bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of on‐site application density on the UV protection efficacy of sunscreens
Authors: Fujiwara Rumiko , Muta Keiko , Izutsu Yukiko , Hatao Masato
Published: October 2021

Background

Sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA protection factor (UVAPF) are performance indicators consumers recognize for UV protective cosmetics such as sunscreens. However, on‐site application density affects actual UV protection, despite these indicators. To understand actual UV protection better, a more reliable manner is needed to verify application density for further discussion of photoprotection efficacy regarding public health.

Objectives

To estimate the UV protective efficacy of sunscreen in actual use based on the application density of UV protective cosmetics and the analysis of UV protective effect modulated by application density.

Method

The subjects applied the SPF‐labeled sunscreens as usual. We measured the application amount and area including any amount on their hands to calculate the average application density on the face. Also, sunscreens were applied at densities of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/cm2. The SPF values were measured at each application site to evaluate the effect of application density on photoprotection efficacy.

Result

We established a method of measuring application density utilizing three‐dimensional photograph analysis. The median application density of the sunscreen applied in actual use was 1.33 mg/cm2. The measured SPF values decreased in association with the decreased application density of sunscreens. Based on the estimate assuming the first‐order correlation, the SPF value required to get the protective effect equivalent to a sunscreen with SPF 15, 30, or 50 at 2 mg/cm2 was calculated to be 23.8, 47.5, and 79.2, respectively, with the application density of 1.33 mg/cm2.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a reasonable procedure for estimating the photoprotection efficacy of sunscreens on the face. A suggestion was made to consider the application density for further discussion of photoprotection among consumers, especially for the long term with respect to public health.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of winter yaks in plateau and plain
Authors: Wang Jiabo , Guan Jiuqiang , Yixi Kangzhu , Shu Tao , Chai Zhixin , Wang Jikun , Wang Hui , Wu Zhijuan , Cai Xin , Zhong Jincheng , Luo Xiaolin
Published: October 2021

The yak is an important source for the people living and ecological environment in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In every winter, many domestic yaks will lose bodyweight or dead under cold and food scarcity. Moving the plateau yaks to farm in the plain is a useful approach to reduce their environmental stress and gain more production. In this study, we measured growth, slaughter and beef quality traits every month and sequenced mRNA expression levels of muscles of two groups yaks living in plateau and plain respectively. We found there is significant difference (p‐value <0.01) in the third (60 days), fourth (90 days), fifth (120 days) and sixth (150 days) weights between subpopulations in the plateau and plain. We identified 540 different expressed genes (DEGs) including 123 known genes and 417 unknown genes. Using the weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to build a co‐express network, the modules were strong relative to weight traits. The findings highlighted the underlying way and a relative network to yield a new view about gene expression between the yaks living plateau and plain.
A conceptual model for automating spatial network analysis
Authors: Scheider Simon , de Jong Tom
Published: October 2021

Spatial network analysis is a collection of methods for measuring accessibility potentials as well as for analyzing flows over transport networks. Though it has been part of the practice of geographic information systems for a long time, designing network analytical workflows still requires a considerable amount of expertise. In principle, artificial intelligence methods for workflow synthesis could be used to automate this task. This would improve the (re)usability of analytic resources. However, though underlying graph algorithms are well understood, we still lack a conceptual model that captures the required methodological know‐how. The reason is that in practice this know‐how goes beyond graph theory to a significant extent. In this article we suggest interpreting spatial networks in terms of quantified relations between spatial objects, where both the objects themselves and their relations can be quantified in an extensive or an intensive manner. Using this model, it becomes possible to effectively organize data sources and network functions towards common analytical goals for answering questions. We tested our model on 12 analytical tasks, and evaluated automatically synthesized workflows with network experts. Results show that standard data models are insufficient for answering questions, and that our model adds information crucial for understanding spatial network functionality.
Review of the invasive forage Grass, Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus): Ecology and potential impacts in arid and semi‐arid regions
Authors: Soti Pushpa , Thomas Vanessa
Published: October 2021

Several introduced African grasses are known to present recurring patterns of invasiveness and cause a severe impact on the diversity and functioning of ecosystems worldwide. Megathyrsus maximus (Guinea grass), a forage grass species native to South Africa, is reported to be highly invasive and pose a serious threat to native biodiversity in the introduced range. Despite the severe ecological threats posed by M. maximus worldwide, there is a dearth of information on the ecological and agroecological impact of M. maximus when growing in unintended areas. In this review, we present general information on M. maximus, its distribution and ecological threats it poses, particularly in arid and semi‐arid regions. We highlight the gaps in current knowledge on the impact on recipient communities, challenges in effective management, and potential impacts due to climate change, particularly changes in rainfall patterns. We also stress the need for public awareness about the threats posed by M. maximus to prevent its invasion in unintended areas.
Experimental and numerical investigation of standing-wave thermoacoustic instability under transcritical temperature conditions
Authors: Martinez Ariana , Migliorino Mario Tindaro , Scalo Carlo , Heister Stephen D.
Published: October 2021

