bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Dendrite-HDMR Metamodeling Technique for High-Dimensional Problems
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wu Yizhong , Lu Li , Qiao Ping
Published: January 2022

High-dimensional model representation (HDMR), decomposing the high-dimensional problem into summands of different order component terms, has been widely researched to work out the dilemma of “curse-of-dimensionality” when using surrogate techniques to approximate high-dimensional problems in engineering design. However, the available one-metamodel-based HDMRs usually encounter the predicament of prediction uncertainty, while current multi-metamodels-based HDMRs cannot provide simple explicit expressions for black-box problems, and have high computational complexity in terms of constructing the model by the explored points and predicting the responses of unobserved locations. Therefore, aimed at such problems, a new stand-alone HDMR metamodeling technique, termed as Dendrite-HDMR, is proposed in this study based on the hierarchical Cut-HDMR and the white-box machine learning algorithm, Dendrite Net. The proposed Dendrite-HDMR not only provides succinct and explicit expressions in the form of Taylor expansion but also has relatively higher accuracy and stronger stability for most mathematical functions than other classical HDMRs with the assistance of the proposed adaptive sampling strategy, named KKMC, in which k-means clustering algorithm, k-Nearest Neighbor classification algorithm and the maximum curvature information of the provided expression are utilized to sample new points to refine the model. Finally, the Dendrite-HDMR technique is applied to solve the design optimization problem of the solid launch vehicle propulsion system with the purpose of improving the impulse-weight ratio, which represents the design level of the propulsion system.
Numerical Studies for the Thermal Regime of a High-Speed Railway Tunnel Considering Piston Action on Seasonally Frozen Regions
Authors: Jiang Haiqiang , Niu Fujun , Jiang Wangtao , Cheng Li , Li Yongdong , He Junlin
Published: January 2022

Piston action describes the phenomenon that air at the train nose is pushed forward by the increased pressure and air at the train rear is drawn forward by the decreased pressure when a train passes through a tunnel. The variation of pressure changes the thermal environment inside the tunnel and promotes the frost damage generation in cold season. In this paper, a fluid-thermal-solid involving piston action is proposed. A high-speed railway tunnel that is located in the northeast of China is set in the background, and the influence of outside air temperature and train velocity on the thermal environment inside the tunnel are simulated and analyzed. The piston action can significantly change the temperature inside the tunnel, especially at the ends of tunnel. The temperature distribution is characterized by three zones, including disturbed zones at two sides of tunnel and undisturbed zone at tunnel middle. The freezing length is closely related to air temperature and train velocity. And also, the lengths are different at vault and rail of tunnel portal, which indicates that the anti-freezing measure should be different at these positions considering the cost. This paper can help us understand the temperature evolution process of tunnels under the action of piston wind and provide some guidelines for structural design of cold regional tunnels.
Head Wave Simulation of a KRISO Container Ship Model Using OpenFOAM for the Assessment of Sea Margin
Authors: Islam H. , Soares C. Guedes
Published: January 2022

The paper presents calm water and head wave simulation results for a KRISO Container Ship (KCS) model. All simulations have been performed using the open source CFD toolkit, OpenFOAM. Initially, a systematic verification study is presented using the ITTC guideline to assess the simulation associated uncertainties. After that, a validation study is performed to assess the accuracy of the results. Next, calm water simulations are performed with sinkage and trim free conditions at varying speeds. Later, head wave simulations are performed with heave and pitch free motion. Simulations are repeated for varying wavelengths to assess the encountered added resistance by the ship in design speed. The results are validated against available experimental data. Finally, power predictions are made for both calm water and head wave cases to assess the required propulsion power. The paper tries to assess the validity of using 25% addition as sea margin over calm water prediction to consider wave encounters.
Ovarian and Steroidal Influences on Neuroendocrine Aging Processes in Female Rodents
Authors: Finch Caleb E. , Felicio Leda S. , Mobbs Charles V. , Nelson James F.
Published: January 2022

Some mammalian aging processes involve effects of steroids on the brain and pituitary. An ovary-dependent, neuroendocrine aging syndrome of laboratory rats and mice is described in this article. This syndrome can be attenuated during aging by chronic ovariectomy and can be prematurely induced in young rodents by sustained exposure to estradiol (E
2
). The limited follicular stock in the ovary is proposed to be a major pacemaker of aging in this neuroendocrine syndrome; ovarian aging may interact with neuroendocrine aging. Ovary-independent neuroendocrine changes occur as well. We also discuss developmental influences on adult aging in rodents and other examples in which adult lower mammals are sensitive to long lasting effects of steroids on the brain and pituitary. Possible molecular mechanisms are considered. In view of the long lasting effects of E
2
and other steroids on lower mammals, the potential for long term effects of ovarian steroids on the human brain and pituitary warrants continued evaluation.

Reproduced by permission.

