bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single step method for high yield human platelet lysate production
Authors: Delabie Willem , De Bleser Dominique , Vandewalle Vicky , Vandekerckhove Philippe , Compernolle Veerle , Feys Hendrik B.
Published: November 2022

Background

We aimed to develop a single step method for the production of human platelet lysate (hPL). The method must result in high hPL yields, be closed system and avoid heparin use.

Study Design and Methods

The method aimed at using glass beads and calcium. An optimal concentration of calcium and glass beads was determined by serial dilution. This was translated to a novel method and compared to known methods: freeze‐thawing and high calcium. Quality outcome measures were transmittance, fibrinogen and growth factor content, and cell doubling time.

Results

An optimal concentration of 5 mM Ca2+ and 0.2 g/ml glass beads resulted in hPL with yields of 92% ± 1% (n = 50) independent of source material (apheresis or buffy coat‐derived). The transmittance was highest (56% ± 9%) compared to known methods (<39%). The fibrinogen concentration (7.0 ± 1.1 μg/ml) was well below the threshold, avoiding the need for heparin. Growth factor content was similar across hPL production methods. The cell doubling time of adipose derived stem cells was 25 ± 1 h and not different across methods. Batch consistency was determined across six batches of hPL (each n = 25 constituting concentrates) and was <11% for all parameters including cell doubling time. Calcium precipitation formed after 4 days of culturing stem cells in media with hPL prepared by the high (15 mM) Ca2+ method, but not with hPL prepared by glass bead method.

Discussion

The novel method transforms platelet concentrates to hPL with little hands‐on time. The method results in high yield, is closed system, without heparin and non‐inferior to published methods.
MUC5B mobilizes and MUC5AC spatially aligns mucociliary transport on human airway epithelium
Authors: Song Daniel , Iverson Ethan , Kaler Logan , Boboltz Allison , Scull Margaret A. , Duncan Gregg A.
Published: November 2022

Secreted mucus is a frontline defense against respiratory infection, enabling the capture and swift removal of infectious or irritating agents from the lungs. Airway mucus is composed of two mucins: mucin 5B (MUC5B) and 5AC (MUC5AC). Together, they form a hydrogel that can be actively transported by cilia along the airway surface. In chronic respiratory diseases, abnormal expression of these mucins is directly implicated in dysfunctional mucus clearance. Yet, the role of each mucin in supporting normal mucus transport remains unclear. Here, we generate human airway epithelial tissue cultures deficient in either MUC5B or MUC5AC to understand their individual contributions to mucus transport. We find that MUC5B and MUC5AC deficiency results in impaired and discoordinated mucociliary transport, respectively, demonstrating the importance of each mucin to airway clearance.
Gammaherpesvirus infection drives age-associated B cells toward pathogenicity in EAE and MS
Authors: Mouat Isobel C. , Allanach Jessica R. , Fettig Naomi M. , Fan Vina , Girard Anna M. , Shanina Iryna , Osborne Lisa C. , Vorobeychik Galina , Horwitz Marc S.
Published: November 2022

While age-associated B cells (ABCs) are known to expand and persist following viral infection and during autoimmunity, their interactions are yet to be studied together in these contexts. Here, we directly compared CD11c
+
T-bet
+
ABCs using models of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68), multiple sclerosis (MS), and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and found that each drives the ABC population to opposing phenotypes. EBV infection has long been implicated in MS, and we have previously shown that latent γHV68 infection exacerbates EAE. Here, we demonstrate that ABCs are required for γHV68-enhanced disease. We then show that the circulating ABC population is expanded and phenotypically altered in people with relapsing MS. In this study, we show that viral infection and autoimmunity differentially affect the phenotype of ABCs in humans and mice, and we identify ABCs as functional mediators of viral-enhanced autoimmunity.
Manifestations of Electron–Nuclear Interactions in the High-Frequency ENDOR/ODMR Spectra for Triplet Si–C Divacancies in 13C-Enriched SiC
Authors: Babunts R. A. , Uspenskaya Yu. A. , Gurin A. S. , Bundakova A. P. , Mamin G. V. , Anisimov A. N. , Mokhov E. N. , Baranov P. G.
Published: November 2022

The frequencies of electron–nuclear interactions with 13C and 29Si nuclei on remote coordination spheres are determined in triplet spin centers in the form of neutral VSi–VC divacancies in a silicon carbide crystal of the hexagonal polytype 6H–SiC enriched tenfold in the 13C isotope. High-frequency electron–nuclear double resonance and optically detected magnetic resonance under conditions of optical alignment of spins are used. Oscillations of the electron spin density on 29Si and 13C nuclei are found. Nuclear magnetic resonance transitions at Larmor and close-to-Larmor frequencies of 13C and 29Si cause giant changes in the populations of spin sublevels with the transformation of these resonances into electron paramagnetic resonance and optical signals.
Rare case of dengue encephalitis with extensive brain lesions from Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Taimoor , Rashid Zaraq , Kumar Jasvindar , Kumar Daneet
Published: November 2022

