bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of Approaches for Postprocessing of Static Analysis Alarms
Authors: Muske Tukaram , Serebrenik Alexander
Published: February 2022

Static analysis tools have showcased their importance and usefulness in automated detection of defects. However, the tools are known to generate a large number of alarms which are warning messages to the user. The large number of alarms and cost incurred by their manual inspection have been identified as two major reasons for underuse of the tools in practice. To address these concerns plentitude of studies propose postprocessing of alarms: processing the alarms after they are generated. These studies differ greatly in their approaches to postprocess alarms. A comprehensive overview of the postprocessing approaches is, however, missing.

In this article, we review 130 primary studies that propose postprocessing of alarms. The studies are collected by combining keywords-based database search and snowballing. We categorize approaches proposed by the collected studies into six main categories:
clustering, ranking, pruning, automated elimination of false positives, combination of static and dynamic analyses,
and
simplification of manual inspection.
We provide overview of the categories and sub-categories identified for them, their merits and shortcomings, and different techniques used to implement the approaches. Furthermore, we provide (1) guidelines for selection of the postprocessing techniques by the users/designers of static analysis tools; and (2) directions that can be explored by the researchers.
A Survey on Task Assignment in Crowdsourcing
Authors: Hettiachchi Danula , Kostakos Vassilis , Goncalves Jorge
Published: February 2022

Quality improvement methods are essential to gathering high-quality crowdsourced data, both for research and industry applications. A popular and broadly applicable method is task assignment that dynamically adjusts crowd workflow parameters. In this survey, we review task assignment methods that address: heterogeneous task assignment, question assignment, and plurality problems in crowdsourcing. We discuss and contrast how these methods estimate worker performance, and highlight potential challenges in their implementation. Finally, we discuss future research directions for task assignment methods, and how crowdsourcing platforms and other stakeholders can benefit from them.
Stochastic Top
K
-Subset Bandits with Linear Space and Non-Linear Feedback with Applications to Social Influence Maximization
Authors: Agarwal Mridul , Aggarwal Vaneet , Umrawal Abhishek K. , Quinn Christopher J.
Published: February 2022

There are numerous real-world problems where a user must make decisions under uncertainty. For the problem of
influence maximization
on a social network, for example, the user must select a set of
K
influencers who will jointly have a large influence on many users. With the lack of prior knowledge about the diffusion process or even topological information, this problem becomes quite challenging. This problem can be cast as a combinatorial bandit problem, where the user can repeatedly choose a candidate set of
K
out of
N
arms at each time, with an aim to achieve an efficient trade-off between exploration and exploitation.

In this work, we present the first combinatorial bandit algorithm for which the only feedback is a non-linear reward of the selected
K
arms. No other feedback is needed. In the context of influence maximization, this means no feedback in the form of which nodes or edges were activated needs to be available, just the amount of influence. The novel algorithm we propose, CMAB-SM, is based on a divide-and-conquer strategy. It is computationally and storage efficient. Over a time horizon
T
, the proposed algorithm achieves a
regret bound
of Õ(
K
1/2
N
1/3
T
2/3
). This bound is sub-linear in all of the parameters:
T
,
N
, and
K
.

We empirically demonstrate our algorithm’s performance using the applications of influence maximization and product cross-selling. For influence maximization, we provide experiments on real-world social networks, showing that the proposed CMAB algorithm outperforms bandit-specific and social-influence-domain-specific algorithms in terms of empirical run-time and expected influence. For product cross-selling, we also demonstrate that the proposed CMAB algorithm outperforms considered baselines on synthetic data.
Human Antibodies for Viral Infections
Authors: Crowe James E.
Published: February 2022

Antibodies have been used to prevent or treat viral infections since the nineteenth century, but the full potential to use passive immunization for infectious diseases has yet to be realized. The advent of efficient methods for isolating broad and potently neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies is enabling us to develop antibodies with unprecedented activities. The discovery of IgG Fc region modifications that extend antibody half-life in humans to three months or more suggests that antibodies could become the principal tool with which we manage future viral epidemics. Antibodies for members of most virus families that cause severe disease in humans have been isolated, and many of them are in clinical development, an area that has accelerated during the effort to prevent or treat COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Broad and potently neutralizing antibodies are also important research reagents for identification of protective epitopes that can be engineered into active vaccines through structure-based reverse vaccinology.
Germinal Centers
Authors: Victora Gabriel D. , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: February 2022

Germinal centers (GCs) are microanatomical sites of B cell clonal expansion and antibody affinity maturation. Therein, B cells undergo the Darwinian process of somatic diversification and affinity-driven selection of immunoglobulins that produces the high-affinity antibodies essential for effective humoral immunity. Here, we review recent developments in the field of GC biology, primarily as it pertains to GCs induced by infection or immunization. First, we summarize the phenotype and function of the different cell types that compose the GC, focusing on GC B cells. Then, we review the cellular and molecular bases of affinity-dependent selection within the GC and the export of memory and plasma cells. Finally, we present an overview of the emerging field of GC clonal dynamics, focusing on how GC and post-GC selection shapes the diversity of antibodies secreted into serum.
Experiments and Surveys on Political Elites
Authors: Kertzer Joshua D. , Renshon Jonathan
Published: February 2022