Caleb E. Finch, Leda S. Felicio, Charles V. Mobbs, James F. Nelson, Ovarian and Steroidal Influences on Neuroendocrine Aging Processes in Female Rodents.
Endocr. Rev.
5
, 467-497 (1984).
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bryobacteraceae
Strain F-183
Authors: Yamamoto Kyosuke , Yoneda Yasuko , Makino Ayaka , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Meng Xian-Ying , Hashimoto Junko , Shin-ya Kazuo , Satoh Noriyuki , Fujie Manabu , Toyama Tadashi , Mori Kazuhiro , Ike Michihiko , Morikawa Masaaki , Kamagata Yoichi , Tamaki Hideyuki
Published: January 2022

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of a bacterial strain, F-183, isolated from a duckweed frond. Strain F-183 belongs to the family
Bryobacteraceae
of the phylum
Acidobacteria
, and its genomic information would contribute to understanding the ecophysiology of this abundant but rarely characterized phylum.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Chemolithoautotrophic Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Strain NFP31, Isolated from Volcanic Ash Deposits on Miyake-Jima, Japan
Authors: Kato Tatsuhiro , Guo Yong , Fujimura Reiko , Nakamura Takamichi , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Kurusu Yasuro , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: January 2022

The genome sequence of
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
strain NFP31, which is a chemolithoautotrophic iron-oxidizing bacterium that inhabits acidified volcanic deposits on Mount Oyama, Miyake Island (Miyake-jima), Japan, was determined to identify the genetic characteristics associated with pioneer microbes in newly placed pyroclastic deposits.
Complete Genome Sequences of Hydrogenotrophic Denitrifiers
Authors: Duffner Clara , Kublik Susanne , Fösel Bärbel , Schloter Michael , Schulz Stefanie
Published: January 2022

Hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers are important bacteria for nitrate removal in wastewater and aquifers. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of three hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers, namely,
Dechloromonas denitrificans
strain D110,
Ferribacterium limneticum
strain F76, and
Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis
strain H3, all of which were isolated from a nitrate-polluted aquifer in Bavaria (Germany).
Possible association between viral infection and poor survival of the corneal graft after penetrating keratoplasty in patients with congenital corneal opacity: a cohort study
Authors: Miao Sen , Lin Qi , Li Xu , Zhao Lu , Pan Zhiqiang
Published: January 2022

Background

Congenital corneal opacity (CCO) is a rare disorder. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is the main surgical option for CCO, but many factors affect graft survival. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a virological examination of CCO specimens after PK to explore the relationship between virological factors and graft survival after PK.

Methods

This prospective study included consecutive patients (<6 months of age) diagnosed with CCO and treated with PK at Beijing Tongren Hospital from August 2017 to January 2018. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect viral DNA in the CCO specimens. The survival of the primary graft was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Overall, 24 eyes of 24 infants were treated with PK during the study period. The mean age at surgery was 4.8±1.1 months. Epstein-Barr virus DNA was detected in two specimens, varicella-zoster virus DNA in one specimen, herpes simplex virus DNA in three specimens and cytomegalovirus DNA in one specimen. In the virus-positive group, only one (14.3%) graft remained clear during follow-up. In contrast, in the virus-negative group (n=17), 13 (76.5%) grafts were still clear at the last follow-up. The mean survival of the grafts in the virus-positive group was significantly shorter than in the virus-negative group (11.0±9.8 months vs 27.1±7.7, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of viral DNA in CCO specimens might be associated with poor graft survival after PK.
Relationship of macular ganglion cell complex thickness to choroidal microvasculature drop-out in primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Micheletti Eleonora , Moghimi Sasan , El-Nimri Nevin , Nishida Takashi , Suh Min Hee , Proudfoot James A , Kamalipour Alireza , Zangwill Linda M , Weinreb Robert N
Published: January 2022

Background/aims

To investigate the rate of ganglion cell complex (GCC) thinning in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with and without deep-layer microvasculature drop-out (MvD).

Methods

POAG patients who had at least 1.5 years of follow-up and a minimum of three visits were included from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. MvD was detected at baseline by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Area and angular circumference of MvD were evaluated on en face choroidal vessel density images and horizontal B-scans. Rates of global and hemisphere GCC thinning were compared in MvD and non-MvD eyes using linear mixed-effects models.

Results

Thirty-six eyes with MvD and 37 eyes without MvD of 63 patients were followed for a mean of 3.3 years. In 30 out of 36 eyes, MvD was localised in the inferotemporal region. While mean baseline visual field mean deviation was similar between the two groups (p=0.128), global GCC thinning was significantly faster in eyes with MvD than in those without MvD (mean differences: −0.50 (95% CI −0.83 to –0.17) µm/year; p=0.003)). Presence of MvD, area and angular circumference of MvD were independently associated with a faster rate of thinning (p=0.002, p=0.031 and p=0.013, respectively).

