bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VALUE APPROPRIATION AND INNOVATION COLLABORATION DYNAMICS: A REVIEW AND RESEARCH AGENDA
Authors: YANG JIALEI , HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN PIA , SHARMA ARUSHI , WESTERLUND MIKA
Published: October 2021

Contemporary innovation management studies on collaboration dynamics and value appropriation lack coherent theoretical articulations and underlying conceptual foundations. It is challenging to manage collaborative value creation without a proper understanding of the dynamic connections between collaboration for and appropriation of innovation. This study conducts a systematic literature review to uncover the dynamic connections between innovation-related value appropriation and collaboration. Topic modelling, a machine-learning-based text analysis method, is applied to a corpus of 270 scholarly articles to uncover relevant elements. Additionally, 77 articles are selected for an in-depth content analysis to examine the elements in a more detailed manner. With these steps, the study contributes to the literature by illustrating and elaborating the role of dynamics of collaboration in value appropriation, and vice versa.
Relative convergence speed of Lüroth expansions and Hausdorff dimension
Authors: Tan Xiaoyan , Liu Jia , Zhang Zhenliang
Published: October 2021

For any [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the Lüroth expansion of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study the relative convergence speed of its convergents [Formula: see text] to the rate of growth of digits in the Lüroth expansion of an irrational number. For any [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], the sets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are proved to be of same Hausdorff dimension [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, for any [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], the Hausdorff dimension of the set [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] is proved to be either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] according as [Formula: see text] or not.
Role of Physicochemical Factors on the Efficacy and Safety of Lipid-Based Nanosystems as Potential Drug Carriers
Authors: Aghajani Mahdi , Arbabi Bidgoli Sepideh , Tavakol Kamran
Published: October 2021

The efficacy and safety are two challenging factors before trusting the lipid-based Nanosystems (LBNs) for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the accessible in-vitro and in-vivo studies on the contribution of major physicochemical factors of LBNs for the effective and safe delivery of drugs and anticancer agents into the target site. These factors included lipid charge, particle size and size distribution, lipid composition and components, surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, and surface coating. Here, reliable databases were searched for full-text, accessible and original articles to conduct this review. We included relevant studies since 1992, which were conducted on the development of LBNs for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Many studies have shown that using polyethylene glycol modification reduces the undesirable side effects and controls the efficacy and toxicity for in-vitro and in-vivo delivery of drugs or anticancer agents. Also, optimization of the size and composition of lipid nanoparticles minimizes the toxicity of the anticancer agents associated with a carrier. In addition, the presence of positively charged lipids in LBNs improves the efficacy of encapsulated drugs in spite of low blood circulation efficiency and high toxicity effects. The identification of important factors involved in the delivery of LBNs as potential drug carriers is crucial and contributes to the proper design of these interesting carriers for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
Investigation of the coupling effect of flexoelectricity and ferroelasticity on energy storage efficiency of relaxor ferroelectrics
Authors: Zhao X. F. , Soh A. K.
Published: October 2021

The Ginzburg–Landau theory and dipole defect model have been employed to investigate the flexoelectric and ferroelastic effects on the ferroelectric and energy storage properties of relaxor ferroelectrics (RFs). The results obtained show that due to the existence of polar nanoregions (PNRs) in RFs, the elastic field of the material, which is induced by both the flexoelectric and ferroelastic effects, leads to the increase of the domain switching energy and coercive field and the decrease of the energy storage efficiency. In contrast, the short-range electric field induced by the dipole defects enhances the energy storage efficiency of the material by enhancing the material’s relaxor behavior. Hence, the energy storage efficiency of RFs can be effectively functionalized by modulating the composition ratio and the electric field of the RF materials.
Dielectric relaxation and scaling of AC conductivity observed in mixed valence perovskite Eu2CoMnO6
Authors: Masud Md. G. , Chaudhuri B. K.
Published: October 2021

Monophasic and polycrystalline double perovskite Eu2CoMnO6 has been synthesized, and its structural characterization, frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric relaxation have been studied. Observed thermally activated dielectric relaxation was explained using the empirical Havriliak–Negami (HN) dielectric relaxation function with an estimated activation energy [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 0.22 eV and attempt frequency [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 2.46 × 109 Hz. The frequency-dependent AC conductivity data, over a wide range of temperature (100–325 K), followed the empirical universal power law behavior ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the constant exponent) showing two different frequency exponents, respectively, in the high- and low-temperature regions. The high-temperature ([Formula: see text] 275 K) conductivity data followed the continuous time random walk (CTRW) approximation model proposed by Dyre. However, this model failed to reproduce the observed conductivity spectra in the low-temperature side ([Formula: see text] 200 K). Interestingly, both the high- and low-temperatures’ conductivity data can be scaled to the master curve with suitably chosen scaling parameters.
A Quest for the Origin of the Uneven Spread of Covid-19 Cases
Authors: Bhadra Arunava , Bhattacharya Mahasweta
Published: October 2021

