bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is grip strength linked to body composition and cardiovascular risk markers in primary schoolchildren? Cross-sectional data from three African countries
Authors: Gerber Markus , Ayekoé Serge , Bonfoh Bassirou , Coulibaly Jean T , Daouda Dao , Gba Bomey Clément , Kouassi Benal , Traoré Sylvain G , du Randt Rosa , Nqweniso Siphesihle , Walter Cheryl , Finda Marceline F , Minja Elihaika G , Mollel Getrud J , Masanja Honorati , Okumu Fredros O , Beckmann Johanna , Gall Stefanie , Lang Christin , Z Long Kurt , Müller Ivan , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Pühse Uwe , Steinmann Peter , Utzinger Juerg
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Muscular strength represents a specific component of health-related fitness. Hand grip strength (HGS) is used as an indicator for musculoskeletal fitness in children. HGS can also be used as a marker of cardiometabolic risk, but most available HGS data are derived from Western high-income countries. Therefore, this study examines whether HGS is associated with body composition and markers of cardiovascular risk in children from three sub-Saharan African countries.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Public primary schools (grade 1–4) in Taabo (Côte d’Ivoire), Gqeberha (South Africa) and Ifakara (Tanzania).

Participants

Data from 467 children from Côte d’Ivoire (210 boys, 257 girls), 864 children from South Africa (429 boys, 435 girls) and 695 children from Tanzania (334 boys, 361 girls) were analysed.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Body composition (assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis) was the primary outcome. Cardiovascular risk markers were considered as secondary outcome. Blood pressure was measured with an oscillometric monitor, and blood markers (cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin) via Afinion point-of-care testing. HGS (independent variable) was assessed with a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Inferential statistics are based on mixed linear regressions and analyses of covariance.

Results

Across all study sites, higher HGS was associated with lower body fat, higher muscle mass and higher fat-free mass (p<0.001, 3.9%–10.0% explained variance), both in boys and girls. No consistent association was found between HGS and cardiovascular risk markers.

Conclusions

HGS assessment is popular due to its simplicity, feasibility, practical utility and high reliability of measurements. This is one of the first HGS studies with children from sub-Saharan Africa. There is a great need for further studies to examine whether our findings can be replicated, to develop reference values for African children, to establish links to other health outcomes, and to explore whether HGS is associated with later development of cardiovascular risk markers.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN29534081.
Evaluating novel approaches for estimating awake and sleep blood pressure: design of the Better BP Study – a randomised, crossover trial
Authors: Cepeda Maria , Hubbard Demetria , Oparil Suzanne , Schwartz Joseph E , Jaeger Byron C , Hardy Shakia T , Medina Julia , Chen Ligong , Muntner Paul , Shimbo Daichi
Published: June 2022

Introduction

For many people, blood pressure (BP) levels differ when measured in a medical office versus outside of the office setting. Out-of-office BP has a stronger association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events compared with BP measured in the office. Many BP guidelines recommend measuring BP outside of the office to confirm the levels obtained in the office. Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) can assess out-of-office BP but is not available in many US practices and some individuals find it uncomfortable. The aims of the Better BP Study are to (1) test if unattended office BP is closer to awake BP on ABPM compared with attended office BP, (2) assess if sleep BP assessed by home BP monitoring (HBPM) agrees with sleep BP from a full night of ABPM and (3) compare the strengths of associations of unattended versus attended office BP, unattended office BP versus awake BP on ABPM and sleep BP on HBPM versus ABPM with markers of end-organ damage.

Methods and analysis

We are recruiting 630 adults not taking antihypertensive medication in Birmingham, Alabama, and New York, New York. Participants are having their office BP measured with (attended) and without (unattended) a technician present, in random order, using an automated oscillometric office BP device during each of two visits within one week. Following these visits, participants complete 24 hours of ABPM and one night of HBPM, in random order. Psychosocial factors, anthropometrics, left ventricular mass index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio are also being assessed.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Columbia University Medical Center Institutional Review Boards. The study results will be disseminated at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04307004.
Value-based healthcare in Latin America: a survey of 70 healthcare provider organisations from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico
Authors: Makdisse Marcia , Ramos Pedro , Malheiro Daniel , Katz Marcelo , Novoa Luisa , Cendoroglo Neto Miguel , Ferreira Jose Henrique Germann , Klajner Sidney
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Value-based healthcare (VBHC) is a health system reform gradually being implemented in health systems worldwide. A previous national-level survey has shown that Latin American countries were in the early stages of alignment with VBHC. Data at the healthcare provider organisations (HPOs) level are lacking. This study aim was to investigate how HPOs in five Latin American countries are implementing VBHC.

Design

Mixed-methods research was conducted using online questionnaire, semistructured interviews based on selected elements of the value agenda (from December 2018 to June 2020), analyses of aggregated data and documents. Qualitative analysis was performed using NVivo QSR International, 1.6.1 (4830). Quantitative analysis used Fisher’s exact test. Univariate analysis was used to compare organisations in relation to the implementation of VBHC initiatives. A p≤0.05 was considered significant.

