bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating the Hypoglycaemic and Hypotensive Roles of Salvia serotina (Chicken Weed) in Normal Healthy Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Bartley Tameika , Reese Paul , Turfus Sophie , Alexander-Lindo Ruby
Published: June 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease and is characterized by hyperglycaemia. Salvia serotina L. (chicken weed) has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including DM. Aqueous, hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude extracts of S. serotina L. were investigated for their anti-oxidant activities and hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects in normal, healthy Sprague–Dawley rats using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the CODA noninvasive blood pressure system to determine systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR). The aqueous extract caused a free radical scavenging effect with an IC50 value of 10.2 ± 1.01 µg/mL versus vitamin C (9.42 ± 1.01 µg/mL). The extract lowered the blood glucose concentration at the 150 minute interval (5.00 ± 0.22 mM vs. 6.51 ± 0.33 mM;

p
=
0.004

) and the 180 minute interval (4.77 ± 0.27 mM vs. 5.93 ± 0.0.30 mM;

p
=
0.015

). The hexane extract gave significant hypoglycaemic activity at the 120 minute interval (4.54 ± 0.21 mmol/L vs. 5.50 ± 0.17 mmol/L;

p
=
0.005

). The hexane extract also significantly lowered the SBP (132 ± 6 mm Hg;

p
=
0.014

), DBP (106 ± 7 mm Hg;

p
=
0.034

), and MAP (114 ± 7 mm Hg;

p
=
0.023

) versus the controls SBP (156 ± 4 mm Hg), DBP (132 ± 8 mm Hg), and MAP (140 ± 6 mm Hg). Bioassay-directed purification of the hexane extract yielded 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol (1), 3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol (2), and 5,22-stigmastadien-3β-ol (3) as active principles. Hence, S. serotina L. showed anti-oxidant, hypoglycaemic, and hypotensive effects in the rats and may have potential applications in the treatment of diabetes.
A Secure Framework toward IoMT‐Assisted Data Collection, Modeling, and Classification for Intelligent Dermatology Healthcare Services
Authors: Islam Md Khairul , Kaushal Chetna , Amin Md Al , Algarni Abeer D. , Alturki Nazik , Soliman Naglaa F. , Mansour Romany F.
Published: June 2022

The abnormal growth of the skin cells is known as skin cancer. It is one of the main problems in the dermatology area. Skin lesions or malignancies have been a source of worry for many individuals in recent years. Irrespective of the skin tone, there exist three major classes of skin lesions, i.e., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The early diagnosis of these lesions is equally important for human life. In the proposed work, a secure IoMT‐Assisted framework is introduced that can help the patients to do the initial screening of skin lesions remotely. The initially proposed approach uses an IoMT‐based data collection device which is accessible by patients to capture skin lesions images. Next, the captured skin sample is encrypted and sent to the collected image toward cloud storage. Later, the received sample image is classified into appropriate class labels using an ensemble classifier. In the proposed framework, four CNN models were ensemble i.e., VGG‐16, DenseNet‐201, Inception‐V3, and Efficient‐B7. The framework has experimented with the “HAM10000” dataset having 7 different kinds of skin lesions data. Although DenseNet‐201 performed well, the ensemble model provides the highest accuracy with 87.22 percent as well as its test loss/error is lower than others with 0.4131. Moreover, the ensemble model’s classification ability is much higher with an AUC score of 0.9745. Moreover, A recommendation team has been assigned to assess the sample of the patient as well as suggest the patient according to classified results by the CAD.
Intelligent Optimization of Tower Crane Location and Layout Based on Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Liu Cong , Zhang Fangqing , Han Xiaojian , Ye Hongyu , Shi Zanxi , Zhang Jie , Wang Tiankuo , She Jianjun , Zhang Tianyue
Published: June 2022

The existing tower crane positioning layout mainly depends on the experience of construction personnel, and the best tower crane positioning can be found through a large number of manual data calculation. This manual method is time-consuming and impractical. In view of this, aiming at the current situation that building information modeling (BIM) software can only obtain the relative coordinates of components, this article puts forward the key technology of importing computer-aided design (CAD) graphics into geographic information system (GIS) software to automatically obtain the world coordinate information. By clarifying the transfer relationship between the component material supply point, the component initial positioning point, and the tower crane optional positioning point, as well as the cooperative relationship between each positioning point and the tower crane operation, the tower crane positioning optimization model is formed, and the firefly algorithm is used to automatically calculate and generate the best positioning layout method of the tower crane on the project site. In this study, the vertical transportation and positioning of components are studied, and intelligent construction is formed by integrating information technology. It can further enrich the functions of perception, analysis, decision-making, and optimization; realize the decision-making intelligence of industrial buildings; and achieve the organic unity of engineering construction execution system and decision-making command system.
Design and Implementation of Brain Tumor Segmentation and Detection Using a Novel Woelfel Filter and Morphological Segmentation
Authors: Gopalachari M Venu , Kolla Morarjee , Mishra Rupesh Kumar , Tasneem Zarin
Published: June 2022

