bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning in Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis Prediction: A Minireview on Challenges, Recent Trends, and Future Directions
Authors: Tufail Ahsan Bin , Ma Yong-Kui , Kaabar Mohammed K. A. , Martínez Francisco , Junejo A. R. , Ullah Inam , Khan Rahim
Published: October 2021

Deep learning (DL) is a branch of machine learning and artificial intelligence that has been applied to many areas in different domains such as health care and drug design. Cancer prognosis estimates the ultimate fate of a cancer subject and provides survival estimation of the subjects. An accurate and timely diagnostic and prognostic decision will greatly benefit cancer subjects. DL has emerged as a technology of choice due to the availability of high computational resources. The main components in a standard computer-aided design (CAD) system are preprocessing, feature recognition, extraction and selection, categorization, and performance assessment. Reduction of costs associated with sequencing systems offers a myriad of opportunities for building precise models for cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction. In this survey, we provided a summary of current works where DL has helped to determine the best models for the cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction tasks. DL is a generic model requiring minimal data manipulations and achieves better results while working with enormous volumes of data. Aims are to scrutinize the influence of DL systems using histopathology images, present a summary of state-of-the-art DL methods, and give directions to future researchers to refine the existing methods.
Low‐Rank and Spectral‐Spatial Sparse Unmixing for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Li Fan
Published: October 2021

Sparse unmixing is an important technique for hyperspectral data analysis. Most sparse unmixing algorithms underutilize the spatial and spectral information of the hyperspectral image, which is unfavourable for the accuracy of endmember identification and abundance estimation. We propose a new spectral unmixing method based on the low‐rank representation model and spatial‐weighted collaborative sparsity, aiming to exploit structural information in both the spatial and spectral domains for unmixing. The spatial weights are incorporated into the collaborative sparse regularization term to enhance the spatial continuity of the image. Meanwhile, the global low‐rank constraint is employed to maintain the spatial low‐dimensional structure of the image. The model is solved by the well‐known alternating direction method of multiplier, in which the abundance coefficients and the spatial weights are updated iteratively in the inner and outer loops, respectively. Experimental results obtained from simulation and real data reveal the superior performance of the proposed algorithm on spectral unmixing.
[Retracted] Analysis of Communication and Network Securities Using the Concepts of Complex Picture Fuzzy Relations
Authors: Nasir Abdul , Jan Naeem , Khan Sami Ullah , Gumaei Abdu , Alothaim Abdulrahman
Published: October 2021

In our lives, we cannot avoid the uncertainty. Randomness, rough knowledge, and vagueness lead us to uncertainty. In mathematics, the fuzzy set (FS) theory and logics are used to model uncertain events. This article defines a new concept of complex picture fuzzy relation (CPFR) in the field of FS theory. In addition, the types of CPFRs are also discussed to make the paper more fruitful. Today’s complex network architecture faces the ever‐changing threats. The cyber‐attackers are always trying to discover, catch, and exploit the weaknesses in the networks. So, the security measures are essential to avoid and dismantle such threats. The CPFR has a vast structure composed of levels of membership, abstinence, and nonmembership which models uncertainty better than any other structures in the theory. Moreover, a CPFR has the ability to cope with multivariable problems. Therefore, this article proposes modeling techniques based on the complex picture fuzzy information which are used to study the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of different network securities against several threats and cyber‐attack practices. Moreover, the strength and preeminence of the proposed methods are verified by studying their comparison with the existing methods.
Programmed Cell Death Protein Ligand 2 Is a Potential Biomarker That Predicts the Efficacy of Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Aoyun , Chu Han , Jin Zheng , Jia Qingzhu , Zhu Bo
Published: October 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) responses vary, and biomarkers for predicting responders are urgently needed. Growing evidence points to the association between programmed cell death protein ligand 2 (PDL2) and ICI benefits, while clinical evidences were lacking. Thus, we consolidated five public ICI-treated cohorts to investigate the association between PDL2 expression and ICI treatment prognosis. Immune cell signatures and IFN-γ signatures are investigated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and later in ICI-treated cohorts to explore the association between PDL2 and antitumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We found that immune cell signatures and IFN-γ signatures were enriched in the PDL2-high group in TCGA pooled cohorts and most cancers. Consistently, in ICI-treated cohorts, patients with high PDL2 expression experienced longer overall survival time (OS) and were more likely responsive to ICIs than patients with low PDL2 expression. Immune cell scores of the high PDL2 expression patients were significantly higher (

P
<
0.05

) than those of the low PDL2 expression patients in ICI-treated cohorts. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PDL2 is a potential predictive biomarker for ICIs.
Quercetin Alleviates Red Bull Energy Drink‐Induced Cerebral Cortex Neurotoxicity via Modulation of Nrf2 and HO‐1
Authors: Sayed Walaa Mohamed
Published: October 2021