Participants

Top and middle-level executives from 70 HPOs from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

Results

The definition of VBHC varied across participating organisations. Although the value equation had been cited by 24% of participants, its composition differed in most case from the original Equation. Most VBHC initiatives were related to care delivery organisation (56.9%) and outcomes measurement (22.4%) but in most cases, integrated practice unit features had not been fully developed and outcome data was not used to guide improvement. Information, stakeholders buy-in, compensation and fragmented care delivery were the most cited challenges to VBHC implementation. Fee-for-service predominated, although one-third of organisations were experimenting with alternative payment models.

Conclusions

A wide variation in the definition and level of VBHC implementation existed across organisations. Our finding suggests investments in information systems and on education of key stakeholders will be key to foster VBHC implementation in the region. Further research is needed to identify successful implementation cases that may serve as regional benchmark for other Latin American organisations advancing with VBHC.
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among front-line healthcare workers in Northeast Brazil: a respondent-driven sampling approach
Authors: Albuquerque Maria de Fátima Pessoa Militão de , Souza Wayner Vieira de , Montarroyos Ulisses Ramos , Pereira Cresio Romeu , Braga Cynthia , Araújo Thalia Velho Barreto de , Ximenes Ricardo Arraes de Alencar , Miranda-Filho Demócrito de Barros , Szwarcwald Celia Landmann , Souza-Junior Paulo Roberto Borges de , Xavier Morgana Nascimento , Morais Clarice Neuenschwander Lins de , Albuquerque Gabriela Diniz Militao de , Bresani-Salvi Cristiane , Mariz Carolline Araújo , Siqueira-Filha Noemia Teixeira de , Galindo Jadson Mendonça , França-Neto Cláudio Luiz , Barbosa Jessyka Mary Vasconcelos , Veras Maria Amelia Sousa Mascena , Lima Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa , Cruz Luciane Nascimento , Kendall Carl , Kerr Ligia Regina Franco Sansigolo , Martelli Celina Maria Turchi
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and occurrence of biological accidents among front-line healthcare workers (HCW).

Design, setting and participants

Using respondent-driven sampling, the study recruited distinct categories of HCW attending suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 from May 2020 to February 2021, in the Recife metropolitan area, Northeast Brazil.

Outcome measures

The criterion to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCW was a positive self-reported PCR test.

Results

We analysed 1525 HCW: 527 physicians, 471 registered nurses, 263 nursing assistants and 264 physical therapists. Women predominated in all categories (81.1%; 95% CI: 77.8% to 84.1%). Nurses were older with more comorbidities (hypertension and overweight/obesity) than the other staff. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 61.8% (95% CI: 55.7% to 67.5%) after adjustment for the cluster random effect, weighted by network, and the reference population size. Risk factors for a positive RT-PCR test were being a nursing assistant (OR adjusted: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.42 to 4.61), not always using all recommended PPE while assisting patients with COVID-19 (OR adj: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02 to 4.53) and reporting a splash of biological fluid/respiratory secretion in the eyes (OR adj: 3.37; 95% CI: 1.10 to 10.34).

Conclusions

This study shows the high frequency of SARS-CoV2 infection among HCW presumably due to workplace exposures. In our setting, nursing assistant comprised the most vulnerable category. Our findings highlight the need for improving healthcare facility environments, specific training and supervision to cope with public health emergencies.
Weight loss for overweight and obese patients with prostate cancer: a study protocol of a randomised trial comparing clinic-based versus Telehealth delivered EXercise and nutrition intervention (the TelEX trial)
Authors: Galvão Daniel A , Taaffe Dennis R , Hayne Dickon , Lopez Pedro , Lyons-Wall P , Tang Colin I , Chambers Suzanne K , Devine Amanda , Spry Nigel , Jeffery Emily , Kudiarasu Christine , Joseph David , Newton Robert U
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Obese men with prostate cancer have an increased risk of biochemical recurrence, metastatic disease and mortality. For those undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), substantial increases in fat mass are observed in the first year of treatment. Recently, we showed that a targeted supervised clinic-based exercise and nutrition intervention can result in a substantial reduction in fat mass with muscle mass preserved in ADT-treated patients. However, the intervention needs to be accessible to all patients and not just those who can access a supervised clinic-based programme. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of telehealth delivered compared with supervised clinic-based delivered exercise and nutrition intervention in overweight/obese patients with prostate cancer.

