bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial success from a public health approach to hepatitis C testing, treatment and cure in seven countries: the road to elimination
Authors: Boeke Caroline E , Adesigbin Clement , Agwuocha Chukwuemeka , Anartati Atiek , Aung Hlaing Thazin , Aung Khin Sanda , Grover Gagandeep Singh , Ngo Dang , Okamoto Emi , Ngwije Alida , Nsanzimana Sabin , Sindhwani Siddharth , Singh Grace , Sun Ly Penh , Kinh Nguyen Van , Waworuntu Wiendra , McClure Craig
Published: December 2020

With political will, modest financial investment and effective technical assistance, public sector hepatitis C virus (HCV) programmes can be established in low- and middle-income countries as a first step towards elimination. Seven countries, with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and partners, have expanded access to HCV treatment by combining programme simplification with market shaping to reduce commodity prices. CHAI has supported a multipronged approach to HCV programme launch in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda and Vietnam including pricing negotiations with suppliers, policy development, fast-track registrations of quality-assured generics, financing advocacy and strengthened service delivery. Governments are leading programme implementation, leveraging HIV programme infrastructure/financing and focusing on higher-HCV prevalence populations like people living with HIV, people who inject drugs and prisoners. This manuscript aims to describe programme structure and strategies, highlight current commodity costs and outline testing and treatment volumes across these countries. Across countries, commodity costs have fallen from >US$100 per diagnostic test and US$750–US$900 per 12-week pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral regimen to as low as US$80 per-cure commodity package, including WHO-prequalified generic drugs (sofosbuvir + daclatasvir). As of December 2019, 5900+ healthcare workers were trained, 2 209 209 patients were screened, and 120 522 patients initiated treatment. The cure (SVR12) rate was >90%, including at lower-tier facilities. Programmes are successfully implementing simplified, decentralised public health approaches. Combined with political will and affordable pricing, these efforts can translate into commitments to achieve global targets. However, to achieve elimination, additional investment in scale-up is required.
Size at birth and cognitive function among rural adolescents: a life course epidemiology study protocol of the Kisalaya cohort in Mysuru, South India
Authors: Chandrashekarappa Smitha Malenahalli , Krishna Murali , Krupp Karl , Jaykrishna Poornima , Urs Chaithra V , Goswami Satyapal Puri , Ravi Kavitha , Khan Anisa , Arun Anjali , Dawes Piers , Newall John , Madhivanan Purnima
Published: December 2020

Introduction

It is proven that adverse intrauterine environment results in ‘early life programming,’ alterations in metabolism and physiological development of the fetus, often termed as ‘Developmental Origins of Health and Disease’ (DOHaD) resulting in a smaller size at birth, greater non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors during childhood and adolescence, and cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the relationship between DOHaD programming and cognition. This study aims to examine if impaired prenatal growth indicated by birth weight is associated with cognition among adolescents in the Kisalaya cohort, a rural birth cohort in South India, thus providing newer insights into DOHaD programming for adolescent mental health in a low-income and middle-income country setting.

Methods and analysis

Kisalaya cohort was established in 2008, to provide integrated antenatal care and HIV testing using mobile clinics to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This cohort included pregnant women residing in 144 villages of Mysuru Taluk (rural) who received antenatal care through mobile clinics and delivered their children between 2008 and 2011. Data related to mother–infant dyads for all pregnant women who received care in the Kisalaya programme are available for this study. Presently, children born to women who received care through Kisalaya are adolescents between 10 and 12 years. At this point, information would be collected on sociodemographic data and assessments of mental health, stressful life events, cognition, vision, speech, language, hearing and anthropometric measures would be done and relevant maternal data and child data, available from the cohort would be retracted for analysis. We plan to retrace as many adolescents as possible out of 1544 adolescents who are currently available for study excluding twins, abortions, stillbirths and postdelivery deaths. Analyses will be extended to construct a life course pathway for cognition using structural equation modelling.
Development of a virtual reality clinically oriented temporal bone anatomy module with randomised control study of three-dimensional display technology
Authors: Copson Bridget , Wijewickrema Sudanthi , Sorace Laurence , Jones Randall , O'Leary Stephen
Published: December 2020

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR), three-dimensional (3D) clinically orientated temporal bone anatomy module, including an assessment of different display technologies.

Methods

A clinically orientated, procedural and interactive anatomy module was generated from a micro-CT of a cadaveric temporal bone. The module was given in three different display technologies; 2D, 3D with monoscopic vision, and 3D with stereoscopic vision. A randomised control trial assessed the knowledge acquisition and attitudes of 47 medical students though a pretutorial and post-tutorial questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions identifying anatomic structures as well as understanding structural relations and clinical relevance. Furthermore, a five-point Likert scale assessed the students’ attitudes to the module and alternative learning outcomes, such as interest in otology and preparedness for clinical rotations.

