bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of patient observation on cranial CT use with minor head trauma
Authors: Singh Sonia , Hearps Stephen , Nishijima Daniel K , Cheek John Alexander , Borland Meredith , Dalziel Stuart , Holmes James , Kuppermann Nathan , Babl Franz E , Hoch Jeffrey S
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of planned observation on cranial CT use in children with minor head trauma.

Design

Planned secondary analysis of a multicentre prospective observation study.

Setting

Australia and New Zealand.

Patients

An analytic cohort of 18 471 children aged <18 years with Glasgow Coma Scale scores 14–15 presenting <24 hours after blunt head trauma stratified by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) traumatic brain injury (TBI) risk categories.

Intervention

A plan for observation and immediate CT scan were documented after the initial assessment. The planned observation group included those with planned observation and no immediate plan for CT.

Main outcome measures

Taking an Australian public-funded healthcare perspective, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of planned observation on the adjusted mean costs per child and CT use reduction by net benefit regression analysis using ordinary least squares with robust SEs and bootstrapping. All costs presented in 2018 euros.

Results

Planned observation in 4945 (27%) children was cost-saving of €85 (95% CI −120 to −51) with 10.4% lower CT use (95% CI 9.6 to 11.2). This strategy was cost-saving for the PECARN high-risk (−€757 (95% CI −961 to −554)) and intermediate-risk (−€52 (95% CI −99 to −4.3)) categories, with 43% (95% CI 39 to 47) and 11% (95% CI 9.6 to 12.4) lower CT use, respectively. The very low-risk category incurred more cost of €86 (95% CI 67 to 104) with planned observation and 0.05% lower CT use (95% CI −0.61 to 0.71).

Conclusion

Planned ED observation in selected children with minor head trauma is cost-effective for reducing CT use for the PECARN intermediate-risk and high-risk categories.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12614000463673.
Writing up your clinical trial report for a scientific journal: the REPORT trial guide for effective and transparent research reporting without spin
Authors: Bandholm Thomas , Thorborg Kristian , Ardern Clare L , Christensen Robin , Henriksen Marius
Published: February 2022

The REPORT guide is a ‘How to’ guide to help you report your clinical research in an effective and transparent way. It is intended to supplement established first choice reporting tools, such as Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), by adding tacit knowledge (ie, learnt, informal or implicit knowledge) about reporting topics that we have struggled with as authors or see others struggle with as journal reviewers or editors. We focus on the randomised controlled trial, but the guide also applies to other study designs. Topics included in the REPORT guide cover reporting checklists, trial report structure, choice of title, writing style, trial registry and reporting consistency, spin or reporting bias, transparent data presentation (figures), open access considerations, data sharing and more. Preprint (open access):https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/qsxdz.
Intra-annual ring width and climate response of red pine in Itasca State Park in north-central Minnesota
Authors: Kipfmueller Kurt F. , Montpellier Evan E. , Trumper Matthew L. , Griffin Daniel
Published: February 2022

Red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) of northern Minnesota are part of a growing network of tree-ring chronologies aimed at understanding climate dynamics in the Upper Great Lakes Region. Red pine has been widely used in tree-ring studies of fire and climate variability across its range. Earlier studies have relied primarily on total annual ring width. Here we develop annual and subannual (i.e., earlywood, latewood, and adjusted latewood) chronologies from Itasca State Park to refine our understanding of red pine climate response. Our chronologies extend to the early 18th century and display common growth and cross-dating characteristics indicative of a significant common controlling mechanism. We found that total ring width contains dampened attributes reflective of both the temperature-limited earlywood and moisture-dependent latewood chronologies. The strongest relationship between climate and radial growth is between the adjusted latewood chronology and 3-month summer precipitation, suggesting that overall summer wetness rather than any single summer month primarily limits growth. The ability to disaggregate and improve upon the mixed climate signal of red pine highlights the potential of using intra-annual chronologies to strengthen future climate reconstructions. We hope the methodologies demonstrated here serve as a potential guide for future red pine chronology development in the region.
Criterion for the Global Asymptotic Stability of Fixed-Point Lipschitz Nonlinear Digital Filter with 2’s Complement Overflow Arithmetic
Authors: Singh Shimpi , Agarwal Neha , Kar Haranath
Published: February 2022

This paper is concerned with the global asymptotic stability (GAS) problem of fixed-point Lipschitz nonlinear digital filters employing 2’s complement overflow arithmetic. Nonlinear digital filtering finds immense applications in various fields such as adaptive systems and controllers, digital controllers and observers for nonlinear systems, realization of neural networks using digital hardware, controllers for feedback linearization, etc. Lipschitz nonlinear digital filter is considered in this paper as it is frequently employed in nonlinear digital filtering, state filtering, neural networks, feedback control, digital controllers, decision-taking systems and so on. Based on Lyapunov theory, the property of 2’s complement overflow arithmetic and Lipschitz condition associated with system nonlinearities, a new criterion for the suppression of overflow oscillations in 2’s complement state variable realizations of digital filters is established. Several examples along with simulation results are provided to highlight the utility of the criterion.
Site-specific Gordian distances of spatial graphs
Authors: Taniyama Kouki
Published: February 2022