This manuscript describes an experimental and numerical investigation of transcritical thermoacoustic instability in a standing-wave setup using the refrigerant octafluoropropane (R-218) as the working fluid. Thermoacoustic instability is excited by two microtube heat exchangers separated by a vacuum-jacketed microtube stack. R-218 is allowed to flow axially through the microtubes into a closed resonator while heating and cooling fluids flow radially over the microtubes to create a temperature gradient. The fluid achieved pressure amplitudes up to 669 kPa (97 psi) at a temperature difference ΔT=Thot−Tcold of 150 K and a base pressure, P0, of 1.3 times the critical pressure (3.43 MPa). The high pressure amplitudes obtained are attributed to the strong density variations near the critical point of the working fluid. The thermoacoustic response was characterized in a set of parametric studies in which ΔT, base pressure, and resonator length were varied. A modeling approach based on linearized Navier–Stokes equations reproduces the experimental results with fair agreement. This work demonstrates promising application of transcritical working fluids to thermoacoustic engines as devices for energy extraction and waste heat removal.
Indoors audio classification with structure image method for simulating multi-room acoustics
Authors: Shalev Erez , Cohen Israel , Lvov Dmitri
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we introduce an extension of the image method for generating room impulse responses in a structure with more than a single confined space, namely, the structure image method (StIM). The proposed method, StIM, can efficiently generate a large number of environmental examples for a structure impulse response, which is required by current deep-learning methods for many tasks, while maintaining low computational complexity. We address the integration of the environment representation, produced by StIM, into the training process, and present a framework for training deep models. We demonstrate the usage of StIM when training an audio classification model and testing with real recordings acquired by accessible day-to-day devices. StIM shows promising results for indoors audio classification, where the target sound source is not located in the same room as the microphones. StIM enables large scale simulations of multi-room acoustics with low computational complexity which is mostly beneficial for training of deep learning networks.
Ambient noise under stably covered ice
Authors: Sheng Xueli , Dong Chaoping , Guo Longxiang , Yin Jingwei
Published: October 2021

Sea ice and freshwater ice can be different in terms of physical and acoustic characteristics, such as density, salinity, etc. In this paper, under-ice ambient noise in the Mudan river (Jilin Province, Northeast of China) is analyzed using the data recorded by autonomous hydrophones to test if the river ice environment is an effective analog for studying under-ice noise of multi-year ice sheets in the Arctic. The noise spectrum level below 250 Hz and above 1 kHz decreases linearly with the increase in the logarithmic frequency in a quiet environment. The ice cracks are detected and extracted, and Pearson correlation analysis between meteorological information and cracks is carried out. Frequency correlation matrixes are calculated to obtain the correlation between pairs of frequencies and evaluate the frequency correlation of ice crack noise of two hydrophones under different depths, different distances, and different times. Finally, the paper compares the experimental results with Arctic under-ice noise in the literature. Similarities with Arctic under-ice noise are observed in the experiment, including noise spectrum, cracks' peak frequency, and correlations between temperature and crack intensity. This paper believes that the study of under-ice noise in freshwater rivers can be used to simulate multi-year ice regions in the Arctic in terms of thermal-induced cracks and meteorological correlation. And future research is needed to prove this judgment further.
A Transparent Method for Step Detection Using an Acceleration Threshold
Authors: Ducharme Scott W. , Lim Jongil , Busa Michael A. , Aguiar Elroy J. , Moore Christopher C. , Schuna John M. , Barreira Tiago V. , Staudenmayer John , Chipkin Stuart R. , Tudor-Locke Catrine
Published: October 2021

Step-based metrics provide simple measures of ambulatory activity, yet device software either includes undisclosed proprietary step detection algorithms or simply does not compute step-based metrics. We aimed to develop and validate a simple algorithm to accurately detect steps across various ambulatory and nonambulatory activities. Seventy-five adults (21–39 years) completed seven simulated activities of daily living (e.g., sitting, vacuuming, folding laundry) and an incremental treadmill protocol from 0.22 to 2.2 m/s. Directly observed steps were hand-tallied. Participants wore GENEActiv and ActiGraph accelerometers, one of each on their waist and on their nondominant wrist. Raw acceleration (g) signals from the anterior–posterior, medial–lateral, vertical, and vector magnitude directions were assessed separately for each device. Signals were demeaned across all activities and band-pass filtered (0.25, 2.5 Hz). Steps were detected via peak picking, with optimal thresholds (i.e., minimized absolute error from accumulated hand counted) determined by iterating minimum acceleration values to detect steps. Step counts were converted into cadence (steps/minute), and k-fold cross-validation quantified error (root mean squared error [RMSE]). We report optimal thresholds for use of either device on the waist (threshold = 0.0267g) and wrist (threshold = 0.0359g) using the vector magnitude signal. These thresholds yielded low error for the waist (RMSE < 173 steps, ≤2.28 steps/min) and wrist (RMSE < 481 steps, ≤6.47 steps/min) across all activities, and outperformed ActiLife’s proprietary algorithm (RMSE = 1,312 and 2,913 steps, 17.29 and 38.06 steps/min for the waist and wrist, respectively). The thresholds reported herein provide a simple, transparent framework for step detection using accelerometers during treadmill ambulation and activities of daily living for waist- and wrist-worn locations.
Validity of a Global Positioning System-Based Algorithm and Consumer Wearables for Classifying Active Trips in Children and Adults
Authors: Steel Chelsea , Crist Katie , Grimes Amanda , Bejarano Carolina , Ortega Adrian , Hibbing Paul R. , Schipperijn Jasper , Carlson Jordan A.
Published: October 2021