For more than one and a half years now, the world is highly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 cases are, however, not evenly distributed across the countries; a few countries, particularly high-income countries have been hit harder than the countries of weak economic condition. The reasons for such an asymmetrical distribution are not clearly understood yet. In this work, we have examined the unevenness of global distribution of Covid-19 incidences till 18th June 2021 in terms of the economic condition of countries. Subsequently, we have tried to identify the main underlying factors behind unequal Covid-19 cases. Our analysis suggests that the physical connectivity and the diffusion of coronavirus are the main causes of the different unequal spread of Covid-19 cases in different countries. We find that the Covid-19 infected and death cases are well described by a power law in terms of the stated parameters.
Transport of mafic magma through the crust and sedimentary basins: Jameson Land, East Greenland
Authors: Eide Christian Haug , Schofield Nick , Howell John , Jerram Dougal A.
Published: October 2021

Igneous sheet-complexes transport magma through the crust, but most studies have focused on single segments of the magma transport system or have low resolution. In the Jameson Land Basin in East Greenland, seismic reflection data and extensive outcrops give unparalleled constraints on mafic intrusions down to 15 km. This dataset shows how sill-complexes develop and how magma is transported from the mantle through sedimentary basins. The feeder zone of the sill-complex is a narrow zone below a basin, where a magmatic underplate body impinges on thinned crust. Magma is transported through the crystalline crust through dykes. Seismic data and published geochemistry indicate that magma is supplied from a magmatic underplate without perceptible storage in crustal magma chambers and crustal assimilation. As magma enters the sedimentary basin, it forms distributed, bowl-shaped sill-complexes throughout the basin. Large magma volumes in sills (4–20 times larger than the Skaergaard Intrusion) and the presence of few dykes highlight the importance of sills in crustal magma transport. On scales smaller than 0.2 km, host-rock lithology, and particularly mudstone tensile strength anisotropy, controls sill architecture in the upper 10 km of the basin, whereas sills are bowl-shaped below the brittle–ductile transition zone. On scales of kilometres and towards basin margins, tectonic stresses and lateral lithological changes dominate architecture of sills.

Supplementary material:
An uninterpreted and unwarped version of the seismic line in Fig. 4 (DR1), a spreadsheet showing thickness of sills and width of dykes in the study area (DR2), and assumptions and calculations of magma volume (DR3) are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5670470
Risks to the Public
Authors: Neumann Peter G.
Published: October 2021

Edited by PGN (Risks Forum Moderator, with contribu- tions by others as indicated. Opinions are individual rather than organizational, with usual disclaimers implied. We ad- dress problems relating to software, hardware, people, and other circumstances relevant to computer systems. Ref- erences (R i j) to the online Risks Forum denote RISKS vol i number j. Cited RISKS items generally identify contributors and sources, together with URLs. Official RISKS archives are available at www.risks.org, with nice html formatting and search engine courtesy of Lindsay Mar- shall at Newcastle:; http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/i.j.html (also ftp://www.sri.com/risks). CACM Inside Risks: http://www.csl.sri.com/neumann/insiderisks.html
Shadow Program Committee Initiative
Authors: Thongtanunam Patanamon , Rastogi Ayushi , Khomh Foutse , Demeyer Serge , Nagappan Meiyappan , Blincoe Kelly , Robles Gregorio
Published: October 2021

The Shadow Program Committee (PC) is an initiative/program that provides an opportunity to Early-Career Researchers (ECRs), i.e., PhD students, postdocs, new faculty members, and industry practitioners, who have not been in a PC, to learn rst-hand about the peer-review process of the technical track at Software Engi- neering (SE) conferences. This program aims to train the next generation of PC members as well as to allow ECRs to be recog- nized and embedded in the research community. By participating in this program, ECRs will have a great chance i) to gain expe- rience about the reviewing process including the restrictions and ethical standards of the academic peer-review process; ii) to be mentored by senior researchers on how to write a good review; and iii) to create a network with other ECRs and senior researchers (i.e., Shadow PC advisors).

The Shadow PC program was rst introduced to the SE research community at the Mining Software Repositories (MSR) confer- ence in 2021. The program was led by Patanamon Thongta- nunam and Ayushi Rastogi (Shadow PC Co-chairs) with support from Shadow PC Advisor Co-Chairs (Foutse Khomh and Serge Demeyer), PC Co-Chairs of the technical track (Meiyappan Na- gappan and Kelly Blincoe), and the General Chair of the con- ference, Gregorio Robles. To promote and facilitate the Shadow PC program at SE conferences in the future, this report provides details about the process and a re ection on the Shadow PC pro- gram during MSR2021. The presentation slides and video are also available online at https://youtu.be/ReUXwmtIEk8.
Quantum Software
Authors: Abreu Rui , Ali Shaukat , Yue Tao , Felderer Michael , Exman Iaakov
Published: October 2021

