bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the stochastic singular Cucker–Smale model: Well-posedness, collision-avoidance and flocking
Authors: Huang Qiao , Zhang Xiongtao
Published: November 2021

We study the Cucker–Smale (CS) flocking systems involving both singularity and noise. We first show the local strong well-posedness for the stochastic singular CS systems before the first collision time, which is a well-defined stopping time. Then, for communication with higher order singularity at origin (corresponding to [Formula: see text] in the case of [Formula: see text]), we establish the global well-posedness by showing the collision-avoidance in finite time, provided that there is no initial collisions and the initial velocities have finite moment of any positive order. Finally, we study the large time behavior of the solution when [Formula: see text] is of zero lower bound, and provide the emergence of conditional flocking or unconditional flocking in the mean sense, for constant and square integrable intensity, respectively.
Global weak solutions and absorbing sets in a chemotaxis-Navier–Stokes system with prescribed signal concentration on the boundary
Authors: Black Tobias , Winkler Michael
Published: November 2021

An initial-boundary value problem for a coupled chemotaxis-Navier–Stokes model with porous medium type diffusion is considered. Previous related literature has provided profound knowledge in cases when the system is augmented with no-flux/no-flux/no-slip boundary conditions for the density of cells, the chemical concentration and the fluid velocity field, respectively; in particular, available qualitative results strongly indicate that only trivial solution behavior can be expected on large time scales. In line with refined modeling approaches to oxygen evolution near fluid-air interfaces, this study now focuses on situations involving a fixed chemoattractant concentration on the boundary. Despite an apparent loss of mathematically favorable energy structures thereby induced, by means of an alternative variational approach a basic theory of global existence is developed in a natural framework of weak solvability. Beyond this, some additional qualitative information on the large time behavior of these solutions is derived by identifying a certain global relaxation property. Specifically, a second result asserts, within a suitable topological setting, the existence of a bounded set which eventually absorbs each individual of the obtained trajectories, and the diameter of which is bounded only by the physically relevant quantities of total population size and prescribed boundary concentration of the chemical signal.
High-Order Godunov-Type Scheme for Conservation Laws with Discontinuous Flux Function in Space
Authors: Wei Qianqian , Wang Guodong , Ma Yanying
Published: November 2021

The numerical method for the conservation laws with discontinuous flux in space is considered. The difficulty in designing a high-order accurate and maintaining an efficient well-balanced scheme for this system lies in the fact that the flux is discontinuous across the stationary discontinuity, which results in the jump of the unknown function. In order to overcome this difficulty, the Godunov-type numerical flux is written in the positive and negative fluxes for the first time, which is embedded between two discontinuous flux functions. With the Godunov flux-splitting, the high-order accurate scheme is proposed through the WENO reconstruction of flux and the third-order TVD Runge–Kutta time discretization. Some tests are presented to demonstrate that our new high-order scheme is capable of exactly preserving steady-state solutions.
Computation of diameter, radius and center of permutation graphs
Authors: Nandi Shaoli , Mondal Sukumar , Barman Sambhu Charan
Published: November 2021

For a connected graph [Formula: see text], we use the notation [Formula: see text] to represent the distance between two node points [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and it is the minimum of the lengths of all paths between them. The eccentricity [Formula: see text] of a node point [Formula: see text] is considered as the maximum length of all shortest paths starts from [Formula: see text] to the remaining nodes, i.e., [Formula: see text]. The diameter of a graph [Formula: see text], we denote it by [Formula: see text] and it is the length of the longest shortest path in [Formula: see text], i.e., [Formula: see text]. Also, the radius of a graph [Formula: see text], we denote it by the symbol [Formula: see text] and it is the least eccentricity of all node points in [Formula: see text], i.e., [Formula: see text]. The central vertex/node point [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is a node whose eccentricity is same as [Formula: see text]’s radius, i.e., [Formula: see text]. The collection of all central nodes of a graph [Formula: see text] is considered as the center of [Formula: see text] and it is symbolized by [Formula: see text], i.e., [Formula: see text]. A graph may have one or more central vertices. This paper develops an optimal algorithm to compute the diameter, radius and central node (s) of the permutation graph having [Formula: see text] node points in [Formula: see text] time. We have also established a tight relation between radius and diameter of permutation graphs.
Designing for Student-Directedness: How K–12 Teachers Utilize Peers to Support Projects
Authors: Brennan Karen , Blum-Smith Sarah , Peters Laura , Kang Jane
Published: November 2021

Student-directed projects—projects in which students have individual control over what they create and how to create it—are a promising practice for supporting the development of conceptual understanding and personal interest in K–12 computer science classrooms. In this article, we explore a central (and perhaps counterintuitive) design principle identified by a group of K–12 computer science teachers who support student-directed projects in their classrooms: in order for students to develop their own ideas and determine how to pursue them, students must have opportunities to engage with other students’ work. In this qualitative study, we investigated the instructional practices of 25 K–12 teachers using a series of in-depth, semi-structured interviews to develop understandings of how they used peer work to support student-directed projects in their classrooms. Teachers described supporting their students in navigating three stages of project development: generating ideas, pursuing ideas, and presenting ideas. For each of these three stages, teachers considered multiple factors to encourage engagement with peer work in their classrooms, including the quality and completeness of shared work and the modes of interaction with the work. We discuss how this pedagogical approach offers students new relationships to their own learning, to their peers, and to their teachers and communicates important messages to students about their own competence and agency, potentially contributing to aims within computer science for broadening participation.
Completeness and Complexity of Reasoning about Call-by-Value in Hoare Logic
Authors: de Boer Frank S. , Hiep Hans-Dieter A.
Published: November 2021

