bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Sodium Polyanetholesulfonate-CaCl
2
for Removal of Serum Nonspecific Inhibitors of Rubella Hemagglutination: Comparison with Other Polyanion-Divalent Cation Combinations
Authors: Ellins Mary L. , Campbell James B.
Published: May 2021

By using trypsin-treated human type O cells as indicators, we compared the abilities of four polyanion-divalent cation combinations (heparin-MnCl
2
; high-and low-molecular-weight dextran sulfate-CaCl
2
; and sodium polyanetholesulfonate [SPS]-CaCl
2
) for removal of serum non-immunoglobulin (lipoprotein) inhibitors of rubella hemagglutination. The combination of SPS-CaCl
2
was found to be the most effective, precipitating completely the pre-β and β-lipoproteins and reducing the α-lipoprotein levels by more than 50%. Hemagglutination patterns after this treatment were clear and stable, and, when normal sera were tested, hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) titers were comparable to those obtained after standard heparin-MnCl
2
treatment. High-molecular-weight dextran sulfate-CaCl
2
removed serum lipoproteins almost as effectively as SPS-CaCl
2
. However, problems of nonspecific agglutination and the heavy hemagglutination patterns resulting made this combination unacceptable for routine purposes. Neither low-molecular-weight dextran sulfate-CaCl
2
nor heparin-MnCl
2
removed the pre-β lipoproteins completely, and occasionally traces of β-lipoprotein also remained after treatment. The presence of pre-β lipoproteins in normal sera after treatment may be of no consequence in the HI test since we have found that the very-low-density lipoprotein fractions obtained by ultracentrifugal methods from normal sera (those corresponding to the pre-β fractions obtained by electrophoresis) had no HI activity. However, very-low-density lipoprotein fractions from all hyperlipemic sera tested had HI activity (titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:1,024) which, in the majority of cases, was not eliminated after heparin-MnCl
2
treatment. In every case, treatment with SPS-CaCl
2
removed this nonspecific activity completely. Since hyperlipemic sera may occasionally be encountered in routine rubella HI antibody testing, we recommend the use of SPS-CaCl
2
rather than heparin-MnCl
2
for pretreatment of sera.
Enzymatic Degradation of Polygalacturonic Acid by
Yersinia
and
Klebsiella
Species in Relation to Clinical Laboratory Procedures
Authors: Starr Mortimer P. , Chatterjee Arun K. , Starr Phoebe B. , Buchanan Gordon E.
Published: May 2021

As scored by several specified plating procedures, clinical and environmental strains of
Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
, and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
“Oxytocum” showed detectable, albeit generally weak, ability to digest polygalacturonic (pectic) acid. None of these bacterial strains had the vigorous and rapid pectolytic activity on these polygalacturonic acid-containing media that is typical of soft-rot
Erwinia
species, although some of the Oxytocum strains came fairly close. Analyses of the pectolytic enzyme contents of the cells and culture supernatants of the
Yersinia
and
Klebsiella
species revealed that readily detectable quantities of cell-bound polygalacturonic acid
trans
-eliminase and hydrolytic polygalacturonase were formed by the
Yersinia
and
Klebsiella
species; however, the total units of enzyme activity produced by these bacteria were, in general, lower than were produced by soft-rot
Erwinia
species. Furthermore, unlike the situation in soft-rot
Erwinia
cultures, these pectolytic enzymes of
Yersinia
and
Klebsiella
species were not excreted rapidly and massively into the growth medium. Cultures of other enterobacteria (
Citrobacter
species,
Enterobacter
species,
Erwinia amylovora, Erwinia herbicola, Escherichia coli, Proteus
species,
Salmonella typhimurium
, and
Serratia marcescens
) showed no pectolytic ability whatsoever by any of the plating procedures used and (to the extent they were so examined) produced no pectolytic enzymes detectable either in their cells or culture supernatants. This slow or weak release of pectolytic enzymes by
Yersinia
and
Klebsiella
species has a bearing on clinical laboratory procedures suitable for detecting their pectolytic activity; methods adequate for this purpose are detailed.
Preprototype of an Automated Microbial Detection and Identification System: a Developmental Investigation
Authors: Sonnenwirth Alex C.
Published: May 2021

