bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS IN THE PROBLEM OF GROUP PURSUIT OF MULTIPLE GOALS FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SIMULTANEOUS ACHIEVEMENT
Authors:   Banzarov Buryat State University, Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation, DUBANOV ALEXANDER
Published: May 2022

This article discusses a kinematic model of the problem of group pursuit of a set of goals. The article discusses a variant of the model when all goals are achieved simultaneously. In this model, the direction of the speeds by the pursuer can be arbitrary, in contrast to the method of parallel approach. In the method of parallel approach, the velocity vectors of the pursuer and the target are directed to a point on the Apollonius circle. The proposed pursuit model is based on the fact that the pursuer tries to follow the predicted trajectory of movement. The predicted trajectory is a compound curve. A compound curve consists of a circular arc and a straight line segment. The pursuer's velocity vector applied to the point where the pursuer is located touches the given circle. The straight line segment passes through the target point and touches the specified circle. The resulting compound line serves as an analogue of the line of sight in the parallel approach method. The iterative process of calculating the points of the pursuer's trajectory is that the next point of position is the point of intersection of the circle centered at the current point of the pursuer's position, with the line of sight corresponding to the point of the next position of the target. The radius of such a circle is equal to the product of the speed of the pursuer and the time interval corresponding to the time step of the iterative process. The time to reach the goal of each pursuer is a dependence on the speed of movement and the minimum radius of curvature of the trajectory. Multivariate analysis of the moduli of velocities and minimum radii of curvature of the trajectories of each of the pursuers for the simultaneous achievement of their goals is based on the methods of multidimensional descriptive geometry. To do this, the projection planes are entered on the Radishchev diagram: the radius of curvature of the trajectory and speed, the radius of curvature of the trajectory and the time to reach the goal. The optimizing factors are the set time for reaching the goal and the set value of the speed of the pursuer. This method of constructing the trajectories of pursuers to achieve a variety of goals at given time values may be in demand by the developers of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles.
TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN ENSURING INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
Authors:   Kazan National Research Technological University, Kazan, Russian Federation, KUDRYAVTSEVA SVETLANA , MINULINA OLGA
Published: May 2022

The purpose of the research. Development of methodological approaches to the study of the relationship between the state of the institution of intellectual property and the innovative activity of the industrial complex in the Russian context. Achievement of the goal is seen through the solution of the following tasks: Given a characteristic of the state of the institution of intellectual property in the model of open innovation; systematized the development trends of the intellectual property market in the Russian industry; modeling of the relationship between the development of the institution of intellectual property and innovation in industry has been carried out. Results. It has been established that the main source of remuneration in the intellectual property market is the innovation rent, which is the super-profits of the investor, innovator, innovation firm and innovation-active enterprise arising in the process of innovation diffusion. In this case, the sources of income can be: products and technologies, new business, specific assets, licenses, spin-off, subsidiaries, brands, individual stages of the innovation life cycle. In the Russian industry, there is an increase in patent activity, however, no stable dynamics in the development of the institution of intellectual property has been revealed. The level of manufacturability of production of industrial enterprises directly correlates with the level of intellectual property objects used and the applications filed for the issuance of titles of protection for the results of scientific and technical activities. There is no direct positive relationship between indicators of innovative activity in industry and indicators characterizing the state of the institution of intellectual property. However, time lags were revealed between the increase in the number of intellectual property objects used by industrial enterprises and the subsequent increase in the share of shipped innovative products - 3 years, as well as between the increase in the number of intellectual property objects used by industrial enterprises and the subsequent increase in the share of costs for technological innovation in general. the volume of shipped innovative products - 5 years.
JORDAN-WIGNER TRANSFORMATION AND QUBITS WITH NONTRIVIAL EXCHANGE RULE
Authors:   P.V. Ramzaev Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, VLASOV ALEXANDER
Published: May 2022

Well-known (spinless) fermionic qubits may need more subtle consideration in comparison with usual (spinful) fermions. Taking into account a model with local fermionic modes, formally only the ’occupied’ states |1〉 could be relevant for antisymmetry with respect to particles interchange, but ‘vacuum’ state |0〉 is not. Introduction of exchange rule for such fermionic qubits indexed by some ‘positions’ may look questionable due to general super-selection principle. However, a consistent algebraic construction of such ‘super-indexed’ qubits is presented in this work. Considered method has some relation with construction of super-spaces, but it has some differences with standard definition of supersymmety sometimes used for generalizations of qubit model.
TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF IMPROVING THE PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURING LASER GYROSCOPES USING METHODS OF COMPUTER SIMULATION
Authors:   Research Institute “Polyus” named after M.F. Stelmakh, Moscow, Russian Federation, KUZNETSOV EVGENY ,   Center of the National Technological Initiative “Photonika” of the Engineering Academy of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia,   Engineering Academy of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia,   National Research University Higher School of Economics, ERMAKOV DMITRII , SAMUSENKO OLEG , GOLYAEV YURI , KOLBAS YURI , KOFANOV YURI , SOLOVYEVA TATYANA , KUZNETSOV NIKITA , VINOKUROV YURI
Published: May 2022