Neuroimaging is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancers; however, the first detection of tumors is a challenge. Detection techniques like image segmentation are heavily reliant on the segmented image’s resolution. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tumor segmentation has emerged as a new study area in the medical imaging field. This spongy and delicate mass of tissue is the brain. Stable conditions allow for patterns to enter and interact with each other. To put it simply, a tumor is a mass of tissue that has grown unchecked by the natural mechanisms that keep it under control. When cells divide uncontrollably, they create a cancerous tumor. Brain tumors can be detected and segmented using a variety of methods. A new method for detecting brain tumors using MRI images is presented in this research. An innovative Woelfel filter is used for enhancement, and morphological segmentation approaches combined with anisotropic diffusion are used for segmentation. Segmentation of brain tumors can be accomplished using thresholding and morphological techniques, which are both effective. The tumor will be located and identified using morphological image processing. Image denoising refers to the process of removing artefacts such as noise and aliasing from digital images. Here MATLAB programming language is utilised as it incorporates all the toolboxes required for the application involved in the work.
Building Construction Design Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Song Wenxue
Published: June 2022

In order to take a scientific risk control strategy to reduce the safety risk of construction projects, a construction safety risk decision-making method based on particle swarm optimization algorithm was proposed. Through the analysis of prefabricated building construction safety risk factors, the combination of the Markov Chain and Bayesian networks method was used to estimate the probability of risk factors. The relationship between the various risk factors was described by conditional probability, and a safety risk loss-control investment double objective optimization model was built. The corresponding algorithm was designed and the R language programming was used to solve the problem. The experimental results showed that by taking a high degree of control over the risk factors of the investment strategy, when the constraint cost was RMB 200,000, the global optimal risk loss and the global optimal control cost were RMB 1,400,500 and 19,600, respectively. When the constraint cost was 280,000 yuan, the global optimal risk loss and global optimal control cost were 1.046 million yuan and 278.5 million yuan, respectively. When the constraint cost was 320,000 yuan, the global optimal risk loss and global optimal control cost were 910,100 yuan and 317,300, yuan respectively. It was concluded that, considering the risk correlation optimization model, a reasonable allocation strategy was adopted, combined with the actual situation, which performed a promoting function in improving the assembly building construction safety risk decision-making.
[Retracted] On the Innovation Mechanism and Communication Path of Philosophical Thinking in Innovative Community Environment
Authors: Xin Xin , Jiang Dayun
Published: June 2022

The development of philosophy has spawned a new type of interpersonal relationship, namely network community. As the main group of network applications, college students are an important part of the network community. Different from traditional thinking, community philosophical thinking has the remarkable characteristics of “equality, interaction, openness, and cooperation.” In the new media environment, we should fully learn from and learn philosophical thinking, carry out mechanism innovation, and form a “decentralized” network education community system; create a borderless network “education ecology”; build a network education model integrating “self‐education” and “peer education”; promote the upgrading of network education mechanism from “one‐way traffic” to “interactive participation”; and innovate the education mechanism in four aspects, so as to better meet the requirements of Education under the new media environment and improve the effect at the same time. Facing the era environment of philosophy and technology, the community environment should rely on the network community to study the innovation path. This paper first analyzes the connotation and characteristics of the online community, then discusses the innovation mechanism and communication significance of philosophical thinking based on the online community, and finally summarizes the innovation path of philosophical thinking based on the online community. By combing the impact and challenges brought by philosophy, this paper analyzes the necessity and importance of constructing innovation mechanisms under philosophical thinking, explains the rationality and superiority of innovation mechanisms under philosophical thinking, and puts forward some suggestions on constructing innovation mechanisms and communication path.
Optimal Design of Language Teaching Strategy System Based on Smart Video Mode
Authors: Liu Jia , Guo Jianling
Published: June 2022

The accuracy of video and goal enables students to learn and strengthen their ability constantly. Strengthening our country’s study initiative degree can promote student study more effectively. As a new teaching method, students can not only obtain the basic knowledge, learning priorities, and difficulties needed for learning through video, but also understand the content of the text, the content of the article, and even cultivate students’ interest in many related languages, such as writing, text, sound, image, color, and video, which can be displayed, clarified, and displayed intuitively, creating a free and relaxed learning environment, an interesting background teaching process, encouraging students to experience emotion, including physical experience, and being open and open. Establishing a complete and comprehensive ideological channel to further improve students’ acceptance of information is helpful for students’ analysis and training, understanding, and evaluation. Therefore, this paper first identifies video and excavates the intrinsic value of video application. This can provide technical and methodological support for the design of video teaching system.
Clear Cell Carcinoma Arising from Ovarian and Thoracic Endometriosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Mendoza Stanteen Samantha , Pak Taemee , Chen Hao , Carlson Matthew , Lee Jessica
Published: June 2022

