bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Students’ Perceptions of the Classroom Learning Environment and Engagement in Cooperative Mastery Learning-Based Biology Classroom Instruction
Authors: Bizimana Emmanuel , Mutangana Dieudonné , Mwesigye Adrian
Published: May 2022

Literature confirms that students’ engagement in biology is necessary predictor of their learning outcomes. However, how to do so is less certain. Therefore, this study investigated whether students taught biology using Cooperative Mastery Learning (CML) had different perceptions of learning environment and engagement when compared to those taught using Conventional Teaching Methods (CTM). A sample of 298 students (151 male and 147 female) in 7 intact biology classes was used. A modified What Is Happening In this Class (WIHIC) and Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ) were used to collect data. Data were mainly analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance and simple correlation analysis. The findings indicated a statistically significant difference for all WIHIC and SEQ scales with students in CML scoring higher than students in CTM classes. Students’ perceptions of WIHIC scales were statistically significantly associated with SEQ scales. The findings provide important information about how students’ exposure to CML can help them be more engaged in biology classes. Hence, the CML is a practical instructional strategy with significant implications for teachers, biology syllabus designers, and curriculum planners.
Pseudo-Static Simplified Analysis Method of the Pile-Liquefiable Soil Interaction considering Rate-Dependent Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Xinlei , Ji Zhanpeng , Gao Hongmei , Wang Zhihua , Li Wenwen
Published: May 2022

The lateral pressure generated by liquefied soil on pile is a critical parameter in the analysis of soil-pile interaction in liquefaction-susceptible sites. Previous studies have shown that liquefied sand behaves like a non-Newton fluid, and its effect on piles has rate-dependent properties. In this study, a simplified pseudo-static method for liquefiable soil-pile interaction analysis is proposed by treating the liquefied soil as a thixotropic fluid, which considers the rate-dependent behavior. The viscous shear force generated by the relative movement between the viscous fluid (whose viscosity coefficient varies with excess pore pressure and shear strain rate) and the pile was assumed to be the lateral load on the pile. The results from the simplified analysis show that the distribution of bending moment is in good agreement with experiments data. Besides, the effects of various parameters, including relative density, thickness ratio of nonliquefiable layer to liquefiable layer, and frequency of input ground motion, on the pile-soil rate-dependent interaction were discussed in detail.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Glabralactone, a Coumarin Compound from Angelica sinensis, via Suppression of TRIF-Dependent IRF-3 Signaling and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Choi Tae Jun , Song Jayoung , Park Hyen Joo , Kang Sam Sik , Lee Sang Kook
Published: May 2022

The dried root of Angelica sinensis (A. sinensis) has been widely used in Chinese traditional medicine for various diseases such as inflammation, osteoarthritis, infections, mild anemia, fatigue, and high blood pressure. Searching for the secondary metabolites of A. sinensis has been mainly conducted. However, the bioactivity of coumarins in the plant remains unexplored. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of glabralactone, a coumarin compound from A. sinensis, using in vitro and in vivo models, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Glabralactone effectively inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. The downregulation of LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, and miR-155 was found by glabralactone. The activation of NF-κB and TRIF-dependent IRF-3 pathway was also effectively suppressed by glabralactone in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Glabralactone (5 and 10 mg/kg) exhibited an in vivo anti-inflammatory activity with the reduction of paw edema volume in carrageenan-induced rat model, and the expressions of iNOS and IL-1β proteins were suppressed by glabralactone in the paw soft tissues of the animal model. Taken together, glabralactone exhibited an anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro and in vivo models. These findings reveal that glabralactone might be one of the potential components for the anti-inflammatory activity of A. sinensis and may be prioritized in the development of a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Factors Prognostic of Survival in Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatitis B Virus Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Zhou Zhengjun , Yi Junfang , Li Qiang , Hu Wei , Chen Guangshun , Si Zhongzhou , Li Jiequn
Published: May 2022

Objectives. Factors prognostic of survival in liver transplant (LT) recipients with hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) remain unclear. This study evaluated risk factors for survival in LT recipients with HBV-ACLF and determined the scoring system optimal for assessing patient prognosis. Methods. This retrospective study included 323 HBV-ACLF related patients undergoing LT, including 112, 146, and 65 patients with HBV-ACLF grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and factors associated with survival were analysed by multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Pretransplant prognostic scoring systems were compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. The one-year survival rate was significantly lower in HBV-ACLF grade 3 (80.0%) than in grades 1 (93.8%) and 2 (91.8%) recipients (

