bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pediculus Capitis Prevention and Control and Their Predictors among Schoolchildren in Woreta Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dagne Henok , Biya Awel Aba , Tirfie Amanuel , Yallew Walelegn Worku , Andualem Zewudu , Dagnew Baye
Published: July 2020

Background. Pediculus capitis is a human head lice infestation, a major public health issue that is most prevalent in resource-limited countries globally. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediculus capitis prevention and control and their predictors among schoolchildren in North West Ethiopia. Methods. About 402 randomly selected schoolchildren from three schools in Woreta town participated in the study from April to June 2018. The outcomes of this study were knowledge, attitude, and self-reported practice of schoolchildren about pediculus capitis prevention and control. We used EPI Info 7.1 and SPSS 21 software for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression was employed to test the association of covariates with the outcome/response variables. Variables with a p value <0.2 during the bivariable binary logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Variables with p value <0.05 were declared as significantly associated with outcomes. Results. The mean age of the study participants was 10.19 (±1.62) years. About 58.8%, 45.8%, and 78.6% of the schoolchildren had better self-reported pediculus capitis prevention knowledge, attitude, and practice, respectively. Age of children [9 to 11 years (AOR=2.24, 95% C.I (1.10, 4.55)) and>12 years (AOR=3.84, 95% C.I (1.56, 9.46))], better practice (AOR=2.93, 95% C.I (1.39, 6.18)), and those who were not infested (AOR=2.25, 95% C.I (1.14, 4.44)) were predictors of knowledge regarding pediculus capitis prevention. Better practice (AOR=4.33, 95% C.I (1.69, 11.09)) and absence of infestation (AOR=2.97, 95% C.I (1.64, 5.36)) were predictors of attitude of schoolchildren about pediculus capitis prevention. Number of students in a class [51 to 56 students per classroom, AOR=4.61, 95% C.I (1.83, 11.67); 57 to 58 students per classroom, AOR=8.18, 95% C.I (2.73, 24.46)], less than five family size (AOR=2.37, 95% C.I (1.24, 4.54)), better knowledge (AOR=2.93, 95% C.I (1.32, 6.50)), desirable attitude (AOR=4.24, 95% C.I (1.60, 11.23)), and absence of infestation (AOR=3.52, 95% C.I (1.22, 10.15)) were predictors of self-reported pediculus capitis prevention practice. Conclusion. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of schoolchildren regarding pediculus capitis prevention and control were not satisfactory. To bring change, intensive efforts on factors associated with the knowledge, attitude, and practice should be encouraged.
Inversion and Analysis of Mining Subsidence by Integrating DInSAR, Offset Tracking, and PIM Technology
Authors: Xu Xiaobo , Ma Chao , Lian Dajun , Zhao Dezheng
Published: July 2020

High-intensity underground mining generates considerable surface subsidence in mining areas, including ground cracks and collapse pits on roads and farmland, threatening the safety of buildings. Large-amplitude subsidence (e.g., >2 m) is usually characterized by a large phase gradient in interferograms, leading to severe phase decorrelation and unwrapping errors. Therefore, the subsidence on the surface cannot be well derived simply using conventional differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) or other geodetic measurements. We propose a new method that combines both DInSAR and subpixel offset-tracking technology to improve mine subsidence monitoring over large areas. We utilize their respective advantages to extract both the spatial boundaries and the amplitude of displacements. Using high-resolution RADARSAT-2 SAR images (5 m) acquired on February 13, 2012, and November 27, 2012, in the Shendong Coalfield located at the border between Shaanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Province, China, we obtain the subcentimetre-level subsidence of the mine boundary by DInSAR and resolve the metre-level mine subsidence centre based on subpixel offset tracking. The whole subsidence field is obtained by combining and analyzing the subcentimetre-level and the metre-level subsidence. We use the probability integral method (PIM) function model to fit the boundary and central mine subsidence to reconstruct the spatial distribution of the mine subsidence. Our results show that the maximum central subsidence reaches ~4.0 m (beyond the monitoring capabilities of DInSAR), which is generally in agreement with the maximum subsidence of ~4.0-5.0 m from field investigation. We also model the boundary and the central subsidence (the final fitting coefficient is 0.978). Our findings indicate that the offset-tracking method can compensate for the deficiency of DInSAR in large-amplitude subsidence extraction, and the inclusion of the PIM technique helps reconstruct the whole subsidence field in mining areas.
Comparison of Dexmedetomidine, Lidocaine, and Fentanyl in Attenuation Hemodynamic Response of Laryngoscopy and Intubation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Mahjoubifard Maziar , Heidari Mehdi , Dahmardeh Maryam , Mirtajani Seyed Bashir , Jahangirifard Alireza
Published: July 2020