Dengue infection is common in 129 countries including Pakistan, with an estimated 390 million dengue virus infections per year. Asia accounts for 70% of the actual burden. Clinical signs and symptoms of dengue include a high fever (40°C/104 °F) accompanied by two of the following symptoms during the febrile phase: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rash. Severe dengue is a potentially fatal complication, due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding or organ impairment. Dengue virus does not usually cause neurological manifestations, unlike other arboviral infections. Encephalopathy is the most common neurological complication. Encephalitis is rare manifestation. We report a rare case of dengue encephalitis from Pakistan, with extensive brain lesions involving the thalamus, cerebellar vermis and frontoparietal periventricular regions. Therefore, we suggest dengue encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fever with altered sensorium, especially in Asian countries such as Pakistan where dengue is rampant as dengue encephalitis can be fatal at times.
Risk and protective factors for self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Farbstein Dan , Lukito Steve , Yorke Isabel , Wilson Emma , Crudgington Holly , El-Aalem Omar , Cliffe Charlotte , Bergou Nicol , Itani Lynn , Owusu Andy , Sedgwick Rosemary , Singh Nidhita , Tarasenko Anna , Tucker Gavin , Woodhouse Emma , Suzuki Mimi , Myerscough Anna Louise , Lopez Chemas Natalia , Abdel-Halim Nadia , Del Giovane Cinzia , Epstein Sophie , Ougrin Dennis
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Self-harm and suicide are major public health concerns among children and adolescents. Many risk and protective factors for suicide and self-harm have been identified and reported in the literature. However, the capacity of these identified risk and protective factors to guide assessment and management is limited due to their great number. This protocol describes an ongoing systematic review and meta-analysis which aims to examine longitudinal studies of risk factors for self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents, to provide a comparison of the strengths of association of the various risk factors for self-harm and suicide and to shed light on those that require further investigation.

Methods and analysis

We perform a systematic search of the literature using the databases EMBASE, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL and HMIC from inception up to 28 October 2020, and the search will be updated before the systematic review publication. Additionally, we will contact experts in the field, including principal investigators whose peer-reviewed publications are included in our systematic review as well as investigators from our extensive research network, and we will search the reference lists of relevant reviews to retrieve any articles that were not identified in our search. We will extract relevant data and present a narrative synthesis and combine the results in meta-analyses where there are sufficient data. We will assess the risk of bias for each study using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and present a summary of the quantity and the quality of the evidence for each risk or protective factor.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval will not be sought as this is a systematic review of the literature. Results will be published in mental health journals and presented at conferences focused on suicide prevention.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021228212.
Evaluating the attitudes of mental health professionals towards trials of MDMA: a randomised vignette trial
Authors: Wright Dean J , Colagiuri Ben , Glozier Nick
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To compare attitudes of mental health (MH) professionals towards trials of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP), with a neutrally labelled pharmacotherapy trial.

Design

A randomised controlled vignette study design, with experimenters blinded to group condition.

Setting

Participants were recruited online via professional societies.

Participants

Psychiatrists, psychologists and MH researchers from across Australia.

Interventions

Participants were randomly allocated to read a vignette about a trial of either MDMA-AP or a neutrally labelled pharmacotherapy.

Outcomes

Comparison of the difference in four attitudes towards MDMA-AP and control: How likely they were to (1) recommend participating, or (2) object to participating in the trial; (3) their predicted efficacy; and (4) concerns about the safety of the trial.

Results

There were no overall differences between professional’s attitudes towards MDMA-AP (n=51) and the control pharmacotherapy (n=43) trial vignettes. Psychiatrists were less likely to recommend participation in the MDMA-AP than the control trial (d=0.72, p=0.02), but did not differ in other attitudes. Psychologists and researchers did not differ in any attitudes. The correlation between professional experience and both: (1) concern about, and (2) strength of objection to, the trial, was higher for MDMA-AP, than control (d=0.60, p=0.01 andd=0.40, p=0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Psychiatrists, but not psychologists or researchers showed more hesitancy in recommending trials of MDMA-AP versus an unknown pharmacotherapy. Experienced MH professionals were more likely to have negative views about MDMA-AP trials than less experienced MH professionals. This may reflect the experience of prior unfulfilled pharmacotherapy innovation or exuberance associated with fewer years of practice. Research into, and implementation of, MDMA-AP may face barriers with certain MH professionals, which will need be addressed if MDMA-AP continues to show promise as an efficacious treatment.

Trial registration number

The study design was registered with the ANZCTR (ACTRN12620001068954).
Sport and exercise recommendations for pregnant athletes: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Wieloch Nora , Klostermann Anneke , Kimmich Nina , Spörri Jörg , Scherr Johannes
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To analyse the available evidence and identify gaps in current knowledge regarding physical activity volume and intensity and their effects on pregnancy outcomes in female athletes.

Design

Scoping review.

Data sources

A structured literature search of three electronic databases (Embase, PubMed and Web of Science) was conducted on 25 February 2022, and a rerun search was conducted on 8 September 2022.

