bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global news – global identity? The relationship between media consumption, perception of identity, and ethnocentrism
Authors: Kersten Riccarda , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: August 2022

In line with the common ingroup identity model, the present research investigated whether factors beyond contact conditions are associated with the emergence of a shared identity perception and outgroup attitudes. Concretely, we reasoned that higher consumption of global news would be positively related to a stronger global identity, which in turn would be negatively correlated with ethnocentrism. In contrast, consumption of local news should be associated with a local identity, which would then be positively related to ethnocentrism. To test these ideas, one cross‐sectional (N = 576) and one longitudinal study (N = 410) were carried out at an Austrian university. As hypothesized, global news consumption was associated with a stronger global identity, which then accounted for reduced ethnocentrism. However, only in the cross‐sectional study, we found empirical evidence that local news interest is positively correlated with ethnocentrism mediated by local identity.
A Thin Line: Governmental Border Communication in Times of European Crises
Authors: Brändle Verena K. , Eisele Olga
Published: August 2022

In response to the recent crises in Europe, many governments have tightened their border controls despite considerable criticism from the EU Commission and civil society. While borders are at the core of recent crises, we lack systematic evidence of how governments publicly inform about border politics and justify measures. Therefore, we ask: How do EU governments communicate about borders? We analyze a comprehensive sample of press releases of the Austrian and German governments over 12 years (2009–2020). Applying a mixed‐methods design, we employ automated text analysis, specifically latent semantic scaling (LSX) to scale documents regarding how they communicated permeability (openness and closedness) of borders and the state of affairs regarding a state of crisis and routine. Based on this quantitative analysis, we then apply qualitative text analysis to explore the nuances and patterns of this communication to gain in‐depth insights into governmental stances about borders.
Coolie labour and colonial capitalism in Asia
Authors: Breman Jan
Published: August 2022

In the course of my academic research labour bondage after the abolition of slavery has been a recurrent theme in my writings on the colonial past and the postcolonial present. In the context of the globalizing economy, the role of capitalism as a dominant mode of production has been of pivotal importance in the perpetuation of confined labour relations. This argument does not concur with the conventional wisdom that the transition to capitalism was the start of an emancipatory trend for labour. Expressed in the liberation from extra‐economic coercion, the trope of a double freedom contends that the working poor although dispossessed from means of production were at least free now to sell their labour power. The gradual reversal taking place is addressed in what became known as the social question, which led to an improvement in the terms of employment and social security. This article is concerned with aspects of sourcing coolies wide and far and confined labour relations in Asia from colonialism until today. It traces the radically different trajectories of labour and welfare in the Global North and South and argues that cooliehood is directly linked to capitalism and its globalization.
Physical Modification of Hybrid Hydrogels to Fabricate Full-Scale Construct Using Three-Dimensional Bio-Printing Process
Authors: Nelson Cartwright , Tuladhar Slesha , Habib Ahasan
Published: August 2022

Bioprinting for regenerative medicine has been gaining a lot of popularity in today's world. Despite being one of the rigorously studied fields, there are still several challenges yet to be solved. Geometric fidelity and mechanical complexities stand as roadblocks when it comes to the printability of the customized constructs. Exploring the rheological properties of the compositions helps us understand the physical and mechanical properties of the biomaterials which are closely tied to the printability of the filament and eventually, geometric fidelity of the constructs. To ensure the structural integrity of the constructs, viscosity enhancers such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and crosslinkers like CaCl2 and CaSO4 were used. These crosslinkers can be used before (precrosslinking) and after (postcrosslinking) the extrusion of considered compositions to investigate and compare the outcome. To do this, mixtures of CMC (viscosity enhancer), Alginate, and CaCl2 and CaSO4 (crosslinkers) were prepared at various concentrations maintaining minimum solid content (≤8%). Each composition was subjected to a set of rheological tests like flow curve for shear thinning behavior, three points thixotropic for recovery rate, and amplitude test for gelation point. Various geometric fidelity identification tests were conducted and correlated with their physical properties. Some compositions were used to fabricate large-scale constructs (in cm-scale) to demonstrate their capability. This research is a thorough investigation of compositions when they are introduced to crosslinkers and viscosity enhancers which can be crucial for the 3D printing world.
Off-Design Modeling and Operational Optimization of Trans-Critical Carbon Dioxide Heat Pumps
Authors: Gabrielli Paolo , Sansavini Giovanni , Singh Siddhant , Garcia Luis Sanz , Jacquemoud Emmanuel , Jenny Philipp
Published: August 2022