We report a case of stage IVB ovarian clear cell carcinoma in a 35-year-old female with a long-standing history of biopsy-proven pelvic and thoracic endometriosis. At the time of her ovarian cancer diagnosis, her tumors were found to be isolated to the sites of her previously known endometriotic lesions, suggesting that malignant transformation of her endometriosis to ovarian cancer had occurred. She underwent primary tumor debulking, then received six cycles of intravenous carboplatin and paclitaxel, and is now free of disease. We have conducted a literature review of ovarian cancers arising from endometriosis as well as a summary of the molecular basis on the relationship between endometriosis and malignant ovarian carcinoma.
A Comprehensive Review of Android Security: Threats, Vulnerabilities, Malware Detection, and Analysis
Authors: Acharya Saket , Rawat Umashankar , Bhatnagar Roheet
Published: June 2022

The popularity and open-source nature of Android devices have resulted in a dramatic growth of Android malware. Malware developers are also able to evade the detection methods, reducing the efficiency of malware detection techniques. It is hence desirable that security researchers and experts come up with novel and more efficient methods to analyze existing and zero-day Android malware. Most of the researchers have focused on Android system security. However, to examine Android security, with a specific focus on malware development, investigation of malware prevention techniques and already known malware detection techniques needs a broad inclusion. To overcome the research gaps, this paper provides a broad review of current Android security concerns, security implementation enhancements, significant malware detected during 2017–2021, and stealth procedures used by the malware developers along with the current Android malware detection techniques. A comparative analysis is presented between this article and similar recent survey articles to fill the existing research gaps. In the end, a three-phase model is proposed to efficiently identify and characterize Android malware. In the first phase, a lightweight deep transfer learning approach is used to classify Android applications into benign and malicious. In the second phase, the malicious applications are executed in a virtual emulator to reduce the number of false positives. Finally, the malicious applications having the same characteristic ratio are grouped into their corresponding families using the topic modelling approach. The proposed model can efficiently detect, characterize, and provide a familial classification of Android malware with a good accuracy rate.
A Method for Extracting Features of Modern Folk Opera Performance Art Based on Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Yan Miao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Chen Zhengping , Yang Ying , Zheng Yang
Published: June 2022

With the continuous development of China’s economy and society and the gradual reform of various industries, the modern folk opera performance art has received more and more attention, and through the excavation of features in the folk opera performance art, the modern folk opera performance level can be promoted. This paper proposes a generalised principal component analysis (PCA) feature extraction method, which first reorganizes the image matrix, constructs the overall scatter matrix based on the reorganized image matrix, and then finds the best projection vector for feature extraction. The proposed method is a further extension of the 2DPCA module, which can build a scatter matrix of arbitrary dimensions and obtain a projection vector of arbitrary dimensions. The results show that the best feature extraction is achieved by optimising the SVM with a principal component contribution of 50% and using the grid search algorithm. The smaller the dimension of the scatter matrix, the stronger the feature extraction ability of the generalised principal component analysis and the faster the feature extraction speed.
Establishment and Validation for Predicting the Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Xuan , Zhou Haiyan , Zhao Xianhui , Peng Huan , Luo Shanshan , Feng Juan , Heng Jianfu , Liu Heli , Ge Jie
Published: June 2022

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is considered to be one of the important factors in determining the optimal treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict LNM in patients with EGC. A total of 842 cases from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were divided into training and testing sets with a ratio of 6 : 4 for model development. Clinical data (494 patients) from the hospital were used for external validation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors using the training set. Logistic regression, LASSO regression, ridge regression, and elastic-net regression methods were used to construct the model. The performance of the model was quantified by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results showed that T stage, tumor size, and tumor grade were independent predictors of LNM in EGC patients. The AUC of the logistic regression model was 0.766 (95% CI, 0.709–0.823), which was slightly higher than that of the other models. However, the AUC of the logistic regression model in external validation was 0.625 (95% CI, 0.537–0.678). A nomogram was drawn to predict LNM in EGC patients based on the logistic regression model. Further validation based on gender, age, and grade indicated that the logistic regression predictive model had good adaptability to the population with grade III tumors, with an AUC of 0.803 (95% CI, 0.606–0.999). Our nomogram showed a good predictive ability and may provide a tool for clinicians to predict LNM in EGC patients.
Renoprotective and Cardioprotective Potential of Moricandia sinaica (Boiss.) against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Shahat Abdelaaty A. , Hassanein Heba D. , Ullah Riaz , Alqahtani Ali S. , Husseiny Husseiny A. , Kowalczyk Alicja , Farrag Abdel-Razik H.
Published: June 2022

