bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educational impact and recommendations from implementation of student-led clinical trial recruitment: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Riad Aya M , Cambridge William A , Henshall David , McAdam Heather , Drake Thomas M , Fairfield Cameron J , Knight Stephen R , Sgrò Alessandro , Shaw Catherine , Glasbey James C , Potter Mark A , Harrison Ewen M , McLean Kenneth A
Published: October 2022

Medical students have an essential role in medical research, yet often lack opportunities for involvement within randomised trials. This study aimed to understand the educational impact of clinical trial recruitment for medical students. Tracking wound infection with smartphone technology (TWIST) was a randomised controlled trial that included adult patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery across two university teaching hospitals. All recruiters underwent prerecruitment training based on ‘Generating Student Recruiters for Randomised Trials’ principles, and completed prerecruitment and postrecruitment surveys. Respondent agreement with statements were assessed using 5-point Likert scales (from 1 (‘strongly disagree’) to 5 (‘strongly agree’)). Quantitative data were analysed using paired t-tests to compare differences pre-involvement and post-involvement. Thematic content analysis was performed on free-text data to generate recommendations for future student research involvement. Of 492 patients recruited to TWIST between 26 July 2016 and 4 March 2020, 86.0% (n=423) were recruited by medical students. Following introduction of student co-investigators (n=31), the overall monthly recruitment rate tripled (4.8–15.7 patients). 96.8% of recruiters (n=30/31) completed both surveys, and all respondents reported significant improvement in clinical and academic competencies. Three higher-level thematic domains emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) engagement, (2) preparation and (3) ongoing support. Student recruitment in clinical trials is feasible and accelerates recruitment to clinical trials. Students demonstrated novel clinical research competencies and increased their likelihood of future involvement. Adequate training, support and selection of suitable trials are essential for future student involvement in randomised trials.
An effective field theory treatment of the production and annihilation of magnetic monopoles and their relic abundance
Authors: Abreu Luciano M. , Brandão Pedro C. S. , de Montigny Marc , Ouimet Pierre-Philippe A.
Published: October 2022

We revisit the thermal production and annihilation of magnetic monopoles and their relic abundance in order to gain a deeper physical interpretation on the monopole phenomenology predicted from the Baines et al.’s effective field theory, recently proposed in the description of monopole pair production via Drell–Yan and photon fusion processes. In this sense, we use of the vacuum cross sections for the Drell–Yan reactions derived within the mentioned framework to evaluate the cross section averaged over the thermal distribution associated to other particles that constitute the hot medium where the monopoles propagate. In the considered range of monopole mass with spin-zero and spin-half, our findings suggest that the thermally averaged cross sections for the pair production are highly suppressed, while at higher temperatures those for the annihilation of lighter pairs reach larger magnitudes. Besides, we observe that smaller temperature leads to a rate of annihilation for scalar monopoles smaller than the one for fermionic monopoles, which might be interpreted as a theoretical evidence of a more pronounced stability for spin-zero and heavier monopoles. Then we input these thermally averaged cross sections into the kinetic equation that describes the evolution of the monopole abundance via an extension of a freeze-out theory. Our results infer that heavier monopoles achieve the equilibrium at earlier stages of the expansion, and consequently at higher temperatures. In addition, larger monopole masses produce higher values of the relic abundance. Besides, the results indicate that the abundance does not behave differently for spin-zero and spin-half relic monopoles.
Millennial-scale changes in abundance of brachiopods in bathyal environments detected by postmortem age distributions in death assemblage (Bari Canyon, Adriatic Sea)
Authors: Tomašových Adam , García-Ramos Diego A. , Nawrot Rafał , Nebelsick James H. , Zuschin Martin
Published: October 2022

Inferring the composition of pre-Anthropocene baseline communities on the basis of death assemblages (DAs) preserved in a surface mixed layer requires discriminating among recently-dead shells sourced by living populations and older shells from extirpated populations. Here, we assess the distribution of postmortem ages in the DA formed by the brachiopod
Gryphus vitreus
at 580 m depth in the Bari Canyon (Adriatic Sea), with no individuals collected alive. The
Gryphus
DA exhibits millennial time averaging (inter-quartile range = 1250 years) and two modes in abundance at 500 and 1750 years BP. As high abundance of species in time-averaged DAs can reflect passive accumulation of shells sourced by populations with low standing population density, we reconstruct changes in annual density on the basis of the abundance maxima detected in the distribution of postmortem ages and on the basis of estimates of per-specimen disintegration rate. We find that adults (>20 mm) achieved densities of at least 10–20 individuals/m
2
(assuming lifespan is 10 years), and the pulses in abundance were thus associated with a high population density in the past, followed by the decline over the last few centuries. We infer that bathyal populations were volatile during the Late Holocene, with brachiopods sensitive to siltation that was induced by temporal changes in sediment dispersal into the Bari Canyon due to deforestation and climatic changes.
Geoheritage and overtourism: a case study from sandstone rock cities in the Czech Republic
Authors: Drápela Emil
Published: October 2022