Objective: To investigate the convergent validity of a global positioning system (GPS)-based and two consumer-based measures with trip logs for classifying pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle trips in children and adults. Methods: Participants (N = 34) wore a Qstarz GPS tracker, Fitbit Alta, and Garmin vivosmart 3 on multiple days and logged their outdoor pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle trips. Logged trips were compared with device-measured trips using the Personal Activity Location Measurement System (PALMS) GPS-based algorithms, Fitbit’s SmartTrack, and Garmin’s Move IQ. Trip- and day-level agreement were tested. Results: The PALMS identified and correctly classified the mode of 75.6%, 94.5%, and 96.9% of pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle trips (84.5% of active trips, F1 = 0.84 and 0.87) as compared with the log. Fitbit and Garmin identified and correctly classified the mode of 26.8% and 17.8% (22.6% of active trips, F1 = 0.40 and 0.30) and 46.3% and 43.8% (45.2% of active trips, F1 = 0.58 and 0.59) of pedestrian and cycling trips. Garmin was more prone to false positives (false trips not logged). Day-level agreement for PALMS and Garmin versus logs was favorable across trip modes, though PALMS performed best. Fitbit significantly underestimated daily cycling. Results were similar but slightly less favorable for children than adults. Conclusions: The PALMS showed good convergent validity in children and adults and were about 50% and 27% more accurate than Fitbit and Garmin (based on F1). Empirically-based recommendations for improving PALMS’ pedestrian classification are provided. Since the consumer devices capture both indoor and outdoor walking/running and cycling, they are less appropriate for trip-based research.
Diagnostic Efficacy and Tolerability of Molded Plastic Nasopharyngeal Swab (FinSwab) Compared to Flocked Nylon Swab in Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Laine Miia , Ahti Jaakko , Peltola Ville , Peri Piritta , Hakanen Antti J. , Waris Matti
Published: October 2021

We demonstrate that a molded plastic swab is a valid alternative to conventional brush-like swabs in collection of a nasopharyngeal sample for virus diagnostics.
‘Dirty pigs’ and the xenotransplantation paradox
Authors: Haddow Gill
Published: October 2021

For almost the last 300 years human beings have sought to use organs from non-human animals to repair or replace their own failing organs. This procedure of intraspecies transplant is called xenotransplantation, and despite the continued attempts by researchers, it is yet to be successful. Experiments in xenotransplantation persist, however, partly based on the perceived biological similarities that exist between humans and non-human animals despite the success of xenotransplantation being hampered by the ability of the human body’s immune system to attack and therefore reject foreign material. In this article, I explore the sociocultural reactions to xenotransplantation which demonstrates that it is based on a paradox; although non-human animals and humans are thought to be biologically compatible orsimilar, many assume and emphasise just howdifferentwe are from non-human animals. These two positions of ‘same but different’ are arguably incompatible. I begin by reviewing social science research that demonstrates, despite some variation, a range of persistent concerns towards xenotransplantation including the consequences for personal identity should a person receive a non-human animal organ. I add to this body of work, findings from a mixed-method study involving focus groups and a representative survey with young adults to show that most people prefer to have their organs replaced by materials from their own body and non-human animals the least. These reactions sit within a broader context of a 'wisdom of repugnance' that is brought into existence when our classifications of what is thought to be natural or not is threatened.
Use of opioids for refractory dyspnoea in hospitalised patients with serious illness: a narrative review
Authors: Karlic Kevin J , Hummel Ellen K , Houchens Nathan , Meddings Jennifer
Published: October 2021