One of the major developments in political science in the past decade has been the rise of experiments and surveys on political elites. Yet, the increase in the number of elite studies has outpaced our collective understanding of best practices and how we know a good elite experiment when we see one. In this article, we discuss some of the challenges in the study of political elites—from who counts as an elite to how to best utilize elite experiments in the context of broader research designs. We also offer recommendations on questions of access, recruitment, and representativeness, as well as designs that researchers can use to study “eliteness” without access to elites.
Las Vidas Negras Importan: Centering Blackness and Racial Politics in Latin American Research
Authors: Clealand Danielle Pilar
Published: February 2022

Racial disparities in Latin America exist in poverty levels, income, education, infant mortality, political representation, access to social services, and other key indicators. However, researchers in comparative politics face an uphill challenge to prioritize racial politics in studies of democratization, democratic consolidation, representation, and even social movements and inequality, despite racial hierarchies being quite harmful to democracy in Latin America. This article argues for the centering of Black politics and racial hierarchies in Latin American politics and highlights recent literature to map just how that can be done. More than adding race as a variable or a control, we must understand racial identification and anti-Black racism in Latin America: how they operate, and how they influence, complicate, motivate, affirm, and inspire politics. In this article, I address ( a) why we should center racial politics in Latin American politics, ( b) how comparative racial scholars have centered Black politics, ( c) the methodologies necessary to accurately measure racial identification, and ( d) recent research that examines the interplay between racial self-identification, Black group consciousness, and voting behavior.
Effect of self-regulated learning and technology-enhanced activities on anatomy learning, engagement, and course outcomes in a problem-based learning program
Authors: Bains Mona , Kaliski Debora Z. , Goei Kathleen A.
Published: February 2022

Problem-based learning (PBL) offers advantages for teaching anatomy and physiology for physical therapy students as clinical cases provide a scaffold for a comprehensive review of body systems. Although the utilization of interactive anatomy software greatly contributes to an active learning environment and efficient use of time, simply providing textbook readings, access to anatomy software, and models is not enough to engage students to become active in reaching their learning goals. Time constraints, meaningful technology implementation, resource abundance, and unfamiliarity are challenges that decrease the effectiveness of both facilitating and learning anatomy. The present study investigated the use of three supplemental learning tools to support anatomy instruction in a self-regulated manner. Friedman test results demonstrated significant differences for perceived engagement [χ2(2) = 15.74, P < 0.001, W = 0.23] but not for perceived learning. Survey responses demonstrated that perceived engagement was greatest with the nondigital supplemental learning tool compared with the two technology-enhanced learning tools (iBooks Author + SoftChalk and SoftChalk alone). Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated statistically significant relationships between the nondigital supplemental learning tool and anatomy practical scores ( P < 0.001). The technology-enhanced supplemental learning tools did not further increase learning outcomes as measured by practical scores compared with nondigital learning tools. Incorporation of instructor-created instructional materials independent of technology is an efficient method to drive self-regulated learning, enhance engagement, and improve anatomy course outcomes and may overcome barriers associated with a purely self-directed PBL model.
Profile Aware ObScure Logging (PaOSLo): A Web Search Privacy-Preserving Protocol to Mitigate Digital Traces
Authors: Ullah Mohib , Khan Rafi Ullah , Khan Irfan Ullah , Aslam Nida , Aljameel Sumayh S. , Ul Haq Muhammad Inam , Islam Muhammad Arshad
Published: February 2022

Web search querying is an inevitable activity of any Internet user. The web search engine (WSE) is the easiest way to search and retrieve data from the Internet. The WSE stores the user’s search queries to retrieve the personalized search result in a form of query log. A user often leaves digital traces and sensitive information in the query log. WSE is known to sell the query log to a third party to generate revenue. However, the release of the query log can compromise the security and privacy of a user. In this work, we propose a Profile Aware ObScure Logging (PaOSLo) Web search privacy-preserving protocol that mitigates the digital traces a user leaves in Web searching. PaOSLo systematically groups users based on profile similarity. The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the impact of the systematic group compared to random grouping. We first computed the similarity between the users’ profiles and then clustered them using the K-mean algorithm to group the users systematically. Unlikability and indistinguishability are the two dimensions in which we have measured the privacy of a user. To compute the impact of systematic grouping on a user’s privacy, we have experimented with and compared the performance of PaOSLo with modern distributed protocols like OSLo and UUP(e). Results show that, at the top degree of the ODP hierarchy, PaOSLo preserved 10% and 3% better profile privacy than the modern distributed protocols mentioned above. In addition, the PaOSLo has less profile exposure for any group size and at each degree of the ODP hierarchy.
Improving the Extraction of Active Ingredients from Medicinal Plants by XynA Modification
Authors: Zhang Lin , Xie Wei , Teng Xiaojun , Wang Kui , Xie Wei , Wang Caiyan
Published: February 2022