p
=
0.0063

). Cox multivariate analysis showed that age >53 years (hazard ratio (HR) 3.731; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.640–8.407), WBC count >8.6 × 109/L (HR 4.544; 95% CI 1.140–18.107), HBV-ACLF 3 (HR 2.729; 95% CI 1.050–7.096), and cold ischaemia time >8.5 hours (HR 2.867; 95% CI, 1.38–5.921) were independently prognostic of 1-year survival. Comparisons of pretransplant scoring systems showed that chronic liver failure-consortium ACLF score (CLIF-C ACLFs) was superior to COSSH-ACLF, MELD-Na, and MELD scores in predicting 1-year OS in these patients. Conclusions. Age >53 years, WBC counts >8.6 × 109/L, HBV-ACLF grade 3, and cold ischaemia time >8.5 hours are independently prognostic of OS in LT recipients with HBV-ACLF. CLIF-C ACLFs is superior to other scoring methods in predicting 1-year OS in these patients.
Prioritizing Multi‐Interwoven Factors in the Project Management Office Using Delphi and Fuzzy DEMATEL
Authors: Zare Khafri Abozar , Aboumasoudi Abbas Sheikh , Khademolqorani Shakiba
Published: May 2022

This study aims to evaluate the cause‐and‐effect relationships of potential PMO functions at project‐oriented organizations. In this research, the Delphi technique was first employed to identify the potential PMO functions, and DEMATEL technique was conducted to evaluate the cause‐and‐effect relationships. According to the research findings, structure determination and project organization were the most effective PMO functions, whereas counseling and training through PMO was identified as the most important function. Moreover, participation in project implementation through PMO was the most affected function. To improve the PMO performance, project‐oriented organizations can focus on effective functions and causes in order to modify and improve them.
Study on the Flow and Acoustic Field of an Electronic Expansion Valve under Refrigeration Condition with Phase Change
Authors: Liu Ziyang , Wu Chengjun , Wang Donghong
Published: May 2022

A combined numerical-experiment investigation on the flow and acoustic field of an electronic expansion valve (EEV) is conducted in this paper. In an electronic expansion valve (EEV) under refrigeration condition, it is usually complex about internal flow. There are high pressure gradient and velocity gradient in the flow field, and it also involves the process of flashing phase change, physical property change, and heat transfer, which is difficult to simulate directly. After many explorations in this paper, the flow field of EEV under refrigeration condition is simulated by a four-step computational fluid dynamics (CFD). On this basis, the noise of EEV which is induced by the internal turbulent flow and propagates outward through the shell of EEV is simulated by a Hybrid Method. Numerical simulations of the mass flow rate (MFR) and sound pressure level (SPL) are verified by experimental data. Then, the characteristics of the internal flow field causing the external acoustic radiation are analyzed and used to create an improved design that can reduce the SPL while the MFR hardly changes.
Study on Economic Significance of Rare Earth Mineral Resources Development Based on Goal Programming and Few-Shot Learning
Authors: Zhang Shuxian
Published: May 2022

Rare earth is one of the most important strategic minerals in the world today. The wide application of new products and technologies in the global market has made the world’s demand for rare earth resources grow rapidly. As an important basic resource of high technology, rare earth plays a significant role in national security and strategy. As rare earth mineral resources are irreplaceable in civil, military, and nuclear industries, they have become national strategic resources of various countries in the world. Although China’s rare earth industry has occupied a leading position in the world, with the continuous expansion of the scale of the rare earth industry, the pollution problem of “three wastes” produced in the recovery of rare earth mineral resources is becoming more and more serious. From the perspective of resource endowment, China is rich in rare earth resources, but the declining trend of resource reserves is obvious, and the advantages and disadvantages of resources are more prominent. Based on the goal planning and few-shot learning, this paper studies the economic significance of rare earth resource development, aiming at solving some problems in the development of rare earth mineral resources in China, and thus promoting the scientific and healthy development of the rare earth industry.
The Effect of Additive ZRJ-S1 on Mechanical Properties of Portland Cement
Authors: Zeng Xin , Zhou Ping , Tong Jichang , Wang Hao , Zhao Lin , Meng Weidong , Li Ming
Published: May 2022

