bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Virtual Machine Image Management for Persistent Memory
Authors: Zhang Jiachen , Cui Lixiao , Li Peng , Liu Xiaoguang , Wang Gang
Published: August 2021

Persistent memory’s (PM) byte-addressability and high capacity will also make it emerging for virtualized environment. Modern virtual machine monitors virtualize PM using either I/O virtualization or memory virtualization. However, I/O virtualization will sacrifice PM’s byte-addressability, and memory virtualization does not get the chance of PM image management. In this article, we enhance QEMU’s memory virtualization mechanism. The enhanced system can achieve both PM’s byte-addressability inside virtual machines and PM image management outside the virtual machines. We also design
pcow
, a virtual machine image format for PM, which is compatible with our enhanced memory virtualization and supports storage virtualization features including thin-provisioning, base image, snapshot, and striping. Address translation is performed with the help of the Extended Page Table, thus much faster than image formats implemented in I/O virtualization. We also optimize
pcow
considering PM’s characteristics. We perform exhaustive performance evaluations on an x86 server equipping with Intel’s Optane DC persistent memory. The evaluation demonstrates that our scheme boosts the overall performance by up to 50× compared with qcow2, an image format implemented in I/O virtualization, and brings almost no performance overhead compared with the native memory virtualization. The striping feature can also scale-out the virtual PM’s bandwidth performance.
Integrating Collaboration and Leadership in Conversational Group Recommender Systems
Authors: Contreras David , Salamó Maria , Boratto Ludovico
Published: August 2021

Recent observational studies highlight the importance of considering the interactions between users in the group recommendation process, but to date their integration has been marginal. In this article, we propose a collaborative model based on the social interactions that take place in a web-based conversational group recommender system. The collaborative model allows the group recommender to implicitly infer the different roles within the group, namely, collaborative and leader user(s). Moreover, it serves as the basis of several novel collaboration-based consensus strategies that integrate both individual and social interactions in the group recommendation process. A live-user evaluation confirms that our approach accurately identifies the collaborative and leader users in a group and produces more effective recommendations.
Meta-Information in Conversational Search
Authors: Kiesel Johannes , Meyer Lars , Potthast Martin , Stein Benno
Published: August 2021

The exchange of meta-information has always formed part of information behavior. In this article, we show that this rule also extends to conversational search. Information about the user’s information need, their preferences, and the quality of search results are only some of the most salient examples of meta-information that are exchanged as a matter of course in a search conversation. To understand the importance of meta-information for conversational search, we revisit its definition and survey how meta-information has been taken into account in the past in information retrieval. Meta-information has gone by many names, about which a concise overview is provided. An in-depth analysis of the role of meta-information in search and conversation theories reveals that they provide significant support for the importance of meta-information in conversational search. We further identify conversational search datasets are suitable for a deeper inspection with regard to meta-information, namely, Spoken Conversational Search and Microsoft Information-Seeking Conversations. A quantitative data analysis demonstrates the practical significance of meta-information in information-seeking conversations, whereas a qualitative analysis shows the effects of exchanging different types. Finally, we discuss practical applications and challenges of meta-information in conversational search, including a case study of VERSE, an existing search system for the visually impaired.
Magnetic Resonance Image under Variable Model Algorithm in Diagnosis of Patients with Spinal Metastatic Tumors
Authors: Chen Hongliang , Xie Biao , Zhong Xin , Ma Xiang
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the adoption of the variable model algorithm in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image analysis and evaluate the effect of the algorithm-based MRI in the diagnosis of spinal metastatic tumor diseases. 100 patients with spinal metastatic tumors who were treated in hospital were recruited as the research objects. All patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (MRI image analysis based on variable model) and the control group (conventional MRI image diagnosis), and the MRI of the experimental group was segmented using the conventional algorithm with variable model and the improved algorithm with GVF force field. The accuracy index (Dice coefficient D) values were used to evaluate the vertebral segmentation effect of the improved variable model algorithm with the introduction of GVF force field, and the recognition rate, sensitivity, and specificity indexes were used to evaluate the effects of the two algorithms on the recognition of MRI image features of spinal metastatic tumors. The results showed that the mean D value of the variable model improvement algorithm for the segmentation of five vertebrae of spinal metastatic tumors was significantly improved relative to the conventional variable model algorithm, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). At the number of 80 iterations, the recognition rate, sensitivity, and specificity of MRI image segmentation of the traditional variable model algorithm processing group were 89.32%, 74.88%, and 86.27%, respectively, while the recognition rate, sensitivity, and specificity of MRI image segmentation of the variable model improvement algorithm processing group were 97.89%, 96.75%, and 96.45%, respectively. The results of the latter were significantly better than those of the former, and the differences were statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

