bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autologous Platelet‐Rich Plasma Efficacy in the Field of Regenerative Medicine: Product and Quality Control
Authors: Popescu Marius Nicolae , Iliescu Mădălina Gabriela , Beiu Cristina , Popa Liliana Gabriela , Mihai Mara Mădălina , Berteanu Mihai , Ionescu Anca Mirela
Published: July 2021

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a significant regenerative therapy used alone or combined mainly with stem cells, autologous fat grafts, hyaluronic acid, and biomaterials in a variety of medical fields, especially in hair regrowth, wound healing, and sports and rehabilitation medicine. However, the results obtained with this biologic therapy are heterogeneous and conflicting. The observed disparities in the effectiveness of PRP therapies may be due to a lack of standardization in blood processing and preparation. This article is aimed at reviewing the main biological parameters that need to be documented for a thorough reporting of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the PRP injected, to allow a comparison between the quality of samples and the clinically obtained results and advance the efforts towards treatment standardization.
Menopausal Women’s Health Care Method Based on Computer Nursing Diagnosis Intelligent System
Authors: Chao Qing , Ma Weiping , Xu RuiJia , Wu Lingyan , Zhang Youwen , He Miao , Yang Ke , Yao Wanxia , Peng Rong
Published: July 2021

Taking into account the current feature extraction speed and recognition effect of intelligent diagnosis of menopausal women’s health care behavior, this paper proposes to use a cross-layer convolutional neural network to extract behavior features autonomously and use support vector machine multiclass behavior classifier to classify behavior. Compared with the feature images extracted by traditional methods, the behavioral features extracted in this paper are related to the individual menopausal women and have better semantic information, and the feature description ability in the time domain and the space domain has been enhanced. Through Matlab software, using the database established in this paper to compare its feature extraction time, test classification time, and final recognition accuracy with ordinary convolutional neural networks, it is concluded that the cross-layer CNN-SVM model can ensure the speed of feature extraction. It proves that the method in this paper can be applied to the behavioral intelligent diagnosis system for intelligently nursing menopausal women and has good practical value. This paper designs a home care bed intelligent monitoring system, which can automatically detect the posture of the care bed, and not only can change the posture of the bed under the control of personnel, but also can automatically complete the posture conversion according to the setting. At the same time, the system has the function of monitoring the physical condition of the person being cared for and can detect the heart rate, blood oxygen, and other physiological indicators of the bedridden person. In addition, the system can also provide a remote diagnosis function, allowing nursing staff to remotely view the current state of the nursing bed and the physical condition of the person. After testing, the system works stably, improves the automation and safety of the nursing bed control, and enriches the functions of the nursing bed.
Crane Lifting Optimization and Construction Monitoring in Steel Bridge Construction Project Based on BIM and UAV
Authors: Tian Jiahao , Luo Sang , Wang Xinming , Hu Jing , Yin Jun
Published: July 2021

Modular construction methods are adopted in many spatial and temporal limited projects. As the major equipment used in modular construction, the mobile crane affects the safety and efficiency of construction significantly. Currently, building information modeling (BIM) is widely adopted to improve the lifting operation planning of cranes. However, the inaccurate simulation of the dynamic construction environment makes those BIM‐based lifting operation planning methods unsuitable for land mobile cranes operation planning, such as in the overpass bridge construction project, which may cause several safety risks during the lifting process. Based on an overpass steel bridge construction project, this paper attempted to integrate the BIM and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to streamline lifting operation planning and construction monitoring. Specifically, in the preliminary stage, a level of development (LOD) 400 steel superstructure model was built and then divided into eighty sections. In addition, a three‐dimensional (3D) geology model of the as‐is construction site was modeled by UAV‐captured images. Then, a fusion model which contains the lifting modules models, the as‐is site model, and the crane model was gathered, based on which the collision detection was conducted by 4D crane operating path simulation. According to the results, three potential collisions were found and eliminated by lengthening the jib of the crane from 43.5 m to 46.5 m. Furthermore, the optimum crane location for lifting each steel structure was determined based on the 3D geology model. The study shows that the UAV is able to acquire geological information and then 3D simulates the real construction environment quickly and accurately. Furthermore, BIM and UAV have the potential to optimize the design and construction as well as the monitoring of bridge projects.
Study on the Antianxiety Mechanism of Suanzaoren Decoction Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Xu Xiaocong , Gao Bingbing , Li Xiongying , Lei Shanshan
Published: July 2021