A site-specific Gordian distance between two spatial embeddings of an abstract graph is the minimal number of crossing changes from one to another where each crossing change is performed between two previously specified abstract edges of the graph. It is infinite in some cases. We determine the site-specific Gordian distance between two spatial embeddings of an abstract graph in certain cases. It has an application to puzzle ring problem. The site-specific Gordian distances between Milnor links and trivial links are determined. We use covering space theory for the proofs.
On prime and primitive ideals of the centrally extended Heisenberg double of SL2
Authors: Tao W.-Q.
Published: February 2022

For the centrally extended Heisenberg double of SL2, a classification of its prime and primitive ideals is obtained. For each primitive ideal, an explicit set of generators is given.
Tensor decomposition based on the potential low-rank and p-shrinkage generalized threshold algorithm for analyzing cancer multiomics data
Authors: Yang Hang-Jin , Lei Yu-Xia , Wang Juan , Kong Xiang-Zhen , Liu Jin-Xing , Gao Ying-Lian
Published: February 2022

Tensor Robust Principal Component Analysis (TRPCA) has achieved promising results in the analysis of genomics data. However, the TRPCA model under the existing tensor singular value decomposition ([Formula: see text]-SVD) framework insufficiently extracts the potential low-rank structure of the data, resulting in suboptimal restored components. Simultaneously, the tensor nuclear norm (TNN) defined based on [Formula: see text]-SVD uses the same standard to handle various singular values. TNN ignores the difference of singular values, leading to the failure of the main information that needs to be well preserved. To preserve the heterogeneous structure in the low-rank information, we propose a novel TNN and extend it to the TRPCA model. Potential low-rank space may contain important information. We learn the low-rank structural information from the core tensor. The singular value space contains the association information between genes and cancers. The [Formula: see text]-shrinkage generalized threshold function is utilized to preserve the low-rank properties of larger singular values. The optimization problem is solved by the alternating direction method of the multiplier (ADMM) algorithm. Clustering and feature selection experiments are performed on the TCGA data set. The experimental results show that the proposed model is more promising than other state-of-the-art tensor decomposition methods.
Origin of the Temperature Dependence of Proton Conductivity in Phosphate Glass Prepared by Alkali-Proton Substitution Technique
Authors: Ishiyama Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Takuya , Nishii Junji , Yamashita Toshiharu , Kawazoe Hiroshi , Omata Takahisa
Published: February 2022

The temperature dependence of proton conductivity in 36HO1/2−4NbO5/2−2BaO-4LaO3/2−4GeO2−1BO3/2−49PO5/2 glasses prepared through the alkali-proton substitution method was investigated in this study. The activation energy of proton conduction, E

a
, was found to exhibit an non-Arrhenius type temperature dependence. The origin of the temperature dependence of the proton conductivity caused by thermal expansion of the glass structure was discussed in terms of the effect of changes in the local environment surrounding the protons. These changes were elucidated using Raman spectroscopy, 1H- and 31P-NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. Because protons form O-H bonds, they are sensitive to changes in the distance between two oxygen atoms, which affects the strength of the hydrogen bond, and concluded that there is a temperature dependence as observed.
Effect of Hydrogen Pressure on the Intrinsic Kinetics of Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at Pt(111) Electrode
Authors: Le Xu Mian , Wei Jie , Chen Wei , Wei Zhen , Li Qun Xiang , Cai Jun , Chen Yan-Xia
Published: February 2022

Many kinetic studies on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were done in N2 saturated solutions in order to avoid possible H2 leakage, which results in a variation of H2 concentration at the electrode/electrolyte interface (

c

H

2

s

). It will induce the drift of equilibrium potential (Eeq) and applied activation overpotential (η
act) for HER. Consequently, it may result in errors for estimating the kinetic parameters for HER. By taking HER at Pt(111) under RDE configuration as a model reaction, quantitative relation among

c

H

2

s

and the reaction current density (j) is established based on the mass transport equations. From the j–η
act plots, our results reveal that i) with the increase of HER current, the equivalent

c

H

2

s

increases, which accompanies with a drift of thermodynamic equilibrium potential (Eeq) for HER decreases; ii) when η
act is negative of −50 mV, the j–η
act plot for HER is the same in N2 and H2 saturated solution, with a slope of 30 mV Dec−1; Our results suggest that HER activity should be compared in solutions with the same composition and at the same activation overpotential instead of at the same applied potential. Proper experimental methods for post data analysis are proposed in order to derive the intrinsic HER kinetics.
Effect of Dense Oxide Film Thickness on the Growth of Lower Layer Nanotubes
Authors: Su Jinhua , Yu Yuantian , Song Ye , Shen Xiaoping , Chen Yang , Lv Renquan , Zhu Xufei
Published: February 2022