We provide a sound and relatively complete Hoare logic for reasoning about partial correctness of recursive procedures in presence of local variables and the call-by-value parameter mechanism and in which the correctness proofs support contracts and are linear in the length of the program. We argue that in spite of the fact that Hoare logics for recursive procedures were intensively studied, no such logic has been proposed in the literature.
Beyond Programming: A Computer-Based Assessment of Computational Thinking Competency
Authors: Lai Rina P. Y.
Published: November 2021

Computational Thinking (CT
), entailing both domain-general and domain-specific skills, is a competency fundamental to computing education and beyond. However, as a cross-domain competency, appropriate assessment design and method remain equivocal. Indeed, the majority of the existing assessments have a predominant focus on measuring programming proficiency and neglecting other contexts in which CT can also be manifested. To broaden the promotion and practice of CT, it is necessary to integrate diverse problem types and item formats using a competency-based assessment method to measure CT. Taking a psychometric approach, this article evaluates a novel computer-based assessment of CT competency, Computational Thinking Challenge. The assessment was administered to 119 British upper secondary school students (
M
= 16.11;
SD
= 1.19) with a range of prior programming experiences. Results from several reliability analyses, a convergent validity analysis, and a Rasch analysis, provided evidence to support the quality of the assessment. Taken together, the study demonstrated the feasibility to expand from traditional assessment methods to integrating multiple contexts, problem types, and item formats in measuring CT competency in a comprehensive manner.
Physics and Modeling of Large Flow Disturbances: Discrete Gust Encounters for Modern Air Vehicles
Authors: Jones Anya R. , Cetiner Oksan , Smith Marilyn J.
Published: November 2021

Gusts of moderate and large magnitude induce flow separation and other complexities when they interact with the lifting surfaces of air vehicles. The presence of these nonlinear gusts are becoming ubiquitous in twenty-first-century air vehicles, where the classic potential flow–based methodologies applied in the past may no longer be valid. In this review, we define the parameter space for the presence of large-amplitude gusts and describe where and when these gusts may primarily be found. Recent research using modern experimental and computational techniques to define the limits of classical unsteady and indicial aerodynamic theories is summarized, with a focus on discrete transverse, streamwise (longitudinal), and vortex gust encounters. We propose areas where future research is needed to transition these studies of large-amplitude gust physics to real-time prediction and mitigation during flight.
Designing Complex Fluids
Authors: Ewoldt Randy H. , Saengow Chaimongkol
Published: November 2021

Taking a small step away from Newtonian fluid behavior creates an explosion in the range of possibilities. Non-Newtonian fluid properties can achieve diverse flow objectives, but the complexity introduces challenges. We survey useful rheological complexity along with organizing principles and design methods as we consider the following questions: How can non-Newtonian properties be useful? What properties are needed? How can we get those properties?
Unraveling the Role of Water on the Electrochromic and Electrochemical Properties of Nickel Oxide Electrodes in Electrochromic Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Wang Kun , Zhang Hongliang , Xie Weiping , Chen Guoxin , Jiang Ran , Tao Kai , Liang Lingyan , Gao Junhua , Cao Hongtao
Published: November 2021

Although nickel oxide (NiO) is currently the most promising for industrialization as a counter electrode, it has proven challenging to achieve long-term-stable electrochromic devices. One of the crucial components is the mechanism of action of water on the active interface of the NiO counter electrode in the Li+-based electrolyte, which gives a basis of determinants for improving long-term cycling stability in devices. Herein, we investigate the role of water on the electrochemical and electrochromic properties of nickel oxide (NiO) electrodes. The finding of improved pseudocapacitive characteristics and reaction kinetics of NiO electrodes after introducing H2O into the Li+-based electrolyte can be originated from the increase of the number of ions and reduction of the electrolyte resistance and the interfacial charge-transfer resistance. On the one hand, the mechanisms for improved electrochemical and electrochromic properties such as a high coloration efficiency of 157.58 cm2 C−1 under the potential window of ±1.4 V, an excellent rate capability and a superior long-term cycling stability of over 10,000 cycles in the ESCs based on WO3 and NiO electrodes are elaborated. On the other hand, electrical water splitting can give rises to a degradation of optically cyclic stability of the NiO-based ESCs under the potential of > +1.23 V. These results provide a significant contribution to the reversibility and stability of the active interfaces for high performance electrochromic devices.
Light intensity alters the effects of light-induced circadian disruption on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice
Authors: Fan Xiaojing , Chen Defu , Wang Ying , Tan Yizhou , Zhao Hongyou , Zeng Jing , Li Yunqi , Guo Xianghuan , Qiu Haixia , Gu Ying
Published: November 2021