Conclusion

In POAG eyes, GCC thinning is faster in eyes with MvD. Detection of MvD in OCT-A images can assist clinicians to identify patients who are at higher risk for central macula thinning and glaucomatous progression and may require more intensive management.
Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study
Authors: Burkinshaw Paula , Bryant Louise D , Magee Caroline , Thompson Peter , Cotterill Lisa Ann , Mulvey Matthew R , Hewison Jenny
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) training programmes were created to build and sustain research capacity in healthcare. Following the training programme 10-year strategic review, this qualitative study aimed to deepen understanding of facilitators and barriers for those progressing through NIHR-supported research careers.

Design

Semistructured qualitative study.

Data collection and analysis

Telephone interviews conducted between May and August 2017 were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using Framework Approach.

Setting

UK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, university medical schools, District General Hospitals, Integrated Academic Training Programme centres and Research Design Services across the North East, North West, South East and South West of England, London and the Midlands.

Participants

Fourteen women and eight men, of whom, 14 were previous or current NIHR personal awardees (seven doctors and seven allied health professionals (AHPs) or nurses) and eight were managers (staff within clinical or university training-related roles).

Results

(1) NIHR awards were viewed as transformative for research careers; (2) however, there were perceptions of a biased ‘playing field’. (3) Inequalities were perceived for AHPs and nurses, those outside of established research institutes and those in ‘unfashionable’ specialisms. (4) While support for NIHR awards contributed to a healthy research culture, (5) short-term awards were perceived as a barrier to continuing an independent research career.

Conclusions

Participants perceived many strengths of the NIHR training programmes in terms of developing individual careers and research capacity. Areas in which improvement could enhance the ability to attract, develop and retain researcher were identified. Our findings are of relevance to schemes in other countries, where healthcare researchers experience similar challenges. Further work is needed to overcome barriers and ensure equity of access to, and success within, clinical research training schemes to sustain the research workforce needed to address future global health challenges.
Quantitative coronary angiography versus intravascular ultrasound guidance for drug-eluting stent implantation (GUIDE-DES): study protocol for a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors: Lee Pil Hyung , Hong Soon Jun , Kim Hyun-Sook , Yoon Young won , Lee Jong-Young , Oh Seung-Jin , Kang Soo-Jin , Kim Young-Hak , Park Seong-Wook , Lee Seung-Whan , Lee Cheol Whan
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Angiography remains the gold standard for guiding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is prone to suboptimal stent results due to the visual estimation of coronary measurements. Although the benefit of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI is becoming increasingly recognised, IVUS is not affordable for many catheterisation laboratories. Thus, a more practical and standardised angiography-based approach is necessary to support stent implantation.

Methods and analysis

The Quantitative Coronary Angiography versus Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance for Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation trial is a randomised, investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority trial comparing the quantitative coronary angiography (QCA)-guided PCI strategy with IVUS-guided PCI in all-comer patients with significant coronary artery disease. A novel, standardised, QCA-based PCI protocol for the QCA-guided group will be provided to all participating operators, while the PCI optimisation criteria will be predefined for both strategies. A total of 1528 patients will be randomised to either group at a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint is the 12-month cumulative incidence of target-lesion failure defined as a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction or ischaemia-driven target-lesion revascularisation. Clinical follow-up assessments are scheduled at 1, 6 and 12 months for all patients enrolled in the study.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for this study was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Asan Medical Center (no. 2017-0060). Informed consent will be obtained from every participant. The study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journal articles and disseminated through public forums and academic conference presentations. Cost-effectiveness and secondary imaging analyses will be shared in secondary papers.

Trial registration number

NCT02978456.
Corticocortical paired associative stimulation for treating motor dysfunction after stroke: study protocol for a randomised sham-controlled double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Duan Yu-Jie , Hua Xu-Yun , Zheng Mou-Xiong , Wu Jia-Jia , Xing Xiang-Xin , Li Yu-Lin , Xu Jian-Guang
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Stroke survivors can have a high disability rate with low quality of daily life, resulting in a heavy burden on family and society. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been widely applied to brain injury repair, neurological disease treatment, cognition and emotion regulation and so on. However, there is still much to be desired in the theories of using these neuromodulation techniques to treat stroke-caused hemiplegia. It is generally recognised that synaptic plasticity is an important basis for functional repair after brain injury. This study protocol aims to examine the corticocortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) for inducing synaptic plasticity to rescue the paralysed after stroke.

