bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When is the optimal time to discharge patients after liver transplantation with respect to short‐term outcomes? A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations
Authors: Tanaka Tomohiro , Reichman Trevor W. , Olmos Andrea , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Mrzljak Anna , Spiro Michael , Raptis Dimitri Aristotle , Berlakovich Gabriela ,   the ERAS4OLT.org Working Group
Published: April 2022

Background

Several factors associated with prolonged hospital stay have been described. A recent study demonstrated that hospital length of stay (LOS) is directly associated with an increased cost for liver transplantation (LT) and may be associated with greater mortality; however, the factors associated with post‐LT mortality are also related to a prolonged hospital stay, that is, those factors are confounders. Thus, the actual impact of the length of post‐LT hospital stay on both short‐term and long‐term patient and graft survival remains uncertain.

Objectives

To identify the optimal time to discharge patients after LT with respect to short‐term outcomes; readmission rate, 30–90‐mortality and morbidity.

Methods

Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and recommendations using the GRADE approach derived from an international expert panel. Initial search keywords for screening were as follows; ((discharge AND (time OR “time point” OR “time‐point”)) OR “length of hospital stay” OR “length of stay”) AND ((liver OR hepatic) AND (transplant OR transplantation)). PROSPERO ID: CRD42021245598

Results

The strength of recommendation was rated as Weak, and we did not identify the direction of recommendations regarding the optimal timing after LT concerning short‐term outcomes, including “Readmission rate,” six studies on 30‐ and/or 90‐day mortality, and five studies on “30‐ and/or 90‐day morbidity rate.”

Conclusions

Evidence is scarce to judge the optimal timing to discharge patients after LT with respect to short‐term outcomes. In centers with robust outpatient follow‐up, discharge can occur safely as early as post‐transplant 6–8 days (Quality of Evidence [QOE]; Low | Grade of Recommendation; Weak).
Postpartum screening of women with GDM in specialised practices: Data from 12,991 women in the GestDiab register
Authors: Linnenkamp Ute , Greiner Gregory Gordon , Haastert Burkhard , Adamczewski Heinke , Kaltheuner Matthias , Weber Dietmar , Icks Andrea
Published: April 2022

Background

Gestational diabetes (GDM) in the short term is associated with various complications during pregnancy; however, in the long run, women have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, short‐ and long‐term follow‐up postpartum is recommended.

Methods

We assessed the proportion of postpartum diabetes screening among 12,991 women with their first GDM‐diagnosed pregnancy in the study period in the nationwide German GestDiab register between 2015 and 2017. In addition to assessing prevalence, we assessed if the probability of postpartum screening was associated with maternal characteristics or pregnancy outcomes.

Results

In total, 38.2% (95% CI 32.8%–43.7%) of our sample underwent postpartum diabetes screening, irrespective of its timing. Around 50% of women (19.3% of the total sample) undertook the screening in the recommended time frame of 6–12 weeks postpartum. We found that age, native language, pre‐pregnancy BMI, smoking status, number of previous pregnancies, fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels as well as previous pregnancies with GDM and treatment with insulin were associated with participation in the postpartum diabetes screening in our sample.

Conclusion

In our study, more than 60% of the women with GDM did not participate in postpartum diabetes screening. This is a missed opportunity in a high‐risk population to detect glucose intolerance. Consequently, appropriate interventions to prevent the progression to T2DM cannot be initiated. Further research should investigate barriers and enabling factors and allow developing a multilevel approach for GDM postpartum care.
Ceratocystisand related genera causing wilt of Cunninghamia lanceolataYunnan, China
Authors: Li Xue , He Shuqi , Gao Yang , Xing Shijun , Ren Huan , Yang Hui , Gao Yating , Wang Jiangyin , Li Nengping , Duan Jinfeng , Yang Jing , Huang Qiong
Published: April 2022

Species of Ceratocystis and allied genera are pathogens of many trees, including Cunninghamia lanceolata. During a survey of 2020, we found a serious wilt disease of C. lanceolata in Yunnan Province, China. Three different fungi resembling Ceratocystis and allied genera were consistently isolated from discoloured foliage and stems on C. lanceolata. Morphological and DNA sequence comparisons based on 60S and LSU gene regions showed that the pathogens were Ceratocystis and related species. We included 4 isolates identified as C. acaciivora = C. manginecans, 10 isolates identified as Berkeleyomyces basicola ≡ Thielaviopsis basicola, and 1 isolate identified as Chalaropsis sp., from 3 geographical locations. Pathogenicity tests on potted plants showed that all three species were pathogenic. To our knowledge, this is the first report Ceratocystis acaciivora,B. basicola and Chalaropsis sp. causing C. lanceolata wilt in China.
On the role of forests and the forest sector for climate change mitigation in Sweden
Authors: Petersson Hans , Ellison David , Appiah Mensah Alex , Berndes Göran , Egnell Gustaf , Lundblad Mattias , Lundmark Tomas , Lundström Anders , Stendahl Johan , Wikberg Per‐Erik
Published: April 2022