There are two opposite mechanisms for the growth of anodic TiO2 nanotubes. One is the field-assisted dissolution and ejection theory, the other is the oxygen bubble mold. In order to prove the latter mechanism is right, we constructed a three-layer nanotube structure (upper layer nanotubes + dense oxide film + lower layer nanotubes), which was obtained by three steps anodization. The upper and lower layers nanotubes are separated by a dense oxide film. When the dense oxide film is thin, the lower layer nanotubes is longer than the upper layer nanotubes. On the contrary, when the dense oxide film is thick, the lower layer nanotubes is shorter than the upper layer nanotubes. In either case, the anodization conditions of the upper and lower layer nanotubes are the same. This could not be explained by field-assisted dissolution theory. By analyzing the curve, we introduce a new method to decide the time of entering the third stage of the anodization, which is the main stage of nanotubes growth. With the second anodization voltage increases, the time edge entering the third stage become longer, which means the time to growth the nanotubes becomes shorter, and finally leading the different length of the nanotubes.
Determination of Melatonin Using a New Integrated Electrochemical Platform of Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Gold Nanoparticles for Clinical Applications
Authors: Vanoni Caio Raphael , Winiarski João Paulo , Bassani Jean Carlos , Santos Adair Roberto Soares , Mezalira Daniela Zambelli , Jost Cristiane Luisa
Published: February 2022

This work reports the characterization and application of a new electrochemical platform modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT) film to determine melatonin (MEL). MEL is a critical sleep inductor neurohormone, categorized by Food and Drug Administration (FDA, USA) as a nutritional supplement. The AuNP were synthesized and stabilized by 3-n-propyl-(4-methylpyridinium) silsesquioxane chloride (Si4Pic+Cl−), presenting an electrostatic stabilization and a material with a positive surface charge. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and zeta (ζ) potential indicated the insertion of oxygenated functional groups and a superficial negative charge for f-MWCNT. The GCE/f-MWCNT-AuNP-Si4Pic+Cl−platform showed an electrocatalytic profile and a current increase of ca. 7.5 times. Voltammograms were obtained by square wave voltammetry (SWV); the current increased with successive additions of MEL in the linear range of 4.9 to 55.5μmol l−1. The values of LOD and LOQ were 1.6 and 4.7μmol l−1, respectively. The standard addition was used to quantify MEL in simulated saliva, blood serum, and urine samples. Statistical tests showed no significant differences between the data collected by voltammetry and the comparative technique, molecular absorption spectrometry. It can be concluded that the new method provides novel perspectives for MEL sensing.
On-Line PAT Monitoring of Lucentis in the Fermenter Using Aptamer-Based Capacitive Microfluidic Chip Biosensor
Authors: Bhardwaj Tanu , Jha Sandeep Kumar
Published: February 2022

In this study, we have developed an aptamer-based PDMS/glass microfluidic chip biosensor employing the capacitance based method of detection, which has the tendency to work as an on-line Process Analytical Technology (PAT) monitoring tool to detect Lucentis in the fermenters. The limit of detection (LOD) and linear range of detection of the chip was determined to be 8.5 nM and 8.5−100 nM, respectively which was better than HPLC based method of Lucentis estimation. In real sample analysis, a significant correlation was obtained between the reported microchip based biosensor and HPLC-based detection method. Moreover, pre-concentration or pre-processing of media broth was not necessary with our method, which reduced the analysis time to 30 min. The chip was determined to be miniaturized, selective, specific, interference-free, label-free, rapid, and reusable with a long shelf-life. Additionally, the chip demonstrated the requirement of a small direct sample volume of 10 μl and simple automation using a peristaltic pump. The chip biosensor is expected to have on-line PAT monitoring use for checking the production of Lucentis in the fermenter leading to a reduction in the cost of the therapy and better affordability of the treatment to the age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients.
A Phenomenographic Study on University English Teachers’ Perceptions of Online Classes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus on Iran
Authors: Azizi Zeinab
Published: February 2022

With the abrupt emergence and dissemination of the COVID-19 pandemic, all dimensions of life have been immensely affected across the globe. Concerning education, face-to-face classes have been replaced by online classes. This quick transformation may have brought about both advantages and disadvantages for education stakeholders and, accordingly, call for empirical studies to shed light on them. Hence, the present study aimed at demonstrating the advantages and disadvantages of online classes from the Iranian university English teachers’ (n = 16) perceptions. To this aim, a phenomenographic approach was used to analyze the participants’ perceptions gained through a reflective written statement. Findings yielded five advantages, including flexibility, self-directiveness, cost-effectiveness, improvement of professional competence, and increased motivation, as well as four disadvantages, namely, additional workload, technical and institution barriers, absence of face-to-face interactions, and student dishonesty. Finally, the study ends with proposing some implications for different stakeholders.
MIMO Antenna with Isolation Enrichment for 5G Mobile Information
Authors: S Nithya , V Seethalakshmi
Published: February 2022