Quantum Software is a formidable challenge. This is a conse- quence of a rst encounter between software, usually perceived as an engineering discipline, and quantum computing, an outgrowth of two complex and fundamental sciences: physics and computer science. However, Quantum Software is a signi cant creativity op- portunity. This short paper characterizes the unique opportunity, while keeping in mind the great challenge. It also stands as a re- port of a workshop (Q-SE 2021) exactly created to promote under- standing and trigger motivation to exploit this opportunity, while overcoming the challenge. Q-SE 2021 | the 2nd International Workshop on Quantum Software Engineering | was co-located with the 43rd International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE 2021). Q-SE 2021 was virtually held on June 1 and June 2 of 2021.
Genetic Improvement @ ICSE 2021
Authors: Brownlee Alexander E. I.
Published: October 2021

Following Dr. Stephanie Forrest of Arizona State University's keynote presentation there was a wide ranging discussion at the tenth international Genetic Improvement workshop, GI-2021 @ ICSE (held as part of the International Conference on Software Engineering on Sunday 30th May 2021). Topics included a growing range of target systems and appli- cations, algorithmic improvements, wide-ranging questions about how other elds (especially evolutionary computation) can inform advances in GI, and about how GI is 'branded' to other disciplines.

We give a personal perspective on the workshop's proceedings, the discussions that took place, and resulting prospective directions for future research.
Facial Feature Manipulation for Trait Portrayal in Realistic and Cartoon-Rendered Characters
Authors: Ferstl Ylva , McKay Michael , McDonnell Rachel
Published: October 2021

Previous perceptual studies on human faces have shown that specific facial features have consistent effects on perceived personality and appeal, but it remains unclear if and how findings relate to perception of virtual characters. For example, wider human faces have been found to appear more aggressive and dominant, whereas studies on virtual characters have shown opposite trends but have suffered from significant eeriness of exaggerated features. In this study, we use highly realistic virtual faces obtained from 3D scanning, as well as cartoon-rendered counterparts retaining facial proportions. We assess the effects of facial width and eye size on perceptions of appeal, trustworthiness, aggressiveness, dominance, and eeriness. Our manipulations did not affect eeriness, and we find the same perceptual trends previously reported for human faces.
Stealth Updates of Visual Information by Leveraging Change Blindness and Computational Visual Morphing
Authors: Kasahara Shunichi , Takada Kazuma
Published: October 2021

We present an approach for covert visual updates by leveraging change blindness with computationally generated morphed images. To clarify the design parameters for intentionally suppressing change detection with morphing visuals, we investigated the visual change detection in three temporal behaviors: visual blank, eye-blink, and step-sequential changes. The results showed a robust trend of change blindness with a blank of more than 33.3 ms and with eye blink. Our sequential change study revealed that participants did not recognize changes until an average of 57% morphing toward another face in small change steps. In addition, changes went unnoticed until the end of morphing in more than 10% of all trials. Our findings should contribute to the design of covert visual updates without consuming users’ attention by leveraging change blindness with computational visual morphing.
The benefits of incorporating active learning into online, asynchronous coursework in dental physiology
Authors: Metz Cynthia J. , Metz Michael J.
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic required a shift to online learning that posed particular challenges for the education of dental students. Basic science courses were presented in an online, asynchronous format to facilitate small group rotations through preclinical work. The success of active learning was previously examined in a Dental Physiology course, and it was desired to reassess those methods in an online environment. Students were provided with prerecorded lectures containing learning activities, and the effectiveness was compared with traditional lecture recordings. On surveys, dental students had more positive perceptions of online recordings that incorporated active learning strategies, with higher perceived effectiveness of the lecturer, ability to pay attention, motivation to study, and confidence with the material. This was similar to the previous study, in which face-2-face (F2F) active learning was more positively reviewed than traditional lectures. Compared with these past sections, the online cohort expressed similarly positive perceptions of the active learning sections, but the online traditional lectures were perceived to be less effective than F2F lectures. Despite the differences in student perceptions, unit exam scores were similar for didactic lectures in both online and F2F settings. Unit exam scores were significantly higher when active learning strategies were employed, with the highest performance levels in the F2F cohort. While active learning strategies continue to be effective, further research is needed to optimize these methods and engage students in online coursework. The results suggest the importance of active and collaborative learning opportunities in the education of students in physiology coursework.
A PDE for Smooth Isometric Immersion of an Open Set of the Hyperbolic Plane

ℍ

2

into

ℝ

4
Authors: Dione Mor , Diop Bira Gaye , Niang Athoumane
Published: October 2021

A simple interpretation of the PDE for isometric immersion of the hyperbolic plane

ℍ

2

into

ℝ

4

is given. Thus, necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained. And, under natural additional conditions, we show that there are no complete solutions, but we can have special local solutions.
Deep-Learning-Based CT Imaging in the Quantitative Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Diseases
Authors: Fu Xu , Liu Huaiqin , Bi Xiaowang , Gong Xiao
Published: October 2021