Methods and analysis

A single-blinded, two-arm parallel group, non-inferiority randomised trial will be undertaken with 104 overweight/obese men with prostate cancer (body fat percentage ≥25%) randomly allocated in a ratio of 1:1 to a telehealth-delivered, virtually supervised exercise and nutrition programme or a clinic-based, face-to-face supervised exercise and nutrition programme. Exercise will consist of supervised resistance and aerobic exercise performed three times a week plus additional self-directed aerobic exercise performed 4 days/week for the first 6 months. Thereafter, for months 7–12, the programmes will be self-managed. The primary endpoint will be fat mass. Secondary endpoints include lean mass and abdominal aortic calcification, anthropometric measures and blood pressure assessment, objective measures of physical function and physical activity levels, patient-reported outcomes and blood markers. Measurements will be undertaken at baseline, 6 months (post intervention), and at 12 months of follow-up. Data will be analysed using intention-to-treat and per protocol approaches.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (ID: 2021–02157-GALVAO). Outcomes from the study will be published in academic journals and presented in scientific and consumer meetings.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12621001312831.
Hypertension and retinal microvascular dysfunction (HyperVasc): protocol of a randomised controlled exercise trial in patients with hypertension
Authors: Streese Lukas , Gander Joséphine , Carrard Justin , Hauser Christoph , Hinrichs Timo , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Gugleta Konstantin , Hanssen Henner
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Hypertension is a global healthcare burden that affects the structure and function of the macrocirculation and microcirculation and induces disease-specific end-organ damage. Vascular biomarkers are essential to timely diagnose this end-organ damage to improve cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification and medical decision making. Exercise therapy is an effective means to improve vascular health and reduce overall CV risk. However, it is still not clear whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is recommendable for patients with hypertension to reduce blood pressure, increase cardiorespiratory fitness and ameliorate vascular health.

Methods and analysis

The ‘Hypertension and retinal microvascular dysfunction’ trial will investigate macrovascular and microvascular impairments in hypertensive patients compared with healthy controls to investigate hypertension-induced end-organ damage by using gold-standard methods as well as newly developed unique retinal microvascular biomarkers. In addition, this trial will investigate the reversibility of retinal end-organ damage by assessing the effects of an 8-week supervised and walking based HIIT on blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness as well as macrovascular and microvascular health, compared with a control group following standard physical activity recommendations. Primary outcome will be the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio. Secondary outcomes will be arteriolar and venular diameters as well as the flicker-light-induced dilation. Further outcomes will be other retinal microvascular biomarkers, flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery as well as blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, microalbuminuria, hypertensive retinopathy and classical CV risk markers. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance will be used to investigate group differences between healthy controls and hypertensive patients and training effects in hypertensive patients, respectively.

Ethics and dissemination

The Ethics Committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland approved this study (EKNZ-2021-00086). All participants will give informed consent.

Trial registration number

NCT04763005.
I-SPY COVID adaptive platform trial for COVID-19 acute respiratory failure: rationale, design and operations
Authors: Files Daniel Clark , Matthay Michael A , Calfee Carolyn S , Aggarwal Neil R , Asare Adam L , Beitler Jeremy R , Berger Paul A , Burnham Ellen L , Cimino George , Coleman Melissa H , Crippa Alessio , Discacciati Andrea , Gandotra Sheetal , Gibbs Kevin W , Henderson Paul T , Ittner Caroline A G , Jauregui Alejandra , Khan Kashif T , Koff Jonathan L , Lang Julie , LaRose Mary , Levitt Joe , Lu Ruixiao , McKeehan Jeffrey D , Meyer Nuala J , Russell Derek W , Thomas Karl W , Eklund Martin , Esserman Laura J , Liu Kathleen D
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic brought an urgent need to discover novel effective therapeutics for patients hospitalised with severe COVID-19. The Investigation of Serial studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And moLecular Analysis (ISPY COVID-19 trial) was designed and implemented in early 2020 to evaluate investigational agents rapidly and simultaneously on a phase 2 adaptive platform. This manuscript outlines the design, rationale, implementation and challenges of the ISPY COVID-19 trial during the first phase of trial activity from April 2020 until December 2021.

Methods and analysis

The ISPY COVID-19 Trial is a multicentre open-label phase 2 platform trial in the USA designed to evaluate therapeutics that may have a large effect on improving outcomes from severe COVID-19. The ISPY COVID-19 Trial network includes academic and community hospitals with significant geographical diversity across the country. Enrolled patients are randomised to receive one of up to four investigational agents or a control and are evaluated for a family of two primary outcomes—time to recovery and mortality. The statistical design uses a Bayesian model with ‘stopping’ and ‘graduation’ criteria designed to efficiently discard ineffective therapies and graduate promising agents for definitive efficacy trials. Each investigational agent arm enrols to a maximum of 125 patients per arm and is compared with concurrent controls. As of December 2021, 11 investigational agent arms had been activated, and 8 arms were complete. Enrolment and adaptation of the trial design are ongoing.