Sandstone districts are among the most visited and popular geosites in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, they are often affected by the harmful effects of mass tourism, referred to as overtourism. Sandstone geosites are very vulnerable owing to the rock's relative softness, and large numbers of visitors can be a threat to them as they accelerate the intensity of their degradation. The overtourism situation then brings other negatives not only to the geosites but also to their surroundings. This paper describes the reasons for the overtourism situation in Czech rock cities, the effects of overtourism on geosites and communities living in their vicinity, and possible solutions from the perspective of nature conservation and tourism management. The data come from field observations, interviews, and publicly available data on the development of the number of visitors to tourist destinations. The results showed that overtourism is a widespread problem in the Czech rock cities, damaging these geosites and negatively affecting the residents of the surrounding villages. In addition, it is necessary to act quickly because the number of visitors to these geosites is continuing to grow in the long term. The article proposes three measures that should mitigate the harmful effects of mass tourism: communication with the visitors, destination management and the protection of geosites. However, for these measures to work, a strategy must be developed that will be respected by all of the main actors in the local tourism industry, and these measures should be targeted at specific problems. This example is typical of the general problems encountered in any geotourism site, and such remedial strategies provide an example of what could be applied to avoid problems elsewhere.
Magical multi-modal displays using acoustophoresis
Authors: Hirayama Ryuji , Subramanian Sriram
Published: October 2022

Using sound to levitate objects for creating displays that can deliver visual, auditory, tactile, and gustatory experiences.
Neurobiology, Stem Cell Biology, and Immunology: An Emerging Triad for Understanding Tissue Homeostasis and Repair
Authors: Scott-Solomon Emily , Hsu Ya-Chieh
Published: October 2022

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) endows animals with the remarkable ability to sense and respond to a dynamic world. Emerging evidence shows the PNS also participates in tissue homeostasis and repair by integrating local changes with organismal and environmental changes. Here, we provide an in-depth summary of findings delineating the diverse roles of peripheral nerves in modulating stem cell behaviors and immune responses under steady-state conditions and in response to injury and duress, with a specific focus on the skin and the hematopoietic system. These examples showcase how elucidating neuro–stem cell and neuro–immune cell interactions provides a conceptual framework that connects tissue biology and local immunity with systemic bodily changes to meet varying demands. They also demonstrate how changes in these interactions can manifest in stress, aging, cancer, and inflammation, as well as how these findings can be harnessed to guide the development of new therapeutics.
Spodoptera frugiperda: Ecology, Evolution, and Management Options of an Invasive Species
Authors: Tay Wee Tek , Meagher Robert L. , Czepak Cecilia , Groot Astrid T.
Published: October 2022

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a well-known agricultural pest in its native range, North and South America, and has become a major invasive pest around the globe in the past decade. In this review, we provide an overview to update what is known about S. frugiperda in its native geographic ranges. This is followed by discussion of studies from the invaded areas to gain insights into S. frugiperda's ecology, specifically its reproductive biology, host plant use, status of insecticide resistance alleles, and biocontrol methods in native and invasive regions. We show that reference to host strains is uninformative in the invasive populations because multidirectional introduction events likely underpinned its recent rapid spread. Given that recent genomic analyses show that FAW is much more diverse than was previously assumed, and natural selection forces likely differ geographically, region-specific approaches will be needed to control this global pest.
Dynamics Analysis and Experiment of Novel Compound Dry Separator
Authors: Hongxi Li , Enhui Zhou , Bo Zhang , Haishen Jiang , Ling Shen , Zixin Yin
Published: October 2022

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal. The method of dry coal beneficiation is a key method of separation technology in the field of coal mining. In this paper, the structure of a novel compound dry separator (NCDS) was revealed. The dynamic characteristics and vibration behavior of the NCDS were studied through theoretical modeling, simulation research, and experimental test methods. The mathematical model and simulation model based on ADAMS of the NCDS were established. The experiment for the NCDS was carried out using the dynamics characteristic testing system. The dynamic curve and spatial trajectory of the NCDS were obtained. The Lissajous figure of displacement indicated that the space motion trajectory of the NCDS was an oblique line. The dynamic characteristics of the NCDS with different rotational speeds were revealed. The effect of eccentricity on the dynamic characteristics of the NCDS was discussed, and the vibration amplitudes increased with the increase of eccentricity. The results showed that the deviation of the simulation data and theoretical data was within 3.75%, and the result of the experiment data and theoretical data was within 6.98%. Through comparison and verification, the theoretical model with high accuracy can accurately calculate the dynamic characteristics of the NCDS before processing and manufacturing. This paper provides a reference for the design and efficient operation of the new compound dry separation machine.
[Retracted] Monitoring and Model Analysis of Vocal Performance Teaching Environment Using Cluster Analysis from the Perspective of Core Literacy
Authors: Long Tao
Published: October 2022