For mechanical performance perfection of cement-based material, toughening materials are often added to the cement system, such as solid particles, carbon-based material, or other inorganic/organic materials. Compared with other materials, carbon-based materials have better compatibility and are more likely to form a cross-linked network structure in the cement system, which can significantly improve the mechanical properties of cement stone. In this review, a new type carbon-based material ZRJ-S1 was used as a mechanical additive to reinforce oil well cement. In this experiment, ZRJ-S1 was explored with microlevel scale and showed the thin-layer sheet morphology. With static mechanical-strength test, ZRJ-S1 reinforced cement-based material was found with excellent mechanical improvement when 0.05 wt% ZRJ-S1 additive was used, that is, compressive strength improved to 150.9% of that of control sample, splitting tensile strength improved to 134%, and flexural strength improved to 129.2%. Furthermore, the weight percentage superiority of ZRJ-S1 was researched by dynamic stress-train mechanical test and found the mechanical elasticity improvement in which Poisson ratio improved by 74% and formed elasticity modulus reduced to 65.4% when resisting to mechanical damage. The effect of ZRJ-S1 on the microstructure of cement-based materials was studied. As a result, ZRJ-S1 was found with the bridging effect for completion of cement-based material, crack deflection effect for controlling microcrack propagation, and pulling-out effect for preventing immediate fracture of cement-based material itself. Then, using about 0.05% of ZRJ-S1 achieved the accelerating effect on hydration, the speed of the cement-based material, in which more C-S-H gel was formed. Moreover, adding of microscale ZRJ-S1 showed denser spatial microstructure and excellent control ability to pore structure of cement-based material. Micropore percentage of more than 200 nm size, which was with serious damage to mechanical performance, was decreased from 17.40 to 11.89%, and porosity of cement-based material itself decreased to 16.20%. As a result, ZRJ-S1 additive showed excellent reinforcement effect on Portland cement.
Empirical Analysis of Influence of Furniture Manufacturing Servitization on Industry Performance Based on Big Data
Authors: Song Linshu , Wang Hao , Song Weiming , Yang Chao
Published: May 2022

In the era of big data, the furniture manufacturing industry takes digitization and intelligence as its core, and its servitization degree is constantly improving. In this paper, based on input-output table data from major manufacturing countries throughout the world in the period 2000–2014, this study empirically analyzes the impact of servitization on the industrial performance and productivity of the furniture manufacturing industry and finds that servitization level of the global furniture industry is about 20%, showing small growth in the sample period. Developed countries are in the leading position in the process of servitization strategy, and the servitization level among countries is gradually converging. Furniture manufacturing industry does not show a servitization dilemma, and servitization has a positive impact on industry performance and total factor productivity.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Ashore Marine Engine Room
Authors: Lyu Long , Huang Long , Yu Jing
Published: May 2022

This paper aims to present a method for comparing decision options for the ashore marine engine room. Based on the life cycle cost system, the life cycle stages are divided into design, acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and scrapping. A model of the life cycle cost of ashore marine engine room considering the time value of money was developed, and a calculation method for sensitivity analysis was developed. Regarding the actual case, the life cycle cost of the two options was estimated, the sensitivity of the cost of the two options was analyzed, and control recommendations were made. The results show that Option 2, with the highest initial investment, is the optimal solution, attributed to using an advanced two‐stroke diesel engine with reduced operation and maintenance costs. This will be useful for reference by maritime academies.
Exploration on Molecular Mechanism of Reversal Effect of Compound Danshen Tablets on Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Cao Minling , Fan Jingyue , Yang Xiaoli , Shi Meifeng , Lin Shanshan , Chi Xiaoling
Published: May 2022

Objective. To research the molecular mechanism of compound Danshen tablets in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis through network pharmacology. Methods. Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) and online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM) databases were searched for compound Danshen tablets’ active ingredients o and hepatic fibrosis-related genes. The network enrichment of the targets of “herb-compound-target” was visualized and analyzed using Cytoscape software. Then, the screened target genes were used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. The DAVID enrichment database (the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery) was adopted for GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment of vital nodes. Results. The results yielded 234 targets of compound Danshen tablets; ten important targets (TNF, IL-10, TGF-β1, EGF, CXCL16, CCL21, SERPINB5, SERPINA1, SOD2, and PPIG) for reversing hepatic fibrosis; and four core targets (TNF, IL-10, TGF-1, and EGF). In addition, KEGG enrichment analysis showed that compound Danshen tablets mainly involved FoxO and MAPK signaling pathways, as the key signaling pathways in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. Conclusion. TNF, IL-10, TGF-1, and EGF and FOXO and MAPK signaling pathways play a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Based on the results of this study, the mechanism of action of compound Danshen tablets in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis may be associated with the regulation of FoxO and MAPK signaling pathways and inhibition of TNF, IL-10, TGF-1, and EGF.
Process-Aware Accounting Information System Based on Business Process Management
Authors: Li Feifeng , Fang Gang
Published: May 2022

In order to improve based on financial shared services, enterprises can better promote the establishment, deepening, and optimal development of their own management accounting informatization. This paper introduces BPM system, analyzes the process perception accounting information system of business process management, and verifies that process perception can promote the research of accounting information system with the help of case analysis. Based on the problems, optimization scheme, and optimization effect of JKJT accounting informatization in a city, this paper makes a practical analysis and case analysis method. It is proposed that the four optimization effects of JKJT accounting informatization can be obtained by improving the authenticity and accuracy of subsystem business data, standardizing the division of personnel post rights and responsibilities, strictly implementing the system, changing the cost accounting method, and strengthening the training of management innovative accounting informatization talents and other optimization measures. Its main financial indicators show that the operating cost of JKJT in City A in 2019 was RMB 90.0309 million, a decrease of RMB 8.1781 million over 2020, a year-on-year decrease of 8.33%, mainly due to the establishment of financial sharing mode in 2019 and the strengthening of cost management and control of funds of branches by the finance department. At the same time, the acceptance measurement of the local project in City A is 57.0251 million yuan, because the project is operated locally, the financial service advantage is obvious, and the cost is relatively low. At the same time, by summarizing the application process of information management system, the in-depth analysis of information management system is realized. Information management system has strong efficiency in economic promotion. We should actively promote the application of the system to promote the improvement of economic construction level.
Design of Cross-Source Education Information Classification Model Based on Cloud Computing Technology
Authors: Lv Zhimei
Published: May 2022

