bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAT10 Combined with Miltefosine Inhibits Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Energy Metabolism in Hypoxia-Induced H9C2 Cells by Regulating the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yao Yi , Jia Weikun , Zeng Xiaofei , Wang Yali , Hu Qiuxia , Yu Shiran , He Dongsheng , Li Ying
Published: August 2022

Hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is the main contributor to heart diseases. Human leukocyte antigen F-associated transcript 10 (FAT10), the small ubiquitin-like protein family subtype involved in apoptosis, is expressed in the heart and exhibits cardioprotective functions. This study explored the impact of FAT10 on hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the involved mechanisms. The cardiomyocyte cell line H9C2 was cultivated in hypoxia-inducing conditions (94% N2, 5% CO2, and 1% O2) and the expression of FAT10 in hypoxia-stimulated H9C2 cells was identified. For this, FAT10 overexpression/interference vectors were exposed to transfection into H9C2 cells with/without the PI3K/AKT inhibitor, miltefosine. The results indicated that hypoxia exposure decreased the FAT10 expression, suppressed H9C2 cell growth, disrupted mitochondrial metabolism, and promoted H9C2 cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, these impacts were reversed by the FAT10 overexpression. In addition, the inhibition of PI3K/AKT in FAT10-overexpressing cells suppressed cell proliferation, impaired mitochondrial metabolism, and promoted apoptosis and oxidative stress response. The findings demonstrated that FAT10 inhibited mitochondrial apoptosis and energy metabolism in hypoxia-stimulated H9C2 cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway. This finding can be utilized for developing therapeutic targets for treating heart disorders associated with hypoxia-induced apoptosis.
Study on Strength and Quality Training of Youth Basketball Players
Authors: Meng Qinghui
Published: August 2022

In order to scientifically explore the effective path of strength quality training of basketball players and improve the effect of strength quality training of basketball players, this paper takes young basketball players as the research object and comprehensively observes the changes and improvement of strength quality by building a strength training monitoring system for basketball players. On this basis, it is proposed to integrate blood flow restriction and basketball players’ special strength training. Through the comparison with the traditional resistance strength training method, it is found that after 8 weeks of experimental comparison, the athletes’ strength quality test indicators show that the average 3RM of the experimental group 1 bench press is 65.2 kg, the experimental group 2 is 65.7 kg, and the experimental group 3 is 72.2 kg. The average performance of the traditional control group was 55.4 kg. Compared with the traditional group, the average performance of the three experimental groups in bench press was significantly improved, which also verified the feasibility of this method in strength quality training.
Role of Carbon‐Based Nanomaterials in Enhancing the Performance of Energy Storage Devices: Design Small and Store Big
Authors: Yogeswari B. , Khan Imran , Kumar M. Satish , Vijayanandam N. , Devarani P. Arthi , Anandaram Harishchander , Chaturvedi Abhay , Misganaw Wondalem
Published: August 2022

Energy storage is the process of storing previously generated energy for future usage in order to meet energy demands. The need for high‐power density energy storage materials is growing across the board. The high ionic transport, superior electronic conductivity, rapid ion diffusion, high current tolerance, etc. are few among the numerous factors that can be considered the versatilities of nanomaterials. This makes the nanomaterials suitable for energy storage applications. According to the allied market research, the global nanotechnology in energy industry was estimated at $139.7 million in 2020 and is anticipated to hit $384.8 million by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% from 2021 to 2030. The extraordinary and improved properties of carbon‐based nanomaterials and their tunable surface chemistry authorize them to be used in design of competent high‐energy and high‐power energy storage devices. Recent research and future progress focus on effective usage of low‐dimensional carbon‐based nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage systems. In particular, versatile carbon nanomaterials with multifunctional capabilities have attracted incredible attention in different types of batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and other energy storage devices. Engineering the carbon‐based nanomaterials with efficient energy storage and remarkable conversion ability embraces the promise of creating a new path for their future development. This article reviews the role of few carbon‐based nanomaterials in efficiently increasing the competence and dependability of energy storage applications.
High-Strength Iron Wire-Like Carbon Nanotubes in the Construction of a Digital Smart Logistics Supply Chain System
Authors: He Jie , Miao Wenqing
Published: August 2022

Today, modern logistics and transportation as a whole still have many problems such as high cost, low efficiency, and poor service quality. This article aims to improve the efficiency of various logistics departments. In order to explore the role of high-strength steel wires as carbon nanotubes in the construction of digital logistics systems, this article saves manpower and management costs in the logistics process and effectively manages information transportation and operating costs by sensing and controlling automated processing and operating procedures. It can effectively solve technical problems and create a complete logistics system that meets product needs. The results of the study show that through the transformation of traditional logistics through carbon nanotubes, the efficiency of digital logistics is relatively stable, with an average value of about 2.5, which takes more than 30% less time than traditional logistics.
Teaching Simulation Based on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Algorithm in Sports Dance Group Dance
Authors: Jiang Yingqi
Published: August 2022

