bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Recognize Shuttlecock Movements
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: June 2021

Shuttlecock is an excellent traditional national sport in China. Because of its simplicity, convenience, and fun, it is loved by the broad masses of people, especially teenagers and children. The development of shuttlecock sports into a confrontational event is not long, and it takes a period of research to master the tactics and strategies of shuttlecock sports. Based on this, this article proposes the use of machine learning algorithms to recognize the movement of shuttlecock movements, aiming to provide more theoretical and technical support for shuttlecock competitions by identifying features through actions with the assistance of technical algorithms. This paper uses literature research methods, model methods, comparative analysis methods, and other methods to deeply study the motion characteristics of shuttlecock motion, the key algorithms of machine learning algorithms, and other theories and construct the shuttlecock motion recognition based on multiview clustering algorithm. The model analyzes the robustness and accuracy of the machine learning algorithm and other algorithms, such as a variety of performance comparisons, and the results of the shuttlecock motion recognition image. For the key movements of shuttlecock movement, disk, stretch, hook, wipe, knock, and abduction, the algorithm proposed in this paper has a good movement recognition rate, which can reach 91.2%. Although several similar actions can be recognized well, the average recognition accuracy rate can exceed 75%, and even through continuous image capture, the number of occurrences of the action can be automatically analyzed, which is beneficial to athletes. And the coach can better analyze tactics and research strategies.
PMAB: A Public Mutual Audit Blockchain for Outsourced Data in Cloud Storage
Authors: Yang Hanzhe , Su Ruidan , Huang Pei , Bai Yuhan , Fan Kai , Yang Kan , Li Hui , Yang Yintang
Published: June 2021

With the rapid growth of data, limited by the storage capacity, more and more IoT applications choose to outsource data to Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). But, in such scenarios, outsourced data in cloud storage can be easily corrupted and difficult to be found in time, which brings about potential security issues. Thus, Provable Data Possession (PDP) protocol has been extensively researched due to its capability of supporting efficient audit for outsourced data in cloud. However, most PDP schemes require the Third-Party Auditor (TPA) to audit data for Data Owners (DOs), which requires the TPA to be trustworthy and fair. To eliminate the TPA, we present a Public Mutual Audit Blockchain (PMAB) for outsourced data in cloud storage. We first propose an audit chain architecture based on Ouroboros and an incentive mechanism based on credit to allow CSPs to audit each other mutually with anticollusion (any CSP is not willing to help other CSPs conceal data problems). Then, we design an audit protocol to achieve public audit efficiently with low cost of audit verification. Rigorous analysis explains the security of PMAB using game theory, and performance analysis shows the efficiency of PMAB using the real-world dataset.
Inhibiting the Inhibitors of Apoptosis: When Two Targets Are Better Than One
Authors: Larkin Karilyn T.M. , Byrd John C.
Published: June 2021

In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Pullarkat and colleagues present the results from a phase I clinical trial that is the first to combine small-molecule inhibitors for multiple antiapoptotic proteins, BCL2 as well as BCL-XL, with a traditional chemotherapy backbone for patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This trial has demonstrated impressive response rates with acceptable toxicity while providing proof of concept that dual targeting—hitting BCL2 hard and BCL-XL soft—is both effective and tolerable in a heterogeneous patient population with prior existing cytopenias.

See related article by Pullarkat et al., p. 1440.
Revealing ARID1A Function in Gastric Cancer from the Bottom Up
Authors: Zafra Maria Paz , Dow Lukas E.
Published: June 2021

In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Lo and colleagues use CRISPR-based genome engineering in primary human gastric organoids to reveal the functional consequences of ARID1A loss in the early stages of gastric cancer. They show that ARID1A disruption is not tolerated in wild-type organoids, but in the context of TP53 loss, leads to WNT suppression, mucinous metaplasia, enhanced tumorigenicity, and selectively toxicity to BIRC5/Survivin inhibition.

See related article by Lo et al., p. 1562.
A Scientometric Analysis of the 100 Most Cited Articles on Pallidotomy
Authors: Agrawal Mohit , Garg Kanwaljeet , Samala Raghu , Rajan Roopa , Singh Manmohan
Published: June 2021