Industrial heat pumps, and specifically those using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a refrigerant, can play a key role in the decarbonization of the heating and cooling sector, due to their low global warming potential, toxicity and flammability. However, challenges arise when dealing with the modeling and optimization of CO2 heat pumps under different operating conditions. We address this challenge by presenting a modeling and optimization tool to predict and optimize the operation of heat pumps in off-design conditions. The tool improves on the current state-of-the-art in several ways. First, it describes a novel thermodynamic cycle, which features higher performance than conventional heat pumps. Also, it is based on a mathematical model that describes accurately the behavior of CO2 across a wide range of thermodynamic conditions, especially near its critical region, and takes into account effects of motor-cooling, leakages and performance limits. Furthermore, it maximizes the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump via an accurate and computationally efficient optimization problem. The capabilities of the model are illustrated by looking at different typical heat pump applications based on real-world projects within the heating and cooling sector. Different case studies are considered, showing how the heat pump is optimally operated during the year to maximize its COP while meeting the varying boundary conditions.
Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to the Optimization of Heat and Momentum Transfer in an Industrial Air Blast-Freezing Tunnel
Authors: Silveira Paula Giarolla , Corrêa Jefferson Luiz Gomes , Petri Júnior Irineu , da Rocha Roney Alves , Silveira Gabriel Henrique Giarolla , Lopes Guilherme Mathias
Published: August 2022

Forced convection is the main heat exchange mechanism in an air-blast freezing tunnel. Knowledge of the air distribution in the equipment is important for establishing the best-operating conditions. Computational techniques can be used to predict the velocity and temperature fields in such equipment. The insertion of baffles was used to change the geometry of an air-blast freezing tunnel. Various numbers of trolleys and trolley configurations were also considered. The simulations were related to the temperature variation at the beginning of the freezing process. The presence of baffles favored a better air distribution, and there was a 15% decrease in the temperature rate with time. In addition, the repositioning of the trolleys caused the air to reach temperatures similar to that of the tunnel with only one trolley, as well as demonstrating the possibility of inserting two more trolleys in the boundary conditions.
Perception of noise-vocoded sine-wave speech of Japanese pitch-accent words
Authors: Shinohara Yasuaki
Published: August 2022

The present study examined whether the identification accuracy of Japanese pitch-accent words increased after the sine-wave speech underwent noise vocoding, which eliminates the quasi-periodicity of the sine-wave speech. The results demonstrated that Japanese listeners were better at discriminating sine-wave speech than noise-vocoded sine-wave speech, with no significant difference in identification between the two conditions. They identify sine-wave pitch-accent words to some extent using acoustic cues other than the pitch accent. The noise vocoder used in the present study might not have been substantially effective for Japanese listeners to show a significant difference in the identification between the two conditions.
Evaluation of Delafloxacin against a Burkholderia pseudomallei Efflux Mutant Panel
Authors: McCurdy Sandra P. , Somprasong Nawarat , Schweizer Herbert P.
Published: August 2022

Resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) efflux pumps play a major role in intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance in
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, and these pumps are its only known multidrug resistance determinants. Fluoroquinolones have performed poorly in clinical settings and are currently not recommended for treatment of
B. pseudomallei
infections.
Faecal microbiota transplantation with anti-inflammatory diet (FMT-AID) followed by anti-inflammatory diet alone is effective in inducing and maintaining remission over 1 year in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kedia Saurabh , Virmani Shubi , K Vuyyuru Sudheer , Kumar Peeyush , Kante Bhaskar , Sahu Pabitra , Kaushal Kanav , Farooqui Mariyam , Singh Mukesh , Verma Mahak , Bajaj Aditya , Markandey Manasvini , Sachdeva Karan , Das Prasenjit , Makharia Govind K , Ahuja Vineet
Published: August 2022

Objective

Microbiome and dietary manipulation therapies are being explored for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). We aimed to examine the efficacy of multidonor faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and anti-inflammatory diet in inducing remission followed by long-term maintenance with anti-inflammatory diet in patients with mild-moderate UC.

Design

This open-labelled randomised controlled trial (RCT) randomised patients with mild-moderate (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) 3–9) endoscopically active UC (Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS)>1) on stable baseline medications in 1:1 ratio to FMT and anti-inflammatory diet (FMT-AID) versus optimised standard medical therapy (SMT). The FMT-AID arm received seven weekly colonoscopic infusions of freshly prepared FMT from multiple rural donors(weeks 0–6) with anti-inflammatory diet. Baseline medications were optimised in the SMT arm. Clinical responders (decline in SCCAI>3) at 8 weeks in both arms were followed until 48 weeks on baseline medications (with anti-inflammatory diet in the FMT-AID arm). Primary outcome measures were clinical response and deep remission (clinical—SCCAI <2; and endoscopic—UCEIS <1) at 8 weeks, and deep remission and steroid-free clinical remission at 48 weeks.