The article discusses ways to improve the quality and economic efficiency of the development and production of complex innovative electronic devices, which include laser gyroscopes (LGs). The problems arising in ensuring the reliable operation of the LG in a wide temperature range, associated with the dense arrangement of the device, are described. The theoretical principles and mathematical apparatus that are used in the construction of thermal models of triaxial LGs with electronics are considered in detail. A developed algorithm for constructing a thermal model of an LG, which provides for a gradual disaggregation (zooming) procedure, is presented. The process of modeling the LG using the ASONIKA system is described, the constructed thermal model of the LG is presented, as well as the thermal field of one of the printed circuit assemblies of the LG. The detected thermally loaded electronic components are indicated. The results of experimental verification of the accuracy of modeling by means of real measurements by temperature sensors of temperatures in the nodes of the model, which have confirmed the reliability of thermal modeling using the ASONIKA system, are presented. It is emphasized that the cost of manufacturing and testing LG is quite high. Therefore, the task of finding ways to reduce the cost at the stages of development and production of LG while ensuring an increase in the quality and reliability of manufactured devices is extremely urgent. Accurate thermal modeling at early stages of development is an effective way to solve this problem due to savings in testing and redesign costs, as well as due to the use of an inexpensive domestic computer simulation system ASONIKA.
THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE METROLOGICAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Authors:   Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, ISGANDARZADA ELCHIN , VALIYEV  , AHMADLI  , ZULFUGAROVA  , ISLAMOVA
Published: May 2022

The system of metrological support is the basis of product quality management at a machine-building enterprise. The most important element of metrological support is the real quality parameters. It was studied that the administrative management system does not create conditions for the implementation of objective technical management and, as a result, for the optimization of the management structure, reduction of production costs and quality assurance. This problem can be solved only through the development of appropriate mathematical models of metrological support systems and production process control. However, in order to build mathematical models of metrological support and production process control systems, it is necessary to establish functional and structural diagrams of the technological process and form a process for obtaining graphic models using product reliability parameters. A model is a simplified system that reflects individual elements and more important aspects of the process under study. The same process can be described by different models, and one model can describe different processes. One of the most important and difficult issues in modeling is the definition of key indicators of the system, which should more fully reflect the quality of the product. These parameters include failure, durability, time spent on product development and commissioning, etc. Thus, the problem of modeling a metrological assurance system can be formulated as follows: it is necessary to find a system that meets the aggregate requirements of the initial data, and in this case the quality indicators should have the best values in accordance with a previously selected higher criterion.
Impact of Minimum wage on Employment
Authors: Sakib S M Nazmuz
Published: May 2022

This poster explains the impact of minimum wage on employment.
Efficacy of Laser Iridotomy in Primary Angle Closure Suspects and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma
Authors: Kurysheva N. I. , Sharova G. A.
Published: May 2022

Addressing the issue of a closed angle of the anterior chamber plays a key role in preventing the development of angleclosure glaucoma.The purpose: to compare the efficacy of Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) at the stage of primary angle closure suspects (PACs) with LPI carried out at the initial stage of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).Materials and methods. A clinical case of a primary angle closed disease (PACD) in a patient with PACs after LPI in the right eye and with PACG after LPI, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in the left eye is presented. A detailed examination was performed in dynamics, including methods of visualization of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.Results. After 2.5 years, the anterior chamber angle in the right eye retained an expanded profile after LPI (up to 30°), no signs of PACG development were recorded. On the left eye, the anterior chamber angle remained closed (9°) with an IOP of 24 mm Hg at the maximum hypotensive therapy with eye drops. Despite the absence of progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in both eyes, the risk of the transition from the initial stage to the moderate and advanced stage of PACG in the left eye still remains due to the presence of goniosynechia and possible fluctuations of intraocular pressure.Conclusion. LPI is more effective at the stage of PACs and its implementation is advisable in order to prevent the development of PACG.
Improving the Methodology of Visual Acuity Assessment in Children Aged 2 to 5 Years
Authors: Jonnazarov E. I. , Narbut M. N. , Ismailov M. I. , Cervatiuc M. I. , Dibirova S. M.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Vision plays a key role in the development of newborns and children. Early and severe visual impairment can affect motor skills, cognition, communication and social abilities. One of the main diagnostic indicators of the development of the eye in children is the central visual acuity.Purpose: To suggest an improvement of the visual acuity assessment system in children aged 2 to 5 years by introducing a fundamentally new eye chart intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of measurements.Materials and methods. The study included 40 children (80 eyes) aged 2 to 5 years, without previously diagnosed ocular pathology. Visual acuity test was performed using standard Orlova eye chart and a fundamentally new Just Evident Images / Jonnazarov Eldor Ihtiyorovich eye chart (abbreviated as JEI/JEI). The results obtained were later compared. The JEI/JEI chart consists of 13 color and black optotypes of various sizes, equal in width and height, that represent objects that are well-known and easily recognizable by children even at an early age: “Sun”, “Flower”, “Christmas Tree”, “House”, “Chicken”, “Child”, “Star”, “Horse”, “Bear”, “Car”, “Kitten”, “Ball”, “Hare”.Results. The results of vision acuity tests in 29 (72.5%) and 31 (77.5%) matched, and the effectiveness of both methods was evaluated as identical. In 11 cases (27.5%) of assessing VA in the right eye and 9 cases (22.5%) in the left eye, the results obtained differed, yet correlated directly: the difference between VA values obtained using JEI/JEI and Orlova eye charts amounted to 0.1–0.2.Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the prospects of using the JEI/JEI eye chart in clinical practice for vision acuity tests in young children. The suggested method simplifies the perception of the objects and increases the accuracy of assessing visual acuity in children due to the selection and geometry of optotypes.
PROTEIN, ENERGY AND MINERAL NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FEED IN DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF PASTURE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Privalova Kira , Karimov Ruslan
Published: May 2022