Active ingredients of medicinal plants have unique pharmacological and clinical effects. However, conventional extraction technology has many disadvantages, such as long-time and low-efficiency. XynA-assisted extraction may overcome such problems, since the plant cell wall is mainly composed of cellulose. Based on the three-dimensional protein structure, we found the C-terminal domain and N-terminal domain twisted together and resulted in more flexibility. We carried out a series of truncations, with XynA_ΔN36 getting more yields of active ingredients. As shown by HPLC analysis, the efficiencies for extraction of salvianic acid A and berberine from Salvia miltiorrhiza and Phellodendron chinense were increased by approximately 38.14% and 35.20%, respectively, compared with the conventional extraction protocol. The yields of the two compounds reached 2.84 ± 0.05 mg g−1 and 3.52 ± 0.14 mg g−1, respectively. Above all, XynA_ΔN36 can be applied to the extraction of salvianic acid A and berberine, and this study provides a novel enzyme for the extraction technology, which aids rational utilization and quality control of medicinal plants.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of Graphene@Ag/AgSb2O5.8 Composites: Reaction Laws of the Composites in Sintering Process
Authors: Liu Haomei , Hao Xihai , Liu Yuejun , Yan Aiguo
Published: February 2022

Single-phase silver antimonite have quite low oxidation and reduction potential because of the easy recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. In the study, a novel ternary graphene@Ag/AgSb2O5.8 (G @Ag/ASO) visible-light-driven photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure, and chemical composition of G @Ag/ASO and its sinters at different temperatures in the air atmosphere were systematically characterized by a range of techniques. Reaction laws of the composites in the sintering process have been revealed based on the Ellingham diagram. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye and tetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCl) by the as-synthesized photocatalyst was investigated under visible light irradiation. The G@Ag/ASO-500 (the sinter at 500°C) exhibits degradation efficiency of 80% for RhB and 85% for OTC-HCl in 120 min, higher than those for AgSb2O5.8 (20% and 24%, respectively). The graphene-enhanced Ag-loaded AgSb2O5.8 model is proposed and reasonably accounts for the high-efficiency electron-hole transfer mechanism through four contact potentials and the crucial role of graphene sheets on the surface of the composites. The present study provides a new perspective for enhancing photocatalytic performance.
Diagnostic Value of Nonacid Nucleic Blood Tumor Marker Panels in Early Diagnosing Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Raja Vahid , Farajzadegan Ziba , Mansourian Marjan , Ghasemi Khojaste , Aboutalebi Mohammad Sadegh , Nouri Rasool , Mokarian Fariborz
Published: February 2022

This study is aimed at determining the best nonacid nucleic blood tumor marker panels in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in order to detect breast cancer in early stages (I, II, and III) among eligible women for breast cancer screening. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane were systematically reviewed to assess nonacid nucleic blood tumor marker panels’ diagnostic value in women, both healthy and patient (before any anticancer treatment), for detecting breast cancer. A network meta-analysis was carried out using a Bayesian network meta-analysis to estimate combined odd ratio (OR) and 95% CI credible interval for presenting the results. Rankograms plot was drawn to rank the diagnostic value of different panels. Of the 2358 titles initially identified, 9 studies and 8 panels were included in the network meta-analysis. Panels A (MMP-9/TIMP-1) and K (TF1+TF2+TF3) had the highest sensitivity in early stages, as panel A with

OR
=
11.61

and 95% CI (1.49-102.5) demonstrated a better function than mammography. Panels H (CA 15.3 + IL-18) and A (MMP-9/TIMP-1) had the highest specificity in early stages, but no significant difference with mammography. Panels A (MMP-9/TIMP-1) and H (CA 15.3 + IL-18) had the highest accuracy in early stages, as they significantly exhibited a higher function than mammography with

OR
=
6.87

and 95% CI (2.07-31.35) as well as

OR
=
3.44

and 95% CI (1.15-11.07), respectively. Panel A including MMP-9/TIMP-1 in early stages demonstrated a higher diagnostic value for breast cancer than the rest of the panels.
Customer Experience towards the Product during a Coronavirus Outbreak
Authors: Wassan Sobia , Shen Tian , Xi Chen , Gulati Kamal , Vasan Danish , Suhail Beenish
Published: February 2022

Nowadays, sentimental analysis of consumers’ review is becoming much crucial in the marketing world. It is not just giving ideas to the firms that how consumers like their product or service, but it would also help them make their service better. In this article, the statistical method identifies the relationship of many factors in consumer feedback. It introduces a deep-based learning method called DSC (deep sentiment classifier) to determine whether or not to recommend the reviewed product thoroughly. Our suggested method also investigates the effect sizes of the feedback, such as positives, negatives, and neutrals. We used the women’s clothing review dataset containing 22,642 records after preprocessing of the results. Experimental studies show that the recommendations are an excellent positive sentiment indicator. In comparison, ratings become fuzzy performance metrics in product reviews. The 10-fold cross-validation analysis shows that the recommended form has the top F1 score (93.56%) in the sentimental classification on average and the recommended classification (88.32%) on average. A comparative description of other classifiers focused on machine learning, for example, KNN, random forest, logistic regression, decision tree, support vector machine multilayer perceptron, and naïve Bayes, also demonstrates that DSC gives the best possible result. We have tested DSC on the dataset IMDB (Internet Video Database), which includes the sentiment of the 50,000 movie reviews (25000 for training and 25000 for testing). In comparison to other baseline methods, DSC obtained an excellent classification score for this experiment.
Intensive Cold‐Air Invasion Detection and Classification with Deep Learning in Complicated Meteorological Systems
Authors: Yang Ming , Ma Hao , Chen Bomin , Dong Guangtao
Published: February 2022

