bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotopic (δ15N and δ13C) profiles in dentine indicate sex differences and individual variability in resource use among narwhals (Monodon monoceros)
Authors: Zhao Shu‐Ting , Davoren Gail K. , Matthews Cory J. D. , Ferguson Steven H. , Watt Cortney A.
Published: March 2022

While the impact of ecological changes on Arctic marine mammals remains largely unknown, quantifying variability in resource use among conspecifics can serve as an indication of adaptive plasticity and help assess species vulnerability to climate‐induced changes. We measured within‐tooth δ15N and δ13C profiles of narwhals (Monodon monoceros) sampled 35 years apart from Baffin Bay, Nunavut, Canada, to evaluate intrapopulation variation in narwhal resource use. Narwhal dentine δ15N and δ13C were lower post‐1983 (n = 7) by 0.83‰ and 0.52‰, respectively, compared to pre‐1983 (n = 13), but isotopic niche breadth increased from 0.95‰2 to 1.12‰2. Between sexes, the isotopic niche of males expanded from pre‐1983 to post‐1983 while that of females decreased, which may indicate increased flexibility in resource use for males and the opposite for females. Additional isotopic variation among narwhals (n = 23) suggests individual differences in diet composition and/or foraging location during both periods. Individual isotopic niches ranged between 0.08‰2 and 2.27‰2, where a larger isotopic niche likely indicates more variable foraging strategies over time. Narwhal as a species is considered vulnerable to ecosystem change; however, the variability in resource use between sexes and among individuals suggests narwhals may vary in their adaptability to changing Arctic conditions.
Multiple cranial neuropathies secondary to adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Kano Yuya , Yamada Kentaro , Muto Masahiro , Inaguma Shingo , Yoshida Mari , Kitamura Taro , Miura Toshiyasu , Nakanishi Hiroki , Mori Yusuke , Murakami Shingo , Matsukawa Noriyuki
Published: March 2022

Multiple cranial neuropathies in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) are rare. We present a patient with a 4‐year history of right peripheral facial nerve palsy, who presented with right mandibular, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerve impairments. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed enlargement and contrast enhancement of each cranial nerve and atrophy and abnormal contrast enhancement of the right parotid gland. A parotid gland biopsy led to the diagnosis of ACC. In this case, brain MRI enabled evaluation of the tumor progression pathway invading the cranial nerves. Its results suggested that tumor cells can travel through the cranial nerve anastomotic network, shedding light on the development pattern of tumor cells. It is important to consider the possibility of nerve invasion by ACC as a cause of slowly progressive multiple cranial neuropathies.
Do Radiographic Results of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Vary with Cage Position in Patients with Degenerative Lumbar Diseases?
Authors: Ding Qing , Tang Xiangyu , Zhang Ruizhuo , Wu Hua , Liu Chaoxu
Published: March 2022

Objective

To investigate whether the radiographic results are affected by cage position in single‐level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Method

Between January 2016 and June 2018, 130 patients (62 males and 68 females, average age: 55.28 ± 10.11 years) who underwent single‐level TLIF were analyzed retrospectively. Standing lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine were collected and evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the time of last follow‐up. Cage position in the fused segment was recorded using a central point ratio (CPR), which indicated the cage position. CPR is calculated by dividing the distance between the cage center point and the posterior extent of the superior endplate of the inferior vertebra by the length of the superior endplate of the inferior vertebra. Based on cage positions, the patients were divided into three groups: Anterior Group (n = 38); Middle Group (n = 68); and Posterior Group (n = 24). Segmental lumbar lordosis (SLL), foraminal height (FH), posterior disc height (PDH), and anterior disc height (ADH) were evaluated. A subanalysis was also performed on cage height within each group.

Results

The average follow‐up time of the patients was 35.20 ± 4.43 months. The mean values of CPR in Anterior Group, Middle Group, and Posterior Group were 0.64, 0.51, and 0.37, respectively. The FH, PDH, and ADH were significantly increased after TLIF in all groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in increase of SLL in Anterior Group (4.4°) and Middle Group (3.0°), but not in Posterior Group (0.3°). Furthermore, in the comparison of the three groups, the increase of SLL, FH, and PDH was statistically different (P < 0.05), while not for ADH (P > 0.05). The significant correlations in surgery were: CPR and ΔSLL (r = 0.584, P < 0.001), CPR and ΔFH (r = −0.411, P < 0.001), and CPR and ΔPDH (r = −0.457, P < 0.001). However, ADH had a positive correlation with cage height when the cage was located in anterior and middle of the endplate. Moreover, cage height had a positive correlation with SLL when the cage was located anteriorly and had a negative correlation with SLL when the cage was located posteriorly. FH and PDH both had a positive correlation with cage height in any cage position.

