bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
G9a Suppression Alleviates Corneal Neovascularization through Blocking Nox4-Mediated Oxidative Stress
Authors: Wan Shanshan , Yang Wanju , Pan Yumiao , Rao Zhuoqun , Yang Yanning
Published: March 2020

Background. G9a, a well-known methyltransferase, plays a vital role in biological processes. However, its role in corneal neovascularization (CoNV) remains unclear. Methods. In vitro and in vivo models were assessed in hypoxia-stimulated angiogenesis and in a mouse model of alkali burn-induced CoNV. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured under hypoxic conditions and different reoxygenation times to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Results. In this study, we found that G9a was positively related to corneal alkali burn-induced injury. Inhibition of G9a with BIX 01294 (BIX) alleviated corneal injury, including oxidative stress and neovascularization in vivo. Similarly, inhibition of G9a with either BIX or small interfering RNA (siRNA) exerted an inhibitory effect on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative stress and angiogenesis in HUVECs. Moreover, our study revealed that ablation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with N-acetyl-cysteine suppressed angiogenesis in HUVECs exposed to H/R stimulation. Furthermore, NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), which was positively associated with ROS production and angiogenesis, was elevated during H/R. This effect could be reversed through suppression of the transcription activity of G9a with BIX or siRNA. In addition, the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, upstream of Nox4, was activated in both BIX-treated mice and G9a-inhibited HUVECs. Collectively, our results demonstrated that inhibition of G9a-alleviated corneal angiogenesis by inhibiting Nox4-dependent ROS production through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. These findings indicate that G9a may be a valuable therapeutic target for CoNV.
Management of Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy (APMPPE): Insights from Multimodal Imaging with OCTA
Authors: Oliveira Mariana A. , Simão Jorge , Martins Amélia , Farinha Cláudia
Published: March 2020

A 28-year-old man presented to the emergency room with blurred vision in the right eye for two days. He reported a preceding flu-like illness one week earlier. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/40 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. There was no anterior chamber inflammation or vitritis in either eye. He presented multiple yellowish-white placoid lesions in the posterior pole, some involving the foveal area, bilaterally. General examination and systemic investigation were unremarkable. Multimodal evaluation with fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and spectral domain and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were consistent with the diagnosis of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Due to centromacular involvement with decreased BCVA, treatment with oral methylprednisolone was started after infectious causes were ruled out. After two weeks, the patient presented functional and anatomical improvement. OCTA showed partial reperfusion of the choriocapillaris in the affected areas, in both eyes.
Study on Tensile Creep Behavior of 12Cr1MoV Alloy Steel under High-Temperature Alkali Metal Salt Environment for Solar Thermal Power Generation
Authors: He Jianjun , Yang Kaijun , Wang Gang , Li Wei , Bao Jiangyong , Chen Jian
Published: March 2020

The heat exchange tubes of solar thermal power generation work in molten salt environment with periodic temperature change. In order to reveal the tensile creep behavior of 12Cr1MoV pipeline steel under high-temperature alkali metal salt environment, the tensile creep behavior of 12Cr1MoV alloy under different applied load and reaction temperature in high-temperature alkali metal chloride salt environment was studied. The results show that the deformation of 12Cr1MoV alloy in 600°C, NaCl-35%KCl mixed salt environment is mainly controlled by diffusion creep; with the increase of stress, the creep life of 12Cr1MoV alloy decreases. The creep fracture mechanism of 12Cr1MoV alloy in 600°C, NaCl-35%KCl mixed salt environment is intergranular ductile fracture; the increase of temperature will enhance the activation and oxidation of the chlorine atoms, thereby accelerating the corrosion of the base metal and increasing the spheroidization speed of the pearlite matrix, and the creep deformation rate of the alloy increases with increasing temperature.
Lion Algorithm-Optimized Long Short-Term Memory Network for Groundwater Level Forecasting in Udupi District, India
Authors: Supreetha B. S. , Shenoy Narayan , Nayak Prabhakar
Published: March 2020

Groundwater is a precious natural resource. Groundwater level (GWL) forecasting is crucial in the field of water resource management. Measurement of GWL from observation-wells is the principle source of information about the aquifer and is critical to its evaluation. Most part of the Udupi district of Karnataka State in India consists of geological formations: lateritic terrain and gneissic complex. Due to the topographical ruggedness and inconsistency in rainfall, the GWL in Udupi region is declining continually and most of the open wells are drying-up during the summer. Hence, the current research aimed at developing a groundwater level forecasting model by using hybrid long short-term memory-lion algorithm (LSTM-LA). The historical GWL and rainfall data from an observation well from Udupi district, located in Karnataka state, India, were used to develop the model. The prediction accuracy of the hybrid LSTM-LA model was better than that of the feedforward neural network (FFNN) and the isolated LSTM models. The hybrid LSTM-LA-based forecasting model is promising for a larger dataset.
Effects of 24 Weeks of Growth Hormone Treatment on Bone Microstructure and Volumetric Bone Density in Patients with Childhood-Onset Adult GH Deficiency
Authors: Yang Hongbo , Yan Kemin , Xu Yuping , Wang Linjie , Zhang Qi , Gong Fengying , Zhu Huijuan , Xia Weibo , Pan Hui
Published: March 2020