Refractory dyspnoea can be a challenging symptom to manage. Palliative care specialists are not always available for consultation, and while many clinicians may undergo training in palliative care, this education is not universal. Opioids are the most studied and prescribed pharmacological intervention for refractory dyspnoea; however, many clinicians hesitate to prescribe opioids due to regulatory concerns and fear of adverse effects. Current evidence suggests that rates of severe adverse effects, including respiratory depression and hypotension, are low when opioids are administered for refractory dyspnoea. Therefore, systemic, short-acting opioids are a recommended and safe option for the palliation of refractory dyspnoea in patients with serious illness, especially in a hospital setting that facilitates close observation. In this narrative review, we discuss the pathophysiology of dyspnoea; facilitate an evidence-based discussion on the concerns, considerations and complications associated with opioid administration for refractory dyspnoea; and describe one approach to managing refractory dyspnoea.
Using place-based characteristics to inform FDA tobacco sales inspections: results from a multilevel propensity score model
Authors: Dai Hongying , Henriksen Lisa , Xu Zheng , Rathnayake Nirosha
Published: October 2021

Background

Conducting routine inspections for compliance with age-of-sale laws is essential to reducing underage access to tobacco. We seek to develop a multilevel propensity score model (PSM) to predict retail violation of sales to minors (RVSM).

Methods

The Food and Drug Administration compliance check of tobacco retailers with minor-involved inspections from 2015 to 2019 (n=683 741) was linked with multilevel data for demographics and policies. Generalised estimating equation was used to develop the PSM using 2015–2016 data to predict the 2017 RVSM. The prediction accuracy of the PSM was validated by contrasting PSM deciles against 2018–2019 actual violation data.

Results

In 2017, 44.3% of 26 150 zip codes with ≥1 tobacco retailer had 0 FDA underage sales inspections, 11.0% had 1 inspection, 13.5% had 2–3, 15.3% had 4–9, and 15.9% had 10 or more. The likelihood of having an RVSM in 2017 was higher in zip codes with a lower number of inspections (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.988, 95% CI (0.987 to 0.990)) and penalties (aOR=0.97, 95% CI (0.95 to 0.99)) and a higher number of violations (aOR=1.07, 95% CI (1.06 to 1.08)) in the previous 2 years. Urbanicity, socioeconomic status, smoking prevalence and tobacco control policies at multilevels also predicted retail violations. Prediction accuracy was validated with zip codes with the highest 10% of the PSM 3.4 times more likely to have retail violations in 2019 than zip codes in the bottom decile.

Conclusion

The multilevel PSM predicts the RVSM with a good rank order of retail violations. The model-based approach can be used to identify hot spots of retail violations and improve the sampling plan for future inspections.
A new, “dwarfed” species of the phenacodontid “condylarth”Ectocionfrom the late Paleocene of Alberta, Canada, and its implications
Authors: Montellano-Ballesteros Marisol , Fox Richard C. , Scott Craig S.
Published: October 2021

A large collection of dentigerous jaws quarried from the Gao Mine locality, late Paleocene, Paskapoo Formation, central Alberta, Canada, documents a new species of the early Paleogene phenacodontid “condylarth” Ectocion Cope, 1882. The new species, Ectocion stockeyae, the smallest of the genus, occurs well before the abrupt global warming at the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum, an event purportedly causing the rapid evolution of “dwarfed” mammals, including a species of Ectocion; however, there is no evidence of increased temperatures at Gao Mine to account for the small size of Ectocion stockeyae, raising questions of the relationship between temperature and body size in Ectocion. Ectocion stockeyae also exhibits sexual dimorphism of the canines, a pattern in mammals often associated with a population structure in which the males are relatively few and polygynous, resulting in intense male rivalry for mating success. The sample of Ectocion stockeyae from Gao Mine includes a substantial majority of “juvenile” individuals retaining deciduous posterior premolars, many even after eruption of the molars had been completed, suggesting short life spans, accelerated growth, and rapid dental development in this species as expressed in Schultz’s Rule.
Ecosystem models and social balance from a synchronization perspective
Authors: Weinmann Hannah , Kułakowski Krzysztof , Borzì Alfio
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a connection between Heider social balance theory and synchronization patterns of a triad of oscillators is investigated. It is shown that the Heider and Kuramoto diagrams can be identified in a way that is consistent with the interpretation of cognitive states in Heider’s theory and with the behavior of coexisting species in a network of ecosystems. While most of this work focuses on networks with predefined fixed couplings, a preliminary investigation of an evolution model for the links of the network is presented, where a universal order parameter allows to formulate a feedback of the status of the oscillators to the coupling links.
The foundation of the hyperunified field theory II — Fundamental interaction and evolving universe
Authors: Wu Yue-Liang
Published: October 2021