Conclusion

The cage located in different positions has different effects on radiographic results in single‐level TLIF. A thicker cage located anteriorly will gain maximum SLL and avoid the reduction of FH and PDH.
Disparities in telemedicine use during the COVID‐19 pandemic among pediatric dermatology patients
Authors: Duan Grace Y. , Ruiz De Luzuriaga Arlene M. , Schroedl Liesl M. , Rosenblatt Adena E.
Published: March 2022

Background/Objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitated rapid implementation of telemedicine at medical centers across the United States. As telemedicine is expected to persist beyond the pandemic in subspecialties like pediatric dermatology, there is growing concern that socioeconomic factors may contribute to inequitable telemedicine access. This study aims to identify factors associated with disparities in telemedicine use among pediatric dermatology patients during the pandemic.

Methods

In this single‐center cross‐sectional study, patients less than 18 years old who completed a visit with a pediatric dermatologist via a video telemedicine call or in‐person office visit during the specified time periods were included. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to compare demographic factors for (1) patients who had a telemedicine visit versus office visit during June 1, 2020, to January 22, 2021, and (2) patients who had either visit type during June 1, 2020, to January 22, 2021, versus June 1, 2019, to January 2020.

Results

The independent factors associated with lower odds of telemedicine include identifying as Black/African American, having a non‐English preferred language, and having public insurance, whereas the independent factors reducing overall access to pediatric dermatology care during the pandemic include identifying as Hispanic/Latino and having public insurance.

Conclusions

Differential telemedicine use in vulnerable communities may be attributed to disparities in technology access and digital literacy and should be addressed at a structural level. If such disparities are identified and adequately remedied, telemedicine can serve as an important tool for expanding access in the field of pediatric dermatology.
Development of a robust, VdNEP gene‐based molecular marker to differentiate between pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Triantafyllopoulou Alexandra , Tzanaki Andriani , Balomenou Olga Iakovina , Jiménez‐Díaz Rafael M. , Tzima Aliki , Paplomatas Epaminondas
Published: March 2022

Verticillium dahliae is a soilborne fungus that causes Verticillium wilt disease in a plethora of crops. Based on symptoms that develop on cotton, olive and okra, V. dahliae isolates are categorized into two pathotypes, namely defoliating and nondefoliating, with the former showing increased virulence and causing severe defoliation. Reliable differentiation between V. dahliae pathotypes is crucial for the management of Verticillium wilt in cotton and olive. In the present study, a polymorphism was detected among isolates of defoliating and nondefoliating pathotypes in Southern blots using the VdNEP gene as a probe. The regions flanking this gene were isolated by inverse PCR and sequence differences in the 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the VdNEP gene were detected between the two pathotypes. Based on these sequences, primers were designed and assessed to develop a multiplex PCR detection assay. Using this assay, a collection of cotton and olive V. dahliae isolates from Greece and Cyprus was screened, revealing that the defoliating pathotype is present in several regional units of Greece. Thus, this work presents a new, sensitive molecular marker for the differentiation between V. dahliae pathotypes based on the VdNEP gene. Because the 3′‐UTR is involved in the phenotypes displayed by the pathotypes, an expression experiment was conducted under conditions simulating the xylem of a host plant. Expression of the VdNEP gene was elevated at all time points in the defoliating compared to the nondefoliating strain, suggesting a possible involvement of VdNEP expression in the defoliation process.
Lazar on “Moral Sunk Costs” and the “Discount View”
Authors: Steinhoff Uwe
Published: March 2022

There is a question as to how already “sunk” costs enter into proportionality considerations. Lazar proposes the “Discount View,” in which the reasons to secure the goal progressively (with sunk costs) diminish in weight but not below a certain threshold. I argue that even if this happened, this would not solve the problem that motivates Lazar to reject the “Prospective View.” Moreover, the mechanism Lazar proposes to make reasons behave in this way does not exist: There are no rights‐based reasons for pursuing the goal present in his paradigmatic example, only well‐being‐based reasons. This is implied by Lazar’s own description of the case as one of rights‐infringement, which makes his position incoherent. Finally, the four arguments Lazar offers for these reasons’ progressively diminishing in force are inconclusive anyway.
Estimating the aboveground biomass and carbon stocks of tall shrubs in a prerestoration degraded salt marsh
Authors: Fouse Jacqualyn A. , Eagle Meagan J. , Kroeger Kevin D. , Smith Timothy P.
Published: March 2022