Objective. Adults with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CO AGHD) have prominently impaired volumetric bone density (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture. Effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on bone microarchitecture in CO AGHD were insufficiently evaluated. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of rhGH on bone microarchitecture and vBMD in CO AGHD patients.Design. In this single-center prospective study, nine CO AGHD patients received rhGH treatment for 24 weeks. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (HR-pQCT) of distal tibia and radius was performed at baseline and at the end of treatment. Main outcomes were vBMD and morphometric parameters from HR-pQCT.Results. After 24-week treatment, IGF-1 SDS gradually increased from −3.31 ± 1.56 to −1.92 ± 1.65 (p=0.113). Serum phosphate (1.17 ± 0.17 vs. 1.35 ± 0.18 mmol/L,p=0.030), alkaline phosphatase (83.6 ± 38.6 vs. 120.5 ± 63.7,p=0.045), andβ-CTX (0.67 ± 0.32 vs. 1.09 ± 0.58,p=0.022) were significantly elevated. In distal tibia, total vBMD (200.2 ± 41.7 vs 210.3 ± 40.9 mg HA/cm3,p=0.017), cortical area (89.9 ± 17.7 vs 95.5 ± 19.9 mm2,p=0.032), and cortical thickness (0.891 ± 0.197 vs 0.944 ± 0.239 mm,p=0.028) were significantly improved. Trabecular area decreased from 795.3 ± 280.9 to 789.6 ± 211.4 mm2(p=0.029). Trabecular bone volume fraction increased from 0.193 ± 0.038 to 0.198 ± 0.036 (p=0.027). In radius, cortical perimeter (74.1 ± 10.0 vs 75.0 ± 10.9 mm,p=0.034), trabecular thickness (0.208 ± 0.013 vs 0.212 ± 0.013 mm,p=0.008), trabecular separation (0.743 ± 0.175 vs 0.796 ± 0.199 mm,p=0.019), and inhomogeneity of network (Tb.1/N.SD) (0.292 ± 0.087 vs 0.317 ± 0.096 mm,p=0.026) were significantly improved, while trabecular number (1.363 ± 0.294 vs 1.291 ± 0.325 1/mm,p=0.025) decreased significantly.Conclusions. Our results provide evidence for improvement of vBMD and bone microarchitecture in AGHD patients at a relatively early stage of rhGH treatment.
Reverse Zagreb and Reverse Hyper-Zagreb Indices for Crystallographic Structure of Molecules
Authors: Wang Zhen , Chaudhry Faryal , Naseem Maria , Asghar Adnan
Published: March 2020

In the fields of chemical graph theory, topological index is a type of a molecular descriptor that is calculated based on the graph of a chemical compound. Topological indices help us collect information about algebraic graphs and give us mathematical approach to understand the properties of algebraic structures. With the help of topological indices, we can guess the properties of chemical compounds without performing experiments in wet lab. There are more than 148 topological indices in the literature, but none of them completely give all properties of under study compounds. Together, they do it to some extent; hence, there is always room to introduce new indices. In this paper, we present first and second reserve Zagreb indices and first reverse hyper-Zagreb indices, reverse GA index, and reverse atomic bond connectivity index for the crystallographic structure of molecules. We also present first and second reverse Zagreb polynomials and first and second reverse hyper-Zagreb polynomials for the crystallographic structure of molecules.
A Novel Micropeptide Encoded by Y-Linked LINC00278 Links Cigarette Smoking and AR Signaling in Male Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wu Siqi , Zhang Liyuan , Deng Jieqiong , Guo Binbin , Li Fang , Wang Yirong , Wu Rui , Zhang Shenghua , Lu Jiachun , Zhou Yifeng
Published: March 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been shown to play critical roles in many diseases, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Recent studies have reported that some lncRNA encode functional micropeptides. However, the association between ESCC and micropeptides encoded by lncRNA remains largely unknown. In this study, we characterized a Y-linked lncRNA, LINC00278, which was downregulated in male ESCC. LINC00278 encoded a Yin Yang 1 (YY1)-binding micropeptide, designated YY1BM. YY1BM was involved in the ESCC progression and inhibited the interaction between YY1 and androgen receptor (AR), which in turn decreased expression of eEF2K through the AR signaling pathway. Downregulation of YY1BM significantly upregulated eEF2K expression and inhibited apoptosis, thus conferring ESCC cells more adaptive to nutrient deprivation. Cigarette smoking decreased m6A modification of LINC00278 and YY1BM translation. In conclusion, these results provide a novel mechanistic link between cigarette smoking and AR signaling in male ESCC progression.