The current work was aimed at evaluating the ameliorative role of quercetin (QR) on the possible toxicity of Red Bull energy drink (RB‐Ed) in the cerebral cortex of rats. To achieve the goal, the rats were allocated into 4 groups. The first group received distilled water as control. Groups II and III were given Red Bull energy drink alone and in combination with quercetin, respectively. The fourth group served as recovery to group II. The experimental duration was four weeks for all groups whereas the recovery period of group IV was two weeks. QR upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) genes, which can protect against RB‐Ed neurotoxicity. Moreover, by reducing the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and increasing the total antioxidant capacity levels, QR protected rats’ cerebral cortex against Red Bull energy drink‐induced oxidative damage. Quercetin also inhibited RB‐Ed‐induced histomorphological degeneration which was confirmed by the increase in the intact neurons and the rise in the neuron‐specific enolase immunoreaction. QR increased the reduction of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor that was elicited by RB‐Ed and acts as an anti‐inflammatory agent by reducing the proinflammatory marker, interleukin 1 beta and DNA damage markers, heat shock protein 70, and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine. It could be concluded that the alleviating impacts of QR on RB‐Ed neurotoxicity in rats could be related to the modulation of Nrf2 and HO‐1 which in turn affects the redox status.
Mechanism of Hard‐Roof Rock Burst Control by the Deep‐Hole Blasting: Numerical Study Based on Particle Flow
Authors: Lu Anliang , Dou Linming , Bai Jinzheng , Chai Yanjiang , Zhou Kunyou , Kan Jiliang , Cao Jinrong , Song Shikang
Published: October 2021

In underground coal mines, the deep‐hole blasting (DHB) technology is generally adopted for thick hard‐roof control. This technology uses the energy released by explosives to weaken the energy storage capacity of hard roof so as to prevent hard‐roof rock burst disasters. In this paper, a numerical simulation model of roof DHB was established based on particle flow and the damage range of single‐hole blasting with concentrated cylindrical charge was studied. The temporal and spatial evolutions of overlying strata, the distribution of the force chain structure, and the working resistance of hydraulic pressure in the mining process before and after the application of DHB were contrastively analyzed. The following beneficial conclusions were drawn. The blasting‐induced single‐hole damage range is generally characterized by annular zoning. After the application of DHB, overall the collapse morphology of the key strata in the mining process changes from long‐distance instantaneous slipping instability to stratified short‐arm stepped synergistic subsidence. The density and strength of force chains in the overburden are notably reduced; the peak value of compressive force chain strength in the key strata in the mining process falls by 17.85% as a result of DHB. The monitoring results of the working resistance of hydraulic support reveal that the DHB technology can effectively shorten the step distance of periodic weighting and reduce the variation amplitude of overburden load during weighting. In summary, the mechanism of hard‐roof rock burst control by DHB is reflected by both static load reduction and dynamic load reaction.
Energy‐Efficient Enhancement for the Prediction‐Based Scheduling Algorithm for the Improvement of Network Lifetime in WSNs
Authors: Mohiddin Md. Khaja , Kohli Rashi , Dutt V. B. S. Srilatha Indira , Dixit Priyanka , Michal Gregus
Published: October 2021

In wireless sensor networks, due to the restricted battery capabilities of sensor nodes, the energy issue plays a critical role in network efficiency and lifespan. In our work, an upgraded long short‐term memory is executed by the base station to frequently predict the forecast positions of the node with the help of load‐adaptive beaconing scheduling algorithm. In recent years, new technologies for wireless charging have offered a feasible technique in overcoming the WSN energy dilemma. Researchers are deploying rechargeable wireless sensor networks that introduce high‐capacity smartphone chargers for sensor nodes for charging. Nearly all R‐WSN research has focused on charging static nodes with relativistic routes or mobile nodes. In this work, it is analysed how to charge nondeterministic mobility nodes in this work. In this scenario, a new mechanism is recommended, called predicting‐based scheduling algorithm, to implement charging activities. In the suggested technique, it directs them to pursue the mobile charger and recharge the sensor, which is unique for the present work. The mobile charger will then choose a suitable node, utilizing a scheduling algorithm, as the charging object. A tracking algorithm based on the Kalman filter is preferred during energy transfer to determine the distance needed for charging between the destination node & mobile charger. Here, the collecting & processing of data are performed through the big data collection in WSNs. The R‐WSN charging operations of nondeterministic mobility nodes will be accomplished using the proposed charging strategy.
Reinforcement and Maintenance of Human Resources for Health Systems during Long-Term Crises: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Salehi Amir Mohammad , Khazaei Salman , Masumi Motahareh , Shavandi Farnaz , Kavand Mostafa , Jenabi Ensiyeh , Khatiban Mahnaz
Published: October 2021

