bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear Diophantine Fuzzy Einstein Aggregation Operators for Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Problems
Authors: Iampan Aiyared , García Gustavo Santos , Riaz Muhammad , Athar Farid Hafiz Muhammad , Chinram Ronnason
Published: July 2021

The linear Diophantine fuzzy set (LDFS) has been proved to be an efficient tool in expressing decision maker (DM) evaluation values in multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) procedure. To more effectively represent DMs’ evaluation information in complicated MCDM process, this paper proposes a MCDM method based on proposed novel aggregation operators (AOs) under linear Diophantine fuzzy set (LDFS). A

q

-Rung orthopair fuzzy set (

q

-ROFS), Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS), and intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) are rudimentary concepts in computational intelligence, which have diverse applications in modeling uncertainty and MCDM. Unfortunately, these theories have their own limitations related to the membership and nonmembership grades. The linear Diophantine fuzzy set (LDFS) is a new approach towards uncertainty which has the ability to relax the strict constraints of IFS, PFS, and

q

–ROFS by considering reference/control parameters. LDFS provides an appropriate way to the decision experts (DEs) in order to deal with vague and uncertain information in a comprehensive way. Under these environments, we introduce several AOs named as linear Diophantine fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging (LDFEWA) operator, linear Diophantine fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted averaging (LDFEOWA) operator, linear Diophantine fuzzy Einstein weighted geometric (LDFEWG) operator, and linear Diophantine fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted geometric (LDFEOWG) operator. We investigate certain characteristics and operational laws with some illustrations. Ultimately, an innovative approach for MCDM under the linear Diophantine fuzzy information is examined by implementing suggested aggregation operators. A useful example related to a country’s national health administration (NHA) to create a fully developed postacute care (PAC) model network for the health recovery of patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) is exhibited to specify the practicability and efficacy of the intended approach.
Replacing Out-of-Vocabulary Words with an Appropriate Synonym Based on Word2VnCR
Authors: Kim Jeongin , Hong Taekeun , Kim Pankoo
Published: July 2021

The most typical problem in an analysis of natural language is finding synonyms of out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words. When someone tries to understand a sentence containing an OOV word, the person determines the most appropriate meaning of a replacement word using the meanings of co-occurrence words under the same context based on the conceptual system learned. In this study, a word-to-vector and conceptual relationship (Word2VnCR) algorithm is proposed that replaces an OOV word leading to an erroneous morphemic analysis with an appropriate synonym. TheWord2VnCR algorithm is an improvement over the conventional Word2Vec algorithm, which has a problem in suggesting a replacement word by not determining the similarity of the word. After word-embedding learning is conducted using the learning dataset, the replacement word candidates of the OOV word are extracted. The semantic similarities of the extracted replacement word candidates are measured with the surrounding neighboring words of the OOV word, and a replacement word having the highest similarity value is selected as a replacement. To evaluate the performance of the proposed Word2VnCR algorithm, a comparative experiment was conducted using the Word2VnCR and Word2Vec algorithms. As the experimental results indicate, the proposed algorithm shows a higher accuracy than the Word2Vec algorithm.
Development of an Ozone-Assisted Sample Preparation Method for the Determination of Cu and Zn in Rice Samples
Authors: Pistón Mariela , Machado Ignacio , Rodríguez-Arce Esteban , Dol Isabel
Published: July 2021

A green analytical method for the determination of Cu and Zn in rice samples was developed. This method was based on an ozone-assisted extraction (OAE) in diluted acid media. A novel closed system was designed for this purpose that allowed four simultaneous sample treatments being safe for the laboratory environment. The method consisted in 0.5 g of the sample, 15 minutes of ozonation, and 3 minutes of centrifugation. The obtained supernatant was ready for Cu and Zn determinations by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Detection limits were 0.20 and 0.08 mg kg−1 for Cu and Zn, respectively, with a precision (RSD) better than 5% for both elements. A certified reference material of rice flour was analyzed for trueness evaluation, and the mean recoveries (%) were 100.4 (Cu) and 95.9 (Zn). Several commercial rice samples were analyzed using this method, and the results were compared with those obtained using traditional microwave-assisted digestion (MAE). Both methods yielded comparable results. Cu and Zn levels were in accordance with reported values in other regions. The OAE resulted to be simple and economical and with results equivalent with those obtained using traditional sample preparation procedures as MAE with the advantage of being in good agreement with the principles of green analytical chemistry.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis Based on an ANN Optimized by Improved TEO Algorithm
Authors: Shan Rong , Rezaei Tahereh
Published: July 2021