Faster R‐CNN architecture is used to solve the problems of moving path uncertainty, changeable coverage, and high complexity in cold‐air induced large‐scale intensive temperature‐reduction (ITR) detection and classification, since those problems usually lead to path identification biases as well as low accuracy and generalization ability of recognition algorithm. In this paper, an improved recognition method of national ITR (NITR) path in China based on faster R‐CNN in complicated meteorological systems is proposed. Firstly, quality control of the original dataset of strong cooling processes is carried out by means of data filtering. Then, according to the NITR standard and the characteristics of NITR, the NITR dataset in China is established by the intensive temperature‐reduction areas located through spatial transformation. Meanwhile, considering that the selection of regularization parameters of Softmax classification method will cause the problem of probability calculation, support vector machine (SVM) is used for path classification to enhance the confidence of classification. Finally, the improved faster R‐CNN model is used to identify, classify, and locate the path of NITR events. The experimental results show that, compared to other models, the improved faster R‐CNN algorithm greatly improves the performance of NITR’s path recognition, especially for the mixed NITR paths and single NITR paths. Therefore, the improved faster R‐CNN model has fast calculation speed, high recognition accuracy, good robustness, and generalization ability of NITR path recognition.
Tegaserod Maleate Inhibits Breast Cancer Progression and Enhances the Sensitivity of Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Xiao , Wu Liangliang , Zheng Zhiying , Liu Hanyuan , Li Haiyang , Sun Guoqiang , Sun Guangshun , Cheng Ye , Wang Hanjin , Li Zhouxiao , Shi Junfeng , Tang Weiwei
Published: February 2022

Background. Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. The challenge in managing this heterogeneous malignancy is that BC is highly aggressive and is always associated with chemical resistance, radiation resistance, hormone therapy resistance, and targeted therapy resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find effective drugs to treat BC. Methods. Based on the Selleck drug library approved by FDA, we screened 800 drugs for anti-BC cells and found that tegaserod maleate (TM), a 5-hydroxytryptamine 4-receptor (HTR4) partial agonist had the best anti-BC effect, which was further verified. The effects of different concentrations of TM on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated in vitro using CCK8, plate cloning, transwell, and scratch assays. The UALCAN database, Kaplan–Meier Plotter database, Human Protein Atlas, and GEPIA2 were used to explore the correlation between HTR4 expression and BC patients’ clinicopathological data as well as immune response. In vivo experiments demonstrated the effect of the TM and immunotherapy drug (anti-PD1/anti-TIGIT) combination on BC tumor growth in mice. Results. TM significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of BC cells, and the higher the concentration, the better the inhibition effect. HTR4 was significantly downregulated in BC tissues compared to paracancerous tissues. The downregulation of HTR4 was correlated with clinicopathological data and positively correlated with BC prognosis. Interestingly, the GEPIA2 database suggested that there was a strong positive correlation between the expression of HTR4 and effector T cells, effector memory T cells, and exhausted T cells. In vitro experiments showed that TM, anti-PD1, and anti-TIGIT could all inhibit the growth and weight of BC tumors as compared with the control group. However, when anti-PD1 or anti-TIGIT was used simultaneously with TM, the inhibition of tumors significantly exceeded that in the control group. Moreover, the combination of anti-TIGIT and TM has the best inhibitory effect. Conclusion. TM inhibited the progression of breast cancer, and its combination with anti-TIGIT could effectively inhibit tumor growth and improve the sensitivity of immunotherapy in breast cancer.
Biological Anchorage and Canine Orthodontic Movement Rate with a New Technique for Micro-Osteoperforations
Authors: Arredondo Andrés , Pérez Daniela , Zapata-Noreña Oscar , Ramírez Claudia , Carvajal-Flórez Álvaro , Arango Elsa , Barbosa-Liz Diana , Gil Jorge , Duque Paula , Gallego Juan , Castaño Catalina , Plaza-Ruíz Sonia Patricia
Published: February 2022

Introduction. The differential management of anchorage and the acceleration of tooth movement are some of the current greatest challenges for orthodontists. Diverse techniques and devices to reinforce anchorage and increase the rate of tooth movement have been proposed. Whether micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) can be used for both purposes is currently investigated. Objectives. To propose and describe a new technique for biological anchorage, which involves six MOPs performed every four weeks, and to present its results in a clinical case of upper premolar extraction. Intervention. In a dental class II patient who met the selection criteria, three MOPs both on the buccal and palatine sides on the intervention side were performed on the extraction area following the protocol described. No MOPs were performed on the control side. The allocation of the intervention was randomised. The MOPs were performed three times at an interval of four weeks. A0.019×0.025-inch stainless steel wire was activated with calibrated NiTi springs. The three-dimensional movement of the first molars and upper canines was evaluated. In addition, the comfort, periodontal status, and canine root resorption of the patient were evaluated. Results. Clinical and radiographic results suggest that the MOPs had a positive effect in reducing the loss of biological anchorage of the posterior sector and in the rate of canine tooth movement, without damaging changes in the soft and hard tissues. Conclusion. The proposed protocol involving six MOPs every four weeks improved the behaviour of biological anchorage and increased distalization on the intervention side in this clinical case.
Experimental Study on the Force Characteristics of Superlong Pile Groups in Silty Sand
Authors: Li Yonghui , Zhang Dinghao , Liu Yunlong , Chen Lujie
Published: February 2022