Ethics and dissemination

ISPY COVID-19 operates under a central institutional review board via Wake Forest School of Medicine IRB00066805. Data generated from this trial will be reported in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04488081.
Early empiric anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis therapy for sepsis in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol of a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Said Bibie , Nuwagira Edwin , Liyoyo Alphonce , Arinaitwe Rinah , Gitige Catherine , Mushagara Rhina , Buzaare Peter , Chongolo Anna , Jjunju Samuel , Twesigye Precious , Boulware David R , Conaway Mark , Null Megan , Thomas Tania A , Heysell Scott K , Moore Christopher C , Muzoora Conrad , Mpagama Stellah G
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Sub-Saharan Africa shoulders the highest burden of global sepsis and associated mortality. In high HIV and tuberculosis (TB) prevalent settings such as sub-Saharan Africa, TB is the leading cause of sepsis. However, anti-TB therapy is often delayed and may not achieve adequate blood concentrations in patients with sepsis. Accordingly, this multisite randomised clinical trial aims to determine whether immediate and/or increased dose anti-TB therapy improves 28-day mortality for participants with HIV and sepsis in Tanzania or Uganda.

Methods and analysis

This is a phase 3, multisite, open-label, randomised controlled clinical 2×2 factorial superiority trial of (1) immediate initiation of anti-TB therapy and (2) sepsis-specific dose anti-TB therapy in addition to standard of care antibacterials for adults with HIV and sepsis admitted to hospital in Tanzania or Uganda. The primary endpoint is 28-day mortality. A sample size of 436 participants will provide 80% power for testing each of the main effects of timing and dose on 28-day mortality with a two-sided significance level of 5%. The expected main effect for absolute risk reduction is 13% and the expected OR for risk reduction is 1.58.

Ethics and dissemination

This clinical trial will determine the optimal content, dosing and timing of antimicrobial therapy for sepsis in high HIV and TB prevalent settings. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health in the US. Institutional review board approval was conferred by the University of Virginia, the Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research, and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and in the popular press of Tanzania and Uganda. We will also present our findings to the Community Advisory Boards that we convened during study preparation.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04618198).
Parenteral nutrition in palliative care: single-centre observational study
Authors: Berbée Clara , Marx Jan Philipp , Voelker Maria Theresa , Schotte Dörte , Bercker Sven
Published: June 2022

Objective

Cachexia and nutritional problems play a major role in palliative care. Artificial nutrition such as parenteral nutrition is common but its role and indications in terminal patients remain controversial due to lack of data. Therefore, recommendations are vague. Benefits and risks of parenteral nutrition in palliative care as well as the clinical implementation of the guidelines have not been adequately studied yet.

Methods

In this single-centre observational study, 72 palliative care patients were followed for 1 month. Patients with and without parenteral nutrition were analysed regarding venous access complications, oedema, weight and health-related quality of life.

Results

93% of all patients showed reduced food intake. 34 (47%) patients received parenteral nutrition. Parenteral nutrition reduced energy deficit but was not associated with quality of life. Complications with the venous accesses for parenteral nutrition were frequent. A relevant proportion of patients with planned parenteral nutrition received no or only a few days of parenteral nutrition. Moreover, patients with parenteral nutrition showed more frequent and pronounced oedema.

Conclusion

The benefit–risk balance of palliative parenteral nutrition in end-of-life treatment seems to be questionable. In view of the identified risks, parenteral nutrition in end-of-life care should be initiated with caution.
Excitation spectrum of Bose gases beyond the Gross–Pitaevskii regime
Authors: Brennecke Christian , Caporaletti Marco , Schlein Benjamin
Published: June 2022

We consider Bose gases of [Formula: see text] particles in a box of volume one, interacting through a repulsive potential with scattering length of order [Formula: see text], for [Formula: see text]. Such regimes interpolate between the Gross–Pitaevskii and thermodynamic limits. Assuming that [Formula: see text] is sufficiently small, we determine the ground state energy and the low-energy excitation spectrum, up to errors vanishing in the limit [Formula: see text].
Markovian repeated interaction quantum systems
Authors: Bougron Jean-François , Joye Alain , Pillet Claude-Alain
Published: June 2022

We study a class of dynamical semigroups [Formula: see text] that emerge, by a Feynman–Kac type formalism, from a random quantum dynamical system [Formula: see text] driven by a Markov chain [Formula: see text]. We show that the almost sure large time behavior of the system can be extracted from the large [Formula: see text] asymptotics of the semigroup, which is in turn directly related to the spectral properties of the generator [Formula: see text]. As a physical application, we consider the case where the [Formula: see text]’s are the reduced dynamical maps describing the repeated interactions of a system [Formula: see text] with thermal probes [Formula: see text]. We study the full statistics of the entropy in this system and derive a fluctuation theorem for the heat exchanges and the associated linear response formulas.
Update on the Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
Authors: Lim Ai Lee , Yeap Swan Sim
Published: June 2022

Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture are one of the most common side effects of glucocorticoid therapy. All patients who are taking any dose of glucocorticoids for over 3 months should have a bone health assessment. After consideration of their clinical risk factors, glucocorticoid dose, bone mineral density measurement, and the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score, patients can be stratified into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups. General measures include optimization of calcium and vitamin D intake, reducing glucocorticoid dosage and lifestyle modifications. In patients with moderate to high risk of fracture, pharmacological agents should be prescribed, of which bisphosphonates, denosumab, and teriparatide are the most widely used.
Generative Multi-Label Correlation Learning
Authors: Wang Lichen , Ding Zhengming , Lee Kasey , Han Seungju , Han Jae-Joon , Choi Changkyu , Fu Yun
Published: June 2022

