bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Model of one-Time Shift Work in the Highlands on the Behavior and Structural Organization of the Cerebellum
Authors: Shuvalova M. , Shidakov Yu. , Zhanuzakov D.
Published: September 2021

In Kyrgyzstan, 94% of the entire territory of the country is occupied by mountains. There are significant resources located here, the development of which is often associated with the temporary ascent to significant heights and descent to the low mountains of specialists in various fields of work. At the same time, information about the state of brain structures and the behavior of animals and humans in these conditions is scarce. Objective: to study the influence of the model of a one-time 8-hour shift work in the highlands on the histophysiology of the cerebellum and individual behavior of rats. The work was performed on 28 white mongrel male rats weighing 250–310 g. The low-mountain series of the experiment was carried out at an altitude of 760 m above sea level (Bishkek). The high-altitude series was modeled on the Tuya-Ashu pass-3200 m above sea level (Kyrgyzstan). Behavioral activity was evaluated using the Open field method, muscle strength according to the S. V. Speransky method on the 3rd day of the experiment. The microcirculation of the cerebellum was studied microscopically under the Olympus B×40 light microscope (Japan). Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out in the SPSS 16.0 program. In the highlands, the indicators of the mink reflex increase by 1.43 times, and the level of defecation increases by 8.5 times, which is a marker of increased vegetative activity of the body. Remodeling of cerebellar angioarchitectonics in the highlands is characterized by hypercapillarization, signs of blood stagnation, perivascular edema, enlargement of nucleoli, moderate hyperchromia of neurons of the molecular and granular layers. Thus, in the highlands, changes in behavioral activity are more pronounced than the remodeling of capillaries, neurons and glial elements, which are adaptive in nature.
Frequency and Structure of Clinical and Neurological Syndromes in Children With Congenital Malformations of the Nervous System
Authors: Zhikhareva V. , Uzakbaev K. , Saatova G. , Babadzhanov N.
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study was to study the frequency and structure of clinical and neurological manifestations of congenital pathology of the nervous system in children. 144 children with HPV NS from 1 month to 3 years were examined.
To the Issue of Intermittent Fasting Diet Effect on Human Body
Authors: Evseev A.
Published: September 2021

The article raises the issue of intermittent fasting (IF) effect on human health, including patients with comorbidity. The aims of the paper are to study, investigate and summarize the results of the clinical experimental work dedicated to IF over the past fifteen years, as of 2005. The author evaluates a “risk–benefit” ratio of IF; its effect on nutrition restrictions linked with religious fasting; IF exposure on the structure and composition of microbiota of intestinal tract. Despite numerous papers dedicated to experiments held on rodents, the issue under discussion is yet insufficiently studied and needs further research.
Experience in the Implementation of Educational Tasks Within the Framework of the Module “Elective Courses in Physical Culture and Sports” During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tomashevskaya O. , Soboleva L. , Pokrovskaya N. , Kolesnikov E.
Published: September 2021

The article discusses the experience of organizing the educational process according to the module “Elective courses in physical culture and sports” with 1st-3rd year students of the IKBFU within the framework of a lockdown. The basic requirements for the compilation of various types of assignments, their content, forms of control are revealed, as well as the positive and negative aspects of distance learning during the lockdown period are revealed.
Teaching Students About Zone Theory Using the “Army of Electrons” Method
Authors: Kasimakhunova A. , Shakhodjaev M.
Published: September 2021

The article under discussion presents the results of the research on the development of new pedagogical technologies for teaching pupils and students of vocational technical schools. The method of teaching conditioned by the theory of similarity is proposed, the essence and order of the lesson is described and the results of the experiments are analyzed. The authors conclude that it is advisable to study the experience of teaching technical specialists in the country’s universities, to cover teaching methods of those specialists extensively and to analyze the results of various teaching methods.
Description of the Methodology of Using E-learning Technology in the Study of the Subject “Computer Science”
Authors: Orujeva E.
Published: September 2021

The role of both higher and secondary education at the present stage of development of the Republic of Azerbaijan is mainly measured by the tasks set for it, its transition to a democratic and rule-of-law state, to a market economy, the need to overcome the danger of the country lagging behind the world trends of economic and social development. The main goal of the modernization of education is to create a mechanism for the sustainable development of the education system. To achieve this goal, such important tasks as ensuring State guarantees of accessibility and equal opportunities for obtaining a full-fledged education and achieving a new modern quality of preschool, general and vocational education should be solved as a priority, among others. Within the framework of solving these tasks, the concept of modernization of Russian education at the senior level of general education provides for specialized training and the development of distance education. The model of a general education institution with specialized training at the senior level provides for the possibility of various combinations of academic subjects, which will provide a flexible system of specialized training. This system includes the following types of academic subjects: basic general education, specialized and elective. Elective courses are implemented at the expense of the school component of the curriculum and provide “support” for the study of the main profile subjects, as well as serve for intra-profile specialization of training and the construction of individual educational trajectories. Schools are faced with the task of developing elective courses. On the one hand, solving this problem requires highly qualified specialists, which is extremely difficult to provide, especially in rural areas. On the other hand, today schools, including rural ones, get access to high-speed Internet, therefore, we can say that there is a sufficient technical base for the development of distance learning, which will also solve the problems of specialized training.
The Role of AFRICOM in Solving Security Problems on the African Continent (2001-2020)
Authors: Khlopov O.
Published: September 2021