Background: Pallidotomy is the oldest stereotactically performed neurosurgical procedure for movement disorders. Consequently, there is a wealth of literature available on the topic. Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to identify the top-cited articles on pallidotomy in order to discern the origins, spread, the current trends, and the future directions of this surgical procedure. Methods: We performed a search of the Web of Science database on 19 October 2020 using the keyword “pallidotomy.” The top-100 cited articles found were arranged in descending order on the basis of citation count (CC) and citation per year (CY). Relevant conclusions were derived. Results: The 100 top-cited articles were published between 1961 and 2017, in 24 journals. The average CC and CY were 118.1 (range – 856–46) and 5.326 (range – 29.52–2.09), respectively. The 3 most prolific authors were Lang AE (Neurologist – Toronto), Lozano AM (Neurosurgeon – Toronto), and Vitek JL (Neurologist – Atlanta). The Journal of Neurosurgery published the highest number of top-cited articles [Neurology. 1960;10:61–9]. The maximum articles were from the USA. University of Toronto and Emory University were the most productive institutions. Conclusions: Pallidotomy has gone through several ebbs and flows. Unilateral pallidotomy is currently recommended for the treatment of motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. The need for further research and improved technology to make the technique safer and prove its efficacy is highlighted, especially keeping in mind a large number of populations to which the prohibitively expensive deep brain stimulation is unavailable.
Physical Activity as a Critical Component of First-Line Treatment for Elevated Blood Pressure or Cholesterol: Who, What, and How?: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Barone Gibbs Bethany , Hivert Marie-France , Jerome Gerald J. , Kraus William E. , Rosenkranz Sara K. , Schorr Erica N. , Spartano Nicole L. , Lobelo Felipe ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Clinical Cardiology
Published: June 2021

Current guidelines published by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology broadly recommend lifestyle approaches to prevent and treat elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. For patients with mildly or moderately elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol, lifestyle-only approaches are the first line of therapy. The purpose of this scientific statement is to: (1) highlight the mild-moderate–risk patient groups indicated for lifestyle-only treatment for elevated blood pressure or cholesterol; (2) describe recommendations, average effects, and additional considerations when prescribing lifestyle treatment with physical activity; and (3) provide guidance and resources for clinicians to assess, prescribe, counsel, and refer to support increased physical activity in their patients. An estimated 21% and 28% to 37% of US adults, respectively, have mild-moderate–risk blood pressure and cholesterol and should receive lifestyle-only as first-line treatment. Of the recommended lifestyle changes, increasing physical activity has extensive benefits, including improving both blood pressure and blood cholesterol, that are comparable, superior, or complementary to other healthy lifestyle changes. Physical activity assessment and prescription are an excellent lifestyle behavior treatment option for all patients, including for the large population of mild-moderate–risk patients with elevated blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
Dialysis Mode and Associated Outcomes in Patients With End‐Stage Renal Disease and Atrial Fibrillation: A 14‐Year Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Fan Pei‐Chun , Lin Yu‐Sheng , Chen Shao‐Wei , Wu Michael , Lin Ming‐Shyan , Lu Cheng‐Hui , Chang Po‐Cheng , Hsieh Ming‐Jer , Wang Chao‐Yung , Wang Chun‐Li , Chu Pao‐Hsien , Wu Victor Chien‐Chia
Published: June 2021

Background

Benefits of patients with end‐stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis are unknown.

Methods and Results

Patients undergoing dialysis were retrieved from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2001 to 2013 and separated into PD or hemodialysis. Primary outcomes were ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). An inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity score was used to reduce the confounding. The risk of outcomes between PD and hemodialysis was compared using Cox proportional hazard model for fatal outcomes or Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model which considered death a competing risk, respectively. A total of 7916 patients with end‐stage renal disease with atrial fibrillation undergoing PD or hemodialysis during 2001 to 2013 were identified. After exclusion criteria, 363 patients receiving PD and 5302 patients receiving hemodialysis were analyzed. At 1‐year follow‐up, the risk of ICH was significantly lower in the PD group compared with the hemodialysis group (0.2% versus 0.9%; subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17–0.57). At 3‐year follow‐up, the risks of major bleeding and ICH were significantly lower in the PD group compared with the hemodialysis group (major bleeding: 1.8% versus 3.2%; SHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53–0.87; ICH: 0.5% versus 2%; SHR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21–0.48). At 5‐year follow‐up, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding, and ICH were significantly lower in the PD group compared with the hemodialysis group (ischemic stroke/systemic embolism: 12.4% versus 17.7%, SHR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79–0.96; major bleeding: 2.6% versus 4.1%; SHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64–0.97; ICH: 0.5% versus 2.6%; SHR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.17–0.37).

Conclusions

In patients with end‐stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation, dialytic modalities by PD or hemodialysis impacted these patients differently. There were overall reduced ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding, and ICH at 5‐year follow‐up in patients undergoing PD compared with hemodialysis.
Predicate Clefting and Long Head Movement in Finnish
Authors: Brattico Pauli
Published: June 2021

Head movement constitutes a controversial topic in linguistic theory. Finnish long head movement exhibits an unusual combination of predicate clefting with Ā-movement instead of V-copying. An analysis is developed on the basis of Roberts 1993, 2010 and Chomsky 2008 that relies on a minimal top-down search algorithm that exists as part of a comprehension-based, reverse-engineered Minimalist architecture. Exceptional properties of Finnish head movement are explained as arising from its lexicon, which furnishes the language with an extensive catalogue of left-peripheral discourse-motivated C-features participating in predicate formation. The analysis was formalized and tested using computational tools.
Professor James Leslie Brierly and His First Chinese Pupil Li Shengwu at Oxford University Faculty of Law (1927–1930)
Authors: Li Chen
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on James Brierly’s acceptance and supervision of Li Shengwu—the first Chinese student to conduct research into international law at Oxford. In Section 2, it traces Li Shengwu’s admission by Oxford. Section 3 outlines Li’s draft thesis and explains possible reasons for his failure to graduate.
Preparation of Bi2WO6/Fe3O4 Composite and Photocatalytic Degradation of Bisphenol A
Authors: Song Tie-Hong , Li Jin-Yao , Gao Yan-Jiao
Published: June 2021