A quarter of all cancer deaths are due to lung cancer. Studies show that early diagnosis and treatment of this disease are the most effective way to increase patient life expectancy. In this paper, automatic and optimized computer‐aided detection is proposed for lung cancer. The method first applies a preprocessing step for normalizing and denoising the input images. Afterward, Kapur entropy maximization is performed along with mathematical morphology to lung area segmentation. Afterward, 19 GLCM features are extracted from the segmented images for the final evaluations. The higher priority images are then selected for decreasing the system complexity. The feature selection is based on a new optimization design, called Improved Thermal Exchange Optimization (ITEO), which is designed to improve the accuracy and convergence abilities. The images are finally classified into healthy or cancerous cases based on an optimized artificial neural network by ITEO. Simulation is compared with some well‐known approaches and the results showed the superiority of the suggested method. The results showed that the proposed method with 92.27% accuracy provides the highest value among the compared methods.
[Retracted] Protocatechualdehyde Inhibits the Osteoclast Differentiation of RAW264.7 and BMM Cells by Regulating NF‐κB and MAPK Activity
Authors: Qu Yunyun , Liu Xin , Zong Shuai , Sun Huanxin , Liu Shuang , Zhao Yueran
Published: July 2021

Protocatechualdehyde (PCA), an important component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, has many activities, such as anti‐inflammatory and antisepsis activities. However, the role of PCA in osteoclasts is not clear. We used RAW264.7 cells (a mouse leukemic monocyte/macrophage cell line) and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) to probe the role of PCA in osteoclasts and the underlying mechanism. The effects of PCA on cell activity were evaluated with CCK‐8 assays. TRAP staining detected mature osteoclasts. Corning Osteo Assay Surface plates were used to examine absorption. The levels of RNA and protein were analyzed, respectively, using RT‐PCR and Western blotting. PCA (5 μg/ml) was not toxic to the two cell types but reduced the formation of osteoclasts and bone absorption. Furthermore, PCA restrained the expression of mRNAs encoding proteins associated with osteoclasts and reduced the phosphorylation of proteins in important signaling pathways. The results indicate that PCA inhibits osteoclast differentiation by suppressing NF‐κB and MAPK activity.
Structural Brain Changes Associated with Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Gómez-Apo Erick , Mondragón-Maya Alejandra , Ferrari-Díaz Martina , Silva-Pereyra Juan
Published: July 2021

Obesity is a global health problem with a broad set of comorbidities, such as malnutrition, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, systemic hypertension, heart failure, and kidney failure. This review describes recent findings of neuroimaging and two studies of cell density regarding the roles of overnutrition-induced hypothalamic inflammation in neurodegeneration. These studies provided consistent evidence of smaller cortical thickness or reduction in the gray matter volume in people with overweight and obesity; however, the investigated brain regions varied across the studies. In general, bilateral frontal and temporal areas, basal nuclei, and cerebellum are more commonly involved. Mechanisms of volume reduction are unknown, and neuroinflammation caused by obesity is likely to induce neuronal loss. Adipocytes, macrophages of the adipose tissue, and gut dysbiosis in overweight and obese individuals result in the secretion of the cytokines and chemokines that cross the blood-brain barrier and may stimulate microglia, which in turn also release proinflammatory cytokines. This leads to chronic low-grade neuroinflammation and may be an important factor for apoptotic signaling and neuronal death. Additionally, significant microangiopathy observed in rat models may be another important mechanism of induction of apoptosis. Neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) may be similar to that in metabolic diseases induced by malnutrition. Poor cognitive performance, mainly in executive functions, in individuals with obesity is also discussed. This review highlights the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms linked to obesity and emphasizes the importance of developing effective prevention and treatment intervention strategies for overweight and obese individuals.
Shenlijia Attenuates Doxorubicin-Induced Chronic Heart Failure by Inhibiting Cardiac Fibrosis
Authors: Sun Xutao , Song Yunjia , Xie Ying , Han Jieru , Chen Fei , Sun Yang , Sui Bowen , Jiang Deyou
Published: July 2021

Application of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is restricted due to its adverse, cardiotoxic side effects, which ultimately result in heart failure. Moreover, there are a limited number of chemical agents for the clinical prevention of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on chronic heart failure (CHF), Shenlijia (SLJ), a new TCM compound, has been developed to fulfill multiple functions, including improving cardiac function and inhibiting cardiac fibrosis. In the present study, the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of SLJ on DOX-induced CHF rats were investigated. The CHF rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of DOX for six weeks with the cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg. All rats were then randomly divided into the control, CHF, CHF + SLJ (3.0 g/kg per day), and CHF + captopril (3.8 mg/kg per day) groups and treated for further four weeks. Echocardiography and the assessment of hemodynamic parameters were performed to evaluate heart function. A protein chip was applied to identify proteins with diagnostic values that were differentially expressed following SLJ treatment. The data from these investigations showed that SLJ treatment significantly improved cardiac function by increasing the left ventricular ejection fraction, improving the hemodynamic index, and inhibiting interstitial fibrosis. Protein chip analysis revealed that SLJ upregulated MCP-1, MDC, neuropilin-2, TGF-β3, thrombospondin, TIE-2, EG-VEGF/PK1, and TIMP-1/2/3 expressions and downregulated that of MMP-13. In addition, immunohistochemistry and western blot results further confirmed that SLJ promoted TIMP-1/2/3 and inhibited MMP-13 expression. The results of the present study suggest that SLJ was effective against DOX-induced CHF rats and is related to the improvement of heart function and ultrastructure and the inhibition of myocardial fibrosis.
Numerical Modeling and Optimization of Lead-Free Hybrid Double Perovskite Solar Cell by Using SCAPS-1D
Authors: Hussain Syed Sajjad , Riaz Saira , Nowsherwan Ghazi Aman , Jahangir Khizer , Raza Akram , Iqbal Muhammad Javaid , Sadiq Imran , Hussain Syed Mutahir , Naseem Shahzad
Published: July 2021