Significance:

Posttranscriptional modification of a micropeptide-encoding lncRNA is negatively impacted by cigarette smoking, disrupting negative regulation of the AR signaling pathway in male ESCC.
Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Taheri Hossein , Filion Kristian B. , Windle Sarah B. , Reynier Pauline , Eisenberg Mark J.
Published: March 2020

Background: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors increase serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration; however, their impact on cardiovascular outcomes is not clear. This systematic review examines the effect of CETP inhibitors on serum lipid profiles, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library of Clinical Trials for placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of a CETP inhibitor (dalcetrapib, anacetrapib, evacetrapib, or TA-8995) on all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or the components of MACE at ≥6 months. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Results: A total of 11 RCTs (n = 62,431) were included in our systematic review; 4 examined dalcetrapib (n = 16,612), 6 anacetrapib (n = 33,682), and 1 evacetrapib (n = 12,092). Compared to dalcetrapib, ana­cetrapib and evacetrapib were more efficacious at raising HDL-c levels (∼100–130 vs. ∼30%). Anacetrapib and evacetrapib also decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) by approximately 30% while dalcetrapib did not affect the LDL-c level. Overall, CETP inhibitors were not associated with the incidence of MACE (pooled relative risk [RR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–1.04). CETP inhibitors may decrease the risks of nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87–1.00) and cardiovascular death (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.83–1.01), though these trends did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: CETP inhibitors are not associated with an increased risk of MACE or all-cause mortality. There is a trend towards small reductions in nonfatal MI and cardiovascular death, though the clinical im­portance of such reductions is likely modest.
Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis and Meiotic Pairing Behavior of Progenies Originating from a Hexaploid Triticale (×Triticosecale, Wittmack) and Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) Cross
Authors: Aliyeva Aybeniz J. , Farkas András , Aminov Naib Kh. , Kruppa Klaudia , Molnár-Láng Márta , Türkösi Edina
Published: March 2020

The chromosomal constitution of 9 dwarf (D) and 8 semidwarf (SD) lines derived by crossing hexaploid Triticale line NA-75 (AABBRR, 2n = 6x = 42) with Triticumaestivum (AABBDD, 2n = 6x = 42) cv. Chinese Spring was investigated using molecular cytogenetic techniques: fluorescence in situ hybridization and genomic in situ hybridization. A wheat-rye translocation (T4DS.7RL), 8 substitution lines, and a ditelosomic addition line (7RSdt) were identified. In the substitution lines, 1, 2, or 4 pairs of wheat chromosomes, belonging to the A, B, or D genome, were replaced by rye chromosomes. Substitutions between chromosomes belonging to different wheat genomes [5B(5A), 1D(1B)] also occurred. The lines were genetically stable, each carrying 42 chromosomes, except the wheat-rye ditelosomic addition line, which carried 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes and 1 pair of rye telocentric chromosomes (7RS). The chromosome pairing behavior of the lines was studied during metaphase I of meiosis. The chromosome pairing level and the number of ring bivalents were different for each line. Besides rod bivalents, univalent and multivalent associations (tri- and quadrivalents) were also detected. The main goal of the experiment was to develop genetically stable wheat/Triticale recombinant lines carrying chromosomes/chromatin fragments originating from the R genome of Triticale line NA-75. Introgression of rye genes into hexaploid wheat can broaden its genetic diversity, and the newly developed lines can be used in wheat breeding programs.
Renal and Cardiovascular Effects of Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Perspectives on the Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation Trial Results
Authors: Weir Matthew R. , McCullough Peter A. , Buse John B. , Anderson John
Published: March 2020

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Disease management in these patients has been generally focused on glycemic control and controlling other renal and cardiac risk factors as, historically, few protective therapies have been available. The Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation ­(CREDENCE) trial of canagliflozin was the first study to demonstrate renal protection with a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in patients with T2DM and CKD, and these results could have important implications for clinical practice. Summary: In CREDENCE, participants with T2DM and estimated glomerular filtration rate 30–<90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio >300–5,000 mg/g who were treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker for ≥4 weeks prior to randomization at either the maximum labeled or tolerated dose were randomized to receive either canagliflozin 100 mg or placebo. Canagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage kidney disease, or renal or cardiovascular (CV) death compared with placebo (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.59–0.82; p = 0.00001). Canagliflozin also reduced the risk of secondary renal and CV outcomes. The safety profile of canagliflozin in CREDENCE was generally similar to previous studies of canagliflozin. No imbalances were observed between canagliflozin and placebo in the risk of amputation or fracture in the CREDENCE population. Key Messages: The positive renal and CV effects of canagliflozin observed in the ­CREDENCE trial could have a substantial impact on improving outcomes for patients with T2DM and CKD.
General concepts of multi-sensor data-fusion based SLAM
Authors: Klečka Jan , Horák Karel , Boštík Ondřej
Published: March 2020

This paper is approaching a problem of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms focused specifically on processing of data from a heterogeneous set of sensors concurrently. Sensors are considered to be different in a sense of measured physical quantity and so the problem of effective data-fusion is discussed. A special extension of the standard probabilistic approach to SLAM algorithms is presented. This extension is composed of two parts. Firstly is presented general perspective multiple-sensors based SLAM and then thee archetypical special cases are discuses. One archetype provisionally designated as "partially collective mapping" has been analyzed also in a practical perspective because it implies a promising options for implicit map-level data-fusion.
Particle swarm optimization algorithms with selective differential evolution for AUV path planning
Authors: Lim Hui Sheng , Fan Shuangshuang , Chin Christopher K.H. , Chai Shuhong , Bose Neil
Published: March 2020

Particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based algorithms are suitable for path planning of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) due to their high computational efficiency. However, such algorithms may produce sub-optimal paths or require higher computational load to produce an optimal path. This paper proposed a new approach that improves the ability of PSO-based algorithms to search for the optimal path while maintaining a low computational requirement. By hybridizing with differential evolution (DE), the proposed algorithms carry out the DE operator selectively to improve the search ability. The algorithms were applied in an offline AUV path planner to generate a near-optimal path that safely guides the AUV through an environment with a priori known obstacles and time-invariant non-uniform currents. The algorithm performances were benchmarked against other algorithms in an offline path planner because if the proposed algorithms can provide better computational efficiency to demonstrate the minimum capability of a path planner, then they will outperform the tested algorithms in a realistic scenario. Through Monte Carlo simulations and Kruskal-Wallis test, SDEAPSO (selective DE-hybridized PSO with adaptive factor) and SDEQPSO (selective DE-hybridized Quantum-behaved PSO) were found to be capable of generating feasible AUV path with higher efficiency than other algorithms tested, as indicated by their lower computational requirement and excellent path quality.
Mechanisms of Chronotropic Incompetence in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Sarma Satyam , Stoller Douglas , Hendrix Joseph , Howden Erin , Lawley Justin , Livingston Sheryl , Adams-Huet Beverley , Holmes Courtney , Goldstein David S. , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Chronotropic incompetence is common in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and is associated with impaired aerobic capacity. We investigated the integrity of cardiac β–receptor responsiveness, an important mechanism involved in exertional increases in HR, in HFpEF and control subjects.

Methods:

Thirteen carefully screened patients with HFpEF and 13 senior controls underwent exercise testing and graded isoproterenol infusion to quantify cardiac β–receptor–mediated HR responses. To limit autonomic neural influences on heart rate (HR) during isoproterenol, dexmedetomidine and glycopyrrolate were given. Isoproterenol doses were increased incrementally until HR increased by 30 beats per minute. Plasma levels of isoproterenol at each increment were measured by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and plotted against HR.

Results:

Peak VO
2
and HR (117±15 versus 156±15 beats per minute;
P
<0.001) were lower in HFpEF than senior controls. Cardiac β–receptor sensitivity was lower in HFpEF compared to controls (0.156±0.133 versus 0.254±0.166 beats per minute/[isoproterenol ng/mL];
P
<0.001). Seven of 13 HFpEF subjects had β-receptor sensitivity similar to senior controls but still had lower peak HRs (122±14 versus 156±15 beats per minute;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

Contrary to our hypothesis, patients with HFpEF displayed impaired cardiac β–receptor sensitivity compared with senior controls. In the 7 out of 13 patients with HFpEF with age-appropriate β–receptor sensitivity, peak HR remained low, suggesting impaired sinus node β-receptor function may not fully account for low exercise HR response. Rather in some patients with HFpEF, chronotropic incompetence might reflect premature cessation of exercise before maximal sinus node activation.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02524145.
CCR2 Positron Emission Tomography for the Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Inflammation and Rupture Prediction
Authors: English Sean J. , Sastriques Sergio E. , Detering Lisa , Sultan Deborah , Luehmann Hannah , Arif Batool , Heo Gyu Seong , Zhang Xiaohui , Laforest Richard , Zheng Jie , Lin Chieh-Yu , Gropler Robert J. , Liu Yongjian
Published: March 2020

Background:

The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CCR2 (chemokine receptor 2) axis plays an important role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis, with effects on disease progression and anatomic stability. We assessed the expression of CCR2 in a rodent model and human tissues, using a targeted positron emission tomography radiotracer (
64
Cu-DOTA-ECL1i).

Methods:

AAAs were generated in Sprague-Dawley rats by exposing the infrarenal, intraluminal aorta to PPE (porcine pancreatic elastase) under pressure to induce aneurysmal degeneration. Heat-inactivated PPE was used to generate a sham operative control. Rat AAA rupture was stimulated by the administration of β-aminopropionitrile, a lysyl oxidase inhibitor. Biodistribution was performed in wild-type rats at 1 hour post tail vein injection of
64
Cu-DOTA-ECL1i. Dynamic positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging was performed in rats to determine the in vivo distribution of radiotracer.

Results:

Biodistribution showed fast renal clearance. The localization of radiotracer uptake in AAA was verified with high-resolution computed tomography. At day 7 post-AAA induction, the radiotracer uptake (standardized uptake value [SUV]=0.91±0.25) was approximately twice that of sham-controls (SUV=0.47±0.10;
P
<0.01). At 14 days post-AAA induction, radiotracer uptake by either group did not significantly change (AAA SUV=0.86±0.17 and sham-control SUV=0.46±0.10), independent of variations in aortic diameter. Competitive CCR2 receptor blocking significantly decreased AAA uptake (SUV=0.42±0.09). Tracer uptake in AAAs that subsequently ruptured (SUV=1.31±0.14;
P
<0.005) demonstrated uptake nearly twice that of nonruptured AAAs (SUV=0.73±0.11). Histopathologic characterization of rat and human AAA tissues obtained from surgery revealed increased expression of CCR2 that was co-localized with CD68
+
macrophages. Ex vivo autoradiography demonstrated specific binding of
64
Cu-DOTA-ECL1i to CCR2 in both rat and human aortic tissues.

