bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a web-based virtual journal club to promote medical education (Web-Ed): protocol of a multicentre pragmatic randomised trial
Authors: Rimmer Michael , Elfaki Nagla , Dunlop Cheryl , Coleburt Damien , Cowan Neil , Raglan Olivia , Teh Jhia Jiat , Fisher Maria , Mcrobbie Sarah , Murugesu Nilaani , Ramcharn Meera , Abdelrahman Mohamed , Jibrel Yazid , Wood Matthew , Parry-Smith William , Al Wattar Bassel H
Published: June 2022

Introduction

A journal club (JC) is a commonly used medical educational tool. Videoconferencing technology can facilitate the delivery of JCs, however, there remains no evidence on the role of web-based virtual JCs in promoting the acquisition and retention of medical knowledge. The Web-Ed trial aims to evaluate the educational benefits, feasibility and acceptability of web-based virtual JCs compared with traditional face-to-face ones.

Methods and analysis

Web-Ed is a multicentre pragmatic parallel-group randomised trial across teaching hospitals within the UK National Health Service (NHS). We will enrol qualified doctors or medical students who are >18 years old, proficient in English and able to use online videoconferencing software. Block randomisation will be used to allocate participants in 1:1 ratio to either intervention group. Both groups will be presented with the same educational material and follow a standardised JC structure hosted by nominated moderators and medical faculty members.

The primary outcome is the difference in participants’ knowledge acquisition and retention 7 days after the JCs evaluated using standardised multiple-choice questions. We will report secondarily on the feasibility and acceptability of the JCs using Likert scale questionnaires. Assuming a 30% drop-out rate, we aim to enrol 75 participants to detect a 20% improvement in knowledge acquisition at 80% power and 5% significance. We will report using mean difference or risk ratio with 95% CIs and assess significance using parametric/non-parametric testing. Where relevant, we will adjust for predetermined characteristics (age, grade of training and session duration) using multivariate regression analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Web-Ed was designed by doctors in training to address their learning needs and evaluate the preferred mode of learning. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant scientific conferences. The trial has been approved by the NHS Health Regulation Authority (21/HRA/3361).

Trial registration number

ISRCTN18036769.
cfDNA as a surrogate marker for COVID-19 severity in patients with influenza-like symptoms with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections in general practice: a study protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Dehnen Dorothea , Neuberger Elmo , in der Schmitten Jürgen , Giagkou Ekaterini , Simon Perikles , Botzenhardt Suzan
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The clinical course of patients with a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection varies widely, from symptom-free to severe courses that can lead to death. Laboratory values of SARS-CoV-2 patients such as lymphocyte counts or C-reactive protein (CRP) do not allow a prediction of the actual course of the disease. To identify a possible predictive marker for the differentiation and prognosis of illness with influenza-like symptoms with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections in general practice, we will analyse the concentrations of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels, laboratory and clinical parameters, temperature, oxygen saturation, breathing rate and concomitant symptoms in patients with flu-like symptoms with and without a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, two-arm, parallel longitudinal cohort study with a total of 44 patients. 22 patients with flu-like symptoms without a SARS-CoV-2 infection and 22 patients with flu-like symptoms with a SARS-CoV-2 infection will be recruited. The primary objective is to compare cfDNA levels in ambulatory patients in general practice with flu-like symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 infection with those with influenza like symptoms without a SARS-CoV-2 infection during the disease (day 7 and day 14). The secondary objective is to determine whether there is a correlation between cfDNA concentrations on the one hand, and laboratory and clinical parameters on the other hand. cfDNA, differential blood count, high-sensitive CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate will be measured in blood samples, concomitant symptoms will be surveyed via a self-assessment questionnaire, and oxygen saturation, breathing rate and examination of the lungs will be reported by treating physicians.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was issued on 1 March 2021 by the Ethics Committee Essen under the number 21-9916-BO. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed open-access journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

DRKS00024722.
Structured follow-up pathway to support people after transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke (SUPPORT TIA): protocol for a feasibility study and process evaluation
Authors: Turner Grace M , Jones Rachael , Collis Phillip , Patel Smitaa , Jowett Sue , Tearne Sarah , Foy Robbie , Atkins Lou , Mant Jonathan , Calvert Melanie
Published: June 2022