We analyse the short‐ and long‐term consequences for atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations of forest management strategies and forest product uses in Sweden by comparing the modelled consequences of forest resource use vs. increased conservation at different levels of GHG savings from carbon sequestration and product substitution with bioenergy and other forest products. Increased forest set‐asides for conservation resulted in larger GHG reductions only in the short term and only when substitution effects were low. In all other cases, forest use was more beneficial. In all scenarios, annual carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration rates declined in conservation forests as they mature, eventually approaching a steady state. Forest set‐asides are thus associated with increasing opportunity costs corresponding to foregone wood production and associated mitigation losses. Substitution and sequestration rates under all other forest management strategies rise, providing support for sustained harvest and cumulative mitigation gains. The impact of increased fertilization was everywhere beneficial to the climate and surpassed the mitigation potential of the other scenarios. Climate change can have large—positive or negative—influence on outcomes. Despite uncertainties, the results indicate potentially large benefits from forest use for wood production. These benefits, however, are not clearly linked with forestry in UNFCCC reporting, and the European Union's Land Use, Land‐Use Change and Forestry carbon accounting, framework may even prevent their full realization. These reporting and accounting frameworks may further have the consequence of encouraging land set‐asides and reduced forest use at the expense of future biomass production. Further, carbon leakage and resulting biodiversity impacts due to increased use of more GHG‐intensive products, including imported products associated with deforestation and land degradation, are inadequately assessed. Considerable opportunity to better mobilize the climate change mitigation potential of Swedish forests therefore remains.
The response of dual‐species bacterial biofilm to 2% and 5% NaOCl mixed with etidronic acid: A laboratory real‐time evaluation using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Borges Mariana Maciel Batista , Dijkstra René J. B. , de Andrade Flaviana Bombarda , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro , Versluis Michel , van der Sluis Lucas W. M. , Petridis Xenos
Published: April 2022

Aim

The addition of etidronic acid (HEDP) to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) could increase the antibiofilm potency of the irrigant, whilst maintaining the benefits of continuous chelation. Studies conducted so far have shown that mixing HEDP with NaOCl solutions of relatively low concentration does not compromise the antibiofilm efficacy of the irrigant. However, the working lifespan of NaOCl may decrease resulting in a reduction of its antibiofilm efficacy over time (efficiency). In this regard, continuous irrigant replenishment needs to be examined. This study investigated the response of a dual‐species biofilm when challenged with 2% and 5% NaOCl mixed with HEDP for a prolonged timespan and under steady laminar flow.

Methodology

Dual‐species biofilms comprised of Streptococcus oralis J22 and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V‐J1 were grown on human dentine discs in a constant depth film fermenter (CDFF) for 96 h. Biofilms were treated with 2% and 5% NaOCl, alone or mixed with HEDP. Irrigants were applied under steady laminar flow for 8 min. Biofilm response was evaluated by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT). Biofilm removal, biofilm disruption, rate of biofilm loss and disruption as well as bubble formation were assessed. One‐way anova, Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were performed for statistical analysis of the data. The level of significance was set at a ≤.05.

Results

Increasing NaOCl concentration resulted in increased biofilm removal and disruption, higher rate of biofilm loss and disruption and increased bubble formation. Mixing HEDP with NaOCl caused a delay in the antibiofilm action of the latter, without compromising its antibiofilm efficacy.

Conclusions

NaOCl concentration dictates the biofilm response irrespective of the presence of HEDP. The addition of HEDP resulted in a delay in the antibiofilm action of NaOCl. This delay affects the efficiency, but not the efficacy of the irrigant over time.
Novel pearl millet couscous process for West African markets using a low‐cost single‐screw extruder
Authors: Moussa Moustapha , Ponrajan Amudhan , Campanella Osvaldo H. , Okos Martin R. , Martinez Mario M. , Hamaker Bruce R.
Published: April 2022

Traditional West African pearl millet couscous products are popular; however, their preparation is laborious, time‐consuming and energy‐demanding, involving agglomeration, steaming, drying and sieving steps. In this study, a process was developed to produce millet couscous using a high pressure, high temperature and low‐cost single‐screw extruder. The innovation was to directly process the cooked low‐moisture extrudate to a couscous product by drying and milling to the appropriate particle size (ranging between 1 and 2 mm). Throughput for the traditional process as prepared for commercial sale is 50 kg per day, but with the same amount of labour, the extrusion process yields ~350 kg per day. A consumer sensory study held in Niamey (Niger) showed that the extruded millet couscous was comparable to traditional couscous, though this was dependent on selection of the proper millet variety. This novel extrusion process could stimulate small‐ to medium‐scale manufacturing of couscous and couscous‐type products in West Africa.
Characteristics of silver carp surimi gel under high temperature (≥100 °C): quality changes, water distribution and protein pattern
Authors: Jiang Qixing , Wu Wenmin , Han Jingwen , Chung Hau Yin , Gao Pei , Yu Dawei , Yu Peipei , Xu Yanshun , Xia Wenshui
Published: April 2022