Objective. Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRT) is a classic decoction to calm the nerves in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It has been extensively treated as an antianxiety drug in modern times, but the material basis and pharmacological mechanisms are still unclear. To explore the material basis and corresponding potential targets, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of SZRT, network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were utilized. Methods. The main chemical compounds and potential targets of SZRT were collected from the pharmacological database analysis platform (TCMSP). Anxiety targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. Then, a target compound network was established using overlapping genes and the corresponding potential compounds. Protein interaction analysis, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway enrichment were performed using the STRING database, DAVID database, and KOBAS database. Finally, molecular docking was conducted between MAOB and its corresponding active compound in SZRT to further verify the results. Results. A total of 137 active components in SZRT were screened from the TCMSP database, and 210 corresponding targets were predicted. A total of 5434 anxiety-related targets were obtained from the disease target database, and finally 22 potential targets of SZRT on antianxiety were obtained. The constructed C-T network showed that the average degree of active components was 5.4, and four of them interacted with six or more targets. PPI analysis shows that key genes such as MAOA, MAOB, IL1B, TNF, NR3CI, and HTR3A were identified as potential therapeutic targets. A pathway analysis showed that SZRT may participate in neurotransmitter regulation and immunoregulation in a synergistic way to treat anxiety. The binding energy between the active compounds and MAOB was low, indicating good binding. The results of molecular docking showed that all the 10 active ingredients were able to successfully dock with MAOB, and the binding energy of coumaroyltyramine with MAOB was the lowest, that is, −9.6 kcal/mol, and the binding method was hydrogen bonding. Conclusions. SZRT produces antianxiety effects mainly by affecting the neurotransmitter release, transmission, and immunoregulation. This study provides a new approach to elucidating the molecular mechanism and material basis of SZRT in the treatment of anxiety, and it will also benefit the application of TCM in modern medicine.
The Evaluation of Pain with Nociceptive and Neuropathic Characteristics from Three Different Perspectives in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: A Case Controlled Observational Study in Southwestern China
Authors: An Ran , Li Yan , He Xianghua , Li Cheng , Li Xin , Xu Yanming , He Chengqi
Published: July 2021

Background. Pain was considered a common and neglected symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and had a substantial impact on the quality of life of ALS patients and their caregivers. However, pain in ALS was mainly evaluated from the perspective of nociceptive pain; only three studies referred to neuropathic pain in ALS, and there has been yet no study considering the neuropathic pain characteristics in ALS patients from China. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine characteristics of pain (nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain) by three different types of questionnaires. The correlation between pain and clinical parameters in ALS patients was also evaluated. Methods. Patients were eligible if they fulfilled the criteria of probable and definitive ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria. Healthy normal controls, matched to ALS patients by age and gender, were recruited. Pain was evaluated by numerical pain rating scale (NRS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) in ALS patients and controls. Physical status of ALS patients was evaluated with ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R). Results. 65 patients with sporadic ALS and 100 healthy normal controls in Southwestern China were included. Pain in the preceding week was more frequently reported by patients with ALS (30, 46.2%) than controls (36, 36%) (

p
=
0.193

). DN4

score
⩾
4

was found in three ALS patients and one control (

p
=
0.480

). Ten ALS patients (33.3%) and twenty-eight controls (77.8%) (

p
<
0.001

) received therapy for pain. ALS patients with a DN4

score
≥
4

had a longer disease duration and a higher PSI and PII score than ALS cases reporting nociceptive pain (

p
=
0.041

, 0.048, and 0.027, respectively). Pain mainly interfered with ALS patients’ mood, enjoyment of life, and the Pain Interference Index (PII) score. Conclusions. Our findings indicated that pain in our ALS cohorts was insufficiently treated and interfered with patients’ mood and enjoyment of life. Most notably, we found that ALS patients with a DN4

score
⩾
4

may have a longer disease duration and a higher PSI and PII score than ALS patients reporting nociceptive pain, which has never been reported, strongly deserving further validation.
What Is Affecting the Residents’ Subjective Perception toward Objective Environment Quality?
Authors: Zhang Jihong , Xie Chaopeng , Chen Chuan , Xu Ninghan , Gao Rui
Published: July 2021

Environmental quality assessment is an important way to promote the improvement of urban environmental quality. Environmental performance is usually used to evaluate the improvement of environmental quality, and residents’ satisfaction with environmental quality is also an important method to evaluate environmental improvement. At present, in many cities in China, the results of the two evaluation methods vary greatly. Residents’ environmental satisfaction is not high in some cities with good environmental performance; however, in cities with poor environmental performance, residents’ environmental satisfaction is higher. Here, based on the environmental subjective assessment of more than 4,600 independent samples from 56 cities in 2014, this paper constructed an index between subjective and objective scores for each sample and its city, separating the total samples into two groups. In order to analyze the differences between groups, firstly, the important factors driving the differences were extracted by random forest. Secondly, the key individual characteristics were identified by the model based on conditional inference tree. Finally, the regional heterogeneity was analyzed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling. The results show that population density is the main factor that affects the difference between subjective and objective evaluations. Furthermore, in those cities with low population density, investment increasing in transportation infrastructure helps to improve urban air quality, which can bring about more perceptual environmental optimization to people. As individuals, education is the key factor for residents when it comes to environment evaluation, but it is not a simple linear relationship. In terms of regional heterogeneity, the consistency of important factors among regions is not obvious, and the situation that “neighboring” cities share the same factors is not significant.
Effects of Different Construction Sequences on Ground Surface Settlement and Displacement of Single Long Pile due to Twin Paralleled Shield Tunneling
Authors: Huang Kan , Sun Yiwei , Huang Xianqiang , Li Yujian , Jiang Meng , Liu Runing
Published: July 2021