Background. Human resources are one of the most critical organizational resources, the reinforcement and maintenance of whom require much energy in health organizations, particularly in long-term crises. Many methods have been suggested in this regard; however, there is a need for their integration and clarification. Methods. We systematically searched the international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from 2003 to April 2021by using some relevant keywords. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the AMSTAR checklist. Results. The search resulted in 1613 papers, among which there were 16 systematic reviews. The studies addressed a wide range of problems and solutions. Twelve items and four items were classified with moderate quality (AMSTER score 5–8) and high quality (AMSTER score 9–11), respectively. Half of the studies (n = 8) dealt with mental and psychological problems resulting from crises as the most important factor in the decline of health system staff’s durability in organizations. They also provided different solutions such as mental health counselling during and after the crisis, flexible work schedule, promoted trust in the organization, support of staff’s family, and enhanced awareness to support employees. And the other articles addressed managerial problems as the most critical factor in the decline of health system staff’s durability in organizations and proposed solutions such as suitable planning before, during, and after the crisis and the use of material and spiritual incentives to increase the employees’ motivation and organizational resilience to maintain the staff. Conclusion. In the present review study, three dimensions (namely, resilience, motivation-hygiene measures, and development of manager’s soft skills) are considered as the main factors reinforcing and maintaining human resources in the health systems in long-term crises and disasters.
Expanded Dengue Syndrome: A Case of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage, Cranial Diabetes Insipidus, and Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiosis
Authors: Jayasinghe H. M. A. U. , Pinto V. , Jayasinghe arachchi T. , Wasala W. M. A. S. B. , Abeygunawardane S. , Dissanayake D.
Published: October 2021

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection common in tropical countries with increasing incidence. The clinical manifestations can range from asymptomatic or mild infection to multiorgan failure. The latter is also called “Expanded dengue syndrome,” and it carries a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Intensive care management of such complicated cases is a challenging task for the treating physician, which requires intense monitoring and a multidisciplinary approach for decision making. We report an atypical case of an expanded dengue syndrome presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage associated with moderate thrombocytopenia, cranial diabetes insipidus, and haemophagocytic lymphohistiosis in a young healthy female patient.
A Systematic Review on Selected Complications of Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy from Clinical and Biomechanical Perspectives
Authors: Elyasi Elaheh , Cavalié Guillaume , Perrier Antoine , Graff Wilfrid , Payan Yohan
Published: October 2021

Background. The wedge opened during high tibial osteotomy defines the alignment correction in different body planes and alters soft tissue insertions. Although multiple complications of the surgery can be correlated to this, there is still a lack of consensus on the occurrence of those complications and their cause. The current study is aimed at clarifying this problem using a combined medical and biomechanical perspective. Methods. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on selective complications of the surgery correlated with the angles of the opened wedge. Search topics covered tibial slope alteration, patellar height alteration, medial collateral ligament release, and model-based biomechanical simulations related to surgical planning or complications. Findings. The selection process with the defined inclusion/exclusion criteria led to the collection of qualitative and quantitative data from 38 articles. Medial collateral ligament tightness can be a valid complication of this surgery; however, further information about its preoperative condition seems required for better interpreting the results. The posterior tibial slope significantly increases, and the patellar height (using the Blackburne-Peel ratio) significantly decreases in the majority of the selected studies. Model-based biomechanical studies targeting surgical planning are mostly focused on the lower-limb alignment principles and tibiofemoral contact balancing rather than surgical complications. Interpretation. Increased posterior tibial slope, patellar height decrease, and medial collateral ligament tightness can occur due to alterations in different body planes and in soft tissue insertions after wedge opening. This study clarified that information about preoperative alignment in all body planes and soft-tissue conditions should be considered in order to avoid and anticipate these complications and to improve per surgery wedge adaptation. The findings and perspective of this review can contribute to improving the design of future clinical and biomechanical studies.
Matching Pursuit Algorithm for Decoding of Binary LDPC Codes
Authors: Guo Jianzhong , Cao Cong , Shi Dehui , Chen Jing , Zhang Shuai , Huo Xiaohu , Kong Dejin , Li Jian , Tian Yukang , Guo Min
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a novel hard decision decoding algorithm for low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes, in which the stand matching pursuit (MP) is adapted for error pattern recovery from syndrome over GF(2). In this algorithm, the operation of inner product can be converted into XOR and accumulation, which makes the matching pursuit work with a high efficiency. In addition, the maximum iteration is theoretically explored in relation to sparsity and error probability according to the sparse theory. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, two MP‐based decoding algorithms are simulated and compared over an AWGN channel, i.e., generic MP (GMP) and syndrome MP (SMP). Simulation results show that the GMP algorithm outperforms the SMP by 0.8 dB at BER = 10−5.
Biogeographical affinity shapes relationships between ecological and phylogenetic mammal diversity and associations with their environmental correlates in the Americas
Authors: FERGNANI PAULA NILDA , RUGGIERO ADRIANA
Published: October 2021