The effects of high‐temperature treatments (100–125 °C) on the properties of silver carp surimi gel were studied. The results showed that the gel strength and water holding capacity (WHC) of surimi gel decreased significantly (P < 0.05), with the increase of heating temperature and the prolongation of heating time, and the higher the temperature, the greater the decrease trend. Hydrophobic interaction and disulphide bonds decreased significantly, while ionic bonds increased significantly (P < 0.05), as well as β‐sheet increased while β‐turn and coil decreased significantly, which confirmed the changes of protein secondary structure caused by high‐temperature treatments. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) and actin bands gradually narrowed, and the production of new bands larger than 250 kDa by SDS‐PAGE showed the aggregation and cross‐linking reaction of proteins. However, the increased band intensity of 50–75 kDa and the increase of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble peptides showed the degradation of proteins. The decrease of PT22 and the increase of PT23 indicated the conversion of immobilised water to free water in the gel matrix. In conclusion, high‐temperature heating caused the changes of protein secondary structure as well as chemical forces and water conversion, resulting in protein denaturation, aggregation, cross‐linking and degradation, forming a loosen and irregular gel network.
The immune response to COVID‐19: Does sex matter?
Authors: Ho Jim Q. , Sepand Mohammad Reza , Bigdelou Banafsheh , Shekarian Tala , Esfandyarpour Rahim , Chauhan Prashant , Serpooshan Vahid , Beura Lalit K. , Hutter Gregor , Zanganeh Steven
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes COVID‐19 and has a complex interaction with the immune system, including growing evidence of sex‐specific differences in the immune response. Sex‐disaggregated analyses of epidemiological data indicate that males experience more severe symptoms and suffer higher mortality from COVID‐19 than females. Many behavioural risk factors and biological factors may contribute to the different immune response. This review examines the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the context of sex, with emphasis on potential biological mechanisms explaining differences in clinical outcomes. Understanding sex differences in the pathophysiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection will help promote the development of specific strategies to manage the disease.
Defect engineering in rare‐earth‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics: Route to high‐temperature stability of colossal permittivity
Authors: Meng Yingzhi , Liu Kang , Zhang Xiuyun , Lei Xiuyun , Chen Jun , Yang Zhao , Peng Biaolin , Long Changbai , Liu Laijun , Li Chunchun
Published: April 2022

High‐performance colossal‐permittivity (CP) materials have huge potential applications in the miniaturization of electronic components and high‐energy storage applications. Here, we report CP behavior in rare‐earth Ln‐doped BaTiO3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er) ceramics. CP (>1 × 105) and low loss (<5% at 1 kHz) were achieved. Additionally, all ceramic samples with excellent temperature stability over a wide temperature range (25–250°C). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified the existence of point defects (Ti3+ and ) in Ln‐doped BaTiO3 ceramic samples annealed in an N2 atmosphere. Electron paramagnetic resonance further demonstrated the existence of Ti3+. The coupling of point defects forms an electron‐pinned defect‐dipoles (EPDD) effect and induces strong hopping polarization. In addition, an internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) effect and a surface barrier layer capacitor (SBLC) effect are identified by impedance spectroscopy and DC bias voltage. The CP is attributed to the combined effect of EPDD, IBLC, and SBLC. Furthermore, the high‐temperature stability of CP is related to the strong coupling of defect‐dipole complexes.
Genetics of Cushing's disease
Authors: Simon Julia , Theodoropoulou Marily
Published: April 2022

Corticotroph tumours are primarily sporadic monoclonal neoplasms and only rarely found in genetic syndromes. Recurrent mutations in the ubiquitin specific protease 8 (USP8) gene are found in around half of cases. Mutations in other genes such as USP48 and NR3C1 are less frequent, found in less than ~20% of cases. TP53 and ATXR mutations are reported in up to one out of four cases, when focusing in USP8 wild type or aggressive corticotroph tumours and carcinomas. At present, USP8 mutations are the primary driver alterations in sporadic corticotroph tumours, TP53 and ATXR mutations may indicate transition to more aggressive tumour phenotype. Next generation sequencing efforts have identified additional genomic alterations, whose role and importance in corticotroph tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated.
Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes involved in the inflammageing status of gingiva in aged mice
Authors: Chen Zhen , Huang Zimo , Zhao Xiaowei , Zhou Yi , Zhang Ping , Li Yuhong
Published: April 2022

Objective

To identify immune‐inflammation‐related genes related to susceptibility to periodontitis in the gingiva of aged mice with RNA sequencing.

Methods

Gingival samples from 18‐month‐old, 8‐week‐old healthy mice and 8‐week‐old mice with periodontitis were taken for RNA‐seq. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated with qRT‐PCR using mouse and human gingival samples.

Results

977 (upregulated) and 1824 (downregulated) genes were identified in the old compared with the young mice. 14.2% were related to immune‐inflammatory responses. This proportion of overlap (ageing and periodontitis)‐DEGs was higher (48.4%). Enrichment analysis of overlap (ageing and periodontitis)‐DEGs showed that the top five GO and KEGG terms were related to the immune‐inflammatory responses, and disease analysis was more specific to periodontitis. The candidate genes of overlap (ageing and periodontitis)‐DEGs selected by protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network showed the higher match with clinical data sets. By qRT‐PCR, nine candidate genes were identified as hub genes that are associated with susceptibility to periodontitis in the elderly, including CXCL3, CXCL5, CSF3, CSF3R, FPR1, IL1B, OSM, SERPINE1 and SELP.