Due to the rapid development of information technology, it is necessary to cultivate a large number of sports dance group dance talents, so the teaching simulation research has become more and more important. Although there are many research results of teaching simulation, the results are somewhat general. In order to explore the teaching simulation technology based on artificial intelligence and big data algorithm in sports dance group dance and the benefits brought to people by learning sports dance and group dance, this paper studies and discusses the simulation teaching for the training of sports dance group dance talents. Experimental research shows that teaching simulation is more time-saving and labor-saving than teachers’ one-to-one explanation for group dance education; it can greatly improve the subjective initiative of students' learning; it can be very convenient to simulate various situations in the real world according to the required requirements; the application of teaching simulation in sports dance group dance can also develop students’ imagination and reduce teachers’ burden. Because simulation teaching is an emerging industry, it is not yet common in life and learning, and experts have not done too much research on simulation teaching, so the current results are somewhat general.
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Role of BIRC6 Serum Level
Authors: Banakar Morteza , Ardekani Shima Torabi , Zare Razieh , Malekzadeh Mahyar , Mirhadi Hosein , Khademi Bijan , Rokaya Dinesh
Published: August 2022

Background. Different factors are involved in the incidence, etiology, metastasis, diagnosis, and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma, including apoptosis inhibitor proteins. Baculoviral IAP repeat containing protein 6 (BIRC6) is one of the apoptosis inhibitor proteins contributing to cancer cells’ survival in many cancer types with diagnostic and treatment importance. This study is aimed at assessing the serum level of BIRC6 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods. In this retrospective cross‐sectional study, 60 serum samples were collected from 45 male and 15 female patients with a mean age of 61 years as the case group and 28 serum samples of healthy people as a control group. The serum samples were analyzed using a commercial sandwich ELISA kit. Results. There were no significant differences between BIRC6 serum levels in patients and healthy subjects. Moreover, we did not observe any significant relationships between BIRC6 serum levels and the patients’ demographic or clinical characteristics. Conclusions. There was no significant difference in serum BIRC6 levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and healthy individuals. Its use in determining the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma or considering it a determinant marker in this type of cancer may not have a place. More in‐depth studies for evaluating BIRC6 serum levels in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients are recommended for better insight into this protein’s role in diagnosing, progression, and prognosis of the disease.
[Retracted] Designing Decorative Flower Patterns for Clothing Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Sun Chunyan
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to incorporate artistic vocabulary from intangible cultural heritage into historical clothing designs, particularly beautiful pattern designs. It is based on a profound understanding of the concept of immaterial cultural heritage and the mastery of its traditional skills to meet the public’s needs in terms of clothing and flowers. Technology, culture, and intangible cultural legacies can all be passed down and incorporated into the design. It is using interactive evolutionary computing to investigate the intangible cultural heritage elements of designing novel decorative flower patterns for clothing. Due to the rapid advancement of digital technology, computers are now used more frequently in the design of patterns and clothing. The goal is to improve the production of artistic trends and decrease the use of manual and traditional methods. This study uses interactive genetic algorithms to examine the current state of intangible cultural heritage elements in building designs for decorative flower patterns for clothing. The application of genetic algorithms to the design of clothing with flowers as decorative patterns is the main focus of this paper. The genetic algorithm is described, followed by an analysis of its fundamental structure. Then, the characteristics of the clothing flower decorative pattern are determined, the genetic algorithm model is applied to the design of the decorative flower patterns for clothing, and the hierarchical structure of heredity, variation, and interaction is provided. Finally, the genetic algorithm is applied to the large‐scale generation and mutation optimization of designing decorative flower patterns for clothing after analyzing its application in clothing flower decorative pattern technology. The idea presented in this paper can self‐reproduce and optimize, resulting in the nonartificial generation and optimization of designing decorative flower patterns for clothing.
Food Safety Practice and Its Associated Factors among Meat Handlers in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Teferi Samuel Chane
Published: August 2022

Background. Foodborne illness is one of the major public health problems globally. The majority of foodborne diseases arise from foods of animal origin. Hence, this study was proposed to evaluate meat handling practices and associated factors working in butcher shops in North Shewa Zone. Methods. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with meat handling practice. Result. The majority, 128 (57.1%), of meat handlers smoke in workplaces, and 20 (8.9%) of meat handlers handled money while processing meat. 180 (80.4%) of meat handlers process/handle meat when they had cuts, wounds, bruises, or injuries on their hands. 12.1% and 15.6% of meat handlers took food safety training and medical checkups, respectively. 51.3% of meat handlers had good meat handling practices. Knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-5.15), attitude (