We evaluate the role of biogeographical affinity in shaping relationships between ecological diversity as a proxy of functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity and their association with environmental variation, across tropical and temperate latitudes of the Americas. If environmental niches are evolutionarily conserved, high mammal taxa of tropical and temperate affinity will show consistent differences in these relationships. Accordingly, mammal groups of tropical affinity (old-autochthonous: marsupials and xenarthrans; and mid-Cenozoic immigrants: hystricognaths and primates) show stronger positive correlations between ecological and phylogenetic diversity within the tropics than those from extra-tropical latitudes where newcomers from North America (artiodactyls) show the strongest positive correlations. The other group of newcomers (carnivorans), however, show a peak in the association that include both tropical and extra-tropical latitudes of South America. Climate predominates over topographic relief in structuring the spatial variation of ecological and phylogenetic mammal diversity. The environmental structuring of ecological and phylogenetic mammal diversity across the Americas is more complex than expected from a latitudinal diversity gradient. Dry seasonal tropical habitats generated considerable heterogeneity in relationships between ecological and phylogenetic diversity and their association with environmental correlates. We conclude that biogeographical affinity and regional associations between the different components of diversity and the environment should be considered for a comprehensive explanation of covariation between ecological and phylogenetic diversity on a continental scale.
Two newly recorded genera Malayepipona Giordani Soika and Megaodynerus Gusenleitner, with eight new species from China (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae)
Authors: CHEN YUE BAI, BIN , CHEN BIN , LI TING-JING
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the genera Malayepipona Giordani Soika and Megaodynerus Gusenleitner are newly recorded from China. Seven new species of Malayepipona and one new species of Megaodynerus are described and illustrated: namely Malayepipona brunnea Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. flaviclypeata Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. lamellata Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. maculosa Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. nigricans Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. sparsipuncta Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov., M. triangula Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov. and Megaodynerus bimaculus Bai, Chen & Li, sp. nov.. The species Malayepipona clypeata Nguyen & Carpenter, 2013 is also newly recorded from China. A key to known species of Malayepipona is updated.
Taxonomic review of the genus Dolgoma Moore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from Thailand with descriptions of three new species
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL
Published: October 2021

The genus Dolgoma Moore, 1878 from Thailand is reviewed. Three new species are described: Dolgoma diktyo sp. n. (Chiang Mai Prov.), Dolgoma kawila sp. n. (Chiang Mai Prov.) and Dolgoma khelanga sp. n. (Lampang Prov.). The adults and the male and the female genitalia of the new and the similar species are illustrated.
Halyomorpha picus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): first confirmed record from Pakistan and two new junior synonyms
Authors: KMENT PETR , SALINI S. , AHMED ZUBAIR
Published: October 2021

We provide the first confirmed record of Halyomorpha picus (Fabricius, 1794) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Cappaeini) from Pakistan: Islamabad Capital Territory, and provide habitus photographs and electron scanning micrographs of the male genitalia of the voucher specimens. Two species previously described from Pakistan are found to fit within the morphological variability of H. picus and the following two junior subjective synonyms are proposed: Halyomorpha picus (Fabricius, 1794) = Halyomorpha punjabensis Ahmad & Kamaluddin, 1977, syn. nov., = Halyomorpha azhari Ahmad & Zaidi, 1989, syn. nov. The record of Halyomorpha scutellata Distant, 1879, from Pakistan by Sharif et al. (2020) is based on misidentification of a species of Neohalys Ahmad & Perveen, 1982 (Pentatominae: Halyini) and excluded from Pakistan fauna. Based on the analysis of female genitalia figures provided by Gadalla (2004), the record of H. picus from Egypt represents a misidentification of H. halys Stål, 1855, which extends the distribution of that invasive species to North Africa.
A new species of the southern Central American genus Linoderus Sharp (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) with a revised key and an updated phylogeny
Authors: CHANI-POSSE MARIANA RAQUEL
Published: October 2021

Linoderus smetanai sp. nov. is described from Costa Rica. This is the third species in the southern Central American genus Linoderus of the subtribe Philonthina (tribe Staphylinini). The new species was included in a previous dataset of 52 morphological characters scored for the genus and representatives of its allied genera (Neopescolinus Chani-Posse, Paederomimus Sharp, Pescolinus Sharp) and its phylogenetic position analysed by Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference. The analyses unambiguously placed L. smetanai within Linoderus in a sister-group relationship with L. alajuelensis Chani-Posse & Solodovnikov and L. gracilipes Sharp. A revised key to species and an updated phylogeny of Linoderus are also provided.
Family Communication and Psychological Distress in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Role of Coping
Authors: Geçer Ekmel , Yıldırım Murat
Published: October 2021