This study focused on the application of deep learning algorithms in the segmentation of CT images, so as to diagnose chronic kidney diseases accurately and quantitatively. First, the residual dual-attention module (RDA module) was used for automatic segmentation of renal cysts in CT images. 79 patients with renal cysts were selected as research subjects, of whom 27 cases were defined as the test group and 52 cases were defined as the training group. The segmentation results of the test group were evaluated factoring into the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), precision, and recall. The experimental results showed that the loss function value of the RDA-UNET model rapidly decayed and converged, and the segmentation results of the model in the study were roughly the same as those of manual labeling, indicating that the model had high accuracy in image segmentation, and the contour of the kidney can be segmented accurately. Next, the RDA-UNET model achieved 96.25% DSC, 96.34% precision, and 96.88% recall for the left kidney and 94.22% DSC, 95.34% precision, and 94.61% recall for the right kidney, which were better than other algorithms. The results showed that the algorithm model in this study was superior to other algorithms in each evaluation index. It explained the advantages of this model compared with other algorithm models. In conclusion, the RDA-UNET model can effectively improve the accuracy of CT image segmentation, and it is worth of promotion in the quantitative assessment of chronic kidney diseases through CT imaging.
Implicit Feedback Recommendation Method Based on User-Generated Content
Authors: Fang Bing , Hu Enpeng , Shen Junyang , Zhang Jingwen , Chen Yang
Published: October 2021

Studying recommendation method has long been a fundamental area in personalized marketing science. The rating data sparsity problem is the biggest challenge of recommendations. In addition, existing recommendation methods can only identify user preferences rather than customer needs. To solve these two bottleneck problems, we propose a novel implicit feedback recommendation method using user-generated content (UGC). We identify product feature and customer needs from UGC using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model and textual semantic analysis techniques, measure user-product fit degree introducing attention mechanism and antonym mechanism, and predict user rating based on user-product fit degree and user history rating data. Using data from a large-scale review sites, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method. Our study makes several research contributions. First, we propose a novel recommendation method with strong robustness against sparse rating data. Second, we propose a novel recommendation method based on the customer need-product feature fit. Third, we propose a novel approach to measure the fit degree of customer needs-product feature, which can effectively improve the performance of recommendation method. Our study also indicates the following findings: (1) UGC can be used to predict user ratings with no user rating records. This finding has important implications to solve the sparsity problem of recommendations thoroughly. (2) The customer need-based recommendation method has better performance than existing user preference-based recommendation methods. This finding sheds light on the necessity of mining customer need for recommendation methods. (3) UGC can be used to mine customer need and product features. This finding indicates that UGC also can be used in the other studies requiring information about customer need and product feature. (4) Comparing the opinions of user review should not be solely on the basis of semantic similarity. This finding sheds light on the limitation of existing opinion mining studies.
Association of Phthalate Exposure with Thyroid Function and Thyroid Homeostasis Parameters in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chen Yi , Zhang Wen , Chen JingSi , Wang Ningjian , Chen Chi , Wang Yuying , Wan Heng , Chen Bo , Lu Yingli
Published: October 2021

Aims. Phthalates, which are recognized environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are associated with thyroid hormone disruption. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of phthalate metabolites with thyroid function and thyroid homeostasis parameters in type 2 diabetes and to explore whether thyroid autoimmunity status and metformin, the most common antidiabetic drug, may influence such associations. Methods. Concurrent urine and blood samples were collected from 639 participants with type 2 diabetes in the METAL (Environmental Pollutant Exposure and Metabolic Diseases in Shanghai) study. We measured urinary concentrations of thirteen phthalate metabolites along with serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total T4 and T3, free T4 (FT4) and T3 (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). Four parameters of thyroid homeostasis, including the sum activity of step-up deiodinases (SPINA-GD), thyroid secretory capacity (SPINA-GT), Jostel’s TSH index (TSHI), and thyrotroph thyroid hormone resistance index (TTSI), were also calculated. Results. Among all participants, after full adjustment, multivariable regression analysis showed that some urine phthalate metabolites were negatively associated with TSH, TSHI, and TTSI levels and positively associated with FT3, T3, SPINA-GD, and SPINA-GT levels. None of the urine phthalate metabolites exhibited a significant association with thyroid autoimmunity. The associations of phthalate metabolites with thyroid function and thyroid homeostasis parameters differed based on thyroid autoantibody and metformin treatment status. Conclusions. Urinary phthalate metabolites may be associated with thyroid function and thyroid homeostasis parameters among participants with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, our present study suggested that thyroid autoantibody status and metformin treatment status are potential mediators of such associations.
Analysis of Genotype-Environment Interaction and Yield Stability of Introduced Upland Rice in the Groundnut Basin Agroclimatic Zone of Senegal
Authors: Kanfany Ghislain , Ayenan Mathieu Anatole Tele , Zoclanclounon Yedomon Ange Bovys , Kane Talla , Ndiaye Malick , Diatta Cyril , Diatta Jeannot , Gueye Tala , Fofana Amadou
Published: October 2021