The article analyzes the US’s security relations with Africa, including the “war on terror”, as well as the role of the US African Military Command (AFRICOM) in resolving regional conflicts. After the end of the Cold War and a failed mission in Somalia, the United States ended major military operations in Africa. However, in the past few years, the strategic interests of the United States in the region have increased due to the threats of the activities of international terrorist groups. The article reveals the goals of Presidents George Bush, Jr., Barack Obama, and Donald Trump in relation to Africa in the context of regional security challenges and the main results of US foreign policy under three administrations.
The Specific Features of the Representation of German Characters in the Novel ‘The Ice House’ by I. I. Lazhechnikov
Authors: Melnikova L.
Published: September 2021

The article paper reveals the main specific features of the representation of German heroes in the novel ‘The Ice House’ by I. I. Lazhechnikov. It was found that the main means of creating images of these characters are portraying, the expressive artistic detail, and speech characteristics. Comparisons with representatives of the animal world that are present in the portrait descriptions of the Germans are subordinated to the purpose not only to point out the specific features of the external appearance of the latter, but also to emphasize the negative attitude of the narrator towards these characters. The main criterion for evaluating the German heroes is their attitude towards Russia and its native inhabitants. I. I. Lazhechnikov does not set himself the tasks of studying the specific features of the German mentality and traditions, but he shows and evaluates the characters only in the aureole of their behavior and actions.
Charge Transport and Thermoelectric Properties of Sn-Doped Tetrahedrites Cu12Sb4-ySnyS13
Authors: Ahn Hee-Jae , Kim Il-Ho
Published: September 2021

In this study, tetrahedrite compounds doped with Sn were prepared by mechanical alloying and hot pressing, and their charge transport and thermoelectric properties were analyzed. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that both the synthetic powders and sintered bodies were synthesized as a single tetrahedrite phase without secondary phases. Densely sintered specimens were obtained with relatively high densities of 99.5%-100.0% of the theoretical density, and the component elements were distributed uniformly. Sn was successfully substituted at the Sb site, and the lattice constant increased from 1.0348 to 1.0364 nm. Positive signs of the Hall and Seebeck coefficients confirmed that the Sn-doped tetrahedrites were p-type semiconductors. The carrier concentration decreased from 1.28 × 1019 to 1.57 × 1018 cm-3 as the Sn content decreased because excess electrons were supplied by doping with Sn4+ at the Sb3+ site of the tetrahedrite. The Seebeck coefficient increased with increasing Sn content, and Cu12Sb3.6Sn0.4S13 exhibited maximum values of 238-270 µVK-1 at temperatures of 323-723 K. However, the electrical conductivity decreased as the amount of Sn doping increased. Thus, Cu12Sb3.9Sn0.1S13 exhibited the highest electrical conductivity of (2.24-2.40) × 104 Sm-1 at temperatures of 323-723 K. A maximum power factor of 0.73 mWm-1K-2 was achieved at 723 K for Cu12Sb3.9Sn0.1S13. Sn substitution reduced both the electronic and lattice thermal conductivities. The lowest thermal conductivity of 0.49-0.60 Wm-1K-1 was obtained at temperatures of 323-723 K for Cu12Sb3.6Sn0.4S13, where the lattice thermal conductivity was dominant at 0.49-0.57 Wm-1K-1. As a result, a maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.66 was achieved at 723 K for Cu12Sb3.9Sn0.1S13.
Breeched and Unbridled: Bifurcated Equestrian Garments for Women in Early Modern Europe
Authors: Zanetti Valerio
Published: September 2021

This article discusses the wearing of bifurcated equestrian garments for women in early modern Europe. Considering visual representations as well as documentary sources, the first section examines the fashion for red riding breeches between the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Worn for their comfort and functionality in the saddle, these garments were also invested with powerful symbolic and affective meaning. The second section provides new insights about female equestrian outfits in late seventeenth-century France. Through the close reading of two written accounts, the author sheds light on the use of breeches as undergarments in the saddle and discusses the appearance of a hybrid riding uniform that incorporated knee-length culottes. By presenting horsewomen who wore bifurcated garments in the pursuit of leisure rather than transgression, this study revises historical narratives that cast the breeched woman exclusively as a symbol of gender upheaval.
Henry Dundas: A ‘Great Delayer’ of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Authors: Mullen Stephen
Published: September 2021