The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) for organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells based on lead is reported as 25.2% in 2019. Lead-based hybrid perovskite materials are used in several photovoltaics applications, but these are not highly favored due to the toxicity of lead and volatility of organic cations. On the other hand, hybrid lead-free double perovskite has no such harm. In this research study, SCAPS numerical simulation is utilized to evaluate and compare the results of perovskite solar cell based on double perovskite

FA

2

BiCuI

6

and standard perovskite

CH

3

NH

3

PbI

3

as an active layer. The results show that the power conversion efficiency obtained in the case of

FA

2

BiCuI

6

is 24.98%, while in the case of

CH

3

NH

3

PbI

3

, it is reported as 26.42%. This indicates that the hybrid organic-inorganic double perovskite

FA

2

BiCuI

6

has the ability to replace hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite

CH

3

NH

3

PbI

3

to expand next-generation lead-free harmless materials for solar cell applications.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of miR-144-3p Expression and Its Targets in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mo Bin-Yu , Pang Jin-Shu , Dai Wen-Bin , Su Ya-si , Jiang Wei , Huang Su-Ning
Published: July 2021

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is an aggressive type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a relatively high rate of morbidity and mortality. An altered miR-144-3p level in LSCC with a small number of patients has been previously reported. However, the clinical implication of miR-144-3p and its involved mechanism underlying this disease is not clearly elucidated. In this work, we aimed to confirm the expression of miR-144-3p with larger samples and also to identify target genes for the investigation of the underlying mechanism of miR-144-3p in LSCC. The levels of miR-144-3p were downregulated in 155 samples of LSCC tissues as compared to 26 non-LSCC samples (SMD: -0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.23, -0.32). The AUC of 0.90 in the summarized ROC curve also indicated a potential ability to differentiate LSCC from non-LSCC tissues, with a sensitivity of 0.78 and a specificity of 0.88. With respect to the molecular mechanism, we predicted the potential targets from online-based prediction, peer-reviewed publications, and RNA-seq and microarray data. In particular, the genes influenced by transfection with miR-144-3p in the LSCC FaDu cell line were collected from the microarray GSE56243. Lastly, 12 novel targets for miR-144-3p in LSCC were obtained by different algorithms. In conclusion, our study confirmed the loss or downregulation of miR-144-3p in LSCC, which might contribute to the LSCC tumorigenesis and progression via regulation of the 12 novel targets, such as IL24, ITGA6, and CEP55. In the future, further investigations are required to validate the present results.
Equation Chapter 1 Section 1 Differentially Private High‐Dimensional Binary Data Publication via Adaptive Bayesian Network
Authors: Lan Sun , Hong Jinxin , Chen Junya , Cai Jianping , Wang Yilei
Published: July 2021

When using differential privacy to publish high‐dimensional data, the huge dimensionality leads to greater noise. Especially for high‐dimensional binary data, it is easy to be covered by excessive noise. Most existing methods cannot address real high‐dimensional data problems appropriately because they suffer from high time complexity. Therefore, in response to the problems above, we propose the differential privacy adaptive Bayesian network algorithm PrivABN to publish high‐dimensional binary data. This algorithm uses a new greedy algorithm to accelerate the construction of Bayesian networks, which reduces the time complexity of the GreedyBayes algorithm from to O(nm4). In addition, it uses an adaptive algorithm to adjust the structure and uses a differential privacy Exponential mechanism to preserve the privacy, so as to generate a high‐quality protected Bayesian network. Moreover, we use the Bayesian network to calculate the conditional distribution with noise and generate a synthetic dataset for publication. This synthetic dataset satisfies ε‐differential privacy. Lastly, we carry out experiments against three real‐life high‐dimensional binary datasets to evaluate the functional performance.
[Retracted] Parameters Optimization of Dissimilar Friction Stir Welding for AA7079 and AA8050 through RSM
Authors: Kavitha M. , Manickavasagam V. M. , Sathish T. , Gugulothu Bhiksha , Sathish Kumar A. , Karthikeyan Sivakumar , Subbiah Ram
Published: July 2021