Wetlands play a vital role in Earth's carbon cycle and provide important ecosystem services. Their ability to perform their roles can be compromised by human activities that destroy or impair their functioning. The restoration of degraded wetlands may allow carbon cycle functioning, as well as other services, to be recovered. Predicting the potential outcomes from any restoration project requires upfront consideration, including via modeling possible changes in carbon stocks. In this study, we quantified the carbon stocks in tall shrub vegetation proliferating in a degraded salt marsh that is currently the subject of an extensive restoration project. We produced allometric models to estimate biomass and carbon stocks for three tall shrub species, which, along with other freshwater and upland species in the area, will die with continued restoration. Therefore, estimating the potential for carbon losses in biomass is important. We also developed a means of estimating carbon stocks in other nontree plants in the estuary area. Useful equations for estimating the biomass of tall shrubs are limited in general and lacking for degraded systems. Our study adds to the literature on carbon stocks in shrub species and fills a data gap for degraded ecosystems. It also contributes to the broader carbon feasibility study of the aforementioned restoration project that was designed to predict the overall net impact of the project on greenhouse gas emissions in the ecosystem.
Current global perspectives on silicosis—Convergence of old and newly emergent hazards
Authors: Hoy Ryan F. , Jeebhay Mohamed F. , Cavalin Catherine , Chen Weihong , Cohen Robert A. , Fireman Elizabeth , Go Leonard H. T. , León‐Jiménez Antonio , Menéndez‐Navarro Alfredo , Ribeiro Marcos , Rosental Paul‐André
Published: March 2022

Silicosis not a disease of the past. It is an irreversible, fibrotic lung disease specifically caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Over 20,000 incident cases of silicosis were identified in 2017 and millions of workers continue to be exposed to RCS. Identified case numbers are however a substantial underestimation due to deficiencies in reporting systems and occupational respiratory health surveillance programmes in many countries. Insecure workers, immigrants and workers in small businesses are at particular risk of more intense RCS exposure. Much of the focus of research and prevention activities has been on the mining sector. Hazardous RCS exposure however occurs in a wide range of occupational setting which receive less attention, in particular the construction industry. Recent outbreaks of silicosis associated with the fabrication of domestic kitchen benchtops from high‐silica content artificial stone have been particularly notable because of the young age of affected workers, short duration of RCS exposure and often rapid disease progression. Developments in nanotechnology and hydraulic fracking provide further examples of how rapid changes in technology and industrial processes require governments to maintain constant vigilance to identify and control potential sources of RCS exposure. Despite countries around the world dealing with similar issues related to RCS exposure, there is an absence of sustained global public health response including lack of consensus of an occupational exposure limit that would provide protection to workers. Although there are complex challenges, global elimination of silicosis must remain the goal.
A Kernel-Expanded Stochastic Neural Network
Authors: Sun Yan , Liang Faming
Published: March 2022

The deep neural network suffers from many fundamental issues in machine learning. For example, it often gets trapped into a local minimum in training, and its prediction uncertainty is hard to be assessed. To address these issues, we propose the so-called kernel-expanded stochastic neural network (K-StoNet) model, which incorporates support vector regression as the first hidden layer and reformulates the neural network as a latent variable model. The former maps the input vector into an infinite dimensional feature space via a radial basis function kernel, ensuring the absence of local minima on its training loss surface. The latter breaks the high-dimensional non-convex neural network training problem into a series of low-dimensional convex optimization problems, and enables its prediction uncertainty easily assessed. The K-StoNet can be easily trained using the imputation-regularized optimization algorithm. Compared to traditional deep neural networks, K-StoNet possesses a theoretical guarantee to asymptotically converge to the global optimum and enables the prediction uncertainty easily assessed. The performances of the new model in training, prediction and uncertainty quantification are illustrated by simulated and real data examples.
HLA‐B*40:36, a variant of HLA‐B*40, recognized in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: March 2022

One nucleotide substitution in codon 116 of HLA‐B*40:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*40:36.
Exploring the spatial disparity of home‐dwelling time patterns in the USA during the COVID‐19 pandemic via Bayesian inference
Authors: Huang Xiao , Xu Yang , Liu Rui , Wang Siqin , Wang Sicheng , Zhang Mengxi , Kang Yuhao , Zhang Zhe , Gao Song , Zhao Bo , Li Zhenlong
Published: March 2022

In this study, we aim to reveal hidden patterns and confounders associated with policy implementation and adherence by investigating the home‐dwelling stages from a data‐driven perspective via Bayesian inference with weakly informative priors and by examining how home‐dwelling stages in the USA varied geographically, using fine‐grained, spatial‐explicit home‐dwelling time records from a multi‐scale perspective. At the U.S. national level, two changepoints are identified, with the former corresponding to March 22, 2020 (9 days after the White House declared the National Emergency on March 13) and the latter corresponding to May 17, 2020. Inspections at U.S. state and county level reveal notable spatial disparity in home‐dwelling stage‐related variables. A pilot study in the Atlanta Metropolitan area at the Census Tract level reveals that the self‐quarantine duration and increase in home‐dwelling time are strongly correlated with the median household income, echoing existing efforts that document the economic inequity exposed by the U.S. stay‐at‐home orders. To our best knowledge, our work marks a pioneering effort to explore multi‐scale home‐dwelling patterns in the USA from a purely data‐driven perspective and in a statistically robust manner.
Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 among high‐density communities and hyper‐endemicity of COVID‐19 in Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Van Thuan , Pham Thi Dung , Nguyen Quoc Tien , Nguyen Duy Cuong , Nguyen Duc Thanh , Nguyen Thanh Binh , Tran Thi Khanh Thu , Phan Trong Lan , Vo Phan Le Nguyen , Dao Thi Loi , Fenollar Florence , Gautret Philippe
Published: March 2022

Objective

To assess the magnitude of active and recovering COVID‐19 patients among at‐risk communities and to identify the factors associated with positive serology.