The results of studies substantiating the possibility of maintaining the high quality of pasture forage during the 46-year use of grass stands are presented. The quality of the feed was assessed by protein and energy nutrition, as well as by the content of mineral elements in different technological systems of pasture management (technogenic — without fertilizers, integrated — against the background of P45K90, technogenic-mineral — against the backgrounds of N60–180P45K90–120, technogenic-organic — 10 and 20 tons of manure/ha once every 4 years). Experimental data were obtained on the quality of the feed in accordance with the technical requirements of GOST R 57482-2017 "Pasture feed", the indicators of which varied significantly depending on the pasture management system and different levels of fertilizer. The influence of weather conditions on the protein nutritional value of pasture forage by the cycles of use of herbage is substantiated using the example of 2016, which is characterized by a dry growing season.
Control of CDH1/E-Cadherin Gene Expression and Release of a Soluble Form of E-Cadherin in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Caco-2 Intestinal Cells: Physiopathological Consequences for the Intestinal Forms of COVID-19
Authors: Osman Ikram Omar , Garrec Clémence , de Souza Gabriel Augusto Pires , Zarubica Ana , Belhaouari Djamal Brahim , Baudoin Jean-Pierre , Lepidi Hubert , Mege Jean-Louis , Malissen Bernard , Scola Bernard La , Devaux Christian Albert
Published: May 2022

COVID-19 is the biggest pandemic the world has seen this century. Alongside the respiratory damage observed in patients with severe forms of the disease, gastrointestinal symptoms have been frequently reported. These symptoms (e.g., diarrhoea), sometimes precede the development of respiratory tract illnesses, as if the digestive tract was a major target during early SARS-CoV-2 dissemination. We hypothesize that in patients carrying intestinal SARS-CoV-2, the virus may trigger epithelial barrier damage through the disruption of E-cadherin (E-cad) adherens junctions, thereby contributing to the overall gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19. Here, we use an intestinal Caco-2 cell line of human origin which expresses the viral receptor/co-receptor as well as the membrane anchored cell surface adhesion protein E-cad to investigate the expression of E-cad after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. We found that the expression of CDH1/E-cad mRNA was significantly lower in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 at 24 hours post-infection, compared to virus-free Caco-2 cells. The viral receptor ACE2 mRNA expression was specifically down-regulated in SARS-CoV-2-infected Caco-2 cells, while it remained stable in HCoV-OC43-infected Caco-2 cells, a virus which uses HLA class I instead of ACE2 to enter cells. It is worth noting that SARS-CoV-2 induces lower transcription of TMPRSS2 (involved in viral entry) and higher expression of B0AT1 mRNA (that encodes a protein known to co-express with ACE2 on intestinal cells). At 48 hours post-exposure to the virus, we also detected a small but significant increase of soluble E-cad protein (sE-cad) in the culture supernatant of SARS-CoV-2-infected Caco-2 cells. The increase of sE-cad release was also found in the intestinal HT29 cell line when infected by SARS-CoV-2. Beside the dysregulation of E-cad, SARS-CoV-2 infection of Caco-2 cells also leads to the dysregulation of other cell adhesion proteins (occludin, JAMA-A, zonulin, connexin-43 and PECAM-1). Taken together, these results shed light on the fact that infection of Caco-2 cells with SARS-CoV-2 affects tight-, adherens-, and gap-junctions. Moreover, intestinal tissues damage was associated to the intranasal SARS-CoV-2 infection in human ACE2 transgenic mice.
Social Neuro AI: Social Interaction as the “Dark Matter” of AI
Authors: Bolotta Samuele , Dumas Guillaume
Published: May 2022