Results

As a whole cohort, the total test score improved significantly, with a large effect size (p≤0.005, Cohen’s d=1.41). The 23 students who returned the retention questionnaire had a significant improvement in total test score compared with their pretutorial score, with a large effect size (p≤0.005, Cohen’s d=0.83). Display technology did not influence the majority of learning outcomes, with the exception of 3D technologies, showing a significantly improvement in understanding of clinical relevance and structural relations (p=0.034). Students preferred 3D technologies for ease of use, perceived effectiveness and willingness to use again.

Conclusions

The developed VR temporal bone anatomy tutor was an effective self-directed education tool. 3D technology remains valuable in facilitating spatial learning and superior user satisfaction.
Galectin-9 expression defines exhausted T cells and impaired cytotoxic NK cells in patients with virus-associated solid tumors
Authors: Okoye Isobel , Xu Lai , Motamedi Melika , Parashar Pallavi , Walker John W , Elahi Shokrollah
Published: December 2020

Background

We have previously reported that the upregulation of galectin-9 (Gal-9) on CD4+and CD8+T cells in HIV patients was associated with impaired T cell effector functions. Gal-9 is a ligand for T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3, and its expression on T cells in cancer has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the expression level and effects of Gal-9 on T cell functions in patients with virus-associated solid tumors (VASTs).

Methods

40 patients with VASTs through a non-randomized and biomarker-driven phase II LATENT trial were investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor biopsies were obtained and subjected to immunophenotyping. In this trial, the effects of oral valproate and avelumab (anti-PD-L1) was investigated in regards to the expression of Gal-9 on T cells.

Results

We report the upregulation of Gal-9 expression by peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes in patients with VASTs. Our results indicate that Gal-9 expression is associated with dysfunctional T cell effector functions in the periphery and tumor microenvironment (TME). Coexpression of Gal-9 with PD-1 or T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect and enhanced an exhausted T cell phenotype. Besides, responding patients to treatment had lower Gal-9 mRNA expression in the TME. Translocation of Gal-9 from the cytosol to the cell membrane of T cells following stimulation suggests persistent T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation as a potential contributing factor in Gal-9 upregulation in patients with VASTs. Moreover, partial colocalization of Gal-9 with CD3 on T cells likely impacts the initiation of signal transduction via TCR as shown by the upregulation of ZAP70 in Gal-9+ T cells. Also, we found an expansion of Gal-9+ but not TIGIT+ NK cells in patients with VASTs; however, dichotomous to TIGIT+ NK cells, Gal-9+ NK cells exhibited impaired cytotoxic molecules but higher Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that higher Gal-9-expressing CD8+T cells were associated with poor prognosis following immunotherapy with anti-Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (avelumab) in our patients’ cohort. Therefore, for the very first time to our knowledge, we report Gal-9 as a novel marker of T cell exhaustion and the potential target of immunotherapy in patients with VASTs.
Environmental influences on uptake kinetics and partitioning of strontium in age-0 lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens): effects of temperature and ambient calcium activities
Authors: Loeppky Alison R. , Anderson W. Gary
Published: December 2020

Nonessential elements like Sr2+are incorporated via Ca2+transport proteins due to their similar chemical properties and are substituted for Ca2+in hard structures of fishes. Few studies have investigated the uptake kinetics of nonessential elements or the effect the ambient environment has on uptake rates. We tested the hypothesis that temperature and environmental Ca2+activity would influence uptake and subsequent deposition rates of Sr2+in the fin rays of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Michaelis–Menten substrate inhibition models were used to measure the kinetics of Sr2+uptake on lake sturgeon larvae that were exposed to varying temperature and Ca2+activities. Sr2+influx increased at higher temperatures (maximum JmaxSr= 56.5 pmol·g−1·h−1) and decreased when larvae were exposed to increasing activities of Ca2+(minimum JmaxSr= 6.4 pmol·g−1·h−1), indicating Ca2+has an inhibitory effect on Sr2+influx. Furthermore, Sr2+was preferentially accumulated in fin rays and partitioning was significantly affected by temperature and Ca2+activity, providing, for the first time, an understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in elemental uptake and deposition of nonessential metals in sturgeons.
Palatini quadratic gravity: spontaneous breaking of gauged scale symmetry and inflation
Authors: Ghilencea D. M.
Published: December 2020