The AutoMicrobic System is an automated, computerized instrument that uses highly selective media and an optical system for detection, enumeration, and identification of bacteria and some yeasts in 13 h. A preprototype instrument (AutoMicrobic System-1) and its urine culture kit (Identi-Pak), developed for the detection, enumeration, and identification of eight species or groups of bacteria and of
Candida
species and
Torulopsis glabrata
in urine specimens, was evaluated during its development. An overall agreement of approximately 90% between the preprototype instrument and conventional (manual) culture methods has been obtained both with 1,473 seeded (simulated) and 1,688 clinical (mono- or polymicrobial) specimens containing 70,000 (or more) colony-forming units per ml of
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter
species,
Proteus
species,
Citrobacter freundii, Serratia
species, group D enterococci, or yeasts (
Candida
species and
T. glabrata
). Lower agreements in identification were obtained with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
-containing (average of 75% in clinical specimens) and
Staphylococcus aureus
-containing (76%) specimens. Comparison of specimens tested simultaneously in two preprototype systems resulted in ⋜4% disagreement; true negativity agreements in all specimen groups tested were at least 94%. Among problems remaining are adaptation of system for specimens other than urine, improvement of sensitivity for
P. aeruginosa
and
S. aureus
, and standardization of manual methods used for comparison and validation.
Isolation of bacteriophages specific for the K1 polysaccharide antigen of Escherichia coli
Authors: Gross R J , Cheasty T , Rowe B
Published: May 2021

Five bacteriophage stocks were prepared after enrichment of a sewage sample using Escherichia coli 02:K1:H4 (strain U9/41). The bacteriophages were tested for their ability to lyse 224 strains of E. coli that had been tested for the presence of the K1 antigen by means of an antiserum-agar diffusion technique, using a meningococcus group B antiserum known to detect the E. coli K1 antigen. The standard test strains for E. coli K antigens 2 to 99 were used as control strains. Of the 101 strains found to possess the K1 antigen using the antiserum-agar technique, 93 were lysed by at least one of the bacteriophages, whereas 8 of the 123 strains apparently lacking K1 were lysed by one or more of the bacteriophages. None of the standard test strains for K antigens 2 to 99 was lysed by any of the bacteriophages. The eight strains thought to lack K1 but that were lysed by bacteriophage were re-examined by immunoelectrophoresis, using meningococcus group B antiserum; five of the eight strains gave a precipitin line corresponding to K1. The use of K1-specific bacteriophages offers an inexpensive and easy method for the identification of the K1 antigen.
Transforming a Sequence of Microbiology Courses Using Student Profile Data
Authors: BUXEDA ROSA J. , MOORE DEBORAH A.
Published: May 2021

A study was performed in the General Microbiology and Industrial Microbiology courses to increase research awareness at an early stage of the educational process and to establish collaboration between students in an Industrial Microbiology program and industry. In both courses, the professor helped students determine their learning styles and then used these data to design activities in order to accomplish the above objectives. In both the treatment and the control sections, students learned about strategies to optimize learning based on their learning styles. A cooperative learning format was introduced to promote active learning and team-building skills. The diverse learning styles data profile was used by students during cooperative learning activities for effective team integration. In the General Microbiology course, a mentor-mentee structure was introduced to expose students to research in microbiology by visiting research facilities on campus. This structure was an addition to the regular curriculum, which meets American Society for Microbiology curriculum recommendations. The results suggest an increase in interest in research by students. In the Industrial Microbiology course, a strategy was introduced to establish collaboration with industry in which students visit the workplace and identify microbial processes, microbiologist roles, and skills needed by microbiologists. Evaluation of these topics using pre- and posttest data indicates a significant increase in acquired knowledge relevant to daily workplace environments with the reformed course. In both courses, students gain information early in their academic experience to help them consider participation in research experiences while providing them with real-world experience toward the end of their academic careers, when they see the need for it.
New-onset type 1 diabetes in Finnish children during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Salmi Heli , Heinonen Santtu , Hästbacka Johanna , Lääperi Mitja , Rautiainen Paula , Miettinen Päivi J , Vapalahti Olli , Hepojoki Jussi , Knip Mikael
Published: May 2021