Glucose and lipid homeostasis is altered by the CD cycles in a light-intensity-dependent manner. Lower-intensity light reverses the negative metabolic effects of the CD cycles, especially under HFD feeding. The interaction of light intensity and light cycle on metabolism is independent of energy intake and eating pattern. Glucose metabolic disorders caused by rotating light cycles occur along with compensatory β-cell mass expansion.
A novel I551F variant of the Na+/HCO3− cotransporter NBCe1-A shows reduced cell surface expression, resulting in diminished transport activity
Authors: Yamazaki Osamu , Yamashita Maho , Li Jinping , Ochiai-Homma Fumika , Yoshida Tadashi , Hirahashi Junichi , Furukawa Taiji , Kozuma Ken , Fujigaki Yoshihide , Seki George , Hayashi Matsuhiko , Shibata Shigeru
Published: November 2021

Electrogenic Na+/[Formula: see text] cotransporter 1-A (NBCe1-A) in the proximal tubule regulates the acid/base balance and fluid volume homeostasis. From the National Center for Biotechnology Information dbSNP database, we identified the I551F variant of NBCe1-A, which showed reduced glycosylation, cell surface expression, and transport activity. We also found that the I551F variant can exert a dominant negative effect on wild-type NBCe1-A, suggesting its physiological significance.
User‐Centric UAV Group Power Allocation Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Yuexia , Zhang Pengfei
Published: November 2021

User‐centric unmanned aerial vehicle group (UUAVG) organizes a dynamic user‐centric access point group for each user, which can improve user service quality and throughput. However, in UUAVG, unmanned aerial vehicle user equipment (UUE) and device‐to‐device user equipment (DUE) using the same frequency will cause co‐frequency interference and reduce system performance. In response to this problem, a power allocation algorithm of the two‐level Stackelbreg game (PAOTLSG) is proposed. The algorithm builds a two‐level Stackelberg game model based on UUE and DUE and uses power control coefficients and other parameters to control UAV adjust with the transmit power of DUE to achieve dynamic balance. The optimal transmit power of UAV and DUE is theoretically deduced to achieve the game Nash equilibrium and theoretically prove the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium solution. The simulation results show that compared with the pricing‐based Stackelbreg game (PSG) algorithm, the PAOTLSG algorithm can effectively increase the throughput by 4.65%.
Electroacupuncture Upregulates HIF-1α and SOX9 Expression in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tong Jie , Deng Chengyuan , Sun Guanghua , Zhou Jun , Zhong Peirui , Wang Tiantian , Zeng Ye , Wu Qi , Liao Yuan , Luo Fu , Peng Ting , Liao Ying
Published: November 2021

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been clinically used in knee osteoarthritis broadly and proved to be effective than other therapies with fewer side effects; however, the mechanism of electroacupuncture to work on cartilage remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of EA treatment on cartilage and the relationship between EA and proteins such as HIF-a and SOX9. EA (dilatational wave, 3–15 HZ, 1 mA) has been applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Xuehai (SP10), Taixi (KI3), and Yanglingquan (GB34) of rats. Results showed that the cartilage of the knee osteoarthritis group had obvious damage and fissure formation while the EA group showed that the cartilage destruction was generally milder. In addition, the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, and chondrogenic markers such as Sox9, and ACAN in the electroacupuncture group were higher than those in the ACLT group. Also, the extracellular matrix protein expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were decreased in the EA group. These findings indicate that EA could alleviate the severity of knee osteoarthritis, and HIF-a and SOX9 may closely attribute to the treatment.
Application of Gradient Boosting Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Soft Sedimentary Rocks at Thar Coalfield
Authors: Shahani Niaz Muhammad , Kamran Muhammad , Zheng Xigui , Liu Cancan , Guo Xiaowei
Published: November 2021

The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rock is one of the essential data in engineering planning and design. Correctly testing UCS of rock to ensure its accuracy and authenticity is a prerequisite for assuring the design of any rock engineering project. UCS of rock has a broad range of applications in mining, geotechnical, petroleum, geomechanics, and other fields of engineering. The application of the gradient boosting machine learning algorithms has been rarely used, especially for UCS prediction, and has performed well, based on the relevant literature of the study. In this study, four gradient boosting machine learning algorithms, namely, gradient boosted regression (GBR), Catboost, light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), were developed to predict the UCS in MPa of soft sedimentary rocks of the Block‐IX at Thar Coalfield, Pakistan, using four input variables such as wet density (ρw) in g/cm3; moisture in %; dry density (ρd) in g/cm3; and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) in MPa. Then, 106‐point dataset was allocated identically for each algorithm into 70% for the training phase and 30% for the testing phase. According to the results, the XGBoost algorithm outperformed the GBR, Catboost, and LightGBM with coefficient of correlation (R2) = 0.99, mean absolute error (MAE) = 0.00062, mean square error (MSE) = 0.0000006, and root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.00079 in the training phase and R2 = 0.99, MAE = 0.00054, MSE = 0.0000005, and RMSE = 0.00069 in the testing phase. The sensitivity analysis showed that BTS and ρw are positively correlated, and the moisture and ρd are negatively correlated with the UCS. Therefore, in this study, the XGBoost algorithm was shown to be the most accurate algorithm among all the investigated four algorithms for UCS prediction of soft sedimentary rocks of the Block‐IX at Thar Coalfield, Pakistan.
A Machine-Learning-Based System for Prediction of Cardiovascular and Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Shah Wajid , Aleem Muhammad , Iqbal Muhammad Azhar , Islam Muhammad Arshad , Ahmed Usman , Srivastava Gautam , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei
Published: November 2021

Cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases are global threats to public health and cause approximately 19 million deaths worldwide annually. This high mortality rate can be reduced with the use of technological advancements in medical science that can facilitate continuous monitoring of physiological parameters—blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose, etc. The futuristic values of these critical physiological or vital sign parameters not only enable in-time assistance from medical experts and caregivers but also help patients manage their health status by receiving relevant regular alerts/advice from healthcare practitioners. In this study, we propose a machine-learning-based prediction and classification system to determine futuristic values of related vital signs for both cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. Based on the prediction of futuristic values, the proposed system can classify patients’ health status to alarm the caregivers and medical experts. In this machine-learning-based prediction and classification model, we have used a real vital sign dataset. To predict the next 1–3 minutes of vital sign values, several regression techniques (i.e., linear regression and polynomial regression of degrees 2, 3, and 4) have been tested. For caregivers, a 60-second prediction and to facilitate emergency medical assistance, a 3-minute prediction of vital signs is used. Based on the predicted vital signs values, the patient’s overall health is assessed using three machine learning classifiers, i.e., Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes, and Decision Tree. Our results show that the Decision Tree can correctly classify a patient’s health status based on abnormal vital sign values and is helpful in timely medical care to the patients.
A Review on the Use of Microsoft Kinect for Gait Abnormality and Postural Disorder Assessment
Authors: Bawa Anthony , Banitsas Konstantinos , Abbod Maysam
Published: November 2021

Gait and posture studies have gained much prominence among researchers and have attracted the interest of clinicians. The ability to detect gait abnormality and posture disorder plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of some diseases. Microsoft Kinect is presented as a noninvasive sensor essential for medical diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. There are currently no relevant studies that attempt to summarise the existing literature on gait and posture abnormalities using Kinect technology. The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the existing research on gait and posture abnormalities using the Kinect sensor as the main diagnostic tool. Our studies search identified 458 for gait abnormality, 283 for posture disorder of which 26 studies were included for gait abnormality, and 13 for posture. The results indicate that Kinect sensor is a useful tool for the assessment of kinematic features. In conclusion, Microsoft Kinect sensor is presented as a useful tool for gait abnormality, postural disorder analysis, and physiotherapy. It can also help track the progress of patients who are undergoing rehabilitation.
Sinomenine Inhibits the Progression of Bladder Cancer Cells by Downregulating LncRNA-HEIH Expression
Authors: Xu Haili , Dong Jiayan , Hou Junhui , Gao Rui
Published: November 2021

Background. Sinomenine has been reported to effectively repress the progression of lung cancer and breast cancer. However, the effects of sinomenine in bladder cancer are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sinomenine in bladder cancer. Methods. The mRNA expression of HEIH in bladder cancer cells was measured by RT-qPCR. T24 and SW780 cells were treated with sinomenine for 24 hours. Cell viability was detected by the MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were detected by the transwell assay. Western blotting assay was performed to assess the protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3. Results. Sinomenine significantly suppressed cell viability in T24 and SW780 cells. Moreover, cell migration and invasion were significantly inhibited by sinomenine. Sinomenine accelerated the expression of Bax and caspase-3 but decreased the expression of Bcl-2. HEIH was upregulated in bladder cancer cells compared with normal bladder epithelial cells. Besides this, we noticed that HEIH knockdown blocked cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but facilitated cell apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Additionally, HEIH reversed the suppression of the progression induced by sinomenine. Conclusion. Sinomenine was observed to suppress cell progression of bladder cancer cells by inhibiting HEIH expression. Our findings suggested that the use of sinomenine might be an effective treatment for bladder cancer.
On q-ANALOGUE of Differential Subordination Associated with Lemniscate of Bernoulli
Authors: Raza Mohsan , Naz Hira , Malik Sarfraz Nawaz , Islam Sahidul
Published: November 2021

This article comprises the study of differential subordination with analogue of

q

-derivative. It includes the sufficient condition on

γ

for

1
+

γ
∂

z

q

h

z

/

h

n

z

to be subordinated by

1
+
A
z

/

1
+
B
z

,

−
1
≤
B
<
A
≤
1

, and implies that

h

z

≺

1
+
z

, where

h

z

is the analytic function in the open unit disk. Moreover, certain sufficient conditions for

q

-starlikeness of analytic functions related with lemniscate of Bernoulli are determined.
Comparative Study on Heart Disease Prediction Using Feature Selection Techniques on Classification Algorithms
Authors: Dissanayake Kaushalya , Md Johar Md Gapar
Published: November 2021