Aluminium alloy is widely used in engineering application, and it can be classified based on the constituent elements or alloying elements. Aluminium alloy is preferred for the nature of its tensile strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance in this research to make a dissimilar friction stir welding joint of aluminium alloys 7079 and 8050 materials. The tensile strength of the weld joint is estimated by the influence of the response surface methodology approach. The welding is carried out by preferred process parameters with a tool speed of 1000–2500 rpm, tool pin diameter of 2–6 mm, welding speed of 50–300 mm/min, and tool shoulder diameter of 10–20 mm. The ANOVA analysis and the prediction of tensile strength were conducted efficiently. From the RSM analysis, the tool pin diameter mostly modified the output of the result.
Zero and Nonzero Mass Flux Effects of Bioconvective Viscoelastic Nanofluid over a 3D Riga Surface with the Swimming of Gyrotactic Microorganisms
Authors: Karthik T. S. , Loganathan K. , Shankar A. N. , Carmichael M. Jemimah , Mohan Anand , Kaabar Mohammed K. A. , Kayikci Safak
Published: July 2021

This work addresses 3D bioconvective viscoelastic nanofluid flow across a heated Riga surface with nonlinear radiation, swimming microorganisms, and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are tested with zero (passive) and nonzero (active) mass flux states along with the effect of thermophoresis and Brownian motion. The physical system is visualized via high linearity PDE systems and nondimensionalized to high linearity ordinary differential systems. The converted ordinary differential systems are solved with the aid of the homotopy analytic method (HAM). Several valuable and appropriate characteristics of related profiles are presented graphically and discussed in detail. Results of interest such as the modified Hartmann number, mixed convection parameter, bioconvection Rayleigh number, and Brownian motion parameter are discussed in terms of various profiles. The numerical coding is validated with earlier reports, and excellent agreement is observed. The microorganisms are utilized to improve the thermal conductivity of nanofluid, and this mechanism has more utilization in the oil refinery process.
[Retracted] Atomic Scale Interactions between RNA and DNA Aptamers with the TNF‐α Protein
Authors: Asadzadeh Homayoun , Moosavi Ali , Alexandrakis Georgios , Mofrad Mohammad R. K.
Published: July 2021

Interest in the design and manufacture of RNA and DNA aptamers as apta‐biosensors for the early diagnosis of blood infections and other inflammatory conditions has increased considerably in recent years. The practical utility of these aptamers depends on the detailed knowledge about the putative interactions with their target proteins. Therefore, understanding the aptamer‐protein interactions at the atomic scale can offer significant insights into the optimal apta‐biosensor design. In this study, we consider one RNA and one DNA aptamer that were previously used as apta‐biosensors for detecting the infection biomarker protein TNF‐α, as an example of a novel computational workflow for selecting the aptamer candidate with the highest binding strength to a target. We combine information from the binding free energy calculations, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interactions of both aptamers with TNF‐α. The results reveal that the RNA aptamer has a more stable structure relative to the DNA aptamer. Interaction of aptamers with TNF‐α does not have any negative effect on its structure. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the RNA aptamer has a stronger interaction with the protein. Also, these findings illustrate that basic residues of TNF‐α establish more atomic contacts with the aptamers compared to acidic or pH‐neutral ones. Furthermore, binding energy calculations show that the interaction of the RNA aptamer with TNF‐α is thermodynamically more favorable. In total, the findings of this study indicate that the RNA aptamer is a more suitable candidate for using as an apta‐biosensor of TNF‐α and, therefore, of greater potential use for the diagnosis of blood infections. Also, this study provides more information about aptamer‐protein interactions and increases our understanding of this phenomenon.
An Adaptive Video Transmission Mechanism over MEC‐Based Content‐Centric Networks
Authors: Han Longzhe , Zhao Jia , Bao Xuecai , Liu Guangming , Liu Yan , Maksymyuk Taras
Published: July 2021

The rapid growth of video traffic poses serious challenges to the current Internet. Content‐Centric Networking (CCN) as a promising candidate has been proposed to reengineer the Internet architecture. The in‐network caching and named content communication model of CCN can enhance the video streaming applications and reduce the network workload. Due to the bandwidth‐consuming characteristic of video streaming, the aggressive transmission of video data will cause a reduction of overall network efficiency. In this paper, we present an adaptive video transmission mechanism over Mobile Edge Computing‐ (MEC‐) based CCN. The computation and storage resources of the MEC server are utilized to facilitate the video delivery. Our mechanism adopts a scalable video coding scheme to adaptively control transmission rate to cope with the network condition variation. To analyse the equilibrium property of the proposed mechanism, an analytical model is deduced by using network utility function and convex programming. We also take into account the packet loss in wired and wireless links and present a MEC assistant loss recovery algorithm. The experiment results demonstrate the performance improvement of our proposed mechanism.
[Retracted] Explore the Conflict and Resolution of Pollution NIMBY Facility Construction in the Context of New Media: An Evolutionary Game Theoretical Approach
Authors: Yu Jie , Zhang Changzheng , Huang Dechun , Shao Yujia , Ren Hong
Published: July 2021