In part I of the foundation of the hyperunified field theory, we have shown the presence of entangled hyperqubit-spinor field as fundamental building block with appearance of Minkowski hyper-space–time as free-motion space–time and emergence of inhomogeneous hyperspin symmetry as fundamental symmetry. In this paper as part II, we demonstrate by following along gauge invariance principle and scaling invariance hypothesis that the inhomogeneous hyperspin gauge symmetry and scaling gauge symmetry govern fundamental interactions and reveal the nature of gravity and space–time. With the fiber bundle structure of biframe hyper-space–time and emergence of noncommutative geometry, we explore methodically the gauge-geometry duality and genesis of gravitational interaction in locally flat gravigauge hyper-space–time. A whole hyperunified field theory in 19-dimensional hyper-space–time is established to unify not only all discovered leptons and quarks into hyperunified qubit-spinor field but also all known basic forces into hyperunified interaction governed by inhomogeneous hyperspin gauge symmetry. We present a systematic investigation on the hyperunified field theory by deriving the dynamics of fundamental fields as basic laws of nature and conservation laws relative to basic symmetries and showing Higgs-like bosons and three families of lepton–quark states. We provide a detailed analysis on inflationary early universe with evolving graviscalar field and a discussion on scaling gauge field as dark matter candidate and [Formula: see text]-spin scalar field as source of dark energy.
Group-Theoretic Bifurcation Mechanism of Economic Agglomerations on a Square Lattice
Authors: Kogure Y. , Ikeda K. , Aizawa H.
Published: October 2021

We elucidate the mechanism of the self-organization of square agglomeration patterns that are described by spatial economic models on a square lattice with periodic boundary conditions. Focusing on the symmetry of the square lattice, we conduct a group-theoretic analysis and obtain bifurcating patterns from the uniform distribution. Furthermore, for the replicator dynamics, which are widely used in economics, we pay attention to the existence of invariant patterns that are solutions to the governing equation for any value of the bifurcation parameter (the trade freeness for spatial economic models). We advance invariant patterns on the square lattice as candidates of stable equilibria. Using a prototype spatial economic model proposed by Forslid and Ottaviano [2003], we numerically show a tendency that bifurcating solutions arrive at invariant patterns after bifurcation. This tendency is advanced as the underlying mechanism of the progress of economic agglomerations that is to be considered in the study of spatial economic agglomerations.
The Number of Limit Cycles Bifurcating from a Quadratic Reversible Center
Authors: Liang Feng , Liu Yeqing , Chen Chong
Published: October 2021

By using the first order Melnikov function method with multiple parameters presented in [Han & Xiong, 2014], we prove that [Formula: see text] limit cycles can bifurcate from the quadratic reversible center [Formula: see text] under [Formula: see text]th degree polynomial perturbations for [Formula: see text]. Our result in this paper improves the existing lower bound on the maximal number of limit cycles bifurcating from quadratic reversible centers inside the polynomial differential systems of degree [Formula: see text] which is 4 (resp., [Formula: see text]) when [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]).
Exotic Bifurcations in Three Connected Populations with Allee Effect
Authors: Röst Gergely , Sadeghimanesh AmirHosein
Published: October 2021

We consider three connected populations with strong Allee effect, and give a complete classification of the steady state structure of the system with respect to the Allee threshold and the dispersal rate, describing the bifurcations at each critical point where the number of steady states change. One may expect that by increasing the dispersal rate between the patches, the system would become more well-mixed, hence simpler. However, we show that it is not always the case, and the number of steady states may (temporarily) go up by increasing the dispersal rate. Besides sequences of pitchfork and saddle-node bifurcations, we find triple-transcritical bifurcations and also a sun-ray shaped bifurcation where twelve steady states meet at a single point then disappear. The major tool of our investigations is a novel algorithm that decomposes the parameter space with respect to the number of steady states and finds the bifurcation values using cylindrical algebraic decomposition with respect to the discriminant variety of the polynomial system.
Ambient Backscatter Communication Design over DCSK Signals
Authors: Luo Ronghua , Yang Hua , Shi Hua , Lei Jun
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a novel ambient backscatter communication system is proposed, in which Differential Chaos Shift Keying (DCSK) modulation signals are adopted as ambient RF source. In order to cancel out the strong direct-link interference as well as reduce the noise impact, a joint design of modulation waveform and signal detector is proposed, and averaging operation is applied to suppress the noise. By comparing correlation values obtained from the reference and information-bearing signals, information bits can be recovered without setting the detection threshold, resulting in reduced detector complexity. The bit error rate (BER) expression over Rayleigh fading channel is derived. The effects of various parameters on the BER performance are also analyzed. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the advantages of the proposed system.
CATS: Customizable Abstractive Topic-based Summarization
Authors: Bahrainian Seyed Ali , Zerveas George , Crestani Fabio , Eickhoff Carsten
Published: October 2021

Neural sequence-to-sequence models are the state-of-the-art approach used in abstractive summarization of textual documents, useful for producing condensed versions of source text narratives without being restricted to using only words from the original text. Despite the advances in abstractive summarization, custom generation of summaries (e.g., towards a user’s preference) remains unexplored. In this article, we present
CATS,
an abstractive neural summarization model that summarizes content in a sequence-to-sequence fashion while also introducing a new mechanism to control the underlying latent topic distribution of the produced summaries. We empirically illustrate the efficacy of our model in producing customized summaries and present findings that facilitate the design of such systems. We use the well-known CNN/DailyMail dataset to evaluate our model. Furthermore, we present a transfer-learning method and demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in a low resource setting, i.e., abstractive summarization of meetings minutes, where combining the main available meetings’ transcripts datasets, AMI and
International Computer Science Institute(ICSI)
, results in merely a few hundred training documents.
Assessing internet software engineering, encouraging competitions
Authors: Sukhov Andrei , Buzruk Vivek S.
Published: October 2021

The
Communications
website, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
, we'll publish selected posts or excerpts.

