bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression-, Pain-, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Chalhoub Nathalie E. , Luggen Michael E.
Published: May 2022

Objectives. A significant number of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have depression, and many are untreated. We aim to assess the frequency of moderate to severe depression (MSD) in a multiethnic group of SLE patients with different sociodemographic backgrounds, identify modifiable factors associated with depression, and determine the impact of depression, disease activity, damage, cognitive function, and pain severity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods. Ninety-nine patients with SLE were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II), SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2K), SLICC Damage Index (SLICC-DI), pain severity (10 cm visual analogue scale), cognitive function (Automated Neuropsychologic Assessment Metrics (ANAM)), and the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were recorded. Bivariate analysis identified potential associations of relevant variables with BDI II and SF-36. Regression analysis determined independent correlates with MSD, PCS, and MCS. Results. Over 50% of subjects (50.5%) were African-American, 37.1% had a family income of ≤$20,000, and 31.3% had MSD. In the bivariate analysis, family income, SLEDAI-2K, cognitive function, and pain severity were associated with MSD. Using binary logistic regression, SLEDAI-2K and pain severity remained independently correlated with MSD (

p
=
0.004

). In the multiple linear regression analysis, pain severity was the only independent correlate of PCS (

p
<
0.0001

), while cognitive function and BDI II were the main factors associated with MCS (

p
=
0.020

and

p
<
0.0001

, respectively). Conclusion. Pain severity and disease activity are associated with MSD in our unique population, are potentially modifiable, and deserve further attention in the clinic. Depression and pain significantly affect HRQoL and should be aggressively managed.
Assessment of Bioprocess Development-Based Modeling and Simulation in a Sustainable Environment
Authors: Satish Kumar R. , Rao B. Nageswara , Prameela M. , Pauldoss S. Peniel , Mangrulkar Amol L. , Salmen Saleh H. , Al Obaid Sami , Sappireamaniyan S. , Hadish Kibrom Menasbo
Published: May 2022

Modeling and simulation help us gain a better knowledge of chemical systems and develop obstacles and improvement opportunities. In the initial stages of systems integration, the time and money constraints prevent more precise estimates, basic simulation software that provides a reasonable approximation of energy and material usage and procedure exhaust is typically useful. Every next era of technicians will confront a new set of difficulties, including developing new biochemical reactions with high sensitivity and selectivity for pharmaceutical industries and manufacturing lesser chemicals from biomass resources. This job will need the use of operational process systems integration development tools. The existing toolsneed improvement so that they could be used to examine operations against sustainability principles as well as profitability. Eventually, characteristic models for substances that aren’t presently in collections will be necessary. In the field of integrated bioprocesses, there will undoubtedly be a plethora of new prospects for process systems engineering. The financial and environmental evaluations were based on a generic methodology for collecting first-estimate stock levels. The time it takes to do the evaluation may be cut in half, and a wider number of choices could be explored. A valuable commitment to sustainability bioprocess modeling and evaluation can be made by using a first-approximation numerical method as the basis for financial and environmental evaluations.
Macro- and Microresearch on Swelling Characteristics and Deformation Mechanism of Red-Bed Mudstone in Central Sichuan, China
Authors: Yu Fei , Tong Kai-wen , Dai Zhang-jun , Feng Gao-shun , Zhou Zhe , Chen Shan-xiong
Published: May 2022