Conclusion

Our studies provide insights into the mechanisms by which ageing affects the immune‐inflammatory status of gingival tissues, thereby increasing the risk of periodontitis. It may become targets for future prevention of periodontitis.
Minimally Invasive Percutaneous TightRope® System Fixation for an Unstable Posterior Pelvic Ring: Clinical Follow‐up and Biomechanical Studies
Authors: Gu Feng , Zhang Jiting , Sui Zhenjiang , Zhang Ke , Xie Xiaoping , Yu Tiecheng
Published: April 2022

Objective

To evaluate the mechanical stability and clinical efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous TightRope® systems applied via gun‐shaped reduction forceps for unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures.

Materials and methods

This study consists of two parts: a clinical retrospective study and a randomized controlled biomechanical test. For the clinical study, a retrospective analysis of posterior pelvic ring fractures was performed between June 2015 and May 2020. Eighteen patients underwent surgery using two TightRope® systems to fix a broken posterior pelvic ring because of unstable AO type C1 and C2 pelvic ring fractures. The patients were followed up for at least 2 years, and all patients were evaluated using the Majeed scoring system and vertical displacement. In the biomechanical tests, six embalmed adult pelvic specimens were used. The fractures were subjected to TightRope®, IS screw, and TBP fixation in a randomized block design. The specimens were placed in a biomechanical testing machine in a standing neutral posture. A cyclic vertical load of up to 500 N was applied, and the displacement of the specimens was recorded by the testing machine. The ultimate load in each group of specimens was recorded. The displacement and ultimate load were compared and analyzed by statistical methods.

Results

At a mean follow‐up of 38.89 ± 8.72 months, the functional Majeed score was excellent in 14 patients and good in four patients. The final radiological examinations showed that the outcome was excellent in 14 patients and good in four patients. In these patients, no serious clinical complications were found. Weight‐bearing was delayed in four patients. In biomechanical tests, the displacement of the specimens fixed with TightRope® was significantly lower than that of the specimens fixed with TBP (P < 0.05) when the load ranged from 300 to 500 N. The displacement in the IS screw group was significantly lower than that in either the TBP or TightRope® group (P < 0.05) when the load ranged from 0 to 500 N. The ultimate load in the IS screw group (1798 ± 83.53 N) was significantly greater than that in the TBP group (1352 ± 74.41 N) (t = 9.78, P < 0.0001) and the TightRope® group (1347 ± 54.28 N) (t = 11.11, P < 0.0001). However, no significant difference was observed between the TightRope® and TBP groups (t = 0.13, P = 0.90).

Conclusion

Percutaneous posterior TightRope® system shows strong stability in mechanical experiments and shows good results in clinical follow‐up while this system has certain advantages in lower surgical requirements and lower risk of related nerve and vascular structural damage.
The matricellular protein decorin delivered intradermally with coacervate improves wound resolution in the CXCR3‐deficient mouse model of hypertrophic scarring
Authors: Sylakowski Kyle , Hwang Mintai Peter , Justin Amritha , Whaley Diana , Wang Yadong , Wells Alan
Published: April 2022

Cutaneous wound healing is an intricate orchestration of three overlapping phases of repair that encompass numerous cell types, signalling cascades, and microenvironment modifications to reach a successful resolution. Disruption of any of these steps will create an abnormal healing response resulting in either ulceration or excessive scarring. It has become evident that the extracellular matrix and its associated components are key orchestrators during this process. One of these essential matrix proteins is decorin, a small leucine‐rich proteoglycan (SLRP) that acts as a regulator of collagen fibrillogenesis and a non‐competitive inhibitor of multiple growth factors signalling cascades. Decorin is a necessary shut‐off switch for the pro‐reparative mechanism of the tissue replacement phase and limits the occurrence of hypertrophic scarring by preventing excessive repair. We investigated the use of decorin as a therapeutic by administering the matrix protein anchored in a slow‐release coacervate in a hypertrophic scarring mouse model. The results show that early wound healing phase measurements exhibit little difference in performance compared to our coacervate‐only baseline or HB‐EGF‐treated control mice. However, during the resolution phase of wound healing, the decorin‐treatment significantly reduces cutaneous thickness, enhances collagen alignment, and improves overall wound scoring in the mice. Thus, mice treated with decorin display better healing outcomes and could limit the hypertrophic scarring phenotype in the coacervate only, and HB‐EGF controls. These results suggest that decorin may be a promising tool and alternative therapy for patients who suffer from over‐exuberant matrix deposition during wound healing.
Commentary on achievement of first life‐saving xenoheart transplant
Authors: Rothblatt Martine
Published: April 2022

Two months of post‐transplant survival were achieved in an end‐stage heart disease patient with a porcine heart from a pig whose genome had been modified in 10 of its genes. This first‐ever life‐saving cardiac xenotransplantation was the result of decades of work and close coordination by researchers in genetic engineering, animal cloning, immunology, ex vivo organ perfusion, and thoracic surgery.
Extensional rheology and flow-induced crystal alignment in polypropylene ionomers
Authors: López-Barrón Carlos R. , Throckmorton Joseph A. , Lin Tzu-Pin
Published: April 2022