Laboratory model testing of single pile and superlong pile groups in saturated silty sand was conducted to investigate the response and bearing behavior of superlong pile groups with a high or low cap under vertical loads. The load transfer mechanism and bearing behavior of the pile shaft were discussed in detail. The load‐settlement curve of the loaded superlong pile groups belongs to the type of gradual descent in silty sand. The transferred load decreased along the pile length during loading, but the gradients differed in different positions of the superlong pile group foundation with a high or low cap. The maximum shaft friction of the superlong pile groups with a high and low cap is about 2.5 times and 1.8 times, respectively, than that of the single pile. In addition, the tip resistance of the piles in the pile group foundation is about 2–3.5 times that of the single pile. The friction resistance of the superlong pile group foundation with a low cap was slightly larger than that of the high cap in the entire pile length, and two peaks and one peak, respectively, were observed. Under the ultimate load, the pile‐soil maximum relative displacement of the friction on the pile side in the silty sand stratum was about 3% of the pile diameter. Under the ultimate load, the load sharing ratio of the pile side resistance of the two types of pile group foundations was about 60% of the total load. The load sharing ratios at the pile tip of the superlong pile groups with high and low caps are 40% and 33%. Furthermore, equations were proposed to determine the axial capacity of the superlong pile group based on the single pile bearing capacity and were applied to analyze the test pile. The calculated ultimate bearing capacity was similar to the measured value, with a maximum error of only 4.88%, thus validating the proposed method.
EW‐CACTUs‐MAML: A Robust Metalearning System for Rapid Classification on a Large Number of Tasks
Authors: Wang Wen-Feng , Zhang Jingjing , An Peng
Published: February 2022

This study aims to develop a robust metalearning system for rapid classification on a large number of tasks. The model‐agnostic metalearning (MAML) with the CACTUs method (clustering to automatically construct tasks for unsupervised metalearning) is improved as EW‐CACTUs‐MAML after integrated with the entropy weight (EW) method. Few‐shot mechanisms are introduced in the deep network for efficient learning of a large number of tasks. The process of implementation is theoretically interpreted as “gene intelligence.” Validation of EW‐CACTUs‐MAML on a typical dataset (Omniglot) indicates an accuracy of 97.42%, performing better than CACTUs‐MAML (validation accuracy = 97.22%). At the end of this paper, the availability of our thoughts to improve another metalearning system (EW‐CACTUs‐ProtoNets) is also preliminarily discussed based on a cross‐validation on another typical dataset (Miniimagenet).
Shaking Table Test of a New Type Insulation Decorative Block Wall under Out-of-Plane Loading
Authors: Wu Jian , Lv Yuan Yuan , Yin Shuai Shuai , Wang Qi
Published: February 2022

In order to solve the problems of complex construction, poor weather resistance, and environmental pollution of conventional thermal insulation materials, this paper introduces a new type of insulation decorative block (IDB) filled with insulation materials. Different anchoring methods were adopted to study the influence of anchor bolts on the out-of-plane mechanical properties of IDB walls. The test results revealed that the anchor bolts could effectively prevent the appearance and development of cracks in the specimens. With the increase of anchor bolts, the acceleration and displacement of the IDB walls decreased. Compared to rectangular arrangement, the staggered pattern of anchor bolts could reduce the relative displacement and acceleration. The structural calculation of IDB walls was carried out to determine the number of anchor bolts at different heights, and design suggestions were given to improve the performance of IDB walls. The analysis and test results indicated that the IDB is suitable for application in engineering structures.
Analysis on the Effectiveness of PE FCT Model Based on Cooperative Learning Model
Authors: Liu Wei
Published: February 2022

Many unique ideas of physical education in colleges and universities were proposed in the 1990s by some experts and scholars in China's sports field, such as “skills education ideas,” “happy sports ideas,” “lifelong sports ideas,” and “health first ideas,” and many other higher vocational colleges have begun to implement the inverted classroom teaching model into the teaching practice in physical education classes. Cooperative learning is a method of learning that is systematic and structured. Different approaches, such as collaborative learning, personalized learning, digital learning, and so on, aim to cultivate students' “collaborative learning” and “self-improvement” objectively. The effectiveness of the sports flip classroom teaching mode, which is based on cooperative learning, is examined in this paper. The cooperative learning mode completes the teaching activities in the form of groups in the teaching organization. The cooperative learning mode can help students not only improve their abilities, but also cultivate a sense of cooperation and teamwork in the classroom. We should pay attention to students' participation and cooperative behavior when implementing “cooperative learning” teaching, so that each student has the opportunity to express himself in practice.
Numerical Modeling of a Hot Plate Stove for Peanut Roasting
Authors: Agyei-Agyemang Anthony , Commeh Michael Kweku , Tawiah Peter Oppong , Asaaga Benjamin Atribawuni
Published: February 2022