Methods

Four hundred and eighty‐three close contacts of COVID‐19 patients residing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during the fourth wave of the COVID‐19 epidemic (September and October 2021) were included. Five weeks after exposure to a COVID‐19 patient, they underwent a serology test using the BIOSYNEX COVID‐19 BSS kit.

Results

The median age of participants was 37 years. A total of 34.6% individuals presented at least one clinical symptom between the time of contact with the COVID‐19 patient and inclusion in study. A total of 1.7% unvaccinated individuals tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 using real‐time PCR, and 9.5% had evidence of recent infection (positive PCR and/or IgM). A further 26.7% unvaccinated individuals presented evidence of a past infection (positive IgG only). Socio‐demographic characteristics, vaccination status and clinical symptoms were not associated with a positive IgM test.

Conclusion

This is the first serosurvey conducted during the fourth wave of the epidemic in Vietnam. It revealed a seropositivity rate higher than in previous studies and confirmed the hyperendemicity of SARS‐CoV‐2. Testing using rapid serological tests proved to be a reliable, easy‐to‐use method and enabled a rapid estimation of the burden of COVID‐19.
Facile synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for the effective photodegradation of malachite green dye in aqueous solution
Authors: Meena Parmeshwar Lal , Poswal Krishna , Surela Ajay Kumar
Published: March 2022

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co‐precipitation method and applied for effective photodegradation of malachite green (MG) dye in an aqueous solution. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopic techniques. XRD pattern is confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO nanoparticles with hexagonal wurtzite structure while the FESEM image validates the preparation of disc‐like spherical nanostructures agglomerated with the size of 30–50 nm. The nanostructures exhibited a strong UV absorption band at 370 nm, and the bandgap energy calculated from the Tauc plot is 3.12 eV. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles exhibited 92.07% photodegradation efficiency against the MG dye in 2 h of UV light irradiation at pH 8. The experimental data has followed the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model, and the rate constant value obtained is 20.433 × 10−3 min−1. Thus, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles degraded MG dye effectively and can be utilized for environmental remediation purposes.
Optimization of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment by electrocoagulation and dual coagulation
Authors: P Rajagopal , K Chithra , S Ajith , Prasad Shiva V.
Published: March 2022

The present study compares the treatment of pharmaceutical industry wastewater (PIWW) by coagulation‐flocculation (C‐F) and electrocoagulation (EC) techniques using response surface methodology (RSM). EC was performed with waste food‐grade Aluminium (Al) foil as a sacrificial anode. In C‐F, to minimize chemical usage, dual coagulants Aloe vera (organic) and ferric chloride (chemical) were used. Optimization using RSM for C‐F showed chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of 60.25 ± 0.28% at optimum operating conditions with R2 = 0.964 and adj‐R2 = 0.928, whereas EC resulted in COD reduction of 78.23 ± 0.38% and energy consumption 1.498 ± 0.0076kWh/m3 with R2 = 0.978 and adj‐R2 = 0.956. The result showed that the use of food‐grade waste Al foil as anode electrode (in EC) and the use of dual coagulant (in C‐F) can reduce COD from industrial effluent efficiently contributing to less hazardous sludge generation.
Injection of Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum Through Carbonate Rocks Evaluated by Two-Phase Core Flooding
Authors: Freire Filho Marcelo E. N. , Moreno Rosangela B. Z. L.
Published: March 2022

Polymer flooding is widely applied to enhance oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs. However, applications in carbonate formations are challenged by the possible high adsorption of anionic polymers such as polyacrylamides and xanthan gum. Non-ionic biopolymers such as guar gum could be used to minimize retention. Many investigations using guar flooding have been conducted, but none targeted carbonate reservoirs. This work compares oil recovery improvement, water production delay, mobility control, injectivity, and polymer utilization in carbonate core flooding at reservoir conditions (salinity of 30,905 ppm and 60 °C) with xanthan (700 ppm) and guar (2500 ppm) solutions. A rheological study was performed to select target polymer concentration and solution viscosity. Indiana limestone and light mineral oil (viscosity of 6.55 ± 0.05 mPa · s at 60 °C) were used to represent the reservoir rock and oil. Guar flooding led to faster oil recovery, water production delay, and better injectivity than xanthan flooding, although the polymer utilization factor was higher. The ultimate oil recovery increased by 12.7 ± 7.0% and 9.0 ± 6.1% over waterflooding after guar and xanthan injections. The inferior performance of xanthan gum can be attributed to higher retention, especially close to the core inlet (residual resistance factor of 28 ± 4), and lower in-situ viscosity. The results suggest that guar may be a promising candidate for polymer flooding in carbonate reservoirs at moderate temperatures and salinities. In contrast, xanthan applications in these reservoirs must be carefully evaluated due to its high retention potential.
Nonlinear piezoelectric surface acoustic waves
Authors: Cormack John M. , Ilinskii Yurii A. , Zabolotskaya Evgenia A. , Hamilton Mark F.
Published: March 2022