This article introduces a three-axis framework indicating how AI can be informed by biological examples of social learning mechanisms. We argue that the complex human cognitive architecture owes a large portion of its expressive power to its ability to engage in social and cultural learning. However, the field of AI has mostly embraced a solipsistic perspective on intelligence. We thus argue that social interactions not only are largely unexplored in this field but also are an essential element of advanced cognitive ability, and therefore constitute metaphorically the “dark matter” of AI. In the first section, we discuss how social learning plays a key role in the development of intelligence. We do so by discussing social and cultural learning theories and empirical findings from social neuroscience. Then, we discuss three lines of research that fall under the umbrella of Social NeuroAI and can contribute to developing socially intelligent embodied agents in complex environments. First, neuroscientific theories of cognitive architecture, such as the global workspace theory and the attention schema theory, can enhance biological plausibility and help us understand how we could bridge individual and social theories of intelligence. Second, intelligence occurs in time as opposed to over time, and this is naturally incorporated by dynamical systems. Third, embodiment has been demonstrated to provide more sophisticated array of communicative signals. To conclude, we discuss the example of active inference, which offers powerful insights for developing agents that possess biological realism, can self-organize in time, and are socially embodied.
Machine Learning for Prediction of Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Rong Fangning , Xiang Huaqiang , Qian Lu , Xue Yangjing , Ji Kangting , Yin Ripen
Published: May 2022

Objective

The management of cardiogenic shock (CS) in the elderly remains a major clinical challenge. Existing clinical prediction models have not performed well in assessing the prognosis of elderly patients with CS. This study aims to build a predictive model, which could better predict the 30-day mortality of elderly patients with CS.

Methods

We extracted data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III version 1.4 (MIMIC-III) as the training set and the data of validation sets were collected from the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Three models, including the cox regression model, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression model, and the CoxBoost model, were established using the training set. Through the comparison of area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), C index, net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and median improvement in risk score, the best model was selected. Then for external validation, compared the best model with the simplified acute physiology score II (SAPSII) and the CardShock risk score.

Results

A total of 919 patients were included in the study, of which 804 patients were in the training set and 115 patients were in the verification set. Using the training set, we built three models: the cox regression model including 6 predictors, the LASSO regression model including 4 predictors, and the CoxBoost model including 16 predictors. Among them, the CoxBoost model had good discrimination [AUC: 0.730; C index: 0.6958 (0.6657, 0.7259)]. Compared with the CoxBoost model, the NRI, IDI, and median improvement in risk score of other models were all<0. In the validation set, the CoxBoost model was also well-discriminated [AUC: 0.770; C index: 0.7713 (0.6751, 0.8675)]. Compared with the CoxBoost model, the NRI, IDI, and median improvement in risk score of SAPS II and the CardShock risk score were all < 0. And we constructed a dynamic nomogram to visually display the model.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study showed that in predicting the 30-day mortality of elderly CS patients, the CoxBoost model was superior to the Cox regression model, LASSO regression model, SAPS II, and the CardShock risk score.
Differential Inhibition of Platelet Reactivity by Dual Therapy With Aspirin and Low-Dose Rivaroxaban in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jurk Kerstin , Rothenaicher Korbinian F. , Groß Kathrin , Rossmann Heidi , Weißer Gerhard , Schmidtmann Irene , Münzel Thomas , Espinola-Klein Christine
Published: May 2022