Methods and analysis

The current study is designed as a 14-week double-blind randomised sham-controlled clinical trial, composed of 2-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. For the study, 42 patients who had a stroke aged 40–70 will be recruited, who are randomly assigned either to the ccPAS intervention group, or to the control group at a 1:1 ratio, hence an equal number each. In the intervention group, ccPAS is practised in conjunction with the conventional rehabilitation treatment, and in the control group, the conventional rehabilitation treatment is administered with sham stimulation. A total of 10 interventions will be made, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. The same assessors are supposed to evaluate the participants’ motor function at four time points of the baseline (before 10 interventions), treatment ending (after 10 interventions), and two intervals of follow-up (1 and 3 months later, respectively). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity is used for the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes include changes in the assessment of Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional MRI data. The adverse events are to be recorded throughout the study.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Yueyang Hospital. All ethical work was performed in accordance with the Helsinki declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Study findings will be disseminated in the printed media.

Trial registration number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000036685.
Impact of COVID-19 on people with asthma: a mixed methods analysis from a UK wide survey
Authors: Philip Keir Elmslie James , Buttery Sara , Williams Parris , Vijayakumar Bavithra , Tonkin James , Cumella Andrew , Renwick Lottie , Ogden Lizzie , Quint Jennifer K , Johnston Sebastian L , Polkey Michael I , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The impact of acute COVID-19 on people with asthma appears complex, being moderated by multiple interacting disease-specific, demographic and environmental factors. Research regarding longer-term effects in this group is limited. We aimed to assess impacts of COVID-19 and predictors of persistent symptoms, in people with asthma.

Methods

Using data from an online UK-wide survey of 4500 people with asthma (median age 50–59 years, 81% female), conducted in October 2020, we undertook a mixed methods analysis of the characteristics and experience of those reporting having had COVID-19.

Results

The COVID-19 group (n=471, 10.5%) reported increased inhaler use and worse asthma management, compared with those not reporting COVID-19, but did not differ by gender, ethnicity or household income. Among the COVID-19 group, 56.1% reported having long COVID, 20.2% were ‘unsure’. Those with long COVID were more likely than those without long COVID to describe: their breathing as worse or much worse after their initial illness (73.7% vs 34.8%, p<0.001), increased inhaler use (67.8% vs 34.8%, p<0.001) and worse or much worse asthma management (59.6% vs 25.6%, p<0.001). Having long COVID was not associated with age, gender, ethnicity, UK nation or household income.

Analysis of free text survey responses identified three key themes: (1) variable COVID-19 severity, duration and recovery; (2) symptom overlap and interaction between COVID-19 and asthma; (3) barriers to accessing healthcare.

Conclusions

Persisting symptoms are common in people with asthma following COVID-19. Measures are needed to ensure appropriate healthcare access including clinical evaluation and investigation, to distinguish between COVID-19 symptoms and asthma.
Use of short-acting beta agonists in the treatment of asthma across five European countries
Authors: Panagiotis Pavlou , Congleton Jo
Published: January 2022

Commentary on:Janson C, Menzies-Gow A, Nan C,et al. SABINA: an overview of short-acting β2-agonist use in asthma in European countries.Adv Ther. 2020;37:1124–35.

Series co-ordinator:Dr Teck Khong, DTB Associate Editor Clinical Pharmacology, St George’s, University of London, UK
Night shift work and lymphoma: results from an Italian multicentre case–control study
Authors: Cocco Pierluigi , Piro Sara , Meloni Federico , Montagna Andrea , Pani Michele , Pilia Ilaria , Padoan Marina , Miligi Lucia , Magnani Corrado , Gambelunghe Angela , Muzi Giacomo , Ferri Giovanni Maria , Vimercati Luigi , Zanotti Roberta , Scarpa Aldo , Zucca Mariagrazia , Latte Gian Carlo , Angelucci Emanuele , De Matteis Sara , Puligheddu Monica
Published: January 2022

Background

Night shift work can disrupt circadian rhythm and cause chronic sleep deprivation, which might increase the risk of lymphoma through immunosuppression and oxidative stress.

Material and methods

We investigated the association between night shift work and risk of lymphoma subtypes in 867 incident cases and 774 controls, who participated in a multicentre Italian study between 2011 and 2017. Based on questionnaire information, occupational experts assessed the lifetime probability of night shift work, the total number of night shifts and years of night shift work among study participants. OR and 95% CI for lymphoma and its major subtypes associated with night shift work was calculated with logistic regression, adjusting by age, gender, education, study area, marital status and family history of haemolymphatic cancer.

Results

Ever working night shifts was associated with an increase in the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.32), which was highest after a 15–34 years latency. However, there was not a linear increase in risk by probability of exposure, years of night shift work, nor lifetime number of night shifts whether under rotating or permanent work schedules. Risk of lymphoma overall, B cell lymphoma (BCL), its major subtypes other than CLL, and other less prevalent BCL subtypes combined did not show an association.