AOR
=
1.94

, 95% CI: 1.12-3.37), experience (

AOR
=
4.27

, 95% CI: 2.34-9.85), medical checkup (

AOR
=
3.87

, 95% CI: 1.67-8.96), and educational status (

AOR
=
5.50

, 95% CI: 1.05-28.75) were significantly associated with meat handling practices. Conclusions. Food hygiene training before employment and awareness creation for meat handlers should be strengthened. Routine inspections by responsible authorities are also recommended. Future studies should focus on the enumeration of bacterial load from utensils and meat handlers.
Determinant Factors of Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Utilization among In-School Adolescents with Disability in Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Diribsa Tujuba , Wakjira Diriba , Atomsa Gamechu , Mekoya Tsiyon , Mamo Fedhesa , Fekecha Bekana , Ebisa Mosisa , Teferi Girma
Published: August 2022

Introduction. Adolescents with disability are often presumed erroneously to be sexually inactive. Though they have the same need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services as nondisabled people, they are often overlooked by sexual and reproductive health programs, interventions, and studies. Objective. To assess determinant factors of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among in-school adolescents with disability in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia. Method. Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among in-school adolescents with disability in Jimma zone, Ethiopia, from September 21 to November 30, 2021. A total of 454 participants were included in the study by using the multistage sampling technique. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were entered into Epi-data version 4.2 and analyzed by using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses at a 95% confidence interval were performed, and a

P

value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. 454 study participants were included in this study with a respondent rate of 97.4%. Only 38 (8.4%, 95% CI: 5.7-10.8%) of in-school adolescents utilized SRH information and education service. The majority (265, 49%) of adolescents with disability knew family planning as sexual and reproductive health services which were followed by voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS (116, 21.4%). Seventy-eight (17.2%, 95% CI: 13.7-20.5%) of in-school adolescents with disability visited nearby health facilities for VCT services. Male sex (

AOR
=
2.32

, 95% CI: 1.18-4.57), favourable attitude (

AOR
=
3.11

, 95% CI: 1.59-6.07), and history of sexual intercourse (

AOR
=
5.34

, 95% CI: 2.05–13.92) were significantly associated with SRH service utilization. Conclusion. The overall sexual and reproductive health service utilization of in-school adolescents with disability was low when compared with other studies. Physical impairment, male sex, ever had sexual intercourse, good knowledge, and favourable attitudes were determinant factors of SRH service utilization among in-school adolescents with disabilities. So, it is recommended that the Jimma zone administration, government, and NGOs should give attention to SRH services.
Image Retrieval Technology of Economic Regulations Based on Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Guo Guanyan , Sun Liangliang
Published: August 2022

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) is an important part of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. It has broad application prospects in many important fields, such as digital library, medical image analysis, petroleum geological survey, and public security information retrieval. In this study, statistical modeling and discriminant learning methods are used to analyze and study some key problems in image retrieval, including image concept retrieval, image example retrieval, and relevance feedback. The main research results obtained are as follows: an image classification method based on the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) and max-min posterior pseudo-probability (MMP) discriminant learning is proposed, which is called GMM-MMP method for short; a concept retrieval method based on GMM-MMP is proposed. According to the image concept, the image is divided into two categories: the concept-related image and the concept-unrelated image. The Gaussian mixture model is used to establish the mapping from the image low-level features to the image concept, and the image is classified according to the posterior pseudo-probability classifier to realize the image concept retrieval; an example retrieval method based on GMM-MMP is proposed. According to the image similarity semantics, the image is divided into two categories: the related image and the uncorrelated image of the example image. The Gaussian mixture model is used to establish the mapping from the low-level features of the image to the image similarity semantics. The image is classified according to the posterior pseudo-probability classifier to realize the image case retrieval. Based on the above work, this study implements a content-based image retrieval system.
Comparison of Conventional Pressure-packed and Injection Molding Processing Methods for an Acrylic Resin Denture based on Microhardness, Surface Roughness, and Water Sorption
Authors: Moslehifard Elnaz , Ghaffari Tahereh , Abolghasemi Hamidreza , Maleki Dizaj Solmaz
Published: August 2022