Heart disease is recognized as one of the leading factors of death rate worldwide. Biomedical instruments and various systems in hospitals have massive quantities of clinical data. Therefore, understanding the data related to heart disease is very important to improve prediction accuracy. This article has conducted an experimental evaluation of the performance of models created using classification algorithms and relevant features selected using various feature selection approaches. For results of the exploratory analysis, ten feature selection techniques, i.e., ANOVA, Chi-square, mutual information, ReliefF, forward feature selection, backward feature selection, exhaustive feature selection, recursive feature elimination, Lasso regression, and Ridge regression, and six classification approaches, i.e., decision tree, random forest, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, logistic regression, and Gaussian naive Bayes, have been applied to Cleveland heart disease dataset. The feature subset selected by the backward feature selection technique has achieved the highest classification accuracy of 88.52%, precision of 91.30%, sensitivity of 80.76%, and f-measure of 85.71% with the decision tree classifier.
Adv‐Plate Attack: Adversarially Perturbed Plate for License Plate Recognition System
Authors: Kwon Hyun , Baek Jang-Woon
Published: November 2021

Deep learning technology has been used to develop improved license plate recognition (LPR) systems. In particular, deep neural networks have brought significant improvements in the LPR system. However, deep neural networks are vulnerable to adversarial examples. In the existing LPR system, adversarial examples study specific spots that are easily identifiable by humans or require human feedback. In this paper, we propose a method of generating adversarial examples in the license plate, which has no human feedback and is difficult to identify by humans. In the proposed method, adversarial noise is added only to the license plate among the entire image to create an adversarial example that is erroneously recognized by the LPR system without being identified by humans. Experiments were performed using the baza silka dataset, and TensorFlow was used as the machine learning library. When epsilon is 0.6 for the first type, and alpha and the iteration of the second type are 0.4 and 1000, respectively, the adversarial examples generated by the first and second type generation methods are reduced to 20% and 15% accuracy in the LPR system.
Cooperative Cloud‐Edge Feature Extraction Architecture for Mobile Image Retrieval
Authors: He Chao , Ma Gang
Published: November 2021

Mobile image retrieval greatly facilitates our lives and works by providing various retrieval services. The existing mobile image retrieval scheme is based on mobile cloud‐edge computing architecture. That is, user equipment captures images and uploads the captured image data to the edge server. After preprocessing these captured image data and extracting features from these image data, the edge server uploads the extracted features to the cloud server. However, the feature extraction on the cloud server is noncooperative with the feature extraction on the edge server which cannot extract features effectively and has a lower image retrieval accuracy. For this, we propose a collaborative cloud‐edge feature extraction architecture for mobile image retrieval. The cloud server generates the projection matrix from the image data set with a feature extraction algorithm, and the edge server extracts the feature from the uploaded image with the projection matrix. That is, the cloud server guides the edge server to perform feature extraction. This architecture can effectively extract the image data on the edge server, reduce network load, and save bandwidth. The experimental results indicate that this scheme can upload few features to get high retrieval accuracy and reduce the feature matching time by about 69.5% with similar retrieval accuracy.
Improving Theranostic Gallium-68/Lutetium-177–Labeled PSMA Inhibitors with an Albumin Binder for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lee Byoung Se , Kim Min Hwan , Chu So Young , Jung Woon Jung , Jeong Hyeon Jin , Lee Kyongkyu , Kim Hyeon Seok , Kim Mi Hyun , Kil Hee Seup , Han Sang Jin , Lee Yong Jin , Lee Kyo Chul , Lim Sang Moo , Chi Dae Yoon
Published: November 2021