); and the comparison of MRI images showed that the variable model improvement algorithm was more rapid and accurate in identifying the focal sites of patients with spinal metastases. The accuracy of MRI images based on the variable model algorithm increased from 69.5% to 92%, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In short, MRI image analysis based on the variable model algorithm had great adoption potential in the clinical diagnosis of spinal metastatic tumors and was worthy of clinical promotion.
Identification of a New Variant in NLRP3 Gene by Whole Exome Sequencing in a Patient with Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome
Authors: Vahedi Mahdieh , Parvaneh Nima , Vahedi Saeedeh , Shahrooei Mohammad , Ziaee Vahid
Published: August 2021

Background. NLRP3 gene is located in chromosome 1 and encodes a pyrin-like protein. Mutations in this gene are associated with an autoinflammatory disease, called cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). Case Presentation. We report a 1-year-old boy who had recurrent urticarial rash since birth and joint pain and swelling. He had a missense mutation c.G1060 T (p.A354S) in exon 5 of the NLRP3 gene which was detected by whole exome sequencing. Conclusion. A novel variant was found in the NLRP3 gene which has not been reported by now.
Research on Evaluation of Sustainable Development of New Urbanization from the Perspective of Urban Agglomeration under the Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Meng Lingyan , Wei Xiaoyan
Published: August 2021

In this study, considering the traditional geometric operation laws and Pythagorean fuzzy information, we propose a variety of new distance measures of Pythagorean fuzzy sets such as generalized Pythagorean fuzzy geometric distance (GPFGD) measures and generalized Pythagorean fuzzy weighted geometric distance (GPFWGD) measures. Besides, some special issues including Hamming distance, Euclidean distance, and Hausdorff distance of these raised geometric distance measures are investigated. To testify the valid of these new presented distance measures, we build a decision-making model illustrated by a mathematical calculation example to evaluate the sustainable development of new urbanization from the perspective of urban agglomeration using Pythagorean fuzzy information.
Optimal Insurance Indemnity and Reinsurance Strategy for Health Insurance
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wu Yonghong , Yao Haixiang
Published: August 2021

“Health insurance + health management” package has recently become one of the most important nonlife insurance products, and its pricing technique has drawn attention from both academia and industry. This paper investigates the optimal indemnity design and per-loss reinsurance strategy for the health insurance package, where the reinsurance contract is assumed to combine the quota-share type and the excess-of-loss type. By applying the Lagrange multiplier method and optimal control technique, we develop the solutions to the corresponding optimization problems and obtain the optimal deductible. Then, we proceed to solve the optimal quota-share proportion and the optimal stop-loss retention based on the optimal insurance indemnity. In addition to theoretical results, numerical examples are also given to illustrate the effects of various key parameters on the optimal indemnity design and combinational reinsurance strategy.
The Neuroprotective Effects of Moderate and Regular Caffeine Consumption in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Zhou Xiangyu , Zhang Lin
Published: August 2021

The increasing numbers of elderly Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients because of a steady increase in the average lifespan and aging society attract great scientific concerns, while there were fewer effective treatments on AD progression due to unclear exact causes and pathogenesis of AD. Moderate (200‐500 mg/d) and regular caffeine consumption from coffee and tea are considered to alleviate the risk of AD and have therapeutic potential. This paper reviewed epidemiological studies about the relationship of caffeine intake from coffee or/and tea with the risk of AD and summarized the caffeine‐related AD therapies based on experimental models. And further well‐designed and well‐conducted studies are suggested to investigate the optimal dosages, frequencies, and durations of caffeine consumption to slow down AD progression and treat AD.
Human Movement Recognition in Dancesport Video Images Based on Chaotic System Equations
Authors: Sun Yongtai , Chen Jingdong
Published: August 2021

This paper presents an in-depth study and analysis of human action recognition in dancesport video images through chaotic system equations. A novel fractional-order chaotic system model with hidden multistability is constructed. Since this fractional-order chaotic system has no equilibrium point, the equilibrium point stability analysis is not required. The effect of system parameters on the multistability characteristics of the fractional-order chaotic system is investigated in depth by using the control variable method and nonlinear dynamic tools. In addition, the system has a special property of offset incremental control, which makes the system more widely and practically useful in engineering applications. Finally, circuit simulation experiments and hardware circuit experiments are conducted for the fractional-order chaotic system, and the results are consistent with the corresponding theoretical analysis. The system architecture of the mobile augmented reality-based ethnic dynamic art display system is designed, and the system architecture adopts a hierarchical design. The experimental results show that the design method of the mobile augmented reality-based dynamic art display system proposed in this thesis can meet the purpose of expanding the ways of dancesport display, and the system designed in this thesis is customizable and the synthesized images have a high sense of realism.
Early Efficacy of In Situ Fenestration with a Triple Chimney Technique for High-Risk Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Wu Qingsong , Lu Heng , Jiang Debin , Qiu Zhihuang , Rashid Javed , Xie Linfeng , Shen Yue , Chen Liangwan
Published: August 2021