Identification of highly performing varieties under Senegalese environment is crucial to sustain rice production. Genotype-environment interaction and stability performance on the grain yield of ten upland rice genotypes were investigated across 11 environments in Senegal during the rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017 to identify adapted varieties. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at each environment. Data on grain yield were recorded and analyzed using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. The combined analysis of variance revealed that the grain yield was significantly affected by environment (67.9%), followed by genotype × environment (G × E) interaction (23.6%) and genotype (8.5%). The first two principal component axes were highly significant with 37.5 and 26% of the total observed G × E interaction variation, respectively. GGE biplot grouped the environments into four potential megaenvironments. Based on the yield stability index parameter and ranking GGE biplot, NERICA 8 and ART3-7-L9P8-1-B-B-1 were stable and high-yielding varieties compared to the local check NERICA 6. These varieties should be proposed for cultivation in order to sustain the rice production in the southern part of the groundnut basin of Senegal and used as parental lines in rice breeding program for grain yield improvement.
Development of the 8-Item Phlegm Pattern Questionnaire (PPQ-8) Using Rasch Analysis
Authors: Park Young-Jae
Published: October 2021

The 25-item Phlegm Pattern Questionnaire (PPQ) has been widely used to examine the relationship between the phlegm pattern (PP), quality of life, tongue colour, vocal qualities, and dysfunctional breathing. However, the concerns of response burden and differences in the respondent’s abilities or item difficulty for the original version of the PPQ have not been sufficiently addressed. This study aimed to develop a short-form PPQ using Rasch analysis, an item response theory. Based on the retrospective data, the response order, differential item functioning (DIF), dimensionality, reliability, concurrent validity, and fitting errors were examined for 291 normal participants and 61 inpatients. The discriminative ability of the short-form PPQ was examined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Along with Rasch analysis, another short-form PPQ was developed using equidiscriminative item-total correlation (EITC) analysis and the results between the two short-form PPQs were compared accordingly. Rasch analysis results suggested a 6-point response category for the PPQ, and finally, 8 items without fitting errors or DIF variability were selected for the PPQ (PPQ-8). The PPQ-8 had satisfactory reliability (person separation index = 2.23), unidimensionality (unexplained variance in the first contrast = 1.598), fitting levels (infit mean square, 0.80–1.39; outfit mean square, 0.79–1.34), sensitivity (70.5%), and specificity (76.5%). The PPQ-8 had a moderate discriminative ability of the PP (area under the curve = 0.759), and the cut-off point was 23. Although the 8-item PPQ developed using EITC analysis showed similar levels of reliability, validity, and discriminative ability of the PP to the PPQ-8, it could not present the information of item hierarchy and differences in the respondents’ abilities. In conclusion, the PPQ-8 by Rasch analysis is recommended for future use to evaluate the clinical severity of PP.
Numerical Simulation of Cracking Failure and Weakening Law of Roadway Surrounding Rock under High Stress
Authors: Cheng Feng , Chen Ai-jun , Wu Di , Tang Xian-yuan , Su Chun-hui
Published: October 2021

In deep roadway mining, high water pressure causes rock mass cracking and weakens the overall strength, affecting the stability of underground metal mine mining roadways. Therefore, using a numerical simulation method, we analyzed the strain softening characteristics of rocks after the inflexion point of elasticity and studied the strain distribution and the minimum support resistance under high‐pressure groundwater conditions. Considering the groundwater pressure and effective porosity on the strain softening characteristics of the surrounding rocks, we investigated the critical groundwater pressure under which the surrounding rocks would remain stable. Actual engineering verification helps to obtain the supporting characteristic curves under different influencing factors. We found that water pressure and effective porosity are the significant factors that decide the development scope of the plastic zone. The more significant the increase of the plastic zone, the more notable the changes in the support curve. Moreover, the plastic zone is likely to occur when the hydraulic head is between 30 and 50 m; when the hydraulic head exceeds 50 m, it is likely to produce a relaxation zone.
Changes and Influencing Factors of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Cui Huixia , Shi Xusheng , Song Xiaoxiu , Zhang Wenlu
Published: October 2021