Conclusions:

CCR2 positron emission tomography is a promising new biomarker for the noninvasive assessment of AAA inflammation that may aid in associated rupture prediction.
The Religion-Environment (Climate Change) Connection
Authors: Nche George C.
Published: March 2020

Following Lynn White’s thesis of 1967 which indicted some Christian values for the current ecological crisis, many studies have been conducted on the connection between religion and environment/ecological crisis. These studies have sought to know whether religious beliefs and values influence environmental/climate change perceptions of people. However, while these studies have been geographically biased, their results have remained inconclusive. This study therefore examined this age-long debate with evidence from Nigeria. The study involved 30 church leaders drawn from Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches in five geographical zones in Nigeria. The data was analyzed using descriptive analytical method. Findings show that religious values/schemas in forms of Eschatological/End-Time beliefs, Dominion beliefs, Theological fatalism, Pessimism etc. influenced climate change perceptions among the church leaders. The study also found that religious affiliation and theology mattered with respect to the influence of some religious beliefs. The implications of findings for the research on religion-environmental/climate change connection are discussed.
“This Was Not Supposed to Happen!”
Authors: Giurlando Philip
Published: March 2020

This paper argues that the “feeling of betrayal” thoroughly entangles feeling and narration into a single subjective impression. When felt by large numbers of citizens in the political realm, it motivates the desire to reassert national control over a realm where such control is perceived to have been lost. Expressions of “feeling betrayed” can be observed in the aftermath of the Great Recession and the consequent populist insurgencies impacting many Western countries, suggesting links between economic insecurity, feelings of betrayal, and the willingness to support non-mainstream political movements which demand a reassertion of national control. The paper attempts to demonstrate these links by analyzing Italy and Greece, two countries which saw a surge in support for populist groups after the Eurozone’s debt crisis.
Social Media and the Emergence, Establishment and Transformation of the Right-Wing Populist Finns Party
Authors: Ylä-Anttila Tuukka
Published: March 2020

This paper assesses the significance of social media for the Finns Party and the related anti-immigration movement from 2007 to the present day, in light of theories on the relationship of populism and social media. These include people-centrism, disenfranchisement, homophily, the attention economy, media elitism, and (lack of) communicative resources. Tracing the historical trajectory of the Finnish anti-immigration movement and the Finns Party, I argue that the Finnish case is an example of a movement being born online and using social media to build a political identity and strategically gain influence through a party, eventually transforming it from the inside out—rather than the party strategically using social media for its purposes, as is sometimes assumed in party-centric literature. While acknowledging the continued importance of parties, research on contemporary populist movements must take into account the political engagement of citizens facilitated by online media.
Blotting Out the Name
Authors: Gordon Nehemia
Published: March 2020

Early rabbinic interpretation of Deut 12:4 prohibited erasure of the Tetragrammaton, which required Jewish scribes to employ creative methods to resolve extraneous instances of the divine name. This may be foreshadowed in the writing of divine appellations in Paleo-Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Medieval Jewish scribes employed diverse methods to deal with errors involving the Tetragrammaton. In codices this involved marking God’s name with dots, rectangles (also used in liturgical scrolls), lines, and supralinear circelli. Some scribes indicated the Tetragrammaton’s erasure by leaving it unpointed and recording a correction (usually Adonai) in the margin, without any additional notation. A special procedure involved a nonstandard usage of the Qere notation. All of these methods were performed in accordance with rabbinic strictures. Part 2 of this study will consider exceptions to the rule and the special case of liturgical Torah scrolls.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Health Analysis Applied to Nursing Strategies for Clinical Management
Authors: Li Songmei , Hao Xinbing , Wang Qi
Published: March 2020

Objective: To explore the medical imaging features of lung cancer brain metastases, and to explore the application effect of health informatics process reengineering on nursing management. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the medical data of patients admitted, including
the number of cases of nosocomial infections in the two years, and analysis and summary of the reasons for the hospital patients were divided into the control group and the observation group. The control group was treated with traditional care, and the observation group was re-engineered in
the basic upward process of the control group. The nursing quality scores, the occurrence of nursing errors and the satisfaction of nursing were compared between the two groups. Results: The nursing quality score of the observation group was better than that of the control group. The
incidence of nursing errors was lower than that of the control group. The patient’s nursing satisfaction was higher than that of the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of process reengineering in nursing management can effectively improve the quality
of indoor nursing work, reduce the incidence of error events in the nursing work process, and improve the satisfaction of patients and their families.
Imaging Evaluation of Modified Poppen Approach for Microsurgical Removal of Pineal Lesions
Authors: Cheng Chuandong , Wu Jinlong , Ru Xiaoyu , Ji Ying
Published: March 2020