Exploring the development of multiscale behaviors of red-bed mudstone is beneficial for in-depth evaluation of swelling capacity and its progressive failure mechanism. In this paper, a macro-micro study was performed on rock samples in central Sichuan, China. The influence of environmental factors such as water content, degree of soaking, and gaseous moisture absorption was discussed. Spatial characterizations were finally described from pore structure and distribution. Experimental results suggested that deformation curve under water immersion had three stages of rapid growth, deceleration growth, and gradual stabilization. It can enter stable deformation within 60~80h and has short-term swelling effects, while gaseous moisture absorption presented long-term performance during 0~700 h. The difference in deformation between partial and complete immersion may be the release of swelling potential caused by humidity gradient and capillary suction. The strain-time curves during water immersion all tended to short-term swelling. Moreover, repeated drying and wetting promoted the time of shrinkage adjustment in the second cycle to be significantly shortened, resulting in a large amount of irreversible plastic deformation. Although initial water content influenced the final stable strain, it only changed the degree of deformation at initial stage. For the microscale structures, the closer to the end, the greater the porosity and the smaller the middle. The average porosity after 0, 1, and 2 dry and wet cycles reached 0.227%, 4.027%, and 6.121%, respectively. Geometric parameters such as volume and surface area of the pores enlarged with the increase of the number of cycles. Small pores gradually evolved into microcracks and large fissures. Besides, the pores developed from “tree-like” to “net-like” structures with continuous cycles.
The Diagnostic Value of High‐Resolution Computed Tomography Features Combined with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Ribonucleic Acid Load Detection for Refractory Mycoplasma Pneumonia
Authors: Wei Hongping , Wang Chunyan , Ding Lili , Wu Min
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) images and mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) ribonucleic acid (RNA) load detection in the early diagnosis of refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae (RMP) and provide more methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RMP. Seventy children with MP were divided into the RMP group (H1 group, 31 cases) and the MP group (H2 group, 39 cases) according to pathological findings, and all of them underwent CT scanning. MP‐RNA load and genotype distribution were analyzed in both groups, and the diagnostic efficacy of CT combined with MP‐RNA load for RMP was calculated. The sensitivity of children in the H1 group to erythromycin (59.17% vs 71.56%) and clarithromycin (53.21% vs 67.03%) was lower than that in the H2 group, and the resistance rate of children in the H1 group to erythromycin (71.43% vs 67.53%) and clarithromycin (64.24% vs 50.37%) was higher than that in the H2 group (P < 0.05); the regression coefficients between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the MPLI value of RMP were −0.064 and −0.413, respectively, which were significantly negatively correlated (P < 0.05); the accuracy (96.5%), sensitivity (92.5%), and specificity (88%) of CT + MP‐RNA in the diagnosis of RMP were significantly higher than those of CT alone (91%, 88%, and 82%) and MP‐RNA alone (88%, 84.5%, and 74%), which were significantly different (P < 0.05). The results of high MP‐RNA load detection can be used as an indicator to predict RMP, and the diagnostic efficacy is significantly improved after combination with high‐resolution CT, with high clinical application value.
Diagnosis of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Targeting Antibody Nano-microbubble as Ultrasound Contrast Agent
Authors: Wang Yi , Feng Yujin , Yang Xiaoyun , Wang Wengang , Wang Yueheng
Published: May 2022

The atherosclerotic plaque is characterized by narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood flow leading to the insufficient blood supply to the brain. The hemodynamic changes caused by arterial stenosis increase the shearing force of the fibrous cap on the surface of the plaque, thereby reducing the stability of the plaque. Unstable plaques are more likely to promote angiogenesis and increase the risk of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. A timely understanding of the formation and stability of the arterial plaque can guide in taking targeted measures for reducing the risk of acute stroke in patients. It has been confirmed that nano-microbubbles can enter these plaques through the gaps in the patient’s vascular endothelial cells, thereby enhancing the acquisition of ultrasound information for plaque visualization. Therefore, we aim to investigate the diagnostic value of targeted nano-microbubbles for atherosclerotic plaques. This study constructed vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) targeting antibody nano-microbubbles and compared its diagnostic value with that of blank nano-microbubbles for atherosclerotic plaques. Studies have found that VEGFR-2 targeting antibody nano-microbubbles can accurately detect the position of plaques. Its detection rate, sensitivity, and specificity for plaques are higher than those of blank nano-microbubbles. Similarly, the peak intensity and average transit time of VEGFR-2 targeting antibody nano-microbubbles were greater than those of blank nano-microbubbles. Therefore, we believe that the combination of VEGFR-2 antibody and nano-microbubbles can enhance the acquisition of ultrasound information on atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization, thereby improving the early diagnosis of unstable plaque.
Association between Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Lihong , Li Hongxun , Zhao Xinheng , Pan Ye
Published: May 2022

Purpose. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between cataract surgery and the development and progression of AMD. Methods. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42017077962). We conducted a systematic literature search in August 2020 in Embase and PubMed and included cohort studies, case-control studies, or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) if they examined the association between cataract surgery and AMD. Odds ratio (OR) was used as a measure of the association with a random effect model. The analysis was further stratified by factors that could affect the outcomes. Results. 15 studies were included in this study. In the overall analysis, cataract surgery was significantly associated with the incidence of late AMD (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.26–2.56;

P

 = 0.001), particularly geographic atrophy (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.90–5.39;

P

 ≤ 0.001). No significant associations were observed between cataract surgery and the incidence of early AMD. Subgroup analysis showed that the OR for incidence of early and late AMD was significantly higher for cataract surgery performed more than 5 years compared with less than 5 years. We also found an increased risk of progression of AMD after cataract surgery performed more than 5 years (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.29–3.01;

P

 = 0.002). Conclusions. Our results suggest that cataract surgery may be associated with an increased risk of late AMD development and AMD progression. In addition, increasing the follow-up time since cataract surgery may further increase the risk for the development and progression of AMD. In the future, prospective multicenter studies with well-designed RCTs are required to confirm our findings.
Quick Compression and Transmission of Meteorological Big Data in Complicated Visualization Systems
Authors: Yang He-Ping , Sun Ying-Rui , Chen Nan , Jiang Xiao-Wei , Chen Jing-Hua , Yang Ming , Wang Qi , Huo Zi-Mo , Feng Ming-Nong
Published: May 2022