Introduction

People who experience transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke have limited follow-up despite rapid specialist review in hospital. This means they often have unmet needs and feel abandoned following discharge. Care needs after TIA/minor stroke include information provision (diagnosis and stroke risk), stroke prevention (medication and lifestyle change) and holistic care (residual problems and return to work or usual activities). This protocol describes a feasibility study and process evaluation of an intervention to support people after TIA/minor stroke. The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of (1) the intervention and (2) the trial procedures for a future randomised controlled trial of this intervention.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, randomised (1:1) feasibility study with a mixed-methods process evaluation. Sixty participants will be recruited from TIA clinics or stroke wards at three hospital sites (England). Intervention arm participants will be offered a nurse or allied health professional-led follow-up appointment 4 weeks after TIA/minor stroke. The multifaceted intervention includes: a needs checklist, action plan, resources to support management of needs, a general practitioner letter and training to deliver the intervention. Control arm participants will receive usual care. Follow-up will be self-completed questionnaires (12 weeks and 24 weeks) and a clinic appointment (24 weeks). Follow-up questionnaires will measure anxiety, depression, fatigue, health related quality of life, self-efficacy and medication adherence. The clinic appointment will collect body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and medication. Assessment of feasibility and acceptability will include quantitative process variables (such as recruitment and questionnaire response rates), structured observations of study processes, and interviews with a subsample of participants and clinical staff.

Ethics and dissemination

Favourable ethical opinion was gained from the Wales Research Ethics Committee (REC) 1 (23 February 2021, REC reference: 21/WA/0036). Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. A lay summary and dissemination strategy will be codesigned with consumers. The lay summary and journal publication will be distributed on social media.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN39864003.
SARS-CoV-2 infection and antibody seroprevalence in routine surveillance patients, healthcare workers and general population in Kita region, Mali: an observational study 2020–2021
Authors: Alber Dagmar , Haidara Fadima Cheick , Luoma Juho , Adubra Laura , Ashorn Per , Ashorn Ulla , Badji Henry , Cloutman-Green Elaine , Diallo Fatoumata , Ihamuotila Rikhard , Klein Nigel , Martell Owen , Onwuchekwa Uma U , Samaké Oumar , Sow Samba O , Traore Awa , Wilson Kevin , Ducker Camilla , Fan Yue-Mei
Published: June 2022

Objective

To estimate the degree of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among healthcare workers (HCWs) and general population in Kita region of Mali.

Design

Routine surveillance in 12 health facilities, HCWs serosurvey in five health facilities and community serosurvey in 16 villages in or near Kita town, Mali.

Setting

Kita region, western Mali; local health centres around the central (regional) referral health centre.

Participants

Patients in routine surveillance, HCWs in local health centres and community members of all ages in populations associated with study health centres.

Main outcome measures

Seropositivity of ELISA test detecting SARS-CoV-2-specific total antibodies and real-time RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results

From 2392 routine surveillance samples, 68 (2.8%, 95% CI: 2.2% to 3.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. The monthly positivity rate was 0% in June–August 2020 and gradually increased to 6% by December 2020 and 6.2% by January 2021, then declined to 5.5%, 3.3%, 3.6% and 0.8% in February, March, April and May 2021, respectively. From 397 serum samples collected from 113 HCWs, 175 (44.1%, 95% CI: 39.1% to 49.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The monthly seroprevalence was around 10% from September to November 2020 and increased to over 40% from December 2020 to May 2021. For community serosurvey in December 2020, overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 27.7%. The highest age-stratified seroprevalence was observed in participants aged 60–69 years (45.5%, 95% CI: 32.3% to 58.6%). The lowest was in children aged 0–9 years (14.0%, 95% CI: 7.4% to 20.6%).

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 in rural Mali is much more widespread than assumed by national testing data and particularly in the older population and frontline HCWs. The observation is contrary to the widely expressed view, based on limited data, that COVID-19 infection rates were lower in 2020–2021 in West Africa than in other settings.
Perceived stress, trust, safety and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients discharged from hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave: a PREMs survey
Authors: Tacchini-Jacquier Nadine , Bonvin Eric , Monnay Sevrine , Verloo Henk
Published: June 2022

Aim

To investigate experiences of stress, feelings of safety, trust in healthcare staff and perceptions of the severity of a SARS-CoV-2 infection among inpatients discharged from Valais Hospital, Switzerland, during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave.

Methods

Discharged patients aged 18 years or more (n=4665), hospitalised between 28 February and 11 May 2020, whether they had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 or not, were asked to complete a self-reporting questionnaire, as were their informal caregivers, if available (n=866). Participants answered questions from Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (0=no stress, 40=severe stress), Krajewska-Kułak et al’s Trust in Nurses Scale and Anderson and Dedrick’s Trust in Physician Scale (10=no trust, 50=complete trust), the severity of a SARS-CoV-2 infection (1=not serious, 5=very serious), as well as questions on their perceived feelings of safety (0=not safe, 10=extremely safe).