Objective: The pineal region is deep, and anatomical relationship is complex. Imaging evaluation can effectively guide all kind of neurosurgery. The aim of this study was to explore the value of image evaluation in pineal region microsurgery via modified Poppen approach. Methods:
From January 2008 to December 2017, the imaging and clinical data form 62 patients received microsurgery of pineal lesions via the modified Poppen approach at our Hospital were reviewed. The incidences of postoperative complications were compared between the patients with differences in lesion
diameter, tentorial angle and preoperative hydrocephalus. Result: According to the data from image evaluation, all the pineal lesions was removed through modified Poppen approach, with total tumor resection in 48 cases, subtotal resection in 10 cases, and partial resection in 4 cases.
After 3 to 12 months follow-up, the complication was found in 13 cases (21.0%), including hemianopia (2 cases), occipital lobe contusion (7 cases), monoparesis (2 cases), intracranial infection (2 cases). The incidences of postoperative hemianopia and monoparesis for patients with a lesion
> 4.5 cm were significantly higher than those with a lesion ≤ 4.5 cm (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative hemianopia for the patients with a tentorial angle > 60° was significantly higher than for those with a tentorial angle ≤ 60° (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Imaging evaluation is useful for microsurgical removal and prediction of complication for modified Poppen approach of pineal lesions.
Ultrasound-Guided Femoral Nerve Block Anesthesia for Tibiofibular Fracture
Authors: Xu Yi , Fang Jiansheng , Xia Yanzhi , Zhang Nana
Published: March 2020

Objective: The intraspinal anesthesia is the main anesthesia method for the internal fixation of lower limb fracture. It is easy to cause pain aggravation during the process of puncture. Pre-anesthesia by femoral nerve block can reduce the pain of patients. Our purpose study
is to complete the internal fixation of tibiofibular fracture through ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block, and to explore its anesthesia effect. Method: A total of 60 patients undergoing internal fixation and reduction of tibiofibular fractures in our hospital in recent years were
randomly divided into control group (routine intraspinal anesthesia) and experimental group (addition ultrasoundguided femoral nerve block before intraspinal anesthesia). The localization of femoral nerve under ultrasound guidance was evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) of pain at the
time of moving from delivery bed to operation bed (T0) and the placement of intraspinal anesthesia (T1) was emulated. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) were recorded at the time of before operation bed (T2),
after operation bed (T3), lateral position during puncture (T4), supine position after puncture immediately (T5), and 3 min after puncture (T6). The mini mental state examination scale (MMSE) were evaluated 2 h before operation (T7) and
2 h after operation (T8). Result: During the ultrasound guidance, the femoral nerve was the light-colored region of the inverted triangular hyperechoic area on the lateral side of the femoral artery. Compared with control group, the VAS score of T1 and the HR and
MAP of T4–T6 in the experimental group were significantly lower. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block is simple in location, and it is safe and reliable in anesthesia for the internal fixation of tibiofibular fracture.
Efficacy Analysis of Bronchoscopic Interventional Therapy for Benign Tracheal Stenosis by Combination of Intelligent Imaging Analysis System and Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Du Ying , Chen Yun-Feng , Huang Jin-Cheng
Published: March 2020