Traditional classification algorithms can be well applied to limited data sets, but the application effect of uncertain data sets was poor. Therefore, this paper proposed a cross-source education information classification model based on cloud computing technology, which aimed to provide support for education information services in the cloud computing environment. Firstly, based on the analysis of the structure and function of the cloud computing platform, this paper expounded the cloud computing service mode and its deployment mode and gave a multisource information processing method based on the cloud computing center combined with the characteristics of information distribution in the cloud computing environment. Secondly, by analyzing the types of educational information resources, this paper summarized the feature extraction of educational information using data mining technology and gave the classification method of educational information based on text features. Finally, a cross-source education information classification model in the cloud computing environment was designed. The experimental comparison showed that the method proposed in this paper can effectively classify the multisource education information under the cloud computing platform. Compared with other traditional classification models, this model not only had higher classification accuracy but also can achieve better classification efficiency. The classification model proposed in this paper can provide a reference for the classification of other information resources in the cloud computing environment.
Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Transarterial Chemoembolization with Camrelizumab plus Apatinib for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study of 38 Patients from a Single Center
Authors: Zhang Jin-Xing , Chen Yu-Xing , Zhou Chun-Gao , Liu Jin , Liu Sheng , Shi Hai-Bin , Zu Qing-Quan
Published: May 2022

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with immune checkpoint inhibition (camrelizumab) plus an antiangiogenic agent (apatinib) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. Between March 2019 and April 2021, the clinical data of 38 patients diagnosed with advanced HCC who initially received TACE combined with camrelizumab plus apatinib were reviewed retrospectively. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. Results. At 2-3 months after initial therapy, the ORR and DCR was 50.0% (19/38) and 76.3% (29/38), respectively. The median PFS and OS were 7.3 months (range: 1.0–22.6 months) and 13.5 months (range: 2.3–24.3 months), respectively. Treatment-related AEs (grades 3-4) were observed in 25 patients (67.8%). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusion. The combination of TACE with camrelizumab plus apatinib for the treatment of patients with advanced HCC showed promising efficacy and a manageable safety profile.
Preventive Effect of Collagen Peptides from Acaudina molpadioides on Acute Kidney Injury through Attenuation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Zhao Wei , Li Jie , Li Yan , Chen Yan , Jin Huoxi
Published: May 2022

The protective effect of collagen peptide from Acaudina molpadioides (Amp) on acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice and its mechanism were explored. The results showed that Amp-fed could effectively improve the renal mass index and histopathological morphology. The levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen decreased significantly, while the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly in Amp-fed groups. Western blot results disclosed that Amp significantly upregulates the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Nrf2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the kidney. In addition, Amp could significantly downregulate the levels of nuclear factor NF-kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). These findings provide evidence that Amp plays a protective role in AKI via attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation mediated by PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathways. This study laid a foundation for the application of Amp in the prevention of AKI.
Identification Model of Writhing Posture of Classical Dance Based on Motion Capture Technology and Few-Shot Learning
Authors: Zhang Ning
Published: May 2022