Eligibility criteria

Studies were eligible if they contained information on the relevant population (ie, elite or competitive amateur female athletes), intervention/exposure (ie, minimum of 10 hours of sport per week) and fetal and maternal outcomes. Eligible comparators included female recreational athletes and pregnant non-exercisers.

Risk of bias

The risk of bias was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) quality assessment tool.

Results

The results revealed a discrepancy between the number of original research papers and the number of reviews and recommendations derived from them. The identified studies focused primarily on pregnant recreational athletes. Sixteen clinical studies met the inclusion criteria. No adverse effects on maternal or fetal outcomes were reported. Only during performance tests involving acute intensive exercise with the mother exercising at more than 90% of her maximal heart rate did some fetuses experience decelerations in heart rate.

Summary/conclusion

A lack of high-quality studies and direct evidence on pregnant elite and competitive amateur female athletes is evident. Further prospective observational cohort studies are needed using new monitoring methods (eg, non-invasive, wireless monitoring systems) aiming to gain a broader understanding of the stress tolerance of pregnant athletes and fetuses during exercise. Following that, interventional studies with stress tests in laboratory settings should be conducted. Therefore, technology plays a decisive role in gaining new knowledge and providing evidence-based recommendations on this topic.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022309541.
Proactive psychological and psychiatric support of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases in a randomised trial: a Ukrainian experience
Authors: Khaustova O O , Markova M V , Driuchenko M O , Burdeinyi A O
Published: November 2022

Background

Presently, approaches for the early treatment of pathological anxiety in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases are lacking, thus delaying the initiation of symptom management at the early onset of the illness. Proactive psychological and psychiatric support, to alleviate subclinical symptoms of anxiety and to improve the quality of life in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, is a promising candidate for the role of such therapy.

Aims

To investigate and determine the effectiveness of proactive psychological and psychiatric support for alleviating subclinical symptoms of anxiety and improving quality of life, in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases.

Methods

The study design was a monocentric randomised controlled trial with parallel groups. The study, involving 193 inpatients with chronic non-communicable diseases, complied with the ethical and deontological norms in accordance with the principles set out in the Declaration of Helsinki. Instruments used in the study included the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) to assess subclinical symptoms, the Scale of Somatic Symptoms and the Chaban Quality of Life Scale. Block randomisation was used to randomise patients to a 2-month-long study group with a proactive counselling psychiatry model care or a control group with standard regulated treatment for chronic non-communicable diseases. The allocation ratio was 1.15:1 owing to the expectancy of a higher percentage of dropout in the intervention group.

Results

After 60 days of treatment (T2), there was a statistically significant difference in all clinical parameters between the study and control groups. The median HAM-A value differed between the groups by 4.87 points, with statistically significant lower results in the study group. The comparison of the study group’s scale values on day 1 and day 60 demonstrated statistically significant changes in all three indicators.

Conclusions

Our results support existing evidence for the effectiveness of proactive psychological and psychiatric support to reduce subclinical anxiety and somatisation symptoms and to improve the quality of life for patients with common chronic non-communicable diseases. However, continued research on the effectiveness of proactive psychological and psychiatric support for patients with chronic non-communicable diseases is needed.
Targeting of Cdc42 GTPase in regulatory T cells unleashes antitumor T-cell immunity
Authors: Kalim Khalid W , Yang Jun-Qi , Wunderlich Mark , Modur Vishnu , Nguyen Phuong , Li Yuan , Wen Ting , Davis Ashley Kuenzi , Verma Ravinder , Lu Qing Richard , Jegga Anil G , Zheng Yi , Guo Fukun
Published: November 2022

Background

Cancer immunotherapy has taken center stage in cancer treatment. However, the current immunotherapies only benefit a small proportion of patients with cancer, necessitating better understanding of the mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and improved cancer immunotherapy strategies. Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance through inhibiting effector T-cell function. In the tumor microenvironment, Treg cells are used by tumor cells to counteract effector T cell-mediated tumor suppression. Targeting Treg cells may thus unleash the antitumor activity of effector T cells. While systemic depletion of Treg cells can cause excessive effector T-cell responses and subsequent autoimmune diseases, controlled targeting of Treg cells may benefit patients with cancer.

Methods

Treg cells from Treg cell-specific heterozygous Cdc42 knockout mice, C57BL/6 mice treated with a Cdc42 inhibitor CASIN, and control mice were examined for their homeostasis and stability by flow cytometry. The autoimmune responses in Treg cell-specific heterozygous Cdc42 knockout mice, CASIN-treated C57BL/6 mice, and control mice were assessed by H&E staining and ELISA. Antitumor T-cell immunity in Treg cell-specific heterozygous Cdc42 knockout mice, CASIN-treated C57BL/6 mice, humanized NSGS mice, and control mice was assessed by challenging the mice with MC38 mouse colon cancer cells, KPC mouse pancreatic cancer cells, or HCT116 human colon cancer cells.