In real-world applications, a single instance could have more than one label. To solve this task, multi-label learning methods emerged in recent years. It is a more challenging problem for many reasons, such as complex label correlation, long-tail label distribution, and data shortage. In general, overcoming these challenges and bettering learning performance could be achieved by utilizing more training samples and including label correlations. However, these solutions are expensive and inflexible. Large-scale, well-labeled datasets are difficult to obtain, and building label correlation maps requires task-specific semantic information as prior knowledge. To address these limitations, we propose a general and compact Multi-Label Correlation Learning (MUCO) framework. MUCO explicitly and effectively learns the latent label correlations by updating a label correlation tensor, which provides highly accurate and interpretable prediction results. In addition, a multi-label generative strategy is deployed to handle the long-tail label distribution challenge. It borrows the visual clues from limited samples and synthesizes more diverse samples. All networks in our model are optimized simultaneously. Extensive experiments illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of MUCO. Ablation studies further prove the effectiveness of all the modules.
Teaching Performance Modeling via Software and Instructional Technology
Authors: Xia Cathy H. , Chen Nanshan , Natarajan Priya
Published: June 2022

Performance modeling and analysis has become a common practice to assist the development of modern information networks and service systems.
Message from the Chairs of the WAIN workshop 2021
Authors: Vassio Luca , Giordano Danilo , Kim Jinoh , Crowcroft Jon
Published: June 2022

We are pleased towelcome you to the 3rd InternationalWorkshop on AI in Networks and Distributed Systems (WAIN). The workshop aims to present high-quality researches leveraging machine learning and data analysis solutions to take full advantage of network systems and infrastructures. In detail, this year WAIN presents innovations for data center scheduling and management and network monitoring and security, using, among the others, node embedding techniques, GNN and federated learning. This year, our technical program is rich and varied, with 1 keynote speech and 6 accepted papers thoroughly evaluated and selected by the 18 members of the Technical Program Committee. All papers received at least 3 reviews, and decisions were made after a vigorous online discussion. In an effort to increase the technical soundness of the contributions, we have increased the papers page limit to 5 pages plus references. For the second year, and hopefully the last one, the workshop is entirely virtual with live streaming presentations to encourage researchers to interact, share their experiences and ideas and discuss the open issues. We would like to thank both the Authors and the Technical Program Committee for their hard work and precious contribution for making WAIN a fruitful workshop.
Identification of Polytype and Estimation of Carrier Concentration of Silicon Carbide Wafers by Analysis of Apparent Color using Image Processing Software
Authors: Kim Jung Gon , Yoo Woo Sik , Jang Yeon Suk , Lee Won Jae , Yeo Im Gyu
Published: June 2022

n-type SiC wafers with localized 4H, 6H, and 15 R polytype grains were photographed and their colors were analyzed to find correlations among polytypes, carrier concentration and apparent color. The SiC wafers were photographed and the color information of different colored regions from the photographs was extracted, both for RGB (red, green, and blue) and HSV (hue, saturation, and value) color space formats using image processing software (PicMan). Polytype and carrier concentration of n-type SiC wafers were identified from Raman spectra for correlation with the color analysis results. The carrier concentration of SiC wafers was estimated to be in the range of 2 × 1017 cm−3 to 1 × 1019 cm−3 from a line-shape analysis of measured Raman spectra. The color analysis revealed that there is very strong correlation between polytype and hue value. The carrier concentration strongly affects saturation and value of apparent color. SiC wafers with lower carrier concentration showed higher clarity (lower saturation (or colorless) and higher value (higher transparency)). As the carrier concentration is increased, the wafer becomes translucent (high saturation or colored) and dark or opaque (low value). The polytype and carrier concentration of SiC wafers can conveniently be estimated from their apparent color.
Review—Photodetection Properties of Graphene/Silicon van der Waals Heterojunction
Authors: Gupta Shalu , Kumar Rakesh
Published: June 2022

The integration of graphene with the bulk semiconductor leads to the formation of van der Waals heterojunction exhibiting distinctive electrical and optical properties which can overcome the intrinsic limitations of isolated two dimensional and three dimensional material based devices. This architecture results into the formation of a surface junction, that is, the depletion region is just well below the one atomic layer and therefore highly accessible photosensitive area. Graphene/Semiconductor junction based optoelectronic devices performing remarkably in the application areas of photodetection, chemical and biological sensing, optical communication and environmental monitoring etc. Especially, Graphene/Silicon van der Waals heterojunction based devices have achieved high photoresponsivity of 5.5 A W−1 with very high specific detectivity of 5.71 × 1013 jones which is a great milestone in photodetection industry. Therefore, a thoroughly study of the physics behind the junction and potentiality of the performance of Graphene/Silicon junction based devices will be essential to serve as a basis for the study of more complex nanophotonic devices. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of the research work on the photodetectors based on Graphene/Silicon heterojunction through various modifications, such as introduction of native oxide layer or TiO2, Al2O3 layer and with the integration of different types of nanostructures etc.
Sex-specific differences in metabolic outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy and intermittent fasting in obese middle-aged mice
Authors: Emiliano Ana B. , Lopatinsky Natalie R. , Kraljević Marko , Higuchi Sei , He Ying , Haeusler Rebecca A. , Schwartz Gary J.
Published: June 2022