The sizes of individual data files have steadily increased along with rising demand for customized services, leading to issues such as low efficiency of web‐based geographical information system (WebGIS)‐based data compression, transmission, and rendering for rich Internet applications (RIAs) in complicated visualization systems. In this article, a WebGIS‐based technical solution for the efficient transmission and visualization of meteorological big data is proposed. Based on open‐source technology such as HTML5 and Mapbox GL, the proposed scheme considers distributed data compression and transmission on the server side as well as distributed requests and page rendering on the browser side. A high‐low 8‐bit compression method is developed for compressing a 100 megabyte (MB) file into a megabyte‐scale file, with a compression ratio of approximately 90%, and the recovered data are accurate to two decimal places. Another part of the scheme combines pyramid tile cutting, concurrent domain name request processing, and texture rendering. Experimental results indicate that with this scheme, grid files of up to 100 MB can be transferred and displayed in milliseconds, and multiterminal service applications can be supported by building a grid data visualization mode for big data and technology centers, which may serve as a reference for other industries.
Research on the Construction of Intelligent Sports Health Management System Based on Internet of Things and Cloud Computing Technology
Authors: Yu Huan , Cai Zongsen , Xie Wuyang , Xiao Haibin , Zhang Shaokun , Wang Faquan
Published: May 2022

Intelligent sports health management refers to the whole process of comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, evaluating, providing health consultation and guidance, and intervening in health risk factors for individuals or groups. The rise of Internet of Things technology has played an obvious role in the health management of intelligent sports and realized the integration and optimal allocation of intelligent sports resources. At the same time, in the field of information technology, the emergence of cloud computing as a new computing mode enables people to directly obtain software and computing power through network applications, so as to innovate the intelligent sports health management system and improve the intelligent sports health management system. Cloud computing mainly realizes the storage capacity of massive data and distributed computing capacity through processor computing, virtualization technology, distributed storage technology, broadband Internet technology, and automatic management technology. Based on Internet of Things and cloud computing technology, taking intelligent sports management as the research carrier, an intelligent sports health management system is designed, which provides a new attempt to use advanced information technology to assist intelligent sports health management system.
Analysis of Farmers’ Willingness to Use Blockchain and Influencing Factors Based on the Binary Logit Model
Authors: Chen Ximing , Shang Jie
Published: May 2022

Blockchain is the frontier of modern science and technology, and promoting its application in agriculture is of great significance to agricultural development. Taking the farmers who are essential agricultural subjects as the research object, this paper applies the binary Logit model to investigate the farmers’ willingness to apply blockchain and its influencing factors. Based on rigorous analyses of research data and models, the main research conclusions are obtained. First, at the current stage, Chinese farmers are not very receptive to the blockchain, most of whom are unwilling to apply it to agricultural production and operation. Second, farmers’ age and participation in agricultural training exert a remarkable negative impact on their willingness to apply blockchain. Third, the education level of farmers, the highest education level of their family, the annual income of crops per mu, government subsidies, the application of agricultural information technology, and the degree of their understanding of blockchain impose a remarkable positive impact on their willingness to apply blockchain. According to the analysis results, the following suggestions are put forward: (1) strengthen education and training to improve farmers’ understanding of blockchain; (2) strengthen financial support and provide equipment subsidies and tax relief for farmers who apply blockchain; and (3) implement demonstration projects and take the lead in applying blockchain by supporting family farms, large planters, and other agricultural business entities with demonstration effects.
Numerical Calculation of Optimal Policy Pairs in Zero‐sum Stochastic Games with Varying Discount Factors
Authors: Wu Xiao , Tang Yanqiu
Published: May 2022

In this study, the numerical calculation of optimal policy pairs in two‐person zero‐sum stochastic games with unbounded reward functions and state‐dependent discount factors are studied. First, the expected discount criterion, ε −optimal values, and policy pairs are defined for zero‐sum stochastic game model. Then, an iterative algorithm is given and the correctness of the algorithm is verified. At last, an example of inventory system is stated, the numerical simulation is obtained according to the iterative algorithm steps, and the difference between varying discount factors and a constant discount factor is obtained in further discussion.
An Improved Neural Network Model Based on Inception-v3 for Oracle Bone Inscription Character Recognition
Authors: Guo Ziyi , Zhou Zihan , Liu Bingshuai , Li Longquan , Jiao Qingju , Huang Chenxi , Zhang Jianwei
Published: May 2022