Chinese classical dance is cut into the inner verve from a grasp of external form in dance instruction, and the aesthetic fashion and artistic norms of classical dance are established with historical depth. The “professional specificity” of characters and the “language description” of plots are eliminated in Chinese classical dance creation, highlighting the contemporary spirit of classical dance creation. Chinese classical dance was born during the early years of the People’s Republic of China. The term “classical dance” did not refer to all Chinese classical dances at the time; rather, it referred to a dance form that embodied China’s national spirit and had a classical cultural heritage based on Chinese traditional dance. The average frequency of step-over was 0.9, which was higher than the average rate of basic turnover of 0.75 and step-by-step turnover of 0.5, according to the results of the SPSS19.0 analysis. As a result, except for a few points with loud noise, it can be concluded that stepping over is an effective feature. The recognition model of the somersault posture of classical dance is studied in this paper, a database for real-time acquisition of three-dimensional data of human motion is established, and the Google model of human body characteristics is obtained based on feature plane matching of human body posture, all using motion capture technology and few-shot learning. The above data has good reference and application value for improving teachers’ teaching level and arousing students’ learning enthusiasm in the dance teaching process when applied to posture teaching and analysis. The captured data can convert human motion in real three-dimensional space into data in virtual three-dimensional space. Motion capture technology converts human motion information into a technology that can be recognized by computers.
Crop Growth Monitoring System Based on Agricultural Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Wu Jienan
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the effect of crop growth monitoring, this paper combines the Internet of Things technology to construct a crop growth monitoring system based on the agricultural Internet of Things technology. Moreover, this paper combines the fuzzy theory to process the data of the agricultural Internet of Things to reduce the uncertainty of the data processing of the agricultural Internet of Things. After improving the fuzzy algorithm, this paper builds an intelligent model, builds the system structure framework according to the actual needs of crop growth monitoring, sets up and analyzes the environmental parameters, and builds the crop growth monitoring system from multiple perspectives. Finally, after constructing the system structure of this paper, the performance of the system proposed in this paper is verified. From the test results, it can be seen that the crop growth monitoring system based on the agricultural Internet of Things proposed in this paper has a good effect.
On System of Nonlinear Sequential Hybrid Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Awadalla Muath , Abuasbeh Kinda
Published: May 2022

In this study, the existence and uniqueness of the solution for a system consisting of sequential fractional differential equations that contain Caputo–Hadamard (CH) derivative are verified. To study the existence and uniqueness of these solutions, some of the most important results from the fixed point theorems in Banach space were used. A practical example is also given to support the theoretical side that was obtained.
Design and Research of a Vehicle Approaching Reminder Device Based on ZigBee Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Li Zhen , Yu Shanen
Published: May 2022

In recent years, wireless sensor networks have developed rapidly, and at the same time, they are also an important support for the Internet of Things and have attracted worldwide attention. A wireless sensor network is composed of many self-organized sensor nodes, which provide a good foundation for it. As a wireless communication technology, ZigBee technology can realize energy-saving and high-efficiency wireless communication. Its sensor nodes are usually small computing devices with radio antennas. They are usually equipped with sensors that can detect one or more environmental parameters. The energy is limited. The function is simple. With the development of the Internet of Things and 5G technology, the scope of wireless sensor networks is becoming wider and wider. This article will apply it to vehicle driving. In today’s society, more and more people use cars as a means of transportation, resulting in a large number of road traffic every year. The accident caused a large number of casualties and material losses. For traffic accidents caused by these factors, the collision between a car hitting a person and a car is the most common, so the research on how to avoid a car collision is urgent. Among the many factors that cause road traffic accidents, the driver is the main reason. Therefore, the combination of the driver’s abnormal driving behavior and the implementation of the vehicle approaching reminder can effectively reduce traffic accidents. At the same time, the vehicle’s collision avoidance warning system is also a vehicle. One of the most important content in driving, we also made research. Through the research of wireless sensor network, this paper applies its relatively mature zigBee technology to the devices and systems of vehicle driving, so that the vehicle approach reminder device and anticollision warning system are developed vigorously.
Adsorption-Based Removal of Sb (III) from Wastewater by Graphene Oxide-Modified Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Composites
Authors: Deng Yilu , Mao Qiming , Luo Shuang , Xie Xiande , Luo Lin
Published: May 2022

The treatment of Sb (III) wastewater produced from mining activities is uniquely challenging and has therefore garnered increasing attention. Here, an amino-modified zirconium-based metal-organic framework material (UiO-66-NH2) and its composites were loaded onto graphene oxide (GO@UiO-66-NH2) via the hydrothermal method, after which these materials were used to adsorb Sb (III) in mine wastewater. The effects of adsorption time, pH, initial Sb (III) concentration, temperature, and adsorbent dosage on the removal performance of Sb (III) were then investigated. The adsorption processes of Sb (III) were examined via adsorption kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses. XRD, SEM, and FTIR analyses demonstrated the presence of a porous structure and high levels of oxygen-containing functional groups on the UiO-66-NH2 and GO@UiO-66-NH2 surfaces. During the Sb (III) adsorption process, the adsorption rates of UiO-66-NH2 and GO@UiO-66-NH2 were very fast in the first 10 minutes, and the adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 12 h, with the adsorption efficiencies of 91.76% and 93.79%, respectively. At a pH of 7.0, 25°C, an initial Sb (III) concentration of 100 mg/L, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.04 g/L, the maximum Sb (III) adsorption capacities of UiO-66-NH2 and GO@UiO-66-NH2 reached 39.23 mg/g and 61.07 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process was accurately described by the Langmuir model, meaning that the Sb (III) was adsorbed through single-layer uniform adsorption. Moreover, the adsorption process was highly consistent with the pseudo-second-order model, which was indicative of spontaneous and endothermic chemical adsorption. Additionally, the Sb (III) removal efficiency could be maintained approximately 70% after sorption-desorption recycling four times. Therefore, our study provides an economical and effective method for the removal of Sb (III) in wastewater treatment.
Systematic Financial Risk Identification and Dynamic Evolution Based on Deep Learning
Authors: An Shiyi , Chen Yaling
Published: May 2022