SG or IF with calorie restriction produces better metabolic outcomes in females than in males. IF with calorie restriction prevents metabolic adaptation, even in the face of fat-free mass loss. IF with calorie restriction in females only, is associated with increased iBAT sympathetic innervation, which possibly mitigates reductions in energy expenditure secondary to fat-free mass loss. Lastly, IF leads to better glucose homeostasis than SG, irrespective of sex.
Chemokine CCL2 from proximal tubular epithelial cells contributes to sepsis-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Jia Ping , Xu Sujuan , Wang Xiaoyan , Wu Xiaoli , Ren Ting , Zou Zhouping , Zeng Qi , Shen Bo , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: June 2022

This study provides a mechanistic insight into how C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is upregulated in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and contributes to kidney dysfunction during sepsis. The data reveal that lipopolysaccharide induces CCL2 expression through the Toll-like receptor 2/NF-κB signaling pathway in TECs. Endogenous CCL2 released from TECs, not from myeloid cells, is responsible for sepsis-induced kidney inflammation and acute kidney injury.
The Pathogenic Aspects of Human Parvovirus B19 NS1 Protein in Chronic and Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Jalali Sedigheh , Farhadi Ali , Rafiei Dehbidi Gholamreza , Farjadian Shirin , Sharifzadeh Sedigheh , Ranjbaran Reza , Seyyedi Noorossadat , Namdari Sepide , Behzad-Behbahani Abbas
Published: June 2022

Background. The nonstructural protein (NS1) of human parvovirus B19 (hPVB19) is considered to be a double-edged sword in its pathogenesis. NS1 protein promotes cell death by apoptosis in erythroid-lineage cells and is also implicated in triggering and the progression of various inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Objectives. We investigated the possible role of hPVB19 NS1 in the modulation of proinflammatory cytokines in nonpermissive HEK-293T cells. Methods. A plasmid containing the fully sequenced NS1 gene (pCMV6-AC-GFP-NS1) was transfected into HEK-293T cells. Transfection efficiency was assessed by fluorescent microscopy over time. Mock (pCMV6-AC-GFP) transfected cells were used as controls. The percentage of apoptotic cells was measured by flow cytometry at 24, 48, and 72 h posttransfection. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA, as a pleiotropic cytokine, was measured by real-time PCR. Furthermore, cellular supernatants were collected to determine the type and quantity of cytokines produced by mock- and NS1-transfected cells using flow cytometry. Results. Fold change in the expression level of IL-6 mRNA in transfected cells after 72 hr of incubation was found to be 3.01 when compared with mock-transfected cells; however, cell apoptosis did not happen over time. Also, the concentration of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) increased in NS1-transfected cells. Conclusions. Overall, our results indicated that proinflammatory cytokine levels had increased following the expression of hPVB19 NS1 in HEK-293T cells, consistent with a role for NS1 expression facilitating the upregulation of inflammatory reactions. Therefore, hPVB19 NS1 function may play a role in the progression of some chronic and inflammatory diseases.
High-Temperature-Resistant Diverting Acid for Carbonate Formation Fracturing in Sichuan Basin: A Property Evaluation and Field Study
Authors: Zhao Zhiheng , Sun Chuan , Liu Yuzhou
Published: June 2022

The targeted carbonate formation in Gao-Mo Block located in the middle of Sichuan Basin becomes deeper with the progress of development, and it mainly exhibits high temperature and strong heterogeneity. Higher requirements for temperature resistance performance and acidizing effect of diverting acid are put forward. In this work, the high-temperature-resistant diverting acid (HTRDA) was employed to evaluate the compatibility, temperature resistance, friction reduction, and acidizing effectiveness based on formation characteristics, and it was applied to demonstrate its reliability and adaptability in field. The following study results are obtained. The HTRDA has good compatibility and its peak viscosity could reach 31 mPa·s at the temperature of 170°C. Compared with the friction of water, the friction reduction rate of HTRDA can reach 67.8%. And the permeability change of core with low permeability could be increased by 53.5-61% after acidification. Furthermore, during the acid fracturing of Well M, the maximum diverting pressure of HTRDA gets to 10 MPa and the friction reduction rate is about 66.5% that is consistent with the experimental data. The test production of Well M is

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and the acid fracturing obtain a great result.
Application of Improved GM (1, 1) Model in Prediction of Training Results of 100 Meter Race
Authors: Du Hui
Published: June 2022