Introduction and Objective. Laryngoscopy and intubation are accompanied by sympathetic responses. These transient responses appear as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. In patients with cardiovascular problems, the hemodynamic changes may lead to life-threatening risks, such as heart ischemia, acute heart failure, and cerebrovascular events. Materials and Methods. This clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients, aged 30–70 years, who had heart surgery. The participants were categorized into three groups. Group D received 1 µg/kg intravenous dexmedetomidine in 10 minutes, group L received 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine (1%) 90 seconds before intubation, and group F received 2 µg/kg fentanyl. The vital signs (HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP) were measured before intubation and 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes after intubation. Data were analyzed with SPSS 19 software (chi-square, one-way ANOVA, or Kruskal–Wallis). Results. The age (P=0.389) and gender distributions of patients were similar in all three groups. Dexmedetomidine significantly attenuated HR in the 3rd (P=0.001), 5th (P=0.001), and 10th (P=0.003) minutes after intervention. It also reduced the systolic blood pressure in the 5th (P=0.024) and 10th (P=0.006) minutes. This reduction was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group than that in the two other groups. In addition, dexmedetomidine caused a greater reduction in MAP in the 1st (P=0.048), 5th (P=0.0001), and 10th (P=0.0001) minutes. Discussion. All three medications were effective in controlling HR; however, dexmedetomidine caused bradycardia in the 3rd, 5th, and 10th minutes. Lidocaine resulted in an increase in MAP in the 1st minute after intubation; whereas, dexmedetomidine reduced MAP at the 5th and 10th minutes after intubation. Changes in blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in the fentanyl group was lower than the two other groups. Conclusion. As a result, dexmedetomidine was not suitable for hemodynamic control and led to hypotension and bradycardia; on the other hand, fentanyl was more effective than two other medications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This trial is registered with IRCT2017013132320N1.
Place Retrieval in Knowledge Graph
Authors: Shan Xin , Qiu Jingyi , Wang Bo , Dang Yongcheng , LU Tingxiang , Zheng Yiming
Published: July 2020

With the rapid development of Internet and big data, place retrieval has become an indispensable part of daily life. However, traditional retrieval technology cannot meet the semantic needs of users. Knowledge graph has been introduced into the new-generation retrieval systems to improve retrieval performance. Knowledge graph abstracts things into entities and establishes relationships among entities, which are expressed in the form of triples. However, with the expansion of knowledge graph and the rapid increase of data volume, traditional place retrieval methods on knowledge graph have low performance. This paper designs a place retrieval method in order to improve the efficiency of place retrieval. Firstly, perform data preprocessing and problem model building in the offline stage. Meanwhile, build semantic distance index, spatial quadtree index, and spatial semantic hybrid index according to semantic and spatial information. At the same time, in the online retrieval stage, this paper designs an efficient query algorithm and ranking model based on the index information constructed in the offline stage, aiming at improving the overall performance of the retrieval system. Finally, we use experiment to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the place retrieval method based on knowledge graph in terms of retrieval accuracy and retrieval efficiency under the real data.
Factors Influencing Burden in Spouse‐Caregivers of Patients with Chronic‐Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Laratta Stefania , Lucca Lucia Francesca , Tonin Paolo , Cerasa Antonio
Published: July 2020

In this cross‐sectional study, we assess associated factors of burden in spouse‐caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in the chronic phase. 35 spouse‐caregivers (71% female, mean age ± SD: 55.7 ± 11.1y) of patients with mild/moderate ABI (29% female, mean age ± SD: 57.5 ± 10.7y), admitted to the intensive rehabilitation unit of the Institute S. Anna (Crotone, Italy) between January 2013 and December 2017, were contacted 2 years postinjury and asked to complete a series of questionnaires. The outcome measure was the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) test, while several demographical and clinical data were considered as predictive factors. Two years after injury, a high level of burden was reported in 34.2% of spouse‐caregivers. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that caring for a patient with more severe disability (as measured by the Barthel Index scale) and the family life cycle (from the initial phase of engagement to marriage with adult children) explain the vast majority of variance for higher caregiver burden. The functional clinical status and the stages through which a family may pass over time were identified as areas in which the spouse‐caregiver of ABI patients experienced high levels of burden in the chronic phase.
Screening of the Dichloromethane: Methanolic Extract of Centella asiatica for Antibacterial Activities against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sieberi Berick Moturi , Omwenga George Isanda , Wambua Rachael Kitondo , Samoei Judith Chemutai , Ngugi Mathew Piero
Published: July 2020