The nonlinear response to the uniaxial extension of a series of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) ionomers is studied by melt rheology and ex situ small and wide-angle x-ray scattering measurements. These ionomers bear iPP backbones decorated with pendant aluminum carboxylate groups. Minuscule amounts of ion groups (<0.1 mol. %) are sufficient to produce remarkably high extensional strain hardening ratios of up to 200 and maximum stretch ratios (before breakage) of up to 50. Small and wide-angle scattering measurements from an iPP ionomer sample quenched during an extensional flow reveal monotonic correlations between Hencky strain, crystallinity, and crystal alignment. These results indicate a direct correlation between extensional stress and the chain alignment in the ionomer melt. Intriguingly, the ion clusters in the ionomer show no alignment induced by extensional deformation, suggesting undetermined rearrangements involving cluster dissociation and reassociation that occur during the flow. Slow stress relaxation, after flow cessation, was measured in the ionomers, in sharp contrast to much faster relaxation typically observed in the iPP homopolymer. Stress relaxation is not concomitant with a decrease in crystal alignment, which indicates that chain recoiling is not the stress relaxation mechanism in iPP ionomers.
Leaks in the Pipeline: a Failure Analysis of Gram-Negative Antibiotic Development from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Prasad Neha K. , Seiple Ian B. , Cirz Ryan T. , Rosenberg Oren S.
Published: April 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that our current arsenal of antibiotics is not innovative enough to face impending infectious diseases, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Although the current preclinical pipeline is well stocked with novel candidates, the last U.S.
Draft Genome Sequences of 15 Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Indigenous Foods and Food-Gathering Sites in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Authors: van Hamelsveld Sophie , Ferguson Gayle C. , Kurenbach Brigitta , Paull Deborah J. , Weepu Irai , Heinemann Jack A.
Published: April 2022

We report the draft genomes of 15 multidrug-resistant and potentially pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains isolated from watercress, cockles, or the surrounding water in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Thermal and compositional anomalies in a detailed xenolith-based lithospheric mantle profile of the Siberian craton and the origin of seismic midlithosphere discontinuities
Authors: Liu Zhe , Ionov Dmitri A. , Nimis Paolo , Xu Yigang , He Pengli , Golovin Alexander V.
Published: April 2022

The fine structure and thermal state of >200-km-thick cratonic lithosphere remain poorly explored because of insufficient sampling and uncertainties in pressure (P) and temperature (T) estimates. We report exceptionally detailed thermal and compositional profiles of the continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) in the Siberian craton based on petrographic, in situ chemical, and P-T data for 92 new garnet peridotite xenoliths from the Udachnaya kimberlite, as well as literature data. The thermal profile is complex, with samples indicating model conductive geotherms between 40 and 35 mW/m2 at ~55–130 km, colder (35 mW/m2 geotherm) mantle from 140 to 190 km, and hotter layers at the CLM base (190–230 km) and at ~135 km. The latter, previously unidentified, anomalous midlithospheric horizon has rocks up to 150 °C hotter than the 35 mW/m2 geotherm, that are rich in garnet and clinopyroxene, have low Mg#, and have melt-equilibrated rare earth element patterns. We posit that this horizon formed in a depth range where ascending melts stall (e.g., via loss of volatiles and redox change), heat wall-rock harzburgites, and transform them to lherzolites or wehrlites. This may explain some seismic midlithosphere discontinuities (MLDs) in cratons. By contrast, we found no rocks rich in metasomatic volatile-rich amphibole, phlogopite, or carbonate matching the MLD, nor layers composed of peridotites with distinct melt-extraction degrees. The CLM below 190 km contains both coarse and variably deformed rocks heated and reworked (Mg#Ol down to 0.86) by localized lithosphere-asthenosphere interaction.
Mutual Information Variational Autoencoders and Its Application to Feature Extraction of Multivariate Time Series
Authors: Li Junying , Ren Weijie , Han Min
Published: April 2022

The application of deep learning in time-series prediction has developed gradually. In this paper, we propose a deep generative network model for feature extraction of multivariate time series, namely, mutual information variational autoencoders (MI-VAE). In the architecture of the proposed model, we use the latent space of VAE for feature learning, which can extract the essential features of multivariate time-series data effectively. The latent space employed directly as a feature extractor can avoid poor interpretability of model. In addition, we introduce a mutual information term into the loss function, which improves the expression capability and accuracy of model. The proposed model, combining the merits of VAE and mutual information, extracts features for multivariate time-series data from a new perspective. The Lorenz system and Beijing air quality time series are used to test performance of the proposed model and comparative models. Results show that the proposed model is superior to other similar models in terms of accuracy and expression capability of latent space.
Multi-Objective Controller Failure Aware Capacitated Controller Placement in Software-Defined Networks
Authors: Aravind P. , Saradhi Varma G. P. , Prasad Reddy P. V. G. D.
Published: April 2022