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a widely used material in prosthetics and is used to fabricate denture bases. The main disadvantage of this material is its polymerization shrinkage which causes clinical problems during use. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the microhardness, surface roughness, and water sorption of a commercial acrylic resin denture, which were processed by two different methods including conventional and pressure-packed injection molding techniques. A total of 60 polymethyl methacrylate samples were prepared in two groups: conventional acrylic resin (vertex) for the compression molding method and injection acrylic resin (vertex) for the injection molding method (10 samples of each material per test). The microhardness test was performed using a Vickers microhardness test device, the surface roughness test was performed by using a profilometer, and the water sorption test was performed using a digital scale. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 17. The significant level was considered to be 0.05. According to the results, there was a significant difference between microhardness, surface roughness, and water sorption of the samples in the two groups. The results of the independent t-test showed that the microhardness of injection vertex acrylic resin samples was significantly higher than that of conventional pressure-packed vertex acrylic resin samples (

P

value<0.05). Also, the surface roughness and water sorption of injection vertex acrylic resin samples were significantly lower than those of conventional pressure-packed vertex acrylic resin samples (

P

value <0.05). According to the obtained results, denture fabrication by the injection molding method can improve the quality and durability of dentures due to the increased microhardness, the decreased surface roughness, and the decreased water absorption of the denture base compared with the conventional method.
Bank Competition, Financing Constraints, and Enterprise Innovation Investment
Authors: Zhang Lei
Published: August 2022

Based on the data of China’s listed companies from 2007 to 2020 and the financial license of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, this paper analyzes the influence of bank competition on enterprise innovation investment and its mechanism. It is found that bank competition can improve the enterprise innovation investment, which still holds true after endogenous treatment and robustness test. Further research demonstrates that bank competition plays a stronger role in enterprise innovation for non‐state‐owned enterprises and small‐scale enterprises. The mechanism analysis shows that bank competition can promote enterprise innovation investment and enterprise financialization by easing financing constraints. Moreover, enterprise financialization has a crowding‐out effect on enterprise innovation investment. Therefore, moderately intensifying bank competition, further improving the financial system, and deepening the financial marketization reform have profound effects on driving enterprise innovation and its high‐quality development.
A Hybrid Algorithm Based Static Model Updating Method and Its Application to Spacecraft
Authors: Wang Jutao , Liu Zhenzhong , Wang Xiaofei
Published: August 2022

In some cases, the static model updating requires more precise results to satisfy the requirement of simulating the structural response. The corresponding optimization algorithm not only should have a stronger capability to find the global optimum, but also should achieve an optimal result with high accuracy. The intelligent algorithm and direct searching method have the advantages of global and local optimization, respectively. In the present study, a hybrid strategy based on the intelligent algorithm and direct method are proposed, and a typical test function is initially utilized to test its accuracy. The re-entry module is taken as the case study, whose thermal deformation is used to construct the objective function for optimization, and precise results are achieved. Moreover, the high-accuracy results in different objective functions are obtained. In order to investigate the prediction capability of the proposed method, the displacements in another structural direction are extracted and show high accuracy, which demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed approach. The results show that the hybrid algorithm can achieve a better result than the single algorithm in the static model updating.
Clinical Image Feature Analysis and Diagnostic Efficacy Evaluation of Pulmonary Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations in Children: Based on a Single Center, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Dandan , Zhang Gang , Liao Jianyi , Jiang Lan , Cai Chun , Li Xiao , Lou Lei , Zhou Bin , Zeng Huiyi , Yan Xiangang , Yu Gang
Published: August 2022