Shield tunneling activities inevitably pass through pile foundations at close distance in densely urban areas. Various studies have investigated the interaction between newly constructed tunnels and existing pile foundations. However, the influence of different construction sequences of twin paralleled shield tunneling on single long pile is seldom considered. A case was found in the project of Changsha Metro Line 5, where the twin paralleled tunnels were constructed near the Wanjiali Viaduct piles. A three‐dimensional finite element model was established to analyze the pier settlement, ground surface settlement trough, and the vertical and horizontal displacement of pile under different construction sequences in layered soil. The results show that the adjacent pile and surrounding environment are affected substantially with the change of construction sequence of twin paralleled tunnels. The construction sequence of condition (b), in which the tunnel closer to the pile foundation is first constructed and then the tunnel farther away from the pile foundation is second constructed, can reduce the settlement of pier by 13.1%, the maximum surface settlement by 7.0%, the maximum vertical displacement of pile foundation by 7.9%, and the maximum horizontal displacement by 6.9%. The present findings can provide reference for similar projects.
Molecular Characterization of AEBP1 at Transcriptional Level in Glioma
Authors: Wang Kuanyu , Huang Ruoyu , Tong Xuezhi , Wang Zhiliang , Sun Shibin , Wu Chenxing
Published: July 2021

Background. Glioma is the most common malignant tumor of the brain in adult patients. The standardized treatment protocol is based on surgical therapy, supplemented with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the prognosis is still unsatisfied. Chemoresistance is one of the most important reason for the poor prognosis of glioma patients. It has confirmed that glioma stem cell (GSC) is one of the reasons for chemoresistance. Methods. In this study, three datasets (GSE23806, COSMIC, and TCGA) were used to perform the analysis to search for the key genes related to GSC, temozolomide (TMZ) resistance, and prognosis. The key gene for further research was selected by reviewing the previous studies. The selected gene investigated the relation between expression levels and clinical characteristics in both TCGA and CGGA dataset. The bioinformatics analysis was performed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results. AE binding protein 1 (AEBP1) was selected for further analysis. AEBP1 was overexpressed in GSCs and TMZ resistance cells. In both TCGA and CGGA dataset, the results showed that the expression level of AEBP1 was increased in glioblastoma (GBM) samples, IDH wild‐type samples, and MGMT promoter unmethylated samples. Meanwhile, AEBP1 expression was positively related to several GSC markers. GO analysis showed that AEBP1 was related to immune response, cell adhesion, apoptotic process, inflammatory response, positive regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, response to drug, and response to hypoxia. The survival analysis showed that the overexpressed level of AEBP1 was correlated with short survival time in both glioma and GBM patients. Conclusion. In summary, AEBP1 was related with GSC‐induced TMZ resistance. Our study showed that AEBP1 might be an oncogene and a new effective therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.
Ranking Effectiveness of COVID-19 Tests Using Fuzzy Bipolar Soft Expert Sets
Authors: Ali Ghous , Muhiuddin G. , Adeel Arooj , Zain Ul Abidin Muhammad
Published: July 2021

The theory of fuzzy bipolar soft sets is an efficient extension of soft sets for depicting the bipolarity of uncertain fuzzy soft information; however, it is limited to a single expert. The present research article introduces the theory of an innovative hybrid model called the fuzzy bipolar soft expert sets, as a natural extension of two existing models (including fuzzy soft expert sets and fuzzy bipolar soft sets). The proposed model is highly suitable for describing the bipolarity of fuzzy soft information having multiple expert opinions. Some fundamental properties of the developed hybrid model are discussed, including subset, complement, union, intersection, AND operation, and OR operation. The proposed concepts are explained with detailed examples. Moreover, to demonstrate the applicability of our initiated model, an application of the proposed hybrid model is presented along with the developed algorithm to tackle the real-world group decision-making situation, that is, ranking effectiveness of tests in spread analysis of COVID-19. Finally, a comparative analysis of the developed model with some existing mathematical tools such as fuzzy soft expert sets and fuzzy bipolar soft sets is provided to show the cogency and reliability of the initiated model.
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 PCR and Chest CT Findings at a Single Facility in Tokyo (Machida Municipal Hospital)
Authors: Kazuyori Taisuke , Sato Akihito , Morimoto Yasuhiro , Kuwano Kazuyoshi
Published: July 2021