A wideband eight-input MIMO array antenna for a fifth-generation smartphone with high enhancement in element segregation is presented. The designed MIMO antenna array comprises eight E-shaped and inverted I-shaped slots on the material with good electrical and thermal conductivity, usually metal. To intensify the bandwidth, the required resonances can be obtained by adjusting the E-shaped slots. Furthermore, to boost the element shielding of the MIMO array antenna system, a single-ended spanner-shaped slot is introduced between each antenna element. As a result, all the elements can cover a wide bandwidth with a frequency range of 3.3 GHz to 6 GHz. The isolation is boosted to 20 dB by a single-ended spanner-shaped slot, and the ECC below 0.04 is measured between any two elements, which show agreeable impedance in far zone radiation characteristics. In the proposed system design, the coupling is induced by the current over a surface on a metallic frame between two antenna components. Consequently, two elements of antenna were separated with an etched slot engraved on a metal frame and used a unique wrench-like resonator to limit the surface current; even though this arrangement increases the free surface of the antenna, it can effectively reinforce the insulation of the element. The performance of the proposed system analyzed certain antenna radiations by handset and head versions. As a consequence, the efficiencies of antennas 2, 3, and 5 are less than 60%, the efficiencies of antenna 8 are around 60%, and the efficiencies of antennas 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are even more than 60%. The proposed wideband MIMO antenna device demonstrates reasonably good isolation and low envelope correlation coefficient, both of which are pretty good for fifth-generation MIMO antenna application. The calculated findings show that the planned antenna array’s operating frequency range is capable of covering 3.3 to 6 GHz, with over 20 dB isolation. The antenna will guarantee that the ECC level is smaller than 0.04. The proposed MIMO antenna technology is also efficient for mobile terminal 5G applications.
Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) Algorithm-Based Detection of Cardiac Insufficiency in Sepsis Patients with Echocardiography
Authors: Wang Xiongxiong , Xu Li , Cui Xuena , Zhu Hefei , Zhang Min
Published: February 2022

This research aimed to explore the application of cardiac ultrasound imaging (CUI) in the examination and diagnosis of sepsis patients with cardiac insufficiency under a speckle tracking algorithm (STA). Scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm was introduced to process images of CUI through STA under feature points of cardiac ultrasonic images. 90 patients with sepsis who were admitted to the hospital were selected and randomly divided into a sound cardiac function group (n = 62) (group A) and a cardiac insufficient group (n = 28) (group B) under whether they had cardiac insufficiency, and 20 healthy people were selected as a control group. Sepsis patients were examined on the seventh day after diagnosis including laboratory-related indicators, echocardiography, and echocardiographic data. The results showed that there were differences in cardiac ultrasound, cardiac marker, and laboratory examinations of subjects in the three groups (

P

 < 0.05). Creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB), glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB), and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) of subjects in the three groups showed statistically marked differences (

P

 < 0.05). The other results indicated tricuspid late diastolic blood flow velocity (A′) value was greater than stroke volume (SV) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) value, followed by left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output per minute output (CO), and EF and CO values were over peak velocity of right ventricular free wall tricuspid valve systolic movement (SM) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) value, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) value came next. The analysis of CUI based on STA could help doctors to judge sepsis patients with cardiac function. In addition, sepsis patients with sound cardiac function and sepsis patients with cardiac insufficiency could be distinguished by CUI, which had certain guiding significance for clinical diagnosis.
[Retracted] Healthcare Biclustering‐Based Prediction on Gene Expression Dataset
Authors: Ramkumar M. , Basker N. , Pradeep D. , Prajapati Ramesh , Yuvaraj N. , Arshath Raja R. , Suresh C. , Vignesh Rahul , Barakkath Nisha U. , Srihari K. , Alene Assefa
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we develop a healthcare biclustering model in the field of healthcare to reduce the inconveniences linked to the data clustering on gene expression. The present study uses two separate healthcare biclustering approaches to identify specific gene activity in certain environments and remove the duplication of broad gene information components. Moreover, because of its adequacy in the problem where populations of potential solutions allow exploration of a greater portion of the research area, machine learning or heuristic algorithm has become extensively used for healthcare biclustering in the field of healthcare. The study is evaluated in terms of average match score for nonoverlapping modules, overlapping modules through the influence of noise for constant bicluster and additive bicluster, and the run time. The results show that proposed FCM blustering method has higher average match score, and reduced run time proposed FCM than the existing PSO‐SA and fuzzy logic healthcare biclustering methods.
Lactic Acid Bacteria from African Fermented Cereal-Based Products: Potential Biological Control Agents for Mycotoxins in Kenya
Authors: Wafula Eliud N. , Muhonja Christabel N. , Kuja Josiah O. , Owaga Eddy E. , Makonde Huxley M. , Mathara Julius M. , Kimani Virginia W.
Published: February 2022

Cereals play an important role in global food security. Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization projects increased consumption of cereals from 2.6 billion tonnes in 2017 to approximately 2.9 billion tonnes by 2027. However, cereals are prone to contamination by toxigenic fungi, which lead to mycotoxicosis. The current methods for mycotoxin control involve the use of chemical preservatives. However, there are concerns about the use of chemicals in food preservation due to their effects on the health, nutritional quality, and organoleptic properties of food. Therefore, alternative methods are needed that are affordable and simple to use. The fermentation technique is based on the use of microorganisms mainly to impart desirable sensory properties and shelf-life extension. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) due to their long history of application in food fermentation systems and ability to produce antimicrobial compounds (hydroxyl fatty acids, organic acids, phenyllactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins, and carbon dioxide) with a broad range of antifungal activity. Hence, LAB can inhibit the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi, thereby preventing the production of mycotoxins. Fermentation is also an efficient technique for improving nutrient bioavailability and other functional properties of cereal-based products. This review seeks to provide evidence of the potential of LAB from African fermented cereal-based products as potential biological agents against mycotoxin-producing fungi.
High Dimensionality Reduction and Immune Phenotyping of Natural Killer and Invariant Natural Killer Cells in Latent Tuberculosis-Diabetes Comorbidity
Authors: Kathamuthu Gokul Raj , Kumar Nathella Pavan , Moideen Kadar , Menon Pradeep A. , Babu Subash
Published: February 2022