Results

Of the 113 patients screened, 73 were randomised, and 66 were included in (35—FMT-AID; 31—SMT) modified intention-to-treat analysis (age—35.7±11.1 years; male—60.1%; disease duration—48 (IQR 24–84) months; pancolitis—34.8%; SCCAI—6 (IQR 5–7); UCEIS—4 (IQR 3–5)). Baseline characteristics were comparable. FMT-AID was superior to SMT in inducing clinical response (23/35 (65.7%) vs 11/31 (35.5%), p=0.01, OR 3.5 (95% CI 1.3 to 9.6)), remission (21/35 (60%) vs 10/31 (32.3%), p=0.02, OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 8.7)) and deep remission (12/33 (36.4%) vs 2/23 (8.7%), p=0.03, OR 6.0 (95% CI 1.2 to 30.2)) at 8 weeks. Anti-inflammatory diet was superior to SMT in maintaining deep remission until 48 weeks (6/24 (25%) vs 0/27, p=0.007).

Conclusion

Multidonor FMT with anti-inflammatory diet effectively induced deep remission in mild-moderate UC which was sustained with anti-inflammatory diet over 1 year.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN15475780.
Developing crown shape model considering a novel competition index — a case for Korean pine plantation in Northeast China
Authors: Sun Yunxia , Feng Jian , Chen Dongsheng , Gao Huilin , Zou Hongtao
Published: August 2022

Effect of neighbor tree competition on crown shape of Korean pine plantation in Northeast China was studied. A total of 48 trees aged 7–58 years were felled, and all living branches were measured. A novel neighbor competition index that considered the overlap length between subject tree and neighbor tree crowns was created and incorporated into crown shape model. The effects of neighboring competition on crown shape, largest crown radius, and inflection point were analyzed. A dummy variable approach was used to detect crown asymmetry. The crown length index (CLI) of the subject tree was selected as the best neighbor competition index, and the mean square error reduction compared with that of the basic model was 2.0% after incorporating CLI. Crown radius displayed differences in the four cardinal directions and followed the order north > west > south > east. The crown radius in four directions for different ages decreased with increasing CLI and the difference increased with increasing tree age. The competition index, which considers horizontal and vertical competition effects, can significantly improve the performance of crown shape model. Both of inflection point and largest crown radius increased with increasing of CLI; however, the Pearson correlation coefficient was not significant ( P > 0.05).
A Problem-tailored Adversarial Deep Neural Network-Based Attack Model for Feed-Forward Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: Aseeri Ahmad O.
Published: August 2022

With the exceeding advancement in technology, the sophistication of attacks is considerably increasing. Standard security methods fall short of achieving the security essentials of IoT against physical attacks due to the nature of IoTs being resource-constrained elements.
Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs)
have been successfully employed as a lightweight memoryless solution to secure IoT devices. PUF is a device that exploits the integrated circuits’ inherent randomness originated during the fabrication process to give each physical entity a unique identifier. Nevertheless, because PUFs are vulnerable to mathematical clonability,
Feed-Forward Arbiter PUF (FF PUF)
was introduced to withstand potential attack methods. Motivated by the necessity to expose a critical vulnerability of the standard FF PUFs design, we introduce a problem-tailored adversarial model to attack FF PUF design using a carefully engineered loop-specific neural network-based design calibrated and trained using FPGA-based in-silicon implementation data to exhibit real-world attacking scenarios posed on FF PUFs, in addition to applying simulated data. The empirical results show that the proposed adversarial model adds outperforming results to the existing studies in attacking FF PUFs, manifesting the improved efficiency in breaking FF PUFs. We demonstrate our high-performing results in numerical experiments of language modeling using the deep Neural Networks method.
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Banyan/Ramie Fibers Reinforced with Nanoparticle Hybrid Polymer Composite
Authors: Raja T. , Mohanavel V. , Ravichandran M. , Kumar S. Suresh , Albaqami Munirah D. , Alotabi Reham Ghazi , Murugesan Mohanraj
Published: August 2022

Natural fibers are an increasing potential alternative to synthetic fibers in recent research, due to their unique properties and weight ratio in composite materials. In this work, the banyan mat and ramie mat are used as reinforcement phase and the epoxy polymer is used as matrix material, and granite nanoparticles are used as filler for making composite laminates. The two phases of reinforcing and matrix were taken at an equal ratio of 50% in each, and the conventional hand layup process was fabricated making five different sequences of laminates. In this analysis, the dynamical mechanical properties of this hybrid composite are identified with the erratic weight ratio of banyan mat and ramie mat fabrics. The results revealed the maximum storage modulus is 1580 MPa at 93.8°C and a loss modulus of 298 MPa at 93.8°C in sample A, 12% more storage modulus, 17% more loss modulus was obtained in sample A compared to sample B, and 29%

E

′

and 27%

E

″

more compared to sample E and also using storage modulus, loss modulus, damping factor are the viscoelastic behavior which can reveal the glass transition temperature of hybrid composite laminates by conducting dynamic mechanical analysis, and SEM test was used to identify the failure mode of hybrid composite.
Analysis of Rebound Rate of Wet Shotcrete Based on Experiment and Discrete Element Method
Authors: Su Chang , Wu Zhuang , Zheng Xiaokui
Published: August 2022