Henry Dundas, first viscount Melville (1742–1811), lord advocate in Scotland, MP for Edinburgh and Midlothian, first lord of the admiralty, home secretary and the first secretary of state for war, was one of the most powerful politicians in the eighteenth-century British parliament. His involvement in the gradual abolition of the slave trade after 1792 was amongst the most controversial episodes of his career. His role has attracted much interest in the last few years, although there are two irreconcilable schools of thought amongst historians. This article reassesses Dundas's role in the gradual abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. His contributions in the houses of parliament between 1791 and 1807 are examined and situated in the appropriate imperial context. Memoirs and published pamphlets reveal how contemporaries viewed Dundas's activities and motives at the time and since. His parliamentary activities are compared with new insights from his personal correspondence as well as public and private communications from West India societies, merchants and planters. By overlaying parliamentary events with commercial networks, Henry Dundas's collaboration with the West India interest is revealed, and how this operated and was perceived at the time. This article—the first detailed study of its type—thus illuminates Henry Dundas's role as a great delayer of the abolition of the slave trade.
A Lexical Analysis of Zechariah 6:1-8
Authors: Chia Philip Suciadi , Juanda Juanda
Published: September 2021

Zechariah 1:1-6 summarizes a speech to the people that reports the failure of the previous generations to heed the message of the prophets who God has sent while successfully challenging the current generation to turn to YHWH. The eight visions of the second block (1:7-6:15) share common compositional elements, but they also show evidence of later reworking. The third block, Zechariah 7-8, constitutes a collection of short sayings dated approximately two years after temple construction began.

Zechariah 6:1-8 could be divided into two sections. First is disclosure of the vision (6:1-4) and the last one is the disclosure and explanation of the vision (6:5-8). Particularly, in this first subparagraph, Zechariah seems to present his thoughts in chiasmus. This chiasmus has a structural function which often a chiastic couplet is used to both open and close a stanza or poem. Zechariah introduced his eighth vision with four verbs, which are thematic words.
APPLICATION OF RANGE EXTENDER BASED ON SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS (SOFCS) FOR ELECTRICAL BUSES: EXPERIENCE OF CERES POWER (UNITED KINGDOM) AND WEICHAI POWER (CHINA) COMPANIES
Authors: Agarkov Olexander , Shevchuk Kostyantyn , Ivanyna Yurii
Published: September 2021

In previous articles on this topic [1-3] we examined the perspectives of application of power plants based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as auxiliary power plants as well as range extenders for heavy freight transport [1,2] and cars [3]: we considered experience of USA [1], Europe [2] and Japan [3]. We showed, that such kind of systems give opportunity to obtain electrical power from chemical energy of hydrocarbon fuel oxidation with record-high efficiency (much higher than competitive solutions) in order to supply on-board vehicle systems during stops of main engine, as well as to significantly extend the range of electrical vehicles by means of constant charge of batteries directly during motional and their discharge due to operation of electrical engine. In current manuscript, we examine the world first experience of SOFC power plant application as range extender for electrical buses. Group of Ceres Power (UK) and Weichai Power (China) companies executed a corresponding project. As a result of project execution system prototype with power output of 30 kW was developed and manufactured, tests on bus lines are planned to be executed in nearest future. The system examined in current manuscript is the most powerful in comparison to other systems studied in this set of manuscripts: 30 kW against 1.5 and 9 kW [1], 3 kW [2] as well as 5 kW [3] for systems examined in previous works. Examined system uses compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel; this hydrocarbon is very convenient one due to well-developed distribution network, ecological cleanness in comparison with more complex and heavy hydrocarbon mixtures. Application of low-temperature fuel cells (with proton-exchange membrane), which are more simple in manufacture, in automobile transport leads to the demand in development of hydrogen supply networks, which is not developed nowadays at all.
ACCIDENT ANALYSIS – THE WAY TO EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT ON ROADS
Authors: Bondar Tetiana , Belenchuk Olga , Tepliuk Yevhen , Pyna Oleksandr
Published: September 2021

Road safety management begins with a detailed analysis of accidents, which is reflected in Article 24 of the Law of Ukraine “On Road Traffic” which states that when performing repairs and maintenance of roads, streets and railway crossings road maintenance organizations in the first place should take measures for road safety on the basis of accounting and analysis of road accidents, results of inspections and surveys of roads, streets and railway crossings, and especially in emergency and dangerous areas and in places of concentration of road accidents. The problem of reducing the accident rate and reducing the number of victims of road accidents during the maintenance of roads has so far been solved mainly by identifying areas (places) of concentration of accidents with the development of measures to improve road conditions and improve the organization of traffic on them and conducting annual commission spring and autumn inspections of the road network by representatives of road organizations and the police. However, the areas of concentration of road accidents were not fully covered on the road network of local significance due to the lack of accurate reference of the places of accident in the accident registration cards, as well as they were not identified on the streets and roads of cities and other settlements due to the absence of any criteria for their identification and therefore the maximum efficiency from introduction of management of sites (places) of concentration of road accident isn’t reached. The article analyzes the criteria for determining the areas of concentration of accidents on public roads in different periods, examines the dynamics of the number of areas of concentration of accidents and considers other modern opportunities for effective traffic safety management, in particular, inspection (inspection) of existing roads.
Local Membrane Curvature Pins and Guides Excitable Membrane Waves in Chemotactic and Macropinocytic Cells - Biomedical Insights From an Innovative Simple Model
Authors: Hörning Marcel , Bullmann Torsten , Shibata Tatsuo
Published: September 2021