Conclusions

We found conflicting evidence of an association between night shift work and the risk of CLL. We did not observe an association with other lymphoma subtypes.
Genetic testing in motor neurone disease
Authors: Dharmadasa Thanuja , Scaber Jakub , Edmond Evan , Marsden Rachael , Thompson Alexander , Talbot Kevin , Turner Martin R
Published: January 2022

A minority (10%–15%) of cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND), are currently attributable to pathological variants in a single identifiable gene. With the emergence of new therapies targeting specific genetic subtypes of ALS, there is an increasing role for routine genetic testing for all those with a definite diagnosis. However, potential harm to both affected individuals and particularly to asymptomatic relatives can arise from the indiscriminate use of genetic screening, not least because of uncertainties around incomplete penetrance and variants of unknown significance. The most common hereditary cause of ALS, an intronic hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72, may be associated with frontotemporal dementia independently within the same pedigree. The boundary of what constitutes a possible family history of MND has therefore extended to include dementia and associated psychiatric presentations. Notwithstanding the important role of clinical genetics specialists, all neurologists need a basic understanding of the current place of genetic testing in MND, which holds lessons for other neurological disorders.
Effects of microbially induced carbonate precipitation on diffuse double layer and particle fabric of oil sands fine tailings
Authors: Liu Qianwen , Montoya Brina M.
Published: January 2022

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable biological process that catalyzes carbonate mineral precipitation within geomaterials. This study evaluates the performance and mechanisms of the MICP treatment for flocculating the oil sands fine tailings (FT). Column tests showed that the untreated FT did not decant during the 31 days. However, the MICP technique shortened the dewatering process. To elucidate the mechanisms of the MICP-induced flocculation of the FT, the diffuse double layer (DDL) thickness and microstructure of the specimens were evaluated. Three chemical equilibrium scenarios that gradually considered the MICP-biochemical reactions were explored to analyze the change of the DDL thickness. The results showed that increasing of ionic strength by urea hydrolysis decreased the DDL thickness. The fabric observation indicated that the specimens with the most calcium carbonate precipitation had the densest fabric. In summary, the MICP technique densified the fabric of FT via the ureolysis process and precipitating minerals.
Gravitational decoupling of generalized Horndeski hybrid stars
Authors: da Rocha Roldao
Published: January 2022

Gravitational decoupled compact polytropic hybrid stars are here addressed in generalized Horndeski scalar-tensor gravity. Additional physical properties of hybrid stars are scrutinized and discussed in the gravitational decoupling setup. The asymptotic value of the mass function, the compactness, and the effective radius of gravitational decoupled hybrid stars are studied for both cases of a bosonic and a fermionic prevalent core. These quantities are presented and discussed as functions of Horndeski parameters, the decoupling parameter, the adiabatic index, and the polytropic constant. Important corrections to general relativity and generalized Horndeski scalar-tensor gravity, induced by the gravitational decoupling, comply with available observational data. Particular cases involving white dwarfs, boson stellar configurations, neutron stars, and Einstein–Klein–Gordon solutions, formulated in the gravitational decoupling context, are also scrutinized.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A critical assessment of extreme events trends in times of global warming
Authors: Alimonti Gianluca , Mariani Luigi , Prodi Franco , Ricci Renato Angelo
Published: January 2022

This article reviews recent bibliography on time series of some extreme weather events and related response indicators in order to understand whether an increase in intensity and/or frequency is detectable. The most robust global changes in climate extremes are found in yearly values of heatwaves (number of days, maximum duration and cumulated heat), while global trends in heatwave intensity are not significant. Daily precipitation intensity and extreme precipitation frequency are stationary in the main part of the weather stations. Trend analysis of the time series of tropical cyclones show a substantial temporal invariance and the same is true for tornadoes in the USA. At the same time, the impact of warming on surface wind speed remains unclear. The analysis is then extended to some global response indicators of extreme meteorological events, namely natural disasters, floods, droughts, ecosystem productivity and yields of the four main crops (maize, rice, soybean and wheat). None of these response indicators show a clear positive trend of extreme events. In conclusion on the basis of observational data, the climate crisis that, according to many sources, we are experiencing today, is not evident yet. It would be nevertheless extremely important to define mitigation and adaptation strategies that take into account current trends.
Advances in Anti-Osteoporosis Polysaccharides Derived from Medicinal Herbs and Other Edible Substances
Authors: Zhao Zefeng , Nian Meng , Lv Hong , Yue Jiangxin , Qiao Haifa , Yang Xiaohang , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: January 2022