Bacterial infections are responsible for a large number of deaths every year worldwide. On average, 80% of the African population cannot afford conventional drugs. Moreover, many synthetic antibiotics are associated with side effects and progressive increase in antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is growing interest in discovering new antibacterial agents from ethnomedicinal plants. About 60% of the population living in developing countries depends on herbal drugs for healthcare needs. This study involved the screening of Centella asiatica commonly used by herbal medicine practitioners in Kisii County to treat symptoms related to bacterial infections. Standard bioassay methods were applied throughout the study. They included preliminary screening of dichloromethane: methanolic extract of Centella asiatica against human pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella typhi ATCC 19430, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Shigella sonnei ATCC 25931, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 using agar disc diffusion, broth microdilution method, and time-kill kinetics with tetracycline as a positive control. Phytochemical screening was carried out to determine the different classes of compounds in the crude extracts. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and means separated by Tukey’s test. Dichloromethane: methanolic extract of Centella asiatica was screened against the selected bacterial strains. Time-kill kinetic studies of the extracts showed dose- and time-dependent kinetics of antibacterial properties. Phytochemical screening of the DCM-MeOH extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, and tannins. The present study indicates that the tested plant can be an important source of antibacterial agents and recommends that the active phytoconstituents be isolated, identified, and screened individually for activities and also subjected further for in vivo and toxicological studies.
Comparison of Variable Selection Methods for Time-to-Event Data in High-Dimensional Settings
Authors: Gilhodes Julia , Dalenc Florence , Gal Jocelyn , Zemmour Christophe , Leconte Eve , Boher Jean-Marie , Filleron Thomas
Published: July 2020

Over the last decades, molecular signatures have become increasingly important in oncology and are opening up a new area of personalized medicine. Nevertheless, biological relevance and statistical tools necessary for the development of these signatures have been called into question in the literature. Here, we investigate six typical selection methods for high-dimensional settings and survival endpoints, including LASSO and some of its extensions, component-wise boosting, and random survival forests (RSF). A resampling algorithm based on data splitting was used on nine high-dimensional simulated datasets to assess selection stability on training sets and the intersection between selection methods. Prognostic performances were evaluated on respective validation sets. Finally, one application on a real breast cancer dataset has been proposed. The false discovery rate (FDR) was high for each selection method, and the intersection between lists of predictors was very poor. RSF selects many more variables than the other methods and thus becomes less efficient on validation sets. Due to the complex correlation structure in genomic data, stability in the selection procedure is generally poor for selected predictors, but can be improved with a higher training sample size. In a very high-dimensional setting, we recommend the LASSO-pcvl method since it outperforms other methods by reducing the number of selected genes and minimizing FDR in most scenarios. Nevertheless, this method still gives a high rate of false positives. Further work is thus necessary to propose new methods to overcome this issue where numerous predictors are present. Pluridisciplinary discussion between clinicians and statisticians is necessary to ensure both statistical and biological relevance of the predictors included in molecular signatures.
Acute Renal Failure in a Patient with Rivaroxaban-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature and of Pharmacovigilance Registries
Authors: Marcelino Gisela , Hemett Ould Maouloud , Descombes Eric
Published: July 2020

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications, and DOAC-associated kidney dysfunction may be a problem that is underrecognized by clinicians. We report on the case of an 82-year-old patient who, two weeks after the prescription of rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation, was hospitalized for a drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome whose main clinical manifestations were low-grade fever with a petechial rash in the legs and acute renal failure (ARF). Within one week after rivaroxaban withdrawal, the patient’s clinical condition improved and the renal function normalized. In a review of the literature, we only found five case reports of rivaroxaban-related ARF: two patients had tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN), two had anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN), and the last one had IgA nephropathy. As some recent publications suggest that kidney injury due to anticoagulation drugs may be largely underdiagnosed, we also analyzed the data from the VigiAccess database, the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance program that collects drug-related adverse events from 134 national registries worldwide. Among all the rivaroxaban-associated adverse events reported in VigiAccess since 2006, 4,323 (3.5%) were renal side effects, of which 2,351 (54.3%) were due to unspecified ARF, 363 (8.4%) were due to renal hemorrhage (characteristically associated with ARN), and 24 (0.6%) were due to TIN. We also compared these results with those reported in VigiAccess for other DOACs and vitamin K antagonists. This analysis suggests that the frequency of renal adverse events associated with rivaroxaban and other DOACs may be appreciably higher than what one might currently consider based only on the small number of fully published cases.
Awareness and Its Associated Factors of Obstetrics Fistula among Antenatal Care Attendees in Injibara Town Health Institutions, Awi Zone, North West, Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: Balcha Wondu Feyisa , Nigussie Azezu Asres , Beyene Fentahun Yenealem , Tesfu Azimeraw Arega
Published: July 2020

