conducted to explore whether plant polyphenols including protocatechuic acid (PCA) and quercetin (Que), attenuated inflammation and injury of IPEC-1 caused by ETEC K88 through regulating necroptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways.
Methods
IPEC-1 cells were treated with PCA (40 µM) or Que (10 µM) in the presence or absence of ETEC K88.
Results
PCA and Que decreased ETEC K88 adhesion and endotoxin level in cell supernatant. PCA and Que increased cell number and decreased lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) activity in cell supernatant. PCA and Que improved transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and reduced fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FD4) flux, and enhanced membrane protein abundance of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1, and rescued distribution of these tight junction proteins. PCA and Que also declined cell necrosis ratio. PCA and Que reduced mRNA abundance and concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and down-regulated gene expression of toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) and its downstream signals. PCA and Que down-regulated protein abundance of total receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (t-RIP1), phosphorylated-RIP1 (p-RIP1), p-RIP1/t-RIP1, t-RIP3, p-RIP3, mixed lineage kinase-like protein (MLKL), p-MLKL, motility related protein 1 (DRP1), phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5) and high mobility protein 1 (HMGB1). Moreover, PCA and Que reduced protein abundance of nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), nod-like receptors family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4), apoptosis-related macular protein (ASC), gasdermin D (GSDMD) and caspase-1.
Conclusions
In general, our data suggest that PCA and Que are capable of attenuating ETEC-caused intestinal inflammation and damage, which is maybe associated with inhibition of necroptosis and pyroptosis signaling pathways.
Nonlinear energy harvesting and clustering cooperation in WPCNs
Authors: Yuan Lina , Zhang Wen , Liang Jiajun , Zhou Anran
Published: August 2022

The increasing demand for data and the rapid increase in the number of wireless connected devices make the shortage of energy and spectrum resources more serious. This paper considers a wireless powered communication network (WPCN) composed of N wireless devices (WDs) installed with single-antenna and a hybrid access point (HAP) equipped with multi-antenna, where HAP sends wireless energy to WDs in the downlink and receives information transmission from WDs in the uplink. To overcome “double near and far” problem, this paper adopts a clustering cooperative transmission method to enhance some WDs’ throughput performance far from the HAP, i.e., one of N WDs is selected as a cluster head (CH) and the remaining (N − 1) WDs as cluster members (CMs), and the CH helps relay CMs’ information to transmit. However, because the CH needs to transmit N WDs’ information, its energy consumed during information transmission will be the bottleneck of the system performance. To achieve a tradeoff between energy and data rate, this paper adopts multi-antenna energy beamforming technology to concentrate more energy to transmit the CH, so as to balance the energy consumption among all WDs. Considering the influence of in-phase/orthogonal imbalance,nonlinear amplification amplitude and phase noise on those physical transceivers of low-cost sensor nodes, nonlinear energy harvesting technology is employed to improve throughput performance of the WPCN system. Particularly, the proposed scheme’s throughput performance is derived, and simulation results demonstrate that this scheme can be effective to increase the WPCN system’s throughput fairness and spectral efficiency.
Efficient and Generalizable Tuning Strategies for Stochastic Gradient MCMC
Authors: Coullon Jeremie , South Leah , Nemeth Christopher
Published: August 2022

Stochastic gradient Markov chain Monte Carlo (SGMCMC) is a popular class of algorithms for scalable Bayesian inference. However, these algorithms include hyperparameters such as step size or batch size that influence the accuracy of estimators based on the obtained posterior samples. As a result, these hyperparameters must be tuned by the practitioner and currently no principled and automated way to tune them exists. Standard Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) tuning methods based on acceptance rates cannot be used for SGMCMC, thus requiring alternative tools and diagnostics. We propose a novel bandit-based algorithm that tunes the SGMCMC hyperparameters by minimizing the Stein discrepancy between the true posterior and its Monte Carlo approximation. We provide theoretical results supporting this approach and assess various Stein-based discrepancies. We support our results with experiments on both simulated and real datasets, and find that this method is practical for a wide range of applications.