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease, and treatment is required for the prevention of low bone mass, deterioration of microstructural bone tissue, and fragility fractures. Osteoporosis therapy includes calcium, vitamin D, and drugs with antiresorptive or anabolic action on the bone. Therapy for osteoporosis does not include taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), but pain associated with osteoporotic fractures can be treated by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Recently, polysaccharides extracted from medicinal herbs and edible substances (PsMHES) have attracted attention on account of their safety and promising anti-osteoporosis effects, whereas a systematic review about their potential in anti-osteoporosis is vacant to date. Herein, we reviewed the recent progress of PsMHES with anti-osteoporosis activities, looking to introduce the advances in the various pharmacological mechanisms and targets involved in the anti-osteoporosis effects, extraction methods, main mechanism involved in Wnt/[Formula: see text]-catenin pathways and RANKL (Receptor Activator for NF[Formula: see text]B ligand or TNFSF25) pathways, and Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) analysis of PsMHES. Typical herbs likeAchyranthes bidentate and Morinda officinalis used for the treatment of osteoporosis are introduced; their traditional uses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are discussed in this paper as well. This review will help to the recognition of the value of PsMHES in anti-osteoporosis and provide guidance for the research and development of new anti-osteoporosis agents in clinic.
VLSs: A Local Search Algorithm for Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems
Authors: Li Fukui , He Jingyuan , Zhou Mingliang , Fang Bin
Published: January 2022

Local search algorithms are widely applied in solving large-scale distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP). Distributed stochastic algorithm (DSA) is a typical local search algorithm to solve DCOP. However, DSA has some drawbacks including easily falling into local optima and the unfairness of assignment choice. This paper presents a novel local search algorithm named VLSs to solve the issues. In VLSs, sampling according to the probability corresponding to assignment is introduced to enable each agent to choose other promising values. Besides, each agent alternately performs a greedy choice among multiple parallel solutions to reduce the chance of falling into local optima and a variance adjustment mechanism to guide the search into a relatively good initial solution in a periodic manner. We give the proof of variance adjustment mechanism rationality and theoretical explanation of impact of greed among multiple parallel solutions. The experimental results show the superiority of VLSs over state-of-the-art DCOP algorithms.
Towards a mathematical theory of behavioral human crowds
Authors: Bellomo Nicola , Gibelli Livio , Quaini Annalisa , Reali Alessandro
Published: January 2022

The first part of our paper presents a general survey on the modeling, analytic problems, and applications of the dynamics of human crowds, where the specific features of living systems are taken into account in the modeling approach. This critical analysis leads to the second part which is devoted to research perspectives on modeling, analytic problems, multiscale topics which are followed by hints towards possible achievements. Perspectives include the modeling of social dynamics, multiscale problems and a detailed study of the link between crowds and swarms modeling.
ANALYSIS OF THE FLOW OF BRINKMAN-TYPE NANOFLUID USING GENERALIZED FOURIER’S AND FICK’S LAWS
Authors: SHEIKH NADEEM AHMAD , CHING DENNIS LING CHUAN , SAKIDIN HAMZAH BIN , KHAN ILYAS
Published: January 2022

The enhancement of the working ability of the industrial fluid is the need of the present era; nanofluid is an emerging field in science and technology. In this study, the Brinkman-type fluid model is used and is generalized using the Fourier’s and Fick’s laws. The graphene oxide nanoparticles are dispersed in the base fluid water. The fractional partial differential equations are then solved via the Laplace and Fourier transform method. The obtained solutions for velocity, heat transfer, and mass transfer are plotted in graphs. The results show that velocity profile decreases for Brinkman-type fluid parameter and volume fraction of the nanoparticles. The plot for the fractional parameter shows that different plots can be drawn for a fixed time and other physical parameters, which is the memory effect.
First theoretical probe for alkynyl bridged thiophene modified coumarin nonlinear optical materials with D-π-A and A-π-D-π-A structures
Authors: Li Shanggeng , Zhu Fanghua , Zhou Yawen , Hu Jiaming , Li Jing , Li Ning , Zhang Shuai , He Zhibing , Zhang Lin
Published: January 2022

First-principles exploration is very important to molecular design. In this study, geometric structure, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), energy levels, polar moment, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy of eight novel and different alkynyl bridged thiophene modified coumarin nonlinear optical molecules with [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] structures had been studied by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations within B3LYP hybrid functional using 6-31 [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] Gaussian type molecular-orbital basis set. This has guiding significance for the design of nonlinear optical molecules and the development of coumarin-based photoelectric molecules.
Brauer–Clifford Group of Lie–Rinehart Algebras
Authors: Guédénon Thomas
Published: January 2022

In this paper we define the notion of Brauer–Clifford group for [Formula: see text]-Azumaya algebras when [Formula: see text] is a commutative algebra and[Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-Lie algebra over a commutative ring [Formula: see text]. This is the situation that arises in applications having connections to differential geometry. This Brauer–Clifford group turns out to be an example of a Brauer group of a symmetric monoidal category.
Statistical Method of Deducting Activation Energies for the Steam Methane Reforming Reactions
Authors: Nikitin M. N. , Pashchenko D.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a method of deducting activation energies for heterogeneous reactions of steam methane reforming is presented. The essence of the method lies in iterative evaluation of kinetic parameters, namely activation energies of reactions, for a given reactor. The novelty of the method lies in utilizing a statistical approach to reduce computational effort of numerical simulation. The method produces multivariable correlations between activation energies and operational parameters of the process: pressure, temperature, steam-to-methane ratio, residence time, and catalyst properties. These correlations can be used for numerical simulations of steam methane reforming to yield methane conversion rate, spatial and temporal distribution of reaction products, temperature and pressure within the reactor. An average computational effort is equal to a batch of 18 ([Formula: see text]) simulations for [Formula: see text] variables. The method was demonstrated by evaluating two-variable correlations of activation energies with pressure and temperature. The developed numerical model was validated against adopted experimental data.
Dual-Stream Guided-Learning via
a Priori
Optimization for Person Re-identification
Authors: Wu Junyi , Huang Yan , Wu Qiang , Gao Zhipeng , Zhao Jianqiang , Huang Liqin
Published: January 2022