We study quadratic gravity$$R^2+R_{[\mu \nu ]}^2$$R2+R[μν]2in the Palatini formalism where the connection and the metric are independent. This action has agaugedscale symmetry (also known as Weyl gauge symmetry) of Weyl gauge field$$v_\mu = (\tilde{\Gamma }_\mu -\Gamma _\mu )/2$$vμ=(Γ~μ-Γμ)/2, with$$\tilde{\Gamma }_\mu $$Γ~μ($$\Gamma _\mu $$Γμ) the trace of the Palatini (Levi-Civita) connection, respectively. The underlying geometry is non-metric due to the$$R_{[\mu \nu ]}^2$$R[μν]2term acting as a gauge kinetic term for$$v_\mu $$vμ. We show that this theory has an elegant spontaneous breaking of gauged scale symmetry and mass generation in the absence of matter, where the necessary scalar field ($$\phi $$ϕ) is not added ad-hoc to this purpose but is “extracted” from the$$R^2$$R2term. The gauge field becomes massive by absorbing the derivative term$$\partial _\mu \ln \phi $$∂μlnϕof the Stueckelberg field (“dilaton”). In the broken phase one finds the Einstein–Proca action of$$v_\mu $$vμof mass proportional to the Planck scale$$M\sim \langle \phi \rangle $$M∼⟨ϕ⟩, and a positive cosmological constant. Below this scale$$v_\mu $$vμdecouples, the connection becomes Levi-Civita and metricity and Einstein gravity are recovered. These results remain valid in the presence of non-minimally coupled scalar field (Higgs-like) with Palatini connection and the potential is computed. In this case the theory gives successful inflation and a specific prediction for the tensor-to-scalar ratio$$0.007\le r\le 0.01$$0.007≤r≤0.01for current spectral index$$n_s$$ns(at$$95\%$$95%CL) and$$N=60$$N=60efolds. This value ofris mildly larger than in inflation in Weyl quadratic gravity of similar symmetry, due to different non-metricity. This establishes a connection between non-metricity and inflation predictions and enables us to test such theories by future CMB experiments.
Parameter Influences on Rail Corrugation of Metro Tangential Track
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Lei Zhenyu
Published: December 2020

Rail corrugation can reduce riding comfort by vibration and noise, and even cause running accident. In this paper, the vehicle–track coupled dynamic model was developed for a metro’s tangential track considering the wear in rail materials. The influences of different track structure parameters and vehicle speed on the generation and development of rail corrugation of the tangential track were analyzed using the developed model by the control variable method. The results show that for different parameters, the friction power in wheel–rail contact patch fluctuates with time, but the overall fluctuation range is relatively uniform. Meantime, an analysis of one-third octave curves of the friction power reveals that the characteristic frequencies of friction power are mainly concentrated in the middle and low frequency bands. At the dominant characteristic frequency, the longitudinal stiffness and damping of fasteners, and lateral and vertical damping of fasteners have less influence on rail corrugation, while the lateral and vertical stiffnesses of fasteners, spacing of fasteners, wheel–rail friction coefficient and vehicle speed have greater effect on rail corrugation. The changes in vertical stiffness and spacing of fasteners will cause the characteristic frequency of friction power to be offset, resulting in a shift from 80[Formula: see text]Hz to 100[Formula: see text]Hz, which will further lead to rail corrugation of the corresponding wavelength. Thus, it can be concluded that the vertical stiffness and spacing of fasteners have an important impact on the generation and development of rail corrugation at the specific frequency. Besides, the variations of the other variables bring little change to the characteristic frequencies of friction power as well as on rail corrugation. The mechanism of parameters unveiled here provides some guides for the parameter optimization problem on restraining the generation or development of rail corrugation on the tangential track.
General eccentric distance sum of graphs
Authors: Vetrík Tomáš
Published: December 2020

For [Formula: see text], we define the general eccentric distance sum of a connected graph [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the vertex set of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the eccentricity of a vertex [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the distance between vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. This index generalizes several other indices of graphs. We present some bounds on the general eccentric distance sum for general graphs, bipartite graphs and trees of given order, graphs of given order and vertex connectivity and graphs of given order and number of pendant vertices. The extremal graphs are presented as well.
Evaluation of Government Performance in Haze Pollution Control and the Optimization Path in Beijing
Authors: LI Yunyan , SUN Guihua , DI Peng
Published: December 2020

In recent years, Beijing has been more often confronted with serious haze pollution, especially in autumn and winter. The People’s Government of Beijing Municipality has adopted a package of measures to control the haze pollution with its best efforts. To objectively evaluate how effective these haze pollution control measures are from different perspectives and in an all-round way, it is necessary to adopt a scientific and reasonable approach. Based on the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) idea, we establish a system of indexes to evaluate the government performance of Beijing in haze pollution control from the four perspectives of development quality, public services, government management and development potential, and use a combination of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method (EWM) to determine the index weights, and objectively evaluate Beijing’s performance in haze pollution control from 2010 to 2016. The results show that the scores for the four perspectives are all on the rise, and since the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in 2013, the government’s haze pollution control measures have achieved significant results, and made a much higher overall score. On that basis, we propose the optimized path for Beijing’s haze pollution control, namely, accelerating the upgrading of development quality, improving the public services level, strengthening the government management, tapping the development potential of haze pollution control and increasing the linkage and cooperation between the governments of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.
Basal-Plane Orientation of Zn Electrodeposits Induced by Loss of Free Water in Concentrated Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Inoguchi Shota , Kitada Atsushi , Fukami Kazuhiro , Murase Kuniaki
Published: December 2020