The goal of the current study was to assess the nephroprotective and cardioprotective potential of Moricandia sinaica methanol extract (MOR-1), as well as its butanol (MOR-2) and aqueous (MOR-3) fractions against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced nephro and cardio-toxicity. Cardiac function was assessed using the biochemical parameters lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase (CK). Renal function was examined using the biochemical parameters creatinine and uric acid. The levels of nonprotein sulfhydryls (NPSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were used as markers of oxidative strain. A dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg of butanol fraction given prior to CCl4 treatment significantly (

p
<
0.05
−
0.001

) protected against elevated LDH and CK levels. Similarly, treatment with silymarin (10 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (

p
<
0.05
−
0.001

) boosted total protein levels compared to CCl4 treatment alone. The silymarin (10 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg) also provided a significant (

p
<
0.05
−
0.001

) protective effect for MDA levels. Methanol extract (MOR-1) and butanol (MOR-2) showed significant results and were recommended for further pharmacological and screening for active constituents.
Mobile Education System Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Dang Yanan
Published: June 2022

In order to solve the problems existing in the current mobile education system, this paper proposes a method of mobile education system based on genetic algorithm. By analyzing the research status of mobile learning and the theory and application mode of mobile learning, this method explores the combination of mobile learning theory and application mode and China’s traditional primary and secondary education mode, then puts forward a mobile teaching model suitable for primary and secondary education, and builds a mobile teaching system on this basis. The results show that, through the analysis, it is found that most of them remain at about 10%. In practice, the occupation is slightly increased only when multiple people teach, but it also belongs to an acceptable normal level, which can meet more complex functions in the future. The function of mobile learning platform needs to be expanded. For example, mobile learning forum can provide learners with a platform for communication, discussion, and sharing learning materials.
Invasive Orbital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Karrabi Narges , Hassanpour Kiana , Moghaddam Noushin Afshar , Khorasanizadeh Faezeh , Hooshmandi Sadid , Veisi Amirreza
Published: June 2022

Background. Orbital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare entity. It is often a result of local invasion of SCC originating from the skin, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, conjunctiva, lacrimal glands, or sac or less commonly occurs through hematogenous metastasis. Herein, we report a patient with orbital SCC with a history of multiple myeloma (MM). Case presentation. A 45-year-old woman with a history of MM in the past two years presented to our clinic complaining of gradual right eye proptosis for six months. The relative afferent pupillary defect was detected in the right eye on her examination. Ocular movements of the right eye were limited in all directions. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an infiltrative mass in the right orbit extended from the anterior to the orbital apex and the optic canal. The patient underwent debulking, and a histopathology examination revealed SCC results. No other secondary site was found to be the origin of the tumor. Result. The patient underwent chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of concomitant MM and primary orbital SCC.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Groundwater in Open-Pit Coal Mining: A Case Study from Baorixile Coal Mine, Hailaer Basin, China
Authors: Du Wenfeng , Chen Lei , He Yunlan , Wang Qiangmin , Gao Peiqiang , Li Quansheng
Published: June 2022

Groundwater distribution influenced by mining activities is hard to be tracked due to the lack of accurate and real-time monitoring data. To address the groundwater dynamic change data under the mining conditions of open-pit coal mines, a three-dimensional automatic observation network of groundwater was constructed, and this observation network takes open-pit as the center, showing a radioactive distribution, based on hydrogeological conditions, and observes different aquifers. The data was analyzed by integrating hydrology, mining activity, and meteorological data. Analytic hierarchy process was adopted to reveal the underground disturbance influencing factors, and suggestions for groundwater protection were given. The results show that the dynamic variations of the groundwater with time can be divided into 3 types (precipitation affected, unaffected type, and mining affected types). The drainage operation during the open-pit mining triggered the drop of groundwater level, resulting in a cone of depression. The maximum drawdown of the central groundwater level was 60 m. And the disturbance mainly occurred in the mining area where the maximum groundwater disturbance radius was 8 km. Artificial drainage was the main disturbance factor of groundwater, and the range of groundwater level drop within the disturbance radius was closely related to the distance from the open-pit coal mine and the drainage volume. The closer the distance to the mines and the higher the drainage volume led to the deeper the groundwater level drop. This study shows the importance of the three-dimensional observation network of groundwater and provides a good reference for groundwater resources protection and ecological restoration in open-pit coal mines.
Downregulated Copper Homeostasis-Related Gene FOXO1 as a Novel Indicator for the Prognosis and Immune Response of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zeng Rong , Peng Bi , Peng Emin
Published: June 2022