Background

Viral infections may trigger type 1 diabetes (T1D), and recent reports suggest an increased incidence of paediatric T1D and/or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To study whether the number of children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for DKA due to new-onset T1D increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether SARS-CoV-2 infection plays a role.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprises two datasets: (1) children admitted to PICU due to new-onset T1D and (2) children diagnosed with new-onset T1D and registered to the Finnish Pediatric Diabetes Registry in the Helsinki University Hospital from 1 April to 31 October in 2016–2020. We compared the incidence, number and characteristics of children with newly diagnosed T1D between the prepandemic and pandemic periods.

Results

The number of children admitted to PICU due to new-onset T1D increased from an average of 6.25 admissions in 2016–2019 to 20 admissions in 2020 (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 3.24 [95% CI 1.80 to 5.83]; p=0.0001). On average, 57.75 children were registered to the FPDR in 2016–2019, as compared with 84 in 2020 (IRR 1.45; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.86; p=0.004). 33 of the children diagnosed in 2020 were analysed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and all were negative.

Conclusions

More children with T1D had severe DKA at diagnosis during the pandemic. This was not a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Instead, it probably stems from delays in diagnosis following changes in parental behaviour and healthcare accessibility.
Staphylococcus simulansbloodstream infection following CIED extraction
Authors: Go John Raymond , Corsini Campioli Cristina , DeSimone Daniel , Sohail Muhammad Rizwan
Published: May 2021

A 78-year-old man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) presented with chills and malaise. His history was significant for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and complete heart block. He had undergone permanent pacemaker placement that was later upgraded to an ICD 5 years before his presentation. Physical examination revealed an open wound with surrounding erythema overlying the device site. Blood cultures obtained on admission were negative. Transesophageal echocardiogram did not show valve or lead vegetations. He underwent a prolonged extraction procedure. Postoperatively, he developed septic shock and cultures from the device, and repeat peripheral blood cultures grewStaphylococcus simulansandStaphylococcus epidermidis. He was treated with intravenous vancomycin but had refractory hypotension, leading to multiorgan failure. He later expired after being transitioned to comfort care. The patient may have acquiredS. simulansby feeding cows on a nearby farm, and the prolonged extraction procedure may have precipitated the bacteraemia.
Custom-made 3D-printed prosthesis and free vascularised fibula for humeral reconstruction after osteosarcoma resection in a 13-year-old patient
Authors: Beltrami Giovanni , Nucci Anna Maria , Tamburini Angela , Innocenti Marco
Published: May 2021

Surgical reconstruction after humeral resection represents a challenging issue in orthopaedic oncology. Particularly in paediatric patients, the main concerns are maintaining limb function and reconstruction longevity. We describe a novel strategy of humeral reconstruction based on the use of a three-dimensional-printed custom-made prosthesis in a 13-year-old patient diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The implant was specifically designed to sustain the native head, which was spared, as it was not involved by the neoplastic tissue. The mechanical support the prosthesis provided was associated with the biological stimulus of a free vascularised fibular graft to obtain an anatomic, functional and stable construct. This solution has had good longevity, and after 3 years of follow-up, the patient still shows excellent limb function and personal satisfaction.
Paediatric lateral condyle fracture with a posterolateral elbow dislocation: an atypical injury in a preadolescent
Authors: Wiekrykas Bradley D , Campbell Nancy , Greenhill Dustin A
Published: May 2021