Concentrated aqueous solutions attract considerable attention because water electrolysis can be suppressed due to a decrease in the amount of free water. The present study focuses on electrodeposition behaviors of metallic zinc (Zn) using concentrated aqueous solutions containing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (Tf2N–) anions. An increase in Tf2N– concentration significantly enhances water-anion interactions, giving characteristic infrared spectra for the breakdown of the hydrogen-bonding networks of water clusters, i.e. loss of free water. For the Tf2N– system Zn electrodeposits with the preferred orientation of hcp basal plane was observed, while, for the SO4
2– system with the presence of the hydrogen-bonding networks, preferred orientation of basal plane was not observed. The preferred orientation of basal plane is not attributed to the adsorption of Tf2N– anions on the electrode, proved by the use of mixed Zn(Tf2N)2-ZnSO4 concentrated solutions. The loss of free water in the concentrated Zn(Tf2N)2 solutions will suppress hydrogen adsorption at the cathode to promote surface diffusion of intermediate Zn+ adions and growth of Zn crystals. Consequently, the promotions and the easier growth of Zn basal planes with the lowest interfacial free energy will enhance the horizontal growth of Zn basal planes.
In Situ Electrochemical Study of the Coexistence of Eu3+ and Eu2+ in Molten LiCl-KCl by Rotating Disc Electrode
Authors: Ge Jianbang , Park Jaewoo , Leong Amanda , Zhang Jinsuo
Published: December 2020

In this study, a graphite rotating disc electrode was successfully designed and applied to conduct electrochemical measurements under flow conditions in molten LiCl-KCl at 773 K. The concentration and diffusion coefficients of Eu3+ and Eu2+ in molten salt were quantitatively measured with this electrode by applying in situ cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. The initial concentration ratio of Eu3+/Eu2+ in LiCl-KCl-0.5 wt% EuCl3 was calculated to be 2.37. The calculated diffusion coefficients of Eu3+ and Eu2+ in the salt were 9.31 ± 0.06 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 and 9.65 ± 0.6 × 10−5 cm2 s−1, respectively. A decrease of the diffusion coefficient of Eu3+ and Eu2+ was observed at a higher concentration of EuCl3, which implies the enhanced Eu-Eu ion interaction. This electrode design is expected to be utilized for the concentration measurement of multivalent ions in a flowing molten salt.
Probing of Internal Short Circuit in Lithium-Ion Pouch Cells by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy under Mechanical Abusive Conditions
Authors: Thangavel Naresh Kumar , Mundhe Sanket , Islam Md Mahbubul , Newaz Golam , Arava Leela Mohana Reddy
Published: December 2020

Though lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are becoming prevalent energy storage systems for electrifying vehicles, their high energy density often makes them susceptible to various thermal instability problems. Also, due to the battery abuse that can barely be avoided and as LIBs are exposed to many accidents, mechanical damage of different intensities often facilitates internal short-circuiting of the components and leads to thermal runaway events. Herein, we demonstrate resistance measurement by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a tool for the detection of an internal short circuit (ISC) and health monitoring in LIBs. The changes in the EIS at different mechanical deformation levels are evaluated through a proper equivalent circuit model. The fitted results reveal that the cathode-electrolyte interface resistance can be used to predict the onset of ISC due to the mechanical abusive conditions. Changes in the EIS are traced to the battery deformation levels or local strain changes due to the internal damage leading to ISC. The obtained results demonstrate that impedance spectroscopy provides information about the emergence of ISC and battery health.
Folding List of Graphs Obtained from a Given Graph
Authors: El-Kholy E. M. , Ahmed H.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we examine the relation between graph folding of a given graph and foldings of new graphs obtained from this graph by some techniques like dual, gear, subdivision, web, crown, simplex, crossed prism, and clique-sum graphs. In each case, we obtained the necessary and sufficient conditions, if exist, for these new graphs to be folded.
Circulating Exosomal miRNAs as Novel Biomarkers for Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zhang Ping , Liang Tao , Chen Yao , Wang Xuan , Wu Tianlong , Xie Zhixin , Luo Jianfang , Yu Yanhong , Yu Huimin
Published: December 2020