The theory for nonlinear surface acoustic waves in crystals developed using Hamiltonian mechanics [Hamilton, Il'inskii, and Zabolotskaya, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 105, 639 (1999)] is modified to account for piezoelectric material properties. The derived spectral evolution equations permit analysis of nonlinear surface wave propagation along a cut surface of any orientation with respect to the crystallographic axes and for piezoelectric crystals with any symmetry. Numerical simulations of waveform distortion in the particle velocity and electric field components are presented for surface wave propagation in Y-cut lithium niobate along the X- and Z-crystallographic axes. The influence of piezoelectricity is illustrated by comparing the nonlinear evolution of waveforms along a surface bounded by a vacuum (free space) and an ideal conductor (short circuit). Contributions to the nonlinearity from elasticity, piezoelectricity, electrostriction, and dielectricity are quantified separately for the two boundary conditions.
A Feasibility Trial for Virtual Administration of the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Prieto Laura A. , Meera Benazir , Katz Heather , Columna Luis
Published: March 2022

The Test of Gross Motor Development-3 is one of the most popular assessment tools in physical education and physical activity settings. It is a valid assessment originally designed to administer in-person, but the virtual administration of the assessment has yet to be deemed feasible. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the trial feasibility of virtual data collection using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 to assess the fundamental motor skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. Most specifically, we report on the design and feasibility of the online assessment process. A total of 22 families of children with autism spectrum disorder participated in the online data collection.
Tectonics of the Basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch (Turan Plate)
Authors: Popkov V. I. , Popkov I. V.
Published: March 2022

The Kara-Bogaz geoblock is interpreted by many researchers as a structure underlain by the Precambrian sialic crust, incorporated in the young (epi-Hercynian) Turan Plate. The paper presents the results of a detailed study of the material composition of igneous and metamorphic rocks making up the basement of the Kara-Bogaz Arch and recovered by deep boreholes. To subdivide and correlate the sections, we employed data of geophysical borehole surveys, including all types of logging. Microscopic examination of rocks was also performed to determine their composition, genesis, and degree of postsedimentation alterations. Data on absolute ages of rocks and paleontological data were also employed. The results of the work of our predecessors have been studied and critically analyzed. It is established that there are no direct indications of the continental crust older than Paleozoic in the basement of the Near-Kara-Bogaz region. The metamorphic units of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are represented by primary sedimentary and volcanosedimentary deposits that were altered at the stage of regional greenschist metamorphism. These rocks are intruded by granitoid bodies corresponding to the final stages of Hercynian tectogenesis. In parts spatially close to intrusions, the degree of secondary alterations in metamorphic rocks increases due to the thermal effect. Amphibolites of the Kara-Bogaz Arch are metamorphosed igneous rocks, which are closely associated with primary terrigenous deposits and have undergone subsequent metamorphosis (greenschist facies regional metamorphism). Gneisses of the discussed region refer to the marginal facies of granitoid plutons that formed as a result of metasomatic reworking of the host strata (protomagmatic gneissic banding). We think that the Kara-Bogaz Arch is a Hercynian megaanticlinorium of the young platform, and this does not exclude the possibility of fragments of more ancient crust in the structure of this arch. The sedimentary–metamorphic and volcanosedimentary rocks making it up and intruded by multiple granitoid bodies are units of the active margin.
The Traditional Usages, Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos: A Review
Authors: Li Lian , Zuo Zhi-Tian , Wang Yuan-Zhong
Published: March 2022

As an endemic species,Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb. is widely distributed, such as in China, Korea, Japan, and North America, which have had a dual-purpose resource for medicines and food for over 2000 years. The applications of W. cocos were used to treat diseases including edema, insomnia, spleen deficiency, and vomiting. What’s more, there have been wide uses of such edible fungi as a function food or dietary supplement recently. Up until now, 166 kinds of chemical components have been isolated and identified from W. cocos including triterpenes, polysaccharides, sterols, diterpenes, and others. Modern pharmacological studies showed that the components hold a wide range of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and antidepressant activities. In addition, present results showed that the mechanisms of pharmacological activities were closely related to chemical structures, molecular signaling paths and the expression of relate proteins for polysaccharides and triterpenes. For further in-depth studies on this fungus based on the recent research status, this review provided some perspectives and systematic summaries of W. cocos in traditional uses, chemical components, pharmacological activities, separation and analysis technologies, and structure–activity relationships.
Identifying Dose Components of Manual Acupuncture to Determine the Dose–Response Relationship of Acupuncture Treatment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yoon Da-Eun , Lee In-Seon , Chae Younbyoung
Published: March 2022