Natural killer (NK) and invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are unique innate lymphocytes that coordinate diverse immune responses and display antimycobacterial potential. However, the role of NK and iNKT cells expressing cytokines, cytotoxic, and immune markers in latent tuberculosis (LTB), diabetes mellitus (DM), or preDM (PDM) and nonDM (NDM) comorbidities is not known. Thus, we have studied the unstimulated (UNS), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb [PPD, WCL]), and mitogen (P/I)-stimulated NK and iNKT cells expressing Type 1 (IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-2), Type 17 (IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22) cytokines, cytotoxic (perforin, granzyme B, and granulysin) and immune (GMCSF, PD-1, and CD69) markers in LTB comorbidities by dimensionality reduction and flow cytometry. Our results suggest that LTB DM and PDM individuals express diverse NK and iNKT cell immune clusters compared to LTB NDM individuals. In UNS condition, frequencies of NK and iNKT cells expressing markers are not significantly different. After Mtb antigen stimulation, NK cell expressing [Type 1 (IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-2), GMCSF in PPD and IFNγ in WCL), Type 17 [(IL-17A), PD-1 in PPD), (IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22), PD-1 in WCL], and cytotoxic (perforin, granzyme B in PPD, and WCL)] marker frequencies were significantly reduced in LTB DM and/or PDM individuals compared to LTB NDM individuals. Similarly, iNKT cells expressing [Type 1 (IFNγ, IL-2), GMCSF in PPD), TNFα, GMCSF in WCL), Type 17 (IL-17A), PD-1 in PPD, IL-17F in WCL) cytokines were increased and cytotoxic or immune (perforin, granzyme B, granulysin), CD69 in PPD, perforin and CD69 in WCL] marker frequencies were significantly diminished in LTB DM and/or PDM compared to LTB NDM individuals. Finally, NK and iNKT cell frequencies did not exhibit significant differences upon positive control antigen stimulation between the study population. Therefore, altered NK cell and iNKT cells expressing cytokines, cytotoxic, and immune markers are characteristic features in LTB PDM/DM comorbidities.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Facet Joint Orientation and Its Effect on the Lumbar
Authors: Zheng Zhirui , Wang Youqiang , Wang Tong , Wu Yue , Li Yuhui
Published: February 2022

Facet tropism is recognized as the difference in the positioning of the facet joints in association with each other in the sagittal plane. This guides to an imbalanced biomechanical force over the facet joints and the intervertebral disc during rotation and other physiological activities. A systematic review and meta-analysis of Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and CINHAL from 2004 to 2021 to recognize the related research studies was performed. The data for meta-analysis were obtained from multiple studies to get the combined effect of the facet tropism on the lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (LDS). 117 articles were incorporated in the systematic review, where 41 studies were selected for meta-analysis, out of which 7 studies were found eligible as per the inclusion criteria. When degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis was compared with the normal group, 95% CI was observed at 1.94 (1.59, 2.28). There was a comparison of disc herniation with the normal group in L4/L5, with a 95% CI of 0.60 (0.05, 1.14). The L5/S1 disc herniation was compared with the normal group and was found to be 0.21 (−0.48, 0.90). Therefore, it was observed that facet tropism is related to lumbar disc herniation and degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Our meta-analysis demonstrated a unique link between the facet tropism and the lumbar disk degeneration along with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Decision-Making Approach with Complex Bipolar Fuzzy N-Soft Sets
Authors: Farooq Adeel , Ali Al-Shamiri Mohammed M. , Khalaf Mohammed M. , Amjad Umaira
Published: February 2022

The primary aim of this article is to extend the bipolar fuzzy

N

-soft sets with the concern of pursuing the periodicity involved real-world problems and introduce a new multiskilled hybrid model, namely, complex bipolar fuzzy

N

-soft sets. The novel model possesses the parametric characteristics of the versatile

N

-soft set and enjoys the distinguished attributes of a complex bipolar fuzzy set to handle the double-sided periodic vague data. We illustrate that the innovative model assists as a proficient mechanism for grading-based parameterized two-dimensional bipolar fuzzy information. We present some elementary operations and results for a complex bipolar fuzzy

N

-soft environment. Further, we establish the three dexterous algorithms to find the optimal solution to multiattribute decision-making problems. Moreover, the algorithms are supported with the robust assessment of a real-world application. Lastly, a comparison with existent decision-making techniques, such as choice values, weighted choice values, and