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http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm

Andrei Sukhov considers the potential for reducing international tensions through competitive events, while Vivek S. Buzruk looks at the evolution of teaching Internet software engineering.
Filtering for beauty
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: October 2021

Social media "influencers" use augmented reality filtering apps to appear more beautiful, together, and cool. Results may vary.
Privacy engineering superheroes
Authors: Kissner Lea , Cranor Lorrie
Published: October 2021

Privacy engineers are essential to both preventing and responding to organizational privacy problems.
Pathogenesis, clinical features of asthma COPD overlap, and therapeutic modalities
Authors: Dey Surajit , Eapen Mathew Suji , Chia Collin , Gaikwad Archana Vijay , Wark Peter A. B. , Sohal Sukhwinder Singh
Published: October 2021

Both asthma and COPD are heterogeneous diseases identified by characteristic symptoms and functional abnormalities, with airway obstruction common in both diseases. Asthma COPD overlap (ACO) does not define a single disease but is a descriptive term for clinical use that includes several overlapping clinical phenotypes of chronic airways disease with different underlying mechanisms. This literature review was initiated to describe published studies, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose future research goals regarding the disease pathology of ACO, especially the airway remodeling changes and inflammation aspects. Airway remodeling occurs in asthma and COPD, but there are differences in the structures affected and the prime anatomic site at which they occur. Reticular basement membrane thickening and cellular infiltration with eosinophils and T-helper (CD4+) lymphocytes are prominent features of asthma. Epithelial squamous metaplasia, airway wall fibrosis, emphysema, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophilia, and (CD8+) T-cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltrations in the airway wall are features of COPD. There is no universally accepted definition of ACO, nor are there clearly defined pathological characteristics to differentiate from asthma and COPD. Understanding etiological concepts within the purview of inflammation and airway remodeling changes in ACO would allow better management of these patients.
Cell Proliferation and Tumor Induction by Ochratoxin A in Mouse Skin and Evaluation of Cyclin D1 and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expressions
Authors: Yang Sai , Wen Yajia
Published: October 2021

Motivation. Skin tumor is one of the frequent occurring forms of cancer where 2-3 million instances are reported worldwide. The ultraviolet rays along with the environmental pollutants and other contaminants can be the potential factors of skin cancer. Cyclin D1 is a serious gene included in controlling the development through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a naturally existing mycotoxin which majorly occurs in food like grains. It is responsible for producing the splitting of single-strand DNA and is identified to be cancer-causing. It is established as a critical risk factor towards reproductive health in both males and females. Methodology. A single dose of ochratoxin A was used for topical application for assessment of skin tumor promotion activity, hyperplasia, ornithine decarboxylase activity, and expression of cyclin D1 and COX-2 in mouse skin. Enhancement in the synthesis of DNA, activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, and overexpression of cyclin D1 and COX-2 were noted. Primary murine keratinocyte cell culture was cultured with Waymouth’s medium. Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of cyclin D1 and COX-2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to the association between AP-1 transcription and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) with COX-2 and cyclin D1 promoters. Results. The results found that cyclin D1 and COX-2 were responsible for stimulating OTA-induced PMK proliferation and hyperplasia. Implications. EGFR-mediated pathways were also responsible for tumor promotion due to OTA.
A Workflow Criticality-Based Approach to Bypass the Workflow Satisfiability Problem
Authors: Boughrous Monsef , El Bakkali Hanan
Published: October 2021

Workflow management systems are very important for any organization to manage and model complex business processes. However, significant work is needed to keep a workflow resilient and secure. Therefore, organizations apply a strict security policy and enforce access control constraints. As a result, the number of available and authorized users for the workflow execution decreases drastically. Thus, in many cases, such a situation leads to a workflow deadlock situation, where there no available authorized user-task assignments for critical tasks to accomplish the workflow execution. In the literature, this problem has gained interest of security researchers in the recent years, and is known as the workflow satisfiability problem (WSP). In this paper, we propose a new approach to bypass the WSP and to ensure workflow resiliency and security. For this purpose, we define workflow criticality, which can be used as a metric during run-time to prevent WSP. We believe that the workflow criticality value will help workflow managers to make decisions and start a mitigation solution in case of a critical workflow. Moreover, we propose a delegation process algorithm (DP) as a mitigation solution that uses workflow instance criticality, delegation, and priority concepts to find authorized and suitable users to perform the critical task with low-security risks.
Neuroprotective Effect of Moxibustion on Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Downregulating NR2B Expression
Authors: Di Zhong , Guo Qin , Zhang Quanai
Published: October 2021