Heat treatment, especially roasting, is known to reduce harmful fungal species and mycotoxin formation to a great extent. Experiments were conducted for heat treatment and the effects of introducing different fin configurations. ANSYS Fluent 14.5 was used to simulate the three-dimensional (3D) roaster geometry. The effect of the addition of different fins at the bottom of the hot plate was then studied. It was observed that maximum surface temperatures of 133°C, 153.25°C, 310.63°C, and 265.07°C were obtained after 180 minutes (three hours) for the experimental (without fins), predicted (without fins), predicted (with rod fins), and predicted (with honeycomb fins), respectively. The addition of honeycomb and rod fins to the roster’s plate increased temperatures by 115.34% and 143.03% of the original roaster hot plate. Thus, a design with rod fins added to the hot plate could improve its thermal performance and hence reduce the harmful effects of possible fungal species and mycotoxin contamination.
Metastatic Meningioma of the Neck: A Case Report and Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Hoang C.B. , Mady Leila J. , Panara Kush , Andrianus Stefen , Cooper Kumarasen , Chen Isaac H. , Chalian Ara A. , Brody Robert M.
Published: February 2022

Background: Although meningiomas are the most common central nervous system neoplasms, extracranial metastases are exceedingly rare. There are even fewer reports of metastatic meningiomas to the neck. Methods: We described a patient with multiply recurrent orbital meningioma with metastasis to the neck found incidentally during neck exploration for composite resection and free tissue reconstruction. We performed a systematic review for all records pertaining to metastatic meningiomas to the cervical regions. Results: We found 9 previous reports of cervical metastatic meningiomas. Almost all cases underwent extensive local resection. There was no evidence of an association between the histological grade of the tumor and risk of metastasis to the neck. Cervical lymph node dissemination is more common in patients presenting after previous primary tumor resection. Conclusions: In the context of a neck mass, our findings suggest that metastatic meningioma should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with previous resections.
Optische Kohärenztomographie bei Multipler Sklerose: Eine prospektive Multicenterstudie über 3 Jahre
Authors: Siebelmann Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Objective: To evaluate changes over 3 years in the thickness of inner retinal layers including the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and combined macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (mGCIPL), in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) versus healthy controls; to determine whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) is sufficiently sensitive and reproducible to detect small degrees of neuroaxonal loss over time that correlate with changes in brain volume and disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Methods: Individuals with RRMS from 28 centers (n = 333) were matched with 64 healthy participants. OCT scans were performed on Heidelberg Spectralis machines (at baseline; 1 month; 6 months; 6-monthly thereafter). Results: OCT measurements were highly reproducible between baseline and 1 month (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.98). Significant inner retinal layer thinning was observed in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with controls regardless of previous MS-associated optic neuritis–group differences (95% CI) over 3 years: pRNFL: -1.86 (-2.54, -1.17) µm; mGCIPL: -2.03 (-2.78, -1.28) µm (both p < 0.0001; effect sizes 0.39 and 0.34). Greater inner retinal layer atrophy was observed in individuals diagnosed with RRMS <3 years versus >5 years (pRNFL: p < 0.05; mGCIPL: p < 0.01). Brain volume decreased by 1.3% in individuals with MS over 3 years compared to 0.5% in control subjects (effect size 0.76). mGCIPL atrophy correlated with brain atrophy (p < 0.0001). There was no correlation of OCT data with disability progression. Interpretation: OCT has potential to estimate rates of neurodegeneration in the retina and brain. The effect size for OCT, smaller than for magnetic resonance imaging based on Heidelberg Spectralis data acquired in this study, was increased in early disease.
Clinical Implication of Borderline CT-Morphological Metastatic Spread in Bladder Cancer: What You See Is Not Always What You Got
Authors: Weinhold Philipp , Jokisch Friedrich , Schulz Gerald Bastian , Buchner Alexander , Kazmierczak Philipp Maximilian , Kretschmer Alexander , Schlenker Boris , Karl Alexander , Stief Christian G. , Grimm Tobias
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Palliative radical cystectomy (pRC) may be offered to selected bladder cancer (BC) patients with grievous local symptoms. However, there is only scarce information on perioperative complications and prognosis, especially in the case of metastatic spread. We intended to analyze morbidity and oncological outcome in this patient subgroup. Materials: Patients undergoing pRC because of BC with radiologic evidence of metastases were included in this retrospective study. Perioperative adverse events (AEs) were graded by the Clavien-Dindo Classification system. All patients underwent CT-based surveillance, and questionnaires were sent for survival follow-up in predefined intervals. Oncological outcome and predictive markers were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses, using log-rank tests and Cox-regression analyses. Results: Between 2004 and 2016, 77 patients were identified. Median age at surgery was 70 years (IQR 66–77) and the median follow-up time was 12 months (IQR 4–44). Preoperative staging revealed pulmonary, hepatic, bone, peritoneal, and various other metastasis in 46/77 (60%), 14/77 (18%), 11/77 (14%), 5/77 (7%), and 11/77 (14%) cases, respectively. Most frequently observed symptoms at the time of pRC were severe gross hematuria (n = 41) and intense pain (n = 11). Most AEs were of minor grade (83%). The median length of stay was 20 days. Median CSS was 13 months with a 5-year CSS of 34%. Intriguingly and unsuspectedly, preoperatively suspicious lung lesions were confirmed during surveillance only in 33%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, intraoperative blood transfusions (HR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.09–4.63, p = 0.028) were significantly associated with decreased CSS. The best outcome was observed in patients with only subpleural metastases (CSS 80 months, p = 0.039) and normal CRP- and Hb values. Conclusion: pRC can be performed with acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary lesions seem to have a risk of false-positive results and should be biopsied in all uncertain cases. Localization of lung metastases together with preoperative CRP- and Hb levels seem to play a prognostic role.
Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren vermitteln ein großes Spektrum von unerwünschten immunvermittelten Reaktion an der Haut
Authors: Sticherling Michael
Published: February 2022