Introduction. The SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is useful for diagnosing COVID-19, and the RT-PCR positive rate is an important indicator for estimating the incidence rate and number of infections. COVID-19 pneumonia is also associated with characteristic findings on chest CT, which can aid in diagnosis. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated patient background characteristics, the number of cases, the positivity rate, and chest CT findings for positive and negative cases in 672 patients who underwent RT-PCR for suspected COVID-19 at our hospital between April 3 and August 28, 2020. In addition, we compared trends in the positive rates at approximately weekly intervals with trends in the number of new infections in Machida City, Tokyo. Results. The study included 323 men and 349 women, with a median age of 46 years (range: 1 month–100 years). RT-PCR findings were positive in 37 cases, and the positive rate was 5.51%. Trends in the positive rate at our hospital and the number of new COVID-19 cases in the city were similar during the study period. Among patients with positive results, 15 (40.5%) had chest CT findings, and 14 had bilateral homogeneous GGOs. Among patients with negative results, 190 had chest CT findings at the time of examination, and 150 were diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia or bronchitis, with main findings consisting of consolidations and centrilobular opacities. Only 11 of these patients exhibited bilateral homogeneous GGOs. Conclusion. Bilateral homogeneous GGOs are characteristic of COVID-19 pneumonia and may aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19.
On Different Types of Single-Valued Neutrosophic Covering Rough Set with Application in Decision-Making
Authors: Zhang Xiongwei , Atef Mohammed , Khalil Ahmed Mostafa
Published: July 2021

This paper aims to propose the notion of Type-1 single-valued neutrosophic complementary

β

-neighborhood (briefly, Type-1 SVN complementary

β

-neighborhood) and use it to introduce a novel class of 1-single-valued neutrosophic

β

-covering rough set (briefly, 1-SVN

β

-CRS). Then, we will merge the 1-SVN

β

-neighborhood and 1-SVN complementary

β

-neighborhood to create new two models of 1-SVN

β

-CRS. Furthermore, we will discuss the relationships between the present work and Wang and Zhang’s work. For further study on Type-2 Wang and Zhang’s models, we will define the 2-SVN complementary

β

-neighborhood and use it to present a novel class of 2-SVN

β

-CRS. Also, we combine the 2-SVN

β

-neighborhood and 2-SVN complementary

β

-neighborhood to investigate the new two models of 2-SVN

β

-CRS. Lately, we will demonstrate two illustrative examples as real problems to show the differences between two of our approaches and Wang and Zhang’s approach.
Digital Transformation and Corporate Total Factor Productivity: Empirical Evidence Based on Listed Enterprises
Authors: Zeng Guoyan , Lei Linxing
Published: July 2021

This paper mainly attempts to disclose the action mechanism of corporate digital transformation on total factor productivity (TFP). Based on the data on listed enterprises in 2007–2019, the influence of corporate digital transformation on TFP was analyzed empirically. The results show that corporate digital transformation can significantly promote TFP. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the promoting effect of digital transformation on TFP only exists in small and medium high-tech enterprises, suggesting that corporate digital transform enhances TFP by improving the management efficiency and technical level of enterprises. The research provides theoretical basis and empirical evidence for improving corporate TFP from the perspective of digital transformation.
Effect of Basketball on Improving the Health of Obese People under the Monitoring of Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Liu Zhaoxin , Kan Junchang
Published: July 2021

By accelerating the aforementioned industrialisation and urbanisation, people’s way of life has undergone enormous changes. The incidence of overweight and obesity increases rapidly. This research first broke through the impact of basketball on improving physical health and then designed experiments separately. The experiment is divided into two experimental groups and a replacement group, with 150 people in total, 50 people per group, excluding the interference of gender, age, and other factors. The influencing factors are studied under the monitoring of the Internet of Things technology. One group had 8 weeks of basketball training, and the other group had 8 weeks of plant diet. The results showed that the average weight of the nutrition intervention group was reduced by 9.85 kg, and the average weight of the exercise intervention group was reduced by 7.64 kg. The percentage of body fat and blood lipid composition of the obese people have decreased, which indicates that the combination of basketball intervention under the monitoring of the Internet of Things technology can improve the physique of obese people.
Fluoride‐Releasing Self‐Etch Adhesives Create Thick ABRZ at the Interface
Authors: Nikaido Toru , Takagaki Tomohiro , Sato Takaaki , Burrow Michael F. , Tagami Junji
Published: July 2021