Wet shotcrete support is the main support method for underground engineering construction at present. The rebound rate is one of the indicators to evaluate the support effect, and a lower rebound rate will improve the construction effect of wet shotcrete. The concrete aggregates available in different regions of China have different particle sizes. To achieve better supporting effect, the discrete element method is used to simulate the spraying process of wet shotcrete. By constructing the nozzle structure and simplifying the concrete structure, the paper establishes the discrete element model of wet shotcrete. Using the above model, the paper analyzes the effects of injection distance and shrinkage angle on the injection rebound rate of concrete with three aggregate sizes of 5∼11 mm, 11∼17 mm, and 17∼25 mm. The optimal construction parameters of concrete with different aggregate particle size ratios were obtained through simulation experiments. The simulation results are highly consistent with the field experimental structure. It is feasible to simulate wet shotcrete spraying process by the discrete element method.
Assessment of the Efficacy of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells against a Monoiodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis Model in Wistar Rats
Authors: Hamdalla Hadeer Mohamed , Ahmed Rasha Rashad , Galaly Sanaa Rida , Ahmed Osama Mohamed , Naguib Ibrahim A. , Alghamdi Badrah S. , Abdul-Hamid Manal
Published: August 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a debilitating condition that can severely limit an individual’s mobility and quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) treatment in cartilage repair using a rat model of monoiodoacetate- (MIA-) induced knee OA. OA was induced in the knee joint of rats by an intracapsular injection of MIA (2 mg/50 μL) on day zero. The rats were divided into three groups (

n
=
6

): a normal control group, an osteoarthritic control group, and an osteoarthritic group receiving a single intra-articular injection of BM-MSCs (

5
×

10

6

cells/rat). The knee diameter was recorded once per week. By the end of the performed experiment, X-ray imaging and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis of serum inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were carried out. In addition, RT-PCR was used to measure nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and type II collagen mRNA levels and Western blot analysis was used to determine caspase-3 protein levels in all treated groups. Finally, hematoxylin/and eosin stains were used for histopathological investigation. Administration of BM-MSCs significantly downregulated knee joint swelling and MIA-induced (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and upregulated IL-10 and TGF-β as well. Moreover, BM-MSC-treated osteoarthritic rats exhibited decreased expression of NF-κB, iNOS, and apoptotic mediator (caspase-3) and increased expression of type II collagen when compared to rats treated with MIA alone. The hematoxylin/eosin-stained sections revealed that BM-MSC administration ameliorated the knee joint alterations in MIA-injected rats. BM-MSCs could be an effective treatment for inflamed knee joints in the MIA-treated rat model of osteoarthritis, and the effect may be mediated via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.
Assessment of the Effect of Wearing a Surgical Face Mask on Tear Film in Normal Eye Subjects
Authors: Alanazi Mana A. , El-Hiti Gamal A. , Al-Tamimi Rashid , Bawazir Abdullah M. , Almutleb Essam S. , Fagehi Raied , Alanazi Saud A. , Masmali Ali M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose. To assess the effect of wearing a face mask for a short time on the tear film parameters in normal eye subjects. Methods. Fifty-four normal eye subjects (14 female and 40 male) aged 18–40 years (23.8 ± 4.4 years) were recruited. A standardized patient evaluation of eye dryness was completed first, followed by noninvasive tear break-up time, phenol red thread, and tear ferning tests. A 5-minute gap was allowed between the tests. The subjects were asked to wear a surgical mask for one hour. The measurements were taken both before wearing a face mask and immediately after its removal. Results. Significant (Wilcoxon test) differences were found between the standardized patient evaluation of eye dryness (

p
=
0.002

) and the noninvasive tear break-up time scores (

p
<
0.001

) before and after wearing face masks. No significant differences (Wilcoxon test,

p
>
0.05

) were found between the phenol red thread scores and tear ferning grades before and after wearing face masks. Strong correlations (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, r) were found among the standardized patient evaluation of eye dryness score (r = 0.590;

p
<
0.001

), noninvasive tear break-up time measurements (r = 0.631;

p
<
0.001

), and the tear ferning grades (r = 0.517;

p
<
0.001

) before and after wearing the mask. A medium correlation (r = 0.377;

p
=
0.005

) was found between the noninvasive tear break-up time scores and tear ferning grades before wearing the mask. Conclusions. Wearing a surgical face mask for a short duration of one hour has an effect on ocular tear film in normal eye subjects. Dry eye symptoms and tear break-up increased after wearing a face mask compared with those experienced before wearing one.
Mechanism Study of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Paris polyphylla Sm. Drug Pair in the Treatment of Adenomyosis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Authors: Zhang Keke , Zhou Zhou , Wang Chuchu , Yu Mengdie , Zhang Yiran , Shi Yaxin , Wang Xin , Liu Yang , Xu Li , Shi Wei , Liu Zhiyong
Published: August 2022