Bi2WO6/Fe3O4 nanocomposite materials with uniform morphology and size were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method, and its catalytic degradation effect on bisphenol A was studied. The composite material was studied to analyze the
microstructure and internal composition of the composite material by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and other analytical methods. The degradation rate of BPA can be effectively controlled
when the light is applied under the optimal conditions, the degradation rate of bisphenol A by the composite catalyst has reached 93.45% when the light duration lasts for 120 min. The composite material is a magnetic material, which combines the dual characteristics of the catalytic material
and the magnetic material. It can not only catalyze the degradation of the target pollutant, but also recycle and reuse the magnetic material, it improves the utilization ratio of the material.
Calculation Method of Fracture Conductivity Based on Performance of Proppant Material
Authors: Zhao Yun-Xiang , Guo Da-Li , Zhang Chuan-Xin , Guo Zi-Xi , Sun Yi-Cheng
Published: June 2021

Proppant is one of the key materials used for hydraulic fracturing, directly determining the production of oil and gas wells, which greatly affects the economic benefits. The main function of the proppant is to prop fracture, and create channels with high fracture conductivity for oil
and gas to flow through. First, the microscopic arrangement structure of proppant was studied, and the proppant porosity was calculated in different arrangement structures. Second, a proppant embedment model was established based on the elastic-plastic deformation between the proppant partcles
and the fracture surface. Third, a fracture conductivity model was established based on various parameters, such as, diameter, concentration, strength, crushing rate, embedment, etc. Finally, the proppant embedment depth was calculated on the basis of the new model, from which predicted values
match with the experimental values within an average error of less than 7%. The fracture conductivity was calculated. From a comparison with the experimental values, the average error was less than 6.8%. The calculated proppant embedment depth and fracture conductivity were consistent with
the experimental results, which verified the accuracy of the new model. This study is of significance for guiding hydraulic fracturing design.
Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Based Cements for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Sheikh Abeer , Mirza Eraj Humayun , Baig Saif ur Rehman , Fareedi Fatima , Khan Umar , Aftab Usama , Irfan Umar bin , Khan Aftab Ahmed , Haleem Berrah Abdul , Khan Muhammad Muzammil , Omair Syed Muhammad , Al-Khureif Abdulaziz Abdullah
Published: June 2021

This laboratory study set out to characterize Calcium Phosphate (CaP) based bone cements with added Zinc Oxide (ZnO) embedded in Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Bone cements with varying percentages of CaP mixed with and without varying percentages of ZnO in PMMA were fabricated
by one-step polymerization by reacting equimolar ratios of MMA powder and acrylic resin. Neat-PMMA was used as control throughout the experiment. Fabricated samples were tested for their contact angle measurement, surface roughness, nanohardness, elastic modulus, and also their chemical characterization
using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as a statistical method, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. It was found that increasing CaP content elevated the hydrophobicity
of the composites while mechanical properties increased with the increase of CaP. On the contrary, the addition of ZnO did not show any significant effect. The optimal concentration was observed to be at 20% CaP loading where the mechanical properties were balanced with the hydrophilic nature
of CaP. It was also noted that different wt.% of ZnO and CaP did not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the composites. The PMMA-CaP composites demonstrated encouraging results and necessitate further studies to ascertain the implementation of these bone cements clinically.
The Fast Response of the Atmospheric Water Cycle to Anthropogenic Black Carbon Aerosols during Summer in East Asia
Authors: Pan Chen , Zhu Bin , Fang Chenwei , Kang Hanqing , Kang Zhiming , Chen Hao , Liu Duanyang , Hou Xuewei
Published: June 2021

Studies of the climate effects of black carbon (BC) in East Asia are not abundant and the effects remain uncertain. Using the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) with Peking University’s emissions data, the fast response of the atmospheric water cycle to anthropogenic BC during summer in East Asia is investigated in this study. Results show that the CESM1-simulated BC concentration and its direct effective radiative forcing are comparable to observations. With the combination of aerosol–radiation interaction (ARI) and non-aerosol–radiation interaction (including aerosol–cloud interaction and surface albedo effects), anthropogenic BC induces a “wetter south and drier north” pattern over East Asia during summer. Also, anthropogenic BC affects the summer precipitation primarily through changing moisture transport rather than altering local evaporation over East Asia. Using the self-developed atmospheric water tracer method, the responses of dominant moisture sources [the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) and northwest Pacific] to anthropogenic BC are investigated. Results show that the moisture originating from southwest monsoon-related sources (especially the TIO) is more responsive to anthropogenic BC effects over East Asia. In particular, differing from total precipitation, TIO-supplied precipitation shows a significant response to the ARI of anthropogenic BC over East Asia. Process analyses show that anthropogenic BC affects the southwest monsoon-related moisture supplies primarily via advection, deep convection, and cloud macrophysics. Interestingly, the anthropogenic BC-induced changes of TIO-supplied water vapor in these three processes are all dominated by the ARI over East Asia.
Institutional Articulation: Governance Between Family and State in Rural China
Authors: Cliff Tom
Published: June 2021