Results

Of our 1341 respondents, 141 had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Median PSS score was 24 (IQR1–3=19–29), median trust in healthcare staff was 33 (IQR1–3=31–36), median perceived severity of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was 4 (IQR1−3=3–4) and the median feelings of safety score was 8 (IQR1–3=8–10). Significant differences were found between males and females for PSS scores (p<0.001) and trust scores (p<0.001). No significant differences were found between males and females for the perceived severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection scores (p=0.552) and the feelings of safety (p=0.751). Associations were found between age and trust scores (Rs=0.201), age and perceived SARS-CoV-2 severity scores (Rs=0.134), sex (female) and perceived stress (Rs=0.114), and sex (female) and trust scores (Rs=0.137). Associations were found between SARS-CoV-2 infected participants and the perceived SARS-CoV-2 severity score (Rs=−0.087), between trust scores and feelings of safety (Rs=0.147), and perceived severity of a SARS-CoV-2 infection (Rs=0.123).

Discussion

The results indicated that inpatients experienced significant feelings of stress regarding perceived symptoms of the illness, yet this did not affect their feelings of safety, trust in healthcare staff or perception of the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Future patient-reported experience measures research is needed to give a voice to healthcare users and facilitate comparison measures internationally.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine passports: a cross-sectional conjoint experiment in Japan
Authors: Okamoto Shohei , Kamimura Kazuki , Komamura Kohei
Published: June 2022

Objectives

While the development of vaccines against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) brought hope of establishing herd immunity and ending the global pandemic, vaccine hesitancy can hinder the progress towards herd immunity. In this study, by analysing the data collected when citizens undergo public health restrictions due to the pandemic, we assess the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, reasons for hesitation and potential effectiveness of vaccine passports used to relax public health restrictions on mitigating vaccine hesitancy.

Design

Cross-sectional study, longitudinal study and conjoint experimental design.

Setting

An online survey conducted in Japan in July 2021.

Participants

A demographically representative sample of 5000 Japanese adults aged 20–74.

Primary outcome measures

COVID-19 vaccination intention

Results

We found that about 30% of respondents did not intend to get vaccinated or had not yet decided, with major reasons for vaccine hesitancy relating to concerns about the safety and side effects of the vaccine. In line with previous findings, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and psychological and behavioural factors such as weaker COVID-19 fear were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Easing of public health restrictions such as travel, wearing face masks and dining out at night was associated with an increase in vaccine acceptance by 4%–10%. Moreover, we found that more than 90% of respondents who intended to get vaccinated actually received it while smaller proportions among those undecided and unwilling to get vaccinated did so.

Conclusion

With a major concern about vaccine safety and side effects, interventions to mitigate against these may help to reduce vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, when citizens are imposed with restrictions, vaccine passports that increase their freedom may be helpful to increase vaccination rates.
Association of race/ethnicity with innate immune tumor microenvironment of children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Gilbert Julie R , Sabnis Himalee S , Radzievski Roman , Doxie Deon B , DeRyckere Deborah , Castellino Sharon M , Dhodapkar Kavita
Published: June 2022

Background

Black and Hispanic children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) experience worse outcomes compared with their non-Hispanic white (NHW) counterparts. Immune-based approaches have begun to transform the therapeutic landscape in children with B-ALL. Recent studies identified several alterations in both innate and adaptive immune cells in children with B-ALL that may impact disease risk and outcome. However, the impact of racial/ethnic background on immune microenvironment is less studied, as children of minorities background have to date been severely under-represented in such studies.

Methods

We performed high-dimensional analysis of bone marrow from 85 children with newly diagnosed B-ALL (Hispanic=29, black=18, NHW=38) using mass cytometry with 40 and 38-marker panels.

Results

Race/ethnicity-associated differences were most prominent in the innate immune compartment. Hispanic patients had significantly increased proportion of distinct mature CD57 +T-bet+DR+ NK cells compared with other cohorts. These differences were most apparent within standard risk (SR) patients with Hispanic SR patients having greater numbers of CD57 +NK cells compared with other cohorts (43% vs 26% p=0.0049). Hispanic and Black children also had distinct alterations in myeloid cells, with a significant increase in a population of non-classical activated HLA-DR +CD16+myeloid cells, previously implicated in disease progression, compared with NHW counterparts. Racial background also correlated with altered expression of inhibitory checkpoint PD-L1 on myeloid cells.

Conclusion

There are surprisingly substantial race/ethnicity-based differences in innate immune cells of children with newly diagnosed B-ALL. These differences urge the need to enhance accrual of children from minorities background in immunetherapy trials and may impact their outcome following such therapy.
Likely pathogenic structural variants in genetically unsolved patients with retinitis pigmentosa revealed by long-read sequencing
Authors: Sano Yusuke , Koyanagi Yoshito , Wong Jing Hao , Murakami Yusuke , Fujiwara Kohta , Endo Mikiko , Aoi Tomomi , Hashimoto Kazuki , Nakazawa Toru , Wada Yuko , Ueno Shinji , Gao Dan , Murakami Akira , Hotta Yoshihiro , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Nishiguchi Koji M , Momozawa Yukihide , Sonoda Koh-Hei , Akiyama Masato , Fujimoto Akihiro
Published: June 2022