Objective. To explore the molecular mechanism of the Cinnamomi ramulus and Paris polyphylla Sm. (C-P) drug pair in the treatment of adenomyosis (AM) based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods. Via a network pharmacology strategy, a drug-component-target-disease network (D-C-T-D) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed to explore the core components and key targets of C-P drug pair therapy for AM, and the core components and key targets were verified by molecular docking. Based on the results of network pharmacology, animal experiments were performed for further verification. The therapeutic effect of the C-P drug pair on uterine ectopic lesions was evaluated in a constructed AM rat model. Results. A total of 30 components and 45 corresponding targets of C-P in the treatment of AM were obtained through network pharmacology. In the D-C-T-D network and PPI network, 5 core components and 10 key targets were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K signaling pathway was the most significantly enriched nontumor pathway. Molecular docking showed that most of the core components and key targets docked completely. Animal experiments showed that the C-P drug pair significantly ameliorated the pathological changes of endometriotic lesions in AM model rats and inhibited PI3K and Akt gene expression, and PI3K and Akt protein phosphorylation. In addition, treatment with the C-P drug pair promoted AM cell apoptosis; upregulated the protein expression of Bax, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-9; and restrained Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions. We propose that the pharmacological mechanism of the C-P drug pair in the treatment of AM is related to inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway and promotion of apoptosis in AM ectopic lesions.
[Retracted] The Oral Tumor Cell Exosome miR‐10b Stimulates Cell Invasion and Relocation via AKT Signaling
Authors: Li Xiang , Yang Ting , Shu Chuanji
Published: August 2022

An exosome derived from a cancer cell has been identified to regulate intercellular communication. However, the roles of oral cancer‐derived ectodomains in tumor metastasis need to be investigated further. We investigated their roles in oral cancer cells in this paper. The enforcing effect on oral cancer cells was attributed primarily to miR‐10b, a gene with a high level in exosomes that is transferred to recipient cells via oral cancer‐derived exosomes. Exosomes were obtained by exosome isolation reagents. Also, exosome identification and analysis were performed by electron microscopy. The expression of miRNAs was analyzed by qRT‐PCR. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. Also, invasion and migration experiments were performed to assay and evaluate the function of exosomal miR‐10b. Exosome‐mediated transfer of miR‐10b promoted oral cancer cell behaviors, according to the findings. Finally, it was discovered that AKT signaling participates in regulating exosome‐mediated invasion and migration of oral cancer cells and its activation reduced the inhibitory effect of miR‐10b knockdown on oral cancer cells. Exosomal miR‐10b derived from oral cancer cells enhances cell invasion and migration by activating AKT signaling.
Deep Integration of Rasch Model and English Classroom: Language Teaching Development under Information Technology
Authors: Yan Jinyan
Published: August 2022

The informatization of education is an important part of the industrialized informatization of our country and an inevitable path for the development of contemporary education. The development of informatization as well as industrialization is driving the changes of the times and the continuous innovation of people’s way of thinking, living habits, and educational methods. The continuous innovation of computer technology and the widespread use and popularization of various classroom methods of English teaching have led to the continuous optimization and upgrading of English teaching at the higher education level in China. However, with the rapid spread of university education and the varying levels of English teaching in higher education institutions, there are a series of problems that need to be solved in the process of transformation of information technology teaching. Therefore, this paper examines the deep integration of the Rasch model and the English classroom from a practical context: language teaching development under information technology. Through an in-depth discussion of theories such as language teaching and information technology development, the development of language teaching in China’s English classrooms is studied using the Rasch model analysis method. It is concluded that our teachers’ English teaching methods are relatively backward, not sufficiently matched with the current needs of our students, and the teaching methods are relatively homogeneous. And based on the problems, it is proposed that firstly, educators should have objective information literacy and orientation criteria; secondly, high-quality and content-rich English training units should be developed to facilitate implementation; and finally, suggestions are made to promote the development of information materials in the context of teaching practice.
Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus (Herb.) B. Mathew Stigmas and Their Anticarcinogenic Effect on Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Shakeri Raheleh , Savari Bahram , Sheikholeslami Mahsa N. , Radjabian Tayebeh , Khorshidi Jalal , Safavi Maliheh
Published: August 2022