Purpose. The objective of this investigation was to study the early efficacy of in situ fenestration with triple chimney technique for high-risk type A aortic dissection patients. Methods. This study included 24 patients who were treated by in situ fenestration with TCT for high-risk TAAD between January 2018 and December 2019. Multiple comorbidities or preoperative critical conditions rendered patients ineligible for open surgery, but all patients that were evaluated and considered had to undergo operation. By analyzing the regular follow-up data, the early postoperative efficacy of the patients was evaluated. Results. The average age of the 24 patients was 65.4 ± 9.3 years. The success rate of the operation was 100%, as all the patients were discharged successfully. There were no serious neurological complications or persistent endoleakage. The mean follow-up time was 21.4 ± 6.9 months. The patency rate of all branching stents was 100%, with no stent displacement, stenosis, or blockage observed. While none presented with type I endoleakage, one patient (4.2%) presented asymptomatic type II endoleakage around the left subclavian artery stent. Currently, 23 of the 24 patients remain alive. Conclusion. Initial results are encouraging with TCT for high-risk TAAD. However, due to its high selectivity and potential complexity related to surgical risks, the mid- and long-term efficacy of this technique remains unknown. For patients who are eligible for open heart surgery, we still recommend it be performed.
Identification of a Tumor Microenvironment‐Related Gene Signature Indicative of Disease Prognosis and Treatment Response in Colon Cancer
Authors: Chen Wenzheng , Huang Jianfeng , Xiong Jianbo , Fu Pengcheng , Chen Changyu , Liu Yi , Li Zhengrong , Jie Zhigang , Cao Yi
Published: August 2021

Background. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with disease outcomes and treatment response in colon cancer. Here, we constructed a TME‐related gene signature that is prognosis of disease survival and may predict response to immunotherapy in colon cancer. Methods. We calculated immune and stromal scores for 385 colon cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using the ESTIMATE algorithm. We identified nine TME‐related prognostic genes using Cox regression analysis. We evaluated associations between protein expression, extent of immune cell infiltrate, and patient survival. We calculated risk scores and built a clinical predictive model for the TME‐related gene signature. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the predictive power of the signature. We estimated the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of chemotherapeutic drugs in patients using the pRRophetic algorithm. The expression of immune checkpoint genes was evaluated. Results. High immune and stromal scores are significantly associated with poor overall survival (p < 0.05). We identified 773 differential TME‐related prognostic genes associated with survival; these genes were enriched in immune‐related pathways. Nine key prognostic genes were identified and were used to construct a TME‐related prognostic signature: CADM3, LEP, CD1B, PDE1B, CCL22, ABI3BP, IGLON5, SELE, and TGFB1. This signature identified a high‐risk group with worse survival outcomes, based on Kaplan‐Meier analysis. A nomogram composed of clinicopathological factors and risk score exhibited good accuracy. Drug sensitivity analysis identified no difference in sensitivity between the high‐risk and low‐risk groups. High‐risk patients had higher expression of PD‐1, PDL‐1, and CTLA‐4 and lower expression of LAG‐3 and VSIR. Infiltration of dendritic cells was higher in the high‐risk group. Conclusions. We identified a novel prognostic TME‐related gene expression signature in colon cancer. Stratification of patients based on this gene signature could be used to improve outcomes and guide better therapy for colon cancer patients.
Forecasting Daily and Monthly Reference Evapotranspiration in the Aidoghmoush Basin Using Multilayer Perceptron Coupled with Water Wave Optimization
Authors: Sayyahi Fatemeh , Farzin Saeed , Karami Hojat
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of soft computing models including multilayer perceptron‐ (MLP‐) water wave optimization (MLP‐WWO), MLP‐particle swarm optimization (MLP‐PSO), and MLP‐genetic algorithm (MLP‐GA), to simulate the daily and monthly reference evapotranspiration (ET) at the Aidoghmoush basin (Iran). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to find the best input combination including the lagged ETs. According to the results, the ET values with 1, 2, and 3 (days) lags as well as those with 1, 2, and 3 (months) lags were the most effective variables in the formation of the PCs. The total variance proportion of inputs and eigenvalues was used to identify the most important variables. The accuracy of the models was assessed based on multiple statistical indices such as the mean absolute error (MAE), Nash–Sutcliff efficiency (NSE), and percent bias (PBIAS). The results showed that the performance of hybrid MLP models was better than that of the standalone MLP. The findings confirmed that the MLP‐WWO could precisely predict ET.
Numerical Design of Ultrathin Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon-Based Solar Cell
Authors: Abega F. X. Abomo , Ngoupo A. Teyou , Ndjaka J. M. B.
Published: August 2021

Numerical modelling is used to confirm experimental and theoretical work. The aim of this work is to present how to simulate ultrathin hydrogenated amorphous silicon- (a-Si:H-) based solar cells with a ITO BRL in their architectures. The results obtained in this study come from SCAPS-1D software. In the first step, the comparison between the J-V characteristics of simulation and experiment of the ultrathin a-Si:H-based solar cell is in agreement. Secondly, to explore the impact of certain properties of the solar cell, investigations focus on the study of the influence of the intrinsic layer and the buffer layer/absorber interface on the electrical parameters (

J

SC

,

V

OC

, FF, and

η

). The increase of the intrinsic layer thickness improves performance, while the bulk defect density of the intrinsic layer and the surface defect density of the buffer layer/

i

-(a-Si:H) interface, respectively, in the ranges [109 cm-3, 1015 cm-3] and [1010 cm-2,