To cultivate students’ artistic quality, enhance their vocal music quality, and prepare them to make great contributions to the innovation and development of my country’s vocal music art is the main goal of opening vocal music performance major in colleges and universities. With the advancement of technology and the demands of talent development, the vocal music teaching methodology for the vocal music performance major in colleges and universities must be continuously enhanced. Otherwise, there will be an issue of disconnect between teaching style and talent development, which will harm both the development of high‐quality vocal music talents and the innovation and growth of vocal music performance majors in colleges and universities. The vocal music performance major at colleges and universities should actively support the reform and innovation of the vocal music teaching mode in order to extend students’ knowledge, develop their all‐around ability, and provide a strong foundation for vocal music performance, to develop students’ all‐encompassing musical abilities. This research suggests a design strategy for the monitoring and model optimization of the teaching environment for vocal performance majors from the standpoint of core literacy. To increase the efficiency and objectivity of course instruction, cluster analysis aids students in categorising and searching for vocal music performance main repertoire as well as using collaborative filtering recommendations to locate their own vocal music performance. The simulation test analysis is completed lastly. The method has a certain accuracy, which is 7.59% higher than the conventional algorithm, according to the simulation findings. In addition to significantly increasing student interest in studying vocal music performance courses, we further reform and innovation of the teaching method for these courses at colleges and universities can also strengthen students’ understanding of various repertoire styles and significantly enhance their musical literacy.
Mechanism of LncHOTAIR Regulating Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Autophagy of Lymphoma Cells through hsa-miR-6511b-5p/ATG7 Axis
Authors: Gui Fu , Yu Xinyi , Wu Yemeng , Wu Chao , Zhang Yulan
Published: October 2022

Objective. To explore the role of LncHOTAIR in apoptosis and autophagy in lymphoma. Methods. The interaction between LncHOTAIR and miR-6511b-5p, as well as between miR-6511b-5p and ATG7, was verified by a dual luciferase assay. LncHOTAIR overexpression lentivirus was transducted and siATG7s were transfected into Raji and BJAB lymphoma cells, and the efficiency was verified by qPCR. Lymphocyte proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) test, and autophagy was detected by transmission electron microscopy. The protein expressions of ULK1, Beclin1, ATG7, LC3, Bax, cleaved-caspase 3, and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blots. Results. There was a targeting relationship between LncHOTAIR and miR-6511b-5p and between miR-6511b-5p and ATG7. LncHOTAIR overexpression promoted the proliferation and autophagy of Raji and BJAB cells, significantly upregulated ATG7, Beclin1, ULK1, Bcl-2, and LC3-II/LC3-I levels, and downregulated Bax and cleaved-caspase3 levels. siATG7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and autophagy of Raji and BJAB cells and promoted their apoptosis. Conclusion. LncHOTAIR/hsa-miR-6511b-5p/ATG7 could regulate the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of Raji and BJAB lymphoma cells.
Deep Learning and Detection Technique with Least Image-Capturing for Multiple Pill Dispensing Inspection
Authors: Kwon Hyuk-Ju , Kim Hwi-Gang , Jung Sung-Woon , Lee Sung-Hak
Published: October 2022

In this study, we propose a method to effectively increase the performance of small-object detection using limited training data. We aimed at detecting multiple objects in an image using training data in which each image contains only a single object. Medical pills of various shapes and colors were used as the learning and detection targets. We propose a labeling automation process to easily create label files for learning and a three-dimensional (3D) augmentation technique that applies stereo vision and 3D photo inpainting (3DPI) to avoid overfitting caused by limited data. We also apply confidence-based nonmaximum suppression and voting to improve detection performance. The proposed 3D augmentation, 2D rotation, nonmaximum suppression, and voting algorithms were applied in experiments conducted with 20 and 40 types of pills. The precision, recall, individual accuracy, and combination accuracy of the experiment with 20 types of pills were 0.998, 1.000, 0.998, and 0.991, respectively, and those for the experiment with 40 types of pills were 0.986, 0.999, 0.985, and 0.940, respectively.
Ship Target Detection in Optical Remote Sensing Images Based on Multiscale Feature Enhancement
Authors: Zhou Liming , Li Yahui , Rao Xiaohan , Liu Cheng , Zuo Xianyu , Liu Yang
Published: October 2022

Due to the multiscale characteristics of ship targets in ORSIs (optical remote sensing images), ship target detection in ORSIs based on depth learning is still facing great challenges. Aiming at the low accuracy of multiscale ship target detection in ORSIs, this paper proposes a ship target detection algorithm based on multiscale feature enhancement based on YOLO v4. Firstly, an improved mixed convolution is introduced into the IRes (inverted residual block) to form an MIRes (mixed inverted residual block). The MIRes are used to replace the Res (residual block) in the deep CSP module of the backbone network to enhance the multiscale feature extraction capability of the backbone network. Secondly, for different scale feature maps’ perception fields, feature information, and the scale of the detected objects, the multiscale feature enhancement modules—SFEM (small scale feature enhancement module) and MFEM (middle scale feature enhancement module)—are proposed to enhance the feature information of the middle- and low-level feature maps, respectively, and then the enhanced feature maps are sent to the detection head for detection. Finally, experiments were implemented on the LEVIR-ship dataset and the NWPU VHR-10 dataset. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm in ship target detection reached 79.55% and 90.70%, respectively, which is improved by 3.25% and 3.56% compared with YOLO v4.
Machine Learning Based Preschool Education Quality Assessment System
Authors: Li Deming
Published: October 2022