The dose–response relationship is a hallmark of pharmacological studies. However, this relationship has not been fully established in acupuncture research. This systematic review aims to provide the characteristics of the dose–response relationship in acupuncture research. We further summarized the differences in acupuncture effects according to dose components. Dose components of acupuncture were categorized into three groups: number of needles, stimulation intensity, and total number/frequency of treatments. The PubMed database was used to identify studies examining the effects of different doses of acupuncture from the establishment of the database to August 13, 2020. Dose components and responses were extracted from each study, and the results of low- and high-dose conditions were compared. Fourteen studies were included in this study. Of the included studies, 37.5% showed statistically significant enhanced responses to acupuncture treatment under high-dose conditions compared to low-dose conditions. Significant differences between high- and low-dose conditions were observed most frequently in studies that used various stimulation intensities (four out of six studies), followed in order by studies that used various numbers of needles (two out of seven studies), and those that used various numbers or frequencies of treatment (none of the three studies). Responses were categorized into symptom changes, physiological changes, experimentally induced pain/stimuli perception, and needling sensation. Stimulation intensity, which is considered one of the most important needling components, might indeed have a great impact on clinical responses to acupuncture.
Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Alleviates Ischemic Stroke in Rats via HIF-1α, BNIP3, and Notch1-Mediated Inhibition of Autophagy
Authors: Zhang Yuliang , Liu Yi , Cui Qian , Fu Zitong , Yu Haoyu , Liu Ao , Liu Jingjing , Qin Xiude , Ge Shaoqin , Zhang Guowei
Published: March 2022

Stroke has become a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The cellular recycling pathway autophagy has been implicated in ischemia-induced neuronal changes, but whether autophagy plays a beneficial or detrimental role is controversial. Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA), a popular herbal medicine, is an extract of Carthamus tinctorius and is used to treat ischemic stroke (IS) in China. HSYA has been shown to prevent cardiovascular and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal models. However, the specific active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of HSYA in IS remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of HSYA treatment on autophagy in a rat model of IS. IS was induced in rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Rats were treated once daily for 3 days with saline, HYSA, or the neuroprotective agent Edaravone. Neurobehavioral testing was performed on days 1, 2, and 3 post-surgery. Brains were removed on day 3 post-surgery for histological evaluation of infarct area, morphology, and for qRT-PCR and western blot analysis of the expression of the autophagy factor LC3 and the signaling molecules HIF-1[Formula: see text], BNIP3, and Notch1. Molecular docking studies were performed in silico to predict potential interactions between HSYA and LC3, HIF-1[Formula: see text], BNIP3, and Notch1 proteins. The result showed that HSYA treatment markedly alleviated IS-induced neurobehavioral deficits and reduced brain infarct area and tissue damage. HSYA also significantly reduced hippocampal expression levels of LC3, HIF-1[Formula: see text], BNIP3, and Notch1. The beneficial effect of HSYA was generally superior to that of Edaravone. Molecular modeling suggested that HSYA may bind strongly to HIF-1[Formula: see text], BNIP3, and Notch1 but weakly to LC3. In conclusion, HSYA inhibits post-IS autophagy induction in the brain, possibly by suppressing HIF-1[Formula: see text], BNIP3 and Notch1. HSYA may have utility as a post-IS neuroprotective agent.
Phase transitions in anisotropic graphene
Authors: Carrington M. E. , Frey A. R. , Meggison B. A.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we study the effects of anisotropy on phase transitions in graphene. We work with a low-energy effective field theory which is strongly coupled, and solves a coupled set of Schwinger–Dyson equations. We show that the effect of anisotropy is to reduce the critical coupling.
Deep Q-Network with Reinforcement Learning for Fault Detection in Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Stanly Jayaprakash J. , Priyadarsini M. Jasmine Pemeena , Parameshachari B. D. , Karimi Hamid Reza , Gurumoorthy Sasikumar
Published: March 2022

Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is an integration of physical components like actuators, sensors and various types of equipment with the Internet possessing computational ability for efficient communication. A Heterogeneous Independent Network (HINT) is a realistic model that is used for the analysis of inter-dependability between the power grid and communications network. In the traditional Deep [Formula: see text]-Learning method, action needs to be stored in the [Formula: see text] table for the prediction. In real case studies, many state and action values affect the performance of the model. Existing Deep [Formula: see text]-Network (DQN) model generates all possible actions for the [Formula: see text]-values and this involves the generation of excessive information that causes the model to overfit. In this research, the Neural Network is applied to estimate the state–action in the DQN and to store the particular state–action value instead of storing all the state–action values as followed in the traditional method. The HINT model provides realistic failure propagation in the network and its state–action value overfits the existing DQN method due to the presence of more information. The proposed DQN with reinforcement learning stores selected state–action values in the [Formula: see text] tables and eliminates irrelevant information that helps to increase the accuracy and reduce the computational time. The DQN with reinforcement learning is applied to adaptively learn the system to select the optimal action in a continuous interaction with a stochastic environment. The proposed DQN model involves the application of reward function to store state–action value with higher probability based on prediction and eliminates other state–action values. Features such as intra-degree, inter-betweenness, substation-betweenness, relay-betweenness and feature vector are extracted and given as input to the DQN to characterize the critical nodes. The proposed DQN method is evaluated on the HINT network and synthetic network to analyze its efficiency in fault detection. The result shows that the HINT network has a lower prediction error compared to the existing Deep Neural Network (DNN) method. The proposed DQN and LSTM models have accuracies of 98% and 93% in fault prediction, respectively.
A UAV-Based Energy-Efficient and Real-Time Object Detection System with Multi-Source Image Fusion
Authors: Chen Mei , Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Hong , Zhao Shufang
Published: March 2022

Deep-learning-based object detection is widely used in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. However, existing methods can only perform the object detection algorithm on visible images. In many scenarios, the infrared image performs better than the visible image because it can represent more invisible features. This paper proposes an object detection algorithm using image fusion to fully use the advantages of both visible light images and infrared images. Moreover, we optimize and re-design the standard object detection algorithm, YOLO V2, to improve its performance on embedded platforms. By evaluating the performance of the proposed method, we found that the recognition accuracy rate is 97.43%, while the recognition accuracy rate of the visible image is 91.09% and the recognition accuracy rate of the infrared image is 91.39%. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can increase the recognition accuracy rate of the visible image by 6.34% and increase the recognition accuracy rate of the infrared image by 6.04%.
A Unified Solution for Free Vibration Analysis of Beam-Plate-Shell Combined Structures with General Boundary Conditions
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Zhu Xiang , Li Tianyun , Yin Caiyu , Li Qingsheng , Chen Rugang
Published: March 2022

A semi-analytical method is presented to analyze free vibration response of beam-plate-shell combined structures with general boundary conditions. Based on the beam-plate-shell energy theory, the coupled annular plate-conical-cylindrical-spherical shell with stiffened rings and bulkheads regarded as the theoretical model is constructed. The unified displacement admissible functions of each substructure are expanded as modified Fourier series and auxiliary convergence functions along generatrix direction and Fourier series along circumferential direction. Virtual spring technology is adopted to express the energy stored at the junction of adjacent substructures and both boundaries. The energy variational procedure and Ritz method are used to obtain the vibrational governing equation of the combined structure. The present method provides an analytical way for the vibrational response of complicated combined structures. The convergence, accuracy and reliability are validated by comparing the free vibrational response with those of the references and finite element method. Some numerical examples show effects of different boundary conditions on the free vibration. And the influence of stiffened rings and bulkheads treated as Euler-beams and annular plates is also discussed from quantity, size and spatial distribution, offering a feasible way to design the reinforced structures and optimize the bulkheads in engineering problems.
Basin Effects on the Seismic Fragility of Steel Moment Resisting Frames Structures: Impedance Ratio, Depth, and Width of Basin
Authors: Parla Rajesh , Shanmugasundaram Bharath , Somala Surendra Nadh
Published: March 2022

Deep sedimentary basins often increase the intensity of ground motions, but this effect is not considered explicitly in most codal provisions. The effect of basin amplification on structures to the fragility level is significant to study. For the first time, the effect of basin amplification on Steel Moment Resisting Frames (SMRF) is presented as a function of the basin material and geometry. This paper evaluates the effect of basin material, basin depth, and basin width on Peak Ground Velocity (PGV), Spectral Acceleration (Sa), and fragility of 4, 8, 12, and 20 story steel structures using synthetic ground motions simulated in SPECFEM3D. It has been found that the variation in basin width and impedance ratio can increase the spectral acceleration by a factor of 4 and 2.5, respectively. The response of SMRF is computed by incremental dynamic analysis, and fragility curves are derived for the collapse limit state. Results of fragility analysis reveal that SMRF structure is more fragile to variation in impedance contrast between basin-bedrock. It has been observed from the results that the collapse intensity measure for impedance ratio variation is 40% and 19% lesser on average than the width and depth variation, respectively. Comparison between the present fragility analysis results and HAZUS fragility parameters indicates that the vulnerability of structure located in the basin is underestimated in its current provisions, and the SMRF would need to increase its strength two times to account for basin amplification.
Finding Key Structures in MMORPG Graph with Hierarchical Graph Summarization
Authors: Jang Jun-Gi , Park Chaeheum , Jang Changwon , Kim Geonsoo , Kang U.
Published: March 2022