Objective. To investigate the changes in cognitive function and its influencing factors in patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy, to provide a scientific basis for further cognitive correction therapy. Methods. In this study, general information on age, marital status, and chemotherapy regimen was collected from 172 breast cancer chemotherapy patients. 172 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy were investigated by convenience sampling method, and the subjects were tested one-on-one using the Chinese version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) computer system. Results. The mean value of standardized t-value of cognitive function and its abnormal dimensions in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were MCCB total cognition (66.3%, 36.99 ± 13.06, abnormal), working memory (73.3%, 36.84 ± 10.25), attention and alertness (70.3%, 37.20 ± 12.50), social cognition (65.1%, 39.54 ± 10.17), and visual memory (61.6%, 42.19 ± 9.38). A comparison of cognitive function among breast cancer chemotherapy patients with different demographic characteristics showed that differences in place of residence, educational level, monthly income, timing of chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen, and chemotherapy times may be associated with abnormal cognitive function. Further multiple linear regression analysis was performed and the results showed that there was a linear regression between literacy, number of chemotherapy sessions, monthly personal income, and cognitive function. Conclusion. Cognitive impairment is common in patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy. Nurses should pay attention to the cognitive function changes and intervention of patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy, to prevent the changes of cognitive function and promote the rehabilitation of patients.
Inhibition of Vascular Smooth Muscle and Cancer Cell Proliferation by New VEGFR Inhibitors and Their Immunomodulator Effect: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Ran Feng , Li Wendong , Qin Yi , Yu Tong , Liu Zhao , Zhou Min , Liu Cheng , Qiao Tong , Li Xiaoqiang , Yousef Reda G. , Eissa Ibrahim H. , Khalifa Mohamed M.
Published: October 2021

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation has an important role in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerosis restenosis and hypertension. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to stimulate VSMC proliferation. In addition, angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancerous growth. VEGF is the key modulator for the initial stages of angiogenesis that acts through the endothelial‐specific receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFRs). VEGFR‐2 blockage is a good approach for suppression of angiogenesis. In order to discover novel VEGFR‐2 TK inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized three new series of pyridine‐containing compounds. The new compounds were all screened against a panel of three cell lines (HepG‐2, HCT‐116, and MCF‐7). Promising results encouraged us to additionally evaluate the most active members for their in vitro VEGFR‐2 inhibitory effect. Compound 7a, which is the most potent candidate, revealed a significant increase in caspase‐3 level by 7.80‐fold when compared to the control. In addition, Bax and Bcl‐2 concentration levels showed an increase in the proapoptotic protein Bax (261.4 Pg/ml) and a decrease of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2 (1.25 Pg/ml) compared to the untreated cells. Furthermore, compound 7a arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase with induction of apoptosis. The immunomodulatory effect of compound 7a, the most active member, showed a reduction in TNF‐α by 87%. Also, compound 7a caused a potent inhibitory effect on smooth muscle proliferation. Docking studies were also performed to get better insights into the possible binding mode of the target compounds with VEGFR‐2 active sites.
Midpoint Inequalities via Strong Convexity Using Positive Weighted Symmetry Kernels
Authors: Qi Hengxiao , Nazeer Waqas , Zakir Sami Ullah , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: October 2021

In the present research, we generalize the midpoint inequalities for strongly convex functions in weighted fractional integral settings. Our results generalize many existing results and can be considered as extension of existing results.
Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: A Prospective Multicenter Study of Real-World Patients
Authors: Liu Gordon , Huang Zhiyong , Xin Qian
Published: October 2021

This real-world, multicenter, prospective study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of prevalent oral antidiabetic drugs, including traditional Chinese medicine and its compounds, used in China. Type 2 diabetes patients initiated on one or several of the most prevalent antidiabetic drugs were recruited on the baseline and followed up over one year with no restriction on drug discontinuation, switching, and add-on. Different drugs were evaluated on their efficacy, adverse effect (AE), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and cost. Treatments were defined as the intent-to-treat in the primary analysis and on-treatment in the sensitivity analyses. A rich set of patients’ baseline characteristics was collected and controlled using the multivariate linear model in the primary analysis and inverse probability weighting and double selection—a machine learning algorithm—in the sensitivity analyses. Estimates of “raw” outcomes, which are not adjusted by covariates and calculated as subgroup means, show that the use of Xiaoke Pill alone and in combination is among the most effective therapies with 50% and 54% of patients reaching the control target of HbA1c < 6.5%. In terms of cost, Xiaoke Pill and gliclazide, which cost participants 4,350 and 5,150 RMB per year on average, are among the least costly therapies. After adjusting patient characteristics, monotherapy and combination therapy using the Xiaoke Pill again display the best control rates, of 45% and 43% against 33% of metformin. Regarding cost, the Xiaoke Pill costs a patient 5,340 RMB per year, in sharp contrast with 8,550 RMB for metformin and 10,330 RMB for acarbose. Our study suggests that the use of Xiaoke Pill—alone or in combination—is associated with better glycemic control and lower cost than some allopathic medications such as metformin or acarbose and shows a similar incidence of hypoglycemia.
Geometrical Classification of Self-Similar Motion of Two-Dimensional Three Point Vortex System by Deviation Curvature on Jacobi Field
Authors: Hirakui Yuma , Yajima Takahiro
Published: October 2021