Safranal, crocin, crocetin, and picrocrocin are major known compounds in the stigma extract of Crocus sativus with various medicinal properties. Crocus cancellatus is another Crocus species that grows extensively in Iran’s various regions, such as the Kurdistan province. The predominant metabolites and biological properties of C. cancellatus have not yet been investigated. The ingredients of the stigma ethanol extract of C. cancellatus were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The ROIMCR approach was performed to analyze the LC-MS full scan data sets. This method searches the MS regions of interest (ROI) data in the m/z domain and analyses the results using the multivariate curve-resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) chemometrics technique for simultaneous resolution of two extracts. Also, the antiproliferative properties of C. cancellatus against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells were examined by MTT, dual acridine orange/ethidium bromide test, Annexin V-FITC/PI, and zymography. The GC-MS and LC-MS untargeted metabolomics data analysis of the extract indicated the presence of cytotoxic agents including safranal, crocin, picrocrocin, and crocetin in the stigma ethanol extract of C. cancellatus. Biological tests showed that the viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells is decreased following C. cancellatus treatment in a time- and dose-dependent way in both monolayer and 3D cell cultures. The MCF-7 cell spheroids had greater resistance to the cytotoxic activity of the extract in 3D cell culture than the MDA-MB-231 cell spheroids. The morphological changes of the cells treated with C. cancellatus stigmas extract were indicative of apoptosis. Zymography analysis revealed a similar trend of matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) activity in the treated cells with C. cancellatus extract in comparison with doxorubicin treatment as a positive control. The findings of this research indicate that the ethanolic extract of C. cancellatus stigmas was a good source of bioactive metabolites with anticancer activity.
Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids Improve Colon Lesions and Modulate Gut Microbiota Composition in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Cheng Wenwen , Cai Cifeng , Kreft Ivan , Turnšek Tamara Lah , Zu Mingyan , Hu Yongping , Zhou Meiliang , Liao Zhiyong
Published: August 2022

Tartary buckwheat flavonoids (TBFs) exhibit diverse biological activities, with antioxidant, antidiabetes, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties. In this study, we investigated the role of TBFs in attenuating glucose and lipid disturbances in diabetic mice and hence preventing the occurrence of diabetes-related colon lesions in mice by regulating the gut microbiota. The results showed that TBFs (1) reversed blood glucose levels and body weight changes; (2) improved levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and fasting insulin; and (3) significantly reduced diabetes-related colon lesions in diabetic mice. In addition, TBFs also affected the diabetes-related imbalance of the gut microbiota and enriched beneficial microbiota, including Akkermansia and Prevotella. The TBF also selectively increased short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Roseburia and Odoribacter, and decreased the abundance of the diabetes-related gut microbiota, including Escherichia, Mucispirillum, and Bilophila. The correlation analysis indicated that TBFs improved metabolic parameters related to key communities of the gut microbiota. Our data suggested that TBFs alleviated glucose and lipid disturbances and improved colon lesions in diabetic mice, possibly by regulating the community composition of the gut microbiota. This regulation of the gut microbiota composition may explain the observed effects of TBFs to alleviate diabetes-related symptoms.
A Case Report of Non-puerperal Uterine Inversion due to Submucosa Leiomyoma in a Young Virgin Woman
Authors: Moshayedi Faezeh , Seidaei Hengameh Sadat , Salehi Amir Mohammad
Published: August 2022

The inversion of the uterus is a rare complication of the puerperium and much rarer during the non-puerperal period. The most common cause of non-puerperal inversion is a submucosa leiomyoma; however, identification can be difficult. Herein, we present a case of pedunculated uterine leiomyoma that causes uterus inversion in a 30-year-old virgin woman with a correct diagnosis; a hysterectomy was prevented for the patient.
The Axial Length of the Eyeball and Bioelectrical Activity of Masticatory and Neck Muscles: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Zieliński Grzegorz , Baszczowski Michał , Rapa Maria , Matysik-Woźniak Anna , Zawadka Magdalena , Szkutnik Jacek , Gawda Piotr , Rejdak Robert , Majcher Piotr , Ginszt Michał
Published: August 2022