Paediatric lateral condyle fractures of the distal humerus are common but a concomitant elbow dislocation is rare. Typically, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons will treat lateral condyle fractures with pin or metaphyseal single-screw fixation and supplementary immobilisation for several weeks. These techniques sacrifice the early stability and mobilisation necessary to avoid stiffness after a complex elbow fracture-dislocation. We present an 11-year-old boy who sustained a traumatic posterolateral elbow dislocation with lateral condyle and coronoid fractures. Due to advanced skeletal age, both paediatric and adult treatment principles were applied to this rare injury. After initial closed reduction, open reduction and internal fixation of the distal humerus lateral condyle with divergent partially threaded compression screws was performed. Motion was initiated in 2 weeks and the patient regained almost full motion by 3 months. At 1.5-year follow-up, the affected limb carrying angle was unaffected and the patient had no functional limitations.
Missed case of fever of unknown origin during COVID-19 pandemic: patent ductus arteriosus endarteritis
Authors: Batta Akash , Verma Samman , Panda Prashant , Sharma Yash Paul
Published: May 2021

A 40-year-old woman presented with fever of unknown origin (FUO) for 2 months. Without a definitive diagnosis and having received multiple empirical antibiotics from outside without relief, she was referred to our centre. Cardiac auscultation was remarkable for a grade 3/6 continuous murmur in the upper left sternal border. Echocardiogram revealed a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and a 5×7 mm mobile vegetation at the pulmonary artery bifurcation. Blood culture grewStreptococcusmutans. Embolisation of the vegetation to the pulmonary circulation occurred after the start of intravenous antibiotics resulting in fever relapse. Antibiotics were continued for 6 weeks and the fever settled. She underwent device closure of PDA after 12 weeks and is currently doing fine. Infective endocarditis/endarteritis is an important differential in a patient of FUO. A thorough clinical examination is important in every case of FUO, gives an important lead into diagnosis and guides appropriate investigations to confirm it.
Understanding overuse of diagnostic imaging for patients with low back pain in the Emergency Department: a qualitative study
Authors: Blokzijl Johan , Dodd Rachael H , Copp Tessa , Sharma Sweekriti , Tcharkhedian Elise , Klinner Christiane , Maher Chris G , Traeger Adrian C
Published: May 2021

Background

Overuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department is a well-recognised healthcare challenge. Studies to date have not provided robust evidence that available interventions can reduce overuse. For an intervention aimed at reducing imaging to be effective, insight into how both patients and clinicians view lumbar imaging tests is essential.

Aim

To explore factors that might influence overuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department.

Methods

Participants were recruited from three hospitals in Sydney, Australia between April and August 2019. We conducted focus groups and/or interviews with 14 patients and 12 clinicians. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using framework analysis by a team of four researchers with diverse backgrounds.

Results

Patients described feeling that the decision about lumbar imaging was made by their Emergency Department clinician and reported little involvement in the decision-making process. Other potential drivers of lumbar imaging overuse from the patients’ perspective were strong expectations for lumbar imaging, a reluctance to delay receiving a diagnosis, and requirements from third parties (eg, insurance companies) to have imaging. Emergency Department clinicians suggested that the absence of an ongoing therapeutic relationship, and the inability to manage perceived patient pressure could drive overuse of lumbar imaging. Suggested protective factors included: involving patients in the decision, ensuring clinicians have the ability to explain the reasons to avoid imaging and collaborative approaches to care both within the Emergency Department and with primary care.

Conclusion and key findings

We found several factors that could contribute to overuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department. Solutions to overuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department could include: (1) strategies to involve patients in decisions about imaging; (2) training and support to provide thorough and well explained clinical assessment for low back pain; and (3) systems that support collaborative approaches to care.
Gender differences in use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for acute ischaemic heart disease in Chinese adults
Authors: Levy Muriel , Chen Yiping , Clarke Robert , Guo Yu , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Li Liming , Chen Zhengming , Mihaylova Borislava
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate gender differences in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for acute ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in Chinese adults and assess whether socioeconomic or health system factors contribute to such differences.