In this study, we geometrically analyze the relation between a point vortex system and deviation curvatures on the Jacobi field. First, eigenvalues of deviation curvatures are calculated from relative distances of point vortices in a three point vortex system. Afterward, based on the assumption of self-similarity, time evolutions of eigenvalues of deviation curvatures are shown. The self-similar motions of three point vortices are classified into two types, expansion and collapse, when the relative distances vary monotonously. Then, we find that the eigenvalues of self-similarity are proportional to the inverse fourth power of relative distances. The eigenvalues of the deviation curvatures monotonically convergent to zero for expansion, whereas they monotonically diverge for collapse, which indicates that the strengths of interactions between point vortices related to the time evolution of spatial geometric structure in terms of the deviation curvatures. In particular, for collapse, the collision point becomes a geometric singularity because the eigenvalues of the deviation curvature diverge. These results show that the self-similar motions of point vortices are classified by eigenvalues of the deviation curvature. Further, nonself-similar expansion is numerically analyzed. In this case, the eigenvalues of the deviation curvature are nonmonotonous but converge to zero, suggesting that the motion of the nonself-similar three point vortex system is also classified by eigenvalues of the deviation curvature.
Transcriptional Reprogramming Differentiates Active from Inactive ESR1 Fusions in Endocrine Therapy-Refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Gou Xuxu , Anurag Meenakshi , Lei Jonathan T. , Kim Beom-Jun , Singh Purba , Seker Sinem , Fandino Diana , Han Airi , Rehman Saif , Hu Jianhong , Korchina Viktoriya , Doddapaneni Harshavardhan , Dobrolecki Lacey E. , Mitsiades Nicholas , Lewis Michael T. , Welm Alana L. , Li Shunqiang , Lee Adrian V. , Robinson Dan R. , Foulds Charles E. , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: October 2021

Genomic analysis has recently identified multiple ESR1 gene translocations in estrogen receptor alpha–positive (ERα+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) that encode chimeric proteins whereby the ESR1 ligand binding domain (LBD) is replaced by C-terminal sequences from many different gene partners. Here we functionally screened 15 ESR1 fusions and identified 10 that promoted estradiol-independent cell growth, motility, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and resistance to fulvestrant. RNA sequencing identified a gene expression pattern specific to functionally active ESR1 gene fusions that was subsequently reduced to a diagnostic 24-gene signature. This signature was further examined in 20 ERα+ patient-derived xenografts and in 55 ERα+ MBC samples. The 24-gene signature successfully identified cases harboring ESR1 gene fusions and also accurately diagnosed the presence of activating ESR1 LBD point mutations. Therefore, the 24-gene signature represents an efficient approach to screening samples for the presence of diverse somatic ESR1 mutations and translocations that drive endocrine treatment failure in MBC.

Significance:

This study identifies a gene signature diagnostic for functional ESR1 fusions that drive poor outcome in advanced breast cancer, which could also help guide precision medicine approaches in patients harboring ESR1 mutations.
Taming the Wild-Type Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Improved Tissue Culture
Authors: Blakely Andrew M. , Glod John W. , Wedekind Malone Mary Frances
Published: October 2021

Wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors (WT GIST) are most frequently characterized by succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) deficiency. Reliable ex vivo tumor models have been difficult to develop given the downstream metabolic effects of SDH deficiency. Improved tumor modeling approaches are needed to develop effective systemic treatment options for patients with WT GIST.

See related article by Yebra et al., p. 187
Cis-Regulatory Control of Mammalian Sex Determination
Authors: Ridnik Meshi , Schoenfelder Stefan , Gonen Nitzan
Published: October 2021

Sex determination is the process by which an initial bipotential gonad adopts either a testicular or ovarian cell fate. The inability to properly complete this process leads to a group of developmental disorders classified as disorders of sex development (DSD). To date, dozens of genes were shown to play roles in mammalian sex determination, and mutations in these genes can cause DSD in humans or gonadal sex reversal/dysfunction in mice. However, exome sequencing currently provides genetic diagnosis for only less than half of DSD patients. This points towards a major role for the non-coding genome during sex determination. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of non-coding, cis-acting gene regulatory elements and discuss how they may control transcriptional programmes that underpin sex determination in the context of the 3-dimensional folding of chromatin. As a paradigm, we focus on the Sox9 gene, a prominent pro-male factor and one of the most extensively studied genes in gonadal cell fate determination.
Therapeutic Impact and Management of Persistent Head and Neck Atopic Dermatitis in Dupilumab-Treated Patients
Authors: Chiricozzi Andrea , Gori Niccolò , Di Nardo Lucia , Antonelli Flaminia , Caruso Cristiano , Caldarola Giacomo , Calabrese Laura , Guerriero Cristina , De Simone Clara , Peris Ketty
Published: October 2021