Background: A variety of dermatoses have been reported in the growing number of patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but the current understanding of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is limited. Objective: To determine the cumulative incidence, distribution, and risk factors of cutaneous irAEs after ICI initiation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients in a national insurance claims database including cancer patients treated with ICIs and matched controls. Results: The study included 8637 ICI patients and 8637 matched controls. The overall incidence of cutaneous irAEs was 25.1%, with a median onset time of 113 days. The ICI group had a significantly higher incidence of pruritus, mucositis, erythroderma, maculopapular eruption, vitiligo, lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, Grover disease, rash, other nonspecific eruptions, and drug eruption or other nonspecific drug reaction. Patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma and those receiving combination therapy were at a higher risk of cutaneous irAEs. Limitations: Retrospective design without access to patient chart data. Conclusions: This study identifies cutaneous irAEs in a real-world clinical setting and highlights patient groups that are particularly at risk. The results can aid dermatologists at the bedside in the diagnosis of cutaneous irAEs and in formulating management recommendations to referring oncologists regarding the continuation of ICI therapy.
Durvalumab-induzierte Myokarditis, Myositis und Myasthenia gravis: ein Fallbericht
Authors: Cham Jason , Ng Daniel , Nicholson Laura
Published: February 2022

Hintergrund: Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren sind wirksame Therapien für ein breites Spektrum von bösartigen Erkrankungen. Ihre zunehmende Verbreitung hat zu einer Vielzahl von immunbedingten Nebenwirkungen geführt, unter anderem zu Haut-, Magen-Darm-, Lungen-, endokrinen, kardialen und neurologischen Komplikationen. Fallbericht: Wir stellen den Fall eines 72-jährigen weißen Mannes mit nichtkleinzelligem Lungenkrebs vor, der nach 2 Zyklen Durvalumab wegen Dyspnoe aufgenommen wurde. Bei ihm wurden signifikant erhöhte Kreatinin-Kinase- und Troponin-Werte im Serum festgestellt, die Herzkatheteruntersuchung war negativ. Während seines Krankenhausaufenthalts entwickelte er eine fortschreitende Dyspnoe und eine neu aufgetretene axiale Schwäche, was schließlich zur Diagnose einer Durvalumab-induzierten Myokarditis, Myasthenia gravis und Myositis führte. Schlussfolgerungen: Soweit uns bekannt ist, handelt es sich hierbei um den ersten Fall einer Kombination aus Myokarditis, Myasthenia gravis und Myositis, die durch den Antikörper gegen PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) ausgelöst wurde. Der Einsatz immunologischer Wirkstoffe hat zwar insgesamt zu besseren Behandlungsergebnissen bei Krebs geführt, aber auch zu einem breiten Spektrum immunbedingter Nebenwirkungen. Wir geben einen Überblick über die Diagnostik und Behandlung von Patienten mit diesen immunbedingten Nebenwirkungen und betonen, wie wichtig eine frühzeitige Erkennung ist, da es zu einer schnellen Verschlechterung kommen kann.
Rare Variation in Drug Metabolism and Long QT Genes and the Genetic Susceptibility to Acquired Long QT Syndrome
Authors: Gray Belinda , Baruteau Alban-Elouen , Antolin Albert A. , Pittman Alan , Sarganas Giselle , Molokhia Mariam , Blom Marieke T. , Bastiaenen Rachel , Bardai Abdenasser , Priori Silvia G. , Napolitano Carlo , Weeke Peter E. , Shakir Saad A. , Haverkamp Wilhelm , Mestres Jordi , Winkel Bo , Witney Adam A. , Chis-Ster Irina , Sangaralingam Ajanthah , Camm A. John , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob , Roden Dan M. , Tan Hanno L. , Garbe Edeltraut , Sturkenboom Miriam , Behr Elijah R.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS) is a serious unpredictable adverse drug reaction. Pharmacogenomic markers may predict risk.

Methods:

Among 153 aLQTS patients (mean age 58 years [range, 14–88], 98.7% White, 85.6% symptomatic), computational methods identified proteins interacting most significantly with 216 QT-prolonging drugs. All cases underwent sequencing of 31 candidate genes arising from this analysis or associating with congenital LQTS. Variants were filtered using a minor allele frequency <1% and classified for susceptibility for aLQTS. Gene-burden analyses were then performed comparing the primary cohort to control exomes (n=452) and an independent replication aLQTS exome sequencing cohort.