This article analyses the money transformations and institutional frameworks that are central to highly successful and innovative, yet legally questionable, community welfare funds in Huagang (pseudonym), an industrialized township in Shandong. One of two aims is to address the question, “How do funny money transactions constitute, undermine, affirm, and/or modify political authority—and whose political authority?” The second aim is to contribute to the study of formation within the economy—“how an economy emerges in the first place, and grows and changes structurally over time”. Both are approached by detailing how the irregular or nonlegal financial transactions that underpin welfare provision by private enterprise in Huagang are made acceptable to local authority by institutional articulation at the village level. Institutional articulation involves registered community welfare funds being granted limited and contingent autonomy on the basis of their formalised exterior institutional face, but operating according to their informal interior institutional mechanisms. The detailed case study supports the argument of this special issue that the admixture of legitimate with illegitimate transactions is intrinsic to the operation of the formal economy in China. Institutional articulation and irregular financial transactions play key roles in innovation, structural change, and the production of political authority.
Protest Event Analysis: Developing a Semiautomated NLP Approach
Authors: Lorenzini Jasmine , Kriesi Hanspeter , Makarov Peter , Wüest Bruno
Published: June 2021

Protest event analysis is a key method to study social movements, allowing to systematically analyze protest events over time and space. However, the manual coding of protest events is time-consuming and resource intensive. Recently, advances in automated approaches offer opportunities to code multiple sources and create large data sets that span many countries and years. However, too often the procedures used are not discussed in details and, therefore, researchers have a limited capacity to assess the validity and reliability of the data. In addition, many researchers highlighted biases associated with the study of protest events that are reported in the news. In this study, we ask how social scientists can build on electronic news databases and computational tools to create reliable PEA data that cover a large number of countries over a long period of time. We provide a detailed description our semiautomated approach and we offer an extensive discussion of potential biases associated with the study of protest events identified in international news sources.
Thyroidectomy for Graves’ Disease Predicts Postoperative Neck Hematoma and Hypocalcemia: A North American cohort study
Authors: Mohtashami Sadaf , Richardson Keith , Forest Veronique-Isabelle , Mlynarek Alex , Payne Richard J. , Tamilia Michael , Pusztaszeri Marc P. , Hier Michael P. , Sadeghi Nader , Mascarella Marco A.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Examine the association of Graves’ disease with the development of postoperative neck hematoma.

Design:

A cohort of patients participating in the Thyroid Procedure-Targeted Database of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018.

Setting:

A North American surgical cohort study.

Methods:

17 906 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were included. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences in baseline covariates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to ascertain the association between thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease and risk of postoperative adverse events within 30 days of surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative hematoma. Secondary outcomes were postoperative hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Results:

One-to-three propensity score matching yielded 1207 patients with mean age (SD) of 42.6 (14.9) years and 1017 (84.3%) female in the group with Graves’ disease and 3621 patients with mean age (SD) of 46.7 (15.0%) years and 2998 (82.8%) female in the group with indications other than Graves’ disease for thyroidectomy. The cumulative 30-day incidence of postoperative hematoma was 3.1% (38/1207) in the Graves’ disease group and 1.9% (70/3621) in other patients. The matched cohort showed that Graves’ disease was associated with higher odds of postoperative hematoma (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.46) and hypocalcemia (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.66-2.50) compared with other indications for thyroid surgery. There was no difference in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury among the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

Patients with Graves’ disease undergoing thyroidectomy are more likely to suffer from postoperative hematoma and hypocalcemia compared to patients undergoing surgery for other indications.
The Sampling Ratio in Multilevel Structural Equation Models: Considerations to Inform Study Design
Authors: Kush Joseph M. , Konold Timothy R. , Bradshaw Catherine P.
Published: June 2021

Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) allows researchers to model latent factor structures at multiple levels simultaneously by decomposing within- and between-group variation. Yet the extent to which the sampling ratio (i.e., proportion of cases sampled from each group) influences the results of MSEM models remains unknown. This article explores how variation in the sampling ratio in MSEM affects the measurement of Level 2 (L2) latent constructs. Specifically, we investigated whether the sampling ratio is related to bias and variability in aggregated L2 construct measurement and estimation in the context of doubly latent MSEM models utilizing a two-step Monte Carlo simulation study. Findings suggest that while lower sampling ratios were related to increased bias, standard errors, and root mean square error, the overall size of these errors was negligible, making the doubly latent model an appealing choice for researchers. An applied example using empirical survey data is further provided to illustrate the application and interpretation of the model. We conclude by considering the implications of various sampling ratios on the design of MSEM studies, with a particular focus on educational research.
The ‘Economic’ in Indian Sociology: Genealogies, Disjunctions and Agenda
Authors: Purayil Mufsin Puthan , Thakur Manish
Published: June 2021