What are the key structures existing in a large real-world MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) graph? How can we compactly summarize an MMORPG graph with hierarchical node labels, considering substructures at different levels of hierarchy? Recent MMORPGs generate complex interactions between entities inducing a heterogeneous graph where each entity has hierarchical labels. Succinctly summarizing a heterogeneous MMORPG graph is crucial to better understand its structure; however it is a challenging task since it needs to handle complex interactions and hierarchical labels efficiently. Although there exist few methods to summarize a large-scale graph, they do not deal with heterogeneous graphs with hierarchical node labels.We propose
GSHL
, a novel method that summarizes a heterogeneous graph with hierarchical labels. We formulate the encoding cost of hierarchical labels using MDL (Minimum Description Length).
GSHL
exploits the formulation to identify and segment subgraphs, and discovers compact and consistent structures in the graph. Experiments on a large real-world MMORPG graph with multi-million edges show that
GSHL
is a useful and scalable tool for summarizing the graph, finding important structures in the graph, and finding similar users.
Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Evidence and Implications for Engineering Controls
Authors: McNeill V. Faye
Published: March 2022

Since late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, causing a pandemic (coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19) with dire consequences, including widespread death, long-term illness, and societal and economic disruption. Although initially uncertain, evidence is now overwhelming that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through small respiratory droplets and aerosols emitted by infected individuals. As a result, many effective nonpharmaceutical interventions for slowing virus transmission operate by blocking, filtering, or diluting respiratory aerosol, particularly in indoor environments. In this review, we discuss the evidence for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and implications for engineering solutions to reduce transmission risk.
Changing Farm Size Distributions and Agricultural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Jayne T.S. , Wineman Ayala , Chamberlin Jordan , Muyanga Milu , Yeboah Felix Kwame
Published: March 2022

We review the literature on the distribution of farm sizes in sub-Saharan Africa, trends over time, drivers of change in farm structure, and effects on agricultural transformation and present new evidence for seven countries. While it is widely viewed that African agriculture is dominated by small-scale farms, we show that medium-scale farms of 5 to 100 hectares are a nontrivial—and rapidly expanding—force that is influencing the nature and pace of food systems transformation in Africa. The increased prevalence of medium-scale holdings is associated with farm labor productivity growth and underappreciated benefits to smallholder farmers. However, the rise of African investor farmers is also contributing to the commodification of land, escalating land prices, and restricted land access for most local people. A better understanding of these trends and linkages, which requires new data collection activities, could help resolve long-standing policy debates and support strategies that accelerate agricultural transformation.
Insight into Factors Influencing Thermal Oxidation of Iridium Oxide Electrode: Thermostatic Post-Treatment Temperature
Authors: Huang Feifei , Qin Yi , Wang Qingrui , Wang Shuqiang , Wang Weipeng , Bi Peng , Wen Lei , Chang Hai , Jin Ying
Published: March 2022

pH detection of strict environments such as deep sea environment, extremely acid or alkaline environment etc. put forward high requirements for pH monitoring electrode. In this paper, the IrOx electrodes prepared by cyclic thermal oxidation and quenching process (CHQ) went through thermostatic posttreatment process, i.e., heat treatment at the temperature of 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C for 0.5 h with furnace cooling to room temperature further. Aiming at filtrating an optimal posttreatment process and improving the comprehensive properties of the IrOx electrodes, the E-pH relationship, potential-time dependence tests, and long-term stability tests were carried out. Further characterizations including surface morphologies, surface roughness, surface crystal qualities, and surface compositions were examined through advanced detection methods. The results indicate that the IrOx electrode went through thermostatic posttreatment at 400 °C has larger surface roughness and relatively smaller cracks, implying the increasement in active surface area for electrode reaction. Optimal percentage of Ir4+and Ir3+ revealed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), better crystal quality shown by Raman spectroscopy, relief of tensile stress in the surface film demonstrated by (X-ray diffraction) XRD and Raman could account for the excellent performance of the posttreatment IrOx electrode.
Regression from pathological hypertrophy in mice is sexually dimorphic and stimulus specific
Authors: Muehleman Deanna L. , Crocini Claudia , Swearingen Alison R. , Ozeroff Christopher D. , Leinwand Leslie A.
Published: March 2022

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a major risk factor for mortality and is thought to be largely irreversible in many individuals. Although cardiac hypertrophy itself has been studied extensively, very little is understood about its regression. It is important that we have a better understanding of mechanisms leading to regression, why this process is not reversible in some individuals and that sex differences need to be considered when contemplating therapies.