The task of person re-identification (re-ID) is to find the same pedestrian across non-overlapping camera views. Generally, the performance of person re-ID can be affected by background clutter. However, existing segmentation algorithms cannot obtain perfect foreground masks to cover the background information clearly. In addition, if the background is completely removed, some discriminative ID-related cues (i.e., backpack or companion) may be lost. In this article, we design a dual-stream network consisting of a Provider Stream (P-Stream) and a Receiver Stream (R-Stream). The R-Stream performs an
a priori
optimization operation on foreground information. The P-Stream acts as a pusher to guide the R-Stream to concentrate on foreground information and some useful ID-related cues in the background. The proposed dual-stream network can make full use of the
a priori
optimization and guided-learning strategy to learn encouraging foreground information and some useful ID-related information in the background. Our method achieves Rank-1 accuracy of 95.4% on Market-1501, 89.0% on DukeMTMC-reID, 78.9% on CUHK03 (labeled), and 75.4% on CUHK03 (detected), outperforming state-of-the-art methods.
Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Chen Valerie , Li Jeffrey , Kim Joon Sik , Plumb Gregory , Talwalkar Ameet
Published: January 2022

The emergence of machine learning as a society-changing technology in the past decade has triggered concerns about people's inability to understand the reasoning of increasingly complex models. The field of IML (interpretable machine learning) grew out of these concerns, with the goal of empowering various stakeholders to tackle use cases, such as building trust in models, performing model debugging, and generally informing real human decision-making.
Assessing the Impact of the Violence Against Women Act
Authors: Goodmark Leigh
Published: January 2022

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been hailed as the federal government's signature legislation responding to gender-based violence. VAWA, passed in 1994 and reauthorized three times since then, has created several new programs and protections for victims of gender-based violence. VAWA is, however, primarily a funding bill and what it primarily funds is the criminal legal system. But the criminal legal response to gender-based violence has not been effective in decreasing rates of gender-based violence or deterring violence. A VAWA that discontinued funding for the criminal legal system and instead focused on economics, prevention, and community-based resources—a noncarceral VAWA—could better meet the needs of victims of gender-based violence and target the underlying causes of that violence.
Modeling the metabolic reductions of a passive back-support exoskeleton
Authors: Alemi Mohammad Mehdi , Simon Athulya A. , Geissinger Jack , Asbeck Alan T.
Published: January 2022

We present a new model of the metabolic cost of repetitive lifting, and how that is affected by wearing a passive back support exoskeleton. We compute the effective biomechanical efficiencies of moving the body and a carried load during lifting, and determine the effect of an exoskeleton’s efficiency on its metabolic reduction. This model is useful for understanding the effects of exoskeletons on the body and for designing future exoskeletons.
Determination of the Chemical Stability of Cyanocobalamin in Medical Food by a Validated Immunoaffinity Column-Linked HPLC Method
Authors: Lee Wonjong , Lee Yoon-Bok , Huh Moon Haeng , Choi Jae Kwon
Published: January 2022

Cyanocobalamin, which plays an essential role in the body, is a synthetic form used in medical food. This present study aimed to develop an HPLC analysis method for determination cyanocobalamin and investigate the stability of cyanocobalamin in medical food. Validation of the developed method for cyanocobalamin was evaluated with linearity, LOD, LOQ, and accuracy. The linearity of this method was calculated with a value of the coefficient of determination (R2) ≥ 0.999. LOD and LOQ were 0.165 and 0.499 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery of medical food matrixes for accuracy was more than 97.63%. The validated method was applied for determining cyanocobalamin from medical foods. The developed method was used to examine the additives for cyanocobalamin protection. Ferric chloride and sorbitol alleviated cyanocobalamin degradation from heat and ascorbic acid. Especially, sorbitol showed a superior protective effect during the medical food production process. Therefore, this study suggests that sorbitol is a sweetener additive that prevents cyanocobalamin degradation by heat and the food matrix in medical food processing.
Identification of Therapeutic Targets and Prognostic Biomarkers among Genes from the Mediator Complex Family in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumour-Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Tan Wei , Peng Shuai , Li Zhuokai , Zhang Ruiqian , Xiao Yangrui , Chen Xiao , Zhu Jinde , Li Bingrong , Lv Xinliang
Published: January 2022