A cursory glance at the century-old history of Indian sociology reveals its relative under-engagement with economic phenomena and processes. Although the ‘economic’ did get studied under the influence of agrarian and village studies, and certain apparently economic themes such as industry and labour did attract scholarly attention from some sociologists, we notice the absence of a sustained and robust academic tradition of sociological studies of the economy in India. There appears to have been an intellectual division of labour, where the study of economic issues was ceded to economists whereas sociologists remained jubilant with their studies of primordial institutions. This study attempts to locate this persistent disjunction between the social and the economic from the perspective of the disciplinary history. Of necessity, this calls for an examination of the relationship between sociology and economics, and the way it unfolded in post-independence India. To this end, this study discusses the role of the developmental state, the prevailing notions of expertise, and the differential treatment accorded to different social sciences’ disciplines. The paper concludes with the outlining of a disciplinary agenda for the sociological study of the ‘economic’.
“Being Able to Listen Makes Me Feel More Engaged”: Best Practices for Using Podcasts as Readings
Authors: Oslawski-Lopez Jamie , Kordsmeier Gregory
Published: June 2021

We investigate student listening compliance, preference for audio versus print content, and exam performance when professionally produced podcasts are assigned as “readings” and provided in both audio and print formats. Listening/reading compliance for the assigned podcasts was high compared with figures reported in previous research. The most popular format for accessing the content was listening, followed by reading, followed by doing both. Most students perceived their selected mode made it easier to focus and comprehend. Many students switched their mode of access between assignments, and some mentioned that having options was important. Students who read podcast transcripts were more likely to answer exam questions correctly than those who only listened to the podcasts, a finding likely tied to multitasking behavior reported by listeners. Our findings suggest instructors should provide students access to both podcast audio and transcripts and explicitly teach students how to best engage with podcast content.
Iterative learning control for nonlinear nonaffine networked systems with stochastic noise in communication channels
Authors: Liu Wenqing , Chi Ronghu
Published: June 2021

This article investigates the convergence analysis of networked iterative learning control for nonlinear nonaffine systems firstly by considering stochastic noise introduced by the network channels. The convergence analysis is under a data-driven framework, which does not rely on any mechanism model information. To deal with the nonlinearity, both the state transition technique and the differential mean value principle are used to formulate the iterative dynamics of system states, tracking errors and input signals using a lifted matrix expression, respectively. In terms of the contraction mapping principle, the tracking error is shown to be iteratively convergent under the sense of mathematical expectation. Since the [Formula: see text]-norm is not used in the analysis, the convergence property of the tracking error is not affected by the operation interval and a good transient performance can be ensured in theory. Simulation studies test the theoretical results.
Beyond the entrepreneur society: Foucault, neoliberalism and the critical attitude
Authors: van Wijk Berend
Published: June 2021

Michel Foucault’s The Birth of Biopolitics is generally acknowledged as a pioneering study of neoliberalism, presenting it not merely as an economic theory but also as a mode of government. There is much debate, however, on Foucault’s intentions in analysing neoliberalism and the place of the genealogy in his broader critical project. The Birth of Biopolitics itself lacks both an explicit judgement of neoliberalism and an explicit ethical program. In this article, I maintain that Foucault’s genealogical work on neoliberalism is complementary to his notions of agency. From this perspective, Foucault’s genealogy is not a judgement of neoliberalism in terms of right or wrong but rather serves as a breeding ground for ethical conduct. The notion of the critical attitude in particular shows that Foucault’s genealogical work stands in the service of the subject’s autonomy. However, Foucault is reluctant to fill in his ethical program too much because it should gain substance only in local struggles and through the subject’s own considerations.
Differentiation of lacrimal gland tumors using the multi-model MRI: classification and regression tree (CART)-based analysis
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Wu Xue , Qian Jiang , Yuan Yifei , Wang Shenjiang , Ye Xinpei , Sha Yan , Zhang Rui , Ren Hui
Published: June 2021

Background

Little is known about the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) in combination with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the differentiation of lacrimal gland tumors.

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of DCE and DWI in differentiating lacrimal gland tumors.

Material and Methods

DCE and DWI were performed in 72 patients with lacrimal gland tumors. Time-intensity curve (TIC) patterns were categorized as type A, type B, type C, and type D. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured on DWI. Then, the diagnostic effectiveness of TIC in conjunction with ADC was assessed using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis.