Results

Treg cell-specific heterozygous deletion or pharmacological targeting of Cdc42 with CASIN does not affect Treg cell numbers but induces Treg cell instability, leading to antitumor T-cell immunity without detectable autoimmune reactions. Cdc42 targeting causes an additive effect on immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed cell death protein-1 antibody-induced T-cell response against mouse and human tumors. Mechanistically, Cdc42 targeting induces Treg cell instability and unleashes antitumor T-cell immunity through carbonic anhydrase I-mediated pH changes.

Conclusions

Rational targeting of Cdc42 in Treg cells holds therapeutic promises in cancer immunotherapy.
Earthworm distribution around tile drainage in agricultural fields of southwest Quebec, Canada
Authors: Diop Habib , Ejack Leanne , Elmi Abdirashid A. , Whalen Joann K.
Published: November 2022

Tile drainage is installed in agricultural fields to remove excess soil moisture to allow earlier planting of spring crops. Water moving from soil into tile drainage lines will potentially create a moist environment for earthworms. This study investigated how earthworms were distributed around tile lines, and how their abundance was affected by moisture in field crops on sandy and clayey soils. Earthworm abundance and soil moisture were similar above and between tile lines. Earthworm biomass was low in dry soils, peaked at 41 g moisture 100 g−1, and declined in wetter soils, which affects the earthworm activity in agricultural fields.
Axisymmetric Free Vibration Analysis of Functionally Graded Sandwich Annular Plates: A Quasi-3D Shear and Normal Deformable Model
Authors: Akbari M. , Sadighi M. , Eslami M. R. , Kiani Y.
Published: November 2022

This paper concentrates on axisymmetric free vibration of functionally graded (FG) sandwich annular plates obtained using a quasi-3D plate theory. Motion equations and corresponding boundary conditions are established via the mentioned plate theory which takes into consideration the non-uniform shear strains across the thickness and also stretching trough the thickness. Generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is applied to discrete the annular sandwich plate governing equations. The results of this study are applicable for optional thick plates since the adopted theory considers the shear and normal strains across the thickness direction. Outcoming results are verified on the basis of information accessible in the open literature. To investigate the influences of power law index of functionally graded materials (FGMs) and dimensions of the sandwich annular plate layers, parametric studies are presented. It was well demonstrated that the applied theory precisely predicts the natural frequencies of FG annular sandwich plates with arbitrary thickness.
Evidence of Crowding on Russell 3000 Reconstitution Events
Authors: Micheli Alessandro , Neuman Eyal
Published: November 2022

We develop a methodology which replicates in great accuracy the FTSE Russell indexes reconstitutions, including the quarterly rebalancings due to new initial public offerings (IPOs). While using only data available in the CRSP US Stock database for our index reconstruction, we demonstrate the accuracy of this methodology by comparing it to the original Russell US indexes for the time period between 1989 and 2019. A python package that generates the replicated indexes is also provided [A Micheli. pyndex — Russell index reconstruction package. Available at https: //github.com/alemicheli/pyndex .].

As an application, we use our index reconstruction protocol to compute the permanent and temporary price impact on the Russell 3000 annual additions and deletions, and on the quarterly additions of new IPOs. We find that the index portfolios following the Russell 3000 index and rebalanced on an annual basis are overall more crowded than those following the index on a quarterly basis. This phenomenon implies that transaction costs of indexing strategies could be significantly reduced by buying new IPOs additions in proximity to quarterly rebalance dates.
Forty-five years of joint research programmes on geological disposal of radioactive waste and the pioneering role of the HADES Underground Research Laboratory
Authors: Hassine Seif Ben Hadj , Davies Christophe , Garbil Roger
Published: November 2022

Since 1975, the European Commission has supported research in the field of radioactive waste management and geological disposal through the Euratom Research and Training Programme. During the first two community programmes (1975–85), the research activities focused on basic knowledge, feasibility and safety assessments of such geological disposal repositories. It was during this first decade of collaborative research activities that the site characterization, preliminary design studies and the application for authorization to construct the first underground research laboratory, the High Activity Disposal Experimental Site facility, took place.
Gliclazide in Binary and Ternary Systems Improves Physicochemical Properties, Bioactivity, and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Munir Shehla , Ahmed Sarfraz , Chughtai Adeel Hussain , Ahmad Waqas , Khan Jallat , Murtey Mogana Das , Ijaz Hira , Ojha Suvash Chandra
Published: November 2022

The poor solubility of the antidiabetic drug gliclazide (Glc) is due to its hydrophobic nature. This research is aimed at improving Glc’s solubility and drug release profile, as well as at investigating additional benefits such as bioactivity and antioxidant activity, by forming binary complexes with HPβCD at different