Results:

In 25.5% of cases, at least one rare variant was identified: 22.2% of cases carried a rare variant in a gene associated with congenital LQTS, and in 4% of cases that variant was known to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic for congenital LQTS; 7.8% cases carried a cytochrome-P450 (CYP) gene variant. Of 12 identified CYP variants, 11 (92%) were in an enzyme known to metabolize at least one culprit drug to which the subject had been exposed. Drug-drug interactions that affected culprit drug metabolism were found in 19% of cases. More than one congenital LQTS variant, CYP gene variant, or drug interaction was present in 7.8% of cases. Gene-burden analyses of the primary cohort compared to control exomes (n=452), and an independent replication aLQTS exome sequencing cohort (n=67) and drug-tolerant controls (n=148) demonstrated an increased burden of rare (minor allele frequency<0.01) variants in CYP genes but not LQTS genes.

Conclusions:

Rare susceptibility variants in CYP genes are emerging as potentially important pharmacogenomic risk markers for aLQTS and could form part of personalized medicine approaches in the future.
Cardiovascular Events and Long‐Term Risk of Sudden Death Among Stabilized Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome: Insights From IMPROVE‐IT
Authors: Fordyce Christopher B. , Giugliano Robert P. , Cannon Christopher P. , Roe Matthew T. , Sharma Abhinav , Page Courtney , White Jennifer A. , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Braunwald Eugene , Blazing Michael A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Unlike patients with low ejection fraction after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), little is known about the long‐term incidence and influence of cardiovascular events before sudden death among stabilized patients after ACS.

Methods and Results

A total of 18 144 patients stabilized within 10 days after ACS in IMPROVE‐IT (Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial) were studied. Cumulative incidence rates (IRs) and IRs per 100 patient‐years of sudden death were calculated. Using Cox proportional hazards, the association of ≥1 additional postrandomization cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure) with sudden death was examined. Early (≤1 year after ACS) and late sudden deaths (>1 year) were compared. Of 2446 total deaths, 402 (16%) were sudden. The median time to sudden death was 2.7 years, with 109 early and 293 late sudden deaths. The cumulative IR was 2.47% (95% CI, 2.23%–2.73%) at 7 years of follow‐up. The risk of sudden death following a postrandomization cardiovascular event (150/402 [37%] sudden deaths; median 1.4 years) was greater (IR/100 patient‐years, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.23–1.69]) than the risk with no postrandomization cardiovascular event (IR/100 patient‐years, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.24–0.30]). Postrandomization myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR], 3.64 [95% CI, 2.85–4.66]) and heart failure (HR, 4.55 [95% CI, 3.33–6.22]) significantly increased future risk of sudden death.

Conclusions

Patients stabilized within 10 days of an ACS remain at long‐term risk of sudden death with the greatest risk in those with an additional cardiovascular event. These results refine the long‐term risk and risk effectors of sudden death, which may help clinicians identify opportunities to improve care.

Registration: URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00202878.
Interactions Between Atrial Fibrillation and Natriuretic Peptide in Predicting Heart Failure Hospitalization or Cardiovascular Death
Authors: Brady Paul F. , Chua Winnie , Nehaj Frantisek , Connolly Derek L. , Khashaba Alya , Purmah Yanish J. V. , Ul‐Qamar Muhammad J. , Thomas Mark R. , Varma Chetan , Schnabel Renate B. , Zeller Tanja , Fabritz Larissa , Kirchhof Paulus F.
Published: February 2022

Background

Natriuretic peptides are routinely quantified to diagnose heart failure (HF). Their concentrations are also elevated in atrial fibrillation (AF). To clarify their value in predicting future cardiovascular events, we measured natriuretic peptides in unselected patients with cardiovascular conditions and related their concentrations to AF and HF status and outcomes.

Methods and Results

Consecutive patients with cardiovascular conditions presenting to a large teaching hospital underwent clinical assessment, 7‐day ECG monitoring, and echocardiography to diagnose AF and HF. NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) was centrally quantified. Based on a literature review, four NT‐proBNP groups were defined (<300, 300–999, 1000–1999, and ≥2000 pg/mL). Clinical characteristics and NT‐proBNP concentrations were related to HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death. Follow‐up data were available in 1616 of 1621 patients (99.7%) and analysis performed at 2.5 years (median age, 70 [interquartile range, 60–78] years; 40% women). HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death increased from 36 of 488 (3.2/100 person‐years) in patients with neither AF nor HF, to 55 of 354 (7.1/100 person‐years) in patients with AF only, 92 of 369 (12.1/100 person‐years) in patients with HF only, and 128 of 405 (17.7/100 person‐years) in patients with AF plus HF (
P
<0.001). Higher NT‐proBNP concentrations predicted the outcome in patients with AF only (C‐statistic, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77–0.86;
P
<0.001) and in other phenotype groups (C‐statistic in AF plus HF, 0.66; [95% CI, 0.61–0.70];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Elevated NT‐proBNP concentrations predict future HF events in patients with AF irrespective of the presence of HF, encouraging routine quantification of NT‐proBNP in the assessment of patients with AF.