5
×

10

13

 cm-2], do not affect the performance of the ultrathin a-Si:H-based solar cell. Analysis also shows that with approximately 1 μm thickness of the intrinsic layer, the optimum conversion efficiency is 12.71% (

J

SC

=
18.95
 
mA
·
c

m

−
2

,

V

OC

=
0.973
 
V

, and

FF
=
68.95
%

). This work presents a contribution to improving the performance of a-Si-based solar cells.
Nanoconfined Water in Shales and Its Impact on Real Gas Flow
Authors: Li Yudan , Gu Shaohua , Dai Cheng
Published: August 2021

The presence of water, i.e., connate or hydraulic fracturing water, along with the gaseous hydrocarbons in shale nanopores is largely overlooked by previous studies. In this work, a new unified real gas-transport model has been developed for both organic and inorganic porous media accounting for the nanoconfined water film flow. More specifically, a gas core flows in the center of the organic/inorganic pore surrounded by a water film which can be further divided into an interfacial region (near-wall water) and bulk region (bulk water). We differentiate the varying water viscosity between the two regions and consider disparate slip boundaries; that is, the near-wall water can slip along the hydrophobic organic pore surface while it is negligible in hydrophilic inorganic pores. Incorporating modified boundary conditions into the Navier-Stokes equations, gas transport model through single organic/inorganic pore is derived. The model is also comprehensively scaled up to the porous media scale considering the porosity, tortuosity, and total organic carbon (TOC) contents. Results indicate that the gas flow capacity decreases in moist conditions with mobile or nonmobile water film. A mobile water film, however, compensates its negative effect up to 50% by enhancing gas flow compared with static water molecules. The real gas flow is dominated by the gas slippage and water film mobility which are dependent upon pore-scale parameters such as pore sizes, topology, pressure, and surface wettability. Compared with inorganic pores, gas transport in organic pores is greatly enhanced by the water film flow due to the strong water slip. Moreover, the contribution of water film mobility is remarkable in small pores with large contact angles, especially at high pressures. At moist conditions, the real gas effect enhances gas flow by improving both gas slippage and water film mobility, which is more prominent in smaller pores at high pressures. The presented model and its results will further advance our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the water and gas transport in nanoporous media, and consequently, the hydrocarbon exploration of shale reservoirs.
Effect of Absorbents on NOx Removal through Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Hollow Fiber Membrane Modules
Authors: Purnawan Irfan , Kartohardjono Sutrasno , Wibowo Levana , Ramadhani Annisa Faiza , Lau Woei Jye , Febriasari Arifina
Published: August 2021

NOx (NO and NO2) are air toxins that endanger life and represent a hazard to the environment, such as photochemical smog, global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion, and the occurrence of respiratory infections. Some technological strategies to diminish NOx emissions to meet regulations depend on two techniques: the dry process and the wet process. This study applies polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane modules as a medium to remove NOx from solutions containing several absorbents such as hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid (H2O2-HNO3) solutions, sodium chlorite and sodium hydroxide (NaClO2-NaOH) solutions, and sodium chlorate and sodium hydroxide (NaClO3-NaOH) solutions. The experimental results showed that the oxidant’s strength influences NOx removal efficiency, where the absorbent solutions containing hydrogen peroxide had the highest removal efficiency as hydrogen peroxide is the most potent oxidant, followed by sodium chlorite and sodium chlorate. The three pairs of absorbents also gave a high NOx removal efficiency (above 90%), which means that all the absorbents used in the study are very potential to be used to diminish NOx via the wet process. NOx removal efficiency at the same feed gas flow rate increased as the number of fiber and absorbent concentrations is increased. However, NOx removal efficiency is reduced as the feed gas flow rate is increased at the same membrane module and absorbent concentration.
Towards Exploring the Influence of Community Structures on Information Dissemination in Sina Weibo Networks
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Fang Aidong , Cui Lin , Pan Zhenggao , Zhang Wanli , Tan Chengfang , Wang Chao
Published: August 2021

The power of online social networks to propagate information within communities and from one community to the next is undeniable. Both network structure and information propagation affect each other; they restrict and cooperate with each other. However, they can also dynamically reshape the network topology of user’s social relationship in this process. The above process ultimately forms a feedback loop: the network structure affects how information spreads, while information propagation reshapes network topologies, so both evolve in concert over time. Using information propagation trees (IPT) of posts from the Sina Weibo microblogging site, we conducted a null model-based analysis to determine the influence of community structures on information propagation. We first generated randomized copies of the IPTs and then mined community structures from the originals and copies for comparison. An in-depth examination of the results in terms of improved significant profile, the length of information propagation path, and the relevance of the nodes in the propagation path indirectly reveals the inhibitory effect of community structures on information propagation.
An Approach of Lebesgue Integral in Fuzzy Cone Metric Spaces via Unique Coupled Fixed Point Theorems
Authors: Waheed Muhammad Talha , Rehman Saif Ur , Jan Naeem , Gumaei Abdu , Al-Rakhami Mabrook
Published: August 2021