Objective. A single center, retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical image features and diagnostic efficiency of pulmonary ultrasound in the diagnosis of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) in children. Methods. The starting and ending time of this study is from May 2019 to December 2021. This study included 200 children with CPAM diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and postpartum CT imaging (aged from 1 hour to 3 years), including 103 males and 97 females. All of them were diagnosed by fetal ultrasound and were examined by chest X-ray (CXR), chest CT, and lung ultrasound (LUS). The clinical image characteristics and diagnostic efficiency of CXR, chest CT, and LUS in the diagnosis of CPAM in children were analyzed. Results. 200 lesions were limited to single lung, and the most common were right lower lobe, right lower lobe in 80 cases (40.0%), left lower lobe in 60 cases (30.0%), right upper lobe in 30 cases (15.0%), left upper lobe in 20 cases (10.0%), and right middle lobe in 10 cases (5.0%). Among the 200 cases of preoperative CT examination, 196 cases (98.00%) showed lesions and confirmed diagnosis, and 4 cases were missed. Chest X-ray showed multiple focal circular low-density shadow in the right lung, and the heart shadow and mediastinum moved slightly to the left. CXR showed multiple cystic transparent shadows in the left lower lung and slightly to the right of the mediastinum and heart. CXR showed multiple balloon cavities of different sizes in the right lung field, and the mediastinum and heart shadow shifted to the left. The direct signs of LUS (including single or multiple cystic lesions) were not significantly different from those of CXR, but the indirect signs were significantly higher than those of CXR. Conclusion. The most common CT findings of CPAM in children are cystic lesions, especially polycystic lesions, while LUS images of CPAM in children are various. LUS is a noninvasive and nonradiological examination method, which is easy to operate and repeat. LUS can be used for preliminary qualitative screening of CPAM in children, and the diagnostic value of indirect signs of LUS is better than that of CXR.
Scheduling Scheme Design of Hotel Service Robot: A Heuristic Algorithm to Provide Personalized Scheme
Authors: Gu Tao , Ren Chi , Yin Liang , Liao Zhixue , Li Wenyong , Sun FengLan , Wang Hua
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of machine learning and artificial intelligence, hotel service robots are widely used, but there are many problems to be solved in the scheduling scheme of hotel service robots. In this study, the Pareto optimal definition is used to model the problem, and a nondominated sorting heuristic method including genetic algorithm and differential evolution algorithm is designed to solve this problem. Experimental results show the effectiveness and stability of our algorithm. In addition, compared with the previous methods, the method proposed in this paper can provide a more personalized and reasonable service robot scheduling scheme for hotels. Finally, the hotel can optimize its management and operation and further deepen the degree of hotel intelligence.
Multisensor and Multitarget Tracking Based on Generalized Covariance Intersection Rule
Authors: Wang Kuiwu , Zhang Qin , Hu Xiaolong
Published: August 2022

Distributed multitarget tracking (MTT) is suitable for sensors with limited field of view (FoV). Generalized covariance intersection (GCI) fusion is used to solve the MTT problem based on label probability hypothesis density (PHD) filtering in this paper. Because the traditional GCI fusion only has good fusion performance for the targets in the intersection of each sensor’s FoV, and the targets outside the intersection range would be lost, this paper redivides the Gaussian components according to the FoV and distinguishes the Gaussian components of the targets inside and outside the intersection. GCI fusion is sensitive to label inconsistency between different sensors. For label fusion in the intersection region, the best match of labels is found by minimizing label inconsistency index, and then GCI fusion is performed. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed fusion method are verified by simulation, and its robustness is proved. The proposed method is obviously superior to local sensor and traditional GCI algorithm.
Network Security Situational Awareness Based on Genetic Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Jinna
Published: August 2022

How to design an effective and secure user authentication scheme suitable for complex wireless sensor network (WSN) environments has very important research significance. Based on the genetic algorithm theory, the paper constructs the security situational awareness model of wireless sensor network, and studies the WSN user security authentication scheme. The model uses the genetic algorithm extraction technology combined with the hash function to generate the biometric key, which solves the data accuracy problem of network security situational awareness: the user’s biometric key is obtained through the fuzzy extraction technology; the resistance of the node is to be attacked, but it is powerless when most of the nodes are broken, and it limits the scalability of the network. During the simulation process, the authentication of the identity of the cluster head by the base station is added in the topology establishment stage, and a one-way hash function and a shared key are added to the key management, so that the encryption key and the authentication key change periodically and dynamically, so that enhanced network communication security. The analysis results show that the protocol is feasible. The algorithm proposed in this paper reduces about 70% of the features in the original feature set, the classification detection rate is increased from 95.7212% to 97.7379%, and the false alarm rate is reduced from 7.9427% to 3.1072%, effectively improving the balance between safety and design cost.
Chemistry Combining Elemental Profile, Stable Isotopic Ratios, and Chemometrics for Fine Classification of a Chinese Herb Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) from 37 Producing Area
Authors: Lu Zhongying , Hai Chengying , Yan Simin , Xu Lu , Lu Daowang , Sou Yixin , Chen Hengye , Yang Xiaolong , Fu Haiyan , Yang Jian
Published: August 2022

A method based on elemental fingerprint, stable isotopic analysis and combined with chemometrics was proposed to trace the geographical origins of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) from 37 producing areas. For elemental fingerprint, the levels of 15 elements, including Ca, Cu, Mg, Pb, Zn, Sr, Mn, Se, Cd, Fe, Na, Al, Cr, Co, and K, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Three stable isotopes, including δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O, were measured using an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). For fine classification, three multiclass strategies, including the traditional one-versus-rest (OVR) and one-versus-one (OVO) strategies and a new ensemble strategy (ES), were combined with two binary classifiers, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM). As a result, ES-PLSDA and ES-LS-SVM achieved 0.929 and 0.921 classification accuracy of GUF samples from the 37 origins. The results show that element fingerprint and stable isotope combined with chemometrics is an effective method for GUF traceability and provides a new idea for the geographical traceability of Chinese herbal medicine.
Structural and Visual Changes in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion Patients with Retinal Atrophy
Authors: Li Zhenping , Gu Xiaoya , Song Shuang , Yu Xiaobing , Zhang Peng , Dai Hong
Published: August 2022