Objective: To assess the efficacy of bronchoscopic interventional therapy for benign tracheal stenosis by combination of intelligent imaging analysis system and immunohistochemistry. Methods: The therapeutic effect was evaluated by Computed Tomography (CT) image changes,
and the effects of thermofrequency and glucocorticoids were analyzed by animal experiments. Eighteen patients with benign tracheal stenosis who were enrolled in 2017.06–2019.06 were enrolled, and the thickness, diameter and lumen area of the most narrow tracheal tube before and after
bronchoscopy and 1 month after bronchoscopy were measured using intelligent image analysis software. Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (Radiofrequency group, Glucocorticoids+Radiofrequency group and control group). At the 5th, and 28th day the comparisons were made
on the pathological changes of rats skin,the average optical density value of TGF-β1 and the collagen density after the damage by Radiofrequency, Glucocorticoids+Radiofrequency. Results: The thickness, diameter and lumen area of the wall before and after bronchoscopy are:
3.17 ± 1.01 mm versus 1.60 ± 0.23 mm; 3.61 ± 1.23 mm versus 9.04 ± 1.00 mm; 11.19 ± 5.32 versus 67.34 ± 13.80 mm2. The scar healing was observed in Radiofrequency group, but in the Glucocorticoids+Radiofrequency group the rats’ skin
were healed incompletely. The results showed significant statistical differences among three groups on TGF-β1 comparisons: 988.41 ± 111.91, 730.19 ± 109.52 and 437.37 ± 60.48 (P < 0.05). The same results of comparisons on the collagen density showed: 96540.58
± 29909.51, 43768.16 ± 6264.72 and 34521.15 ± 4636.19 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: After bronchoscopy intervention, the wall thickness of benign tracheal stenosis can be reduced, and the lumen diameter and area can be increased. The results can be analyzed using
CT. Locally injected Betamethasone can alleviate the cicatricial tissue hyperblastosis induced by radiofrequency.
Health Informatics of Oxycodone Hydrochloride Sustained-Release Tablets for Cancer Pain Treatment with Support of Computed Tomography Diagnosis
Authors: Guo Min , Liu Qingyan , Lai Eryong , Huang Yuzhen
Published: March 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the medical value of oxycodone hydrochloride sustainedrelease tablets in the treatment of advanced cancer pain in adults using biostatistics and computed tomography (CT). Methods: The efficacy, pain relief and adverse
reactions of oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets in 100 patients with moderate to severe adult cancer pain were retrospectively analyzed. To compare the effects of gender, first-visit pain degree, pain type and metastasis on the effectiveness and pain relief. VAS score decreased
by 25.0% or more is effective for treatment, in which pain disappeared completely for complete relief, VAS score decreased by 75.0% or more for obvious relief, VAS score decreased by 50.0%–74.9% for moderate relief, VAS score decreased by 25.0%–49.9% for mild relief, and VAS score
decreased by less than 25.0% for no relief. Results: The pain relief rate was 93%. There were 12 cases of complete relief, 24 cases of obvious relief (32%), 23 cases of moderate relief (31%), 10 cases of mild relief (14%) and 5 cases of no relief (7%). The incidence of adverse reactions
in patients was 56% constipation, 40% nausea and 76% vomiting. After 4 weeks, the incidence of adverse reactions in patients was 24% constipation, 13% nausea and 43% vomiting. Furthermore, CT image analysis shows that oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets has obvious therapeutic
effect on cancer. Discussion: High-dose oxycodone sustained-release tablets are effective in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer pain. It can relieve the pain of patients, and has high safety. This can be verified based on our health informatics analysis and CT image diagnosis.
Conclusion: Oxycodone hydrochloride sustained release tablets are effective and safe in the outpatient treatment of moderate and severe cancer pain in adults, and have better control effect on moderate cancer pain patients, which is worthy of further application and promotion for clinical
use.
Deep Learning for Detecting Sleep Apnea from ECG Signals
Authors: Chen Lili , Xu Huoyao
Published: March 2020

Sleep apnea (SA) is a common sleep disorders affecting the sleep quality. Therefore the automatic SA detection has far-reaching implications for patients and physicians. In this paper, a novel approach is developed based on deep neural network (DNN) for automatic diagnosis SA. To this
end, five features are extracted from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals through wavelet decomposition and sample entropy. The deep neural network is constructed by two-layer stacked sparse autoencoder (SSAE) network and one softmax layer. The softmax layer is added at the top of the SSAE network
for diagnosing SA. Afterwards, the SSAE network can get more effective high-level features from raw features. The experimental results reveal that the performance of deep neural network can accomplish an accuracy of 96.66%, a sensitivity of 96.25%, and a specificity of 97%. In addition, the
performance of deep neural network outperforms the comparison models including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and extreme learning machine (ELM). Finally, the experimental results reveal that the proposed method can be valid applied to automatic SA event detection.
Simultaneous Clustering and Classification of Function Recovery Patterns of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Hyungtai , Lee Minhee , Sohn Min Kyun , Lee Jongmin , Kim Deog Yung , Lee Sam-Gyu , Shin Yong-Il , Oh Gyung-Jae , Lee Yang-Soo , Joo Min Cheol , Lee So Young , Han Junhee , Ahn Jeonghoon , Chang Won Hyuk , Choi Ji Yoo , Kang Sung Hyun , Lee Dong Han , Kim Young Taek , Choi Mun-Taek , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: March 2020

This paper shows the simultaneous clustering and classification that is done in order to discover internal grouping on an unlabeled data set. Moreover, it simultaneously classifies the data using clusters discovered as class labels. During the simultaneous clustering and classification,
silhouette and F1 scores were calculated for clustering and classification, respectively, according to the number of clusters in order to find an optimal number of clusters that guarantee the desired level of classification performance. In this study, we applied this approach
to the data set of Ischemic stroke patients in order to discover function recovery patterns where clear diagnoses do not exist. In addition, we have developed a classifier that predicts the type of function recovery for new patients with early clinical test scores in clinically meaningful
levels of accuracy. This classifier can be a helpful tool for clinicians in the rehabilitation field.
Energetics of Seamount Wakes. Part I: Energy Exchange
Authors: Perfect B. , Kumar N. , Riley J. J.
Published: March 2020