This study aims to examine the association between family communication and psychological distress with coping as a potential mediator. The study also developed and validated the Family Communication Scale (FCS) in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Participants ( n = 658; 74.9% female) were general public ranged in age between 18 and 58 years (mean age = 26.38, SD = 10.01). The results showed that family communication directly influenced psychological distress and indirectly influenced through approach coping. However, avoidant coping was not directly associated with psychological distress, nor did it mediate the association between family communication and psychological distress. The findings suggest that people, who have better family communication, highly engage in approach coping which in turn leads to better psychological health in face of adversity. The findings have important empirical and theoretical implications.
Preparation and properties of high melt strength PBS and its environmentally friendly foaming materials
Authors: Zhou Xiao-Ming , Liu Yi-Fan
Published: October 2021

In order to improve the melt strength of Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) resin, the silane graft-crosslinked PBS copolyester materials were prepared by melt blending method with vinyltriethyl silane as graft material and benzyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. At the same time, the environmentally friendly compound foaming agent (citric acid and sodium bicarbonate) was used as foaming agent. The results showed that the tensile properties and melt strength of PBS resin were greatly improved after silane grafting and cross-linking, and the graft and cross-linking reaction between PBS resin and silane occurred, forming a three-dimensional space network structure, and the viscosity and elasticity of polymer melt was changed, which increased the entropy elasticity of the material and strengthened the polymer melt strength. The additional amount of compound foaming agent and the cross-linking degree of material had important influence on the diameter and distribution of PBS foaming material.
A Feminist Reading of Turkish Foreign Policy and the S-400 Crisis
Authors: Akça Ataç C.
Published: October 2021

Hypermasculine hegemonic masculinities have become the norm to dominate the foreign policies all around the world. As the populist foreign-policy visions, the byproducts of androcentric norm-creation, undermine the established rules for peace, diplomacy and co-existence in the international system, other experiences have faded away from the narratives that have defined and contributed to foreign policies. The accelerating urgency of the national security agendas of the hypermasculine states seek to cancel feminist definitions, practices and theories for the sake of physical force and state control. Nevertheless, more than any other period in history, it is these conflicting times that necessitate Cynthia Enloe’s ‘curious feminist’ questions the most. Turkish foreign policy of the last decade has become a quintessential example of hypermasculine hegemonic masculinity, especially within the context of the S-400 crisis with the US, NATO and Russia; its feminist critics are distressingly rare. This paper aims to offer an alternative reading of Turkey’s S-400 saga from a feminist perspective to contribute a Turkish case to feminist International Relations. First a definition of feminist International Relations will be provided. Then, the hypermasculine character of the Turkish hegemonic masculinity and its reflection on the current Turkish foreign policy will be analyzed. Lastly, the S-400 crisis of Turkey’s decision to buy Russian defense missiles as a NATO member will be examined.
Glycidyl methacrylate-crosslinked fish swim bladder as a novel cardiovascular biomaterial with improved antithrombotic and anticalcification properties
Authors: Li Meiling , Zheng Cheng , Wu Binggang , Ding Kailei , Zhang Shumang , Huang Xueyu , Lei Yang , Wang Yunbing
Published: October 2021

At present, commercial artificial biological valves are mostly prepared by crosslinking bovine or porcine pericardia with glutaraldehyde. Swim bladder has similar components and lower immunogenicity compared to bovine or porcine pericardium. In this study, we used a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)–based radical polymerization method to crosslink decellularized swim bladders. Amino and carboxyl groups in the swim bladder were reacted with epoxy groups on GMA to introduce carbon–carbon double bonds to the swim bladder. The results showed that the platelet adhesion of GMA-crosslinked swim bladders (GMA-SBs) decreased by 35%, as compared to that of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked swim bladders (GLUT-SBs). Moreover, the superior anticoagulant property was further verified by the ex vivo arteriovenous shunt assay. Meanwhile, the subcutaneous implantation in rats showed that GMA-SBs were able to effectively inhibit the calcification compared with GLUT-SBs. In conclusion, GMA-SBs showed improved antithrombotic and anticalcification properties compared to GLUT-SBs.
Treatment of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Review of Therapies in the Pipeline
Authors: Xu Jiashan , Ashjian Emily
Published: October 2021

Background

The 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines and 2021 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway recommend nonpharmacological interventions and initiation of statin therapy for patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia and addition of fibrates or omega-3 fatty acids in severe hypertriglyceridemia. Although the association between triglyceride (TG) lowering and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction remains controversial, patients with hypertriglyceridemia may represent a subgroup that require additional therapy to further reduce residual ASCVD risk. Moreover, medications that target novel pathways could provide alternative options for patients who are intolerant of existing therapies or doses needed to provide adequate triglyceride lowering. Objective: Assess recent evidence for TG-lowering agents including omega-3 fatty acid-based therapies, PPARα modulators, apoC-III mRNA antisense inhibitors, angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) antibodies, and herbal supplements. Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed with hypertriglyceridemia specified as a MeSH term or included in the title or abstract of the article along with each individual agent. For inclusion, trials needed to have a primary or secondary outcome of TG levels or TG lowering. Conclusion: Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration approved medication for CV risk reduction in patients with hypertriglyceridemia is icosapent ethyl. Results from phase 3 trials for CaPre, pemafibrate, and volanesorsen as well as additional evidence for pipeline pharmacotherapies with novel mechanisms of action (e.g., ApoC-III mRNA antisense inhibitors and ANGPTL3 antibodies) will help to guide future pharmacotherapy considerations for patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Optimization study on the influence of little blades’ spatial position on a compressor cascade performance
Authors: Ma Shan , Sun Xiaolin
Published: October 2021