Copper (Cu) is one of the essential microelements for all living systems. Studies have illustrated the biological significance of Cu homeostasis in human cancers, including breast cancer (BRCA). Nevertheless, the detailed roles of Cu homeostasis in BRCA need to be further explored. Here, we identified a downregulated Cu homeostasis-related gene FOXO1 and investigated the potential functions of FOXO1 in BRCA through several bioinformation databases. The BRCA patients with high level of FOXO1 displayed favorable prognostic values. Subsequently, enrichment analysis of FOXO1 coexpressed genes revealed that the top three enriched KEGG pathways were spliceosome, oxidative phosphorylation, and ribosome. Immunoinfiltration analysis indicated that aberrantly expressed FOXO1 showed positive correlations with the subcellular infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils in BRCA. Moreover, FOXO1 expression was positively associated with multiple immune checkpoints, such as sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 15 (SIGLEC15), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1/CD274), hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2), programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), and programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PDCD1LG2). Overall, these findings would deepen our understanding of FOXO1 in BRCA prognosis and immunotherapy response, representing a promising therapeutic strategy for BRCA patients.
Meteorological Drought Monitoring Based on Satellite CHIRPS Product over Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Shalishe Amba , Bhowmick Anirudh , Elias Kumneger
Published: June 2022

Drought is a frequent occurrence in semidesert areas of southern Ethiopia that significantly affect regional, social, economic, and environmental conditions. Lack of rainfall monitoring network, instrument measurement, and failure are major bottlenecks for agro-and hydroclimate research in developing countries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of CHIRPS rainfall product and to assess meteorological drought using SPI for the period 2000 to 2020 over Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. The performance of CHIRPS v2 was assessed and compared to station observations (2000–2020) in the study domain to derive SPI on a three-month timescale. The Pearson correlation coefficient (R), bias, probability of bias (PBias), mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and Nash simulation efficiency (NSE) values across the zone for CHIRPS v2 were found to be 0.88, 1.02, 2.56, 0.25, 22.41, 33.14, and 0.77, respectively. The results indicate that CHIRPS performed good ability to analyze the drought characteristics in the Gamo Zone. The spatial and temporal distribution method of meteorological drought has been evaluated using the Climate Data Tool (CDT). The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was computed using the gamma distribution method. The magnitude of (SPI-3) of monthly and seasonal (MAM) meteorological drought in the zone from 2000 to 2020. The result shows that the known historic drought years (2014, 2015, 2010, 2009, and 2008) were indicated very well. Furthermore, sever and extreme droughts were observed in 2008 and 2009 with drought duration of 6.7 and 6.3, respectively, in most areas of the zone. Hence, this study revealed that CHIRPS can be a useful supplement for measuring rainfall data to estimate rainfall and drought monitoring in this region.
Blockchain-Based Privacy Access Control Mechanism and Collaborative Analysis for Medical Images
Authors: Prasad Puja Sahay , Beena Bethel G N , Singh Ninni , Kumar Gunjan Vinit , Basir Samar , Miah Shahajan
Published: June 2022

Medical image analysis technology based on deep learning has played an important role in computer-aided disease diagnosis and treatment. Classification accuracy has always been the primary goal pursued by researchers. However, the image transmission process also faces the problems of limited wireless ad-hoc network (WAN) bandwidth and increased security risks. Moreover, when user data are exposed to unauthorized users, platforms can easily leak personal privacy. Aiming at the abovementioned problems, a system model and an access control scheme for the collaborative analysis of the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) are constructed in this paper. The system model includes two stages of data cleaning and lesion classification. In the data cleaning phase, the private cloud writes the model obtained after training into the blockchain, and other private clouds use the best-performing model on the chain to identify the image quality when cleaning data and pass the high-quality image to the lesion classification model for use. In the lesion classification stage, each private cloud trains the classification model separately; uploads its own model parameters to the public cloud for aggregation to obtain a global model; and then sends the global model to each private cloud to achieve collaborative learning, reduce the amount of data transmission, and protect personal privacy. Access control schemes include improved role-based access control (RAC) used within the private cloud and blockchain-based access control used during the interaction between the private cloud and the public cloud program (BAC). RAC grants both functional rights and data access rights to roles and takes into account object attributes for fine-grained level control. Based on certificateless public-key encryption technology and blockchain technology, BAC can realize the identity authentication and authority identification of the private cloud while requesting the transmission of model parameters from the private cloud to the public cloud and protect the security of the identity, authority, and model parameters of the private cloud to achieve the effect of lightweight access control. In the experimental part, two retinal datasets are used for DR classification analysis. The results show that data cleaning can effectively remove low-quality images and improve the accuracy of early lesion classification for doctors, with an accuracy rate of 90.2%.
Comparison of the Changes in Seed Germination Vigour with Prolonged Postharvest Storage for Hordeum vulgare Varieties, Hope and Sierra Malting Barley Varieties, in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mwazha Milford , Mugadza Desmond T , Manhokwe Shepherd , Njini Michael , Jombo Talknice Z
Published: June 2022