Oracle bone inscription is the ancestor of modern Chinese characters. Character recognition is an essential part of the research of oracle bone inscription. In this paper, we propose an improved neural network model based on Inception-v3 for oracle bone inscription character recognition. We replace the original convolution block and add the Contextual Transformer block and the Convolutional Block Attention Module. We conduct character recognition experiments with the improved model on two oracle bone inscription character image datasets, HWOBC and OBC306, and the results indicate that the improved model can still achieve excellent results in the cases of blurred, occluded, and mutilated characters. We also select AlexNet, VGG-19, and Inception-v3 neural network models for the same experiments, and the comparison result shows that the proposed model outperforms other models in three evaluation indicators, namely, Top-1 Accuracy, Top-3 Accuracy, and Top-5 Accuracy, which indicate the correctness and excellence of our proposed model.
Crisis Analysis and Prevention and Control of Financial Leverage Imbalance in Shareholder Equity Pledge Based on the DANP Model
Authors: Fang Fang
Published: May 2022

ResearchBackground. The process of economic globalization is accelerating, and the financial risks that listed companies need to face are more complicated. Research Purpose. In order to clarify the impact of shareholder equity pledge on financial leverage imbalance crisis, research on the analysis and prevention of financial leverage imbalance crisis of shareholder equity pledge based on the DANP model is carried out. Research Method and Process. The DANP financial leverage imbalance early warning model is introduced to analyze the impact of shareholder equity pledge on financial leverage imbalance crisis by combining the financial leverage effect and potential risks of shareholder equity pledge, optimize the financial leverage imbalance early warning evaluation index system, preprocess the early warning evaluation indicators, determine the constant weight of each evaluation index, and obtain the final financial leverage imbalance crisis early warning evaluation value based on the determined constant weight. Research Results. The DANP model can accurately analyze the financial leverage imbalance crisis in the case of shareholder equity pledges, clarify the company’s financial status in the case of shareholder equity pledges, propose to standardize equity pledge behavior, improve the company’s internal control system in response to the crisis of shareholder equity pledge financial leverage imbalances, and improve the three prevention and control measures of the independent director system to enhance the ability of enterprises to resist the crisis of financial leverage imbalance.
Biogenic Synthesis of Cu‐Doped ZnO Photocatalyst for the Removal of Organic Dye
Authors: Lemecho Biruktait Ayele , Sabir Fedlu Kedir , Andoshe Dinsefa Mensur , Gultom Noto Susanto , Kuo Dong-Hau , Chen Xiaoyun , Mulugeta Endale , Desissa Temesgen D. , Zelekew Osman Ahmed
Published: May 2022

The Cu‐doped ZnO photocatalysts were prepared with a green and coprecipitation approach by using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) aquatic plant extract. In the preparation process, different amount of copper precursors such as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% of molar ratio were added to zinc nitrate precursors and abbreviated as Cu‐ZnO (1%), Cu‐ZnO (2%), Cu‐ZnO (3%), Cu‐ZnO (4%), and Cu‐ZnO (5%), respectively. The characterization of the obtained samples was carried out, and the removal of the methylene blue (MB) dye was examined. Out of all catalysts, Cu‐ZnO (3%) had the best photocatalytic performance and 89% of the MB dye was degraded. However, the degradation performances of blank (without catalysts), ZnO, Cu‐ZnO (1%), Cu‐ZnO (2%), Cu‐ZnO (4%), and Cu‐ZnO (5%) catalysts were 6, 54, 69, 83, 80, and 73%, respectively. Therefore, the use of water hyacinth plant extract with the optimum amount of Cu added to ZnO during the preparation of the catalyst could have a promising application in the degradation of organic pollutants.
Online and Offline Interaction Model of International Chinese Education Based on Few-Shot Learning
Authors: Cao Fei , Cai Jing
Published: May 2022

Few-shot learning is a method to acquire learning ability in a small amount of sample data scenarios. This paper aims to study an online and offline interaction model applied to international Chinese education and teaching based on the few-shot learning method. It first expounds an overview of international Chinese education, including the connotation and characteristics of the hybrid mode of online teaching and offline teaching in international Chinese education, then designs an online and offline interactive model, and finally compares it with a baseline model and a traditional single teaching model. The experimental data shows that the accuracy and recall rate of the international Chinese education online and offline interaction model based on few-shot learning both reach 70%, which verifies its effectiveness.
Innovation of E-Commerce Development Model under the Background of Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communication
Authors: Luo Ning
Published: May 2022

E-commerce refers to the business operation and profit model based on the network environment. Studying the e-commerce model will help to tap the development potential of e-commerce, innovate the content and form of e-commerce, and also help e-commerce companies expand marketing channels and improve sales capabilities. There are many types of e-commerce models, such as BtoB, BtoC, and CtoC, as well as new models such as BtoQ and BtoB. With the development of wireless communications and artificial intelligence, the market scale of e-commerce has gradually expanded, and e-commerce has become a mainstream consumer channel for people. Promoting the development of e-commerce is an issue that e-commerce companies need to pay attention to. This article uses questionnaire surveys and case analysis methods to study e-commerce companies. The results show that the e-commerce market is huge, but the traditional e-commerce model also has a series of problems. It also proposes innovative paths for e-commerce development models, such as logistics acceleration, brand innovation, and payment method innovation, which have important reference significance for the development of e-commerce enterprises. It is suggested that different types of enterprises combine their own comprehensive strength and actual needs to choose e-commerce development strategies suitable for their own development, so as to achieve sustainable development.
Evaluation of Infection and Effective Factors in Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgeries: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Farhadi Farrokh , Emamverdizadeh Parya , Hadilou Mahdi , Jalali Parisa
Published: May 2022