To reveal the importance of little blades’ spatial position to improve the cascade performance at different condition, the pitchwise and axial direction of the little blades on the end-wall are adopted as the optimization variables to complete a double-objective optimization. Meanwhile, the three-dimensional flow field characteristics of the cascade with and without little blades are analyzed comparatively. The study found that as the optimal solutions are obtained at the three bigger incidences (3°, 5°, and 7°), the optimal position is always close to the leading edge of blade and far away from the blade suction surface, and the more intuitive design suggestions are given in this article. Moreover, at the near design conditions (−1°, 0°, and 1°), little blades increase the total pressure loss and reduce the static pressure, which are considered unsuitable for improving the cascade performance. If the stable operation range are the main performance indicators, the optimization of the little blades’ spatial position should be completed at the near stall condition (7° incidence). If the conditions with mid-range incidences (2°< i <5°) are the main performance index, the parameter optimization of little blades should be achieved at 5°. Based on the further flow field analysis of the optimization results obtained at 3°, 5°, and 7° incidences (named Opt_Act3, Opt_Act5, and Opt_Act7), the induced vortices resist the effect of axial reverse pressure gradient and pass through the blade passage, which is the main reason for the total pressure loss reduction. Appropriate spatial position of little blades not only strengthens the capability to prevent the low-energy fluids accumulating in the corner region near the end-wall, but exhibits sufficient advantage to weaken the boundary layer.
A novel intelligent fault diagnosis method based on variant sparse filtering and back-propagation
Authors: Chan Lifeng , Cheng Chun
Published: October 2021

Detecting the mechanical faults of rotating machinery in time plays a key role in avoiding accidents. With the coming of the big data era, intelligent fault diagnosis methods based on machine learning models have become promising tools. To improve the feature learning ability, an unsupervised sparse feature learning method called variant sparse filtering is developed. Then, a fault diagnosis method combining variant sparse filtering with a back-propagation algorithm is presented. The involvement of the back-propagation algorithm can further optimize the weight matrix of variant sparse filtering using label data. At last, the developed diagnosis method is validated by rolling bearing and planetary gearbox experiments. The experiment results indicate that the developed method can achieve high accuracy and good stability in rotating machinery fault diagnosis.
Low Mean Arterial Pressure During Cardiopulmonary Bypass and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury: A Propensity Score Matched Observational Study
Authors: Velho Tiago R. , Pereira Rafael M. , Guerra Nuno C. , Ferreira Hugo , Sena André , Ferreira Ricardo , Nobre Ângelo
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Low mean arterial pressure (MAP) periods occur frequently during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and their management remains controversial. Our aim was to correlate MAP during CPB with the occurrence of post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI), considering two different parameters: consecutive and cumulative low MAP periods.

Methods

Single-centre observational retrospective study including 250 patients submitted to non-emergent aortic valve replacement, with tepid to mild hypothermia (not below 32°C). The primary outcome was the occurrence of AKI. A propensity scored matching of 43 patients was used to adjust both populations (AKI and No AKI). MAP measures were automatically and continuously recorded during CPB. Low MAP periods were analysed employing two parameters: consecutive and the cumulative sum of time.

Results

Patients who experienced at least 5 min with MAP <50 mmHg had an increased risk of post-operative AKI (OR infinity; 95% CI, 1.47 to infinity; P = .026). The risk is also significant with MAP <40 mmHg (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.1–6.9; = .044) and <30 mmHg (OR 3.36; 95% CI 1.2–9.2; P = .029). Post-operative AKI was associated with cumulative and consecutive periods of low MAP. Patients with periods of low MAP had higher levels of post-operative creatinine and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Patients with AKI had prolonged endotracheal ventilation time, and ICU and ward lengths of stay.