A fluoride‐releasing adhesive system is expected to promote mineralization of demineralized dentin/enamel around a composite restoration, thereby contributing to the longevity of the restoration. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observations revealed the formation of an “acid–base resistant zone” (ABRZ) beneath the hybrid layer when dentin was treated with a self‐etch adhesive system. A thicker ABRZ was formed from the upper slope to the end of the outer lesion, indicating greater resistance against an acid‐base challenge, when a fluoride‐releasing self‐etch adhesive system was used. The slope formation of a fluoride‐releasing adhesive is believed to be due to fluoride‐release from the adhesive. Quantitative assessment of the acid resistance was performed at the interface using the region of interest (ROI) mode of a digital image analysis software package. The area of the ABRZ is influenced by the concentration of fluoride release from the adhesive resin. The threshold of fluoride concentration in the adhesive may exist to influence the morphology of the ABRZ. X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis of the dentin treated with different concentrations of NaF‐mouth rinses suggested that different fluoride concentrations result in the formation of different chemical compounds, such as fluorapatite and CaF2‐like structures, on the dentin surface. This may explain the differences in μTBS values and morphological appearance of the ABRZ. NaF is effective in enhancing the enamel/dentin bond durability and also helps create a high quality of ARBZ to improve the clinical success of restorations.
Mortality in Edentulous Patients: A Registry-Based Cohort Study in Sweden Comparing 8463 Patients Treated with Removable Dentures or Implant-Supported Dental Prostheses
Authors: Kowar Jan , Stenport Victoria , Nilsson Mats , Jemt Torsten
Published: July 2021

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate if edentulism is associated with all-cause mortality. The aims were to analyze the association between age, socioeconomic factors, and mortality in edentulous patients treated with either removable dentures or implant-supported prostheses. Methods. All patients who became edentulous according to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) between 2009 and 2013 (N  = 8463) were analyzed regarding prosthetic treatment, age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether they were treated with dental implants (implant group; IG) or with conventional removable dentures (denture group; DG). Data on mortality for all included individuals were obtained from the Swedish National Cause of Death Register and compared to a reference population. Cumulative survival rates were calculated, and a multivariable regression analysis for the included variables was performed. Results. Between 2009 and 2018, 2192 of the patients (25.9%) were treated with implant-supported dental prostheses (IG) and 6271 patients (74.1%) were treated with removable dentures without support of dental implants (DG). Altogether 2526 patients (30%) died until December 31, 2019, and the overall mortality was significantly higher for the DG compared to the IG during follow-up (

p
<
0.001

). Younger edentulous patients (≤59 years) presented a higher mortality than the reference population, while implant patients over 79 years of age demonstrated a lower mortality. The final results from the multivariable logistic analysis showed that lower equalized disposable income (EDI) and the choice of conventional removable dentures are the most important factors for increased patient mortality (

p
<
0.001

). Conclusions. Edentulous patients have an overall higher mortality compared to a reference population. Low socioeconomic status increases all-cause mortality. Individuals treated with dental implants show statistically significant lower 10-year mortality compared to patients treated with conventional removable dentures, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Impact of Hall Current and Nonlinear Thermal Radiation on Jeffrey Nanofluid Flow in Rotating Frame
Authors: Ullah Hakeem , Alsubie Abdelaziz , Fiza Mehreen , Hamadneh Nawaf N. , Islam Saeed , Khan Ilyas
Published: July 2021

This research article deals with the nonlinear thermally radiated influences on non-Newtonian nanofluid considering Jeffrey fluid in a rotating system. The governing equations of the nanofluid have been transformed to a set of differential nonlinear equations, using suitable similarity variables. The Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) and Runge–Kutta Method of order 4 (RK Method of order 4) are used for the solution of the modeled problem. The variation of the skin friction, Nusselt number, Sherwood number, and their impacts on the velocity distribution, temperature distribution, and concentration distribution have been examined. The influence of the Hall effect, rotation, Brownian motion, porosity, and thermophoresis analysis are also investigated. Moreover, for comprehension of the physical presentation of the embedded parameters, Deborah numberβ, viscosity parameterR, rotation parameterKr, Brownian motion parameterNb, porosity parameterγ, magnetic parameterM, Prandtl numberPr, thermophoretic parameterNt, and Schmidt numberSchave been plotted and deliberated graphically. For large values of Brownian parameter, the kinetic energy increases, which in turn increases the temperature distribution, while the thermal boundary layer thickness decreases by increasing the radiation parameter, and the Hall parameter increases the motion of the fluid in horizontal direction. Also, the mass flux has been observed as a decreasing function at the lower stretching plate.
Complement Inhibitors in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Potential Therapeutic Option
Authors: Qin Shuqi , Dong Ning , Yang Ming , Wang Jialin , Feng Xue , Wang Yanling
Published: July 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease, which can culminate in irreversible vision loss and blindness in elderly. Nowadays, there is a big gap between dry AMD and wet AMD on treatment. Accounting for nearly 90% of AMD, dry AMD still lacks effective treatment. Numerous genetic and molecular researches have confirmed the significant role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of AMD, leading to a deeper exploration of complement inhibitors in the treatment of AMD. To date, at least 14 different complement inhibitors have been or are being explored in AMD in almost 40 clinical trials. While most complement inhibitors fail to treat AMD successfully, two of them are effective in inhibiting the rate of GA progression in phase II clinical trials, and both of them successfully entered phase III trials. Furthermore, recently emerging complement gene therapy and combination therapy also offer new opportunities to treat AMD in the future. In this review, we aim to introduce genetic and molecular associations between the complement system and AMD, provide the updated progress in complement inhibitors in AMD on clinical trials, and discuss the challenges and prospects of complement therapeutic strategies in AMD.
Unilateral Cysticercosis of the Parotid Gland: Case Report, Diagnosis, and Clinical Management
Authors: Elwell Zachary , Bearelly Shethal , Aboul-Nasr Khalid , Lara Jonathan
Published: July 2021