The rapid urbanization process has brought many pollution NIMBY facilities, and the associated pollution NIMBY conflicts have become one of the important factors restricting social stability. With the advent of the media era, new media has become the main channel for the public to recognize risks and master information, which greatly aggravates the social amplification effect of NIMBY conflict risk. In this case, it is of great significance to explore the interest relationship among the local government, the new media, and the local people and their roles in the NIMBY conflict. Based on the stakeholder theory, this paper constructs a three‐party evolutionary game model of the local government, the new media, and the local people and carries out numerical simulation on the evolutionary model using MATLAB. The results show that the local government adopts a certain degree of regulatory strategy for the new media, the new media adopts the strategy of publicizing facts, and the local people adopts the strategy of nonresistance, which are the stable strategy points of the evolutionary game among the three stakeholders in the NIMBY conflict. The local government’s intervention in rumors to a certain extent is conducive to promoting the new media to publicize facts of the pollution NIMBY facilities and to restrain the local people’s choice of resistance strategies. The local government’s punishment to the new media spreading rumors should be kept above a certain level to restrain the new media spreading rumors. When the local people’s resistance reaches a certain level, the local government’s intervention will break down and the new media will become hyperactive. The results of this paper can provide some enlightenment for the stakeholders in pollution NIMBY conflicts and deepen the understanding of multiple interest conflicts and their resolution. Finally, this study proposes to build information sharing mechanism, information communication mechanism, trust mechanism, network governance mechanism, and public participation mechanism, so as to resolve the construction risk of pollution NIMBY facilities and improve the overall social welfare level.
Reoperation with Total Hysterectomy after Incomplete Surgery Is Helpful in Patients with Incidentally Diagnosed Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Wei , Han Zhihong , Li Ziting , Zheng Zhong , Wu Xiaohua
Published: July 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of initial surgical treatments and surgical re-exploration on the oncological outcomes of patients with incidentally diagnosed uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). Design: A retrospective analysis of 87 patients who underwent re-exploration for incidentally diagnosed uLMS at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center was performed. Methods: Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for analyses. Results: The median age (range) at diagnosis was 49 (23–76) years. The median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 15.1 and 56.7 months, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests showed the median DFS was longer in patients with restaging operation (N = 30) than without (N = 55) (p = 0.017) but no significant difference in median OS (p = 0.142). In patients who underwent myomectomy/subtotal hysterectomy, 5 patients (28.5%) had remnant sarcoma during re-exploration with complete uterine removal, and re-exploration was associated with longer DFS (p = 0.038) and OS (p = 0.042). Limitations: The limitation of this study is its retrospective observational design with a limited number of patients. Conclusion: Reoperation with total hysterectomy after incomplete surgery may be helpful in patients with incidentally diagnosed uLMS at the first treatment.
First Report of Oncological Outcome and Prognostic Analysis in a First-Line Setting of Short Hydration Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Chemotherapy for Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Naiki Taku , Nagai Takashi , Sugiyama Yosuke , Etani Toshiki , Nozaki Satoshi , Iida Keitaro , Noda Yusuke , Shimizu Nobuhiko , Isobe Teruki , Matsumoto Daisuke , Kubota Hiroki , Hamamoto Shuzo , Ando Ryosuke , Kawai Noriyasu , Yasui Takahiro
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a modified-short hydration gemcitabine and cisplatin (m-shGC) regimen for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) and to assess the efficacy of a geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) with regard to prognosis. Patients and Methods: From January 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients with mUC underwent first-line m-shGC therapy with 70 mg/m2 cisplatin and 1,000 mg/m2 gemcitabine (days 1, 8, and 15), with 2,050 mL fluid replaced on the first day of each 28-day cycle. Prior to the start of treatment, the serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and levels of albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum, as well as body heights and weights were measured. Patients were grouped according to GNRI <92 (low) or ≥92 (high). The analysis of data was done retrospectively. Results: Median follow-up was found to be 12.9 (range 1.7–50.2) months and the objective response rate (ORR) was 54.4% after m-shGC treatment. The ORR was significantly different when high and low-GNRI groups were compared (ORR: 28.0 vs. 69.8% in low- vs. high-GNRI groups). Median overall survival (OS) was calculated as 8.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.4–21.3) and 34.5 (95% CI: 20.5–NA) months for low- and high-GNRI groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Unlike for NLR and CRP, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that low GNRI and visceral metastases were significant prognostic factors for short OS. Conclusions: First-line m-shGC showed a survival benefit for mUC, with GNRI a useful prognostic biomarker.
Periprosthetic Infection on a Revised Total Hip Prosthesis Treated with Deep Lavage and Vacuum Dressings: A Case Report with 4-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Darwish Mohamad , Nour Hicham Abdel , Saidy Elias , Aouad Dany , Lati Georgio , Hanna Jason , Nehme Alexandre
Published: July 2021