Despite the successful identification of causative genes and genetic variants of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), many patients have not been molecularly diagnosed. Our recent study using targeted short-read sequencing showed that the proportion of carriers of pathogenic variants inEYS, the cause of autosomal recessive RP, was unexpectedly high in Japanese patients with unsolved RP. This result suggested that causative genetic variants, which are difficult to detect by short-read sequencing, exist in such patients. Using long-read sequencing technology (Oxford Nanopore), we analysed the whole genomes of 15 patients with RP with one heterozygous pathogenic variant inEYSdetected in our previous study along with structural variants (SVs) inEYSand another 88 RP-associated genes. Two large exon-overlapping deletions involving six exons were identified inEYSin two patients with unsolved RP. An analysis of an independent patient set (n=1189) suggested that these two deletions are not founder mutations. Our results suggest that searching for SVs by long-read sequencing in genetically unsolved cases benefits the molecular diagnosis of RP.
Temporal trends of aortic stenosis and comorbid chronic kidney disease in the province of Quebec, Canada
Authors: Khelifi Nada , Blais Claudia , Jean Sonia , Hamel Denis , Clavel Marie-Annick , Pibarot Philippe , Mac-Way Fabrice
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate temporal trends of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with incident aortic stenosis (AS) and to compare these trends with that of a matched control population.

Methods

Using the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System, we performed a population-based nested case-control study including 108 780 patients newly hospitalised with AS and 543 900 age-matched, sex-matched and fiscal year-matched patients without AS from 2000 to 2016 in Quebec (Canada). Three subgroups were considered. Dialysis subgroup had at least two outpatient billing codes of dialysis. The predialysis subgroup had at least one hospital or two billing diagnostic codes of CKD. The remaining individuals were included in the non-CKD subgroup. We estimated overall and sex-specific standardised annual proportions of CKD subgroups through direct standardisation using the 2016–2017 age structure of the incident AS cohort. The trends overtime were estimated through fitting robust Poisson regression models. Age-specific distribution of AS and control population were assessed for each subgroup.

Results

From 2000 to 2016, age-standardised proportions of patients with AS with dialysis and predialysis increased by 41% (99% CI 12.0% to 78.1%) and by 45% (99% CI 39.1% to 51.6%), respectively. Inversely, age-standardised proportions of dialysis and pre-dialysis among non-AS patients decreased by 63% (99% CI 55.8% to 68.7%) and by 32% (99% CI 29.9% to 34.6%), respectively, during the same study period. In patients with and without AS, age-standardised annual proportions of males in predialysis were significantly higher than females in most of the study period. Patients with AS on dialysis and predialysis were younger than their respective controls (dialysis: 29.6% vs 45.1% had ≥80 years, predialysis: 60.8% vs 72.7% had ≥80 years).

Conclusions

Over time, the proportion of patients with CKD increased significantly and remained consistently higher in incident AS individuals compared with controls. Our results highlight the need to investigate whether interventions targeting CKD risk factors may influence AS incidence in the future.
Segmentation and Synthesis of Embroidery Art Images Based on Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Wei Zhang , Ko Young Chun
Published: June 2022

The traditional embroidery identification technology cannot present the target image of the art network in a more comprehensive and three-dimensional manner. A research on the segmentation and synthesis of embroidery art images based on deep learning convolutional neural network is proposed. Based on the semantic image segmentation technology of deep learning, this paper analyzes the embroidery semantic image segmentation technology, obtains the information of image technology, analyzes the embroidery rendering technology of convolutional neural networks, and puts forward the embroidery rendering algorithm. In order to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, a simulation test experiment was carried out on the target content image and the embroidery art network image. The test results show that compared with the traditional method, this method has more specific and flexible image generation, stronger three-dimensional sense, closer to the real art embroidery network, and the direction of its needlework is also more hierarchical.
Classification and Model Method of Convolutional Features in Sketch Images Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Chen Jun
Published: June 2022

Aiming at the poor convergence of the current sketch image classification and unable to meet the growing network needs, a classification and model method of convolution feature in sketch image based on deep learning is proposed. Based on the classification principle of deep learning, a classification experiment was carried out on the semantic features of sketch works through the analysis of convolution neural network, convolution feature model, convolution and sketch extraction boundary. The experimental results show that the proposed convolution classification and recognition method is better than the traditional classification method and has higher accuracy in dimensionality reduction and error rate detection than the traditional method. It can better meet the needs of network intelligent processing of sketch image feature classification.
Pupil Detection Using Hybrid Vision Transformer
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Changyuan , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2022