Software-Defined Networking disassociates the control plane from data plane. The problem of deciding upon the number and locations of controllers and assigning switches to them has attracted the attention of researchers. Foreseeing the possibility of failure of a controller, a backup controller has to be maintained for each switch so that the switches assigned to the failed controller can immediately be connected to their backup controllers. Hence, the switches cannot experience disconnections in case of failure of their controller. In this paper, two mathematical models are proposed. The first model focuses on minimizing the average of latencies from all switches to their backup controllers while considering the failure of the controllers. The second model aims at minimizing both the average and worst-case of latencies from all switches to the corresponding backup controllers. Both of our models are evaluated on three networks and are compared (in terms of two metrics, viz., average and worst-case latencies) with an existing model that focuses on minimizing only worst-case latency. The first model gives better average latency compared to the reference model. The second model also gives better average latency and almost equal worst-case latency compared to the reference model.
Tilted congruence with big rip singularity in f(T) theory of gravity
Authors: Dagwal V. J.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, tilted congruence with big rip singularity in f(T) theory of gravity is presented. f(T) theory of gravity is the generalization of the Teleparallel theory of gravity, where [Formula: see text] is the torsion scalar. In this work, tilted model is studied in which the three-velocity represents additional degree of freedom and tilted model detected the presence of dissipative processes including gravitational radiation. The solution of the field equations is explored by using the stiff fluid, power law of velocity field and a linear relationship between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, the big bang and big rip singularity are observed. The cosmological evolution in f(T) model is examined. The physical and geometrical phases of the models are also investigated.
Mertens’ theorem for Chebotarev sets
Authors: Arango-Piñeros Santiago , Keliher Daniel , Keyes Christopher
Published: April 2022

We generalize Mertens’ product theorem to Chebotarev sets of prime ideals in Galois extensions of number fields. Using work of Rosen, we extend an argument of Williams from cyclotomic extensions to this more general case. Additionally, we compute these products for Cheboratev sets in abelian extensions, [Formula: see text] sextic extensions, and sets of primes represented by some quadratic forms.
Pathogen Adaptation to the Xylem Environment
Authors: De La Fuente Leonardo , Merfa Marcus V. , Cobine Paul A. , Coleman Jeffrey J.
Published: April 2022

A group of aggressive pathogens have evolved to colonize the plant xylem. In this vascular tissue, where water and nutrients are transported from the roots to the rest of the plant, pathogens must be able to thrive under acropetal xylem sap flow and scarcity of nutrients while having direct contact only with predominantly dead cells. Nevertheless, a few bacteria have adapted to exclusively live in the xylem, and various pathogens may colonize other plant niches without causing symptoms unless they reach the xylem. Once established, the pathogens modulate its physicochemical conditions to enhance their growth and virulence. Adaptation to the restrictive lifestyle of the xylem leads to genome reduction in xylem-restricted bacteria, as they have a higher proportion of pseudogenes in their genome. The basis of xylem adaptation is not completely understood; therefore, a need still exists for model systems to advance the knowledge on this topic.
Sympathetic transduction of blood pressure during graded lower body negative pressure in young healthy adults
Authors: Nardone Massimo , Katerberg Carlin , Teixeira André L. , Lee Jordan B. , Bommarito Julian C. , Millar Philip J.
Published: April 2022

Sympathetic transduction of blood pressure (BP) is correlated negatively with resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in cross-sectional data, but the acute effects of increasing MSNA are unclear. Sixteen (4 female) healthy adults (26 ± 3 years) underwent continuous measurement of heart rate, BP, and MSNA at rest and during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at −10, −20, and −30 mmHg. Sympathetic transduction of BP was quantified in the time (signal averaging) and frequency (MSNA-BP gain) domains. The proportions of MSNA bursts firing within each tertile of BP were calculated. As expected, LBNP increased MSNA burst frequency ( P < 0.01) and burst amplitude ( P < 0.02), although the proportions of MSNA bursts firing across each BP tertile remained stable (all P > 0.44). The MSNA-diastolic BP low-frequency transfer function gain ( P = 0.25) was unchanged during LBNP; the spectral coherence was increased ( P = 0.03). Signal-averaged sympathetic transduction of diastolic BP was unchanged (from 2.1 ± 1.0 at rest to 2.4 ± 1.5, 2.2 ± 1.3, and 2.3 ± 1.4 mmHg; P = 0.43) during LBNP, but diastolic BP responses following nonburst cardiac cycles progressively decreased (from −0.8 ± 0.4 at rest to −1.0 ± 0.6, −1.2 ± 0.6, and −1.6 ± 0.9 mmHg; P < 0.01). As a result, the difference between MSNA burst and nonburst diastolic BP responses was increased (from 2.9 ± 1.4 at rest to 3.4 ± 1.9, 3.4 ± 1.9, and 3.9 ± 2.1 mmHg; P < 0.01). In conclusion, acute increases in MSNA using LBNP did not alter traditional signal-averaged or frequency-domain measures of sympathetic transduction of BP or the proportion of MSNA bursts firing at different BP levels. The factors that determine changes in the firing of MSNA bursts relative to oscillations in BP require further investigation.
Distinct Urinary Metabolic Biomarkers of Human Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhu Chang , Huang Fengjie , Li Yang , Zhu Chaowei , Zhou Kejun , Xie Haihui , Xia Ligang , Xie Guoxiang
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers with high mortality rate due to its poor diagnosis in the early stage. Here, we report a urinary metabolomic study on a cohort of CRC patients (