Results

Type A tumors were all epithelial; they could be further separated into pleomorphic adenoma sand carcinomas. Type B tumors were all non-epithelial tumors, which could be further separated into benign inflammatory infiltrates (BIIs) and lymphomas. Type C tumors contained both carcinomas and non-epithelial tumors, which could be diagnosed into carcinomas, BIIs and lymphomas. Type D tumors were all PAs. The mean ADC of epithelial tumors was significantly higher than that of non-epithelial tumors, and the mean ADC values were significantly different between PAs and carcinomas. Besides, the mean ADC value of BIIs was higher than that of lymphomas. Therefore, the CART decision tree made by ADC and TIC had a predictive accuracy of 86.1%, differentiating lacrimal gland tumors effectively.

Conclusion

Combined DCE and DWI-MRI can efficiently differentiate lacrimal gland tumors which can be of help to ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors.
Knockdown of long non-coding RNA CCAT2 suppresses growth and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting the β-catenin/WISP1 signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Canlin , Li Fei , Zhou Wenbiao , Huang Junxing
Published: June 2021

Objective

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) plays oncogenic roles in several cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the specific mechanism of how CCAT2 influences ESCC tumorigenesis is still unknown.

Methods

Using RT-qPCR, the mRNA expression levels of CCAT2 in 33 paired ESCC and adjacent non-cancer tissues and cell lines were measured. Lentiviral vector sh-CCAT2 was designed and transfected into TE10 cells. CCK-8 and transwell assays were employed to detect the effects of CCAT2 knockdown on cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. RT-qPCR and western blots were used to detect the effects of CCAT2 knockdown.

Results

CCAT2 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues compared with corresponding adjacent tissues. CCAT2 knockdown could suppress cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, knockdown of CCAT2 could suppress the mRNA and protein levels of β-catenin and Wnt-induced-secreted-protein-1 (WISP1), as well as the mRNA levels of their downstream targets VEGF-A, MMP2, and ICAM-1. High expression of CCAT2 and WISP1 were associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients.

Conclusions

In conclusion, a novel CCAT2/β-catenin/WISP1 axis was revealed in ESCC progression and may provide a promising therapeutic target against ESCC. CCAT2 and WISP1 are potential molecular biomarkers for predicting prognosis of ESCC.
Who is the holy seed?: Purity and identity in the Restoration Community
Authors: Jones E Allen
Published: June 2021

Interpreters often note the way in which the phrase ‘holy seed’ links Isa. 6.13 and Ezra 9.2. However, few explore how these texts apply the phrase to different communities/groups of people in ancient Judah. In Isaiah, the holy seed is the remnant in the land following the exile, whereas in Ezra, those returning from Babylon take the mantel for themselves. This essay, then, proceeds in three phases: first, it considers the function of Isa. 6.13 within the context of Isaiah’s call narrative, which helps situate Isaiah’s reference to the holy seed. Second, the study turns to Ezra 9.2 and examines how its reference to the holy seed operates in the Restoration narrative. Finally, the essay explores how this analysis of Isa. 6 and Ezra 9 clarifies our understanding of how these texts may have engaged each other in the early Restoration period.
Clinical factors affecting cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Kitano Taisuke , Ito Kiyonori , Ookawara Susumu , Hoshino Taro , Hayasaka Hideyuki , Kofuji Masaya , Uchida Takayuki , Morino Junki , Minato Saori , Kaneko Shohei , Yanai Katsunori , Mutsuyoshi Yuko , Ishii Hiroki , Matsuyama-Hirata Momoko , Shindo Mitsutoshi , Miyazawa Haruhisa , Ueda Yuichiro , Hirai Keiji , Morishita Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2021

Background:

Although cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) is significantly lower in hemodialysis (HD) patients than that in healthy controls, investigations on cerebral oxygenation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are limited. We aimed to confirm the cerebral oxygenation status and identify the factors affecting cerebral rSO2 in PD patients.

Methods:

Thirty-six PD patients (21 men and 15 women; mean age, 62.8 ± 12.7 years) were recruited. In addition, 27 healthy volunteers (17 men and 10 women; mean age, 43.5 ± 18.8 years) were recruited as a control group. Cerebral rSO2 was monitored at the forehead using an INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor.

Results:

Cerebral rSO2 was significantly lower in PD patients than that in healthy controls (57.0 ± 7.3% vs 68.9 ± 8.6%, p < 0.001); moreover, cerebral rSO2 was significantly correlated with natural logarithm (Ln)-PD duration ( r = −0.389, p = 0.019) and serum albumin concentration ( r = 0.370, p = 0.026) in a simple linear regression analysis. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed using variables that showed a significant correlation and p < 0.20 (serum creatinine, serum sodium, Ln-C-reactive protein, and dosage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent) with the cerebral rSO2. Cerebral rSO2 was independently associated with Ln-PD duration (standardized coefficient: −0.339) and serum albumin concentration (standardized coefficient: 0.316).