Pupil detection is an indispensable part of the process of eye-tracking. Due of the limitation of existing methods on pupil image quality, we propose a pupil detection method using vision transformer with a hybrid structure. We first extract the local features of the image with CNN, and then obtain the global dependence through the encoder of the transformer, to excavate more accurate information on pupil position. We trained and tested the proposed model on 10 600 images from three publicly available datasets and compared with other pupil detection models. The analysis of the outcomes demonstrated that the hybrid vision transformer was superior to these comparison approaches in terms of accuracy and robustness in locating the pupil position. It achieved a detection rate of more than 90% for pupils within a 5-pixel error in all evaluated datasets.
2-knot homology and Roseman move
Authors: Matsuda Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

Ng constructed an invariant of knots in [Formula: see text], a combinatorial knot contact homology. Extending his study, we construct an invariant of surface-knots in [Formula: see text] using diagrams in [Formula: see text].
A framework for the next generation of stationary cosmological models
Authors: sanejouand Yves-Henri
Published: June 2022

According to a new tired-light cosmological model, where [Formula: see text], the number density of galaxies has been nearly constant over the last 10[Formula: see text]Gyr, at least, meaning that, as far as galaxy counts are concerned, the Universe has been stationary. In this context, an analysis of the luminosity distances of quasars and supernovae Ia shows that the Universe is far from being as transparent as assumed nowadays, the photon lifetime along the line-of-sight being one third of the Hubble time. Such a “low” value could mean that there are huge amounts of grey dust in the inter galactic medium, that have so far escaped detection. It could also be a signature of “new physics,” namely, a consequence of the decay of photons into lighter particles.

The tired-light model advocated in this study would be falsified if, for instance, the time-dilation of remote events was shown to have a general character, that is, if it were definitely observed for phenomena other than the light curves of supernovae Ia. On the other hand, further developments are needed in order to turn this model into an actual cosmology. In particular, the physical origin of the current stability of the Universe on galactic scales remains to be identified.
Temperature anisotropy of the CMBR and the nonzero cosmological constant
Authors: Schee Jan , Boj Evariste N.
Published: June 2022

In this article, we analyze the effect of a spherically symmetrical clump on the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation temperature in the framework of the standard model of cosmology with a nonzero cosmological constant [Formula: see text] and we show that it weakens the Rees–Sciama effect.
Luminescence and nonlinear optical properties of stable MAPbBr3 quantum dots in SiO2 mesopores
Authors: Wu Yanwen , Xiang Guangbiao , Zhang Man , Shan Baojie , Miao Xiaona , Leng Jiancai , Wei Dongmei , Chen Cheng , Ma Hong
Published: June 2022

MAPbBr3 quantum dots in SiO2 mesopores ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) were prepared by the spin-coating method, and their luminescence and nonlinear optical properties were studied by time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and Z-scan techniques. The results showed that the absorption and photoluminescence peaks are at 464[Formula: see text]nm and 476[Formula: see text]nm, respectively. The TRPL spectroscopy showed two relaxation processes, a short lifetime (1.04[Formula: see text]ns) and a long lifetime (4.49[Formula: see text]ns), attributed to the trap–capture recombination and the electron–hole radiative recombination, respectively. Two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficient was 529[Formula: see text]cm/GW at 800[Formula: see text]nm. The nonlinear signal changed from TPA to saturable absorption with increase in light intensity.
CHIRAL GROWTH OF THIN BIOMATERIALS INDUCED BY ANISOTROPIC STRUCTURAL MECHANICS
Authors: ZHAO HUICHUAN , ZHANG YINGBIN , BIAN LICHUN , ZHANG TAO , TONG GUOJUN , DAI PENGSHUAI
Published: June 2022

Chiral growth is ubiquitous in nature and has always been of great interest in the field of biomimetic and man-made materials, but its formation mechanism is complex. In order to clarify this mechanism, with the help of the plate theory and the theory from differential geometry, we established a new theoretical model that can be used to describe the interaction between anisotropic elasticity and anisotropic residual stress of slender biomaterials and provide additional insight onto the mechanical mechanism of biomaterial’s morphological chiral growth. Based on these results, it appears that misfit of material properties and residual stresses may create various chiral morphologies, like helices and twisting belts. It is found here that the cooperative and competitive interactions between anisotropic elasticity and anisotropic residual stress can also give rise to chiral morphologies, and macro shapes, sizes, and handedness of chiral morphologies can be designed by residual stresses orientation angles and elastic parameters of biomaterials. This theoretical model is in good agreement with the recent experiments and can provide theoretical guidance for the design of medical-assisted soft robots.
DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF HAND–EYE COORDINATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ACUPUNCTURE ROBOT
Authors: WU KAIYU , LI BING , ZHANG YONGDE
Published: June 2022