To ensure production of quality malt that conforms to brewing requirements, the barley used should have minimal postharvest dormancy and be able to germinate rapidly and uniformly. The objective of the study was to compare the changes in seed germination, vigour trends, and storage stability of two-row Zimbabwean commercially grown malting barley varieties (Hope and Sierra), as the postharvest storage time increased. The two varieties were stored for 12 months, and at monthly intervals, germination index, capacity, and energy were determined. In addition, other quality parameters (protein content, screening, moisture content, water sensitivity, and insect damage index) were also assessed. Hope’s germination index improved with an increase in storage time from 8.67 at the beginning of the study to 9.18 at the end of the study, while that for Sierra diminished with storage from 9.35 to 6.71. Generally, water sensitivity improved with postharvest storage for both varieties. However, the germination energy for Hope diminished with increased postharvest storage compared to Sierra. Hope variety is the more suitable variety for extended postharvest storage than Sierra. However, Sierra variety is more suitable for early malting postharvest storage.
[Retracted] Preliminary Study on the Application of Nanochitosan Film and Petrolatum Gauze in the Modified Devine Operation
Authors: Li Yuan , Feng Dongchuan , Zhu Xiaoyu
Published: June 2022

Although the use of sterile petroleum jelly gauze combined with nanochitosan film to wrap wounds has been proven to have good results, it has not been applied for modified Devine surgery. The use of sterile petroleum jelly gauze alone in the modified Devine surgery to treat concealed penis in children has different effects. In this study, the systematic evaluation of the effect of the modified Devine technique (Vaseline gauze bandaging the wound) in the treatment of concealed penis in children is conducted. Furthermore, the application of nanochitosan film and Vaseline gauze in the modified Devine technique is proposed. By analytical search in PubMed, China Knowledge Network (CKN), and other Chinese and foreign literature databases, there are 13 studies describing the development of the penis during the follow‐up period with high satisfaction of patients and their family members. In addition, systematic evaluations have shown that the complete removal of the fibrotic penile sarcoid tissue is an important reason for the remarkable curative effect of the modified Devine surgery in the treatment of concealed penis in children.
Increasing Cyber Defense in the Music Education Sector Using Blockchain Zero-Knowledge Proof Identification
Authors: Zhang Ying
Published: June 2022

Music creation and its promotion are encouraged both in music education and through activities organized in the context of artistic creation as part of the education in question. Although copyright registration is the primary way authors protect their rights, this is not feasible in most cases, as the processes take a long time to complete and incur high costs. We utilize modern innovative technologies and their developments in copyright protection matters to increase security and trust in music education. In particular, an advanced model of ensuring the methods and innovation produced in music education processes is proposed, using blockchain technology and smart contracts. But given that, even in an advanced system like the proposed one, authentication evidence can be easily intercepted, this work proposes a single and robust identification scheme based on an innovative zero-knowledge proof (ZNP) system, which allows one side of communication to convince the other of its validity.
NLHPC: La experiencia de trabajar usando recursos de computación de alto desempeño
Authors: Bordón Paula , Crespo Fernando
Published: June 2022

La computación de alto desempeño (HPC, en su acrónimo en inglés) se entiende por compartir simultáneamente: tener recursos con varias horas de disponibilidad, infraestructuras de redes, seguridad y ejecución de programas computacionales en diferentes lenguajes usando programación paralela de alta velocidad, todos los cuales se encuentran disponibles en el Laboratorio Nacional de Computación de Alto Rendimiento, NLHPC, alojado en el Centro de Modelamiento Matemático de la Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas de la Universidad de Chile. Continuar leyendo...
Immunodominant MHC-II (Major Histocompatibility Complex II) Restricted Epitopes in Human Apolipoprotein B
Authors: Roy Payel , Sidney John , Lindestam Arlehamn Cecilia S. , Phillips Elizabeth , Mallal Simon , Armstrong Suthahar Sujit Silas , Billitti Monica , Rubiro Paul , Marrama Daniel , Drago Fabrizio , Vallejo Jenifer , Suryawanshi Vasantika , Orecchioni Marco , Makings Jeffrey , Kim Paul J. , McNamara Coleen A. , Peters Bjoern , Sette Alessandro , Ley Klaus
Published: June 2022

Background:

CD (cluster of differentiation) 4
+
T-cell responses to APOB (apolipoprotein B) are well characterized in atherosclerotic mice and detectable in humans. CD4
+
T cells recognize antigenic peptides displayed on highly polymorphic HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-II. Immunogenicity of individual APOB peptides is largely unknown in humans. Only 1 HLA-II-restricted epitope was validated using the DRB1*07:01-APOB
3036
–3050
tetramer. We hypothesized that human APOB may contain discrete immunodominant CD4
+
T-cell epitopes that trigger atherosclerosis-related autoimmune responses in donors with diverse HLA alleles.

Methods:

We selected 20 APOB-derived peptides (APOB
20
) from an in silico screen and experimentally validated binding to the most commonly occurring human HLA-II alleles. We optimized a restimulation-based workflow to evaluate antigenicity of multiple candidate peptides in HLA-typed donors. This included activation-induced marker assay, intracellular cytokine staining, IFNγ (interferon gamma) enzyme–linked immunospot and cytometric bead array. High-throughput sequencing revealed TCR (T-cell receptor) clonalities of APOB-reactive CD4
+
T cells.