Objective. Stroke is a common and frequently occurring disease of the central nervous system, which is characterized by high mortality and a high disability rate. Moxibustion is a common method for treating stroke in traditional Chinese medicine, but its neuroprotective mechanism is unknown. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Subunit 2B (NR2B) plays an important role in neuronal apoptosis. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of moxibustion on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury based on NR2B. Methods. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, I/R group, I/R + moxibustion group, I/R + Ro25-6981 (NR2B antagonist) group, and I/R + Ro25-6981 + moxibustion group. The cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Before the establishment of the model, the Ro25-6981 group received intraperitoneal injections of Ro25-6981, the moxibustion group received moxibustion, and the Ro25-6981 + moxibustion group received both interventions. The neurological dysfunction was evaluated by a neurological deficiency score (NDS). The infarct volume was examined by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) staining. The apoptosis rate of cerebral cells in the ischemic area was examined by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) staining, and the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 was observed by western blot. NR2B and JNK were also observed by western blot. Results. Compared with the I/R group, moxibustion significantly decreased the neurological deficiency score (

P

 < 0.05) and the infarct rate (

P

 < 0.01) in I/R rats which were similar to those in the Ro25-6981 group. After moxibustion treatment, there was a significant decrease in the apoptosis rate (

P

 < 0.001) and the protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, and JNK (

P

 < 0.001) and an increase in the expression of Bcl-2 (

P

 < 0.01). Compared with the I/R group, moxibustion downregulated the expression of NR2B and decreased the activity of NR2B in the cerebral ischemia area (

P

 < 0.001). Conclusions. Moxibustion can improve neurological dysfunction and decrease infarction area and neuronal apoptosis caused by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Its neuroprotective mechanism may be related to downregulating the expression of NR2B.
Construction of Rural Left-Behind Children’s Mental Health Mobile Information System Based on the Internet of Things
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan
Published: October 2021

Left-behind children, as a special phenomenon group stationed in rural areas, lack parents’ education and care for a long time and shoulder the burden of life early. Moreover, in rural areas with relatively closed information, their communication with their parents only relies on short-term telephone contact. If things go on like this, it may lead to mental health problems in children. In recent years, the group of left-behind children began to get the attention of the society. The social people want to help the left-behind children mainly through the information provided by the school, which cannot actually understand the real situation of the left-behind children, and the help to the left-behind children is only a drop in the bucket. Therefore, it is necessary to use the internet as a convenient and fast platform to build a mobile information system for the mental health of rural left-behind children, input the mental health of left-behind children, and pay attention to and track the left-behind children. This paper mainly studies the construction of the rural left-behind children’s mental health mobile information system based on the Internet of Things. This paper expounds the related concepts of the Internet of Things, which has a good connection effect on the construction of the left-behind children’s mental health mobile information system. Then, it analyzes the functional requirements of the rural left-behind children’s mental health mobile information system, in terms of design, the C/S model is used, the database in the data server is designed to analyze the mental health information management needs of left-behind children, and the data model is established by defining the key domains in the system. This paper also collects and sorts out the left-behind children’s mental health data through data mining technology, studies the factors affecting the left-behind children’s mental health, and clarifies the necessity of constructing the rural left-behind children’s mental health mobile information system and focuses on the observation objects. The results show that the evaluation factors of left-behind children’s mental health are significantly higher than those of non-left-behind children, and their mental health needs attention because left-behind children lack the care of their parents for a long time. The mental health status of left-behind children aged 7–12 is the most worrying, which is significantly different from other age groups in obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, paranoia, and mental illness. It may be because left-behind children aged 7–12 are in the development stage, they are not as ignorant as left-behind children aged 1–6, and they are not as mature as left-behind children aged 13–17.
Existence of Solutions for Superlinear Second-Order System with Noninstantaneous Impulses
Authors: Bu Yucheng
Published: October 2021

Variational methods are used in order to establish the existence of nontrivial weak solution for superlinear second-order system with noninstantaneous impulses. The main result is obtained when a kind of definition of the weak solution for this system is introduced. Meanwhile, an example is presented to illustrate the main result.
Inhibitory Effect of Phellinus baumii Extract on CFA-Induced Inflammation in MH-S Cells through Nuclear Factor-κB and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways
Authors: Ullah H. M. Arif , Lee Yuan Yee , Yun Bong-Sik , Kim Sung Dae , Rhee Man Hee
Published: October 2021