Seamounts have been theorized to act as “stirring rods,” converting barotropic flow into an unsteady wake, turbulence, and diapycnal mixing. The energetics of these processes are not well understood, but they may have implications for basin-scale mixing calculations. This study presents the results of a series of simulations for idealized seamounts in steady barotropic flow, with varying degrees of stratification and rotation. The kinetic energy within each simulation domain is decomposed into the mean kinetic energy, unsteady eddy energy, and turbulent kinetic energy; evolution equations are derived for each. Within the evolution equations, energy exchange terms arise, which relate the various forms of kinetic energy and potential energy. Key exchange terms, such as the rate at which the mean flow is converted into eddy energy, are compared across the Froude–Rossby parameter space. It is shown that the conversion terms associated with mesoscale motions are a function of the Burger number, which is consistent with a quasigeostrophic flow regime. Conversely, conversion terms associated with turbulent processes scale with the product of the Froude and Rossby number. The amount of energy extracted from the mean flows suggests that wake effects may be significant for the parameter range and model assumptions studied. These results suggest that some seamounts may indeed act as oceanic stirring rods.
A Novel Set of Geometric Verification Test Fields with Application to Distance Measures
Authors: Gilleland Eric , Skok Gregor , Brown Barbara G. , Casati Barbara , Dorninger Manfred , Mittermaier Marion P. , Roberts Nigel , Wilson Laurence J.
Published: March 2020

As part of the second phase of the spatial forecast verification intercomparison project (ICP), dubbed the Mesoscale Verification Intercomparison in Complex Terrain (MesoVICT) project, a new set of idealized test fields is prepared. This paper describes these new fields and their rationale and uses them to analyze a number of summary measures associated with distance and geometric-based approaches. The results provide guidance about how they inform about performance under various scenarios. The new case comparisons are grouped into four categories: (i) pathological situations such as when a variable is zero valued at all grid points; (ii) circular events aimed at evaluating how different methods handle contrived situations, such as equal but opposite translations, the presence of multiple events of same/different size, boundary effects, and the influence of the positioning of events in the domain; (iii) elliptical events representing simplified scenarios that mimic commonly encountered weather phenomena in complex terrain; and (iv) cases aimed at analyzing how the verification methods handle small-scale scattered events, very large events with holes (e.g., a small portion of clear sky on a cloudy overcast day), and the presence of noise in one or both fields. Results show that all analyzed measures perform poorly in the pathological setting. They are either not able to provide a result at all or they instigate a special rule to prescribe a value resulting in erratic results. The analysis also showed that methods provide similar information in many situations, but that each has its positive properties along with certain unique limitations.
The Role of Moisture Pathways on Snowfall Amount and Distribution in the Payette Mountains of Idaho
Authors: Cann Matthew D. , Friedrich K.
Published: March 2020

The pathways air travels from the Pacific Ocean to the Intermountain West of the United States are important for understanding how air characteristics change and how this translates to the amount and distribution of snowfall. Recent studies have identified the most common moisture pathways in the Intermountain West, especially for heavy precipitation events. However, the role of moisture pathways on snowfall amount and distribution in specific regions remains unclear. Here, we investigate 24 precipitation events in the Payette Mountains of Idaho during January–March 2017 to understand how local atmospheric conditions are tied to three moisture pathways and how it impacts snowfall amount and distribution. During one pathway, southwesterly, moist, tropical air is directed into the Central Valley of California where the air is blocked by the Sierra Nevada, redirected northward and over lower terrain north of Lake Tahoe into the Snake River Plain of Idaho. Other pathways consist of unblocked flows that approach the coast of California from the southwest and then override the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades, and zonal flows approaching the coast of Oregon overriding the Oregon Cascades. Air masses in the Payette Mountains of Idaho associated with Sierra-blocked flow were observed to be warmer, moister, and windier compared to the other moisture pathways. During Sierra-blocked flow, higher snowfall rates, in terms of mean reflectivity, were observed more uniformly distributed throughout the region compared to the other flows, which observed lower snowfall rates that were predominantly collocated with areas of higher terrain. Of the total estimated snowfall captured in this study, 67% was observed during Sierra-blocked flow.
Evaluation of Recent NCEP Operational Model Upgrades for Cool-Season Precipitation Forecasting over the Western Conterminous United States
Authors: Caron Marcel , Steenburgh W. James
Published: March 2020

In August 2018 and June 2019, NCEP upgraded the operational versions of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) and Global Forecast System (GFS), respectively. To inform forecasters and model developers about changes in the capabilities and biases of these modeling systems over the western conterminous United States (CONUS), we validate and compare precipitation forecasts produced by the experimental, preoperational HRRRv3 and GFSv15.0 with the then operational HRRRv2 and GFSv14 during the 2017/18 October–March cool season. We also compare the GFSv14 and GFSv15.0 with the operational, high-resolution configuration of the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System (HRES). We validate using observations from Automated Surface and Weather Observing System (ASOS/AWOS) stations, which are located primarily in the lowlands, and observations from Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations, which are located primarily in the uplands. Changes in bias and skill from HRRRv2 to HRRRv3 are small, with HRRRv3 exhibiting slightly higher (but statistically indistinguishable at a 95% confidence level) equitable threat scores. The GFSv14, GFSv15.0, and HRES all exhibit a wet bias at lower elevations and neutral or dry bias at upper elevations, reflecting insufficient terrain representation. GFSv15.0 performance is comparable to GFSv14 at day 1 and superior at day 3, but lags HRES. These results establish a baseline for current operational HRRR and GFS precipitation capabilities over the western CONUS and are consistent with steady or improving NCEP model performance.