D

-choice of values of bipolar fuzzy

N

-soft sets, is also conducted to manifest the phenomenal accountability and authenticity of the presented decision-making approaches.
A Study on the Application of Solar Cells Sensitized With a Blackberry‐Based Natural Dye for Power Generation
Authors: Ali Alamry , Hassan Shukur Abu , BaQais Amal , Binoj J. S.
Published: February 2022

This research paper is aimed at evaluating the use of natural dyes from blackberry (Rubus glaucus) obtained naturally for their subsequent application in laboratory solar cells to place them in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC) for the generation of electrical energy. The problem of the study is the high demand generated by global warming. Natural dyes were used to sensitize six solar cells, which were tested for their ability to absorb ultraviolet and visible light using a spectrophotometer in the ultraviolet‐visible range, a solar simulator, and a current‐voltage tester. The voltmeter was used to show how much energy each solar cell emitted over eight to 18 hours of daylight, with a required absorbance of 400‐500 nm using six solar cells that had been sensitized with natural dyes. To reduce the high demand generated by global warming, use natural dyes from plant species as a supplement to improve efficiency in capturing renewable energy (solar) and converting it into electrical energy. Blackberries are lyophilized and then macerated for one day at room temperature in a dark, cool place to maximize dye’s absorption. With two electrodes, the photo and contra, and an electrolyte in between, a Gratzel‐type DSSC can be built. Using the doctor blade technique, the titanium dioxide film is added to the fluorine‐doped tin oxide (TiO2) in the photoelectrode. By immersion, a natural colourant is then applied. TiO2 glass with a platinum film deposited on it serves as the counterelectrode.
Preferential Involvement of BRCA1/BARD1, Not Tip60/Fe65, in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Presenilin-1 P117L Alzheimer Models
Authors: Authiat Marcella M. , Gruz-Gibelli Emmanuelle , Colas Julien , Bianchi Estelle , Garcia-Arauzo Marta , Marin Pascale , Herrmann François R. , Savioz Armand
Published: February 2022

Recently, we showed that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are increased by the Aβ42-amyloid peptide and decreased by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) in SH-SY5Y cells and C57BL/6J mice. The present work was aimed at investigating DSBs in cells and murine models of Alzheimer’s disease carrying the preseniline-1 (PS1) P117L mutation. We observed that DSBs could hardly decrease following RA treatment in the mutated cells compared to the wild-type cells. The activation of the amyloidogenic pathway is proposed in the former case as Aβ42- and RA-dependent DSBs changes were reproduced by an α-secretase and a γ-secretase inhibitions, respectively. Unexpectedly, the PS1 P117L cells showed lower DSB levels than the controls. As the DSB repair proteins Tip60 and Fe65 were less expressed in the mutated cell nuclei, they do not appear to contribute to this difference. On the contrary, full-length BRCA1 and BARD1 proteins were significantly increased in the chromatin compartment of the mutated cells, suggesting that they decrease DSBs in the pathological situation. These Western blot data were corroborated by in situ proximity ligation assays: the numbers of BRCA1-BARD1, not of Fe65-Tip60 heterodimers, were increased only in the mutated cell nuclei. RA also enhanced the expression of BARD1 and of the 90 kDa BRCA1 isoform. The increased BRCA1 expression in the mutated cells can be related to the enhanced difficulty to inhibit this pathway by BRCA1 siRNA in these cells. Overall, our study suggests that at earlier stages of the disease, similarly to PS1 P117L cells, a compensatory mechanism exists that decreases DSB levels via an activation of the BRCA1/BARD1 pathway. This supports the importance of this pathway in neuroprotection against Alzheimer’s disease.
Investigating Viral Inoculation and Recovery from Medical Masks
Authors: Wilkinson Mark C. , Carney Jennifer
Published: February 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from 2019 onwards has significantly increased the usage of surgical style medical masks, both in healthcare and public settings. It is important to study the contamination of and viral transfer from such masks. However, accepted standard test methods such as ISO 18184 have prescribed inoculation methods which may not be fully representative of the type of viral insult experienced in the clinic or community. In addition to studying a conventional mask, the performance of a mask featuring an antimicrobial photosensitiser was also studied.
Biochanin A Suppresses Tumor Progression and PD-L1 Expression via Inhibiting ZEB1 Expression in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xu Junying , Yang Xuejing , Pan Jiadong , Fan Honghong , Mei Jie , Hua Dong
Published: February 2022