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is predominant among all types of primary liver cancers characterised by high morbidity and mortality. Genes in the mediator complex (MED) family are engaged in the tumour-immune microenvironment and function as regulatory hubs mediating carcinogenesis and progression across diverse cancer types. Whereas research studies have been conducted to examine the mechanisms in several cancers, studies that systematically focused on the therapeutic and prognostic values of MED in patients with HCC are limited. Methods. The online databases ONCOMINE, GEPIA, UALCAN, GeneMANIA, cBioPortal, OmicStudio, STING, Metascape, and TIMER were used in this study. Results. The transcriptional levels of all members of the MED family in HCC presented an aberrant high expression pattern. Significant correlations were found between the MED1, MED6, MED8, MED10, MED12, MED15, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED23, MED24, MED25, MED26, and MED27 expression levels and the pathological stage in the patients with HCC. The patients with high expression levels of MED6, MED8, MED10, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the members of the MED family were mainly enriched in the nucleobase-containing compound catabolic process, regulation of chromosome organisation, and transcriptional regulation by TP53. Significant correlations were found between the MED6, MED8, MED10, MED17, MED19, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 expression levels and all types of immune cells (B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells). B cells and MED8 were independent predictors of overall survival. We found significant correlations between the somatic copy number alterations of the MED6, MED8, MED10, MED20, MED21, MED22, MED24, and MED25 molecules and the abundance of immune infiltrates. Conclusions. Our study delineated a thorough landscape to investigate the therapeutic and prognostic potentials of the MED family for HCC cases, which yielded promising results for the development of immunotherapeutic drugs and construction of a prognostic stratification model.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) toward Cervical Cancer Screening among Adama Science and Technology University Female Students, Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Almaz , Tafa Segni Mesfin , Demissie Hailu Fekadu
Published: January 2022

Background. Cervical cancer is a complication of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Eighty percent of the cases occur in low-resource countries. According to the 2009 World Health Organization report, the age-adjusted incidence rate of cervical cancer in Ethiopia was 35.9 per 100,000 patients with 7619 annual number of new cases and 60-81 deaths every year. The study is aimed at assessing the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning cervical cancer among female students at Adama Science and Technology University. Methodology. An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 667Adama Science and Technology University female students. A simple random sampling method was used to select the respondents. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results. About 404 (60.6%) of the participants heard about cervical cancer, 478 (71.7%) had positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening, and only 15 (2.2%) participants were screened for cervical cancer. Lack of information about cervical cancer was the most reported reason for not attending to cervical cancer screening. Conclusion and Recommendation. The study showed that there was low knowledge on cervical cancer and screening for premalignant lesion among women. There is a need to promote and encourage women to early cervical cancer screening at precancerous stage by informing their susceptibility to cervical cancer.
Network Pharmacology Prediction: The Possible Mechanisms of Cinobufotalin against Osteosarcoma
Authors: Chen Riyu , Guan Zeyi , Zhong Xianxing , Zhang Wenzheng , Zhang Ya
Published: January 2022

Objective. To explore the active compounds and targets of cinobufotalin (huachansu) compared with the osteosarcoma genes to obtain the potential therapeutic targets and pharmacological mechanisms of action of cinobufotalin on osteosarcoma through network pharmacology. Methods. The composition of cinobufotalin was searched by literature retrieval, and the target was selected from the CTD and TCMSP databases. The osteosarcoma genes, found from the GeneCards, OMIM, and other databases, were compared with the cinobufotalin targets to obtain potential therapeutic targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of potential therapeutic targets, constructed through the STRING database, was inputted into Cytoscape software to calculate the hub genes, using the NetworkAnalyzer. The hub genes were inputted into the Kaplan-Meier Plotter online database for exploring the survival curve. Functional enrichment analysis was identified using the DAVID database. Results. 28 main active compounds of cinobufotalin were explored, including bufalin, adenosine, oleic acid, and cinobufagin. 128 potential therapeutic targets on osteosarcoma are confirmed among 184 therapeutic targets form cinobufotalin. The hub genes included TP53, ACTB, AKT1, MYC, CASP3, JUN, TNF, VEGFA, HSP90AA1, and STAT3. Among the hub genes, TP53, ACTB, MYC, TNF, VEGFA, and STAT3 affect the patient survival prognosis of sarcoma. Through function enrichment analysis, it is found that the main mechanisms of cinobufotalin on osteosarcoma include promoting sarcoma apoptosis, regulating the cell cycle, and inhibiting proliferation and differentiation. Conclusion. The possible mechanisms of cinobufotalin against osteosarcoma are preliminarily predicted through network pharmacology, and further experiments are needed to prove these predictions.