Aiming at the problems of the acupuncture robot’s difficulty in positioning acupoints and poor acupuncture accuracy, a hand–eye coordination control method is proposed in this paper. First, according to the specificity of acupuncture, a label-based acupoint positioning method was designed, and then the task of acupuncture acupoints was transformed into acupuncture with specific shapes of labels. Second, the vision subsystem was designed from detection, to label contour matching, to multi-label recognition based on tracking algorithm. Last, according to the control signal amount processed by the vision subsystem, the image Jacobian matrix, and the strategy of monocular hierarchical control, the main hand–eye coordination problem of the fixed-point needling in the acupuncture task is completed. The experimental results show that the method is used for acupuncture and acupuncture puncture with better puncture effect and higher positioning accuracy, which can meet the needs of acupuncture tasks.
Managing U.S.-China Technological Decoupling
Authors: Lu Chuanying , Zhang Luyao
Published: June 2022

“Technological decoupling” has become a key factor that affects China-U.S. relations. The United States has been trying to cut its ties with China in the field of emerging technologies in an attempt to win the bilateral strategic competition. Compared with traditional high technologies, emerging technologies have lots of uncertain implications, and the security problems brought by these technologies have made the United States fall into the dilemma of “insecurity.” As a result, successive U.S. administrations view “decoupling” as both a strategic move to address challenges from emerging technologies and a means to suppress China’s development. Taken together, national security, ideology, and competition in the digital industry are distinct motivations behind the U.S. technological decoupling with China. Toward this end, the United States has formulated whole-of-government and whole-of-society measures, aiming at decoupling through a combination of domestic and foreign policy tools. As the target of technological decoupling, China holds the belief that the U.S. policy is a strategic misjudgment which is incompatible with the development trends of emerging technologies. Instead, China and the United States should strengthen their collaboration at levels of technology, industry, security, and ideology to reduce the risk of miscalculation and enhance ties in emerging technologies.
High-intensity exercise and passive hot water immersion cause similar postintervention changes in peripheral and cerebral shear
Authors: Amin Sachin B. , Hansen Alexander B. , Mugele Hendrik , Simpson Lydia L. , Marume Kyohei , Moore Jonathan P. , Cornwell William K. , Lawley Justin S.
Published: June 2022

The study aimed to compare shear rates in lower limb and extracranial cerebral blood vessels for up to 80 min after high-intensity exercise and whole body passive hot water immersion (PHWI). Time- and core temperature-matched high-intensity exercise and whole body PHWI both elicited minimal, but comparable, postintervention changes in cerebral artery shear rate. Furthermore, 30 min of PHWI caused a postintervention increase in femoral shear rate similar to high-intensity exercise; however, femoral shear remained slightly elevated for a longer period after high-intensity exercise. These results suggest that PHWI provides postintervention changes in lower limb peripheral shear rates comparable to intense exercise and is likely a therapeutic alternative in individuals unable to perform exercise.
Application of the Neural Network Based on the Multilayer Perceptron Genetic Algorithm in Chinese-English Two-Way Translation
Authors: Yu Yuxiu
Published: June 2022

With the increasing application of the perceptron genetic algorithm neural network in Chinese-English two-way translation, there are many translation problems to be solved. In order to solve the translation problem of Chinese-English parallel corpus, the multilayer perceptron method, genetic word alignment model (GA), language model, and neural network method (including the translation model and bilingual pretraining model) are designed, which are combined into the ga-mlp-nn combination model to measure the parallelism of Chinese and English sentences from different emphases. The results show that the ga-mlp-nn model has good performance in filtering high-quality parallel corpus. The final experimental results show that compared with a single system, the improved multisystem fusion method based on weight multiplication has achieved better results in the test set. In the last five groups of evaluation results, the system submitted in this paper ranks second and first in multiple datasets, which has a certain reference value for the research of corpus filtering.
Bibliometric Analysis of Network Pharmacology in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Miao Runpei , Meng Qinggang , Wang Chennan , Yuan Wenjing
Published: June 2022

Aim. We evaluated the developmental process, research status, and existing challenges of network pharmacology. Moreover, we elucidated the corresponding solutions to improve and develop network pharmacology. Methods. Research data for the current study were retrieved from the Web of Science. The developmental process of network pharmacology was analyzed using HisCite, whereas cooccurrence analysis of countries, institutions, keywords, and references in literature was conducted using CiteSpace. Results. In literature, there was a trend of annual increase of studies on network pharmacology and China was found to be the country with the most published literature on network pharmacology. The main publishing research institutions were universities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The keywords with more research frequency were TCM, mechanisms, molecular docking, and quercetin, among others. Conclusion. Currently, studies on network pharmacology are mainly associated with the exploration of action mechanisms of TCM. The main active ingredient in many Chinese medicines is quercetin. This ingredient may lead to deviation of research results, inability to truly analyze active ingredients, and even mislead the research direction of TCM. Such deviation may be because the database fails to reflect the content and composition changes of Chinese medicinal components. The database does not account for interactions among components, targets, and diseases, and it ignores the different pathological states of the disease. Therefore, network pharmacology should be improved from the databases and research methods.
Vericiguat Modulates Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption via a Balance between VASP and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Sun Kaiqiang , Kong Fanqi , Lin Feng , Li Fudong , Sun Jingchuan , Ren Changzhen , Zheng Bing , Shi Jiangang
Published: June 2022