Cysticercosis is a systemic parasitic infection caused by the establishment of the larval form of the parasitic cestode, Taenia solium. Cysticercosis is acquired via the fecal-oral route and is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Patients typically manifest with skeletal muscle, subcutaneous, or central nervous system involvement. Though there are reports of oral mucosa involvement, solitary involvement of the parotid gland is rare. This is a rare case of a 57-year-old man diagnosed with parotid cysticercosis by imaging and FNA. He was successfully treated by anthelminthic therapy and needle aspiration. The patient has been seen back several times. The cyst is not palpable, and he is satisfied. Parotid cysticercosis should be considered in the differential of a parotid mass in patients who have traveled to endemic regions. Though prior reports have indicated the importance of surgical excision, this patient was treated medically.
With or Without W? Molecular and Cytogenetic Markers are Not Sufficient for Identification of Environmentally-Induced Sex Reversal in the Bearded Dragon
Authors: Ehl Jan , Altmanová Marie , Kratochvíl Lukáš
Published: July 2021

Transitions from environmental sex determination (ESD) to genotypic sex determination (GSD) require an intermediate step of sex reversal, i.e., the production of individuals with a mismatch between the ancestral genotypic and the phenotypic sex. Among amniotes, the sole well-documented transition in this direction was shown in the laboratory in the central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, where very high incubation temperatures led to the production of females with the male-typical (ZZ) genotype. These sex-reversed females then produced offspring whose sex depended on the incubation temperature. Sex-reversed animals identified by molecular and cytogenetic markers were also reported in the field, and their increasing incidence was speculated as a climate warming-driven transition in sex determination. We show that the molecular and cytogenetic markers normally sex-linked in P. vitticeps are also sex-linked in P. henrylawsoni and P. minor, which points to quite ancient sex chromosomes in this lineage. Nevertheless, we demonstrate, based on a crossing experiment with a male bearded dragon who possesses a mismatch between phenotypic sex and genotype, that the used cytogenetic and molecular markers might not be reliable for the identification of sex reversal. Sex reversal should not be considered as the only mechanism causing a mismatch between genetic sex-linked markers and phenotypic sex, which can emerge also by other processes, here most likely by a rare recombination between regions of sex chromosomes which are normally sex-linked. We warn that sex-linked, even apparently for a long evolutionary time, and sex-specific molecular and cytogenetic markers are not a reliable tool for the identification of sex-reversed individuals in a population and that sex reversal has to be verified by other approaches, particularly by observation of the sex ratio of the progeny.
Transportation of Wood Out of the Forest (along Short Distances)
Authors: Johann Elisabeth
Published: July 2021

Over thousands of years, man could achieve movement only through muscle power, running water, or with the help of gravity. Transportation was achieved using moving human, animal, or mechanical power. The massive weight of wood and the extensive distances between forest and consumer raised immense problems and were a challenge to the people involved in wood transportation. To facilitate this dangerous and hard labor, wood workers developed various permanent or temporary constructions, which were adapted to their respective local conditions. Over time these have been transformed according to developing technical standards, but they did not change remarkably until the introduction of steam and fossil fuels in the second half of the 19th century. Especially in mountainous regions, forestry was and is dependent on a particularly skilled transportation system. This study examines what locally-adapted technologies were used throughout history to meet the large demand for wood from industry, trade, and the general population, and the kind of organization and planning that was applied. This work focuses on skidding wood out of the forest over short distances, either directly to consumers or to a collection point, from which the transport of large quantities of wood over longer distances started.
Can We Estimate Felling Intervals for Barrels without Sapwood?
Authors: van Daalen Sjoerd
Published: July 2021

Oak barrels are a common find in excavations in the Netherlands. Despite the availability of numerous dendrochronological samples (staves) for each barrel, sapwood is often absent; this limits the usefulness of dendrochronology for the interpretation of the context because only the earliest possible felling date can be given. When there is no sapwood present on any staves, a close grouping of dates for the outermost rings suggests that this marks the transition from heartwood to sapwood (the heartwood–sapwood transition). If the presence of the heartwood–sapwood transition can be determined, a more accurate felling interval can be established.