In the theory of fuzzy fixed point, many authors have been proved different contractive type fixed point results with different types of applications. In this paper, we establish some new fuzzy cone contractive type unique coupled fixed point theorems (FP-theorems) in fuzzy cone metric spaces (FCM-spaces) by using “the triangular property of fuzzy cone metric” and present illustrative examples to support our main work. In addition, we present a Lebesgue integral type mapping application to get the existence result of a unique coupled FP in FCM-spaces to validate our work.
Evaluation of Antibacterial Effects of Fissure Sealants Containing Chitosan Nanoparticles
Authors: Hashemi kamangar Sedighe Sadat , Zareian Houtan , Bahador Abbas , Pourhajibagher Maryam , Bashareh Zahra , Valizadeh Sara
Published: August 2021

Objectives. The present study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of fissure sealants containing chitosan nanoparticles. Materials and Methods. Antibacterial effect of Master Dent fissure sealant alone and after incorporating chitosan nanoparticles was evaluated on Streptococcus mutans, sanguis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Biofilm growth was evaluated by determining colony counts. Antimicrobial effect was determined on days 3, 15, and 30 by counting microbial colonies using eluted components test. One-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD tests, t test, and two-way ANOVA were used for statistical analyses (α = 0.05). Results. Biofilm inhibition test showed that fissure sealant containing 1 wt.% chitosan decreased colony counts significantly (

P
<
0.05

). Eluted components test with S. mutans and sanguis showed significant decrease in colony counts during the first 15 days in chitosan containing group; however, from day 30, antimicrobial activity decreased noticeably, with no significant difference from control group (

P
>
0.05

). Antimicrobial activity against L. acidophilus was maintained in chitosan group up to 30 days, and decrease in colony counts was significant (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. According to the results of this study, incorporation of 1 wt.% chitosan into fissure sealant induced an antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial effect on L. acidophilus persisted for longer time (30 days) compared to the two other bacterial species (15 days).
A Flexible Extension of Pareto Distribution: Properties and Applications
Authors: Alshanbari Huda M. , Al-Aziz Hosni El-Bagoury Abd , Gemeay Ahmed M. , Hafez E. H. , Eldeeb Ahmed Sedky
Published: August 2021

This paper introduced a relatively new mixture distribution that results from a mixture of Fréchet–Weibull and Pareto distributions. Some properties of the new statistical model were derived, such as moments with their related measures, moment generating function, mean residual life function, and mean deviation. Furthermore , different estimation methods were introduced for determining the unknown parameters of the proposed model. Finally, we introduced three real data sets which were applied to our distribution and compared them with other well‐known statistical competitive models to show the superiority of our model for fitting the three real data sets, and we can clearly see that our distribution outperforms its competitors. Also, to verify our results, we carried out the existence and uniqueness test to the log‐likelihood to determine whether the roots are global maximum or not.
Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma: Present and Future
Authors: Lancman Guido , Sastow Dahniel L. , Cho Hearn J. , Jagannath Sundar , Madduri Deepu , Parekh Samir S. , Richard Shambavi , Richter Joshua , Sanchez Larysa , Chari Ajai
Published: August 2021

Despite many recent advances in therapy, there is still no plateau in overall survival curves in multiple myeloma. Bispecific antibodies are a novel immunotherapeutic approach designed to bind antigens on malignant plasma cells and cytotoxic immune effector cells. Early-phase clinical trials targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), GPRC5D, and FcRH5 have demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with mainly low-grade cytokine release syndrome, cytopenias, and infections. Although dose escalation is ongoing in several studies, early efficacy data show response rates in the most active dose cohorts between 61% and 83% with many deep responses; however, durability remains to be established. Further clinical trial data are eagerly anticipated.

Significance:

Overall survival of triple-class refractory multiple myeloma remains poor. Bispecific antibodies are a novel immunotherapeutic modality with a favorable safety profile and impressive preliminary efficacy in heavily treated patients. Although more data are needed, bispecifics will likely become an integral part of the multiple myeloma treatment paradigm in the near future. Studies in earlier lines of therapy and in combination with other active anti–multiple myeloma agents will help further define the role of bispecifics in multiple myeloma.
De-Escalating Axillary Surgery in Node-Positive Breast Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy
Authors: de Wild Sabine R. , Simons Janine M. , Vrancken Peeters Marie-Jeanne T.F.D. , Smidt Marjolein L. , Koppert Linetta B.
Published: August 2021