We developed a novel therapeutic radioligand, [177Lu]1h, with an albumin binding motif and evaluated it in a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-expressing tumor xenograft mouse model. Fourteen PSMA target candidates were synthesized, and binding affinity was evaluated with an in vitro competitive binding assay. First, four compound candidates were selected depending on binding affinity results. Next, we selected four compounds ([68Ga]1e, [68Ga]1g, [68Ga]1h, and [68Ga]1k) were screened for tumor targeting efficiency by micro–positron emission tomography/computed tomography (micro-PET/CT) imaging. Finally, [177Lu]1h compound was evaluated the tumor targeting efficiency and therapeutic efficiency by micro–single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (micro-SPECT/CT), biodistribution, and radiotherapy studies. Estimated human effective dose was calculated by biodistribution data. Compound 1h showed a high binding affinity (Ki value = 4.08 ± 0.08 nmol/L), and [177Lu]1h showed extended blood circulation (1 hour = 10.32 ± 0.31, 6 hours = 2.68 ± 1.07%ID/g) compared to [177Lu]PSMA-617 (1 h = 0.17 ± 0.10%ID/g). [177Lu]1h was excreted via the renal pathway and showed high tumor uptake (24.43 ± 3.36%ID/g) after 1 hour, which increased over 72 hours (72 hours = 51.39 ± 9.26%ID/g). Mice treated with 4 and 6 MBq of [177Lu]1h showed a median survival rate of >61 days. In particular, all mice treated with 6 MBq of [177Lu]1h survived for the entire monitoring period. The estimated human effective dose of [177Lu]1h was 0.07 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.00 mSv/MBq in total body and kidney, respectively. The current study indicates that [177Lu]1h has the potential for further investigation of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) therapy in clinical trials.
Associations of Sleep Duration and Screen Time with Incidence of Overweight in European Children: The IDEFICS/I.Family Cohort
Authors: Guzmán Viveka , Lissner Lauren , Arvidsson Louise , Hebestreit Antje , Solea Antonia , Lauria Fabio , Kaprio Jaakko , Reisch Lucia A. , Moreno Luis , Felső Regina , de Henauw Stefaan , Veidebaum Tomas , Ahrens Wolfgang , Hunsberger Monica ,   on behalf of the IDEFICS and I.Family consortium
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Over the past decades, children have been increasingly using screen devices, while at the same time their sleep duration has decreased. Both behaviors have been associated with excess weight, and it is possible they act as mutually reinforcing behaviors for weight gain. The aim of the study was to explore independent, prospective associations of screen time and sleep duration with incident overweight in a sample of European children. Methods: Data from 4,285 children of the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort who were followed up from 2009/2010 to 2013/2014 were analyzed. Hours per day of screen time and of sleep duration were reported by parents at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were carried out in separate and mutually adjusted models controlled for sex, age, European country region, parental level of education, and baseline BMI z-scores. Results: Among normal weight children at baseline (N = 3,734), separate models suggest that every hour increase in screen time and every hour decrease in sleep duration were associated with higher odds of the child becoming overweight or obese at follow-up (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32 and OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05–1.43, respectively). In the mutually adjusted model, both associations were attenuated slightly ( screen time OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99–1.28; sleep duration OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.40), being consistently somewhat stronger for sleep duration. Discussion/Conclusion: Both screen time and sleep duration increased the incidence of overweight or obesity by 13–20%. Interventions that include an emphasis on adequate sleep and minimal screen time are needed to establish their causal role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among European children.
Pirfenidone Attenuates Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis through Inhibiting miR-21
Authors: Bi Liangliang , Huang Yanjie , Li Jing , Yang Xiaoqing , Hou Gailing , Zhai Panpan , Zhang Qiushuang , Alhaji Abubakari Adam , Yang Yueli , Liu Bo
Published: November 2021

Background: Our previous studies had shown pirfenidone (PFD) not only improved tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) but also inhibited the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the renal tissue of unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO) rats. This study aims to investigate whether PFD can attenuate TIF through inhibiting miR-21 in UUO rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group, UUO group, and PFD and olmesartan (Olm) treatment groups. Samples were collected on day 14. Expression of miR-21, TGF-β1, Smad3, and Smad7 mRNA in the renal tissue was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the protein expressions of collagen III, E-cadherin, and α-SMA. Automated capillary Western blotting was used to detect the quantitative expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3, Smad7, collagen III, E-cadherin, and α-SMA in renal tissues. The expression of miR-21 and Smad7 mRNA and the protein levels of collagen III and α-SMA were examined in the miR-21-overexpressing cell line, NRK-52E. Results: Compared with the UUO group, both PFD and Olm inhibited renal tubular dilation, diffused epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis, and reduced renal interstitial edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition, while no significant difference between PFD group and Olm group. Informatics-based approaches identified Smad7 as a likely candidate for regulation by miR-21. Compared with the sham group, miR-21 expression was upregulated in the UUO group resulting in the downregulation of Smad7 expression due to degradation. The overexpression of miR-21 in the in vitro model downregulated Smad7 and promoted EMT and ECM accumulation. Protein levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3, collagen III, and α-SMA were upregulated, while E-cadherin protein was downregulated in the UUO group than in the sham group. PFD rather than Olm decreased the expression of miR-21 and increased the expression level of Smad7 mRNA and then inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Olm only downregulated the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Conclusions: PFD improves TIF by downregulating the expression of miR-21, then elevating Smad7, and finally inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in UUO rats.
Serum Magnesium, Blood Pressure, and Risk of Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression in the CRIC Study
Authors: Correa Simon , Guerra-Torres Xavier E. , Waikar Sushrut S. , Mc Causland Finnian R.
Published: November 2021