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) benefit from combination therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100 mg, one time per day) plus low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg, two times per day) compared to ASA monotherapy. In particular, major adverse cardiac and limb events were significantly reduced after peripheral endovascular revascularization (EVR). In this pilot study, the platelet activation status in vivo and platelet reactivity in vitro were longitudinally analyzed by flow cytometric assays and calibrated automated thrombography in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from 10 patients with PAD receiving ASA (100 mg, one time per day) before EVR, ASA plus clopidogrel (75 mg, one time per day) after EVR, and ASA plus rivaroxaban (2.5 mg, two times per day) during a long-term follow-up. Platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel was compared to additional 10 patients with stable PAD and clopidogrel (75 mg, one time per day) monotherapy. ASA plus rivaroxaban treatment resulted in a significantly decreased thrombin peak in PRP for two triggers, namely, low concentration of tissue factor (TF) and thrombin, compared to ASA monotherapy. TF-controlled thrombin generation was additionally characterized by a significantly prolonged lag time in PRP and platelet-free plasma during ASA plus rivaroxaban combination therapy. In comparison, ASA plus clopidogrel treatment presented a significant reduction of the thrombin peak in PRP, which was less pronounced than during subsequent ASA plus rivaroxaban therapy. Platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel was observed for 60% of patients receiving ASA plus clopidogrel and clopidogrel monotherapy, respectively. Blocking of CD36 on the platelet surface further reduced the thrombin peak in PRP induced by TF for all three therapy regimes. Platelet activation in vivo and in response to the GPVI-agonist convulxin or thrombin in vitro was similar, whereas integrin αIIbβ3 activation and α-granule release induced by the PAR-1 activating peptide TRAP-6 were significantly diminished during ASA plus rivaroxaban treatment compared to ASA monotherapy. In conclusion, the data of this pilot study indicate an inhibitory effect of rivaroxaban on the thrombin propagation phase of CD36-sensitive platelet thrombin formation in patients with PAD treated with ASA plus rivaroxaban combination therapy, which is associated with decreased PAR-1 but not thrombin-mediated platelet activation.
Novel Insights on Establishing Machine Learning-Based Stroke Prediction Models Among Hypertensive Adults
Authors: Huang Xiao , Cao Tianyu , Chen Liangziqian , Li Junpei , Tan Ziheng , Xu Benjamin , Xu Richard , Song Yun , Zhou Ziyi , Wang Zhuo , Wei Yaping , Zhang Yan , Li Jianping , Huo Yong , Qin Xianhui , Wu Yanqing , Wang Xiaobin , Wang Hong , Cheng Xiaoshu , Xu Xiping , Liu Lishun
Published: May 2022

Background

Stroke is a major global health burden, and risk prediction is essential for the primary prevention of stroke. However, uncertainty remains about the optimal prediction model for analyzing stroke risk. In this study, we aim to determine the most effective stroke prediction method in a Chinese hypertensive population using machine learning and establish a general methodological pipeline for future analysis.

Methods

The training set included 70% of data (n = 14,491) from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT). Internal validation was processed with the rest 30% of CSPPT data (n = 6,211), and external validation was conducted using a nested case–control (NCC) dataset (n = 2,568). The primary outcome was the first stroke. Four received analysis methods were processed and compared: logistic regression (LR), stepwise logistic regression (SLR), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and random forest (RF). Population characteristic data with inclusion and exclusion of laboratory variables were separately analyzed. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, kappa, and area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to make model assessments with AUCs the top concern. Data balancing techniques, including random under-sampling (RUS) and synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE), were applied to process this unbalanced training set.

Results

The best model performance was observed in RUS-applied RF model with laboratory variables. Compared with null models (sensitivity = 0, specificity = 100, and mean AUCs = 0.643), data balancing techniques improved overall performance with RUS, demonstrating a more satisfactory effect in the current study (RUS: sensitivity = 63.9; specificity = 53.7; and mean AUCs = 0.624. Adding laboratory variables improved the performance of analysis methods. All results were reconfirmed in validation sets. The top 10 important variables were determined by the analysis method with the best performance.

Conclusion

Among the tested methods, the most effective stroke prediction model in targeted population is RUS-applied RF. From the insights, the current study revealed, we provided general frameworks for building machine learning-based prediction models.
Cryolithostratigraphy of the Middle Pleistocene to Holocene Deposits in the Dmitry Laptev Strait, Northern Yakutia
Authors: Tumskoy Vladimir , Kuznetsova Tatiana
Published: May 2022

The northernmost part of continental Yakutia in the Dmitry Laptev Strait region developed under non-glacial conditions during the Quaternary period. During cooling periods, ice-rich deposits with syngenetic ice wedges, called the Ice Complex, formed here. During periods of warming, they partially thawed under thermokarst lakes and a peculiar complex of lacustrine-boggy deposits (the Alas Complex) was formed. The article presents a description of ice-rich deposit sequences in several Ice Complex horizons and their transformation in lake taliks from the Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene (MIS 7—MIS 1). The Oyogos Yar section structure is considered as an example using additional geological data from the southern coast of Bol’shoy Lyakhovsky Island. Specific examples show the results of changes in the structure of sections via cryogenic processes—ice wedge formation and thawing. We confirm that cryogenic processes are important factors, along with accumulation and erosion processes, which change the geological and cryolithological structure of the sections. It is shown that to clearly understand the stratigraphic subdivision of Quarternary deposits in areas of Ice Complex development, geological and analytical studies of the sections are insufficient; an elucidation of the sequence of sediment freezing and thawing and the resulting cryolithogical phenomena is necessary.
The Tug-of-War Over Truth: A Foucauldian Case Study on the Interplay of Competing Discourses in Education
Authors: Rose Patrick Allen
Published: May 2022