n

 =67) and healthy controls (

n

 =21) using ultraperformance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Pathway analysis showed that a series of pathways that belong to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism were dysregulated, for instance the glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycolysis, and TCA cycle. A total of 48 differential metabolites were identified in CRC compared to controls. A panel of 12 biomarkers composed of chenodeoxycholic acid, vanillic acid, adenosine monophosphate, glycolic acid, histidine, azelaic acid, hydroxypropionic acid, glycine, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, oxoglutaric acid, and homocitrulline were identified by Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Boruta analysis classification model and validated by Gradient Boosting (GB), Logistic Regression (LR), and Random Forest diagnostic model, which were able to discriminate CRC subjects from healthy controls. These urinary metabolic biomarkers provided a novel and promising molecular approach for the early diagnosis of CRC.
Urban Traffic State Estimation with Online Car-Hailing Data: A Dynamic Tensor-Based Bayesian Probabilistic Decomposition Approach
Authors: Lu Wenqi , Yi Ziwei , Luo Dongyu , Rui Yikang , Ran Bin , Wu Jianqing , Li Tao
Published: April 2022

Timely and precise traffic state estimation of urban roads is significant for urban traffic management and operation. However, most of the advanced studies focus on building complex deep learning structures to learn the spatiotemporal feature of the urban traffic flow, ignoring improving the efficiency of the traffic state estimation. Considering the benefit of the tensor decomposition, we present a novel urban traffic state estimation based on dynamic tensor and Bayesian probabilistic decomposition. Firstly, the real-time traffic speed data are organized in the form of a dynamic tensor which contains the spatiotemporal characteristics of the traffic state. Then, a dynamic tensor Bayesian probabilistic decomposition (DTBPD) approach is built by decomposing the dynamic tensor into the outer product of several vectors. Afterward, the Gibbs sampling method is introduced to calibrate the parameters of the DTBPD models. Finally, the real-world traffic speeds data extracted from online car-hailing trajectories are employed to validate the model performance. Experimental results indicate that the proposed model can greatly reduce computational time while maintaining relatively high accuracy. Meanwhile, the DTBPD model outperforms the state-of-the-art models in terms of both single-step-ahead and multistep-ahead traffic state estimation.
Integrated-Hybrid Framework for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Microscopic Traffic Flow Modelling
Authors: Jafaripournimchahi Ammar , Cai Yingfeng , Wang Hai , Sun Lu , Weng Jiancheng
Published: April 2022

In this study, a novel traffic flow modeling framework is proposed considering the impact of driving system and vehicle mechanical behavior as two different units on the traffic flow. To precisely model the behavior of Connected and Autonomous (CA) vehicles, three submodels are proposed as a novel microscopic traffic flow framework, named Integrated-Hybrid (IH) model. Focusing on the realization of the car following behavior of CA vehicles, the driving system (vehicle control system) and the vehicle mechanical system are modeled separately and linked by throttle and brake actuators model. The IH model constitutes the key part of the Full Velocity Difference (FVD) model considering the mechanical capability of vehicles and dynamic collision avoidance strategies to ensure the safety of following distance between two consecutive vehicles. Linear stability conditions are derived for each model and developing methodology for each submodel is discussed. Our simulations revealed that the IH model successfully generates velocity and acceleration profiles during car following maneuvers and throttle angle/brake information in connected vehicles environment can effectively improve traffic flow stability. The vehicles’ departure and arrival process while passing through a signal-lane with a traffic light considering the anticipation driving behavior and throttle angle/brake information of direct leading vehicle was explored. Our numerical results demonstrated that the IH model can capture the velocity fluctuations, delay times, and kinematic waves efficiently in traffic flow.
Dense Convolutional Network and Its Application in Medical Image Analysis
Authors: Zhou Tao , Ye XinYu , Lu HuiLing , Zheng Xiaomin , Qiu Shi , Liu YunCan
Published: April 2022

Dense convolutional network (DenseNet) is a hot topic in deep learning research in recent years, which has good applications in medical image analysis. In this paper, DenseNet is summarized from the following aspects. First, the basic principle of DenseNet is introduced; second, the development of DenseNet is summarized and analyzed from five aspects: broaden DenseNet structure, lightweight DenseNet structure, dense unit, dense connection mode, and attention mechanism; finally, the application research of DenseNet in the field of medical image analysis is summarized from three aspects: pattern recognition, image segmentation, and object detection. The network structures of DenseNet are systematically summarized in this paper, which has certain positive significance for the research and development of DenseNet.
On the Analytical Treatment for the Fractional-Order Coupled Partial Differential Equations via Fixed Point Formulation and Generalized Fractional Derivative Operators
Authors: Rashid Saima , Sultana Sobia , Idrees Nazeran , Bonyah Ebenezer
Published: April 2022