PIP3 dynamics observed in membranes are responsible for the protruding edge formation in cancer and amoeboid cells. The mechanisms that maintain those PIP3 domains in three-dimensional space remain elusive, due to limitations in observation and analysis techniques. Recently, a strong relation between the cell geometry, the spatial confinement of the membrane, and the excitable signal transduction system has been revealed by Hörning and Shibata (2019) using a novel 3D spatiotemporal analysis methodology that enables the study of membrane signaling on the entire membrane (Hörning and Shibata, 2019). Here, using 3D spatial fluctuation and phase map analysis on actin polymerization inhibited Dictyostelium cells, we reveal a spatial asymmetry of PIP3 signaling on the membrane that is mediated by the contact perimeter of the plasma membrane — the spatial boundary around the cell-substrate adhered area on the plasma membrane. We show that the contact perimeter guides PIP3 waves and acts as a pinning site of PIP3 phase singularities, that is, the center point of spiral waves. The contact perimeter serves as a diffusion influencing boundary that is regulated by a cell size- and shape-dependent curvature. Our findings suggest an underlying mechanism that explains how local curvature can favor actin polymerization when PIP3 domains get pinned at the curved protrusive membrane edges in amoeboid cells.
Differential Eye Movements in Verbal and Nonverbal Search
Authors: Hurley Robert S. , Sander Jonathan , Nemeth Kayleigh , Lapin Brittany R. , Huang Wei , Seckin Mustafa
Published: September 2021

In addition to “nonverbal search” for objects, modern life also necessitates “verbal search” for written words in variable configurations. We know less about how we locate words in novel spatial arrangements, as occurs on websites and menus, than when words are located in passages. In this study we leveraged eye tracking technology to examine the hypothesis that objects are simultaneously screened in parallel while words can only be found when each are directly foveated in serial fashion. Participants were provided with a cue (e.g. rabbit) and tasked with finding a thematically-related target (e.g. carrot) embedded within an array including a dozen distractors. The cues and arrays were comprised of object pictures on nonverbal trials, and of written words on verbal trials. In keeping with the well-established “picture superiority effect,” picture targets were identified more rapidly than word targets. Eye movement analysis showed that picture superiority was promoted by parallel viewing of objects, while words were viewed serially. Different factors influenced performance in each stimulus modality; lexical characteristics such as word frequency modulated viewing times during verbal search, while taxonomic category affected viewing times during nonverbal search. In addition to within-platform task conditions, performance was examined in cross-platform conditions where picture cues were followed by word arrays, and vice versa. Although taxonomically-related words did not capture gaze on verbal trials, they were viewed disproportionately when preceded by cross-platform picture cues. Our findings suggest that verbal and nonverbal search are associated with qualitatively different search strategies and forms of distraction, and cross-platform search incorporates characteristics of both.
Cerebral Visual Impairment on the Web: An Exploration of an Educational Web Resource as a Bridge to Public Understanding
Authors: Ravenscroft John , St Clair Tracy Helen , Blaikie Andrew
Published: September 2021

Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is the most common form of childhood visual impairment. Yet it remains the least well understood by parents and professionals alike. There is an urgent need to provide a bridge between academic knowledge concerning CVI, and to give a practical understanding of the condition to those affected, parents, carers, and professionals alike so that a common language can be shared between patients, their carers and professionals. The wide ranging manifestations of CVI, and the lack of accessible well recognised terms to describe it, render it difficult to understand how someone with their own unique form of CVI actually “sees”. However, with graded progressive explanation, knowledge can be gained, leading to an understanding of the visual effects of CVI from the perspective of those affected. The current position of limited understanding of the condition presents a major challenge for health and education professionals: How does one bring about the requisite CVI literacy, to render the subject accessible to families, affected children and adults, and the public?