Background: There is a trend towards de-escalating axillary staging and treatment in breast cancer patients. On account of neoadjuvant systemic therapy, node-positive breast cancer patients can achieve a pathological complete response of the axilla. It is hypothesized that these patients do not benefit from an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and thus may be spared the risk of severe post-surgical morbidity. In an effort to omit standard ALND, less invasive axillary staging procedures are being implemented to establish response-guided treatment. However, it is unclear which less invasive staging procedure is most accurate, and long-term data are missing with regard to their oncologic safety. Summary: This article provides an overview of the literature on currently used less invasive axillary staging procedures, the accuracy and feasibility of these procedures in clinical practice, important issues concerning axillary treatment, and issues to be addressed in ongoing or future studies. Key messages: More evidence is needed regarding the safety of replacing standard ALND by less invasive axillary staging procedures in terms of long-term prognosis. These less invasive staging procedures not only serve to select patients who may benefit from treatment de-escalation, but also to select patients who may benefit from treatment escalation.
A two-phase plagiarism detection system based on multi-layer long short-term memory networks
Authors: Son Nguyen Van , Huong Le Thanh , Thanh Nguyen Chi
Published: August 2021

Finding plagiarism strings between two given documents are the main task of the plagiarism detection problem. Traditional approaches based on string matching are not very useful in cases of similar semantic plagiarism. Deep learning approaches solve this problem by measuring the semantic similarity between pairs of sentences. However, these approaches still face the following challenging points. First, it is impossible to solve cases where only part of a sentence belongs to a plagiarism passage. Second, measuring the sentential similarity without considering the context of surrounding sentences leads to decreasing in accuracy. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes a two-phase plagiarism detection system based on multi-layer long short-term memory network model and feature extraction technique: (i) a passage-phase to recognize plagiarism passages, and (ii) a word-phase to determine the exact plagiarism strings. Our experiment results on PAN 2014 corpus reached 94.26% F-measure, higher than existing research in this field.
Gait cycle prediction model based on gait kinematic using machine learning technique for assistive rehabilitation device
Authors: Adi Izhar Che Ani , Hussain Z. , F. Maruzuki M. I. , Sulaiman Mohd Suhaimi , Abd. Rahim A. A.
Published: August 2021

The gait cycle prediction model is critical for controlling assistive rehabilitation equipment like orthosis. The human gait model has recently used statistical models, but the dynamic properties of human physiology limit the current approach. Current human gait cycle prediction models need detailed kinematic and kinetic data of the human body as input parameters, and measuring them requires special instruments, making them difficult to use in real-world applications. In our study, three separate machine learning algorithms were used to create a human gait model: Gaussian process regression, support vector machine, and decision tree. The algorithm used to create the model's input parameters are height, weight, hip and knee angle, and ground reaction force (GRF). For better gait cycle model prediction, the models produced were enhanced by incorporating different sliding window data. The best gait period prediction model was DT with sliding window data (t−3), which had a root mean square error of 3.3018 and the R-squared (R-Value) of 0.97. The projection model focused on hip and knee angle and GRF was a feasible solution to controlling assistive rehabilitation devices during the gait cycle.
CLG clustering for dropout prediction using log-data clustering method
Authors: Triayudi Agung , Widyarto Wahyu Oktri , Kamelia Lia , Iksal Iksal , Sumiati Sumiati
Published: August 2021

Implementation of data mining, machine learning, and statistical data from educational department commonly known as educational data mining. Most of school systems require a teacher to teach a number of students at one time. Exam are regularly being use as a method to measure student’s achievement, which is difficult to understand because examination cannot be done easily. The other hand, programming classes makes source code editing and UNIX commands able to easily detect and store automatically as log-data. Hence, rather that estimating the performance of those student based on this log-data, this study being more focused on detecting them who experienced a difficulty or unable to take programming classes. We propose CLG clustering methods that can predict a risk of being dropped out from school using cluster data for outlier detection.
Pelo amplo direito humano à comunicação: críticas à perspectiva legal instrumentalista da radiodifusão comunitária a partir de um panorama mundial
Authors: Malerba João Paulo
Published: August 2021

O artigo se vale dos resultados de uma pesquisa comparativa legal mundial para tecer críticas a uma recorrente perspectiva restritiva e instrumentalista nas legislações de radiodifusão comunitária. Iniciamos com o histórico das recomendações legais internacionais sobre o setor em que já se observam contradições entre a compreensão ampla de direito humano à comunicação e indícios da defesa a tais meios condicionada a seu status legal, conteúdo e lugar social. Tais contradições se tornam ainda mais evidentes a partir das comparações de diferentes leis no mundo, normalmente resultantes de um poder disciplinador vertical e restritivo. Por fim, demonstramos que o mecanismo que condiciona o direito à comunicação das comunidades à critérios conteudísticos e de prestação de serviços tem como base um olhar elitista e preconceituoso acerca da radiodifusão comunitária e dos atores que a exercem.
Imprensa negra e diversidade: programa Diversidade em Ciência da Rádio USP
Authors: Monteiro Jefferson , Garcia Wilton
Published: August 2021

O presente texto aborda o Programa Diversidade em Ciência da Rádio USP (93.7), ao considerar a discussão a respeito do racismo no jornalismo atual. O procedimento metodológico (indutivo-dedutivo) contempla três ações: leitura, entrevista e escrita. Estudos contemporâneos do jornalismo fundamentam esta pesquisa. O jornalismo alternativo cumpre o papel de mediação entre diversas vozes excluídas.
Jornalismo alternativo e Jornalismo para a paz: possibilidades teórico-metodológicas para a superação de conflitos
Authors: Vicente Maximiliano Martin , Feltrin Diuan dos Santos , Rebêlo Kethleen Guerreiro
Published: August 2021