Background. Obstetric fistula is abnormal passageway between the vagina and bladder or rectum, and it has the most devastating effects on physical, social, and economic levels and represents a major public health issue of thousands of women, which failed to provide accessible and appropriate intrapartum care for women within a developing country, particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, we tried to assess the awareness and its associated factors of obstetrics fistula among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care clinics. Methods. A health institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from March 4 to 29/2019 among 413 pregnant women. Data was collected by a systematic random sampling technique and entered into a computer using Epi data 3.5, edited and analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences 23.0 version. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95% and p value of less than 0.05 considered statically significant. Result. This study identified that 39.5% with 95% confidence interval (34.6-44.6%) of pregnant women had good awareness about obstetrics fistula. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that living in urban [AOR=1.98, 95% CI=1.07−3.69], attending formal education [AOR=2.11, 95% CI=1.06−4.12], having history antenatal care [AOR=3.87, 95% CI=1.60−9.68], and childbirth at health institution [AOR=7.10, 95% CI=2.52−2.02] were significantly associated with awareness of obstetrics fistula. Conclusion and recommendation. This study showed that awareness of obstetrics fistula was low. Residency, education, and occupation of the women, having history of antenatal care and childbirth at health institution was significantly associated with awareness of obstetrics fistula. Still, there is a gap on awareness of obstetrics fistula; therefore, it is good to emphasize on providing information on maternal health care issues, particularly about obstetrics fistula.
Red Ginseng Inhibits Tau Aggregation and Promotes Tau Dissociation In Vitro
Authors: Shin Soo Jung , Park Yong Ho , Jeon Seong Gak , Kim Sujin , Nam Yunkwon , Oh Sang-Muk , Lee Yong Yook , Moon Minho
Published: July 2020

Tau, a microtubule-associated protein expressed in mature neurons, interacts with tubulin to promote the assembly and stabilization of microtubules. However, abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau dissociates from microtubules and self-aggregates. Tau aggregates, including paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles, promote neuronal dysfunction and death and are the defining neuropathological feature of tauopathies. Therefore, suppressing tau aggregation or stimulating the dissociation of tau aggregates has been proposed as an effective strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with tau pathology such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia. Interestingly, ginsenosides extracted from Panax ginseng reduced the hippocampal and cortical expression of phosphorylated tau in a rat model of AD. However, no studies have been conducted into the effect of red ginseng (RG) and its components on tau pathology. Here, we evaluated the effect of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) and its components on the aggregation and disassociation of tau. Using the thioflavin T assay, we monitored the change in fluorescence produced by the aggregation or disassociation of tau K18, an aggregation-prone fragment of tau441 containing the microtubule-binding domain. Our analysis revealed that KRGE not only inhibited tau aggregation but also promoted the dissociation of tau aggregates. In addition, the KRGE fractions, such as saponin, nonsaponin, and nonsaponin fraction with rich polysaccharide, also inhibited tau aggregation and promoted the dissociation of tau aggregates. Our observations suggest that RG could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with tauopathy.
Correlation between C-reactive Protein with Malondialdehyde in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Authors: Atik Nur , Putri Pratiwi S. , Hamijoyo Laniyati
Published: July 2020

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammatory process. One of the inflammation markers that can be measured is C-reactive protein (CRP). Another indicator of inflammation is malondialdehyde (MDA), though it is still uncommon to be analyzed in SLE patients. The study looked for the MDA value and found a correlation with CRP. A cross-sectional study design with a correlative analytical was performed. CRP level data was taken from Hasan Sadikin lupus registry data, and MDA levels were analyzed from a bioarchive patient’s serum. We collected the patients’ data who had CRP level from Hasan Sadikin lupus registry and analysed MDA levels from the serum sample. MDA levels were analyzed using an ELISA method. The data obtained were analyzed using the Pearson correlation and Eta correlation test. The study involved 78 data patients as subjects. It was found that the median of CRP and MDA was 0.85 mg/l and 153.10 ng/ml, respectively. These results indicate that the CRP levels in SLE patients are still within normal limits. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between CRP and MDA level (r=0.2, P>0.05). Additionally, the correlation between CRP and MDA with organ involvement, such as lupus nephritis (LN), lupus cutaneous (LC), and lupus musculoskeletal (LM), showed no correlation (Fh<Ft). There is no correlation between CRP and MDA levels in SLE patients, and specific organ involvement of the disease does not affect the correlation.
Analysis of Complex Dynamics in Different Bargaining Systems
Authors: Ma Xiaogang , Bao Chunyu , Su Lin
Published: July 2020

This paper focuses on the bargaining behavior of supply chain members and studies the stability of the bargaining system. There are two forms of bargaining in the process of negotiation. One is separate bargaining, and the other is that the automobile manufacturers form an alliance and bargain with the supplier collectively. We explore the influence of bargaining power and adjustment speed on the stability of the dynamic system and find that both of the factors need to be small to maintain the stability of the supply chain. After comparing the two forms of bargaining in terms of profits and stable regions, we find that the collective bargaining is a pattern with the existence of risk and benefit simultaneously. In order to control chaos in collective bargaining to lower the risk, we adopt the delay feedback control method. With the introduction of the control factor, the system tends to be stable finally.
Imagined and Actual Acupuncture Effects on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Cao Jin , Orr Scott P. , Wilson Georgia , Kong Jian
Published: July 2020