Results:

Using stringent positive, negative, and crossover stimulation controls, we confirmed specificity of expansion-based protocols to detect CD4
+
T cytokine responses to the APOB
20
pool. Ex vivo assessment of AIM
+
CD4
+
T cells revealed a statistically significant autoimmune response to APOB
20
but not to a ubiquitously expressed negative control protein, actin. Resolution of CD4
+
T responses to the level of individual peptides using IFNγ enzyme–linked immunospot led to the discovery of 6 immunodominant epitopes (APOB
6
) that triggered robust CD4
+
T activation in most donors. APOB
6
-specific responding CD4
+
T cells were enriched in unique expanded TCR clonotypes and preferentially expressed memory markers. Cytometric bead array analysis detected APOB
6
-induced secretion of both proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines. In clinical samples from patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease, APOB
6
stimulation induced higher activation and memory phenotypes and augmented secretion of proinflammatory cytokines TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and IFNγ, compared with patients with low coronary artery disease.

Conclusions:

Using 3 cohorts, each with ≈20 donors, we discovered and validated 6 immunodominant, HLA-II–restricted APOB epitopes. The immune response to these APOB epitopes correlated with coronary artery disease severity.
Hospital‐Level Variation in Ticagrelor Use in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ozaki Aya F. , Jackevicius Cynthia A. , Chong Alice , Sud Maneesh , Fang Jiming , Austin Peter C. , Ko Dennis T.
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite improved outcomes associated with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), many studies have demonstrated slow adoption of ticagrelor in the United States because of its increased cost. Less is known about how ticagrelor is adopted when there is no added cost consideration. Our objectives were to determine patterns of use of ticagrelor, hospital‐level adoption of ticagrelor use, and factors associated with its use after ACS in a publicly funded health care system.

Methods and Results

We conducted a population‐based cohort study including patients (≥65 years) hospitalized with their first ACS from April 2014 to March 2018 in Ontario, Canada. We determined temporal trends in ticagrelor use and hospital‐level adoption of its use post‐ACS discharge. Using hierarchical regression models, we identified significant predictors of ticagrelor use. There were 23 962 patients with ACS (mean age 76.3 years, 59.7% men) hospitalized in 156 hospitals. Overall ticagrelor use increased from 32.6% in 2014/2015 to 51.8% in 2017/2018. There was substantial variation in ticagrelor use post‐ACS across hospitals, with hospital‐specific prescribing rates ranging from 0% to 83.6%. Lower odds of ticagrelor use was associated with advanced age and the presence of comorbidities. Besides patient factors, being admitted to a rurally located hospital more than halved the odds of being prescribed ticagrelor (odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32–0.77). Being managed by a cardiologist during the index ACS hospitalization was associated with higher odds of having a ticagrelor prescription after ACS (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 2.36–3.33).

Conclusions

Ticagrelor use rates varied substantially across hospitals and were strongly associated with physician and hospital factors independent of patient characteristics.
Diastolic Filling Time, Chronotropic Response, and Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction With Sinus Rhythm
Authors: Kagami Kazuki , Obokata Masaru , Harada Tomonari , Kato Toshimitsu , Wada Naoki , Adachi Takeshi , Ishii Hideki
Published: June 2022

Background

Exercise‐induced high heart rate may impair exercise tolerance by reducing diastolic filling time and ventricular filling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Given the importance of chronotropic response, we hypothesized that reduction in diastolic filling time because of exercise‐induced increased heart rate would not impair cardiac output reserve and exercise capacity. We sought to determine the association between heart rate, diastolic filling time, hemodynamics, and exercise capacity in HFpEF.

Methods and Results

Patients with HFpEF (n=66) and controls without HF (n=107) underwent bicycle exercise echocardiography with simultaneous expired gas analysis to measure oxygen consumption. Diastolic filling time was assessed by the overlap time between mitral E‐ and A‐waves (longer overlap time indicates shorter diastolic filling duration). Overlap time increased (ie, diastolic filling time shortened) in HFpEF and controls as heart rate increased with exercise, and the relationship was similar between the groups. Greater heart rate response correlated with higher cardiac output (
r
=0.51,
P
<0.0001) and oxygen consumption (
r
=0.50,
P
<0.0001) during peak exercise. Shorter diastolic filling time, as assessed by longer overlap time, was correlated with higher cardiac output (
r
=0.47,
P
<0.0001) and peak oxygen consumption (
r
=0.38,
P
=0.007), not with E/e′ or right ventricular‐pulmonary artery uncoupling. Longer overlap time was associated with mitral A velocity (
r
=0.53,
P
<0.0001) and left atrial booster pump strain (
r
=0.42,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions

Shortening of diastolic filling interval in tandem with increased heart rate during exercise does not limit cardiac output reserve or exercise capacity in HFpEF.
Association Between High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein and Prognosis in Different Periods After Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Jiejie , Pan Yuesong , Wang Mengxing , Meng Xia , Wang Yongjun
Published: June 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hsCRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) and prognosis over time after stroke onset.