w
/
w

ratios (1 : 1, 1 : 2.5, 1 : 4, and 1 : 9) and ternary complexes with HPβCD and Tryp at 1 : 1 : 1, 1 : 1 : 0.27, 1 : 2.5 : 0.27, 1 : 3.6 : 3.6, 1 : 4 : 1, and 1 : 9 : 1, respectively. Complexes were prepared by the physical mixing (PM) and solvent evaporation (SE) methods. The prepared inclusion complexes were meticulously characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra. To verify our findings, the inclusion complexes were evaluated by equilibrium solubility, in vitro drug release profile, kinetic models, and antidiabetic and antioxidant activities in animal models. Our results demonstrated that the solubility and drug release profile were found to be enhanced through binary as well as ternary complexes. Notably, ternary complexes with a ratio of 1 : 9 : 1 showed the highest solubility and drug release profile compared to all other preparations. Data on antioxidant activity indicated that the ternary complex had the higher total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity than the binary complex and Glc alone, in contrast to the diabetic group. In vivo antidiabetic activity data revealed a high percentage reduction in the blood glucose level by ternary complexes (49–52%) compared to the binary complexes (45–46%;

p
≤
0.05

). HPβCD and Tryp provide a new platform for overcoming the challenges associated with poorly soluble Glc by providing greater complexing and solubilizing capabilities and imparting ancillary benefits to improve the drug’s antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.
Failure Mode and the Prevention and Control Technology of Buried PE Pipeline in Service: State of the Art and Perspectives
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Wang Fei , Gao Jiajia , Lin Dong , Gao Jian , Lu Jianguo , Qiu Enxi , Liu Chang
Published: November 2022

Material defects and external environmental factors increase the engineering safety risks of buried PE pipelines in service. This paper mainly reviews the failure mode and the prevention and control technology of buried PE pipelines in service, as well as comparative failure characteristics between the buried PE and steel pipelines. The main failure factors of buried PE pipelines can be divided into four levels: the first level is third‐party damage; the second level includes three failure factors, i.e., surface subsidence, joint failure, and aging failure; the third level consists of pipe piercing, crack development, and pipeline defect; the fourth level is a corrosion failure. Besides, steel and PE pipelines have various physical and mechanical properties, which lead to a significant difference in the service performance and degradation mechanism in practice. For instance, corrosion and welded joint leakage are the two common problems in steel pipelines during the service period, while PE pipelines have excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, in order to ensure and maintain the long‐term operations of PE pipelines, it is of great significance to develop and promote nonexcavation technologies of construction, renewal, and repair for natural gas‐buried PE pipelines. Furthermore, based on the above studies, some further research studies on buried PE pipelines in service are suggested and discussed, e.g., (a) the service performance and degradation mechanism of buried PE pipelines in complicated environmental conditions, (b) the interaction mechanism among the engineering structure, PE pipelines, and geological environment, as well as PE pipeline geological soils coupled in multiple physical fields, and (c) the combinations of the traditional engineering risk assessment method and the numerical analysis method considering the interaction between the PE pipeline and geological environment. The results could be helpful for a better understanding of the operation conditions of buried PE pipelines, and it is also hoped that this study could provide guidance for the safe operation, maintenance, and integrity management of buried PE pipelines.
An Integration of New Digital Image Scrambling Technique on PCA-Based Face Recognition System
Authors: Abusham Eimad , Ibrahim Basil , Zia Kashif , Al Maskari Sanad
Published: November 2022

Systems using biometric authentication offer greater security than traditional textual and graphical password-based systems for granting access to information systems. Although biometric-based authentication has its benefits, it can be vulnerable to spoofing attacks. Those vulnerabilities are inherent to any biometric-based subsystem, including face recognition systems. The problem of spoofing attacks on face recognition systems is addressed here by integrating a newly developed image encryption model onto the principal component pipeline. A new model of image encryption is based on a cellular automaton and Gray Code. By encrypting the entire ORL faces dataset, the image encryption model is integrated into the face recognition system’s authentication pipeline. In order for the system to grant authenticity, input face images must be encrypted with the correct key before being classified, since the entire feature database is encrypted with the same key. The face recognition model correctly identified test encrypted faces from an encrypted features database with 92.5% accuracy. A sample of randomly chosen samples from the ORL dataset was used to test the encryption performance. Results showed that encryption and the original ORL faces have different histograms and weak correlations. On the tested encrypted ORL face images, NPCR values exceeded 99%, MAE minimum scores were over (>40), and GDD values exceeded (0.92). Key space is determined byu2sizeA0where A0 represents the original scrambling lattice size, and u is determined by the variables on the encryption key. In addition, a NPCR test was performed between images encrypted with slightly different keys to test key sensitivity. The values of the NPCR were all above 96% in all cases.
Influence of Abutment Stiffness and Strength on the Seismic Response of Horizontally Curved RC Bridges in Comparison with Equivalent Straight Bridges at Different Seismic Intensity Levels
Authors: Heydarpour Khashayar , Tehrani Payam
Published: November 2022