Background. To study the changes of retinal vascular density (VD), retinal thickness (RT), and their correlations with visual acuity (VA) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) patients with retinal atrophy after resolution of macular oedema (MO). Methods. This is a retrospective study consisting of 46 patients diagnosed with BRVO at Beijing Hospital from 2015 to 2019. Patients’ 46 affected eyes and 39 fellow eyes were included. The affected eyes were further divided into the atrophy group and the nonatrophy group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images obtained when MO completely resolved after treatment with ranibizumab were analyzed. We quantitatively measured foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, the disruption extent of ellipsoid zone (EZ), RT, and VD of superficial vascular complex (SVC), and deep vascular complex (DVC) in central fovea and the minimal-VD quadrant. Paired t-tests, independent t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Wilcoxon tests, Pearson correlation analyses, Spearman correlation analyses, and single and multiple linear regression models were adopted. Results. Compared with nonatrophy eyes, the minimal-VD quadrantal (quadrantal for short) SVC-VD (25.76 ± 4.57% versus 36.21 ± 6.47%,

P
<
0.001

) and quadrantal DVC-VD (27.72 (17.23) % versus 38.95 (11.05) %,

P
=
0.001

) of atrophy eyes decreased significantly. Quadrantal SVC-VD and quadrantal DVC-VD were strongly correlated with quadrantal full RT (r = 0.763 and 0.698, both

P
<
0.001

). The disruption length of EZ was significantly correlated with quadrantal full RT (r = −0.406,

P
=
0.005

) and quadrantal SVC-VD (r = −0.298,

P
=
0.044

). In multiple linear regression analysis, the disruption length of EZ and VA before treatment and age showed significant correlations with VA with complete resolution of MO (

P
=
0.020
,
 
0.033
,
 and 
0.002

). Conclusions. The retinal VD on the affected area correlates well with the corresponding full RT when BRVO-MO completely resolves, suggesting that VD may predict the final RT. Severe decrease in VD may result in retinal atrophy, which may cause VA loss indirectly with the intermediate influencing factor of EZ defects.
A Rule-Based Inference Framework to Explore and Explain the Biological Related Mechanisms of Potential Drug-Drug Interactions
Authors: Noor Adeeb , Assiri Abdullah
Published: August 2022

As more drugs are developed and the incidence of polypharmacy increases, it is becoming critically important to anticipate potential DDIs before they occur in the clinic, along with those for which effects might go unobserved. However, traditional methods for DDI identification are unable to coalesce interaction mechanisms out of vast lists of potential or known DDIs, much less study them accurately. Computational methods have great promise but have realized only limited clinical utility. This work develops a rule-based inference framework to predict DDI mechanisms and support determination of their clinical relevance. Given a drug pair, our framework interrogates and describes DDI mechanisms based on a knowledge graph that integrates extensive available biomedical resources through semantic web technologies and backward chaining inference, effectively identifying facts within the graph that prove and explain the mechanisms of the drugs’ interaction. The framework was evaluated through a case study combining a chemotherapy agent, irinotecan, and a widely used antibiotic, levofloxacin. The mutual interactions identified indicate that our framework can effectively explore and explain the mechanisms of potential DDIs. This approach has the potential to improve drug discovery and design and to support rapid and cost-effective identification of DDIs along with their putative mechanisms, a key step in determining clinical relevance and supporting clinical decision-making.
Stability Analysis of a Steep Rock Slope in a Large Open-Pit Mine in a High-Intensity Area: A Case Study of the Yejiagou Boron Iron Mine
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Jiabing , Ma Junhua
Published: August 2022

The slope stability of open-pit mines has always been a major problem affecting the safe production of resources from open-pit step mines. At present, slope excavation in open-pit mines is difficult and slope instability problems are becoming increasingly prominent. In this study, an open-pit bench rock slope in Liaoning Province was taken as the research object. The physical parameters of the rock mass in the area were obtained through engineering drilling and large-scale direct shear tests. Based on the determination of the dominant group of the slope’s structural plane, the seepage deformation failure and maximum stress deformation of the slope were analyzed to explore the stability of high and steep rocky slopes in large open-pit mines. The results show that there is a group of dominant structural planes at the no. 1~3 observation points whose dip angle is steep and consistent with the slope inclination. The dip angle is slightly lesser at the slope toe, and the slope is basically a stable structure. The Janbu method was used to calculate the seepage stability of the slope and it is found that section 4-4 is in a dangerous area. In the stress nephogram, the maximum principal stress is located inside the slope, and the minimum principal stress is located at the surface of the free surface.
SAR Ship Image Speckle Noise Suppression Algorithm Based on Adaptive Bilateral Filter
Authors: Li Hui , Duan Xu-Liang
Published: August 2022