Conclusion

Low MAP periods during CPB are associated with an increased occurrence of post-operative AKI, leading to 1) higher creatinine levels; 2) decreased GFR and 3) longer ICU and ward lengths of stay. Both consecutive and cumulative periods of low MAP are associated with an increased risk of AKI. MAP appears to be an important contributor to post-operative AKI and should be carefully managed during CPB. Further studies must address if MAP variations lead to definitive and long-term consequences.
Expatriate partners’ personality and its influence on acculturation into a new cultural context: Examining the role of dispositional affectivity
Authors: Stoermer Sebastian , Selmer Jan , Lauring Jakob
Published: October 2021

Despite the vital role that trailing partners play for successful expatriation, we still know very little about what actually causes partners to thrive and integrate effectively into the new cultural context. However, as indications have emerged that the personality of partners could be key to a favorable acculturation trajectory, we set out to explore this further. More specifically, we assess the role of expatriate partners’ dispositional affectivity, that is, positive and negative affectivity. We examine this in relation to internal acculturation (in the form of interaction and general adjustment) and external acculturation (in the form of local community embeddedness and intentions to stay or to return home). Drawing on the data of 123 trailing partners, full support was found for three out of four hypotheses regarding the effects of positive affectivity. Further, a marginally significant negative association was identified for the relationship between positive affectivity and repatriation intentions. For negative affectivity, two hypotheses were met. Interestingly, no significant influence of negative affectivity on community embeddedness was found. The association between negative affectivity and interaction adjustment was marginally significant indicating some tentative support. In sum, this study corroborates that dispositional affectivity is an overall important concept to explain trailing partners’ acculturation. However, the role of positive and negative affectivity seems to vary along the different proxies of internal and external acculturation.
Into the periphery: Acting into fleeting, unfinished, just perceptible movements of experience in scenes of joint action
Authors: Schneider Juliana
Published: October 2021

Much of what goes on in organisational life happens at the edge of language, in the form of vague stirrings, fleeting feelings or small gestures. In the midst of relating to others, we may sense a potential new opening or an ill-defined disquiet. Usually, it is only later that we can make reference to a some-thing that has since emerged. I offer two reflective narratives of moments of action occurring with colleagues and students. I propose that as organisational and action research practitioners we need to learn a particular kind of artistry, one that pays attention to minor shifts and variations as they are occurring, often at the periphery of our awareness. I draw on Manning’s work on ‘minor gestures’ and Shotter’s notions of ‘joint action’ and ‘withness thinking’. I turn to novelist Clarice Lispector to explore how we might approach crafting after-the-fact, reflexive accounts that remain in touch with the precarious potentiality of where things might go next.
Experiences and perceptions of academics about student engagement in higher education
Authors: Owusu-Agyeman Yaw
Published: October 2021

This article examines the experiences and perceptions of academics about student engagement and how their professional practice in a professional community enhances students’ persistence and success in a university in South Africa. While previous research has widely focused on students’ perception of how student engagement enhances student success and persistence, there is a paucity of research on the position of academics who constitute a professional community on how they could enhance student engagement in higher education. To address this knowledge gap, a qualitative research approach was used to gather and analyse data from a sample of 26 academics who shared their perceptions and experiences about how they contribute to enhancing student engagement in the university. Consequently, four main themes were explored to provide conceptual and empirical structure to the notion of engagement among academics in an expert community: institutional structure and culture, affective, behavioural and cognitive engagement. The results revealed that the cognitive, behavioural and affective features of student engagement as well as institutional structure and culture explain how academics experience and perceive how their professional practices enhances student persistence and success in relation to engagement. Particularly, the study shows that institutional culture, expert culture, professional community and institutional structure influence the perceptions and experiences of academics about student engagement. Conversely, when academics do not follow the expert and academic cultures of the institution, it could lead to poor professional practices that are antithetical to student persistence and success.
Toward Understanding the Diverse Roles of Perisomatic Interneurons in Epilepsy
Authors: Dudok Barna , Klein Peter M. , Soltesz Ivan
Published: October 2021

Epileptic seizures are associated with excessive neuronal spiking. Perisomatic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons specifically innervate the subcellular domains of postsynaptic excitatory cells that are critical for spike generation. With a revolution in transcriptomics-based cell taxonomy driving the development of novel transgenic mouse lines, selectively monitoring and modulating previously elusive interneuron types is becoming increasingly feasible. Emerging evidence suggests that the three types of hippocampal perisomatic interneurons, axo-axonic cells, along with parvalbumin- and cholecystokinin-expressing basket cells, each follow unique activity patterns in vivo, suggesting distinctive roles in regulating epileptic networks.
Can Type of Dizziness Influence the Vestibular Caloric Test Result?
Authors: Felipe Lilian , Staggs Ashley , Hunnicutt Sierra
Published: October 2021

Background:

The broad range of vestibular tests used to diagnose labyrinth diseases allows for a functional assessment of the vestibular system. Among the many tests performed, the caloric test is considered the gold standard by providing an objective measurement of the vestibular function for each labyrinth.

Objective:

to correlate the different types of dizziness with the caloric test result.

Methods:

a descriptive study was performed based on the previous records of vestibular tests performed on patients with body balance disorders evaluated at Audiology Service between 2000 and 2020. The variables evaluated were sex, age, hearing loss, tinnitus, and caloric test result.