Background and Aim. Some complications, including infection, may occur following the surgeries of impacted teeth. In order to reduce the risk of infection, it is necessary to evaluate the risk factors of infection after third molar surgeries. Although research has been published in this area, the risk factors and causes of infection are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate infection incidence and effective factors in hard tissue impacted mandibular third molar surgeries in the Iranian population. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 148 patients. The incidence of infection was recorded one week, two weeks, and one month after surgery. Independent variables included age, gender, the presence of periapical radiolucent lesions measuring ≥3 mm, the caries of the adjacent second molar, education level of the surgeon, difficulty index, suture type, and flap type. The outcome variable was the incidence of infection. Results. Among the study subjects, 37.2% were male and 62.8% were female. The mean age was 25.24 ± 4.31 years at the time of surgery. Although early onset infection occurred in 3.4% of patients, none of them developed a delayed-onset infection during the four weeks after surgery. Pederson difficulty index (OR = 3.81,

P
=
0.03

) and the education level of the surgeon (OR = 0.14,

P
=
0.021

) were associated with postop infection. Conclusions. Based on the results of the current study, postop infection was rare. Furthermore, both the Pederson difficulty index and the education level of the surgeon could predict the risk of infection after impacted mandibular third molar surgeries.
Study on the Fractal Characteristics of the Plant Root System and Its Relationship with Soil Strength in Tailing Ponds
Authors: Yang Qingchao , Cheng Wenjing , Hao Zhe , Zhang Qian , Yang Dongxu , Teng Da , Zhang Ying , Wang Xiaoming , Shen Hongxia , Lei Shengyou
Published: May 2022

To study the fractal characteristics of plant roots in tailing ponds and their effect on soil strength, the rhizosphere soil and roots of Amorpha fruticosa and Hippophae rhamnoides, which are widely distributed in ecological restoration areas, were collected. The fractal dimension, root fractal characteristics, soil strength characteristics, and interaction relationships of the two rhizosphere soils were studied. Fractal theory was used to derive the formula for calculating the safety factor of the slope considering the soil and root fractals. The results showed that (1) the fractal dimension of rhizosphere soil of A. fruticosa and H. rhamnoides decreased with increasing vertical profile depth. (2) The fractal dimensions of roots of A. fruticosa and H. rhamnoides decreased with increasing soil depth. (3) The cohesion of the root-soil complex first increased and then decreased, and the fractal dimension of roots was significantly positively correlated with the increase in cohesion. (4) The slope safety factor was positively correlated with the fractal dimension of the soil and root system. It established the theoretical formula of the slope safety factor modified according to the fractal dimension.
Computer-Aided College English Teaching System Based on Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Wang Xiaotao
Published: May 2022

People are realizing that linguistic competence is a vital aspect of communicative competence as language study and instruction have progressed. Grammar instruction is not only important but also the primary means of achieving communication skills in foreign language classes. This article focuses on the computer vision and machine learning-based virtual reality technology college English immersive context teaching approach. The goal is to increase pupils’ capacity to learn English. The experimental groups used VR innovation immersive environment education from the standpoint of constructivist theory in a compared teaching experiment with 2 classifications of freshman at a university, while the control class used standard multimedia equipment and conventional teaching techniques. Students only passively acquire a lot of material from instructors in the class, they have limited opportunity to engage in the exchange of information and express thoughts in the chosen language, and they are “immersed” in the Chinese environment most of the time. With an average score of 2.8 points higher than the control group, the overall English level was likewise higher. English teaching system based on computer big data method, optimization of oral English teaching system based on computer-aided technology, and artificial intelligence are the existing methods used for comparison. This demonstrates that using constructivism theory and virtual reality technology in college English immersing contextual education may genuinely increase students’ English levels.
Experimental Study on the Interfacial Bonding Performance of a New Steel Bridge Deck Interface-Bonding Agent
Authors: Zhao Chaohua , Li Ya , Yi Zhijian , Su Kang
Published: May 2022