Historical sources on the production of staves refer to a consistent production, whereby the sapwood and as little heartwood as possible was removed. To determine whether dendrochronological dates consistently group near the heartwood–sapwood transition, an objective and repeatable methodology was used to avoid relying on personal estimates. The dendrochronological data shows evidence for a consistent stave production process. This does not apply to all cases. In some cases, the results are unconvincing, while evidence for the absence of consistent production was also found. This is not a universally applicable method, but it can provide accurate felling intervals for a number of barrels, despite the absence of sapwood.
The Wealth Inequality of Nations
Authors: Pfeffer Fabian T. , Waitkus Nora
Published: July 2021

Comparative research on income inequality has produced several frameworks to study the institutional determinants of income stratification. In contrast, no such framework and much less empirical evidence exist to explain cross-national differences in wealth inequality. This situation is particularly lamentable as cross-national patterns of inequality in wealth diverge sharply from those in income. We seek to pave the way for new explanations of cross-national differences in wealth inequality by tracing them to the influence of different wealth components. Drawing on the literatures on financialization and housing, we argue that housing equity should be the central building block of the comparative analysis of wealth inequality. Using harmonized data on 15 countries included in the Luxembourg Wealth Study (LWS), we demonstrate a lack of association between national levels of income and wealth inequality and concentration. Using decomposition approaches, we then estimate the degree to which national levels of wealth inequality and concentration relate to cross-national differences in wealth portfolios and the distribution of specific asset components. Considering the role of housing equity, financial assets, non-housing real assets, and non-housing debt, we show that cross-national variation in wealth inequality and concentration is centrally determined by the distribution of housing equity.
Associations of Circulating microRNA-221 and 222 With the Severity of Coronary Artery Lesions in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients
Authors: Yu Xin , Xu Jian-feng , Song Ming , Zhang Lei , Li Yi-hui , Han Lu , Tang Meng-xiong , Zhang Wei , Zhong Ming , Wang Zhi-hao
Published: July 2021

Circulating levels of microRNA-221 and 222 (miR-221/222) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are elevated, yet the relationship between circulating miR-221/222 and the severity of coronary lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unknown. In this study, the relative expression levels of circulating miR-221/222 in patients with ACS (n = 267) and controls (n = 71) were compared by real-time fluorescence quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The ACS group was further divided into unstable angina pectoris (UA) group (n = 191) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (n = 76). Significant upregulation of circulating miR-221/222 was observed in ACS. A positive linear correlation between circulating miR-221/222 and Gensini scores was demonstrated. The area under the curve (AUC) of circulating miR-221/222 in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis ≥50% was 0.605 and 0.643, respectively. The circulating miRNA-221/222 expression levels in ACS patients were elevated and positively associated with the severity of the coronary artery lesions. Circulating miR-221/222 may be novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis ≥50% and the occurrence of ACS.
Estimating the Size of the Human Trafficking Problem: MSE and Other Strategies
Authors: Zhang Sheldon X. , Larsen Jacqueline Joudo
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of human trafficking has remained as elusive as the method of producing its estimation is contested. There are significant variations in the way prevalence estimation is produced, with some methods garnering more attention than others. To complicate the issue further, the hidden nature of human trafficking makes it difficult to apply conventional probability-based sampling strategies, without which for reference purposes one cannot easily assess the merits of alternative estimation techniques. This special issue represents the most recent development and applications of one particular method, the multiple systems estimation (MSE) method. Although we remain biased towards primary data for prevalence estimation, MSE represents a cost-effective alternative for the purposes of advocacy, policymaking, and victim services.
Effect of wheel polygonalization on the Degree of Non-linearity of dynamic response of high-speed vehicle system
Authors: Shuangxi Chen , Yanting Ni
Published: July 2021

Polygonalization of the wheel describes the growth of out-of-round profiles of the wheels of railway vehicle. This problem was identified in the 1980s but its mechanism is still not well understood. The wheel-rail disturbance formed by wheel polygonalization will accelerate the fatigue fracture of the key parts of rail vehicles and seriously threaten the safety of rail vehicle. This fact has led to significant efforts in detecting and diagnosing wheel polygonalization, in particular in setting the criteria for health monitoring. Currently, the time-domain feature parameters extraction method based on data statistics and frequency-domain feature parameters extraction method based on spectrum estimation are widely applied to detect wheel polygonalization. However, the basis of spectral estimation is the Fourier transform, which is not good at dealing with non-linear vibration systems (such as vehicle-track coupled system). Aiming at the wheel polygonalization problem existing in high-speed train, the non-linear extent of vibration response of vehicle system caused by wheel polygonalization is analyzed based on vehicle-track coupled dynamics and adaptive data analysis method. A typical high-speed train model is established according to the vehicle-track coupled dynamics theory. The wheel polygonalization model is introduced and vehicle system vibration response is calculated by numerical integration. The vibration response signal is decomposed by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to produce the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). By calculating the intra-wave frequency modulation of IMFs, that is, the difference between instantaneous and mean frequencies and amplitudes, the non-linearity of the dynamic response is quantified. Influences of wheel polygonalization on the non-linearity of steady-state and unsteady vibration responses of vehicle system are analyzed in detail. An objective criterion for wheel polygonalization health monitoring based on Degree of Non-linearity is proposed, which provides an effective tool for prognostics and health management of trains.
Traveler Biosecurity Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects of Intervention, Resilience, and Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Kim Myung Ja , Bonn Mark , Hall C. Michael
Published: July 2021