Este artigo apresenta análises de conteúdo referentes ao Jornal Dois (J2), da cidade de Bauru-SP, à luz dos preceitos do Jornalismo para a Paz, com relação às manifestações em prol da educação, ocorridas nos dias 15 de maio e 14 de junho de 2019. O objetivo é compreender qual a concepção de jornalismo defendida pelo J2 no que tange às características e especificidades do Jornalismo para a Paz. Parte-se do pressuposto de que o Jornalismo para a Paz e o Jornalismo Alternativo, por seguirem na contramão da ótica dominante, contribuem para construções noticiosas que estimulam reflexões críticas e engajamento do público para a garantia de direitos e superação de problemas sociais. Como resultados obtidos, vimos que tais abordagens jornalísticas fazem com que o J2 promova o exercício da competência midiática, na medida em que se torna um canal de crítica e reflexão.
Eleições 2020: qual é o perfil de cor/raça e gênero dos candidatos e dos eleitos?
Authors: Cioccari Deysi , Mottinha Romer
Published: August 2021

O presente trabalho trata-se de uma pesquisa sobre as eleições municipais de 2020 no Brasil, com abordagem sobre comparação do perfil de gênero e cor/raça dos registros das candidaturas e o perfil de gênero e cor/raça dos eleitos. Os cargos em disputa foram para prefeito, vice-prefeito e vereador. A metodologia utilizada foi de pesquisa quantitativa e de estatística descritiva, a qual permite identificar quantas candidaturas foram registradas e analisar os perfis por segmentos. O questionamento principal da pesquisa é sobre qual a diferença de percentual de candidaturas e de eleitos nos segmentos de gênero e de cor/raça? A hipótese do trabalho é que sejam preenchidas as cotas de gênero nas candidaturas e que prevaleça o gênero masculino e a cor/raça branca tanto nas candidaturas quantos entre os eleitos. Os resultados preliminares demonstram que o predomínio do gênero masculino e da cor branca é superior nas candidaturas e predominante entre os eleitos.
Risk Stratification of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Repair of Mitral and Tricuspid Valves Using a Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment
Authors: Schäfer Matthieu , Körber Maria I. , Vimalathasan Rakave , Mauri Victor , Iliadis Christos , Metze Clemens , ten Freyhaus Henrik , Baldus Stephan , Polidori M. Cristina , Pfister Roman
Published: August 2021

Background:

Given their advanced age and high comorbidity, individual risk assessment is crucial in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Therefore, we evaluated the use of a comprehensive geriatric assessment score, the multidimensional prognostic index (MPI), for risk stratification in these patients.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective, observational single-center study, including 226 patients undergoing percutaneous repair for mitral or tricuspid regurgitation. The MPI was calculated preprocedural and covers 8 domains (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, mental status, nutrition, risk of pressure ulcers, comorbidity, medication, and marital/cohabitation status). We sought to identify an association of MPI score with procedural outcomes and 6-month mortality.

Results:

A total of 53.1% of patients were stratified as low risk according to MPI (MPI-1 group), 44.2% as medium risk (MPI-2 group), and 2.7% as high risk (MPI-3 group). Procedural efficacy and safety were similar between groups. The estimated survival rate at 6 months was 97±2% in MPI-1 group, 79±4% in MPI-2 group (hazard ratio, 6.90 [95% CI, 2.36–12.2];
P
≤0.001) and 50±20% in MPI-3 group (hazard ratio, 20.3 [95% CI, 4.51–91.3];
P
<0.001). An increase in 1 SD of the MPI score (0.14 points, possible range of MPI score 0–1) was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.13 (95% CI, 1.58–2.73;
P
≤0.001) for death after 6 months. The risk association of the MPI with mortality remained significant in multivariate analysis including risk factors, such as peripheral artery disease and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) levels.

Conclusions:

A comprehensive geriatric assessment with the MPI score provides additional information on mortality risk beyond established cardiovascular risk factors.
Circulating Pro-Inflammatory Exosomes Worsen Stroke Outcomes in Aging
Authors: Zhang Hongxia , Lin Siyang , McElroy Christopher L. , Wang Brian , Jin Dana , Uteshev Victor V. , Jin Kunlin
Published: August 2021

Rationale:

The systemic inflammatory milieu plays an important role in the age-related decline in functional integrity, but its contribution to age-related disease (eg, stroke) remains largely unknown.