Periprosthetic hip infections are a dreaded complication met among most orthopedic surgeons after arthroplasty procedures especially in susceptible patients. We report a case of a patient with periprosthetic infection after a revised total hip arthroplasty. She was treated with deep lavage and debridement, combined with IV anti-biotherapy and vacuum dressings. A 4-year follow-up shows an infection-free patient with an acceptable functional status and quality of life. Suppression of the infection, with salvage of the prosthesis and maintaining an acceptable functional status, is a satisfactory result that can be achieved in selected cases.
Prodromal Symptoms in Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Benasi Giada , Fava Giovanni A. , Guidi Jenny
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Appraisal of prodromal symptoms of unipolar depression may complement the traditional cross-sectional approach and provide a longitudinal perspective, according to a staging model of the illness. Objective: To provide an updated systematic review of clinical studies concerned with prodromal symptoms of unipolar depression, according to PRISMA guidelines. Methods: Keyword searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Longitudinal studies on prodromal symptoms and signs in adult patients primarily diagnosed with unipolar depression were selected. Findings were examined separately according to study design (i.e., retrospective or prospective). Results: Twenty-five studies met the criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. Findings indicate that a distinct prodromal symptomatology – commonly characterized by anxiety, tension, irritability, and somatic complaints – exists before the onset of unipolar depression. The duration of the prodromal phase was highly variable across studies, ranging from less than a month to several years. Prodromal symptoms profile and duration were consistent within individuals across depressive episodes. There was a close relationship between prodromal and residual symptoms of the same depressive episode. Conclusions: The present systematic review addresses an important, and yet relatively neglected, clinical issue that deserves further investigation and may be of immediate practical value. The findings provide challenging insights into the pathogenesis and course of unipolar depression, which may result in more timely and effective treatment of recurrences. The definition of a prodromal phase in depression would benefit from the joint use of symptom identification, biomarkers, and neuroimaging.
Uso do assento de segurança infantil no banco traseiro de automóveis: análise em escolas de Fortaleza
Authors: Lucena Alexandre Sá Pinto da Nóbrega , Felinto Armando Nicodemos Lucena , Bessa Amanda Pires , Silva Filho Artur Henrique Soares da , Gomes Crícia Maria Lima Pontes Ferreira , Rocha Yuri Damasceno da
Published: July 2021

Objetivo: Avaliar o uso do assento de segurança infantil, bem como o conhecimento da resolução do CONTRAN nº 277, de 2008, pelos pais e responsáveis de alunos de determinadas escolas na cidade de Fortaleza – CE. Métodos: Os autores estudaram de forma observacional e transversal os aspectos da utilização do assento de segurança infantil, servindo-se da aplicação de questionários acompanhados de termo de consentimento, esclarecendo aos participantes os motivos da pesquisa. Foram distribuídos questionários aos responsáveis pelos alunos de determinadas escolas de Fortaleza, dentre os quais um montante de 156 questionários foram devidamente preenchidos e utilizados na avaliação dos resultados da pesquisa. Resultados: De acordo com a análise dos 156 questionários respondidos no estudo,  todos (100%) os participantes sabem da existência de dispositivos de segurança para transporte de crianças em automóveis. Noventa e um por cento conhecem a resolução do CONTRAN nº 277 de 2008, que regula o uso desses mecanismos. Dentre os participantes, 65,4% sempre fazem uso dos assentos, ao passo que 28,9% os utilizam apenas algumas vezes e em certas ocasiões. Para 26,9% e 14,1% dos entrevistados, o preço e o tamanho, respectivamente, poderiam ser diminuídos para melhorar a adesão dos usuários aos dispositivos de retenção infantil. Conclusão: Dentre os participantes da pesquisa, 94,3% fazem uso constante ou ocasionalmente do assento de segurança infantil. O preço e o tamanho do dispositivo são os itens que mais desfavorecem o seu uso.
Prognostic Value of Phase Analysis for Predicting Adverse Cardiac Events Beyond Conventional Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Variables: Results From the REFINE SPECT Registry
Authors: Kuronuma Keiichiro , Miller Robert J.H. , Otaki Yuka , Van Kriekinge Serge D. , Diniz Marcio A. , Sharir Tali , Hu Lien-Hsin , Gransar Heidi , Liang Joanna X. , Parekh Tejas , Kavanagh Paul B. , Einstein Andrew J. , Fish Mathews B. , Ruddy Terrence D. , Kaufmann Philipp A. , Sinusas Albert J. , Miller Edward J. , Bateman Timothy M. , Dorbala Sharmila , Di Carli Marcelo , Tamarappoo Balaji K. , Dey Damini , Berman Daniel S. , Slomka Piotr J.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Phase analysis of single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging provides dyssynchrony information which correlates well with assessments by echocardiography, but the independent prognostic significance is not well defined. This study assessed the independent prognostic value of single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging phase analysis in the largest multinational registry to date across all modalities.