The present study applies a Foucauldian critical analytic to investigate competing discourses in education that are shown to be present in one public high school in the southern part of the United States. It is revealed how these discourses intersect and collide with each other to reinforce certain values, principles and practices, but eventually loosely coalesce along with other social interactions into general rules and social norms within the high school. It is found that technology itself represents a separate competing discourse with its own set of unique truths, goals, language and tools that both overlap and challenge other dominant discourses. Foucault’s concepts about power and governmentality provide the deductive design for data interpretation. Teacher and school administrator retellings are examined for signs of structures of thought and discursive truths that characterize ways of thinking that represent opposing points of views about the role of technology in education and its effect on defining the “right” way to teach. A framework is proposed for understanding and comparing the discourses based on their differing views of technology.
Transsphenoidal Surgery of Giant Pituitary Adenoma: Results and Experience of 239 Cases in A Single Center
Authors: Chen Yike , Xu Xiaohui , Cao Jing , Jie Yuanqing , Wang Linkai , Cai Feng , Chen Sheng , Yan Wei , Hong Yuan , Zhang Jianmin , Wu Qun
Published: May 2022

Background

Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is first-line treatment for giant pituitary adenomas (PAs). Although PA is a benign neuroendocrine tumor that originates from adenohypophysial cells, the surgical outcomes and prognosis of giant PAs differ significantly due to multiple factors such as tumor morphology, invasion site, pathological characteristics and so on. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes of giant PAs in a single-center cohort.

Methods

The clinical features and outcomes of 239 patients with giant PA who underwent sphenoidal surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to October 2021 were collected from medical records. The basic clinical information (age, gender, function etc.), surgical procedure, imaging features (maximum diameter, invasion characteristics, tumor shape etc.) and histopathological characteristics (pathological results, Ki-67, P53 etc.) were retrospectively reviewed. SPSS 25.0 and Stata 12.0 software were used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 239 patients with giant PAs underwent TSS, of which 168 surgeries (70.29%) were endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (EETS) and 71 (29.71%) were microscopic transsphenoidal (MTS). The mean preoperative maximum diameter in the cohort was 45.64 mm. Gross-total resection was achieved in 46 patients (19.25%), near-total in 56 (23.43%), subtotal in 68 (28.45%), and partial in 69 (28.87%) patients. The maximum tumor diameter and Knosp grade were the significant factors that limited the extent of the resection of giant PAs. A total of 193 patients (80.75%) experienced surgical complications, and the most common complications were postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) (91, 38.08%), intracranial infection (36, 15.06%) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (37, 15.48%). In addition, there was a significant difference in the incidence of CSF leaks between the neuroendoscopy group and the microscopic group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The management of giant PAs remains a therapeutic challenge due to their large size and postoperative complications. The maximum diameter and Knosp grade of giant PAs significantly limited the extent of resection, which warrants a reasonable surgical plan.
Glucose- and Bile Acid-Stimulated Secretion of Gut Hormones in the Isolated Perfused Intestine Is Not Impaired in Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Hunt Jenna E. , Holst Jens J. , Jepsen Sara L.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Decreased circulating levels of food-intake-regulating gut hormones have been observed in type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, it is still unknown if this is due to decreased secretion from the gut mucosal cells or due to extra-intestinal processing of hormones.

Methods

We measured intestinal hormone content and assessed morphological differences in the intestinal mucosa by histology and immunohistochemistry. Secretion of hormones and absorption of glucose and bile acids (BA) were assessed in isolated perfused mouse intestine.

Results

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and SS (somatostatin) contents were higher in the duodenum of control mice (p < 0.001, and <0.01). Duodenal GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) content (p < 0.01) and distal ileum PYY content were higher in DIO mice (p < 0.05). Villus height in the jejunum, crypt depth, and villus height in the ileum were increased in DIO mice (p < 0.05 and p = 0.001). In the distal ileum of DIO mice, more immunoreactive GLP-1 and PYY cells were observed (p = 0.01 and 0.007). There was no difference in the absorption of glucose and bile acids. Distal secretion of SS tended to be higher in DIO mice (p < 0.058), whereas no difference was observed for the other hormones in response to glucose or bile acids.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that differences regarding production and secretion are unlikely to be responsible for the altered circulating gut hormone levels in obesity, since enteroendocrine morphology and hormone secretion capacity were largely unaffected in DIO mice.
Perinatal Exposure to Nicotine Alters Sperm RNA Profiles in Rats
Authors: Wang Hetan , Liu Jie , Gao Jianjun , Yan Wei , Rehan Virender K.
Published: May 2022