Bone homeostasis has been a dynamic equilibrium between osteoclasts (OCs) and osteoblasts (OBs). However, excessive activation of OCs could disturb the bone homeostasis. As a result, effective medical interventions for patients are greatly demanding. NO/guanylate cyclase (GC)/cGMP signaling cascade has been previously reported to regulate bone metabolism, and GC plays a significantly critical role. Vericiguat, as a novel oral soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, has been firstly reported in 2020 to treat patients with heart failure. Nevertheless, the biological effects of Vericiguat on the function of OCs have not yet been explored. In this present study, we found that Vericiguat with the concentration between 0 and 8 μM was noncytotoxic to bone marrow-derived monocyte-macrophage lineage (BMMs). Vericiguat could enhance the differentiation of OCs at concentration of 500 nM, whereas it inhibited OC differentiation at 8 μM. In addition, Vericiguat also showed dual effects on OC fusion and bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a molecular assay suggested that the dual regulatory effects of Vericiguat on OCs were mediated by the bidirectional activation of the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our present study demonstrated the dual effects of Vericiguat on the formation of functional OCs. The regulatory effects of Vericiguat on OCs were achieved by the bidirectional modulation of the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway, and a potential balance between the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway and sGC/cGMP/VASP may exist.
Frequency of rpoB, katG, and inhA Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Isolates among Ethiopian TB Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Seid Aynias , Berhane Nega , Nureddin Semira
Published: June 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of mortality and the first killer among infectious diseases of poverty (IDoPs) worldwide. It disproportionately affects on-third of the world’s low-income countries including Ethiopia. One of the factors driving the TB epidemic is the global rise of MDR/XDR-TB and their low detection affect the global TB control progress. Recently, the resistance-associated genetic mutations in MTBC known to confer drug resistance have been detected by rapid molecular diagnostic tests and sequencing methods. In this article, the published literature searched by PubMed database from 2010 to 2021 and English language were considered. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of the most common rpoB, katG, and inhA gene mutations associated with multidrug resistance in MTBC clinical strains among TB patients in Ethiopia. Though 22 studies met our eligibility criteria, only 6 studies were included in the final analysis. Using the molecular GenoType MTBDRplus and MTBDRsl line probe assay and sequencing procedures, a total of 932 culture-positive MTBC isolates were examined to determine RIF, INH, and MDR-TB resistance patterns along with rpoB, katG, and inhA gene mutation analysis. As a result, among the genotypically tested MTBC isolates, 119 (12.77%), 83 (8.91%), and 73 (7.32%) isolates were INH, RIF, and MDR-TB resistant, respectively. In any RIF-resistant MTBC strains, the most common single point mutations were in codon 531 (S531L) followed by codon 526 (H526Y) of the rpoB gene. Besides, the most common mutations in any INH-resistant MTBC were strains observed at codon 315 (S315T) and WT probe in the katG gene and at codon C15T and WT1 probe in the inhA promoter region. Detection of resistance allele in rpoB, KatG, and inhA genes for RIF and INH could serve as a marker for MDR-TB strains. Tracking the most common S531L, S315T, and C15T mutations in rpoB, katG, and inhA genes among RIF- and INH-resistant isolates would be valuable in TB diagnostics and treatment regimens, and could reduce the development and risk of MDR/XDR-TB drug-resistance patterns.
Dynamic Contagion of Systemic Risk in an Endogenous Banking System
Authors: Qiu Longmiao , Wang Chao , Ma Jing , Liu Xiaoxing
Published: June 2022

An endogenous banking system is proposed based on dynamic mechanisms of interbank loans and investment strategies to explore the behavioral incentives of diversification and its effects on systemic risk. The results highlight the advantages of different diversification strategies for different environments in preventing contagions of systemic risk. The evidence from the interbank market shows that big banks are more crucial for systemic risk prevention, and the intermediate scale of big banks is optimal for a stable banking system. As for the investment market, evidence shows that regulatory intervention should pay attention to the appropriate risk attitude for individual banks to promote systemic stability. These results provide a perspective of behavioral supervision for preventing contagions of systemic risk and indicate some reference for promoting the systemic stability of the banking system.
Machine Learning Techniques in the Sound Design for Later Stage of Film Based on Computer Intelligence
Authors: Zhang Tian
Published: June 2022