The construction of steel deck pavements is still considered difficult worldwide, and interfacial bonding is a major factor influencing this construction. With the recent developments in the field of pavement materials, high-performance cement-based concrete is used to construct steel bridge deck pavements. However, ensuring adequate interface-bonding strength remains particularly complex and difficult. In this study, with the aim of striking the right balance between rigidity and flexibility, an interface-bonding material was formed using modified epoxy resin, cement, and rubber powder. Polymer lattice porous concrete was used as the paving material, and the interface-bonding effect was studied experimentally by employing three methods using the material: pull-off, dual-interface shear, and flexural tensile tests. The results showed that (1) the interface pull-off strength was higher than 4 MPa, that is, higher than twice that of epoxy asphalt pavements used currently on steel bridge decks, and the failure surface was located on the pavement material rather than on the bonding interface; (2) the interface flexural strength and tensile strength were significantly higher than those of epoxy asphalt at room temperature and those of the ordinary epoxy resin; (3) the dual-interface shear strength was nearly four times higher than that of epoxy asphalt. Therefore, the modified epoxy resin composite interface-bonding material suggested in this study is an excellent bonding material that can serve as a reference for interface-bonding of steel bridge deck pavements.
Self-Attention Multilayer Feature Fusion Based on Long Connection
Authors: Yuezhong Chu , Jiaqing Wang , Heng Liu
Published: May 2022

Feature fusion is an important part of building high-precision convolutional neural networks. In the field of image classification, though widely used in processing multiscale features of the same layer and short connections in the same receptive field, feature fusion is rarely used in long connection operations across receptive fields. In order to fuse the high- and low-level features of image classification, a feature fusion module SCFF (selective cross-layer feature fusion) for long connections is designed in this work. The SCFF can connect the long-distance feature maps in different receptive fields in a top-down order and apply the self-attention mechanism to fuse them two by two. The final fusion result is used as the input of the classifier. In order to verify the effectiveness of the model, the image classification experiment was done on a number of typical datasets. The experimental results prove that the model can fit the existing convolutional neural network well and effectively improve the classification accuracy of the convolutional network only at the cost of a small amount of calculation.
First-in-Human Phase I/II ICONIC Trial of the ICOS Agonist Vopratelimab Alone and with Nivolumab: ICOS-High CD4 T-Cell Populations and Predictors of Response
Authors: Yap Timothy A. , Gainor Justin F. , Callahan Margaret K. , Falchook Gerald S. , Pachynski Russell K. , LoRusso Patricia , Kummar Shivaani , Gibney Geoffrey T. , Burris Howard A. , Tykodi Scott S. , Rahma Osama E. , Seiwert Tanguy Y. , Papadopoulos Kyriakos P. , Blum Murphy Mariela , Park Haeseong , Hanson Amanda , Hashambhoy-Ramsay Yasmin , McGrath Lara , Hooper Ellen , Xiao Xiaoying , Cohen Heather , Fan Martin , Felitsky Daniel , Hart Courtney , McComb Rachel , Brown Karen , Sepahi Ali , Jimenez Judith , Zhang Weidong , Baeck Johan , Laken Haley , Murray Richard , Trehu Elizabeth , Harvey Christopher J.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The first-in-human phase I/II ICONIC trial evaluated an investigational inducible costimulator (ICOS) agonist, vopratelimab, alone and in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Patients and Methods:

In phase I, patients were treated with escalating doses of intravenous vopratelimab alone or with nivolumab. Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, MTD, and recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Phase II enriched for ICOS-positive (ICOS+) tumors; patients were treated with vopratelimab at the monotherapy RP2D alone or with nivolumab. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and predictive biomarkers of response to vopratelimab were assessed.

Results:

ICONIC enrolled 201 patients. Vopratelimab alone and with nivolumab was well tolerated; phase I established 0.3 mg/kg every 3 weeks as the vopratelimab RP2D. Vopratelimab resulted in modest objective response rates of 1.4% and with nivolumab of 2.3%. The prospective selection for ICOS+ tumors did not enrich for responses. A vopratelimab-specific peripheral blood pharmacodynamic biomarker, ICOS-high (ICOS-hi) CD4 T cells, was identified in a subset of patients who demonstrated greater clinical benefit versus those with no emergence of these cells [overall survival (OS), P = 0.0025]. A potential genomic predictive biomarker of ICOS-hi CD4 T-cell emergence was identified that demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes, including OS (P = 0.0062).

Conclusions:

Vopratelimab demonstrated a favorable safety profile alone and in combination with nivolumab. Efficacy was observed only in a subset of patients with a vopratelimab-specific pharmacodynamic biomarker. A potential predictive biomarker of response was identified, which is being prospectively evaluated in a randomized phase II non–small cell lung cancer trial.