Methods

In 2004–2008, the China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 512 726 adults from 10 diverse areas in China. Data for 38 928 first hospitalisations with IHD (2911 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 9817 angina and 26 200 other IHD) were obtained by electronic linkage to health insurance records until 31 December 2016. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to estimate women-to-men rate ratios (RRs) of having cardiac enzyme tests, coronary angiography and coronary revascularisation.

Results

Among the 38 928 individuals (61% women) with IHD admissions, women were less likely to have AMI (5% vs 12%), but more likely to have angina (26% vs 24%) or other IHD (69% vs 64%). For admissions with AMI, there were no differences in the use of cardiac enzymes between women and men (RR=1.00; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.03), but women had lower use of coronary angiography (0.80, 0.68 to 0.93) and coronary revascularisation (0.85, 0.74 to 0.99). For angina, the corresponding RRs were: 0.97 (0.94 to 1.00), 0.66 (0.59 to 0.74) and 0.56 (0.47 to 0.67), respectively; while for other IHD, they were 0.97 (0.94 to 1.00), 0.87 (0.76 to 0.99) and 0.61 (0.51 to 0.73), respectively. Adjusting for socioeconomic and health system factors did not significantly alter the women-to-men RRs.

Conclusions

Among Chinese adults hospitalised with acute IHD, women were less likely than men to have coronary angiography and revascularisation, but socioeconomic and health system factors did not contribute to these differences.
Civil commitment for opioid misuse: do short-term benefits outweigh long-term harms?
Authors: Messinger John C , Ikeda Daniel J , Sarpatwari Ameet
Published: May 2021

In response to a sharp rise in opioid-involved overdose deaths in the USA, states have deployed increasingly aggressive strategies to limit the loss of life, including civil commitment—the forcible detention of individuals whose opioid use presents a clear and convincing danger to themselves or others. While civil commitment often succeeds in providing short-term protection from overdose, emerging evidence suggests that it may be associated with long-term harms, including heightened risk of severe withdrawal, relapse and opioid-involved mortality. To better assess and mitigate these harms, states should collect more robust data on long-term health outcomes, decriminalise proceedings and stays, provide access to medications for opioid use disorder and strengthen post-release coordination of community-based treatment.
Adverse events of special interest in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis with 37 066 patient-years of tofacitinib exposure
Authors: Burmester Gerd R , Nash Peter , Sands Bruce E , Papp Kim , Stockert Lori , Jones Thomas V , Tan Huaming , Madsen Ann , Valdez Hernan , Cohen Stanley B
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To analyse adverse events (AEs) of special interest across tofacitinib clinical programmes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ulcerative colitis (UC) and psoriasis (PsO), and to determine whether the incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events per 100 patient-years) of these events are consistent across diseases.

Methods

The analysis included data from patients exposed to ≥1 dose of tofacitinib in phase 1, 2, 3 or 3b/4 clinical trials and long-term extension (LTE) studies (38 trials) in RA (23 trials), PsA (3 trials), UC (5 trials) and PsO (7 trials). All studies were completed by or before July 2019, except for one ongoing UC LTE study (data cut-off May 2019). IRs were obtained for AEs of special interest.

Results

13 567 patients were included in the analysis (RA: n=7964; PsA: n=783; UC: n=1157; PsO: n=3663), representing 37 066 patient-years of exposure. Maximum duration of exposure was 10.5 years (RA). AEs within the ‘infections and infestations’ System Organ Class were the most common in all diseases. Among AEs of special interest, IRs were highest for herpes zoster (non-serious and serious; 3.6, 1.8, 3.5 and 2.4 for RA, PsA, UC and PsO, respectively) and serious infections (2.5, 1.2, 1.7 and 1.3 for RA, PsA, UC and PsO, respectively). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mortality ratios (weighted for country) were ≤0.2 across cohorts.