Methods:

From the REFINE SPECT (Registry of Fast Myocardial Perfusion Imaging With Next Generation SPECT), a total of 19 210 patients were included (mean age 63.8±12.0 years and 56% males). Poststress total perfusion deficit, left ventricular ejection fraction, and phase variables (phase entropy, bandwidth, and SD) were obtained automatically. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to assess associations with major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Results:

During a follow-up of 4.5±1.7 years, 2673 (13.9%) patients experienced MACE. Annualized MACE rates increased with phase variables and were ≈4-fold higher between the second and highest decile group for entropy (1.7% versus 6.7%). Optimal phase variable cutoff values stratified MACE risk in patients with normal and abnormal total perfusion deficit and left ventricular ejection fraction. Only entropy was independently associated with MACE. The addition of phase entropy significantly improved the discriminatory power for MACE prediction when added to the model with total perfusion deficit and left ventricular ejection fraction (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

In a largest to date imaging study, widely representative, international cohort, phase variables were independently associated with MACE and improved risk stratification for MACE beyond the prediction by perfusion and left ventricular ejection fraction assessment alone. Phase analysis can be obtained fully automatically, without additional radiation exposure or cost to improve MACE risk prediction and, therefore, should be routinely reported for single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging studies.
Diverse Deep Neural Networks All Predict Human Inferior Temporal Cortex Well, After Training and Fitting
Authors: Storrs Katherine R. , Kietzmann Tim C. , Walther Alexander , Mehrer Johannes , Kriegeskorte Nikolaus
Published: July 2021

Deep neural networks (DNNs) trained on object recognition provide the best current models of high-level visual cortex. What remains unclear is how strongly experimental choices, such as network architecture, training, and fitting to brain data, contribute to the observed similarities. Here, we compare a diverse set of nine DNN architectures on their ability to explain the representational geometry of 62 object images in human inferior temporal cortex (hIT), as measured with fMRI. We compare untrained networks to their task-trained counterparts and assess the effect of cross-validated fitting to hIT, by taking a weighted combination of the principal components of features within each layer and, subsequently, a weighted combination of layers. For each combination of training and fitting, we test all models for their correlation with the hIT representational dissimilarity matrix, using independent images and subjects. Trained models outperform untrained models (accounting for 57% more of the explainable variance), suggesting that structured visual features are important for explaining hIT. Model fitting further improves the alignment of DNN and hIT representations (by 124%), suggesting that the relative prevalence of different features in hIT does not readily emerge from the Imagenet object-recognition task used to train the networks. The same models can also explain the disparate representations in primary visual cortex (V1), where stronger weights are given to earlier layers. In each region, all architectures achieved equivalently high performance once trained and fitted. The models' shared properties—deep feedforward hierarchies of spatially restricted nonlinear filters—seem more important than their differences, when modeling human visual representations.
Sensory Attenuation of the Auditory P2 Differentiates Self- from Partner-Produced Sounds during Joint Action
Authors: Bolt Nicole K. , Loehr Janeen D.
Published: July 2021

Successful human interaction relies on people's ability to differentiate between the sensory consequences of their own and others' actions. Research in solo action contexts has identified sensory attenuation, that is, the selective perceptual or neural dampening of the sensory consequences of self-produced actions, as a potential marker of the distinction between self- and externally produced sensory consequences. However, very little research has examined whether sensory attenuation distinguishes self- from partner-produced sensory consequences in joint action contexts. The current study examined whether sensory attenuation of the auditory N1 or P2 ERPs distinguishes self- from partner-produced tones when pairs of people coordinate their actions to produce tone sequences that match a metronome pace. We did not find evidence of auditory N1 attenuation for either self- or partner-produced tones. Instead, the auditory P2 was attenuated for self-produced tones compared to partner-produced tones within the joint action. These findings indicate that self-specific attenuation of the auditory P2 differentiates the sensory consequences of one's own from others' actions during joint action. These findings also corroborate recent evidence that N1 attenuation may be driven by general rather than action-specific processes and support a recently proposed functional dissociation between auditory N1 and P2 attenuation.
Harmonic Amplitude Summation for Frequency-tagging Analysis
Authors: Retter Talia L. , Rossion Bruno , Schiltz Christine
Published: July 2021

In the approach of frequency tagging, stimuli that are presented periodically generate periodic responses of the brain. Following a transformation into the frequency domain, the brain's response is often evident at the frequency of stimulation, F, and its higher harmonics (2F, 3F, etc.). This approach is increasingly used in neuroscience, as it affords objective measures to characterize brain function. However, whether these specific harmonic frequency responses should be combined for analysis—and if so, how—remains an outstanding issue. In most studies, higher harmonic responses have not been described or were described only individually; in other studies, harmonics have been combined with various approaches, for example, averaging and root-mean-square summation. A rationale for these approaches in the context of frequency-based analysis principles and an understanding of how they relate to the brain's response amplitudes in the time domain have been missing. Here, with these elements addressed, the summation of (baseline-corrected) harmonic amplitude is recommended.
scite: A smart citation index that displays the context of citations and classifies their intent using deep learning
Authors: Nicholson Josh M. , Mordaunt Milo , Lopez Patrice , Uppala Ashish , Rosati Domenic , Rodrigues Neves P. , Grabitz Peter , Rife Sean C.
Published: July 2021