Background. Research suggests that imagined experiences can produce brain responses similar to those produced by actual experiences. Shared brain responses that support both imagination and perception may underlie the functional nature of mental imagery. In a previous study, we combined acupuncture and imagery to develop a new treatment method, video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT). We found that VGAIT significantly increased pain thresholds in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to extend our previous finding by investigating whether VGAIT can relieve symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods. We first performed a single-arm study in which we administered video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT) on patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) (Study 1, n=18, 12 females). We then compared our findings to those from a recently published study in which real or sham acupuncture treatment was applied on patients with cLBP (Study 2, n=50, 31 females) using a similar protocol. All patients in Studies 1 and 2 received 6 treatments over 4 weeks. Results. All three treatments (VGAIT, real, and sham acupuncture) significantly reduced pain severity as measured by a low back pain bothersomeness score. VGAIT produced similar effects to real acupuncture (p=0.97) and nonsignificantly greater pain bothersomeness relief compared to sham acupuncture (p=0.14). Additional analysis showed that there was no significant difference on the sensations evoked by different treatment modalities. Conclusion. These findings support VGAIT as a promising method for pain management.
Effect of Vitamins D and E on the Proliferation, Viability, and Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Escobar Lina M. , Bendahan Zita , Bayona Andrea , Castellanos Jaime E. , González María-Clara
Published: July 2020

Introduction. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of vitamins D and E on the proliferation, morphology, and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Methods. In this in vitro experimental study, hDPSCs were isolated, characterized, and treated with vitamins D and E, individually and in combination, utilizing different doses and treatment periods. Changes in morphology and cell proliferation were evaluated using light microscopy and the resazurin assay, respectively. Osteoblast differentiation was evaluated with alizarin red S staining and expression of RUNX2, Osterix, and Osteocalcin genes using real-time RT-PCR. Results. Compared with untreated cells, the number of cells significantly reduced following treatment with vitamin D (49%), vitamin E (35%), and vitamins D + E (61%) after 144 h. Compared with cell cultures treated with individual vitamins, cells treated with vitamins D + E demonstrated decreased cell confluence, with more extensive and flatter cytoplasm that initiated the formation of a significantly large number of calcified nodules after 7 days of treatment. After 14 days, treatment with vitamins D, E, and D + E increased the transcription of RUNX2, Osterix, and Osteocalcin genes. Conclusions. Vitamins D and E induced osteoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs, as evidenced by the decrease in cell proliferation, morphological changes, and the formation of calcified nodules, increasing the expression of differentiation genes. Concurrent treatment with vitamins D + E induces a synergistic effect in differentiation toward an osteoblastic lineage.
Multiaccess Edge Computing Empowered Flying Ad Hoc Networks with Secure Deployment Using Identity-Based Generalized Signcryption
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asghar , Ullah Insaf , Nisar Shibli , Noor Fazal , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Khanzada Fahimullah , Khattak Hizbullah , Aziz Muhammad Adnan
Published: July 2020

A group of small UAVs can synergize to form a flying ad hoc network (FANET). The small UAVs are, typically, prone to security lapses because of limited onboard power, restricted computing ability, insufficient bandwidth, etc. Such limitations hinder the applicability of standard cryptographic techniques. Thus, assuring confidentiality and authentication on part of small UAV remains a far-fetched goal. We aim to address such an issue by proposing an identity-based generalized signcryption scheme. The lightweight security scheme employs multiaccess edge computing (MEC) whereby the primary UAV, as a MEC node, provides offloading to the computationally fragile member UAVs. The scheme is based on the concept of the hyperelliptic curve (HEC), which is characterized by a smaller key size and is, therefore, suitable for small UAVs. The scheme is robust since it offers confidentiality and authentication simultaneously as well as singly. Formal as well as informal security analyses and the validation results, using the Automated Validation for Internet Security Validation and Application (AVISPA) tool, second such notion. Comparative analysis with the existing schemes further authenticates the sturdiness of the proposed scheme. As a case study, the scheme is applied for monitoring crops in an agricultural field. It has been found out that the scheme promises higher security and incurs lower computational and communication costs.
Characteristics Analysis of Bus Stop Failure Using Automatic Vehicle Location Data
Authors: Li Rui , Xue Xin , Wang Hua
Published: July 2020