Objective:

To determine the role of systemic inflammatory milieu in ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results:

Here, we report that systemic administration of serum exosomes from young rats into aged ischemic rats improved short- and long-term functional outcomes after ischemic stroke and reduced synaptic loss. By contrast, similar injections of serum exosomes from aged rats into aged ischemic rats worsened sensorimotor deficits through exacerbation of synaptic dysfunction due to excessive microglial phagoptosis (primary phagocytosis). Our proteomic analysis further revealed that the expression of CD46, a C3b/C4b-inactivating factor, was higher in serum exosomes from young rats, compared with serum exosomes from aged rats. Whereas the prevalence of proinflammatory mediators (C1q [complement component 1q], C3a, and C3b) in serum exosomes increased with age. Microglial expression of C3a/b and C3aR (C3a receptor) increased after serum exosomes from aged rats treatment, compared with serum exosomes from young rats and vehicle groups. Administration of a selective C3aR inhibitor or microglial depletion attenuated synaptic dysfunction associated with serum exosomes from aged rats treatment and improved poststroke functional recovery.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that the levels of proinflammatory mediators in serum exosomes increase with age and are associated with worsened stroke outcomes through excessive C3aR-dependent microglial phagoptosis. Modulation of this process may serve as a promising therapy for stroke and other age-related brain disorders.
Biopolitics in the National Parks: The Life and Death of Cecil the Lion
Authors: Levin Abigail
Published: August 2021

Cecil the Lion lived in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and was a part of an Oxford conservation study until his death by poaching, outside of Park boundaries, at the hands of an American hunter, in July 2015. Cecil’s death caused unique levels of international outrage, though wildlife poaching in general remains an all-too-ubiquitous phenomenon. This paper enquires as to why this particular death caused such outrage. I will examine this question through two Foucauldian lenses: first, through the Parks’ discursive production of subjects – human and nonhuman animal; and secondly, by investigating Parks’ practices of understanding biopower and pastoral power. I argue that though wildlife conservation in the National Parks is generally interested in conserving the species, not individuals, Cecil’s status as a named individual in a scientific study resulted in the outrage and speaks to the paradox at the heart of Foucault’s idea of pastoral power.
The Living Conditions and Social Mobility of Rural Households in Yanshan County, Hebei, 1900–1950
Authors: Guo (郭志炜) Zhiwei
Published: August 2021

An analysis of the Class Background Registers of Yanshan county, Hebei, shows that households of landlord and rich peasant status accounted for less than 10 percent of the local population and possessed less than 15 percent of the land, while households of poor and lower-middle peasant standing owned about half of the land. Overall, land distribution was relatively balanced, as seen in the Gini coefficient of 0.3–0.4 in the distribution of land rights and the fact that about half of the households owned 2–5 mu of land per capita. But the economic condition of the rural population was not determined by the factor of land distribution alone; in places where the natural endowment was poor, off-farm income-making activities mattered a great deal to local residents. Such activities took various forms, which could improve as well as worsen people’s livelihood. An analysis of social mobility in this area further shows the perpetuation of the existing class structure. Those whose grandparents had lived in poverty found it difficult to move up socially. On the whole, the rural area under study shows a prolonged trend of deterioration, which is meaningful for understanding the land reform.
Expression analysis of MYB genes in different apple cultivars with distinct coloration pattern during fruit maturation
Authors: Mercan Emine Ece , Şahin-Çevik Mehtap
Published: August 2021

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments responsible for red, pink, purple or blue coloration in the flesh and/or skin of apple fruit. Since consumers prefer anthocyanin rich fruits due to their health benefits, anthocyanin content is an important trait for marketability of apples. Synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins are controlled by environmental and genetic factors such as transcription factors (TFs). Two-repeat (R2R3) MYB TFs are involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants. In this study, the expression of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes encoding R2R3 type MYB TFs were analyzed in apple cultivars with fruit skin color from green to dark red at different growth stages. Fruit samples were collected from “Scarlet Spur”, “Galaxy Gala”, Golden Delicious” “Granny Smith” apple cultivars with dark red, light red, yellow and green fruits, respectively, at four different time periods after full-bloom. Total RNA was isolated from the peel of the collected fruits and the expression of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The expression of the MdMYBA gene started to increase at 92 DAFB and thereafter in red-skin apples; however, no expression was observed at any time points in yellow or green-skin apple cultivars. On the other hand, the MdMYB3 gene was expressed in red-skin and yellow-skin apple cultivars starting at 55 DAFB, but no expression was observed in green apple cultivar at any time of fruit maturation. The expression levels of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes varied in apple fruits with different skin coloration indicating that they play a role regulation of the anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple cultivars during fruit maturation.
Cultivating Nonidolatrous Self-Esteem with Youth
Authors: Corrie Elizabeth W.
Published: August 2021

Christian understandings of the personhood and work of Jesus Christ can be used to justify violence by those in power and encourage passivity in the face of oppression. Shifting Christological images that cultivate nonidolatrous self-esteem, however, can teach youth how to build peace and resist injustice. A youth ministry that seeks to contribute to peacebuilding must become intentional about implicit and explicit portrayals of Jesus Christ. This essay explores five facets of Jesus’ personhood and work to reconsider—Jesus’ 1) race; 2) gender; 3) religion; 4) suffering; and 5) return—and suggests ways youth ministers can engage in theologically-rooted, peacebuilding youth ministry.