Phellinus baumii is a mushroom utilized as a traditional medicine for a wide range of human ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and cancer, in Asia. The purpose of this study was to find out whether Phellinus baumii extract (PBE) could reduce inflammation caused by coal fly ash (CFA) in alveolar macrophages (MH-S). The anti-inflammatory effect of PBE was evaluated by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) concentration after the onset of CFA-stimulated inflammation in MH-S cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to examine inflammatory gene expression. Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) studies were used to investigate the inflammatory mechanism in MH-S cells. According to our results, the PBE suppressed CFA-induced NO generation in the MH-S cells dose-dependently. Furthermore, PBE inhibited the proinflammatory mediators and cytokines generated by exposure to CFA, including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Real-time PCR was also used to determine the inhibiting effect of the PBE on proinflammatory factors such as COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, Western blot was used to assess the effects of the PBE on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the CFA-stimulated MH-S cells. The suppressive effect of the PBE on phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB translocation was also investigated using IF analysis. This study showed that the PBE suppressed the CFA-induced inflammation in the MH-S cells by suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, which suggests its potential usefulness in reducing lung inflammation.
On a Memristor-Based Hyperchaotic Circuit in the Context of Nonlocal and Nonsingular Kernel Fractional Operator
Authors: Rezapour Shahram , Deressa Chernet Tuge , Etemad Sina
Published: October 2021

Memristor is a nonlinear and memory element that has a future of replacing resistors for nonlinear circuit computation. It exhibits complex properties such as chaos and hyperchaos. A five-dimensional memristor-based circuit in the context of a nonlocal and nonsingular fractional derivative is considered for analysis. The Banach fixed point theorem and contraction principle are utilized to verify the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the five-dimensional system. A numerical method developed by Toufik and Atangana is used to get approximate solutions of the system. Local stability analysis is examined using the Matignon fractional-order stability criteria, and it is shown that the trivial equilibrium point is unstable. The Lyapunov exponents for different fractional orders exposed that the nature of the five-dimensional fractional-order system is hyperchaotic. Bifurcation diagrams are obtained by varying the fractional order and two of the parameters in the model. It is shown using phase-space portraits and time-series orbit figures that the system is sensitive to derivative order change, parameter change, and small initial condition change. Master-slave synchronization of the hyperchaotic system was established, the error analysis was made, and the simulation results of the synchronized systems revealed a strong correlation among themselves.
Deep Learning-Based Real-Time AI Virtual Mouse System Using Computer Vision to Avoid COVID-19 Spread
Authors: Shriram S. , Nagaraj B. , Jaya J. , Shankar S. , Ajay P.
Published: October 2021

The mouse is one of the wonderful inventions of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) technology. Currently, wireless mouse or a Bluetooth mouse still uses devices and is not free of devices completely since it uses a battery for power and a dongle to connect it to the PC. In the proposed AI virtual mouse system, this limitation can be overcome by employing webcam or a built-in camera for capturing of hand gestures and hand tip detection using computer vision. The algorithm used in the system makes use of the machine learning algorithm. Based on the hand gestures, the computer can be controlled virtually and can perform left click, right click, scrolling functions, and computer cursor function without the use of the physical mouse. The algorithm is based on deep learning for detecting the hands. Hence, the proposed system will avoid COVID-19 spread by eliminating the human intervention and dependency of devices to control the computer.
BRD4 Regulates Transcription Factor ΔNp63α to Drive a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype in Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Fisher Matthew L. , Balinth Seamus , Hwangbo Yon , Wu Caizhi , Ballon Carlos , Wilkinson John E. , Goldberg Gary L. , Mills Alea A.
Published: October 2021

Bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) plays a critical role in controlling the expression of genes involved in development and cancer. Inactivation of BRD4 inhibits cancer growth, making it a promising anticancer drug target. The cancer stem cell (CSC) population is a key driver of recurrence and metastasis in patients with cancer. Here we show that cancer stem-like cells can be enriched from squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and that these cells display an aggressive phenotype with enhanced stem cell marker expression, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. BRD4 is highly elevated in this aggressive subpopulation of cells, and its function is critical for these CSC-like properties. Moreover, BRD4 regulates ΔNp63α, a key transcription factor that is essential for epithelial stem cell function that is often overexpressed in cancers. BRD4 regulates an EZH2/STAT3 complex that leads to increased ΔNp63α-mediated transcription. Targeting BRD4 in human SCC reduces ΔNp63α, leading to inhibition of spheroid formation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. These studies identify a novel BRD4-regulated signaling network in a subpopulation of cancer stem-like cells, elucidating a possible avenue for effective therapeutic intervention.

Significance:

This study identifies a signaling cascade driven by BRD4 that upregulates ΔNp63α to promote cancer stem-like properties, which has potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas.
Stroke Care in Pakistan
Authors: Farooq Anjum , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Wasay Mohammad
Published: October 2021

Increasing incidence of stroke and lack of infrastructure in both urban and rural areas needs immediate attention in Pakistan. There is a high proportion of young stroke with poor stroke outcomes. Acute stroke care is scarce in Pakistan due to the small number of neurologists (1 neurologist per 1 million population), few stroke units, and limited availability of alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) in the country.