Queue forming behind a bus stop on an urban street is common and a traffic bottleneck usually occurs around the bus stop area. The bus stop failure means arriving buses cannot move into the bus stop due to limited capacity but have to wait for available loading areas. It is related with the transit operation level. Traditionally, the failure rate (FR), defined as the percentage of buses that arrives at the bus stop to find all loading areas occupied, is adopted in bus capacity analysis. However, the concept of FR is unable to quantitatively analyze failure characteristics in terms of its dispersion and uncertainty over time. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new index called failure duration rate (FDR) to evaluate the bus stop failure, which can characterize waiting time for traffic delay calculation and capacity drop estimation. The automatic vehicle location data at eight bus stops in Wujiang District Suzhou, China, over 56 working days, are used to analyze the temporal characteristics of FR and FDR. We next examined the failed service duration characteristics during peak hours at the eight bus stops. Based on these characteristics analyses, we then proposed a Distribution Fitting and Cumulative Distribution Correlation (DF-CDC) approach to explore the correlation between FDR and FR at the same cumulative distribution function levels and validated the bus stop failure performance using the cross-validation method. The analysis results revealed that (i) FR fluctuates more significant than FDR, (ii) FDR is a more robust index than FR in describing the traffic characteristics incurred by bus stop failures, and (iii) FDR performs better in failure characteristics analysis than FR.
Response and Adaptation of Microbial Community in a CANON Reactor Exposed to an Extreme Alkaline Shock
Authors: Yang Ruili , Mao Wenlong , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Zhaoji , Wu Junbin , Chen Shaohua
Published: July 2020

Responses of a microbial community in the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process, which was shocked by a pH of 11.0 for 12 h, were investigated. During the recovery phase, the performance, anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) activity, microbial community, and correlation of bacteria as well as the influencing factors were evaluated synchronously. The performance of the CANON process deteriorated rapidly with a nitrogen removal rate (NRR) of 0.13 kg·m-3·d-1, and Firmicutes, spore-forming bacteria, were the dominant phyla after alkaline shock. However, it could self-restore within 107 days after undergoing four stages, at which Planctomycetes became dominant with a relative abundance of 64.62%. Network analysis showed that anammox bacteria (Candidatus Jettenia, Kuenenia, and Brocadia) were positively related to some functional bacteria such as Nitrosomonas, SM1A02, and Calorithrix. Canonical correspondence analysis presented a strong correlation between the microbial community and influencing factors during the recovery phase. With the increase of nitrogen loading rate, the decrease of free nitrous acid and the synergistic effects, heme c content, specific anammox activity (SAA), NRR, and the abundance of dominant genus increased correspondingly. The increase of heme c content regulates the quorum sensing system, promotes the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances, and further improves SAA, NRR, and the relative abundance of the dominant genus. This study highlights some implications for the recovery of the CANON reactor after being exposed to an alkaline shock.
Semiparametric Deep Learning Manipulator Inverse Dynamics Modeling Method for Smart City and Industrial Applications
Authors: Liu Nan , Li Liangyu , Hao Bing , Yang Liusong , Hu Tonghai , Xue Tao , Wang Shoujun , Shao Xingmao
Published: July 2020

In smart cities and factories, robotic applications require high accuracy and security, which depends on precise inverse dynamics modeling. However, the physical modeling methods cannot include the nondeterministic factors of the manipulator, such as flexibility, joint clearance, and friction. In this paper, the Semiparametric Deep Learning (SDL) method is proposed to model robot inverse dynamics. SDL is a type of deep learning framework, designed for optimal inference, combining the Rigid Body Dynamics (RBD) model and Nonparametric Deep Learning (NDL) model. The SDL model takes advantage of the global characteristics of classic RBD and the powerful fitting capabilities of the deep learning approach. Moreover, the parametric and nonparametric parts of the SDL model can be optimized at the same time instead of being optimized separately. The proposed method is validated using experiments, performed on a UR5 robotic platform. The results show that the performance of SDL model is better than that of RBD model and NDL model. SDL can always provide relatively accurate joint torque prediction, even when the RBD or NDL model is not accurate.
Assessing the Use of Standardized Outcome Measures for Stroke Rehabilitation among Physiotherapists in Ghana
Authors: Agyenkwa Seth Kwame , Yarfi Cosmos , Banson Adjoa Nkrumah , Kofi-Bediako Woyram Abla , Abonie Ulric Sena , Angmorterh Seth Kwadjo , Ofori Eric Kwasi
Published: July 2020