A perfect financial market is the physical manifestation of a developed country, and the rational transfer and distribution of capital resources can significantly improve the real economy’s operational efficiency. In the era of sharing economy, the traditional linear systematic financial risk early warning model based on the Internet can no longer meet the early warning and identification of nonlinear systematic financial risk brought on by the embeddedness of the Internet network. The improved loss function is used to optimize the model to identify and monitor systemic financial risks in this paper. DL is used to identify systemic financial risks, a classification model based on DNN is built, and the improved loss function is used to optimize the model to identify and monitor systemic financial risks. The experimental results show that this model can achieve a recall rate of 93.2 percent and an accuracy rate of 95.4 percent. The results of the experiments show that the DL-based identification model is both effective and practical. The use of DL not only improves identification and analysis methods in the field of financial risk management, but it also encourages empirical research to shift from linear to nonlinear, from a focus on parameter salience to a focus on model structure and dynamic characteristics, while also better capturing tail risks.
Computational-Based Approaches for Predicting Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Removal in Adsorption Process
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed K. , Mahmoud Ahmed S. , Mahmoud Mohamed S. , Nasr Mahmoud
Published: May 2022

Predicting the adsorption performance to remove organic pollutants from wastewater is an essential environmental-related topic, requiring knowledge of various statistical tools and artificial intelligence techniques. Hence, this study is the first to develop a quadratic regression model and artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal under different adsorption conditions. Nanozero-valent iron encapsulated into cellulose acetate (CA/nZVI) was synthesized, characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDS, and used as an efficient adsorbent for BOD reduction. Results indicated that the medium pH and adsorption time should be adjusted around 7 and 30 min, respectively, to maintain the highest BOD removal efficiency of 96.4% at initial BOD [Formula: see text] mg/L, mixing [Formula: see text] rpm, and adsorbent dosage of 3 g/L. An optimized ANN structure of 5–10–1, with the “ trainlm” back-propagation learning algorithm, achieved the highest predictive performance for BOD removal ([Formula: see text]: 0.972, Adj-[Formula: see text]: 0.971, RMSE: 1.449, and SSE: 56.680). Based on the ANN sensitivity analysis, the relative importance of the adsorption factors could be arranged as [Formula: see text]. A quadratic regression model was developed to visualize the impacts of adsorption factors on the BOD removal efficiency, optimizing pH at 7.3 and time at 46.2 min. The accuracy of the quadratic regression and ANN models in predicting BOD removal was approximately comparable. Hence, these computational-based methods could further maximize the performance of CA/nZVI material for removing BOD from wastewater under different adsorption conditions. The applicability of these modeling techniques would guide the stakeholders and industrial sector to overcome the nonlinearity and complexity issues related to the adsorption process.
Carbon Material Hybrid Construction on an Aptasensor for Monitoring Surgical Tumors
Authors: Ma Renyuan , Gopinath Subash C. B. , Lakshmipriya Thangavel , Chen Yeng
Published: May 2022

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein, one of the common tumor biomarkers, found at low levels in body fluids. Generally, overexpression of CEA is found in various cancers, including ovarian, breast, lung, colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. Since CEA is an important tumor biomarker, the quantification of CEA is helpful for diagnosing cancer, monitoring tumor progression, and the follow-up treatment. This research develops a highly sensitive sandwich aptasensor for CEA identification on an interdigitated electrode sensor. Carbon-based material was used to attach a higher anti-CEA capture aptamer onto the sensor surface through a chemical linker, and then, CEA was quantified by the aptamer. Furthermore, CEA-spiked serum was tested by using the immobilized aptamer, which was found to not affect the target validation. The limit of detection for CEA in PBS and serum is calculated from a linear regression graph to be 0.5 ng/mL with R2 values of 0.9593 and 0.9657, respectively, over a linear range from 0.5 to 500 ng/mL. This CEA quantification by the aptasensor can help diagnose various surgical tumors and monitor their progression.
Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Couples 3βHSD1 Enzyme and Cofactor Upregulation to Facilitate Androgen Biosynthesis and Hormone Therapy Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Qin Liang , Chung Yoon-Mi , Berk Michael , Naelitz Bryan , Zhu Ziqi , Klein Eric , Chakraborty Abhishek A. , Sharifi Nima
Published: May 2022