Conclusions

The tofacitinib safety profile in this analysis was generally consistent across diseases and with longer term follow-up compared with previous analyses.
All-terminal hypernetwork reliability synthesis of a kind of semi-deterministic hypergraphs
Authors: Zhang Ke , Zhao Haixing , Ye Zhonglin , Hu Wenjun , Miao Minmin
Published: May 2021

Network reliability plays an important role in analysis, synthesis and detection of real-world networks. In this paper, we first propose the concept of hypernetwork reliability, which generalizes the concept of network reliability. The model for hypernetwork reliability studies consists of a hypergraph with perfect reliable vertices and equal and independent hyperedge failure probability [Formula: see text]. The measure of reliability is defined as the probability that a hypergraph is connected. Let [Formula: see text] be an [Formula: see text]-uniform hypergraph with the number of vertices [Formula: see text] and the number of hyperedges [Formula: see text], where every hyperedge connects [Formula: see text] vertices. We confirm the possibility of the existence of a fixed hypergraph that is optimal or least for all hyperedges same survival possible [Formula: see text]. It is simple to verify that such hypergraph exists if [Formula: see text]. For a kind of 2-regular 3-uniform hypergraphs, we calculate the upper and lower bounds on the all-terminal reliability, and describe the class of hypergraphs that reach the boundary.
MODELING AFTERSHOCKS BY FRACTIONAL CALCULUS: EXACT DISCRETIZATION VERSUS APPROXIMATE DISCRETIZATION
Authors: KONG HUA , YANG GUANG , LUO CHENG
Published: May 2021

This paper suggests two fractional differences for aftershock modeling with heavy tails. Discrete fractional calculus is a straightforward tool on isolated time scale. On the other hand, the fractional difference also can be derived by standard finite difference method when the difference formula is convergent. The two methods are both adopted and compared in the results. The unknown parameters are determined by use of the least square method where Ya’an earthquake aftershock data is used. It is reported that the discrete fractional calculus is an exact discretization tool without any loss in the memory effects which leads to better results.
An Ensemble Clusterer Framework based on Valid and Diverse Basic Small Clusters
Authors: Sun Tao , Mashdour Saeed , Mahmoudi Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2021

Clustering ensemble is a new problem where it is aimed to extract a clustering out of a pool of base clusterings. The pool of base clusterings is sometimes referred to as ensemble. An ensemble is to be considered to be a suitable one, if its members are diverse and any of them has a minimum quality. The method that maps an ensemble into an output partition (called also as consensus partition) is named consensus function. The consensus function should find a consensus partition that all of the ensemble members agree on it as much as possible. In this paper, a novel clustering ensemble framework that guarantees generation of a pool of the base clusterings with the both conditions (diversity among ensemble members and high-quality members) is introduced. According to its limitations, a novel consensus function is also introduced. We experimentally show that the proposed clustering ensemble framework is scalable, efficient and general. Using different base clustering algorithms, we show that our improved base clustering algorithm is better. Also, among different consensus functions, we show the effectiveness of our consensus function. Finally, comparing with the state of the art, we find that the clustering ensemble framework is comparable or even better in terms of scalability and efficacy.
On the alternating sums of reciprocal generalized Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Ulutaş Yücel Türker , Kuzuoğlu Gökhan
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we consider finite alternating sums derived from the generalized Fibonacci numbers [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive integers with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Applying the greatest integer function to these sums, we obtain some equalities involving the generalized Fibonacci numbers.
The Society of Algorithms
Authors: Burrell Jenna , Fourcade Marion
Published: May 2021