Background: Localization of atopic dermatitis (AD) in exposed areas such as the hands, head, and neck has been considered as a negative factor impacting on dupilumab response, although a comparison of exposed versus unexposed areas is not currently available. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical response to dupilumab depending on the presence or persistency of AD skin manifestations in specific body areas. Methods: The study retrospectively collected clinical and demographic data of adult patients affected by moderate to severe AD. Based on the anatomical sites involved, 5 subcohorts of patients were identified. Results: A total of 41 patients were included in the study. Disease amelioration was detected during the study period, although baseline head/neck and hand localization was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of achieving an Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) ≤1. In addition, patients with head/neck persistency showed a significantly lower response when compared to patients without persistency of head/neck AD in terms of both mean EASI and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) reduction. Conclusion: AD localization in exposed areas at the baseline and AD persistency at the head/neck may have a negative impact on certain treatment response parameters to dupilumab therapy.
Usefulness of Fractal Analysis of Kirsch Edge Images for the Tissue Fragment Inner Structure in Breast FNAB
Authors: Yoshioka Haruhiko , Shimoda Tsubasa , Oikawa Sota , Morohashi Satoko , Hasegawa Yoshie , Horie Kayo , Watanabe Jun
Published: October 2021

Objective: Recent advances in high-precision mammography and ultrasound screening have led to an increase in the detection of early lesions (ductal carcinoma in situ and small cancers) appearing as microcalcified lesions or microcystic images, and there needs to be an improvement in the accuracy of breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) assessing these lesions. The objective of this study was to investigate whether fractal analysis of Kirsch edge images for the tissue fragment inner structure (FKT) is useful in breast FNAB. FKT measures tissue fragment chromasia of hyperchromatic crowded tissue fragments (HCG), tissue fragment shape unevenness, and tissue fragment inner structure complexity. Study Design Materials: Nineteen epithelial tissue fragments of fibroadenoma (FA) from 7 patients and 52 tissue fragments of invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (IBC-NST) (grade 1–2) from 11 patients were assessed. First, tissue fragments were classified into small (smaller than 60 × 102 μm2), medium, and large (100 × 102 μm2 or larger), and the appearance rate of each size was determined. Second, for FKT, the luminance value of tissue fragment chromasia, the unevenness and fractal value, and the tissue fragment inner structure complexity were determined. In statistical analysis, the Steel-Dwass test, nonlinear discriminant analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed, setting the significance level at p < 0.05. Results: “Unevenness of the tissue fragment shape,” “fractal value of the tissue fragment shape,” and “fractal value of the tissue fragment inner structure” were significantly higher in small and large tissue fragments in IBC-NST compared with those in FA. The specificity and sensitivity were the highest (100%) in small tissue fragments in multivariate analysis using 4 variables (“luminance value of tissue fragment chromasia,” “unevenness of tissue fragment shape,” “fractal value of the tissue fragment shape,” and “fractal value of the tissue fragment inner structure”). Conclusion: FKT, which evaluates “tissue fragment darkness,” “tissue fragment shape unevenness,” and “tissue fragment inner structure complexity” focusing on small tissue fragments of HCG in breast FNAB, is useful as a system that assists cytopathological assessment of breast FNAB.
Accession Site Does Not Influence the Risk of Stroke after Diagnostic Coronary Angiography or Intervention: Results from a Large Prospective Registry
Authors: Matějka Jan , Varvařovský Ivo , Tužil Jan , Doležal Tomáš , Bobak Martin , Pospíchal Jan , Geier Petr , Vondrák Jiří , Bláha Karel , Málek Jan , Staňková Alena , Bujdák Juraj , Rozsíval Vladimír , Novotný Vojtěch , Lazarák Tomáš , Plíva Milan , Večeřa Jan , Vojtíšek Petr
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Periprocedural stroke represents a rare but serious complication of cardiac catheterization. Pooled data from randomized trials evaluating the risk of stroke following cardiac catheterization via transradial versus transfemoral access showed no difference. On the other hand, a significant difference in stroke rates favoring transradial access was found in a recent meta-analysis of observational studies. Our aim was to determine if there is a difference in stroke risk after transradial versus transfemoral catheterization within a contemporary real-world registry. Methods: Data from 14,139 patients included in a single-center prospective registry between 2009 and 2016 were used to determine the odds of periprocedural transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke for radial versus femoral catheterization via multivariate logistic regression with Firth’s correction. Results: A total of 10,931 patients underwent transradial and 3,208 underwent transfemoral catheterization. Periprocedural TIA/stroke occurred in 41 (0.29%) patients. Age was the only significant predictor of TIA/stroke in multivariate analysis, with each additional year representing an odds ratio (OR) = 1.09 (CI 1.05–1.13, p < 0.000). The choice of accession site had no impact on the risk of periprocedural TIA/stroke (OR = 0.81; CI 0.38–1.72, p = 0.577). Conclusion: Observational data from a large prospective registry indicate that accession site has no influence on the risk of periprocedural TIA/stroke after cardiac catheterization.