Conclusions:

Cerebral rSO2 was significantly affected by the PD duration and serum albumin concentration. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether preventing a decrease in serum albumin concentration leads to the maintenance of cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing PD.
Diagnostic Coding of Elder Mistreatment: Results From a National Database of Medicare Advantage and Private Insurance Patients, 2011–2017
Authors: Rosen Tony , Wen Katherine , Makaroun Lena K. , Elman Alyssa , Zhang Yiye , Jeng Philip J. , LoFaso Veronica M. , Lachs Mark S. , Clark Sunday , Bao Yuhua
Published: June 2021

Health care providers may play an important role in detection of elder mistreatment, which is common but underrecognized. We used the Health Care Cost Institute insurance claims database to describe elder mistreatment diagnosis among Medicare Advantage (MA) and private insurance patients in the United States from 2011 to 2017. We used International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding to identify cases, examining the impact of transition from ICD-9 (Ninth Revision) to ICD-10 (Tenth Revision), which occurred in October 2015 and added 14 new codes for “suspected” mistreatment. 8,127 patients (0.051% of all aged ≥ 65), including 6,304 with MA (0.058%) and 1,823 with private insurance (0.026%) received elder mistreatment diagnosis. Transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 was associated with a small increase in diagnosis rate, with “suspected” codes used in 45.3% of ICD-10 versus 9.7% of ICD-9 cases. Overall rates remained low. Rates, settings, and types of diagnosis differed between MA and private insurance patients.
Longitudinal Cognitive and Physical Training Effectiveness in MCI, Based on the Experience of the Alzheimer’s Hellas Day Care Centre
Authors: Poptsi Eleni , Tsatali Marianna , Agogiatou Christina , Bakoglidou Evaggelia , Batsila Georgia , Dellaporta Dionysia , Kounti-Zafeiropoulou Fotini , Liapi Despoina , Lysitsas Konstantinos , Markou Nefeli , Mouzakidis Christos , Ouzouni Fani , Papasozomenou Chrysa , Soumpourou Aikaterini , Vasiloglou Maria , Zafeiropoulos Stavros , Tsolaki Magda
Published: June 2021

This study assesses the effectiveness of a multicomponent Longitudinal Cognitive Training (CT) program plus physical exercise (PE) for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). 155 people with MCI, completed a 3 years (3Y) CT+PE, whilst 133 were control. Neuropsychological assessment was performed at baseline and 3 years later, whilst CT+PE had additional annual assessments. According to the results, the 3Y CT+PE outperformed control in cognitive abilities ( p < 0.002), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) ( p < 0.001), stabilized their functional performances between 1st and 2nd year, but worsened in working and verbal memory between 2nd and 3 rd year ( p < 0.002). Control deteriorated in cognitive functions ( p < 0.001) and ADL ( p < 0.001) after 3 years, whilst 1.33% of the experimental and 13.53% of the control group progressed to dementia ( p < 0.001). Longitudinal CT+PE improves cognitive performance and ADL in MCI and delay the progression to dementia.
Overcoming barriers and building a strong peritoneal dialysis programme – Experience from three South Asian countries
Authors: Paudel Klara , Qayyum Ahad , Wazil Abdul WM , Sharma Sanjib K , Shrestha Kalpana , Fan Stanley , Haris Agnes , Finkelstein Fredric O , Nanayakkara Nishanthe
Published: June 2021

The development of peritoneal dialysis (PD) programmes in lower-resource countries is challenging. This article describes the learning points of establishing PD programmes in three countries in South Asia (Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan). The key barriers identified were government support (financial), maintaining stable supply of PD fluids, lack of nephrologist and nurse expertise, nephrology community bias against PD, lack of nephrology trainee awareness and exposure to this modality. To overcome these barriers, a well-trained PD lead nephrologist (PD champion) is needed, who can advocate for this modality at government, professional and community levels. Ongoing educational programmes for doctors, nurses and patients are needed to sustain the PD programmes. Support from well-established PD centres and international organisations (International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD), International Society of Nephrology (ISN), International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) are essential.
Numerical analysis of nonlinear functionally graded piezoelectric energy harvester subjected to multi moving oscillators
Authors: Fatehi P , Mahzoon M , Farid M
Published: June 2021

In this paper, energy harvesting from nonlinear vibration of a functionally graded beam covered by a piezoelectric patch under multi-moving oscillators is studied. The material of both the substructure and the piezoelectric patch is assumed to be functionally graded in the thickness direction. A coupled system of equations considering Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and von-Karman nonlinearity as well as electromechanical coupling are derived using the generalized Hamilton’s principle. Finite element method as well as Newmark time integration scheme are used to solve the coupled nonlinear time dependent problem. The effects of different parameters including material distribution, velocity of the moving oscillators, piezoelectric patch thickness and load resistance on the output voltage and harvested power are investigated. Moreover, the effects of oscillator characteristics such as damping ratio and stiffness on the nonlinear behavior of the beam and harvested power are also studied. Results indicate that the aforementioned parameters have considerable effects on the harvested power. It is also shown that ignoring nonlinear effects may lead to erroneous and unacceptable results. To the best of authors’ knowledge, there is no study about energy harvesting from nonlinear vibration of beams under moving oscillators.
Nonlinear static pull-in instability analysis of smart nano-switch considering flexoelectric and surface effects via DQM
Authors: Masoumi Arian , Amiri Ahad , Vesal Rahim , Rezazadeh Ghader
Published: June 2021