Exosomal miRNAs are currently being explored as a novel class of biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. However, few reports have focused on the value of circulating exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Here, we aimed to investigate whether miRNAs involved in cardiovascular diseases in circulating exosomes could serve as novel diagnostic biomarkers for SCAD. Firstly, the serum exosomes were isolated and purified by the ExoQuick reagent and identified by transmission electron microscopy, western blot, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Then, the purified exosomes were quantified by measuring the exosome protein concentration and calculating the total protein amount. Next, eight miRNAs involved in cardiovascular diseases, miR‐192‐5p, miR‐148b‐3p, miR‐125a‐3p, miR‐942‐5p, miR‐149‐5p, miR‐32‐5p, miR‐144‐3p, and miR‐142‐5p, were quantified in circulating exosomes from the control group (n = 20) and the SCAD group (n = 20) by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Finally, the gene targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted, and the functions and signaling pathways of these targets were analyzed using an online database. The isolated exosomes had a bilayer membrane with a diameter of about 100 nm and expressed exosomal markers including CD63, Tsg101, and Flotillin but negatively expressed Calnexin. Both the exosome protein concentration and total protein amount exhibited no significant differences between the two groups. The qPCR assay demonstrated that among the eight miRNAs, the expression levels of miR‐942‐5p, miR‐149‐5p, and miR‐32‐5p in the serum exosomes from the SCAD group were significantly higher than that from the control group. And the three miRNAs for SCAD diagnosis exhibited AUC values of 0.693, 0.702, and 0.691, respectively. GO categories and signaling pathways analysis showed that some of the predictive targets of these miRNAs were involved in the pathophysiology processes of SCAD. In conclusion, our findings suggest that serum exosomal miR‐942‐5p, miR‐149‐5p, and miR‐32‐5p may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for SCAD.
Naturally Occurring Microbiota Associated with Mosquito Breeding Habitats and Their Effects on Mosquito Larvae
Authors: Ranasinghe H. A. K. , Amarasinghe L. D.
Published: December 2020

Immature mosquitoes are aquatic, and their distribution, abundance, and individual fitness in a particular breeding habitat are known to be dependent on mainly three factors: biotic factors, abiotic factors, and their interaction between each other and with other associated taxa. Mosquito breeding habitats harbor a diversified naturally occurring microbiota assemblage, and the biota have different types of interactions with mosquito larvae in those habitats. Those interactions may include parasitism, pathogenism, predation, and competition which cause the mortality of larvae, natural reduction of larval abundance, or alterations in their growth. Many microbiota species serve as food items for mosquito larvae, and there are also some indigestible or toxic phytoplanktons to larvae. However, when there is coexistence or mutualism of different mosquito species along with associated microbiota, they form a community sharing the habitat requirements. With the available literature, it is evident that the abundance of mosquito larvae is related to the densities of associated microbiota and their composition in that particular breeding habitat. Potential antagonist microbiota which are naturally occurring in mosquito breeding habitats could be used in integrated vector control approaches, and this method rises as an ecofriendly approach in controlling larvae in natural habitats themselves. To date, this aspect has received less attention; only a limited number of species of microbiota inhabiting mosquito breeding habitats have been recorded, and detailed studies on microbiota assemblage in relation to diverse vector mosquito breeding habitats and their association with mosquito larvae are few. Therefore, future studies on this important ecological aspect are encouraged. Such studies may help to identify field characteristic agents that can serve as mosquito controlling candidates in their natural habitats themselves.
Removal of Tetracycline from Aqueous Solution Using Nanocomposite Based on Polyanion-Modified Laterite Material
Authors: Vu Thi Hau , Ngo Thi Mai Viet , Duong Thi Tu Anh , Nguyen Thi Hien Lan , Mai Xuan Truong , Pham Thi Hong Nguyet , Le Thi Phuong , Tran Thi Hue
Published: December 2020

This work investigated the removal of antibiotic tetracycline (TC) from wastewater using nanocomposite material based on laterite modified with polyanion, polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The effective factors influenced on the TC removal using nanocomposite PSS-modified laterite (NCPML) were optimized and found to be pH 4, solid-liquid ratio 5 mg/mL, and contact time 180 min. The highest removal of TC reached about 88% under the optimum adsorption conditions. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of TC adsorption onto NCPML were in good agreement with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models, respectively. The characteristics of the NCPML material before and after TC adsorption were examined by zeta (ζ) potential measurements, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The TC adsorption onto NCPML was induced by electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and diffusion interaction. The TC removal from wastewater was approximately 94% while efficiency still reached 66% after five regenerations. Our research reveals that NCPML is a high-performance adsorbent for TC removal from wastewater.
NSCR‐Based DenseNet for Lung Tumor Recognition Using Chest CT Image
Authors: Tao Zhou , Bingqiang Huo , Huiling Lu , Zaoli Yang , Hongbin Shi
Published: December 2020