Seismic design codes have imposed some limitations on the maximum subtended angle of curved bridges and allow engineers to analyze and design them using an equivalent straight bridge. This paper investigates these limitations and evaluates the AASHTO code recommendations regarding the prediction of the seismic responses of curved bridges using an equivalent straight bridge for bridges with different abutment properties at different seismic hazard levels. In this regard, the seismic responses of 21 horizontally curved and straight RC four-span bridges with different abutment types are investigated. In 7 bridge models, soil-abutment-bridge interaction is neglected, while in the rest of the bridge models, the seat-type abutments with the participation of the nonlinear backfill soil, gap, and abutment piles are used in structural modeling. First, nonlinear static (pushover) analyses are carried out to evaluate the overall behavior of the bridges with different abutment configurations in the two perpendicular principal directions. Subsequently, nonlinear time history analyses are performed to predict the seismic response of bridge elements, including column drifts and deck displacements at the place of the abutments in the radial and tangential directions at different seismic intensity levels, including the design basis earthquake (DBE) and maximum credible earthquake (MCE) excitation levels. In addition, the actual maximum displacements of the components of the bridges (i.e., the total absolute displacements) were also predicted and evaluated for different cases. It was found that the abutment properties and boundary conditions had a significant effect on the seismic response assessment of curved bridges compared to straight bridges, while such parameters are not currently considered by the design codes. The results also indicated that by increasing the seismic intensity level, more limitations should be imposed on the use of the equivalent straight bridges.
Design of Interconnected Warehouse and Routing Optimization by BP Genetic Neural Network Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Fangwei , Ye Jun , Han Bing , Sun Jing , Zhang Liming
Published: November 2022

With the continuous progress of the chemical industry, warehouse design needs to be diversified on account of the increasing complex and multitudinous perilous chemicals. In this situation, this study projects the conception of the interconnected warehouse. By taking the storage points as the quantity and the path as the variable, this study establishes a quadratic allocation model on the operations of this novel kind of warehouse. Then, an improved neural network algorithm is proposed to ascertain the optimal solution. The innovation of this study is that it releases the space resources of the classic dangerous goods warehouse and improves the operational efficiency of the dangerous goods warehouse under the premise of ensuring safety. Finally, the proposed model and algorithm is tested and verified with a data of Shanghai Lingang dangerous Material Warehouse. The empirical research demonstrates that the interconnected warehouse has ideal performance for lifting the handling efficiency on the basis of ensuring safety.
Beneficial Effects of Bauhinia rufa Leaves on Oxidative Stress, Prevention, and Treatment of Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: dos Santos da Rocha Paola , Orué Sarah Lam , Leite Daniel Ferreira , de Toledo Espindola Priscilla Pereira , Cassemiro Nadla Soares , da Silva Denise Brentan , Carollo Carlos Alexandre , Nunes-Souza Valéria , Rabelo Luiza Antas , Campos Jaqueline Ferreira , Estevinho Letícia Miranda Fernandes , dos Santos Edson Lucas , de Picoli Souza Kely
Published: November 2022