This paper deals with the investigation of nonlinear static pull-in instability of smart Nano-switches regarding the new size-dependent phenomenon, known as flexoelectricity, together with the surface effects. It is noteworthy that the coupling effect of the flexoelectricity and surface elasticity on nonlinear static pull-in instability of electrostatically-actuated Nano-switches has not been studied before. Euler-Bernoulli beam assumptions in conjunction with the von-Karman nonlinearity are considered to formulate the problem. The Nano-switch is subjected to electrostatic actuation force with fringing field effect as well as Casimir force. Refined constitutive relations for piezoelectric materials capturing the flexoelectric effects are taken into consideration for mathematical modeling. Additionally, a surface elasticity approach is employed to reach an accurate model for the system. Considering the imposed electric boundary conditions, Gauss’s equation is solved to acquire the electric potential distribution along with the thickness of the Nano-switch. Thereafter, Hamilton’s principle is hired to derive the coupled nonlinear governing equations of the system. Utilizing the differential quadrature method (DQM), the nonlinear ordinary differential equations are transformed into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. Consequently, Newton-Raphson method is exploited as a numerical method to solve the obtained algebraic equations which leads to the pull-in voltage. Investigating the maximum displacement of the Nano-switch in response to the applied electrostatic force, the effects of various involved parameters such as flexoelectricity and surface elasticity on pull-in instability are explored in detail. Furthermore, the size-dependent behavior of the pull-in instability against the flexoelectric, surface effects and applied piezoelectric voltage is analyzed. Totally, it is revealed that the flexoelectricity may exhibit a substantial influence on the pull-in behavior of smart Nano-switches, especially for some cases with small thicknesses. Therefore, this effect should be taken into account to reach an accurate, reliable and optimized design for Nano-switches.
Development of a method for maximum structural response prediction of a store externally carried by a jet fighter
Authors: Kaplan Engin Metin , Acar Erdem , Bülent Özer Mehmet
Published: June 2021

Experimental structural response of equipment mounted in store carried externally by jet type aircraft is investigated, predicted and compared with responses suggested by military standards in this study. A representative store which is similar to Mark-83 warhead with guidance units in terms of mass and geometry is used in this study. The main scope of this study is to evaluate the structural response proposed by military standards with real test conditions and also suggest a new method with an artificial neural network to predict the maximum response. Seventy-five different flight conditions are used to train the network for low and high frequency components. Also, eight flight conditions apart from the training set of flight conditions are used to test the approach. Acceleration levels are collected in real flight conditions by the data storage system. In signal processing, vibration response is expressed as power spectral density functions in the frequency domain. Procedures to predict the maximum response from measurements are determined with statistical limits in the literature. Besides the well-known limits in literature, third-order polynomial normal and logarithmic transform is used, and the performance of the different limits is compared. It is found that the military standard vibration spectrum is conservative. Distribution-free and normal tolerance limits predicted low frequency acceleration spectral density magnitudes more accurately. Their prediction performances were better than those of the other tolerance limits and that of the military standard. Third-order polynomial transform predictions are found to be reasonable with respect to normal prediction limit and envelope approach. Finally, it can be concluded that the response prediction method proposed in this article works well for Mark-83 warheads with guidance unit carried externally by jet fighter.
Silencing of E-cadherin expression leads to increased chemosensitivity to irinotecan and oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cell lines
Authors: Skarkova Veronika , Skarka Adam , Manethova Monika , Stefanidi Afroditi A , Rudolf Emil
Published: June 2021

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a leading malignant disease in most developed countries. In advanced stages it presents with metastatic dissemination and significant chemoresistance. Despite intensive studies, no convincing evidence has been published concerning the association of cadherins and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a direct cause of acquired chemoresistance in CRC. The present study was designed to investigate the role of E-cadherin in EMT and its associated chemosensitivity/chemoresistance in four immortalized CRC cell lines representing various stages of CRC development (i.e. HT29 and Caco-2—early, SW480 and SW620 late). The expression of E-cadherin gene CDH1 was downregulated by the specific siRNA. Cell proliferation and chemosensitivity to irinotecan (IT) and oxaliplatin (OPT) were detected using WST-1 and x-CELLigence Real Time analysis. Expression of selected EMT markers were tested and compared using RT-PCR and western blot analysis in both variants (E-cadherin silenced and non-silenced) of each cell line. We have discovered that downregulation of E-cadherin expression has a diverse effect on both cell proliferation as well as the expression of EMT markers in individual tested CRC cell lines, with Caco-2 cells being the most responsive. On the other hand, reduced E-cadherin expression resulted in increased sensitivity of all cell lines to IT and mostly to OPT which might be related to changes in intracellular metabolism of these drugs. These results suggest dichotomy of E-cadherin involvement in the phenotypic EMT spectrum of CRC and warrants further mechanistic studies.