In order to accurately predict the athletes' performance, this paper adopts the improved GM (1,1) model in combination with the athletes' performance characteristics. Considering the defects of the GM (1,1) model, the modelling process of the GM (1,1) model is improved by using exponential transformation preprocessing original data and dynamic generation coefficient reconstruction background value. The improved bee colony algorithm is used to solve the global optimal dynamic generation coefficient, and then the exponential transformation grey model optimized by the improved bee colony algorithm is established. The training results of athletes in a gymnasium in the north were tested. From the experimental results, it can be seen that the prediction effect of the model is significantly better than other models. The accuracy of training performance prediction is effectively improved. It can be better applied to the prediction of athletes' 100m training performance.
Comprehensive Characterization of Necroptosis-Related lncRNAs in Bladder Cancer Identifies a Novel Signature for Prognosis Prediction
Authors: XiaYu Kuang , GuoGang Cai , CanXuan Li , WeiBin Xie
Published: June 2022

Background. Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most serious genitourinary malignant diseases with a poor prognosis. Necroptosis is a regulated form of cell death, and targeting necroptosis is emerging as a potential tumor therapy strategy. Nevertheless, the roles of necroptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (nrlncRNAs) in BC remains to be illustrated. This work is aimed at studying the clinical implications of nrlncRNAs in BC. Methods. The RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical data, downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, were utilized to obtain prognostic nrlncRNAs and construct a prediction nomogram for BC. The comprehensive profiling of the functional pathways, immune status, mutational landscape, and drug sensitivity related to the necroptosis-related lncRNA signature (NerRLsig) was performed. Results. Herein, a signature consisting of 12 necroptosis-related lncRNAs (AC015802.4, AL391807.1, AL078644.1, AC023825.2, AL132655.2, AP003352.1, STAG3L5P-PVRIG2P-PILRB, AC024451.4, MAP3K14-AS1, AL731567.1, AC010542.5, and AC009299.2) was constructed. The established signature can independently predict the poor overall survival of BC patients. Additionally, the NerRLsig had higher diagnostic validity compared to other clinicopathological variables, with a greater area under the receptor operating characteristic and concordance index curves. Finally, we found the differences in the functional signaling pathway, immune status, mutational profile, and drug sensitivity between the two subgroups. Conclusion. This research revealed that the prognostic NerRLsig and nomogram could accurately predict the prognosis of BC.
Hardy-Leindler-Type Inequalities via Conformable Delta Fractional Calculus
Authors: Rezk H. M. , Albalawi Wedad , El-Hamid H. A. Abd , Saied Ahmed I. , Bazighifan Omar , Mohamed Mohamed S. , Zakarya M.
Published: June 2022

In this article, some fractional Hardy-Leindler-type inequalities will be illustrated by utilizing the chain law, Hölder’s inequality, and integration by parts on fractional time scales. As a result of this, some classical integral inequalities will be obtained. Also, we would have a variety of well-known dynamic inequalities as special cases from our outcomes when

α
=
1

.
Mechanical Properties of Shale-Reservoir Rocks Based on Stress–Strain Curves and Mineral Content
Authors: Sun Wen-Tie , Li Zhong-Hui , Lou Yi-Shan , Zhu Liang , Wu Hui-Mei , Kamgue Lenwoue Arnaud Regis , Liu Qin
Published: June 2022

The evaluation of rock mechanic characteristics of shale reservoir is the key for the success of fracturing. Several limitations such as complex lithology can affect the accuracy of the rock mechanic property computation. In this research, the mechanical rock properties of shale reservoirs were analyzed based on experimental tests including shale-reservoir mineral composition, uniaxial compressive strength, and triaxial compression tests. The results showed that (1) the difference in mineral composition leads to easier fracturing of sand shale reservoirs compared with pure shale reservoir. (2) Under uniaxial conditions, the rock mechanical parameters along the vertical bedding direction of sand shale reservoirs are better than pure shale reservoir parameters. The mechanical properties of shale reservoirs in parallel bedding direction are less affected by lithology. Under triaxial conditions, the confining pressure increases more than 4.0 times with the compressive strength of rocks, and the rock Young’s modulus in the parallel bedding direction is higher compared with the vertical bedding direction. (3) Rock failure mode is mainly subdivided into cutting and splitting modes, and the bedding features of rock mechanic properties highly influence the drilling and fracturing operations. This study offers guidelines for the optimization of the drilling and fracturing process based on accurate evaluation of the rock mechanical properties.
Analysis of Fractional-Order Regularized Long-Wave Models via a Novel Transform
Authors: Shah Nehad Ali , El-Zahar Essam R. , Akgül Ali , Khan Adnan , Kafle Jeevan
Published: June 2022