Citation indices are tools used by the academic community for research and research evaluation that aggregate scientific literature output and measure impact by collating citation counts. Citation indices help measure the interconnections between scientific papers but fall short because they fail to communicate contextual information about a citation. The use of citations in research evaluation without consideration of context can be problematic because a citation that presents contrasting evidence to a paper is treated the same as a citation that presents supporting evidence. To solve this problem, we have used machine learning, traditional document ingestion methods, and a network of researchers to develop a “smart citation index” called scite, which categorizes citations based on context. Scite shows how a citation was used by displaying the surrounding textual context from the citing paper and a classification from our deep learning model that indicates whether the statement provides supporting or contrasting evidence for a referenced work, or simply mentions it. Scite has been developed by analyzing over 25 million full-text scientific articles and currently has a database of more than 880 million classified citation statements. Here we describe how scite works and how it can be used to further research and research evaluation.
Moral Disagreement in Anglican – Roman Catholic Relations
Authors: O’Donovan Oliver
Published: July 2021

The belief that the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches were divided by moral disagreements came to prominence in the early 1980s and affected the direction of ecumenical dialogue. But no moral disagreements go back to the Reformation era, and the perception of moral difference has undergone many changes since that time, especially reflecting differences of social and political setting. A moral agreement or disagreement is difficult to chart with precision. It is not embodied in a formulation of moral doctrine, since moral reason functions on two planes, that of evaluative description and that of deliberation and decision. Disagreement is phenomenologically present as offence, which has its own dynamic of expansion. Addressing offence, a task involving lay, theological and episcopal contributions, is the primary way in which moral agreement has to be sought and defended.
Tensions in Anglican – Roman Catholic Dialogue Doctrinal and Moral Absolutes 1980–2020
Authors: Sedgwick Peter
Published: July 2021

The article surveys Anglican – Roman Catholic ecumenical relationships from 1980–2020. It examines the belief in doctrinal and moral absolutes in official statements of the cdf, and the impact this had on documents from arcic. This was different from statements from the pcpcu, especially in relationship to wcc texts. The article concludes by looking at the changes since the election of Pope Francis, and whether ecumenical relationships will be different in the future.
Natural Law in the Teaching of Christian Ethics
Authors: Gill Robin
Published: July 2021

This article looks at the ways that Thomas Aquinas’ classic and highly influential understanding of natural law ethics has been criticised by students coming from a number of different faith traditions. It suggests that the way that natural law ethics was deployed in Pope Paul vi’s encyclical Humanae Vitae has not typically been found to be persuasive even among Roman Catholic students. It then looks at the way that Lisa Sowle Cahill takes on board these criticisms and offers a more persuasive account of modified natural law ethics.
Educating youth ministers in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney; John Kidson and the Youthworkers Course
Authors: Lukabyo Ruth
Published: July 2021

This study is a historical analysis of the education of youth ministers in the Anglican diocese of Sydney in the 1970s and 1980s. John Kidson ran the Youthworkers Course with the goal of educating professional, specialised youth ministers that could evangelise young people who were influenced by the counter-culture and increasingly disengaged from the church. Kidson used a distinctive educational model that emphasised relational outreach, transformative community, praxis, and the importance of the Bible. His goal was only partially met. He trained youth ministers that were able to communicate with and evangelise non-churched youth, but there were small numbers being trained, and few remained in youth ministry in the long-term. The Youthworkers Course and its strengths and weaknesses can be used as a case study for churches and colleges today as they consider the best way to educate youth ministers.
A new bizarre species of Euconnus (Cladoconnus) in Upper Eocene Rovno amber (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ , PERKOVSKY EVGENY E.
Published: July 2021

Despite being among the most species-rich extant animal genera, Euconnus Thomson is rare in fossil record. Merely six species found in relatively young, Eocene and Oligocene ambers have been placed in this genus, which currently includes over 2,600 extant nominal species distributed worldwide. We describe †Euconnus nathani sp. n., the first extinct, unambiguously placed member of the broadly distributed, extant Palaearctic subgenus Cladoconnus Reitter, based on a unique male specimen in Upper Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine. The male of the new species has monstrously modified antennae, in general structure showing close similarities to those of extant congeners, but the modification of antennomere 8 is so profound and bizarre that this one antennal segment alone is sufficient to identify adults of E. nathani.
The Application of a Rotating Packed Bed Reactor for the Synthesis of High Viscosity Wax Ester
Authors: Xu Juntao , Zhang Renwei , Liu Changsheng , Wang Fang , Nie Kaili , Deng Li
Published: July 2021

Wax esters are high value-added products and widely used in a broad range of commercial fields. The enzymatic synthesis of wax ester from plant oil is more attractive than the traditional chemical method due to being environmental-friendly and limiting the use of hazardous chemicals. However, the high mass transfer resistance from the high viscous substrate leads to a low conversion and long reaction time in the continues stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The rotating packed bed reactor (RPBR) offers high mass transfer and can be used to enhance the enzymatic wax ester synthesis process. From the results, it could be concluded that the mass transfer was enhanced with the optimization of the centrifugal factor of the RPBR. Under the optimal process conditions, the wax ester yield of 96.4% was obtained after 4 hours reaction, and the half-life of the catalyst corresponded with 64 hours, while nine batches achieved of yields above 90%. The investigation proved that the RPBR is an attractive and effective reactor for heterogeneous bio-catalysis in high viscosity of 7.39~12.27 Cst at 40 °C.