Obesity is an epidemic disease worldwide, associated with oxidative stress and the development of several other diseases. Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud. is a native Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plant popularly used for the treatment of obesity. In this context, we investigated the chemical composition of the methanolic extract of B. rufa leaves (MEBr) and evaluated the antioxidant activity and its impact on the prevention and treatment of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD 60%). Additionally, the acute oral toxicity of MEBr was evaluated. In MEBr, 17 glycosylated compounds were identified, including myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, coumaroyl, cyanoglucoside, and megastigmane. In vitro, MEBr showed antioxidant activity in different methods: DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, iron-reducing power, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, and inhibition of DNA fragmentation. In human erythrocytes, MEBr increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Under oxidative stress, MEBr reduced oxidative hemolysis, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels generated in erythrocytes. Mice treated acutely with MEBr (2000 mg/kg) showed no signs of toxicity. During 90 days, the mice received water or MEBr simultaneously with HFD for induction of obesity. At this stage, MEBr was able to reduce the gain of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and prevent the increase of MDA in the heart and brain. After 180 days of HFD for obesity induction, mice that received MEBr simultaneously with HFD (HFD-MEBr) in the last 60 days of treatment (120-180 days) showed a reduction of retroperitoneal and mesenteric WAT deposits and MDA levels in the heart, liver, kidney, and brain, compared to the HFD-Control group. These effects of MEBr were similar to mice treated with sibutramine (HFD-Sibutramine, 2 mg/kg). Combined, the results show that compounds from the leaves of B. rufa affect controlling oxidative stress and actions in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Thus, associated oxidative stress reduction and body composition modulation, in obese people, can contribute to the prevention of obesity-related comorbidities and improve quality of life.
An Association Study of ESR1–XbaI and PvuII Gene Polymorphism in Migraine Susceptibility in the Jammu Region
Authors: Kumar Sawan , Raina Jyotdeep Kour , Sudershan Amrit , Mahajan Kanak , Jasrotia Raman , Maharana Chinmoyee , Panjalia Rakesh K. , Kumar Parvinder
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Migraine is a neurovascular disorder and is clinically characterized by episodic attacks of mild to severe headaches. Due to the involvement of multiple environmental and genetic factors, it has become a much more complex neurological condition to understand. Apart from the environmental variables, a plethora of genes have been implicated, and one such example is ESR1. The present study was focused to find out the association of two important polymorphisms, namely, PvuII and XbaI of the ESR1 with migraine in the population of Jammu and Kashmir (UT). Methods: The PCR-RFLP genotyping method was utilized to detect PvuII and XbaI polymorphism, and the result was confirmed by statistical analysis. Results: Although we did not find a signification association of ESR-PvuII polymorphism with migraine susceptibility {OR: 1.14 at 95% CI [0.76–1.71] (p value 0.5)}, a strong association was found with the clinical subtype of migraine; migraine with aura (MA) {OR: 2.014 at 95% CI [1.069–3.792] (p value 0.028)}. Furthermore, a significant association of ESR-XbaI polymorphism was observed with migraine {OR: 1.908 at 95% CI [1.252–2.907] (p value 0.002) and its both clinical subtypes; migraine without aura (MO) {OR: 1.870 at 95% CI [1.186–2.950] (p value 0.006)} and MA {OR: 2.014 at 95% CI [1.069–3.792] (p value 0.028)}. Conclusion: In conclusion, ESR1-XbaI polymorphism is significantly associated with migraine risk including both subtypes (MA and MO) in the North Indian population of Jammu.
Effect of Optimizing Oxygen Saturation Targets on the Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Quaternary NICU
Authors: Durrani Naveed Ur Rehman , Karayil Mohammad Ali Sanoj , Ede Ghaniya , Khalil Amr Moussa Mahmoud , Neri Pedro Mattar , Al Qubaisi Mai , Gupta Samir
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease and a preventable cause of blindness in childhood. Hyperoxia and hypoxia can cause retinal neovascularization resulting in retinal detachment and blindness if left untreated. Besides oxygen treatment, other reasons for ROP development are well known. We prospectively adopt various strategies to keep oxygen saturation (SpO2) within targets, between 91 and 95% for those on supplemental oxygen. By adapting this, we postulated that the incidence of severe ROP might be reduced. Methods: 2018–2019 provided pre-intervention and 2020 post-intervention data for the project. For all babies (≤32 weeks, ≤1,500 g with FiO2 >0.21), target SpO2 between 91 and 95% was measured as a percentage of time spent within and outside target SpO2 during 1–4 weeks of life. Results: 112 and 60 preterm neonates were screened for ROP during the pre- and post-intervention phase. Twenty neonates (18.3%) during pre-intervention and 16 (26.7%) in the post-intervention phase developed severe ROP requiring treatment. Despite a statistically significant increase of 10 percent points in time spent within target SpO2 (91–95%) in the post-intervention phase (p < 0.05), the incidence of severe ROP did not decline. Using a multivariate model, odds of ROP development decreased with gestational age (25%) while increasing with PDA requiring treatment (4.33 times) and glucose ≥10 mg/dL (4.15 times), considering one variable at a time, keeping others constant. Conclusion: Our QI project showed successful attainment of maximum time; the SpO2 remained within targets during supplemental oxygen; however, the incidence of severe ROP had not declined. Factors other than SpO2 might be responsible for a high incidence of ROP in our neonatal intensive care unit.
Prenatal Phenotype of Kabuki Syndrome: Seven Case Series
Authors: Zhang Lu , Li Yan-Lin , Zhen Li , Li Ru , Li Dong-Zhi
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome with characterized facial features. The aim of study was to report on prenatal sonographic findings associated with KS in 7 Chinese families. Case Presentation: During the study period, 7 families of KS were diagnosed. Variants of KMT2D were detected in 4 cases, and variants of KDM6A in 3 cases. For cases with KMT2D variants, cleft palate was the only finding on second-trimester ultrasound in 2 cases. One case presented with polyhydramnios in late third trimester. One case showed ventricular septal defect and renal anomaly at 22 weeks gestation. For cases with KDM6A variants, one was detected at 22 weeks to have coarctation of the aorta. One presented with third-trimester intrauterine growth restriction. The other with hypoplastic left heart had a maternal KDM6A variant c.1227_1228del. Further family study showed that this variant was also present in the healthy maternal mother, but not in the healthy maternal father and two maternal brothers. The two female carriers were healthy. Discussion/Conclusion: Although there is no specific ultrasound feature which has both high sensitivity and high positive predictive value for KS, this disorder should be considered as a differential diagnosis in fetuses with congenital anomalies including polyhydramnios with normal karyotyping/microarray analysis.
The First-Year Variation in Central Retinal Thickness Predicts Legal Blindness in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Guo Yi , Wu Jinye , Zheng Xueying , Yin Chang , Wu Zhenyu
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Due to its progressive nature, early evaluation and timely prediction of legal blindness are important in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). We examined the association between early-stage variation in central retinal thickness (CRT) and long-term visual outcomes in patients with nAMD. Methods: We included 103 nAMD patients who were administered anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Participants were considered qualified if they were (1) 50 years and older, (2) treatment-naïve, (3) received standard anti-VEGF treatment and had complete baseline information. We further excluded patients with less than 1-year follow-up data and those who experienced best corrected visual acuity ≤35. Early-stage variability in CRT was measured as the first-year coefficient of variability (CV) of CRT. Patients were then classified into the high-variability and low-variability groups according to the X-tile. A product-limit plot was used to demonstrate the differences and tested with the log-rank test. The association between first-year variability and visual outcomes was quantified using Cox regression models. Time-to-event primary endpoint was the overall visual preservation (OVP) rate, defined as the time from the first injection to legal blindness, i.e., best corrected visual acuity ≤35 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters. Results: A threshold of 20% of first-year CV in CRT was used to categorize 76 qualified patients into high variability (35, 46.1%) and low variability (41, 53.9%). The 5- and 10-year OVPs for patients with high versus low variability were 76% versus 48% and 59% versus 22%, respectively. High early-stage CRT variability showed a significantly higher risk of legal blindness. Even after adjusting for the demographic and clinical features, the variability remained significant (HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.20–4.78). Conclusion: First-year variability of CRT was predictive of long-term visual outcomes in patients with nAMD, and 20% of the variability could be used as a clinically convenient threshold to qualitatively classify patients into high- and low-variability groups. The current study is important for identifying high-risk populations and for long-term disease management.
O bibliotecário e sua inserção no mercado de trabalho: fatores que contribuem para a troca de profissões
Authors: Rodrigues Patrícia Nogueira , Lacerda Gracenilda Ribeiro da Silva , Gomes Leidiane de Jesus Vieira , Rodrigues Marilene Oliveira , Carvalho Sandra Maria Souza de
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: Esta pesquisa tem o objetivo de analisar se os bacharéis em Biblioteconomia formados no período de 2009-2019 no Estado do Espírito Santo estão buscando outras graduações para conseguirem se inserir no mercado de trabalho. Metodologia: o caminho metodológico adotado foi a pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e pesquisa de campo que teve como instrumento (ferramenta) de coleta o questionário. Resultados: Como resultado foi possível constatar que apesar de não estarem satisfeitos com o salário, apenas 26% fizeram ou estão fazendo outra graduação, fato que colaborou para que 30% dos entrevistados estivessem em outra área de atuação e recebendo salário maior que a média de um bibliotecário no Estado. Resultado: é necessário a formação continuada, todavia, as vagas que surgem na área de biblioteconomia no Estado são poucas e o salário não é compatível com uma formação de nível superior, desmotivando a inserção desses profissionais na área. Conclusões: De fato, as políticas públicas muito têm que avançar e oportunizar vagas de emprego e salário digno para todos os bibliotecários do Estado do Espírito Santo.
Strange Bedfellows?
Authors: Mazur Eric Michael
Published: November 2022