Results:

the sample was composed of 892 patients, 654 (73.4%) women, and 238 (26.6%) men. Normal results were obtained for 57.4% (N = 514) of the individuals, while peripheral disease 40.1% (N = 357), and central disease 2.5% (N = 21) accounted for the remaining. Complaint of vertigo was not common in central disorders ( P = .02; OR = 0.17) and instability was associated with bilateral vestibular weakness ( P = 0.02; OR = 5.92). Vertigo associated with tinnitus and/or hearing loss was more frequent in the caloric test with peripheral abnormality ( P = 0.008).

Conclusion:

complaints of vertigo associated with tinnitus and/or hearing loss must be directed for clinical observation of unilateral peripheral lesion and instability to central disease or bilateral peripheral lesion.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts impact the clinical outcome and treatment response in colorectal cancer via immune system modulation: a comprehensive genome-wide analysis
Authors: Chen Yu-feng , Yu Zhao-liang , Lv Min-yi , Cai Ze-rong , Zou Yi-feng , Lan Ping , Wu Xiao-jian , Gao Feng
Published: October 2021

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment are associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in multiple solid tumours. However, there is a lack of universal measures of CAFs in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a fibroblast-related gene signature (FRGS) for predicting patient outcomes and reveal its relevant mechanism.

Methods

The GSE39582 dataset, which includes 316 CRC patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy was used as a discovery cohort to identify the prognostic fibroblast-related genes (FRGs). A total of 1352 CRC patients were divided into one training cohort (GSE39582, n = 461) and two validation cohorts (TCGA, n = 338; meta-validation, n = 553) for the construction of the FRGS and the verification of its prognostic value in stage II/III CRC patients. Functional annotation and analysis were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. The ability of the FRGS to predict immunotherapy response was further tested in a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cohort.

Results

An 11-gene signature that had prognostic value for stage II/III CRC patients in both validation cohorts was developed (TCGA cohort: HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.16–3.12, P < 0.01; meta-validation cohort: HR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.39–2.73, P < 0.001). A high level of CAFs was correlated with worse prognosis in CRC patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 3.63, 95% CI 2.24–5.88, P < 0.001). Importantly, patients in the low-risk group were found to be benefit from chemotherapy (P < 0.01), but not in the high CAF group (P > 0.05). Similar results were found in the TCGA cohort. Integrated with clinical characteristics, the FRGS was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis after adjustment for tumour TNM stage (GSE39582 cohort: HR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.88–5.41, P < 0.001; TCGA cohort: HR = 5.00, 95% CI 1.58–15.85, P = 0.007; meta-validation cohort: HR = 2.99, 95% CI 1.44–6.21, P = 0.003). Furthermore, the enrichment analysis found that the antitumour immune response was suppressed and the infiltration of CD4 T cells and M1 macrophages was depressed in the high CAF group. The FRGS was also found to have value in predicting for immunotherapy response in the ccRCC cohort.

Conclusions

The 11-gene FRGS had independent prognostic value for CRC patients, as well as utility in the prediction of benefit from chemotherapy. CAFs in the tumour microenvironment might have an impact on the prognosis of CRC patients via inhibiting immune response.
Associations between online food outlet access and online food delivery service use amongst adults in the UK: a cross-sectional analysis of linked data
Authors: Keeble Matthew , Adams Jean , Vanderlee Lana , Hammond David , Burgoine Thomas
Published: October 2021

Background

Online food delivery services facilitate ‘online’ access to food outlets that typically sell energy-dense nutrient-poor food. Greater online food outlet access might be related to the use of this purchasing format and living with excess bodyweight, however, this is not known. We aimed to investigate the association between aspects of online food outlet access and online food delivery service use, and differences according to customer sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the association between the number of food outlets accessible online and bodyweight.

Methods

In 2019, we used an automated data collection method to collect data on all food outlets in the UK registered with the leading online food delivery service Just Eat (n = 33,204). We linked this with contemporaneous data on food purchasing, bodyweight, and sociodemographic information collected through the International Food Policy Study (analytic sample n = 3067). We used adjusted binomial logistic, linear, and multinomial logistic regression models to examine associations.

Results

Adults in the UK had online access to a median of 85 food outlets (IQR: 34–181) and 85 unique types of cuisine (IQR: 64–108), and 15.1% reported online food delivery service use in the previous week. Those with the greatest number of accessible food outlets (quarter four, 182–879) had 71% greater odds of online food delivery service use (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.68) compared to those with the least (quarter one, 0–34). This pattern was evident amongst adults with a university degree (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.85), adults aged between 18 and 29 years (OR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.59, 6.72), those living with children (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.01; 3.75), and females at each level of increased exposure. We found no association between the number of unique types of cuisine accessible online and online food delivery service use, or between the number of food outlets accessible online and bodyweight.

Conclusions

The number of food outlets accessible online is positively associated with online food delivery service use. Adults with the highest education, younger adults, those living with children, and females, were particularly susceptible to the greatest online food outlet access. Further research is required to investigate the possible health implications of online food delivery service use.