Magnesium is involved in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Abnormalities in serum magnesium are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet its association with the development of hypertension and CKD progression in patients with CKD is unclear. We analyzed data from 3866 participants from the CRIC Study (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort). Linear regression assessed the association of serum magnesium with baseline systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). Logistic regression explored the association of serum magnesium with various definitions of hypertension. Cox proportional hazards models explored assessed the risk of incident hypertension and CKD progression. Mean serum magnesium was 2.0 mEq/L (±0.3 mEq/L). Higher magnesium was associated with lower SBP (−3.4 mm Hg [95% CI, −5.8 to −1.0 per 1 mEq/L]) and lower DBP (−2.9 mm Hg [95% CI, −4.3 to −1.5 per 1 mEq/L]). Higher magnesium was associated with a lower risk of American Heart Association–defined hypertension (SBP≥130 mm  Hg or DBP≥80 mm  Hg) at baseline (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.49–0.86 per 1 mEq/L]), a lower risk of suboptimally controlled BP (SBP≥120 mm  Hg or DBP≥80 mm  Hg; adjusted odds ratio, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.43–0.78 per 1 mEq/L]). In time-to-event analyses, higher baseline serum magnesium was associated with a nominally lower risk of incident CRIC-defined hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.46–1.31 per 1 mEq/L]). Higher magnesium was associated with a significantly lower risk of CKD progression (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.54–0.86 per 1 mEq/L]). In patients with CKD, higher serum magnesium is associated with lower SBP and DBP, and with a lower risk of hypertension and CKD progression. In patients with CKD, whether magnesium supplementation could optimize BP control and prevent disease progression deserves further investigation.
Scale Sensitivity of the Gill Circulation. Part II: Off-Equatorial Case
Authors: Bellon Gilles , Reboredo Beatriz
Published: November 2021

We investigate the steady dynamical response of the atmosphere on the equatorial β plane to a steady, localized, midtropospheric heating source. Following Part I, which investigates the case of an equatorial diabatic heating, we explore the sensitivity of the Gill circulation to the latitudinal location of the heating, together with the sensitivity to its horizontal scale. Again, we focus on characteristics of the response that would be particularly important if the circulation interacted with the hydrologic and energy cycles: overturning circulation and low-level wind. In the off-equatorial case, the intensity of the overturning circulation has the same limit as in the equatorial case for small horizontal extent of the diabatic heating, which is also the limit in the f-plane case. The decrease in this intensity with increasing horizontal scale of the diabatic heating is slightly faster in the off-equatorial case than in the equatorial case, which is due to the increase of rotational winds at the expense of divergent winds. The low-level westerly jet is more intense than in the equatorial case, with larger maximum wind and eastward mass transport that tend to infinity for small horizontal extent of the diabatic heating. In terms of spatial characteristics, this jet has a similar latitudinal extent as in the equatorial case but, unlike in the equatorial case, it extends farther equatorward than poleward of the diabatic-heating center. It also extends farther eastward than in the equatorial case.
Large-Eddy Simulations of Marine Boundary Layer Clouds Associated with Cold-Air Outbreaks during the ACTIVATE Campaign. Part I: Case Setup and Sensitivities to Large-Scale Forcings
Authors: Li Xiang-Yu , Wang Hailong , Chen Jingyi , Endo Satoshi , George Geet , Cairns Brian , Chellappan Seethala , Zeng Xubin , Kirschler Simon , Voigt Christiane , Sorooshian Armin , Crosbie Ewan , Chen Gao , Ferrare Richard Anthony , Gustafson William I. , Hair Johnathan W. , Kleb Mary M. , Liu Hongyu , Moore Richard , Painemal David , Robinson Claire , Scarino Amy Jo , Shook Michael , Shingler Taylor J. , Thornhill Kenneth Lee , Tornow Florian , Xiao Heng , Ziemba Luke D. , Zuidema Paquita
Published: November 2021

Large-eddy simulation (LES) is able to capture key boundary layer (BL) turbulence and cloud processes. Yet, large-scale forcing and surface turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat are often poorly prescribed for LESs. We derive these quantities from measurements and reanalysis obtained for two cold-air outbreak (CAO) events during Phase I of the Aerosol Cloud Meteorology Interactions over the Western Atlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) in February–March 2020. We study the two contrasting CAO cases by performing LES and test the sensitivity of BL structure and clouds to large-scale forcings and turbulent heat fluxes. Profiles of atmospheric state and large-scale divergence and surface turbulent heat fluxes obtained from ERA5 data agree reasonably well with those derived from ACTIVATE field measurements for both cases at the sampling time and location. Therefore, we adopt the time-evolving heat fluxes, wind, and advective tendencies profiles from ERA5 data to drive the LES. We find that large-scale thermodynamic advective tendencies and wind relaxations are important for the LES to capture the evolving observed BL meteorological states characterized by the hourly ERA5 data and validated by the observations. We show that the divergence (or vertical velocity) is important in regulating the BL growth driven by surface heat fluxes in LESs. The evolution of liquid water path is largely affected by the evolution of surface heat fluxes. The liquid water path simulated in LES agrees reasonably well with the ACTIVATE measurements. This study paves the path to investigate aerosol–cloud–meteorology interactions using LES informed and evaluated by ACTIVATE field measurements.
Quantifying Spread in Spatiotemporal Changes of Upper-Ocean Heat Content Estimates: An Internationally Coordinated Comparison
Authors: Savita Abhishek , Domingues Catia M. , Boyer Tim , Gouretski Viktor , Ishii Masayoshi , Johnson Gregory C. , Lyman John M. , Willis Josh K. , Marsland Simon J. , Hobbs William , Church John A. , Monselesan Didier P. , Dobrohotoff Peter , Cowley Rebecca , Wijffels Susan E.
Published: November 2021