Even prior to COVID-19, biosecurity was a significant issue for tourism, especially at national borders. Since personal nonpharmaceutical interventions can be effective for an individual’s health and psychological resilience during a pandemic, understanding tourists’ biosecurity behavior is essential given the broader relationship with traveling during COVID-19. However, existing research has not explicitly examined this relationship during any pandemic, nor has it explored potential long-term implications. To fill this gap, this study built and tested a theoretically comprehensive framework including prosocial behavior, ethics, perception, intervention, resilience, biosecurity behavior, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to COVID-19. Results reveal that prosocial behavior and perception have significant impacts on intervention, which influences resilience and biosecurity behavior. Resilience has an effect on biosecurity behavior. Three SDG groups have different effects on the relationship between intervention and biosecurity behavior. Deep learning sheds light on tourist’s biosecurity practices during COVID-19 and when international travel resumes.
Political Para-Social Relationship as a Predictor of Voting Preferences in the Israeli 2019 Elections
Authors: Tsfati Yariv , Cohen Jonathan , Dvir-Gvirsman Shira , Tsuriel Keren , Waismel-Manor Israel , Holbert R. Lance
Published: July 2021

The idea that the success of media personae in attracting audiences and maintaining their loyalty depends on the creation of a pseudo-friendship, known as para-social relationships, has been a mainstay of mass media research for more than half a century. Expanding the scope of para-social relationship research into the political realm, the notion that political support could be predicted based on the intensity of para-social relationships between voters and political figures was demonstrated in a recent study. The current exploration tests the predictive power of Political Para-Social Relationship (PPSR) in the context of the April and September 2019 Israeli election campaigns. Findings from online panel data ( n = 1,061) demonstrate that PPSR toward Netanyahu was a positive predictor of voting for Netanyahu’s Likud party and a negative predictor of voting for opposition leader Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party in both campaigns. The opposite was true for PPSR toward Benny Gantz. The PPSR constructs also predicted shifts in party support from the February to October (post-election) waves of the study, and loyalty toward the parties. In all models, the PPSR constructs were among the strongest predictors of political support.
Expanding Research on Investigations of Officer-Involved Shootings: An Experimental Evaluation of Question Timing on Police Officers’ Memory Recall
Authors: Schnell Cory , Spencer M. Dylan , Mancik Ashley , Porter Louise E. , Ready Justin , Alpert Geoffrey P.
Published: July 2021

The timing of an investigation after an officer-involved shooting (OIS) is influenced by conflicting forces. The public demands expedited resolution, but police officers are provided several protections that can delay investigations of their actions. This study conducts a randomized experiment to determine the impact of question timing after an OIS on the accuracy of police officers’ memory recall. Officers were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The treatment group completed a questionnaire after participating in a live-action, active shooter training scenario and again 2 days later, whereas the control group only completed the questionnaire 2 days later. Our findings suggest the timing of interviews after training did not influence officers’ recall of the scenario. There is little empirical understanding of how police officers reconstruct OIS events; further interdisciplinary research can help clarify these cognitive processes. This research could strengthen a traditional pathway to provide accountability for officers through investigations.
The Effects of the Medical Pause on Physiological Stress Markers among Health Care Providers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cayir Ebru , Cunningham Tim , Ackard Ryne , Haizlip Julie , Logan Jeongok , Yan Guofen
Published: July 2021

Contemplative practices promote well-being, work engagement and resilience among health care providers. We examined the impact of The Pause, a brief contemplative intervention, on health care providers’ physiological stress response. Participants were randomly assigned to either The Pause or the control group. They participated in a high-fidelity, stressful medical simulation. Following the simulation, intervention group practiced The Pause. Outcome measures were heart rate variability, heart rate, and blood pressure. We adjusted for baseline physiological variables, sociodemographic variables, self-care practices, and perceived stress. Participants in the intervention group had a standard deviation of the normal-to-normal RR intervals (heart rate variability indicator) that was 13.8 (95% CI 4.0, 23.5; p < .01) points higher than those in the control group. There were no significant effects of The Pause on heart rate or blood pressure. The Pause may reduce stress reactivity, increase heart rate variability, and enhance resilience in health care providers.