One way of doing this is by means of a plain language, multi-media resource, hosted on a publicly available website, driven by a partnership of adults with CVI, parents of children with the condition and experienced professionals from around the world, including those from the vision sciences and education. Within this context, we have explored the website resource of the not-for-profit organisation CVI Scotland (https://cviscotland.org/). This comprises a growing body of CVI knowledge created for teaching, sharing, learning and developing knowledge and understanding. By analysing anonymised data concerning the activity of 80,000 users from 170 countries, we have examined where the users who are accessing the website come from, what users are seeking in terms of information, how they have accessed the website, and what devices they use. The results are interpreted though frequency analysis and linear regression. Based on this analysis several recommendations are made in terms of disseminating information about CVI to members of the public as well as developments to enhance the website itself. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the use of a website dedicated to CVI using Google analytics.
TSI-GNN: Extending Graph Neural Networks to Handle Missing Data in Temporal Settings
Authors: Gordon David , Petousis Panayiotis , Zheng Henry , Zamanzadeh Davina , Bui Alex A.T.
Published: September 2021

We present a novel approach for imputing missing data that incorporates temporal information into bipartite graphs through an extension of graph representation learning. Missing data is abundant in several domains, particularly when observations are made over time. Most imputation methods make strong assumptions about the distribution of the data. While novel methods may relax some assumptions, they may not consider temporality. Moreover, when such methods are extended to handle time, they may not generalize without retraining. We propose using a joint bipartite graph approach to incorporate temporal sequence information. Specifically, the observation nodes and edges with temporal information are used in message passing to learn node and edge embeddings and to inform the imputation task. Our proposed method, temporal setting imputation using graph neural networks (TSI-GNN), captures sequence information that can then be used within an aggregation function of a graph neural network. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first effort to use a joint bipartite graph approach that captures sequence information to handle missing data. We use several benchmark datasets to test the performance of our method against a variety of conditions, comparing to both classic and contemporary methods. We further provide insight to manage the size of the generated TSI-GNN model. Through our analysis we show that incorporating temporal information into a bipartite graph improves the representation at the 30% and 60% missing rate, specifically when using a nonlinear model for downstream prediction tasks in regularly sampled datasets and is competitive with existing temporal methods under different scenarios.
Dice-XMBD: Deep Learning-Based Cell Segmentation for Imaging Mass Cytometry
Authors: Xiao Xu , Qiao Ying , Jiao Yudi , Fu Na , Yang Wenxian , Wang Liansheng , Yu Rongshan , Han Jiahuai
Published: September 2021

Highly multiplexed imaging technology is a powerful tool to facilitate understanding the composition and interactions of cells in tumor microenvironments at subcellular resolution, which is crucial for both basic research and clinical applications. Imaging mass cytometry (IMC), a multiplex imaging method recently introduced, can measure up to 100 markers simultaneously in one tissue section by using a high-resolution laser with a mass cytometer. However, due to its high resolution and large number of channels, how to process and interpret the image data from IMC remains a key challenge to its further applications. Accurate and reliable single cell segmentation is the first and a critical step to process IMC image data. Unfortunately, existing segmentation pipelines either produce inaccurate cell segmentation results or require manual annotation, which is very time consuming. Here, we developed Dice-XMBD1, a Deep learnIng-based Cell sEgmentation algorithm for tissue multiplexed imaging data. In comparison with other state-of-the-art cell segmentation methods currently used for IMC images, Dice-XMBD generates more accurate single cell masks efficiently on IMC images produced with different nuclear, membrane, and cytoplasm markers. All codes and datasets are available athttps://github.com/xmuyulab/Dice-XMBD.
Estimating the Effects of Dental Caries and Its Restorative Treatment on Periodontal Inflammatory and Oxidative Status: A Short Controlled Longitudinal Study
Authors: Kanjevac Tatjana , Taso Ervin , Stefanovic Vladimir , Petkovic-Curcin Aleksandra , Supic Gordana , Markovic Dejan , Djukic Mirjana , Djuran Boris , Vojvodic Danilo , Sculean Anton , Rakic Mia
Published: September 2021

Dental caries and periodontitis are among the most common health conditions that are currently recognized as growing socio-economic problems relating to their increasing prevalence, negative socio-economic impact, and harmful effects on systemic health. So far, the exact effects of caries and standard restorative materials on periodontal inflammatory and oxidative status are not established. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of caries and its restoration using standard temporary and permanent filling materials on a panel of 16 inflammatory and oxidative markers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of periodontally healthy individuals, 7 (D7) and 30 (D30) days post-restoration, while the intact teeth represented the control. One hundred ninety systemically and periodontally healthy patients with occlusal caries underwent standard cavity preparation and restorations with one of six standard temporary or permanent restorative material according to indication and randomization scheme. Interleukin (IL)-2, IFN- γ, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-13, IL-9, IL-10, IL-6, IL-5, IL-4, IL-22, TNF-α, IL1- β, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, superoxide dismutase, and reduced form of glutathione were measured in GCF samples by flowcytometry and spectrophotometry in aid of commercial diagnostic assays. Caries affected teeth exhibited significantly increased IL-1 β, IL-17, IL-22, and TBARS and decreased IL-9 concentrations compared to healthy controls. Treatment generally resulted in an increased antioxidant capacity with exception of zinc-polycarboxylate cement showing distinctive inflammatory pattern. Comparison of inflammatory and oxidative profiles in temporary and permanent restorations showed material-specific patterning which was particularly expressed in temporary materials plausibly related to greater caries extension. Caries affected teeth exhibited a balanced inflammatory pattern in GCF, with a general tendency of homeostatic re-establishment following treatment. Restorative materials did not provide specific pathological effects, although some material groups did exhibit significantly elevated levels of inflammatory and oxidative markers compared to healthy controls, while the material-specific patterning was observed as well.
Effect of Acidizing Process on the Stress Corrosion Cracking of HP-13Cr Stainless Steel in the Ultra-depth Well Environment
Authors: Qi Wenlong , Zhao Yang , Zhang Tao , Wang Fuhui
Published: September 2021