Androgen deprivation therapy suppresses tumor androgen receptor (AR) signaling by depleting circulating testosterone and is a mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Despite initial treatment response, castration-resistant prostate cancer nearly always develops and remains driven primarily by the androgen axis. Here we investigated how changes in oxygenation affect androgen synthesis. In prostate cancer cells, chronic hypoxia coupled to reoxygenation resulted in efficient metabolism of androgen precursors to produce androgens and activate AR. Hypoxia induced 3βHSD1, the rate-limiting androgen synthesis regulator, and reoxygenation replenished necessary cofactors, suggesting that hypoxia and reoxygenation both facilitate potent androgen synthesis. The EGLN1/VHL/HIF2α pathway induced 3βHSD1 expression through direct binding of HIF2α to the 5′ regulatory region of HSD3B1 to promote transcription. Overexpression of HIF2α facilitated prostate cancer progression, which largely depended on 3βHSD1. Inhibition of HIF2α with the small-molecule PT2399 prevented prostate cancer cell proliferation. These results thus identify HIF2α as a regulator of androgen synthesis and potential therapeutic target in prostate cancer.

Significance:

Hypoxia followed by reoxygenation in prostate cancer drives androgen deprivation therapy resistance via increasing the rate-limiting enzyme and cofactors for androgen synthesis, revealing HIF2α as a therapeutic target to subvert resistance.
Computational Identification of Preneoplastic Cells Displaying High Stemness and Risk of Cancer Progression
Authors: Liu Tianyuan , Zhao Xuan , Lin Yuan , Luo Qi , Zhang Shaosen , Xi Yiyi , Chen Yamei , Lin Lin , Fan Wenyi , Yang Jie , Ma Yuling , Maity Alok K. , Huang Yanyi , Wang Jianbin , Chang Jiang , Lin Dongxin , Teschendorff Andrew E. , Wu Chen
Published: May 2022

Evidence points toward the differentiation state of cells as a marker of cancer risk and progression. Measuring the differentiation state of single cells in a preneoplastic population could thus enable novel strategies for early detection and risk prediction. Recent maps of somatic mutagenesis in normal tissues from young healthy individuals have revealed cancer driver mutations, indicating that these do not correlate well with differentiation state and that other molecular events also contribute to cancer development. We hypothesized that the differentiation state of single cells can be measured by estimating the regulatory activity of the transcription factors (TF) that control differentiation within that cell lineage. To this end, we present a novel computational method called CancerStemID that estimates a stemness index of cells from single-cell RNA sequencing data. CancerStemID is validated in two human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cohorts, demonstrating how it can identify undifferentiated preneoplastic cells whose transcriptomic state is overrepresented in invasive cancer. Spatial transcriptomics and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing demonstrated that differentiation activity of tissue-specific TFs was decreased in cancer cells compared with the basal cell-of-origin layer and established that differentiation state correlated with differential DNA methylation at the promoters of these TFs, independently of underlying NOTCH1 and TP53 mutations. The findings were replicated in a mouse model of ESCC development, and the broad applicability of CancerStemID to other cancer-types was demonstrated. In summary, these data support an epigenetic stem-cell model of oncogenesis and highlight a novel computational strategy to identify stem-like preneoplastic cells that undergo positive selection.

Significance:

This study develops a computational strategy to dissect the heterogeneity of differentiation states within a preneoplastic cell population, allowing identification of stem-like cells that may drive cancer progression.
Delineating the RAS Conformational Landscape
Authors: Parker Mitchell I. , Meyer Joshua E. , Golemis Erica A. , Dunbrack, Roland L.
Published: May 2022

Mutations in RAS isoforms (KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) are among the most frequent oncogenic alterations in many cancers, making these proteins high priority therapeutic targets. Effectively targeting RAS isoforms requires an exact understanding of their active, inactive, and druggable conformations. However, there is no structural catalog of RAS conformations to guide therapeutic targeting or examining the structural impact of RAS mutations. Here we present an expanded classification of RAS conformations based on analyses of the catalytic switch 1 (SW1) and switch 2 (SW2) loops. From 721 human KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS structures available in the Protein Data Bank (206 RAS–protein cocomplexes, 190 inhibitor-bound, and 325 unbound, including 204 WT and 517 mutated structures), we created a broad conformational classification based on the spatial positions of Y32 in SW1 and Y71 in SW2. Clustering all well-modeled SW1 and SW2 loops using a density-based machine learning algorithm defined additional conformational subsets, some previously undescribed. Three SW1 conformations and nine SW2 conformations were identified, each associated with different nucleotide states (GTP-bound, nucleotide-free, and GDP-bound) and specific bound proteins or inhibitor sites. The GTP-bound SW1 conformation could be further subdivided on the basis of the hydrogen bond type made between Y32 and the GTP γ-phosphate. Further analysis clarified the catalytic impact of G12D and G12V mutations and the inhibitor chemistries that bind to each druggable RAS conformation. Overall, this study has expanded our understanding of RAS structural biology, which could facilitate future RAS drug discovery.