Nonnegative sparse representation has become a popular methodology in medical analysis and diagnosis in recent years. In order to resolve network degradation, higher dimensionality in feature extraction, data redundancy, and other issues faced when medical images parameters are trained using convolutional neural networks. Lung tumors in chest CT image based on nonnegative, sparse, and collaborative representation classification of DenseNet (DenseNet‐NSCR) are proposed by this paper: firstly, initialization parameters of pretrained DenseNet model using transfer learning; secondly, training DenseNet using CT images to extract feature vectors for the full connectivity layer; thirdly, a nonnegative, sparse, and collaborative representation (NSCR) is used to represent the feature vector and solve the coding coefficient matrix; fourthly, the residual similarity is used for classification. The experimental results show that the DenseNet‐NSCR classification is better than the other models, and the various evaluation indexes such as specificity and sensitivity are also high, and the method has better robustness and generalization ability through comparison experiment using AlexNet, GoogleNet, and DenseNet‐201 models.
The Adjustment of Anterior Forebrain Pathway (AFP) to Birdsong Is Phased during Song Learning and Maintenance
Authors: Zang Jie , Liu Shenquan
Published: December 2020

Anterior forebrain pathway (AFP), a basal ganglia-dorsal forebrain circuit, significantly impacts birdsong, specifically in juvenile or deaf birds. Despite many physiological experiments supporting AFP’s role in song production, the mechanism underlying it remains poorly understood. Using a computational model of the anterior forebrain pathway and song premotor pathway, we examined the dynamic process and exact role of AFP during song learning and distorted auditory feedback (DAF). Our simulation suggests that AFP can adjust the premotor pathway structure and syllables based on its delayed input to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA). It is also indicated that the adjustment to the synaptic conductance in the song premotor pathway has two phases: normal phases where the adjustment decreases with an increasing number of trials and abnormal phases where the adjustment remains stable or even increases. These two phases alternate and impel a specific effect on birdsong based on AFP’s specific structures, which may be associated with auditory feedback. Furthermore, our model captured some characteristics shown in birdsong experiments, such as similarities in pitch, intensity, and duration to real birds and the highly abnormal features of syllables during DAF.
Whether Economic Freedom Is Significantly Related to Death of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Ray-Ming
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 has caused a huge mayhem globally. Different economic freedom leads to different performances of a country’s reaction to the pandemic. We study 164 countries and apply mathematical and statistical approaches to tackle the problem: whether economic freedom has a significant impact on the death of COVID-19. We devise a metric, some norms, and some orderings to construct an absolute reference and the actual relation via binary sequences. Then, we use the theoretical binary sequences to construct a probability distribution which linearises the strength of relation between economic freedom and death of COVID-19. Then, the actual relation from the data analysis provides an evidence to the hypothetical testing. Our analysis and model show that there is no significant relation between economic freedom and death of COVID-19.
Improved High-Throughput Sequencing of the Human Oral Microbiome: From Illumina to PacBio
Authors: Zhang Jie , Su Lingkai , Wang Yuan , Deng Shuli
Published: December 2020

Background. A comprehensive understanding of the commensal microflora and its relation to health is essential for preventing and combating diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the structure of the oral microbiome by using different sequencing technologies. Material and Methods. Five preschool children with no symptoms of oral and systemic diseases were recruited. Samples of saliva were collected. A 468 bp insert size library was constructed on the MiSeq platform and then subjected to 300 bp paired-end sequencing. Libraries with longer insert sizes, including a full-length 16S rDNA gene, were sequenced on the PacBio RS II platform. Results. A total of 122.6 Mb of raw data, including 244,967 high-quality sequences, were generated by the MiSeq platform, while 134.6 Mb of raw data, including 70,030 high-quality reads, were generated by the PacBio RS II platform. Clustering of the unique sequences into OTUs at 3% dissimilarity resulted in an average of 225 OTUs on the MiSeq platform; however, the number of OTUs generated on the PacBio RS II platform was 449, far greater than the number of OTUs generated on the MiSeq platform. A total of 437 species belonging to 10 phyla and 60 genera were detected by the PacBio RS II platform, while 163 species belonging to 12 phyla and 72 genera were detected by the MiSeq platform. Conclusions. The oral microflora of healthy Chinese children were analyzed. Compared with traditional 16S rRNA sequencing technology, the PacBio system, despite providing a lower amount of clean data, surpassed the resolution of the MiSeq platform by improving the read length and annotating the nucleotide sequences at the species or strain level. This trial is registered with NCT02341352.
In-Network Caching and Edge Computing-Based Live Broadcasting Optimization for Football Competitions
Authors: Li Zhigang
Published: December 2020