The effect of acidizing process on the stress corrosion cracking of HP-13Cr stainless steel in the ultra-depth well environment was studied by the slow strain rate test, the electrochemical measurement, the microstructure observation, and the finite element modeling. The results indicated that the acidizing process significantly increased the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of HP-13Cr stainless steel and induced the fracture mode to the brittle characteristic in the high temperature and CO2 pressure environment. The stress corrosion cracking susceptibility also increased with the increase of temperature and CO2 pressure. There were dense defects including pits and cracks in the fracture section from the transverse view. After the acidizing process, under tensile stress condition, the increasing roughness will cause the stress concentration and promote the local anodic dissolution, which induces the initiation of stress corrosion cracking.
Friction and Mechanical Properties of AFM-Scan-Induced Ripples in Polymer Films
Authors: Friedrich Sebastian , Cappella Brunero
Published: September 2021

When compliant samples such as polymer films are scanned with an atomic force microscope (AFM) in contact mode, a periodic ripple pattern can be induced on the sample. In the present paper, friction and mechanical properties of such ripple structures on films of polystyrene (PS) and poly-n-(butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) are investigated. Force volume measurements allow a quantitative analysis of the elastic moduli with nanometer resolution, showing a contrast in mechanical response between bundles and troughs. Additionally, analysis of the lateral cantilever deflection when scanning on pre-machined ripples shows a clear correlation between friction and the sample topography. Those results support the theory of crack propagation and the formation of voids as a mechanism responsible for the formation of ripples. This paper also shows the limits of the presented measuring methods for soft, compliant, and small structures. Special care must be taken to ensure that the analysis is not affected by artefacts.
Case Report: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wang Fajun , Darby Joseph
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) or “stress cardiomyopathy” is an uncommon condition characterized by transient cardiac dysfunction with left ventricular apical ballooning in an appropriate clinical context. TCM has been observed in a variety of acute neurological conditions most prominently in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and status epilepticus. TCM has only been reported infrequently in association with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Herein we present a patient who developed TCM 3 days after hospital admission with severe TBI.

Case Presentation: A 30-year-old male presented to the hospital with an acute subdural hematoma, anisocoria, declining consciousness and CT evidence of uncal herniation after being found down in a hotel room. The patient was taken emergently to the operating room for decompressive hemicraniectomy and hematoma evacuation. On the post-trauma day (PTD) 3, the patient developed acute dyspnea with increased oxygen requirements that improved with diuresis. On PTD 4, nursing staff noted T waive inversions (TWI) on the bedside monitor prompting an electrocardiogram (ECG) that showed a prolonged QTc interval and worsening TWI in leads I, II, aVL, and V2-6. Troponin I level was mildly elevated at 0.63ng/mL. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was subsequently performed and showed a low ejection fraction (EF 26%) with apical hypokinesis and basal hyperkinesis, consistent with TCM. A diagnosis of TCM was confirmed by Cardiology consultation and he was started on a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor. Follow-up TTE on PTD 20 showed a normal left ventricular EF.

Conclusion: While rarely reported in patients with TBI, TCM developed in an otherwise healthy young male following severe TBI necessitating decompressive hemicraniectomy. TTE should be considered in patients with TBI who have cardio-pulmonary symptoms or unexplained ECG abnormalities.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Studies Using fMRI Data and Machine Learning: A Review
Authors: Liu Meijie , Li Baojuan , Hu Dewen
Published: September 2021