See related commentary by Lee and Fong, p. 3633
Replication of Overall Survival, Progression-Free Survival, and Overall Response in Chemotherapy Arms of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Trials Using Real-World Data
Authors: Ton Thanh G.N. , Pal Navdeep , Trinh Huong , Mahrus Sami , Bretscher Michael T. , Machado Robson J.M. , Sadetsky Natalia , Chaudhary Nayan , Lu Michael W. , Riely Gregory J.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The utility of real-world data (RWD) for use as external controls in drug development is informed by studies that replicate trial control arms for different endpoints. The purpose of this study was to replicate control arms from four non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) randomized controlled trials (RCT) to analyze overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall response rate (ORR) using RWD.

Patients and Methods:

This study used RWD from a nationwide de-identified database and a clinico-genomic database to replicate OS, PFS, and ORR endpoints in the chemotherapy control arms of four first-line NSCLC RCTs evaluating atezolizumab [IMpower150–wild-type (WT), IMpower130-WT, IMpower131, and IMpower132]. Additional objectives were to develop a definition of real-world PFS (rwPFS) and to evaluate the real-world response rate (rwRR) endpoint.

Results:

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were balanced after application of propensity score weighting methods. For rwPFS and OS, RWD external controls were generally similar to their RCT control counterparts. Across all four trials, the hazard ratio (HR) point estimates comparing trial controls with external controls were closer to 1.0 for the PFS endpoint than for the OS endpoint. An exploratory assessment of rwRR in RWD revealed a slight but nonsignificant overestimation of RCT ORR, which was unconfounded by baseline characteristics.

Conclusions:

RWD can be used to reasonably replicate the OS and PFS of chemotherapy control arms of first-line NSCLC RCTs. Additional studies can provide greater insight into the utility of RWD in drug development.
Novel Meibomian Gland and Tarsal Conjunctival Changes Associated with Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab, and Anastrozole Treatment for Metastatic HER2 Positive Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Barcsay-Veres Amarilla , Tokes Anna Maria , Toth Jeannette , Szilagyi Zsuzsa , Toth Eva Katalin , Nagy Zoltan Z. , Horvath Anna
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to report a case of severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and conjunctival changes associated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and anastrozole therapy in a HER-2 positive breast cancer patient. A 57-year-old white woman was treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab biological and anastrozole endocrine therapy for metastatic breast cancer for several months. She suffered from intense eye pain and foreign body sensation. On the ocular surface, severe MGD developed without corneal lesions. On the tarsal conjunctiva, circumscribed lesions evolved 6 months after receiving anticancer therapy. After biopsy, the histological assessment excluded metastasis or chalazion. The lesion consisted of subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrates surrounding lipid-laden CD68-positive macrophages. Besides the redundant lipid accumulation, no acute necrotic reaction was seen. Noncontact infrared meibography visualized ductal drop-out in the upper and lower lids, and functional tests confirmed severe MGD. During the 18-month follow-up, the patient received treatment for MGD and no new conjunctival lesions developed, subjective symptoms subsided, and ocular surface morphology remained unchanged. The novel HER2-inhibitor trastuzumab and pertuzumab biological therapy and anastrozole endocrine therapy were associated with the disruption of the ocular surface milieu. The new histological aspect of tarsal conjunctiva changes may give a hint to understand the potential underlying molecular mechanisms of anticancer therapy-associated severe MGD. Since anticancer therapies may substantially interfere with the ocular surface milieu, awareness of this side effect leads to improved care of oncology patients.
Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Neonates: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shaiba Lana A. , More Kiran , Hadid Adnan , Almaghrabi Rana , Al Marri Munira , Alnamnakani Mahdi , Shah Prakesh
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates (MIS-N) related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has increasingly been reported worldwide amid the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL and preprint servers (BioRxiv.org and MedRxiv.org) using a specified strategy integrating Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords until October 20, 2021. Our aim was to systematically review demographic profiles, clinical features, laboratory parameters, complications, treatments, and outcomes of neonates with MIS-N. Studies were selected when fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Articles were included if they fulfilled the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definitions of MIS-C, or our proposed definition. Results: Sixteen reports of MIS-N including 47 neonates meeting MIS-N criteria were identified. Presentation included cardiovascular compromise (77%), respiratory involvement (55%), and fever in (36%). Eighty-three percent of patients received steroids, and 76% received immunoglobulin. Respiratory support was provided to 60% of patients and inotropes to 45% of patients. Five (11%) neonates died. Conclusion: The common presentation of MIS-N included cardiorespiratory compromise with the possibility of high mortality. Neonates with MIS-N related to SARS-CoV-2 may be at higher risk of adverse outcomes.
Food Perceptions in Adults with and without ADHD
Authors: Hershko Shirley , Cortese Samuele , Ert Eyal , Aronis Anna , Maeir Adina , Pollak Yehuda
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have unhealthy eating habits, associated with overweight/obesity. We explored whether they present with different food-related benefit/risk perceptions, compared to those without ADHD. Methods: One hundred five university students with (n = 36) and without (n = 69) ADHD, aged 22–30, participated in the study. They rated the level of frequency and likelihood of food consumption, as well as the perceived attractiveness, convenience, and risk of 32 healthy and unhealthy food items. Results: The findings revealed significantly lower healthy/unhealthy food frequency consumption ratios for the ADHD group compared with the non-ADHD one but no differences in the ratios of estimated likelihood of food consumption and perceptions (attractiveness, convenience, and risk). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a discrepancy between the eating behavior (more unhealthy eating patterns in adults with ADHD compared with controls) and their food-related perceptions (same perceptions regarding the benefit and risk of foods in both groups).
Predictors of Low and High Exhaled Nitric Oxide Values in Asthma: A Real-World Study
Authors: Bertolini Francesca , Sprio Andrea E. , Baroso Andrea , Riccardi Elisa , Pizzimenti Stefano , Carriero Vitina , Arrigo Elisa , Di Stefano Antonino , Ricciardolo Fabio L.M.
Published: May 2022