The pairing of massive data sets with processes—or algorithms—written in computer code to sort through, organize, extract, or mine them has made inroads in almost every major social institution. This article proposes a reading of the scholarly literature concerned with the social implications of this transformation. First, we discuss the rise of a new occupational class, which we call the coding elite. This group has consolidated power through their technical control over the digital means of production and by extracting labor from a newly marginalized or unpaid workforce, the cybertariat. Second, we show that the implementation of techniques of mathematical optimization across domains as varied as education, medicine, credit and finance, and criminal justice has intensified the dominance of actuarial logics of decision-making, potentially transforming pathways to social reproduction and mobility but also generating a pushback by those so governed. Third, we explore how the same pervasive algorithmic intermediation in digital communication is transforming the way people interact, associate, and think. We conclude by cautioning against the wildest promises of artificial intelligence but acknowledging the increasingly tight coupling between algorithmic processes, social structures, and subjectivities.
Improved agreement between N2 and SF6 multiple-breath washout in healthy infants and toddlers with improved EXHALYZER D sensor performance
Authors: Sandvik Rikke M. , Gustafsson Per M. , Lindblad Anders , Robinson Paul D. , Nielsen Kim G.
Published: May 2021

Modern nitrogen multiple-breath washout (N2MBW) systems such as EXHALYZER D use O2 and CO2 sensors to calculate N2 concentrations. New corrections for interactions between high O2 and CO2 concentrations on the gas sensors now provide accurate N2 signals. The correct N2 signal led to much improved agreement between N2MBW and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) MBW functional residual capacity (FRC) and lung clearance index (LCI) in 52 sleeping healthy infants and toddlers, suggesting a role for N2MBW in this age-group.
Aggregating Heterogeneous Sensor Ontologies with Fuzzy Debate Mechanism
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Wu Xiaojing , Zhang Jie , Zhang Lingyu , Zhu Hai , Mao Guojun
Published: May 2021

Aiming at enhancing the communication and information security between the next generation of Industrial Internet of Things (Nx-IIoT) sensor networks, it is critical to aggregate heterogeneous sensor data in the sensor ontologies by establishing semantic connections in diverse sensor ontologies. Sensor ontology matching technology is devoted to determining heterogeneous sensor concept pairs in two distinct sensor ontologies, which is an effective method of addressing the heterogeneity problem. The existing matching techniques neglect the relationships among different entity mapping, which makes them unable to make sure of the alignment’s high quality. To get rid of this shortcoming, in this work, a sensor ontology extraction method technology using Fuzzy Debate Mechanism (FDM) is proposed to aggregate the heterogeneous sensor data, which determines the final sensor concept correspondences by carrying out a debating process among different matchers. More than ever, a fuzzy similarity metric is presented to effectively measure two entities’ similarity values by membership function. It first uses the fuzzy membership function to model two entities’ similarity in vector space and then calculate their semantic distance with the cosine function. The testing cases from Bibliographic data which is furnished by the Ontology Alignment Evaluation Initiative (OAEI) and six sensor ontology matching tasks are used to evaluate the performance of our scheme in the experiment. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method are proved by comparing it with the advanced ontology matching techniques.
A Stochastic Model for Adsorption Kinetics
Authors: Rodríguez-Narciso Silvia , Lozano-Álvarez Juan Antonio , Salinas-Gutiérrez Rogelio , Castañeda-Leyva Netzahualcóyotl
Published: May 2021

A novel stochastic model is proposed to characterize the adsorption kinetics of pollutants including dyes (direct red 80 and direct blue 1), fluoride ions, and cadmium ions removed by calcium pectinate (Pec-Ca), aluminum xanthanate (Xant-Al), and reed leaves, respectively. The model is based on a transformation over time following the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck stochastic process, which explicitly includes the uncertainty involved in the adsorption process. The model includes stochastic versions of the pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), and pseudo-[Formula: see text]-order (PNO) models. It also allows the estimation of the adsorption parameters, including the maximum removal capacity ([Formula: see text]), the adsorption rate constant ([Formula: see text]), the reaction pseudoorder ([Formula: see text]), and the variability [Formula: see text]. The model fitted produced [Formula: see text] values similar to those of the nonstochastic versions of the PFO, PSO, and PNO models; however, the obtained values for each parameter indicate that the stochastic model better reproduces the experimental data. The [Formula: see text] values of the Pec-Ca-dye, Xant-Al-fluoride, and reed leaf-Cd+2 systems ranged from 2.0 to 9.7, 0.41 to 1.9, and 0.04 and 0.29 mg/g, respectively, whereas the values of [Formula: see text] ranged from 0.051 to 0.286, 0.743 to 75.73, and 0.756 to 8.861 (mg/g)1- n/min, respectively. These results suggest a variability in the parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] inherent to the natures of the adsorbate and adsorbent. The obtained [Formula: see text] values ranged from 1.13 to 2.02 for the Pec-Ca-dye system, 1.0–3.5 for the Xant-Al-fluoride system, and 1.8–3.8 for the reed leaf-Cd+2 system. These ranges indicate the flexibility of the stochastic model to obtain fractional [Formula: see text] values, resulting in high [Formula: see text] values. The variability in each system was evaluated based on [Formula: see text]. The developed model is the first to describe pollutant removal kinetics based on a stochastic differential equation.
Pricing and Ordering Strategies for Fresh Food Based on Quality Grading
Authors: He Yong , Xie Yongmei , Zhou Xiaoli , Xu Henry , Yu Yanan
Published: May 2021