High-dimensional fractional equation investigation is a cutting-edge discipline with considerable pragmatic and speculative consequences in engineering, epidemiology, and other scientific disciplines. In this study, a hybrid Jafari transform mixed with the Adomian decomposition method for obtaining the analytical solution to Burgers’ problem is provided. Burgers’ equation is a vital mathematical expression that appears in a variety of computational modelling fields, including fluid mechanics, nonlinear acoustics, gas dynamics, and traffic flow. By considering a hybrid transform, semianalytical techniques are constructed for the Caputo and Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative operators. Besides that, existence and uniqueness analyses are carried out with the aid of the Banach contraction-fixed point theory. To obtain the models’ findings, we employed the Jafari transform on fractional-order Burger equations (BEs), supplemented by the inverse Jafari transform. The projected findings for the fractional BEs have been depicted visually. Ultimately, numerical figures are provided to validate the practicality and efficacy. The solution obtained by employing the supplied methodologies has been validated to have the appropriate rate of convergence to the precise solution. The main advantage of the suggested method is the relatively small number of computations performed. It can also be used to address fractional-order scientific issues in a multitude of fields.
A Cost Effective Identity-Based Authentication Scheme for Internet of Things-Enabled Agriculture
Authors: Hassan Bilal , AlSanad Abeer Abdulaziz , Ullah Insaf , Amin Noor Ul , Khan Muhammad Asghar , Uddin M. Irfan , Wu Jimmy Ming-Tai
Published: April 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized practically every industry, including agriculture, due to its fast expansion and integration into other industries. The application of IoT in agriculture motivates farmers to use their resources wisely and allows for better field monitoring and decision-making, resulting in increased agricultural productivity. Because IoT-enabled agriculture systems need the use of various types of sensors that collect data (such as soil moisture and humidity) and then transmit it over the network. IoT-based agriculture systems, on the other hand, are always vulnerable to security threats. Authentication is one of the assured options for addressing the security concern, since it only enables an authorized party to access the data. Existing authentication schemes typically use the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithm and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), which has a greater computational and communication cost. Furthermore, the security of the majority of existing authentication schemes is not verified using any security tool. As a result, we propose an identity-based authentication scheme for IoT-enabled agriculture in this article. To ensure that our scheme is cost-effective, we employ hyperelliptic curve cryptography (HECC). Our scheme surpasses existing authentication schemes in terms of computational cost and communication overhead while providing better security, according to a thorough investigation of performance and security.
miR-141-3p Regulates EZH2 to Attenuate Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide-Caused Inflammation and Inhibition of Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells
Authors: Zhu Zhu , Xiong Jie
Published: April 2022

Objective. miR-141-3p has been demonstrated to be both anti-inflammatory and osteoprotective. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of miR-141-3p on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS) and its mechanism. Methods. PgLPS was used to induce an inflammatory environment, and overexpression of miR-141-3p was done to assess its effect on hPDLSCs in an inflammatory environment. The level of miR-141-3p and EZH2 in hPDLSCs from each treatment group was detected via qRT-PCR, and the inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-8 in the supernatant of each group were detected by ELISA. ALP staining and alizarin red staining were used to assess the effect of miR-141-3p on the osteogenic differentiation ability of hPDLSCs, and also, western blot was used to detect expression of osteogenic differentiation-related proteins. Further, dual-luciferase reporter assay examined whether miR-141-3p targeted EZH2. Results. PgLPS led to a significant decrease of miR-141-3p in hPDLSCs. Overexpression of miR-141-3p could enhance ALP activity and alizarin red staining intensity and increase Runx2, OPN and OCN protein expression levels in PgLPS-treated hPDLSCs. Additionally, miR-141-3p could reduce IL-6 and IL-8. miR-141-3p could target and negatively regulate EZH2, and overexpression of EZH2 reversed the promoting effect of miR-141-3p on osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion. miR-141-3p can attenuate PgLPS-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and inflammation in hPDLSCs by negatively regulating EZH2.
The Purchase Intention for Agricultural Products of Regional Public Brands: Examining the Influences of Awareness, Perceived Quality, and Brand Trust
Authors: Sun Yuling , Huang Yifan , Fang Xiang , Yan Feng
Published: April 2022

Digital economy technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G have brought significant changes to the operation and management of regional agricultural products. As a result, competition between agricultural enterprises turned to competition between brands. Recently, many regional brands of agricultural products have emerged, but most have low visibility, low influence, and significant homogeneity. Therefore, ways to rapidly improve public awareness of regional agricultural brands’ products have become an important issue in some regions. Against the background of regional brands and on the basis of 576 responses to a survey questionnaire, this study analyzes the direct and indirect influences of awareness and perceived quality on consumers’ purchase intention of agricultural products and the mediating influence of brand trust on consumer purchase intention. The results indicate that awareness has a significant positive effect on consumers’ purchase intention and that brand trust could strengthen the influence of awareness on consumers’ purchase intention. At the same time, brand trust can promote the positive influence of perceived quality on consumers’ purchase intention. This study extends the research on consumer behavior theory, reveals the influence mechanism of consumer purchase intention of the agricultural products of regional public brands, and provides a new perspective for further research on agricultural products in some regions. Additionally, we provide management implications for the operation of agricultural products of regional public brands.