Machine learning methods have been frequently applied in the field of cognitive neuroscience in the last decade. A great deal of attention has been attracted to introduce machine learning methods to study the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in order to find out its neurophysiological underpinnings. In this paper, we presented a comprehensive review about the previous studies since 2011, which applied machine learning methods to analyze the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of autistic individuals and the typical controls (TCs). The all-round process was covered, including feature construction from raw fMRI data, feature selection methods, machine learning methods, factors for high classification accuracy, and critical conclusions. Applying different machine learning methods and fMRI data acquired from different sites, classification accuracies were obtained ranging from 48.3% up to 97%, and informative brain regions and networks were located. Through thorough analysis, high classification accuracies were found to usually occur in the studies which involved task-based fMRI data, single dataset for some selection principle, effective feature selection methods, or advanced machine learning methods. Advanced deep learning together with the multi-site Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) dataset became research trends especially in the recent 4 years. In the future, advanced feature selection and machine learning methods combined with multi-site dataset or easily operated task-based fMRI data may appear to have the potentiality to serve as a promising diagnostic tool for ASD.
Tumor-Infiltrating PD-1hiCD8+-T-Cell Signature as an Effective Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Response Across Multiple Cancers
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Deng Yulan , Cheng Jiahan , Wei Shiyou , Luo Hao , Liu Lunxu
Published: September 2021

Background

Stratification of patients who could benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is of much importance. PD-1hiCD8+ T cells represent a newly identified and effective biomarker for ICI therapy response biomarker in lung cancer. Accurately quantifying these T cells using commonly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data may extend their applications to more cancer types.

Method

We built a transcriptome signature of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells from bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. The signature was validated by flow cytometry and in independent datasets. The clinical applications of the signature were explored in non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma, gastric cancer, urothelial cancer, and a mouse model of breast cancer samples treated with ICI, and systematically evaluated across 21 cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Its associations with other biomarkers were also determined.

Results

Signature scores could be used to identify the PD-1hiCD8+ T subset and were correlated with the fraction of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells in tumor tissue (Pearson correlation, R=0.76, p=0.0004). Furthermore, in the scRNA-seq dataset, we confirmed the capability of PD-1hiCD8+ T cells to secrete CXCL13, as well as their interactions with other immune cells. In 581 clinical samples and 204 mouse models treated with ICIs, high signature scores were associated with increased survival, and the signature achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve scores of 0.755 (ranging from 0.61 to 0.91) in predicting therapy response. In TCGA pan-cancer datasets, our signature scores were consistently correlated with therapy response (R=0.78, p<0.0001) and partially explained the diverse response rates among different cancer types. Finally, our signature generally outperformed other mRNA-based predictors and showed improved predictive performance when used in combination with tumor mutational burden (TMB). The signature score is available in the R package “PD1highCD8Tscore” (https://github.com/Liulab/PD1highCD8Tscore).

Conclusion

Through estimating the fraction of the PD-1hiCD8+ T cell, our signature could predict response to ICI therapy across multiple cancers and could serve as a complementary biomarker to TMB.
Cascade Release Nanocarriers for the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Near-Infrared Imaging and Photothermal-Chemo Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Li Ke , Li Ruyue , Zhou Baona , Chen Jing , Lan Kai , Zhan Wenhua , Chen Di , Zhang Tao , Li Xueping
Published: September 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has inadequate treatment approaches and a poor prognosis. It is urgent to develop new treatment approaches for TNBC. The combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy is a very effective potential therapy for TNBC. However, asynchronous accumulation, unclear efficacy, and toxic side effects hinder the further promotion of this method. Therefore, we designed and constructed a new type of nanocarriers, the cascade release near-infrared imaging (NIFI) & thermal-chemo combination nanoparticles (CNC NPs), that can release drugs through the cascade of ultrasound triggering and pH responding to achieve the synchronous tumor accumulation, monitoring and synergistic treatment of two functional molecules. The key material of CNC NPs is the polydopamine (PDA), which, through self-assembling, forms a rigid shell that contains doxorubicin (DOX) and NIF fluorescent dye IR780 on the surface of the perfluorohexane (PFH) microbubbles. The results show that CNC NPs have a hollow core-shell structure with an average particle size of 97.3 ± 27.2 nm and have exceptional colloidal stability and photothermal conversion efficiency. The NPs can effectively perform cascade drug release through ultrasound triggering and pH responding. CNC NPs have good in vivo biological safety and excellent fluorescence imaging, drug delivery, and therapeutic abilities in the TNBC models. These results provide an experimental basis for the development of new clinical treatment methods for TNBC.
Motor Development in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Mohd Nordin Ashikin , Ismail Juriza , Kamal Nor Norazlin
Published: September 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the gross and fine motor profiles of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing children. Additionally, we also assessed if the motor delay was more pronounced with increasing age.

Method: This was a retrospective study involving children aged 12–60 months of age comparing motor development in children with autism spectrum disorder with typically developing children. Their developmental profile was assessed using Schedule of Growing Skills II. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the developmental profile between the groups.

Results: ASD children had significant gross motor (6.7%) and fine motor delay (38.5%) compared to typically developing children, who did not show any delay. The motor delay in ASD children was more prominent in older children.