Objective. To investigate the regulatory effect of ZEB1 on PD-L1 expression and the pharmacodynamic effects of Biochanin A on the malignant biological behaviors of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods. The correlation between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) score and features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) was investigated using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The correlation between ZEB1 and PD-L1 expression was validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and the regulatory effect of ZEB1 on PD-L1 expression was explored by in vitro assays. Moreover, the pharmacodynamic effects of Biochanin A on ZEB1 and PD-L1 expression, as well as malignant biological behaviors of CRC cells, were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays. Results. EMT score was positively correlated with a majority of immunostimulators, immune checkpoints, activities of antitumor immunity cycles, and infiltration levels of most immune cells in the TCGA dataset. In addition, ZEB1 was correlated with and positively regulated PD-L1 expression in CRC. Besides, Biochanin A, an inhibitor for the ZEB1/PD-L1 axis, notably inhibited ZEB1-mediated aggressiveness and PD-L1 expression of CRC cells. Moreover, Biochanin A also exerted a tumor-inhibitory role in vivo in the CRC mouse model. Conclusion. Overall, we found that ZEB1 is a main regulator of PD-L1 expression in CRC. In addition, we also identified Biochanin A as a novel inhibitor for the ZEB1/PD-L1 axis, which could inhibit tumor progression and immune escape.
IL-2 Modulates TAMs Derived Exosomal MiRNAs to Ameliorate Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development and Progression
Authors: Chen Hao , Tang Chao , Tan Chun , Wu Fei , Li Zhenhan , Ji Wenyan , Lu Linming , Xu Chongjun , Shen Zhengchao , Huang Yanqiang
Published: February 2022

Background. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is proved to play an irreplaceable role in antitumor regulation in numerous experimental and clinical trials. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are able to release exosomes to promote the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as essential component of microenvironment. In this study, our intention is to explore the effects of the exosomes from TAMs with IL-2 treatment on HCC development. TAMs were collected and cultured from HCC tissues. The exosomes from the TAMs treated with IL-2 (ExoIL2-TAM) or not (ExoTAM) were identified and used to treat HCC cells in vivo and in vitro. The proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of HCC cells were measured. The changes of miRNAs in exosomes were explored to clarify the possible mechanisms. Both decrease of cell proliferation and metastasis and increase of apoptosis were observed with ExoIL2-TAM treatment compared with ExoTAMin vivo and in vitro. miR-375 was obviously augmented in ExoIL2-TAM and HCC cells treated with ExoIL2-TAM. Taken together, IL-2 may modulate exosomal miRNAs from TAMs to ameliorate hepatocellular carcinoma development. This study provides a new perspective to explain the mechanism by which IL-2 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma and implies the potential clinical value of exosomal miRNAs released by TAMs.
Axial Compressive Behavior of Lithium Slag Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete-Filled Circular Steel Stub Columns
Authors: Wang Qiao-Huan , Liang Jiong-Feng , He Chun-Feng , Li Wei
Published: February 2022

In order to study the axial compression performance of lithium slag recycled concrete short columns in circular steel tubes, eight short columns were designed and tested. The main influence parameters of the specimens are lithium slag replacement rate and recycled concrete replacement rate. The test process and failure mode of the specimens are observed, and the load-displacement curve is drawn. The influence of the replacement rate on the axial compression performance of the specimens is analyzed. The results show that recycled concrete replacing natural coarse aggregate will reduce the mechanical properties of specimens, but lithium slag mixed into recycled concrete can compensate for the lack of mechanical properties of recycled concrete, and the specimens mixed with lithium slag and recycled concrete have good stiffness and ductility.
Lambertian Luminous Intensity Radiation Pattern Analysis in OLOS Indoor Propagation for Better Connectivity
Authors: Vaishali  , Sancheti Sandeep , Dhaka Arvind , Nandal Amita , Rosales Hamurabi Gamboa , Koundal Deepika , Monteagudo Francisco Eneldo López , Tajada Carlos Eric Galvan , Sharma Arpit Kumar
Published: February 2022

This paper illustrates the impact of wavelength on the Optical Line of sight (OLOS) link working in the Visible Light Communication (VLC) spectrum. The extension of work is based on previous outcomes given by researchers. It has been elaborated with different determinants based on the color factor of LED available in the Visible Light (VL) spectrum. In the modern world, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are prevailing the market as a light source, which is dominantly used at homes and workplaces. The designed VLC system includes LED as a transmitter, which is used as a higher source of brightness and provides both illuminations and data communication. Solid-state lighting characteristic shows the electroluminance capability of high brightness LEDs. Within few years, the luminous efficacy of LED is exponentially increasing from the range of less than 0.1 lm/W to over 230 lm/W with a huge lifetime of around 100,000 h. MATLAB is used to simulate a VLC link between LEDs (operated at different wavelengths) and photodetector. We present here the performance analysis of Lambertian Luminous Intensity radiation pattern (LLIRP) generated by different colors of LED for a clear OLOS model with different Spectral Luminous Efficiency at photonic vision. A designed system model of VLC supports short links present in indoor room conditions with better connectivity.
Ferulic Acid Exerts Neuroprotective Effects via Autophagy Induction in C. elegans and Cellular Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Long Tao , Wu Qian , Wei Jing , Tang Yong , He Yan-Ni , He Chang-Long , Chen Xue , Yu Lu , Yu Chong-Lin , Law Betty Yuen-Kwan , Wu Jian-Ming , Qin Da-Lian , Wu An-Guo , Zhou Xiao-Gang
Published: February 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by motor and nonmotor features. Although some drugs have been developed for the therapy of PD in a clinical setting, they only alleviate the clinical symptoms and have yet to show a cure. In this study, by employing the C. elegans model of PD, we found that ferulic acid (FA) significantly inhibited α-synuclein accumulation and improved dyskinesia in NL5901 worms. Meanwhile, FA remarkably decreased the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons, improved the food-sensing behavior, and reduced the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in 6-OHDA-induced BZ555 worms. The mechanistic study discovered that FA could activate autophagy in C. elegans, while the knockdown of 3 key autophagy-related genes significantly revoked the neuroprotective effects of FA in α-synuclein- and 6-OHDA-induced C. elegans models of PD, demonstrating that FA exerts an anti-PD effect via autophagy induction in C. elegans. Furthermore, we found that FA could reduce 6-OHDA- or H2O2-induced cell death and apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Moreover, FA was able to induce autophagy in stable GFP-RFP-LC3 U87 cells and PC-12 cells, while bafilomycin A1 (Baf, an autophagy inhibitor) partly eliminated the protective effects of FA against 6-OHDA- and H2O2-induced cell death and ROS production in PC-12 cells, further confirming that FA exerts an anti-PD effect via autophagy induction in vitro. Collectively, our study provides novel insights for FA as a potent autophagy enhancer to effectively prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as PD in the future.
Ferritinophagy-Mediated Ferroptosis and Activation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway Were Conducive to EMT Inhibition of Gastric Cancer Cells in Action of 2,2