Perinatal exposure to smoking has been associated with childhood asthma, one of the most common pediatric conditions affecting millions of children globally. Of great interest, this disease phenotype appears heritable as it can persist across multiple generations even in the absence of persistent exposure to smoking in subsequent generations. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying childhood asthma induced by perinatal exposure to smoking or nicotine remain elusive, an epigenetic mechanism has been proposed, which is supported by the data from our earlier analyses on germline DNA methylation (5mC) and histone marks (H3 and H4 acetylation). To further investigate the potential epigenetic inheritance of childhood asthma induced by perinatal nicotine exposure, we profiled both large and small RNAs in the sperm of F1 male rats. Our data revealed that perinatal exposure to nicotine leads to alterations in the profiles of sperm-borne RNAs, including mRNAs and small RNAs, and that rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, can attenuate the effect of nicotine and reverse the sperm-borne RNA profiles of F1 male rats to close to placebo control levels.
Development of New Products and Energy Consumption in Industrial Production: Relationship and Evidence From China
Authors: Tang Erzi
Published: May 2022

Will energy consumption decrease when producers implement some innovative activities in industrial production? As a special but important innovation, how development of new products impacts energy consumption is a valuable issue. This study proposes a model to analyze the relationship of energy consumption and development of new products and finds that development of new products and production probably increases total energy consumption and energy intensity by output simultaneously since the productivity of producing new products may be lower than those existing goods with mature processes in industrial production. Producers develop new products with cleaner technology by saving energy or/and with higher initial productivity is possible to decrease energy consumption. After theoretical analysis, this study empirically tests the correlation between development of new products and energy consumption by using 2016–2019 data of Chinese industry and reveals that development of new products and production increased total energy consumption and energy intensity by output in industrial production, but decreased the usage and intensity of a special final energy product as gasoline. These findings indicate that the Chinese industrial sector developed new products with cleaner technology by only saving gasoline. The effect of total energy saving by implementing innovative activities with new product development in industrial production was very limited in China. Chinese industry consumes huge amounts of energy and spends a lot of money on development of new products; policy makers with the vision of innovative and green development need to balance development of new products and energy consumption.
Evolution and Trend Analysis of Research Hotspots in the Field of Pollution-Intensive Industry Transfer—Based on Literature Quantitative Empirical Study of China as World Factory
Authors: Feng Langang , Shang Shu , Feng Xin , Kong Ying , Bai Jiahe
Published: May 2022

Background: The transfer of pollution-intensive industries in China accounts for an increasing proportion of industrial transfer, and related studies emerge endlessly. Fully exploring its research and development breadth and depth will help clarify the development trend in this field and point out the direction for future research.

Method/Process: From the perspective of bibliometric analysis, with keywords as the core and cluster analysis of research hotspots as the basis, the keywords of pollution-intensive industry transfer in CNKI database are analyzed by CiteSpace software and divided into five categories. Established the text corpus model, and the network analysis transformed into a visual form. Due to the diverse research hotspots in pollution-intensive industry transfer, this article analyzes the evolution of research hotspots in this field to predict its future development trend.

Conclusion/Significance: China, as the world’s factory, is affected by relevant policies, and industrial transfers have generally occurred. Industrial transfer, especially the transfer of pollution-intensive industries, has gradually attracted the attention of academic circles and has become a hot topic. When dealing with the transfer of pollution-intensive industries, industrial transfer only transfers pollution across regions. If we want to reduce pollution from the origin, innovation is an essential means. In retrospect, there were rare articles concerning the emerging polluting industries, however, recently since the emerging polluting industries have already constituted as the main source of pollution, more academic attentions are definitely needed. Although the mainstream measurement methods, the related share index method, and the input-output table have their weaknesses, respectively, the deviation share method can overcome the shortcomings of both. Therefore, it can be used as a reference for scholars to measure the transfer of pollution-intensive industries in the future.
Tumor Microenvironment Evaluation for Gastrointestinal Cancer in the Era of Immunotherapy and Machine Learning
Authors: Ye Zilan , Zeng Dongqiang , Zhou Rui , Shi Min , Liao Wangjun
Published: May 2022

A dynamic and mutualistic interplay between tumor cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) triggered the initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy response of solid tumors. Recent clinical breakthroughs in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer conferred considerable attention to the estimation of TME, and the maturity of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based technology contributed to the availability of increasing datasets and computational toolbox for deciphering TME compartments. In the current review, we demonstrated the components of TME, multiple methodologies involved in TME detection, and prognostic and predictive TME signatures derived from corresponding methods for gastrointestinal cancer. The TME evaluation comprises traditional, radiomics, and NGS-based high-throughput methodologies, and the computational algorithms are comprehensively discussed. Moreover, we systemically elucidated the existing TME-relevant signatures in the prognostic, chemotherapeutic, and immunotherapeutic settings. Collectively, we highlighted the clinical and technological advances in TME estimation for clinical translation and anticipated that TME-associated biomarkers may be promising in optimizing the future precision treatment for gastrointestinal cancer.
Pediatric Pan-Central Nervous System Tumor Methylome Analyses Reveal Immune-Related LncRNAs
Authors: Li Yongsheng , Xu Sicong , Xu Dahua , Pan Tao , Guo Jing , Gu Shuo , Lin Qiuyu , Li Xia , Li Kongning , Xiang Wei
Published: May 2022

Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common cancer diagnosis among children. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as critical regulators of gene expression, and they play fundamental roles in immune regulation. However, knowledge on epigenetic changes in lncRNAs in diverse types of pediatric CNS tumors is lacking. Here, we integrated the DNA methylation profiles of 2,257 pediatric CNS tumors across 61 subtypes with lncRNA annotations and presented the epigenetically regulated landscape of lncRNAs. We revealed the prevalent lncRNA methylation heterogeneity across pediatric pan-CNS tumors. Based on lncRNA methylation profiles, we refined 14 lncRNA methylation clusters with distinct immune microenvironment patterns. Moreover, we found that lncRNA methylations were significantly correlated with immune cell infiltrations in diverse tumor subtypes. Immune-related lncRNAs were further identified by investigating their correlation with immune cell infiltrations and potentially regulated target genes. LncRNA with methylation perturbations potentially regulate the genes in immune-related pathways. We finally identified several candidate immune-related lncRNA biomarkers (i.e., SSTR5-AS1, CNTN4-AS1, and OSTM1-AS1) in pediatric cancer for further functional validation. In summary, our study represents a comprehensive repertoire of epigenetically regulated immune-related lncRNAs in pediatric pan-CNS tumors, and will facilitate the development of immunotherapeutic targets.
Annexin-A1 Tripeptide Attenuates Surgery-Induced Neuroinflammation and Memory Deficits Through Regulation the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Zhang Zhiquan , Ma Qing , Velagapudi Ravikanth , Barclay William E. , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Wetsel William C. , Yang Ting , Shinohara Mari L. , Terrando Niccolò
Published: May 2022

Neuroinflammation is a growing hallmark of perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs), including delirium and longer-lasting cognitive deficits. We have developed a clinically relevant orthopedic mouse model to study the impact of a common surgical procedure on the vulnerable brain. The mechanism underlying PNDs remains unknown. Here we evaluated the impact of surgical trauma on the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, including the expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, and IL-1β in the hippocampus of C57BL6/J male mice, adult (3-months) and aged (>18-months). Surgery triggered ASC specks formation in CA1 hippocampal microglia, but without inducing significant morphological changes in NLRP3 and ASC knockout mice. Since no therapies are currently available to treat PNDs, we assessed the neuroprotective effects of a biomimetic peptide derived from the endogenous inflammation-ending molecule, Annexin-A1 (ANXA1). We found that this peptide (ANXA1sp) inhibited postoperative NLRP3 inflammasome activation and prevented microglial activation in the hippocampus, reducing PND-like memory deficits. Together our results reveal a previously under-recognized role of hippocampal ANXA1 and NLRP3 inflammasome dysregulation in triggering postoperative neuroinflammation, offering a new target for advancing treatment of PNDs through the resolution of inflammation.
Screening for Anti-HMGCR Antibodies in a Large Single Myositis Center Reveals Infrequent Exposure to Statins and Diversiform Presentation of the Disease
Authors: Szczesny Piotr , Barsotti Simone , Nennesmo Inger , Danielsson Olof , Dastmalchi Maryam
Published: May 2022

Background

The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of autoantibodies against 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in a single center myositis cohort and to analyze associations with statin exposure, clinical features, and outcome of disease course.

Methods

A total of 312 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) followed at the rheumatology clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, were identified in the Euromyositis registry between 1988 and 2014 and were classified according to the 2017 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) criteria. Available serum samples were analyzed for anti-HMGCR autoantibodies by ELISA. Positive sera were confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Clinical data were extracted from Euromyositis registry and medical records. Muscle samples were examined by two pathologists blinded to the subjects’ autoantibody status.

Results

Of 312 patients, 13 (4.3%) were positive for anti-HMGCR. Two of the 13 (15%) anti-HMGCR–positive patients had histories of statin use versus 12 (4.2%) in the anti-HMGCR–negative group. In the anti-HMGCR–positive group, five (38%) had a clinical phenotype compatible with dermatomyositis. Muscle biopsies of patients with HMGCR autoantibodies showed findings consistent with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy in all cases except for one. Five (38%) patients required treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin compared to seven (2.3%) without this antibody. At the last visit, seven patients had chronic, active disease course, and five of 13 patients were in remission, including three without treatment.

Conclusions

Patients with IIM related to anti-HMGCR autoantibodies may present with a wide range of symptoms, more than previously anticipated. When a broad approach to screening for these antibodies is applied, only a minority of patients was found to have previous statin exposure. The results of this study justify the addition of anti-HMGCR autoantibodies to routine diagnostic procedures in patients with myositis.