At the end of the nineteenth century, revolutions in button technology, campaign, finance, and the make-up and role of religion in American society, justified the use of, the button to appeal to voters of different communities, even religious communities, broadly speaking. At the end of the twentieth century, revolutions in digital technology, campaign finance, and the place and role of religion in American culture again, transformed how U.S. presidential campaign buttons represented religion. The first transformations facilitated the commodification of the votes, justifying the expenditure, of large amounts of money on media technology to secure them. The second, transformations facilitated the commodification of the candidates, justifying the use of, technology and religion to raise funds for the campaign. Rather than serving as the, signpost to identify the voter, religion became the message to attract the consumer.
“F*ck Earth”: Unmasking Mars Colonization Marketing, from Planetary Perceived Obsolescence to Apocalyptic “New Earth” Rhetoric
Authors: Taylor Sarah McFarland
Published: November 2022

This article argues that, in promoting Mars colonization, SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s marketing strategies effectively tap into powerful and culturally resonant Christian-inflected, otherworldly, apocalyptic millennial tropes embedded in American culture. SpaceX’s messaging engages in a second-order appropriation of entwined Christian, colonial, frontierist, and imperialist themes that saturate works of astrocolonial science fiction. Musk and many of his followers are devoted fans of these works and draw inspiration from their endemic romanticized, utopian, space expansionist narratives in order to fuel the project of Mars colonization. In deploying popular marketing techniques, such as “manufactured urgency,” “perceived obsolescence,” “scarcity marketing,” “exploding offers,” and “argument dilution,” Musk prophetically stresses the existential urgency of planetary exodus. As Mars gets rebranded as “Earth 2.0,” the strategic use of apocalyptic “Mars as New Earth” visual and verbal rhetoric activates troubling dynamics that effectively legitimize siphoning off Earth’s remaining fragile resources in order to feed the colonial and corporate interests of a technocratic billionaire elite. This article dissects the religio-cultural providential resonances of otherworldly escape and manifest destiny evoked in Mars colonization marketing, while urging public media interventions into that marketing’s grossly misleading messaging.
Retracing the Works of KJICL: A Decade’s Journey
Authors: Kim Angela Semee , Lee Seryon
Published: November 2022

Over the past decade, the development and dynamics of international law have been prominent. The Korean Journal of International and Comparative Law (KJICL) played an active role in providing relevant and significant topics and issues of international law in its journal. The year 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the KJICL. On this special occasion, we looked back on the key milestones in the journal’s history and explored the works of international law scholars and practitioners from around the world on a broad range of topics in international law. KJICL has reflected the developments and changes in international law by providing analysis and insights on timely topics and addressing the issues pertaining to Korea. The following highlights the distinctive and valuable works featured in KJICL over the last decade.