Preschool education (PE) is the initial stage of life education, and early childhood is an unrepeatable process. PE has the same importance as other education stages because of the significant impact it can have on later childhood development. Furthermore, from the perspective of educational equity theory, every child has the right to receive PE, the right to obtain the same high-quality educational resources, and the right to fair final results. Therefore, the research on the quality of PE has theoretical value and practical significance. In order to strengthen the quality of PE, this paper designs a PE quality assessment system to evaluate teachers’ teaching achievements. In this regard, the performance of each functional module in the system is tested, and the test results show that the module access is successful at more than 97%, indicating that the system meets the operating requirements. This paper uses the characteristics of the KNN algorithm classification in the machine learning algorithm to classify the teaching quality (TQ) of 7 pre-school teachers, and obtains the membership degrees of teachers in the four categories of grades, indicating that the KNN algorithm is more suitable for the classification of TQ assessment results than the general classification algorithm.
Optimal Circular Balanced Repeated Measurements Designs for
v
=
p
through the Method of Cyclic Shift (MCS) Rule II
Authors: Shehzad Farrukh , Rajab Muhammad , Daniyal Muhammad , Ahmed Rashid , Tawiah Kassim
Published: October 2022

Background. One of the common characteristics of preclinical genetic experimentation is the result of repeated measurements, and for this purpose, repeated measurements designs (RMDs) have gained much more significance. In the class of RMDs, balanced repeated measurements designs (BRMDs) are preferred as they balance out the residual effects since the experimentation is repeated over time on different subjects. This study provides the theoretical framework of universal optimal criteria proposed by Kiefer (1975) for the newly proposed circular balanced repeated measurements designs (CBRMDs) by Rajab et al. (2018). These universal optimality criteria were proved for the special class of designs where the number of treatments is equal to the number of periods. Universal optimality has been discussed considering all the possible effects in the models, i.e., units, subjects, treatments, and periods. Methodology. This study characterized CBRMDs, where several treatments and periods are equal in the contest of three separate models with their matrices of information in simplified form. We used these simplified matrices of information to ascertain the criteria for universally optimal CBRMDs under different conditions. These new CBRMDs have been constructed using the well-known method of cyclic shifts (MCS) rule II. Results. Universal optimality of the new proposed classes of designs has been discussed theoretically. Universally optimal CBRMDs were constructed for

v
=
p

odd

using the MCS rule II along with the confirmation of the universal optimality criteria proposed in the existing theory. Conclusions. The proposed class of new CBRMDs has been proven to have theoretically universally optimal designs, which have been constructed by the method of cyclic shifts rule II when the number of treatments is equal to the number of periods.
The Utilization Ratio and Interoperability of Corporate-Level XBRL Classification Standard Elements in China
Authors: Song Xin , Ding Zijie , Liu Chao , Zhang Qiongyao
Published: October 2022

Given the rapid development of the digital industry, the international use of XBRL as a computer language for the exchange of corporate financial data is of great significance in promoting the standardization of financial data. This paper provides an in-depth study and quantitative measurement of the applicability of the Chinese XBRL common taxonomy elements in enterprises, examining the interoperability of the elements between enterprises and the possible absence and ambiguity of the elements. The research study shows significant differences between the elements of XBRL defined in the general classification standard and the elements used in financial reports of listed companies in China. Furthermore, the quantitative interoperability model results show significant differences in the interoperability of elements between companies in the same industry and the same category of industries. Therefore, updates to the Chinese XBRL taxonomy should start from the underlying logic of accounting and improve the process of calling the elements in the accounting process.
Simple Paths and Cycles of Directed Graph for Stock Trading Network Based on STP
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Ma Li
Published: October 2022

The stock trading relationship of buyers and sellers in the stock market can be characterized by a directed graph. It is an important way to study stock trading network through simple directed paths and cycles. In the present paper, we establish a seeking model of simple directed paths and cycles, and obtain some necessary and sufficient conditions for simple directed path and cycle in the directed graph. The algorithms of finding simple directed path and cycle of any specified length are given. The main approach we used is the semi‐tensor product of matrices, which can reduce the search space. An illustrative example is given to show that the theoretical results and algorithms are effective.
Binary Equilibrium Optimization Algorithm for Computing Connected Domination Metric Dimension Problem
Authors: Mohamed Basma , Mohaisen Linda , Amin Mohamed
Published: October 2022