Conclusion: It is important to assess motor development in ASD children as there is significant motor delay in these children compared to typically developing children, and the delay becomes more prominent with age. Early detection of motor delay could allow provision of early intervention services to optimize developmental outcomes.
Effect of Apixaban Pretreatment on Alteplase-Induced Thrombolysis: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Thalerová Sandra , Pešková Michaela , Kittová Patrícia , Gulati Sumeet , Víteček Jan , Kubala Lukáš , Mikulík Robert
Published: September 2021

Benefit of thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute stroke, who are on anticoagulant treatment, is not well addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether apixaban can modify the thrombolytic efficacy of alteplase in vitro. Static and flow models and two variants of red blood cell (RBC) dominant clots, with and without apixaban, were used. Clots were prepared from the blood of healthy human donors and subsequently exposed to alteplase treatment. Apixaban and alteplase were used in clinically relevant concentrations. Clot lysis in the static model was determined both by clot weight and spectrophotometric determination of RBC release. Clot lysis in the flow model was determined by measuring recanalization time, clot length and spectrophotometric determination of RBC release. In the static model, clots without apixaban; compared to those with apixaban had alteplase-induced mass loss 54 ± 8% vs. 53 ± 8%, p = 1.00; RBC release 0.14 ± 0.04 vs. 0.12 ± 0.04, p = 0.14, respectively. Very similar results were obtained if plasma was used instead of physiological buffered saline as the incubation medium. In the flow model, clot lysis without apixaban; compared to those with apixaban was as follows: recanalization time 107 ± 46 min vs. 127 ± 31 min, p = 1.00; recanalization frequency 90 ± 22% vs. 90 ± 22%, p = 1.00; clot volume reduction 32 ± 15% vs. 34 ± 10%, p = 1.00; RBC release 0.029 ± 0.007 vs. 0.022 ± 0.007, p = 0.16, respectively. Apixaban had no positive effect on alteplase-induced thrombolysis in both the in vitro static and flow models. Our data support current clinical practice, such that thrombolysis is contraindicated in stroke treatment for patients who have been treated with anticoagulants.
Development of a Multi-Target Strategy for the Treatment of Vitiligo via Machine Learning and Network Analysis Methods
Authors: Wang Jiye , Luo Lin , Ding Qiong , Wu Zengrui , Peng Yayuan , Li Jie , Wang Xiaoqin , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Zhang Bo , Tang Yun
Published: September 2021

Vitiligo is a complex disorder characterized by the loss of pigment in the skin. The current therapeutic strategies are limited. The identification of novel drug targets and candidates is highly challenging for vitiligo. Here we proposed a systematic framework to discover potential therapeutic targets, and further explore the underlying mechanism of kaempferide, one of major ingredients from Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) willd, for vitiligo. By collecting transcriptome and protein-protein interactome data, the combination of random forest (RF) and greedy articulation points removal (GAPR) methods was used to discover potential therapeutic targets for vitiligo. The results showed that the RF model performed well with AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) = 0.926, and led to prioritization of 722 important transcriptomic features. Then, network analysis revealed that 44 articulation proteins in vitiligo network were considered as potential therapeutic targets by the GAPR method. Finally, through integrating the above results and proteomic profiling of kaempferide, the multi-target strategy for vitiligo was dissected, including 1) the suppression of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway by inhibiting CDK1 and PBK, and 2) the modulation of cellular redox homeostasis, especially the TXN and GSH antioxidant systems, for the purpose of melanogenesis. Meanwhile, this strategy may offer a novel perspective to discover drug candidates for vitiligo. Thus, the framework would be a useful tool to discover potential therapeutic strategies and drug candidates for complex diseases.
UFaceNet: Research on Multi-Task Face Recognition Algorithm Based on CNN
Authors: Li Huoyou , Hu Jianshiun , Yu Jingwen , Yu Ning , Wu Qingqiang
Published: September 2021

With the application of deep convolutional neural networks, the performance of computer vision tasks has been improved to a new level. The construction of a deeper and more complex network allows the face recognition algorithm to obtain a higher accuracy, However, the disadvantages of large computation and storage costs of neural networks limit the further popularization of the algorithm. To solve this problem, we have studied the unified and efficient neural network face recognition algorithm under the condition of a single camera; we propose that the complete face recognition process consists of four tasks: face detection, in vivo detection, keypoint detection, and face verification; combining the key algorithms of these four tasks, we propose a unified network model based on a deep separable convolutional structure—UFaceNet. The model uses multisource data to carry out multitask joint training and uses the keypoint detection results to aid the learning of other tasks. It further introduces the attention mechanism through feature level clipping and alignment to ensure the accuracy of the model, using the shared convolutional layer network among tasks to reduce model calculations amount and realize network acceleration. The learning goal of multi-tasking implicitly increases the amount of training data and different data distribution, making it easier to learn the characteristics with generalization. The experimental results show that the UFaceNet model is better than other models in terms of calculation amount and number of parameters with higher efficiency, and some potential areas to be used.