Background. The use of standardized outcome measures is an aspect of good clinical practice and essential to the rehabilitation of patients suffering from stroke. Literature reports regarding the extent of usage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation by physiotherapists globally are inconsistent. In addition, the patronage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation in low-resourced countries is uncertain. Objective. This study was conducted to assess the current practice of physiotherapists in Ghana regarding the use of standardized outcome measures in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Method. A descriptive cross-sectional survey, was used involving 105 registered physiotherapists in Ghana. A 35-item adapted questionnaire was used to collect data on some commonly used outcome measures and frequency of use by physiotherapists for stroke patients. Results. A total of 55 (52.4%) physiotherapists did not use outcome measures in their clinical practice. Physiotherapists below 40 years of age use outcome measures (64.7%) more than those 41 years and above (6.7%). Physiotherapists working in public facilities in Ghana are more likely to use outcome measures (56.2%) than those in private facilities (16.2%). Physiotherapists who attend to 1-10 patients in a week used outcome measures more (32.4%) than physiotherapists who attend to more than 30 patients (3.8%) in a week. Conclusion. There is poor usage of outcome measures by Ghanaian physiotherapists, with more than half of the participants not using any standardized outcome measures for rehabilitation of patients in their practice. Physiotherapists who attends to fewer number of patients in a week are more likely to use outcome measures. There is the need for implementation of policy and guidelines on the use of outcome measures by the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Physiotherapy Association.
The Protective Effect of Low Dose of Lipopolysaccharide Pretreatment on Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rats Is Associated with Downregulation of CSF-1 and Upregulation of LRR-1
Authors: Ling Yunli , Wang Jing , Yu Shuo , Li Wenjie , Lu Hong
Published: July 2020

Purpose. To observe the effect of low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment on the expression of CSF-1 and LRR-1 in rats with endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU), and to explore the possible role of TLR4.Method. EIU was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of 200 μg LPS. For the endotoxin tolerance group, the induction of EIU was preceded by a daily subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg/kg LPS for five days. Clinical scores were graded at 24 h after EIU under a slit lamp microscope. HE stain was performed to observe the histopathology. The concentrations of IL-17, INF-γ, and IL-6 in aqueous humor were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis were used to determine the expression of NF-κB P65 and the activation of CSF-1, LRR-1.Results: Low dose of LPS pretreatment produced a suppressive effect by significantly reducing the inflammatory reaction of anterior segment as measured by slit lamp and histopathology. It also significantly reduced the concentrations of IL-17, INF-γ, and IL-6 in aqueous humor and the expression of CSF-1 and NF-κB P65, while increased the expression of LRR-1 compared to the EIU group.Conclusions. Low dose of LPS pretreatment can ameliorate endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats. This protection may be associated with upregulation of LRR-1 and downregulation of CSF-1, which is regulated by TLR4 signaling pathway.
Mechanical Properties of Steels for Cold‐Formed Steel Structures at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Nie Zhen , Li Yuanqi , Wang Yehua
Published: July 2020

It is highly important to clarify the high‐temperature mechanical properties in the design of cold‐formed steel (CFS) structures under fire conditions due to the unique deterioration feature in material properties under fire environment and associated reduction to the mechanical performance of members. This paper presents the mechanical properties of widely used steels for cold‐formed steel structures at elevated temperatures. The coupons were extracted from original coils of proposed full annealed steels (S350 and S420, with nominal yielding strengths 280 MPa and 350 MPa) and proposed stress relieving annealed steels (G500, with nominal yielding strength 500 MPa) for CFS structures with thickness of 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm, and a total of nearly 50 tensile tests were carried out by steady‐state test method for temperatures ranging from 20 to 700°C. Based on the tests, material properties including the yield strengths, ultimate strengths, the elasticity modulus, and the stress‐strain curve were obtained. Meanwhile, the ductility of steels for CFS structures was discussed. Then, the temperature‐dependent retention factors of yield strengths and elasticity modulus were compared to those provided by design codes and former researchers. Finally, a set of prediction equations of the mechanical properties for steels for CFS structures at elevated temperatures was proposed depending on existing tests data.
A Prospective Analysis of Intake of Red and Processed Meat in Relation to Pancreatic Cancer among African American Women
Authors: Petrick Jessica L. , Castro-Webb Nelsy , Gerlovin Hanna , Bethea Traci N. , Li Shanshan , Ruiz-Narváez Edward A. , Rosenberg Lynn , Palmer Julie R.
Published: July 2020

Background:

African Americans have the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. There is evidence that consumption of red or processed meat and foods containing saturated fats may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, but there is limited evidence in African Americans.

Methods:

Utilizing the Black Women's Health Study (1995–2018), we prospectively investigated the associations of red and processed meat and saturated fats with incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 168). A food frequency questionnaire was completed by 52,706 participants in 1995 and 2001. Multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. We observed interactions with age (Pinteraction = 0.01). Thus, results were stratified at age 50 (<50, ≥50).

Results:

Based on 148 cases among women aged ≥50 years, total red meat intake was associated with a 65% increased pancreatic cancer risk (HRQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.65; 95% CI, 0.98–2.78; Ptrend = 0.05), primarily due to unprocessed red meat. There was also a nonsignificant association between total saturated fat and pancreatic cancer (HRQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.85; 95% CI, 0.92–3.72; Ptrend = 0.08). Red meat and saturated fat intakes were not associated with pancreatic cancer risk in younger women, and there was no association with processed meat in either age group.