We consider, in this paper, the NP-hard problem of finding the minimum connected domination metric dimension of graphs. A vertex set B of a connected graph G = (V, E) resolves G if every vertex of G is uniquely identified by its vector of distances to the vertices in B. A resolving set B of G is connected if the subgraphB¯induced by B is a nontrivial connected subgraph of G. A resolving set is dominating if every vertex of G that does not belong to B is a neighbor to some vertices in B. The cardinality of the smallest resolving set of G, the cardinality of the minimal connected resolving set, and the cardinality of the minimal connected domination resolving set are the metric dimension of G, connected metric dimension of G, and connected domination metric dimension of G, respectively. We present the first attempt to compute heuristically the minimum connected dominant resolving set of graphs by a binary version of the equilibrium optimization algorithm (BEOA). The particles of BEOA are binary-encoded and used to represent which one of the vertices of the graph belongs to the connected domination resolving set. The feasibility is enforced by repairing particles such that an additional vertex generated from vertices of G is added to B, and this repairing process is iterated until B becomes the connected domination resolving set. The proposed BEOA is tested using graph results that are computed theoretically and compared to competitive algorithms. Computational results and their analysis show that BEOA outperforms the binary Grey Wolf Optimizer (BGWO), the binary Particle Swarm Optimizer (BPSO), the binary Whale Optimizer (BWO), the binary Slime Mould Optimizer (BSMO), the binary Grasshopper Optimizer (BGO), the binary Artificial Ecosystem Optimizer (BAEO), and the binary Elephant Herding Optimizer (BEHO).
On Efficient Estimation of the Population Mean under Stratified Ranked Set Sampling
Authors: Bhushan Shashi , Kumar Anoop , Shahab Sana , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Akhtar Md Tanwir
Published: October 2022

This paper considers some efficient combined and separate classes of estimators of the population mean in the presence of bivariate auxiliary information under stratified ranked set sampling. The mean square error (MSE) expressions of the proffered combined and separate classes of estimators are derived to the first order of approximation. The theoretical conditions are obtained under which the proffered combined and separate classes of estimators perform better than the existing combined and separate class of estimators. Subsequently, numerical and simulation studies are performed using real and artificially generated populations. The numerical and simulation results are found to be rewarding, showing the superiority of the proffered estimators over the existing estimators.
Reliability Analysis of Multisensor Fusion Technology in Disaster Nursing Application
Authors: Luo Xuemei , Ye Jianrui , Zhou Gang , Yi Tao
Published: October 2022

The harm and impact of various natural disasters are becoming more and more obvious. Due to the high suddenness of natural disasters and the low efficiency of information sharing, our stress system will still not be able to respond to disasters in time. Therefore, facing the current complex natural environment and the diversity of disasters, we urgently need a practical and comprehensive online collaborative natural disaster protection system. Therefore, this paper proposes a disaster protection application system based on a multisensor information fusion algorithm. Firstly, the software platform of the natural disaster protection system based on multisensor is constructed; the hardware platform of multisensor disaster acquisition is designed. An information fusion algorithm based on Kalman joint filter is proposed. The main problems of joint filter are (1) improving the filtering accuracy, (2) improving the fault-tolerant performance of the filter, and (3) optimizing the fusion algorithm and reducing the amount of calculation and data communication, so as to facilitate real-time implementation of the algorithm. Combined with DS evidence theory, BP neural network, and support vector mechanism, a comprehensive diagnosis model is established. The model uses the preliminary diagnosis results of the BP neural network and support vector machine to carry out the BPA of DS evidence theory, which avoids the blindness caused by human operation. The simulation results show that the comprehensive diagnosis model can significantly improve the prediction accuracy of disasters, solve the uncertainty and fuzziness of diagnosis results of a single diagnosis model, and provide a new method for disaster protection. The results of the BP neural network in the disaster nursing system are fused at the decision level, the results show that the distribution probability corresponding to the fusion disaster category is greater than the threshold value of 0.8, and the diagnosis result can be given immediately. The diagnosis result is completely consistent with the actual disaster category.
Ecological Effects of Local Materials in Landscape Design based on Machine Learning
Authors: Li Jianjian
Published: October 2022

The local characteristic landscape is a way of adapting to nature, land, and land space pattern chosen by local people due to their living needs. With the in-depth development of the concept of ecological protection in China, great progress has been made in the cause of ecological environmental protection within the current urban area. This study mainly discusses the ecological effects of local materials in landscape design. It integrates geography, historical literature, landscape ecology, architectural aesthetics, and many other related disciplines. The basic knowledge of rural landscape elements is analyzed and summarized from all levels and angles. However, due to factors such as the contradiction between the urban and rural dual system, the large base of the rural population and construction land, the expansion of cities and the great changes in rural production and lifestyle, the rural living environment is faced with more ecological contradictions, which has become the bottleneck of the country’s overall ecological civilization construction. It comprehensively discusses and analyzes related concepts and theories, and optimizes the concept of rural landscape elements and the relationship between rural landscape elements and modern rural landscape design. It clarifies its classification and exemplifies the application methods of rural landscape elements. The second is to integrate and analyze the application of rural landscape elements through the investigation and analysis of excellent cases. It also compares the rural locality and studies the application of rural landscape elements and their shortcomings. Finally, the construction methods and application strategies of rural landscape elements in modern villages are proposed. Through the reasonable planning and configuration of the traditional village landscape, it creates a living landscape that can meet the actual needs of local people and an ornamental and experiential landscape that can meet the multilevel emotional needs of foreign tourists. This pushes traditional villages toward a benign path of sustainable development. The evaluation index of conformity between vernacular architecture and the environment reached 94%. On the basis of sorting out the problems of ecological planning and construction of rural human settlements, the article constructs the ecological adaptability theory of rural human settlement planning at the theoretical level. This study fully combines the advantages of local materials to build a beautiful village with regional cultural characteristics and ecological type, in order to open up new ideas for future rural planning and design.
Interannual Variations of Water and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes over a Semiarid Alpine Steppe on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Huizhi , Li Fengquan , Du Qun , Xu Lujun , Li Yaohui
Published: October 2022