Aiming at the shortcomings of traditional bilateral filtering in suppressing speckle noise in SAR ship images, especially strong speckle noise and loss of image edge details, it proposes an improved bilateral filtering algorithm based on fast adaptive threshold and variable window in this paper. The algorithm was used to suppress speckle noise in SAR ship images. The traditional bilateral filtering cannot effectively filter out the strong speckle noise, but the SAR image has strong speckle noise because of the defects of its imaging principle. To solve these problems, an image sample truncation method based on fast adaptive truncation statistical characteristics is designed to adjust the photometric similarity weight characteristics to realize the adaptive adjustment of spatial standard deviation and gray standard deviation. After the local reference window is modified and truncated according to the local characteristics of the image, the adjusted combined similarity weight value greatly reduces the impact of strong speckle noise on the image. It is smoothed into speckle signal with strong impulse noise. In the traditional bilateral filtering, in order to enhance the effect of smoothing noise, it is necessary to specify a large value of geometric diffusion factor and gray similarity diffusion factor, resulting in the loss of image details. Based on the variable window size filtering method, when the extended local reference window is in the case of nonuniform edge, its window can be enlarged to make the speckle noise stronger. When an extended window contains details such as edges and textures, its size is not expanded to maintain image detail. This method can further smooth the speckle noise in the uniform region while preserving the edge details of the image. Finally, the adaptive truncated sample is used as the input of the bilateral filter. The image sample truncation method based on fast adaptive threshold can effectively eliminate the strong speckle noise information that affects the photometric similarity and weight accuracy of the image. The method based on variable window can greatly enhance the smoothness of the edge area of the image. The experimental results show that improved adaptive bilateral filtering algorithm improves the speckle noise removal ability by 16.06% compared with the traditional bilateral filtering algorithm in the speckle noise suppression of the SAR ship image, and the preservation performance of the image edge after filtering is improved by 5.41%. Compared with the original image, the filtered image has a 1.2% improvement in structural similarity. The algorithm can effectively suppress speckle noise and has a good ability to retain edge and texture information of the SAR ship image, which has strong practicability.
An Optimal SDN-Based Wavelength Allocation and Routing Method for 5G Network
Authors: Zhou Hui , Tian Zhong , Sefat Shebnam M. , Mostafa Samih M.
Published: August 2022

Optical networks are changing as new advanced technologies emerge. With each passing year, their sizes and capabilities expand. The standard architecture for network control and management cannot handle all of these complexities. The proliferation of cloud services and the massive volume of traffic provided by content delivery networks are driving the present fast increase in Internet traffic. This obviously exacerbates congestion concerns in communication networks, with a focus on the core and backbone components in particular. Software-defined networking (SDN) is evolving into a consolidated network management system that comprises a variety of strategies aiming at network management that are based primarily on one basic principle: decoupling control plane decisions from data plane activities. An essential resource allocation strategy in an all-optical network is routing and wavelength assignment. A novel SDN-based approach is proposed to address the problem of old methods mixed with new architecture in optical networks. The network resources were optimized for optimal scheduling using a binary hybrid topology particle swarm optimization method. In terms of recovery time, blockage rate, and resource consumption, simulation results demonstrate that the suggested technique outperforms previous classical methods.
A Randomized Comparison of Nivolumab versus Nivolumab + Docetaxel for Previously Treated Advanced or Recurrent ICI-Naïve Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: TORG1630
Authors: Taniguchi Yuri , Shimokawa Tsuneo , Takiguchi Yuichi , Misumi Toshihiro , Nakamura Yukiko , Kawashima Yosuke , Furuya Naoki , Shiraishi Yoshimasa , Harada Toshiyuki , Tanaka Hisashi , Miura Satoru , Uchiyama Ayumi , Nakahara Yoshiro , Tokito Takaaki , Naoki Katsuhiko , Bessho Akihiro , Goto Yasuhiro , Seike Masahiro , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The addition of cytotoxic chemotherapy to immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) may enhance antitumor effects. We conducted an open-label randomized phase II/III study to evaluate nivolumab + docetaxel combination therapy in comparison with nivolumab monotherapy for previously treated ICI-naïve non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods:

The primary endpoint of the phase III study was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and toxicity. As ICI and platinum-doublet combination chemotherapy was approved in the first-line setting during this study, patient accrual was discontinued.