The business of football competitions is called the number one sport in the world, thanks to more than one billion people’s attention. With the development of big convergence media, the live broadcasting of football competitions gradually becomes industrialization and commercialization, which has a direct relationship with economic growth. For the live broadcasting of football competitions, the users focus more on quality of experience, i.e., definition and instantaneity. In terms of such two metrics, the current live broadcasting schemes are difficult to cover them well. Therefore, this paper exploits the emerging in-network caching and edge computing technologies to optimize the live broadcasting of football competitions, shorten for IELB. At first, the live broadcasting optimization framework based on in-network caching and edge computing is presented. Then, the auction-based method is used to address the task scheduling problem in the edge computing. In addition, a video compression algorithm based on adaptive convolution kernel is introduced to accelerate the video transmission and guarantee users to obtain the contents of football competitions as quickly as possible. The proposed IELB has been verified based on the collected real football competitions dataset by evaluating response time, and the experimental results demonstrate that IELB is feasible and efficient.
Effect of Direct and Indirect Materials on Stress Distribution in Class II MOD Restorations: A 3D‐Finite Element Analysis Study
Authors: Alp Şemsi , Gulec Alagoz Laden , Ulusoy Nuran
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the stress distributions of different restoration options for class II mesio‐occluso‐distal (MOD) cavities. A class II MOD cavity with proximal box gingival floor 1 mm below cementoenamel junction was designed in a mandibular first molar tooth model. 3D finite‐element analysis (FEA) and 3D‐CAD modelling were used to examine the occlusal stresses distributed to the remaining buccal enamel (RBE), remaining lingual enamel (RLE), adhesive surfaces, and restorative materials by direct and indirect materials resulting from a 600 N of static occlusal load stimulating foodstuff. von Mises (VM) and maximum principal (Pmax) stresses were evaluated for two CAD/CAM materials and three direct materials. CAD/CAM materials exerted less stress than the direct restorative materials. Significant von Mises and Pmax stress value differences were seen among all restoration models on RBE. Reducing RLE and including it into the cavity would be a more effective option for this model in this scenario. As VM and Pmax stresses of PIHC CAD/CAM material for RBE and dentin were significantly lower than other tested materials, it may be the choice of material for indirect MOD restorations.
Development and Validation of an Immune‐Related Prognostic Signature for Ovarian Cancer Based on Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis
Authors: An Yuanyuan , Yang Qing
Published: December 2020

Background. Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal diseases of women. The prognosis of ovarian cancer patients was closely correlated with immune cell expression and immune responses. Therefore, it is important to identify a robust prognostic signature, which correlates not only with prognoses but also with immune responses in ovarian cancer, thus, providing immune‐related patient therapies. Methods. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify candidate genes correlated with ovarian cancer prognoses. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to construct the prognostic signature. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to predict survival, and the immune‐related bioinformatics analysis was performed using the R software. The relationship between the signature and clinical parameters was analyzed with the GraphPad Prism 7 and SPSS software. Results. Gene expression from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset was used to perform the WGCNA analysis, and candidate prognostic‐related genes in patients with ovarian cancer were identified. According to the Cox regression analysis, the prognostic signature was constructed, which divided patients into two groups. The high‐risk group showed the least favorable prognosis. Three independent cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used for the validation studies. According to the immune analyses, the GEO database signatures were significantly correlated with the immune statuses of ovarian cancer patients. By analyzing the combination of the prognostic signature and total mutational burden (TMB), ovarian cancer patients were divided into four groups. In these groups, memory B cell, resting memory CD4 T cell, M2 macrophage, resting mast cell, and neutrophil were found with significant distinctions among these groups. Conclusions. This novel signature predicted the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients precisely and independently and showed significant correlations with immune responses. Therefore, this prognostic signature could indicate targeted immunotherapies for ovarian cancer patients.
Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Postharvest Vegetables and Fruits
Authors: Meitha Karlia , Pramesti Yonadita , Suhandono Sony
Published: December 2020

Reducing oxidative species to non- or less-reactive matter is the principal function of an antioxidant. Plant-based food is the main external source of antioxidants that helps protect our cells from oxidative damage. During postharvest storage and distribution, fruits and vegetables often increase ROS production that is quenched by depleting their antioxidant pools to protect their cells, which may leave none for humans. ROS are molecules produced from oxygen metabolism; some of the most widely analyzed ROS in plants are singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. ROS concentration and lifetime are determined by the availability and composition of the antioxidant system that includes enzymatic components such as SOD, CAT, and APX and nonenzymatic components such as vitamins, polyphenols, and carotenoid. Depending on its concentration in the cell, ROS can either be harmful or beneficial. At high concentrations, ROS can damage various kinds of biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA, whereas at low or moderate concentrations, ROS can act as second messengers in the intracellular signaling cascade that mediates various plant responses. Novel postharvest methods are sought to maintain fruit and vegetable quality, including minimizing ROS while preserving their antioxidant content.
Rapid Response in a Patient with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Treated with BRAF/MEK Inhibitors
Authors: Otieno Steve Biko , Nasir Syed , Weir Alva , Johnson Robert
Published: December 2020

Patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma have a poor prognosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Several mutations in this pathway can lead to its constitutive activation leading to oncogenesis. One such mutation is BRAFV600E which is a therapeutic target in the treatment of melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, thyroid cancer, and hairy cell leukemia. BRAFV600E-directed therapy currently does not have approval in multiple myeloma. It has been proposed that this mutation leads to proteasome inhibitor resistance. About 4–10% of multiple myeloma cases harbor the BRAFV600E mutation. Herein, we report a case of a patient with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who had a progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.5 months on BRAF-targeted therapy.
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of PRAME Overexpression in Human Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Jiaqiang , Yin Jianchun , Zhong Jianhua , Yang Zhilin , Tang Aifa , Li Shoulin
Published: December 2020

Numerous studies have demonstrated that preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is abnormally expressed in various solid tumours. However, the clinicopathological features and prognostic value of the PRAME expression in patients with cancer remain unclear. Accordingly, we performed a meta‐analysis to accurately assess the association of the expression level of PRAME with clinicopathological features and cancer prognosis. Relevant study collection was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase until 28 February 2020. A total of 14 original studies involving 2,421 patients were included. Our data indicated that the PRAME expression was significantly associated with tumour stage (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.48–2.67, P < 0.001) and positive lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.99–4.97, P < 0.001). Pooled results showed that overexpression of PRAME is positively correlated with poor disease‐free survival (HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.36–1.88, P < 0.001), progression‐free survival (HR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.02–3.46, P = 0.042), metastasis‐free survival (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.05–3.31, P = 0.034), and overall survival (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.53–1.99, P < 0.001). In summary, these data are suggesting that PRAME is tumorigenic and may serve as a prognostic biomarker for cancer.
Evaluation of Immunomodulatory and Antiarthritic Potential of Trigonella gharuensis Extracts
Authors: Mobashar Aisha , Shabbir Arham , Shahzad Muhammad , Saeed-ul-Hassan
Published: December 2020

The genus of Trigonella has long been used for the treatment of arthritis and inflammatory disorders. This study was aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of ethanol and n‐hexane extracts of T. gharuensis in the rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) model was used to induce arthritis in rats. Arthritis was induced on day 0, while treatment which was started on day 8 continued for twenty days. Arthritic development and paw edema were determined using an arthritic scoring index and plethysmometer, respectively. Histopathology was evaluated using H&E staining. RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were performed to determine expression levels of proinflammatory markers such as TNF‐α, NF‐ĸB, IL‐6, IL‐1β, COX2, and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4. Prostaglandin E2 level (PGE2) was evaluated using ELISA. Blood analysis and biochemical parameters were also determined. The significance level was set as P < 0.05. Treatment with extracts reduced paw edema, arthritic progression, and histopathological parameters. Expression levels of abovementioned proinflammatory cytokines and COX2 were downregulated, while IL‐4 was upregulated. PGE2 levels were found reduced with extract treatment. Blood parameters were nearly normalized in treatment groups. Extract treatment did not alter biochemical parameters. Both extracts had effects comparable with piroxicam. In conclusion, extracts of T. gharuensis ameliorated experimentally induced arthritis that may be ascribed to its immunomodulatory effects.
Nonlinear Analysis of Rod Fastened Rotor under Nonuniform Contact Stiffness
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Li Yao , Zhang Fan , Feng Yinli
Published: December 2020

Rod fastened rotor is widely used in gas turbine, aero engine, and other occasions. The bending stiffness of the contact interface directly affects the stable operation of the rotor. Dynamic model of the rod fastened rotor-bearing system has been established considering nonuniform stiffness of interface. The motion equation of this system has been deduced from Lagrange’s equations. The linear dynamic characteristics of this rotor has been investigated, such as Campbell diagram, critical speed, and formation, and the nonlinear characteristics of this system, such as chaos and bifurcation, has been investigated too. The result shows that “bistable state” characteristic appeared on the rod fastened rotor system; that is, there are two critical speeds for each order, and they are all positive precession critical speed, and the amplitude response to the lower critical speed is much larger than that its counterparts to the higher critical speed. In terms of nonlinear characteristics, the rod fastened bearing system has experienced periodic 1 motion, multiple periodic motion, quasi-periodic motion, periodic 1 motion, and chaotic motion successively.
Coil Embolization of Arc of Buhler Aneurysm Rupture
Authors: Ong Daniel Yuxuan , Pua Uei
Published: December 2020

The arc of Buhler (AOB) is a rare anatomical variant. Rupture of an AOB aneurysm is exceedingly rare. In this study, we report a case of AOB aneurysm rupture, which was successfully treated by transcatheter coil embolization. A 74-year-old man presented with symptomatic AOB aneurysm rupture. A computed tomography scan and subsequent angiography revealed the aberrant connection between the common hepatic artery and the superior mesenteric artery. A fusiform AOB aneurysm with focus of active bleeding was detected. This was successfully treated through embolization and sacrifice of the AOB. This suggests that conventional embolization with sacrifice of AOB is a feasible and safe approach.