Water and carbon exchanges between grassland and the atmosphere are important processes for water balance and carbon balance. Based on eddy covariance observations over a semiarid alpine steppe ecosystem in Bange on the Tibetan Plateau during the growing season from 2014 to 2017, the variations in evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and their components and the associated driving factors were analyzed. Linear and nonlinear models were applied to investigate the relationships between fluxes and their controlling factors over different timescales. The results show that the average ET for the growing season ranged from 1.1 to 2.4 mm/d with an average of 2.0 mm/d for the four consecutive years. Drought conditions reduced the surface conductance and hence the Priestley–Taylor coefficient. Mean T/ET was low (0.34) due to low vegetation cover. Plant growth increased the T/ET ratio during the growing season, whereas soil water content (SWC) explained most of the variation of ET and E on daily and monthly scales. The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) was the most important controlling factor for temperature. Transpiration increased with SWC in dry conditions. For the growing season in 2014, 2016, and 2017, Bange was a carbon sink, while it was a carbon source in 2015. The largest CO2 flux was higher and the temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q10) was lower for 2015 than for the other three years. SWC affected these photosynthesis and respiration parameters. The ratio of respiration (Re) to gross primary production (GPP) was the highest during the 2015 growing season. Both on daily and monthly scales, Re was positively and linearly correlated with GPP. The most important controlling factor for the CO2 flux was EVI on daily and monthly scales.
Oncogenic Merkel Cell Polyomavirus T Antigen Truncating Mutations are Mediated by APOBEC3 Activity in Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Soikkeli Anni I. , Kyläniemi Minna K. , Sihto Harri , Alinikula Jukka
Published: October 2022

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer, which is frequently caused by Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Mutations of MCPyV tumor (T) antigens are major pathologic events of virus-positive (MCPyV+) MCCs, but their source is unclear. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)/APOBEC family cytidine deaminases contribute to antiviral immunity by mutating viral genomes and are potential carcinogenic mutators. We studied the contribution of AID/APOBEC cytidine deaminases to MCPyV large T (LT) truncation events. The MCPyV LT area in MCCs was enriched with cytosine-targeting mutations, and a strong APOBEC3 mutation signature was observed in MCC sequences. AICDA and APOBEC3 expression were detected in the Finnish MCC sample cohort, and LT expression correlated with APOBEC3H and APOBEC3G. Marginal but statistically significant somatic hypermutation targeting activity was detected in the MCPyV regulatory region. Our results suggest that APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases are a plausible cause of the LT truncating mutations in MCPyV+ MCC, while the role of AID in MCC carcinogenesis is unlikely.

Significance:

We uncover APOBEC3 mutation signature in MCPyV LT that reveals the likely cause of mutations underlying MCPyV+ MCC. We further reveal an expression pattern of APOBECs in a large Finnish MCC sample cohort. Thus, the findings presented here suggest a molecular mechanism underlying an aggressive carcinoma with poor prognosis.
Peripheral Circular RNA Profiling from Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Identified hsa_circRNA_404013 as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker
Authors: Jin Peng , Sun Kaiyue , Zhang Qinqin , Shen Chaofan , Zang Yiran , Zhi Lili , Shi Li
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The study of peripheral circular RNA (circRNA) expression profile in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) was absent to date, and we aimed to obtain the circRNA expression profile and identify the candidate biomarker from AR. Methods: circRNA chip was performed to screen differentially expressed circRNAs in the peripheral blood sample from AR patients and healthy controls. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were analyzed to further search the function of the differential expressed circRNAs. The real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was further used to verify the candidate circRNA and also analyze its potential correlation with clinical parameters. Results: Significantly up-regulated expression level of hsa_circRNA_404013 in AR was obtained by circRNA chip and further verified in 79 AR patients and 48 healthy controls. hsa_circRNA_404013 was significantly positively correlated with nasal discharge, nasal itching, the total nasal symptoms of AR, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression level in peripheral blood. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed that hsa_circRNA_404013 may be used as peripheral blood circulating marker for the diagnosis of AR with the area under curve of 0.8499 (95% CI: 0.783–0.916). In further bioinformatics analysis, hsa_circRNA_404013 may regulate the expression of BDNF through hsa-mir-182-5p contributing to the pathogenesis of AR. Conclusion: The expression profile of circRNAs from the peripheral blood sample of AR patients was obtained. The expression of hsa_circRNA_404013 was significantly up-regulated in the peripheral blood of AR patients, which may be used as a circulating marker for AR patients. Furthermore, hsa_circRNA_404013 may regulate the expression level of BDNF through hsa-mir-182-5p in AR pathogenesis.
The Joint Public Health Impact of Family History of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease among Adults in the United States: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Rasooly Danielle , Yang Quanhe , Moonesinghe Ramal , Khoury Muin J. , Patel Chirag J.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Family history is an established risk factor for both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes; however, no study has presented population-based prevalence estimates of family histories of CVD and diabetes and examined their joint impact on prevalence of diabetes, CVD, cardiometabolic risk factors, and mortality risk. Methods: We analyzed data from a representative sample of the US adult population including 29,440 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2018) and assessed self-reported first-degree family history of diabetes and CVD (premature heart disease before age of 50 years) as well as meeting criteria and/or having risk factors for CVD and diabetes. Results: Participants with joint family history exhibit 6.5 greater odds for having both diseases and are diagnosed with diabetes 6.6 years earlier than participants without family history. Healthy participants without prevalent CVD or diabetes but with joint family history exhibit a greater prevalence of diabetes risk factors compared to no family history counterparts. Joint family history is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality, but with no interactive effect. Conclusion: Over 44% of the US adult population has a family history of CVD and/or diabetes that is comparable in risk to common cardiometabolic risk factors. This wide presence of high-risk family history and its simplicity of ascertainment suggests that clinical and public health efforts should collect and act on joint family history of CVD and diabetes to improve population efforts in the prevention and early detection of these common chronic diseases.
“Mild’’ Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy and Therapeutic Hypothermia: A Survey of Clinical Practice and Opinion from 35 Countries
Authors: Singla Mani , Chalak Lina , Kumar Kishore , Hayakawa Masahiro , Mehta Shailender , Neoh Siew Hong , Kitsommart Ratchada , Yuan Yuan , Zhang Huayan , Shah Prakesh S. , Smyth John , Wandita Setya , Yeo Kee Thai , Lim Gina , Oei Ju Lee
Published: October 2022

Introduction: We aimed to determine global professional opinion and practice for the use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for treating infants with mild hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: A web-based survey (REDCap) was distributed via emails, social networking sites, and professional groups from October 2020 to February 2021 to neonatal clinicians in 35 countries. Results: A total of 484 responses were obtained from 35 countries and categorized into low/middle-income (43%, LMIC) or high-income (57%, HIC) countries. Of the 484 respondents, 53% would provide TH in mild HIE on case-to-case basis and only 25% would never cool. Clinicians from LMIC were more likely to routinely offer TH in mild HIE (25% v HIC 16%, p < 0.05), have a unit protocol for providing TH (50% v HIC 26%, p < 0.05), use adjunctive tools, e.g., aEEG (49% v HIC 32%, p < 0.001), conduct an MRI post TH (48% v HIC 40%, p < 0.05) and less likely to use neurological examinations as a HIE severity grading tool (80% v HIC 95%, p < 0.001). The majority of respondents (91%) would support a randomized controlled trial that was sufficiently large to examine neurodevelopmental outcomes in mild HIE after TH. Conclusions: This is the first survey of global opinion for TH in mild HIE. The overwhelming majority of professionals would consider “cooling” an infant with mild HIE, but LMIC respondents were more likely to routinely cool infants with mild HIE and use adjunctive tools for diagnosis and follow-up. There is wide practice heterogeneity and a sufficiently large RCT designed to examine neurodevelopmental outcomes, is urgently needed and widely supported.
Clinical Prediction Model for Antibody-Mediated Rejection: A Strategy to Minimize Surveillance Endomyocardial Biopsies After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Coutance Guillaume , Kransdorf Evan , Aubert Olivier , Bonnet Guillaume , Yoo Daniel , Rouvier Philippe , Duong Van Huyen Jean-Paul , Bruneval Patrick , Taupin Jean-Luc , Leprince Pascal , Varnous Shaida , Kobashigawa Jon , Jouven Xavier , Patel Jignesh , Loupy Alexandre
Published: October 2022

Background:

In heart transplantation, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major contributor to patient morbidity and mortality. Multiple routine endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) remain the gold standard to detect AMR, but this invasive procedure suffers from many limitations. We aimed to develop and validate an AMR risk model to improve individual risk stratification of AMR.

Methods:

Heart recipients from 2 referral transplant centers, Cedars-Sinai (US) and Pitié-Salpêtrière (France), were included from 2012 to 2019. Database included detailed clinical, immunologic, imaging, and histological parameters. The US cohort was randomly distributed in a derivation (2/3) and in a test set (1/3). The primary end point was biopsy-proven AMR. A mixed effect logistic regression model with a random intercept was applied to identify variables independently associated with AMR. Simulation analyzes were performed.