Objective. The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation of eye length and bioelectric activity of temporalis, masseter, digastric, and sternocleidomastoid muscles in women with myopia compared to healthy women. Methods. Based on the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 42 women aged 24 years (±2 years) were eligible for the study. Two equally sized groups with myopic (n = 21) and emmetropic healthy subjects (n = 21) were formed. An electromyographic study of the examined muscles was performed in four conditions: at rest, during maximal voluntary clenching in the intercuspal position, during maximal voluntary clenching on dental cotton rollers, and during maximal mouth opening using BioEMG III (BioResearch Associates, Inc. Milwaukee, WI, USA). The IOL Master 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) was used to examine the eyeball length. Statistical analysis showed significant positive correlations during mouth opening in both groups with open and closed eyes. Results. A greater number of correlations between the analyzed variables was observed in emmetropic women. In almost all cases, the longer axial eye length was associated with an increase in the bioelectrical activity of the analyzed muscles. Significant correlations were most often observed within the masseter and digastric muscles during the maximum mouth opening and at rest. Conclusion. There is a relationship between the bioelectrical activity of the masticatory muscles and the axial length of the eyeball on the same side.
circCNN2 Accelerates Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Regulating miR-184/E2F1 and Activating MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Shan , Cao Peng , Kong Kangle , Han Peng , Yue Jiaqi , Deng Yu , Li Fan , Zhao Bo
Published: August 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Previous studies have unveiled the carcinogenic role of circRNA_102399 (circCNN2) in lung cancer. Through the UALCAN database, it was found that CNN2, the parent gene of circCNN2, was specifically highly expressed in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) cells, but the regulatory mechanism of circCNN2 in LUSC is unclear. In this study, circCNN2 expression in LUSC cells was examined via RT-qPCR, and its effects on LUSC progression was verified through functional assays. The subcellular localization of circCNN2 was identified via FISH assay, and the underlying mechanism of circCNN2 on the activation of MAPK signaling pathway was determined through mechanism experiments. Results demonstrated that circCNN2 was upregulated in LUSC cells, and it promoted LUSC cell proliferation and invasion. Besides, circCNN2 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sponge miR-184 to upregulate E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) expression. Furthermore, it was verified that circCNN2 activated the generic mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway through E2F1 and thus promoting LUSC progression. In a word, this study indicated that circCNN2 activated MAPK signaling pathway through the miR-184/E2F1 axis to promote proliferation and invasion of LUSC cells.
[Retracted] Clinical Application of Quantitative CT Technique in Assessing Liver Fat Content in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Han Mengyang , Lin Yilian , Chen Hong , Hua Fang , Zhang Jianye , Wang Jinhong
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the clinical application value of quantitative CT (QCT) technique in evaluating liver fat content in patients with schizophrenia. 457 patients with schizophrenia underwent abdominal CT and QCT scans. QCT postprocessing software (QCT Pro version 6.1) measures the percentage of liver fat content in all patients and calculates the average value. Then, the CT workstation displays the corresponding liver/spleen CT value ratio. SPSS 25.0 software is used for statistical analysis of data, and the correlation coefficient between the mean liver fat content. The ratio of liver/spleen CT values is calculated and the consistency between the results is compared. The ROC curve is used to define the cutoff value of the target and evaluate its diagnostic efficiency. There is a high negative correlation between the mean liver fat content and the ratio of liver/spleen CT value in all schizophrenia patients (r = −0.935, P < 0.05). The identification rate of patients with mild fatty liver by QCT technology is 4 times higher than that of the liver and spleen CT value ratio (50.98% Vs 12.47%). Taking the ratio of the liver to the spleen as the standard, the ROC curve of the liver fat content in QCT is drawn, the cutoff values of the mean liver fat content of the normal liver and mild fatty liver and mild and moderate fatty liver were 9.35% and 19.4%, respectively. Comparing this result with the results obtained by the existing QCT for the fatty liver diagnosis and grading standard value (American standard) shows that there is a difference of about 5% between the two. Compared with the semiquantitative liver/spleen ratio, QCT technology can quantify the liver fat content. Given the particularity of patients with schizophrenia, QCT can be used as an important test for identifying early fatty liver and assessing the severity of fatty liver.
Effect of Entresto on Clinical Symptoms, Ventricular Remodeling, Rehabilitation, and Hospitalization Rate in Patients with Both Acute Myocardial Infarction and Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Wang Guiping , Liu Xiaokun , Guo Zimo , Zhang Juanjuan , Zuo Shuping , Sun Suya , Zhao Yanan , Zhang Qi
Published: August 2022

Objective. To determine the influence of Entresto on clinical symptoms, ventricular remodeling (VR), and economic stress of patients with both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute heart failure (AHF). Methods. Totally 120 patients with AMI complicated with AHF admitted to our hospital between January 2017 and August 2019 were enrolled and randomly assigned to an observation group (obs group) and a control group (con group) (each n = 60). The obs group was treated with Entresto, while the other with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). After treatment, the efficacy on both groups was evaluated, and their cardiac function-associated indexes (left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDd), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), VR-associated indexes (interventricular septal thickness (IVST), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI)) were determined and compared before treatment and after 1 month of treatment. Additionally, their NT-pro-BNP, CRP, and TNF-α were tested and compared before and after treatment, and they were also compared in hospitalization time, treatment expense, readmission rate within one year after discharge, and adverse events. Results. After treatment, the obs group showed notably higher efficacy than the con group (

P
<
0.05

). Before treatment, the two groups were not greatly different in LVESd, LVEDd, LVEF, IVST, LVMI, NT-pro BNP, CRP, and TNF-α (all

P
>
0.05

), while after treatment, these indexes of both groups were improved, but the improvement in the obs group was more notable (

P
<
0.05

). Additionally, the hospitalization time, treatment expense, readmission rate one year after discharge, and incidence of adverse events in the obs group were notably lower (all

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. For patients with both AMI and AHF, Entresto can contribute to strong amelioration of their clinical symptoms and prognosis and ventricular reverse-remodeling, with a high safety, so it is worthy of clinical promotion.
Construction of Tourism Area Capacity Early Warning System Based on Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Ma Yanli
Published: August 2022