′

-Di-pyridineketone Hydrazone Dithiocarbamate Butyric Acid Ester
Authors: Guan Deng , Zhou Wei , Wei Huiping , Wang Ting , Zheng Kangwei , Yang Chunjie , Feng Rui , Xu Ruifang , Fu Yun , Li Cuiping , Li Yongli , Li Changzheng
Published: February 2022

In metastasis of cancer cells, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is prerequired. Ferroptosis is an iron-mediated cellular death process, but whether it involves EMT regulation remains elusive. In addition, how stress responders (Nrf2) respond to the redox alteration and cross-talking between them needs to be determined. Our data revealed that DpdtbA (2,2

′

-di-pyridineketone hydrazone dithiocarbamate butyric acid ester) resisted TGF-β1-induced EMT in gastric cancer lines (SGC-7901 and MGC-823) through ferritinophagy-mediated ROS production. Furthermore, the depletion of Gpx4 and xCT as well as enhanced lipid peroxidation indicated that DpdtbA acted as Erastin did in ferroptosis induction, which thus provided chance to explore the causal relationship between ferroptosis and EMT. Our data illustrated that ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis promoted the EMT inhibition. In addition, activated Nrf2 involved the regulation on both ferroptosis and EMT in response to the alteration in the cellular redox environment. In brief, ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis and activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were conducive to the EMT inhibition.
Modelling Underload Cascading Failure and Mitigation Strategy of Supply Chain Complex Network in COVID-19
Authors: Liu Hong , Han Yunyan , Ni Jinlong , Zhu Anding
Published: February 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused problems such as shortage of workforce, cost increase, cash flow tension, and uncertainty of supply chain. It has a specific negative impact on the raw material supply, procurement management, production resumption, logistics, and market of the supply chain, which can trigger cascading failures in supply chain networks. Aiming at the failure of upstream/downstream firms in supply chain networks due to the decreased product demand/material supply under the COVID-19, the present study adopted an underload cascading failure model for the supply chain networks. In this model, the hierarchical supply chain networks were constructed based on the Erdos Renyi (ER) model and Barabasi Albert (BA) model. The validity of the model was verified under random attack and target attack. In the random attack mode, the influences of model parameters were studied, and in the target attack mode, the influence of target protection and random protection measures on enhancing network invulnerability was also studied. Simulation results showed that the initial load and capacity lower bound of nodes impact cascading failure size. The former has a positive correlation with cascading failure size, while the latter negatively correlates with cascading failure size. Furthermore, random protection measures are more practical to prevent cascading failures.
A Combination of Serum Biomarkers in Elderly Patients with Sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Ying Lin , Zhang Qin , Yang Yun-mei , Zhou Jian-ying
Published: February 2022

Background. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia in the elderly has not yet been fully understood. This study aimed to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and several serum biomarkers in elderly population. Methods. It was an observational cross‐sectional study of data collected from 70 patients. According to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), subjects were divided into the sarcopenia group and nonsarcopenic group. We compared age, body mass index (BMI), biochemical indexes, smoking status, underlying disease, muscle mass, handgrip strength (HS), gait speed (GS), skinfold thickness, muscle thickness, and IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α levels between these groups. Results. Of the 70 subjects, 35 patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. The number of men was higher than that of women in both groups. The patients with sarcopenia were older and had lower BMI and muscle thickness but higher SARC-F questionnaire scores. However, the difference in smoking status and skinfold thickness between these two groups were not statistically significant. Higher IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α levels were observed in participants with sarcopenia

P
<
0.05

. Patients with sarcopenia had a lower IL-10 level. Positive associations were present between the severity of sarcopenia and IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α levels, while there was an inverse correlation between the presence of sarcopenia and IL-10 level. Conclusions. Our research found that in sarcopenic elderly subjects, the serum levels of several biomarkers, such as IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α, were higher than those in nonsarcopenic elderly persons. Further studies are needed to explore the possible molecular mechanisms and discover new therapeutic targets.