Background: In asthma, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a clinically established biomarker of airway T2 inflammation and an indicator for anti-inflammatory therapy. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify, in an observational real-world cross-sectional study, the main characteristics of patients with asthma as classified by their FENO level. Method: We stratified 398 patients with stable mild-to-severe asthma according to FENO level as low (≤25 ppb) versus elevated (>25 ppb), subdividing the latter into two subgroups: moderately elevated (26–50 ppb) versus very high FENO (>50 ppb). Clinical, functional, and blood parameters were extrapolated from patients’ chart data and compared with the FENO stratification. Predictors of low and elevated FENO asthma were detected by logistic regression model. Results: Low BMI, higher blood eosinophilia, allergen poly-sensitization, the severest airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC), and anti-leukotriene use are predictors of elevated FENO values in asthma, as well as persistent rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Beyond these, younger age, more than 2 asthma exacerbations/year, higher airflow reversibility (post-bronchodilator ∆FEV1), and oral corticosteroid dependence are predictors of very high FENO values. In contrast, obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, arterial hypertension, and myocardial infarction are predictors of low FENO asthma. In our population, FENO correlated with blood eosinophils, airflow obstruction, and reversibility and negatively correlated with age and BMI. Conclusions: Stratifying patients by FENO level can identify specific asthma phenotypes with distinct clinical features and predictors useful in clinical practice to tailor treatment and improve asthmatic patients’ outcomes.
Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes According to Baseline Blood Pressure: Observations From DECLARE-TIMI 58 Trial
Authors: Furtado Remo H.M. , Raz Itamar , Goodrich Erica L. , Murphy Sabina A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Leiter Lawrence A. , McGuire Darren K. , Wilding John P.H. , Aylward Philip , Dalby Anthony J , Dellborg Mikael , Dimulescu Doina , Nicolau José C. , Oude Ophuis Anthonius J.M. , Cahn Avivit , Mosenzon Ofri , Gause-Nilsson Ingrid , Langkilde Anna Maria , Sabatine Marc S. , Wiviott Stephen D.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Dapagliflozin improved heart failure and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial (Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events – Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 58). Here, the aim was to analyze the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin stratified according to baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP).

Methods:

The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial randomly assigned patients with T2DM and either previous atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors to dapagliflozin or placebo. Patients were categorized by baseline SBP levels: <120, 120 to 129, 130 to 139, 140 to 159, and ≥160 mm Hg (normal, elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and severe hypertension, respectively). Efficacy outcomes of interest were hospitalization for heart failure and a renal-specific composite outcome (sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate by 40%, progression to end-stage renal disease, or renal death). Safety outcomes included symptoms of volume depletion, lower extremity amputations, and acute kidney injury.

Results:

The trial comprised 17 160 patients; mean age, 64.0±6.8 years; 37.4% women; median duration of T2DM, 11 years; 40.6% with prevalent cardiovascular disease. Overall, dapagliflozin reduced SBP by 2.4 mm Hg (95% CI, 1.9–2.9;
P
<0.0001) compared with placebo at 48 months. The beneficial effects of dapagliflozin on hospitalization for heart failure and renal outcomes were consistent across all baseline SBP categories, with no evidence of modification of treatment effect (
P
interactions
=0.28 and 0.52, respectively). Among normotensive patients, the hazard ratios were 0.66 (95% CI, 0.42–1.05) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.19–0.78), respectively, for hospitalization for heart failure and the renal-specific outcome. Events of volume depletion, amputation, and acute kidney injury did not differ with dapagliflozin overall or within any baseline SBP group.

Conclusions:

In patients with T2DM with or at high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, dapagliflozin reduced risk for hospitalization for heart failure and renal outcomes regardless of baseline SBP, with no difference in adverse events of interest at any level of baseline SBP. These results indicate that dapagliflozin provides cardiorenal benefits in patients with T2DM at high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk independent of baseline blood pressure.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01730534.