In order to make up for the shortage of smart tourism construction highlighted by public tourism safety accidents due to the bearing capacity of scenic spots, this paper proposes a tourism area capacity early warning system based on the Internet of Things technology. By combining the main characteristics of a park and a place, this paper determines the composition of its tourism capacity and the corresponding calculation methods. At the same time, in order to control the number of tourists in peak hours within a reasonable range, the peak constraint method is proposed to improve the traditional algorithm of daily space capacity; then this paper calculates the tourism capacity of a park and a place by combining the relevant data obtained by investigation and observation methods. The experimental results show that according to the given number, the instantaneous tourism capacity of a park can be accurately calculated as 11841 person times/day and the daily tourism capacity as 21313 person times/day. The instantaneous tourism capacity of a certain place is 1066 person times/day, and the daily tourism capacity is 9594 person times/day. The construction of the early warning system of the tourism area based on the Internet of Things can effectively solve the problems such as public tourism safety accidents caused by the problem of carrying capacity. It will play an important role in the customized services of tourists, the innovation of scenic spot business processes, and the integration of tourism enterprise resources and provide data support for the early warning system.
Prognostic and Immunological Significance of FUNDC1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study on TCGA Mining
Authors: Le Yuyin , Kong Hui , Gao Xu , Zhu Jinxiu
Published: August 2022

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an inflammation-related malignancy influenced by the immune microenvironment, such as immune tolerance and evasion. HFUN14 domain-with protein 1 (FUNDC1) is a necessary mitochondrial outer membrane protein, functioning as a receptor for hypoxia-caused mitophagy, which is related to human immunity. The relationship between HCC and FUNDC1 in terms of prognosis and immunology was demonstrated in the current investigation. Even so, the function of FUNDC1 in liver cancer is yet unknown. Methods. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were utilized for examining if FUNDC1 expression is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Genetic changes (mutation), DNA methylation, and their relationship with patient prognosis were identified by cBioPortal and MethSurv. Utilizing the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), immune checkpoints, infiltration, and immune cell biomarkers were analyzed. Utilizing the STRING database, the network of protein-protein interactions was created. Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, the FUNDC1 biological roles were determined (GSEA). Results. FUNDC1 elevation was significantly linked with gender (

p
<
0.001

), tumor stage (

p
=
0.01349

), tumor grade (

p
<
0.001

), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (

p
<
0.001

) levels in HCC. It was illustrated by ROC curve analysis that FUNDC1 had a significant diagnostic and prognostic value. The FUNDC1 genetic change rate was 0.6%. Four out of 6 DNA methylation CpG sites were associated with the HCC prognosis. FUNDC1 is associated strongly with immune cell infiltration in HCC. Moreover, FUNDC1 was positively related to immune checkpoints such as mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) (

p
<
0.001

), ploidy (

p
<
0.05

), homologous recombination defect (HRD) (

p
<
0.001

), and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). GSEA revealed significant FUNDC1 enrichment in the cell cycle, hedgehog, and MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion. FUNDC1 is a mitophagy regulator that could be a therapeutic, prognostic, and putative diagnostic biomarker for HCC.
A Study on Some New Generalizations of Reversed Dynamic Inequalities of Hilbert-Type via Supermultiplicative Functions
Authors: Zakarya M. , Saied Ahmed I. , ALNemer Ghada , El-Hamid H. A. Abd , Rezk H. M.
Published: August 2022

In this article, we establish some new generalizations of reversed dynamic inequalities of Hilbert-type via supermultiplicative functions by applying reverse Hölder inequalities with Specht’s ratio on time scales. We will generalize the inequalities by using a supermultiplicative function which the identity map represents a special case of it. Also, we use some algebraic inequalities such as the Jensen inequality and chain rule to prove the essential results in this paper. Our results (when

T
≪
ℕ

) are essentially new.
Improved Ant Lion Optimizer for Coverage Optimization in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Wei , Yang Panlong , Zhao Wei , Wei Linna
Published: August 2022

Coverage optimization is an important research topic in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). By studying the coverage optimization problem, the coverage rate of the network can be improved, and the number of redundant sensors can be reduced. In order to improve the coverage performance of wireless sensor networks, we propose an improved ant lion optimizer (IALO) to solve the coverage optimization problem in a WSN. Firstly, we give a network coverage optimization model with the objective of maximizing network coverage rate. Secondly, we alternately execute Cuckoo Search (CS) and Cauchy mutation to update the positions of the ants to enhance population diversity and accelerate convergence speed. Then, we introduce differential evolution (DE) to mutate the population of antlions to improve the convergence accuracy of our algorithm. We compare IALO with the original ant lion optimizer (ALO) and other algorithms on 9 benchmark functions to verify its effectiveness. Finally, IALO is applied to the coverage optimization in wireless sensor networks. Simulation results show that, compared with previous works, IALO provides higher coverage rate, makes the sensor distribution more uniform, and effectively reduces the deployment cost.