This study analyses the connotation of sound design in the later stages of the film and how to grasp the truth of art under subjective creative thinking in order to improve the effect of sound design in the later stages of the film and then proposes multiple methods of sound element selection and organisation, as well as sound element combination modes, in order to improve the effect of sound design in the later stages of the film. Furthermore, in the final stages of the film, this study incorporates digital and intelligent technologies to create a sound design system. Furthermore, in the final stages of the film, this study examines a number of technologies and picks the right sound design. Finally, this article blends experimental research with system performance analysis. The sound design system based on computer intelligence suggested in this study has a specific influence, as shown by the experimental investigation.
Research on the Combination Optimization Method of Aircraft Climb Parameters Considering the Influence of Pollution Emissions
Authors: Na Wang , Zhiqiang Wei , Xiaolan Han
Published: June 2022

In order to find the optimum climb parameters for decreasing aircraft pollution emissions, we establish a calculation model of aircraft pollutant emissions to thoroughly examine the economy of aircraft operation and its impact on the environment, based on the International Civil Aviation Organization reference emission data and Boeing Method 2 which can calculate pollutant emissions in different flight phases by correcting the ICAO emission data. Firstly, we propose the concept of integrated flight cost considering the effect of emissions and establish its calculation model. Secondly, we establish the climb speed optimization models based on the traditional flight cost and integrated flight cost. Then, we analyze the effect of climb performance on the integrated flight cost. Next, we establish a combined optimization model of indicated airspeed and thrust using the genetic algorithm. The model simulation and result analysis are carried out using a wide-body aircraft. Finally, we analyze the effect of the optimization parameters and the sensitivity of the pollution index. The results show that the decrease in the flight speed and thrust effectively reduces the cost of pollutant emission during flight. The combination of (Vc, Tr) with the smallest integrated flight cost reduces the integrated flight cost by 1.28% and emission cost by 4.56%.
A Novel Necroptosis‐Related lncRNA Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Response of Glioma
Authors: Wu Zhikang , Liu Meimei , Fu Jinlong , Li Jinwei , Qin Lingyao , Wu Liuying , Chen Hongmou , Yan Xianlei , Liu Quan , Zheng Jiemin
Published: June 2022

Glioma is one of the most common intracranial malignancies that plagues people around the world. Despite current improvements in treatment, the prognosis of glioma is often unsatisfactory. Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death. As research progresses, the role of necroptosis in tumors has gradually attracted the attention of researchers. And lncRNA is regarded as a critical role in the development of cancer. Therefore, this study is aimed at establishing a prognostic model based on necroptosis‐associated lncRNAs to accurately assess the prognosis and immune response of patients with glioma. The RNA sequences of glioma patients and normal brain samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GTEx databases, respectively. The coexpression analysis was performed to identify the necroptosis‐related lncRNAs. Then, we utilized LASSO analysis following univariate Cox analysis to construct a prognostic model. Subsequently, we applied the Kaplan‐Meier curve, time‐dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC), and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to assess the effectiveness of this model. And the functional enrichment analyses and immune‐related analyses were employed to investigate the potential biological functions. A validation set was obtained from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database. And qRT‐PCR was employed to further validate the expression levels of selected necroptosis‐associated lncRNAs. Seven necroptosis‐related lncRNAs (FAM13A‐AS1, JMJD1C‐AS1, LBX2‐AS1, ZBTB20‐AS4, HAR1A, SNHG14, and LINC00900) were determined to construct a prognostic model. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.871, 0.901, and 0.911 at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The risk score was shown to be an important independent predictor in both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Through functional enrichment analyses, we found that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in protein binding and signaling‐related biological functions and immune‐associated pathways. In conclusion, we established and validated a novel necroptosis‐related lncRNA signature, which could accurately predict the overall survival of glioma patients and serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Smart Service System for Youth Health and National Traditional Sports Based on Big Data
Authors: Feng Qingkun , Ren Bo , Wang Lijun
Published: June 2022

The physical health of adolescents is directly related to the rise and fall of the country, the hope of the nation, and their own healthy growth. It is a focal issue that the country, society, schools, and families have always paid close attention to. Based on big data, this paper explores the intelligent service system of youth health and national traditional sports. The national traditional sports culture is based on the national traditional sports as the carrier to reflect the sum of the educational wisdom and sports connection and practical ability of all ethnic groups. This article first introduces health big data and the traditional sports culture of the nation. And a health status evaluation model based on multivariate Gaussian distribution is proposed, which adopts Gaussian distribution theory. Based on the multivariate Gaussian distribution model, the probability distribution of physiological big data features is calculated, and then according to the probability of feature points. It constructs a health status assessment model by dividing characteristic probability intervals. Finally, the influence of traditional sports on the physical and mental health of college students is analyzed and studied. The experimental results show that college students must insist on traditional sports more than 2 times a week, preferably no less than 1 hour a day, which has a significant effect on improving the mental health of college students.