A new integral transform method for regularized long-wave (RLW) models having fractional-order is presented in this study. Although analytical approaches are challenging to apply to such models, semianalytical or numerical techniques have received much attention in the literature. We propose a new technique combining integral transformation, the Elzaki transform (ET), and apply it to regularized long-wave equations in this study. The RLW equations describe ion-acoustic waves in plasma and shallow water waves in seas. The results obtained are extremely important and necessary for describing various physical phenomena. This work considers an up-to-date approach and fractional operators in this context to obtain satisfactory approximate solutions to the proposed problems. We first define the Elzaki transforms of the Caputo fractional derivative (CFD) and Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative (ABFD) and implement them for solving RLW equations. We can readily obtain numerical results that provide us with improved approximations after only a few iterations. The derived solutions were found to be in close contact with the exact solutions. Furthermore, the suggested procedure has attained the best level of accuracy. In fact, when compared to other analytical techniques for solving nonlinear fractional partial differential equations, the present method might be considered one of the finest.
Research Progress on G-Quadruplexes in Human Telomeres and Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Promoter
Authors: Gu Wei , Lin Zihan , Zhao Shengchao , Wang Guanzhen , Shen Ziyi , Liu Wei , Cai Yi , Wang Kaibo , Wan Chunpeng Craig , Yan Tingdong
Published: June 2022

The upregulation telomerase activity is observed in over 85-90% of human cancers and provides an attractive target for cancer therapies. The high guanine content in the telomere DNA sequences and the hTERT promoter can form G-quadruplexes (G4s). Small molecules targeting G4s in telomeres and hTERT promoter could stabilize the G4s and inhibit hTERT expression and telomere extension. Several G4 ligands have shown inhibitory effects in cancer cells and xenograft mouse models, indicating these ligands have a potential for cancer therapies. The current review article describes the concept of the telomere, telomerase, and G4s. Moreover, the regulation of telomerase and G4s in telomeres and hTERT promoter is discussed as well. The summary of the small molecules targeting G4s in telomeric DNA sequences and the hTERT promoter will also be shown.
Exploring Effects of Sensory Garments on Participation of Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Pretest-Posttest Repeated Measure Design
Authors: Mische Lawson Lisa , Foster Lauren , Hamner Kayla , Wright Lacy
Published: June 2022

Objective. Autistic children experience sensory challenges that interfere with participation and increase parent stress. Sensory-based interventions are used to address children’s behaviors affected by sensory processing difficulties, but research is limited regarding use of sensory garments to support participation of autistic children. This study explored sensory garment effects on participation, parental competence, and perceived stress of autistic children and their parents. Method. Twenty-one children were recruited and 17 males with ASD and atypical sensory processing patterns completed the 14-week study. The Canadian Occupational Performance (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) were used to set and monitor participation goals. After a baseline period, children wore sensory garment(s) for 8 weeks. The COPM, GAS, Parent Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), and Parent Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) were administered four times (prebaseline, before and after the intervention, and three weeks postintervention). Results. There were moderate to large significant differences in both COPM and GAS scores after the intervention and from the beginning to the end of the study indicating sensory garments may improve participation of autistic children. There were no significant differences in PSI or PSOC at any timepoint. Two children rejected the garments. Conclusions. Parent- or child-selected sensory garments may improve participation in individually meaningful activities for children who can tolerate wearing them. Children’s improvement in participation did not improve parent stress or competence, possibly due to the passive nature of the intervention. More research is needed explore the influence of heterogeneous sensory patterns on response to intervention.
RF-Gait: Gait-Based Person Identification with COTS RFID
Authors: Jiang Shang , Jiang Jianguo , Wang Siye , Zhang Yanfang , Feng Yue , Cao Ziwen , Liu Yi
Published: June 2022

Recently, person identification has been a prerequisite in many applications of the Internet of Things. As a new biometric identification technology, gait recognition has a wide application prospect with the advantages of long-distance recognition and difficulty to forge. However, the existing gait recognition methods have some problems, such as complex algorithm calculation, high user participation, and large equipment overhead. In this paper, we propose RF-Gait, a method that identifies a person through unobtrusive gait perception with COTS RFID. The key insight is that wireless signal fluctuation can be exploited to distinguish each person’s unique gait behavior. To this end, we first collect and preprocess the gait-induced data composed of multiple RFID tags. Furthermore, multivariate variational mode decomposition is utilized to extract the intrinsic features in the spatial multichannels cooperatively. By developing a support vector machine model, we identify a person via the intrinsic walking pattern. Finally, extensive experiments show that our method can identify a person with an average accuracy of 96.3% from a group of twenty persons in a complex indoor environment.
Online Big Data Physical Education Classroom Based on Monitoring Network and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Zhang YaWen , Wang YanQiong
Published: June 2022

The new ecology of monitoring network and artificial intelligence (AI) has injected new vitality into traditional education and brought new opportunities for the development of education. We implemented the online big data (BD) physical education classroom based on monitoring network and AI, as well as the integrated teaching practice of health data inside and outside the physical education classroom, built a practice model integrating data collection, data analysis, and data application, and explored its practical effectiveness using the literature method and mathematical analysis method. The results show that the practice can achieve data management of physical education courses, promote the improvement of students’ physical health, achieve the purpose of real-time monitoring of students’ independent exercise status, and achieve the goal of getting students out of the dormitory and into the playground.