Conclusions:

Red meat—specifically, unprocessed red meat—and saturated fat intakes were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in African-American women aged 50 and older, but not among younger women.

Impact:

The accumulating evidence—including now in African-American women—suggests that diet, a modifiable factor, plays a role in the etiology of pancreatic cancer, suggesting opportunities for prevention.
Inhibition of O-GlcNAc Transferase Renders Prostate Cancer Cells Dependent on CDK9
Authors: Itkonen Harri M. , Poulose Ninu , Steele Rebecca E. , Martin Sara E.S. , Levine Zebulon G. , Duveau Damien Y. , Carelli Ryan , Singh Reema , Urbanucci Alfonso , Loda Massimo , Thomas Craig J. , Mills Ian G. , Walker Suzanne
Published: July 2020

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is a nutrient-sensitive glycosyltransferase that is overexpressed in prostate cancer, the most common cancer in males. We recently developed a specific and potent inhibitor targeting this enzyme, and here, we report a synthetic lethality screen using this compound. Our screen identified pan-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor AT7519 as lethal in combination with OGT inhibition. Follow-up chemical and genetic approaches identified CDK9 as the major target for synthetic lethality with OGT inhibition in prostate cancer cells. OGT expression is regulated through retention of the fourth intron in the gene and CDK9 inhibition blunted this regulatory mechanism. CDK9 phosphorylates carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II to promote transcription elongation. We show that OGT inhibition augments effects of CDK9 inhibitors on CTD phosphorylation and general transcription. Finally, the combined inhibition of both OGT and CDK9 blocked growth of organoids derived from patients with metastatic prostate cancer, but had minimal effects on normal prostate spheroids. We report a novel synthetic lethal interaction between inhibitors of OGT and CDK9 that specifically kills prostate cancer cells, but not normal cells. Our study highlights the potential of combining OGT inhibitors with other treatments to exploit cancer-specific vulnerabilities.

Implications:

The primary contribution of OGT to cell proliferation is unknown, and in this study, we used a compound screen to indicate that OGT and CDK9 collaborate to sustain a cancer cell–specific pro-proliferative program. A better understanding of how OGT and CDK9 cross-talk will refine our understanding of this novel synthetic lethal interaction.
Fusing the Genetic Landscape of Infantile High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Szulzewsky Frank , Cimino Patrick J.
Published: July 2020

In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Clarke and colleagues define the genetic landscape of infantile cerebral high-grade gliomas, which frequently contain alterations in the MAPK pathway, as well as recurrent gene fusions in receptor tyrosine kinases (ALK, ROS1, MET) and neurotrophic receptor kinases (NTRK1–3). Combining their multi-omic profiling data with functional preclinical and clinical studies, this large multi-institutional study provides strong rationale for future classification and molecular subtype–specific therapeutic management of infantile high-grade glioma.

See related article by Clarke et al., p. 942.
Divergent Roles of miR-3162-3p in Pulmonary Inflammation in Normal and Asthmatic Mice as well as Antagonism of miR-3162-3p in Asthma Treatment
Authors: Liu Juman , Chen Yinhui , Zhang Feng , Peng Xi , Mao Xiaoning , Lu Weihong , Wu Ruijian , Huang Binglong , Bao Yanmin , Ma Lian , Huang Yuge , Zhang Xingliang
Published: July 2020

MicroRNA (miRNA) mimics or antagomirs hold great promise for asthma treatment compared with glucocorticoids as mainstay therapy for asthma. But the role of miRNA in regulating asthmatic inflammation is largely unclear. We previously reported that miR-3162-3p in the peripheral blood of children with asthma was obviously upregulated compared to that in healthy children. This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-3162-3p in pulmonary inflammation in normal and asthmatic mice as well as preliminarily explore the potential of miR-3162-3p antagomir in asthma treatment. A noninvasive whole-body plethysmograph measured airway responsiveness. Both qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of miRNA, mRNA, or protein. Cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted by platelet counting and Wright’s staining. Inflammatory infiltration and mucus secretion were identified by hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff  staining, respectively. Cytokines in the lungs were detected by ELISA. The miR-3162-3p mimic intraperitoneally administered to normal mice decreased β-catenin levels in the lungs without obviously altering the lung histology and cytokine levels. Antagonizing miR-3162-3p in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice effectively alleviated the typical features of asthma, such as airway hyper­responsiveness, airway inflammation, and Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance, and concomitantly rescued the total and active β-catenin expression. Collectively, we discovered divergent roles of miR-3162-3p in lung inflammation between normal and asthmatic mice. The anti-inflammatory effects of the miR-3162-3p antagomir were comparable to those of glucocorticoid treatment. Our study helped in understanding the contribution of miRNAs to the pathogenesis of asthma.