The Earth system is accumulating energy due to human-induced activities. More than 90% of this energy has been stored in the ocean as heat since 1970, with ∼60% of that in the upper 700 m. Differences in upper-ocean heat content anomaly (OHCA) estimates, however, exist. Here, we use a dataset protocol for 1970–2008—with six instrumental bias adjustments applied to expendable bathythermograph (XBT) data, and mapped by six research groups—to evaluate the spatiotemporal spread in upper OHCA estimates arising from two choices: 1) those arising from instrumental bias adjustments and 2) those arising from mathematical (i.e., mapping) techniques to interpolate and extrapolate data in space and time. We also examined the effect of a common ocean mask, which reveals that exclusion of shallow seas can reduce global OHCA estimates up to 13%. Spread due to mapping method is largest in the Indian Ocean and in the eddy-rich and frontal regions of all basins. Spread due to XBT bias adjustment is largest in the Pacific Ocean within 30°N–30°S. In both mapping and XBT cases, spread is higher for 1990–2004. Statistically different trends among mapping methods are found not only in the poorly observed Southern Ocean but also in the well-observed northwest Atlantic. Our results cannot determine the best mapping or bias adjustment schemes, but they identify where important sensitivities exist, and thus where further understanding will help to refine OHCA estimates. These results highlight the need for further coordinated OHCA studies to evaluate the performance of existing mapping methods along with comprehensive assessment of uncertainty estimates.
Changes in the Eastward Movement Speed of the Madden–Julian Oscillation with Fluctuation in the Walker Circulation
Authors: Suematsu Tamaki , Miura Hiroaki
Published: November 2021

The eastward movement of a convectively active region is a distinguishing characteristic of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). However, knowledge about the mechanisms that determine the eastward movement speed remains limited. This study investigates how the background environment modulates the speed of the boreal winter MJO and describes an intrinsic relationship between the MJO and background atmospheric circulation. We calculated the speed of the MJO events from the daily tracking of the locations of the minimum values of the outgoing longwave radiation anomaly in the time–longitude space. These speeds were then used to analyze systematic differences in the sea surface temperature (SST) distribution associated with the MJO speed. The analysis revealed a deceleration of the MJO under low-frequency (>90 days) SST distributions that increased toward the western Pacific from both the Indian Ocean and the eastern Pacific. In contrast, the dependency on SST variability in intraseasonal frequencies (20–90 days) was small. Subsequently, the relationship between the MJO speed and background circulation, which is largely determined by the lower boundary condition set by the low-frequency SST distribution, was analyzed. The analysis counterintuitively revealed that the MJO tends to decelerate when the large-scale zonal circulation with low-level westerlies and upper-level easterlies from the Indian Ocean to the Maritime Continents is strong. The results suggest a novel view that the MJO is an integral component of the Walker circulation and that its eastward movement is modulated by the state of the large-scale flow of the Walker circulation.
The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index as a Market Structure Variable: An Exposition for Antitrust Practitioners
Authors: Miller Richard A.
Published: November 2021

The new merger guidelines, issued on June 14, 1982, by the Department of Justice, shift from using the familiar four-firm concentration ratio to the unfamiliar Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) as a measure or index of market structure. This article explains and interprets HHI, to improve its understanding by members of the antitrust bar. Successive sections:

1. define HHI as the summed, squared market shares of individual firms in the market in percentage form, with an explicit link to the dispersion or variability in the individual market shares and to the number of firms in the market, and with hypothetical examples;

2. interpret HHI as (a) a weighted average of the individual market shares, (b) the numbers equivalent, and (c) one member of a family of related structural indices;

3. give an example of the HHI calculation based on the sales stipulation in the 1975 Gypsum case;

4. discuss the theoretical and empirical bases for HHI, in comparison with other structural measures; and

5. compare CR4 (and its changes) in the 1968 Guidelines with HHI (and its changes) in the 1982 Guidelines for horizontal mergers.
The CSR Imperative: How CSR Influences Word-of-Mouth Considering the Roles of Authenticity and Alternative Attractiveness
Authors: Markovic Stefan , Iglesias Oriol , Qiu Yuqian , Bagherzadeh Mehdi
Published: November 2021

Customers are increasingly talking positively about brands that are socially responsible and authentic. However, little empirical research has related corporate social responsibility (CSR) to brand authenticity and brand authenticity to customers’ positive word-of-mouth. Moreover, although highly attractive alternative brands are increasingly appearing in the marketplace, there is a lack of research examining the role of alternative attractiveness in the relationship between CSR and brand authenticity. We address these shortcomings in the literature drawing on data from 1,101 customers of insurance services brands and analyze them using structural equation modeling. The findings show that CSR is positively related to customers’ positive word-of-mouth, both directly and indirectly, through brand authenticity. Moreover, alternative attractiveness positively moderates the effect of CSR on brand authenticity. This implies that CSR can act as a differentiation mechanism to further enhance the focal brand’s authenticity, when an alternative brand is perceived as highly attractive.