Methods and Results

In this prespecified prospective substudy of the Third China National Stroke Registry, a total of 9438 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and measured hsCRP were included. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the sampling time after index onset (<24 hours, 24–72 hours, 72 hours–8 days). The outcomes consisted of stroke recurrence and combined vascular events within 1 year, and dependence or death defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6 at 1 year. The associations between hsCRP and outcomes in different groups were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models. The median levels of hsCRP within 24 hours, between 24 and 72 hours and between 72 hours and 8 days were 2.01, 1.72, and 1.72 mg/L, respectively (
P
 < 0.05). Compared with the bottom quartile, patients in the top quartile measured within 72 hours were at increased risk of recurrent stroke (<24 hours: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.57 [95% CI, 1.05–2.35],
P
 = 0.03; 24–72 hours: adjusted HR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.18–2.17],
P
 = 0.003). Association was attenuated after further adjusting for the Org 10 172 test in the Treatment of Acute Stroke classification (<24 hours: adjusted HR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.01–2.27];
P
 = 0.05; 24–72 hours: adjusted HR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.14–2.10];
P
 = 0.01). The association only existed in patients with large‐artery atherosclerosis (adjusted HR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.06–2.64];
P
 = 0.03). However, the association was not found in the hsCRP level measured between 72 hours and 8 days. Similar results were found for the outcome of combined vascular events. Additionally, hsCRP levels measured between 24 and 72 hours were associated with an increased risk of poor functional outcomes.

Conclusions

Elevated levels of hsCRP measured in the first 72 hours after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack but not 72 hours to 8 days, were associated with an increased risk of 1‐year stroke recurrence.
A Metrological Perspective on Reproducibility in NLP*
Authors: Belz Anya
Published: June 2022

Reproducibility has become an increasingly debated topic in NLP and ML over recent years, but so far, no commonly accepted definitions of even basic terms or concepts have emerged. The range of different definitions proposed within NLP/ML not only do not agree with each other, they are also not aligned with standard scientific definitions. This article examines the standard definitions of repeatability and reproducibility provided by the meta-science of metrology, and explores what they imply in terms of how to assess reproducibility, and what adopting them would mean for reproducibility assessment in NLP/ML. It turns out the standard definitions lead directly to a method for assessing reproducibility in quantified terms that renders results from reproduction studies comparable across multiple reproductions of the same original study, as well as reproductions of different original studies. The article considers where this method sits in relation to other aspects of NLP work one might wish to assess in the context of reproducibility.
Paleopsychoda jarzembowskii, a new Lower Cretaceous species of moth flies from Lebanese amber (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae)
Authors: AZAR DANY , MAKSOUD SIBELLE
Published: June 2022

Paleopsychoda jarzembowskii sp. nov. is characterized, illustrated, and described from the lower Barremian amber of Mdeyrij-Hammana (Lebanon). It represents the first psychodid fly in Lower Cretaceous amber showing sexual dimorphism in wing characters. The discovery of this Cretaceous psychodid fly demonstrates that this genus had a large diversification and broad distribution, and improves our knowledge of the evolution of moth flies.
From the Ethiopian Bale Mountains hotspot—Filopalpinae subfam. nov., a new taxon of Laniatorean harvestmen based on external and genital morphology (Arachnida, Opiliones, Assamiidae)
Authors: MARTENS JOCHEN
Published: June 2022

Filopalpinae subfam. nov. is proposed as a new subfamily within family Assamiidae based on a new genus, Filopalpus gen. nov. and on five new species: F. joschmidti sp. nov., F. bale sp. nov., F. kakaensis sp. nov., F. altomontanus sp. nov. and F. niger sp. nov. All originate from the highlands of Ethiopia, namely the Bale Mountains and adjacent volcanoes in Oromia State. Species of the new subfamily are characterized by dense body cover with pointed tubercles causing a hedgehog appearance of the body (dorsal side, partly ventral side), extreme sexual dimorphism in pedipalps (in males thread-like long and thin surpassing body length by about four to six times, devoid of apophyses and thorns; in females short and stout about body length, with a distal “grasping hand” formed by apophyses and strong setae of tibia and tarsus, and tarsal claw). Male genital morphology is characterized by a hemolymph-pressure system of truncus penis and glans, a dorsal sub-distal tube-like glans with an inner prickly funnel, which is everted by hemolymph pressure during courtship. These male genital characters place the present species in Assamiidae, but external morphology points to a strongly different separate evolutionary unit within this family. The five species known to date were secured at altitudes between 2830 and 4100 m. At least two of the collecting areas are now devoid of forest due to human impact. To secure the present specimens at high-altitude localities was possible only by searching in remote microhabitats unavailable for cattle and man-made fire. A perspective on current subfamilies of Assamiidae and on pedipalpal morphology and evolution is presented.