Significance:

Analysis of >700 RAS structures helps define an expanded landscape of active, inactive, and druggable RAS conformations, the structural impact of common RAS mutations, and previously uncharacterized RAS inhibitor–binding modes.
Serum Pepsinogen as a Biomarker for Gastric Cancer in the United States: A Nested Case–Control Study Using the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial Data
Authors: In Haejin , Sarkar Srawani , Ward Jessica , Friedmann Patricia , Parides Michael , Yang Julie , Epplein Meira
Published: May 2022

Background:

Gastric cancer lacks specific symptoms, resulting in diagnosis at later stages and high mortality. Serum pepsinogen is a biomarker for atrophic gastritis, a gastric cancer precursor, and may be useful to detect persons at increased risk of gastric cancer.

Methods:

The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial was conducted in the United States between 1993 and 2001. ELISA-based pepsinogen tests were conducted on prediagnostic serum samples of 105 PLCO participants who developed gastric cancer and 209 age, sex, and race-matched controls. Pepsinogen positive (PG+) was defined as pepsinogen I ≤ 70 μg/L and pepsinogen I/II ratio ≤3.0. Results of conditional logistic regression models, and sensitivity and specificity, of PG+ for gastric cancer are reported.

Results:

Gastric cancer cases were more likely to be PG+ (31.4% vs. 5.5%, P < 0.001) at baseline than controls. Compared to PG-, PG+ was associated with an 8.5-fold increased risk for gastric cancer [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.8–19.4]. This risk remained significant after adjusting for Helicobacter pylori, family history of gastric cancer, education, smoking, and BMI (aOR, 10.6; 95% CI, 4.3–26.2). In subgroup analysis, PG+ individuals were 11-fold more like to develop non-cardia gastric cancer (OR, 11.1; 95% CI, 4.3–28.8); conversely, they were not significantly more likely to develop cardia gastric cancer (OR, 2.0; 95% CI = 0.3–14.2). PG+ status yielded low sensitivity but high specificity for both noncardia (44.3%; 93.6%) and cardia gastric cancer (5.7%; 97.2%).

Conclusions:

Prediagnostic serum pepsinogen levels from a large, prospective cohort study were associated with risk of gastric cancer, particularly noncardia gastric cancer.

Impact:

PG status may identify individuals at higher risk of noncardia gastric cancer for targeted screening or interventions.

See related commentary by Zhou and Huang, p. 1257
Airflow Limitation Increases Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers: The Lifelines Cohort Study
Authors: Du Yihui , Sidorenkov Grigory , Groen Harry J.M. , Heuvelmans Marjolein A. , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , Dorrius Monique D. , Timens Wim , de Bock Geertruida H.
Published: May 2022

Background:

The relationship between smoking, airflow limitation, and lung cancer occurrence is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between airflow limitation and lung cancer, and the effect modification by smoking status.

Methods:

We included participants with spirometry data from Lifelines, a population-based cohort study from the Northern Netherlands. Airflow limitation was defined as FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7. The presence of pathology-confirmed primary lung cancer during a median follow-up of 9.5 years was collected. The Cox regression model was used and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported. Adjusted confounders included age, sex, educational level, smoking, passive smoking, asthma status and asbestos exposure. The effect modification by smoking status was investigated by estimating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and the ratio of HRs with 95% CI.

Results:

Out of 98,630 participants, 14,200 (14.4%) had airflow limitation. In participants with and without airflow limitation, lung cancer incidence was 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. The adjusted HR between airflow limitation and lung cancer risk was 1.7 (1.4–2.3). The association between airflow limitation and lung cancer differed by smoking status [former smokers: 2.1 (1.4–3.2), current smokers: 2.2 (1.5–3.2)] and never smokers [0.9 (0.4–2.1)]. The RERI and ratio of HRs was 2.1 (0.7–3.4) and 2.5 (1.0–6.5) for former smokers, and 4.6 (95% CI, 1.8–7.4) and 2.5 (95% CI, 1.0–6.3) for current smokers, respectively.

Conclusions:

Airflow limitation increases lung cancer risk and this association is modified by smoking status.

Impact:

Ever smokers with airflow limitation are an important target group for the prevention of lung cancer.
Mechanisms of Caloric Restriction-Mediated Stress-Resistance in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Koehler Felix C. , Späth Martin R. , Hoyer-Allo K. Johanna R. , Müller Roman-Ulrich
Published: May 2022

Caloric restriction (CR)-mediated organ protection has been shown to be extremely efficient in rodent models of acute kidney injury (AKI). Limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms paired with a risk of malnourishment and feasibility problems has hindered the translation of this immense potential to the patient setting. In this mini-review, the current mechanistic concepts of CR-mediated stress-resistance as potential key targets for renal protection in AKI will be highlighted.