Results:

The US and French cohorts comprised a total of 1341 patients, representing 12 864 EMB. Overall, 490 AMR episodes were diagnosed (3.8% of EMB). Among the 26 potential determinants of AMR, 5 variables showed independent association: time post-transplant (
P
<0.001), pretransplant sensitizing event (
P
=0.001), circulating donor-specific anti–human leukocyte antigen antibody (
P
=0.001), graft dysfunction (
P
=0.004), and prior history of definite AMR (
P
<0.001). In the US test set, the calibration and the discrimination of the model were accurate (area under the curve, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.78–0.81]). Those results were confirmed in the external validation cohort (area under the curve, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.77–0.79]) and reinforced by various sensitivity analyses. The model also showed good performance to predict overall cause of rejection. Simulation models revealed that the AMR risk model could safely reduce the number of EMB.

Conclusions:

Our results support the use of the AMR risk model as a clinical decision tool to minimize the number of routine EMB after heart transplantation.
PHB2 Maintains the Contractile Phenotype of VSMCs by Counteracting PKM2 Splicing
Authors: Jia Yiting , Mao Chenfeng , Ma Zihan , Huang Jiaqi , Li Wenqiang , Ma Xiaolong , Zhang Siting , Li Meihong , Yu Fang , Sun Yingying , Chen Jingzhou , Feng Juan , Zhou Yuan , Xu Qingbo , Zhao Ling , Fu Yi , Kong Wei
Published: October 2022

Background:

Phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accounts for the pathogenesis of a variety of vascular diseases during the early stage. Recent studies indicate the metabolic reprogramming may be involved in VSMC phenotypic transition. However, the definite molecules that link energy metabolism to distinct VSMC phenotype remain elusive.

Methods:

A carotid artery injury model was used to study postinjury neointima formation as well as VSMC phenotypic transition in vivo. RNA-seq analysis, cell migration assay, collagen gel contraction assay, wire myography assay, immunoblotting, protein interactome analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and mammalian 2-hybrid assay were performed to clarify the phenotype and elucidate the molecular mechanisms.

Results:

We collected cell energy-regulating genes by using Gene Ontology annotation and applied RNA-Seq analysis of transforming growth factor-β or platelet-derived growth factor BB stimulated VSMCs. Six candidate genes were overlapped from energy metabolism-related genes and genes reciprocally upregulated by transforming growth factor-β and downregulated by platelet-derived growth factor BB. Among them, prohibitin 2 has been reported to regulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Indeed, prohibitin 2-deficient VSMCs lost the contractile phenotype as evidenced by reduced contractile proteins. Consistently,

Phb2
SMCKO

mice were more susceptible to postinjury VSMC proliferation and neointima formation compared with

Phb2
flox/flox

mice. Further protein interactome analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and mammalian 2-hybrid assay revealed that prohibitin 2, through its C-terminus, directly interacts with hnRNPA1, a key modulator of pyruvate kinase M1/2 (PKM) mRNA splicing that promotes PKM2 expression and glycolysis. Prohibitin 2 deficiency facilitated PKM1/2 mRNA splicing and reversion from PKM1 to PKM2, and enhanced glycolysis in VSMCs. Blocking prohibitin 2–hnRNPA1 interaction resulted in increased PKM2 expression, enhanced glycolysis, repressed contractile marker genes expression in VSMCs, as well as aggravated postinjury neointima formation in vivo.

Conclusions:

Prohibitin 2 maintains VSMC contractile phenotype by interacting with hnRNPA1 to counteract hnRNPA1-mediated PKM alternative splicing and glucose metabolic reprogramming.
Shock and Awe: Medieval Northern European Jews and the Language of Violence
Authors: Barzilay Tzafrir
Published: October 2022

In twelfth-century northern Europe, public declarative violence was often employed to establish and demonstrate authority, lordship and power. This article argues that Jews adopted the Christian language of violence but reshaped it to communicate their own views and culture. The first section focuses on depictions of public violence during the persecution of the First Crusade, and on changes in Jewish liturgical practices supported by violent narratives. It shows that during the twelfth century, these descriptions became blunter and more evocative, and were established as a major feature of Jewish culture. The second section analyses the place of declarative public violence in contemporary Christian culture, while comparing it to Jewish perceptions on this issue. It shows that Jews saw such violence as major means to prove loyalty to their identity, to communicate their values and to claim authority.
Creating an Enhanced Infrastructure of Parliamentary Archives for Better Democratic Transparency and Legislative Research
Authors: Kiss Rebeka , Sebők Miklós
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we summarise the key findings of the forum “Data4Parliaments” Parliamentary Data for a Better Democracy, organised by the OPTED network at the European Parliament on 15 June 2022. The aim of the conference was to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas related to sharing and analysing parliamentary text data between official archives and different user groups from the social sciences and the civil society.