Results:

One hundred twenty-eight patients (each arm, n = 64) were included in the full analysis set. The median OS in nivolumab (arm A) and nivolumab + docetaxel (arm B) was 14.7 months (95% CI, 11.4–18.7) and 23.1 months (95% CI, 16.7–NR), respectively. The HR for OS was 0.63 (90% CI, 0.42–0.95; P = 0.0310). The median PFS in arms A and arm B was 3.1 months (95% CI, 2.0–3.9) and 6.7 months (95% CI, 3.8–9.4), respectively. The HR for progression was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39–0.88; P = 0.0095). The ORR was 14.0% (95% CI, 6.3–25.8) in arm A and 41.8% (95% CI, 28.7–55.9) in arm B. Hematotoxicity and gastrointestinal adverse events were more common in arm B than in arm A. Two treatment-related deaths were observed, including one patient in arm A who died of pneumonitis and one in arm B who died of myocarditis.

Conclusions:

Despite a slightly elevated toxicity, the addition of docetaxel to nivolumab has significantly prolonged the OS and PFS of patients with previously treated ICI-naïve NSCLC.
Effects of Surface Prereacted Glass on Saliva-Derived Polymicrobial Biofilms in an Active Attachment Biofilm Model
Authors: Exterkate Rob A.M. , Brandt Bernd W. , Crielaard Wim
Published: August 2022

Bioactive restorative materials are being developed to either influence the de/remineralization balance of the dental hard tissues locally or to release components that interact with the oral microbiota. Surface prereacted glass (S-PRG, Shofu, Japan) is a material that may influence both processes. S-PRG releases fluoride, which can interact with the de/remineralization process, and a range of other compounds that may influence the oral microbiota. In the current study, several experiments were performed to investigate the potential of S-PRG to influence both the growth and lactic acid production of saliva-derived polymicrobial biofilms. Biofilm formation was studied using the Amsterdam Active Attachment model. An eluate of the S-PRG particles was tested by adding it to the growth medium or by exposing the biofilms to it for 1 h. The effect of S-PRG particles was tested by adding the particles to the growth medium. The current experiments showed that the presence of S-PRG eluate in the medium influenced biofilm growth and lactic acid production even at low concentrations. The composition of the biofilms changed in the presence of S-PRG eluate, even at concentrations of S-PRG eluate at which biofilm viability was not affected. Treatment of developing biofilms with S-PRG eluate did neither show an effect on biofilm viability nor on lactic acid production. The addition of S-PRG particles to the growth medium resulted in both a lower biofilm viability and lower lactic acid production, indicating that the release of ions from the particles was fast enough to influence biofilm formation. From the current experiments, it can be concluded that S-PRG has the potential to influence biofilm growth, but the presence of the released ions during biofilm formation is required to show an effect.
Weekly Differences in the Prevalence of a Short Cervix at 18+0 to 23+6 Weeks of Gestation in Pregnant Women with and without a History of Preterm Delivery
Authors: Soto Eleazar , Huntley Erin S. , Hernandez-Andrade Edgar
Published: August 2022

Objective: The study aimed to estimate weekly differences in the prevalence of a short cervix during the period of 18+0 to 23+6 weeks of gestation in pregnant women with and without a history of previous preterm delivery (PTD). Design: An observational study was conducted. Methods: Setting and participants: 20,002 pregnant women, 18,591 without a history of previous PTD (low risk) and 1,411 with at least one previous PTD (high risk), were evaluated at 18+0 to 23+6 weeks + days of gestation. Weekly differences in the prevalence of a short cervix (≤25 mm, ≤20 mm, and ≤15 mm) between women with and without previous PTD were estimated. Results: High-risk women had a significantly higher prevalence of a short cervix, defined as either ≤25 mm (4.4% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.0001) or ≤20 mm (2.4% vs. 1.2%; p < 0.0001) but not for ≤15 mm (1.2% vs. 0.9%; p < 0.2) as compared to low-risk pregnant women. The odds ratio for a short cervix ≤25 mm in high-risk as compared to low-risk women was 2.0 (95% CI 1.54–2.61; p < 0.0001). Among low-risk women, those evaluated at 22 or 23 weeks of gestation had a significantly higher prevalence of a short cervix ≤25 mm (3.8% vs. 1.9%; p < 0.0001), ≤20 mm (2.4% vs. 0.98%; p < 0.0001), and ≤15 mm (1.6% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.0001) than low-risk women scanned between 18 and 21 weeks of gestation. Similar results were observed for high-risk women. Limitations: No gestational age at delivery was evaluated. Conclusion: There is higher prevalence of short cervix when pregnant women are evaluated at 22+0 to 23+6 than at 18+0 to 21+6 weeks of gestation.