Fresh food quality grading is the basis of fresh food marketization. On the one hand, it can effectively improve the market efficiency of fresh food and improve the earnings of retailers. On the other hand, it can alleviate the incompleteness of market information and help consumers better identify the quality characteristics of fresh food. To address the issue of quality grading for fresh food, this study constructs a retailer profit model for selling fresh food with two quality grades. Considering the quality level distribution of fresh food and based on the quality selection model, the retailer’s optimal grading, pricing, and ordering of fresh food are studied. Through numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis, some conclusions with managerial implications are drawn. We find that the retailer has the optimal quality grading strategy for fresh food, which is influenced by the minimum quality level and the unit cost of fresh food. Raising the quality standard at the lowest level or reducing the unit cost can help the retailer increase the profits.
Role of Blood Stasis Syndrome of Kampo Medicine in the Early Pathogenic Stage of Atherosclerosis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Morita Akira , Namiki Takao , Nakaguchi Toshiya , Murai Kazunari , Watanabe Yuki , Nakamura Michimi , Kawasaki Yohei , Shiko Yuki , Tamura Yutaka , Suganami Akiko , Murakami Aya , Yagi Akio , Okamoto Hideki , Hirasaki Yoshiro
Published: May 2021

In Kampo medicine, blood stasis (BS) syndrome is strongly associated with microangiopathy and can lead to atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED), evaluated through flow-mediated dilation (FMD), plays an important role in the early stages of atherosclerosis. However, the association of BS syndrome with VED, as determined using FMD, has not been reported. This study investigated the association between BS syndrome and VED using FMD. Forty-one patients with normal glucose tolerance or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and without macrovascular complications were evaluated using FMD from May 2017 to August 2017. Based on the BS score, the patients were divided into the non-BS (n = 19) and BS syndrome (n = 22) groups. Physical and background characteristics, physiological function test results, and laboratory data were compared. Univariate analysis revealed that FMD and a history of dyslipidemia/IGT were significantly different between the two groups (

p
<
0.05

). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BS syndrome was significantly associated with FMD (odds ratio: 6.26;

p
=
0.03

) after adjusting for the history of dyslipidemia/IGT. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve for BS syndrome (0.74;

p
<
0.001

) and history of IGT (

p
<
0.007

) provided good diagnostic accuracy for FMD. The area under the curve for “BS syndrome + IGT” showed very good accuracy (0.80;

p
<
0.0001

) and was higher than that for BS syndrome or IGT alone. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the BS score in Kampo medicine could be a useful tool for detecting the early pathogenic stages of atherosclerosis.
Pipelined XPath Query Based on Cost Optimization
Authors: Chen Rongxin , Wang Zongyue , Hong Yuling
Published: May 2021

XPath query is the key part of XML data processing, and its performance is usually critical for XML applications. In the process of XPath query, there is inherent seriality between query steps, which makes it difficult to parallelize the query effectively as a whole. On the other hand, although XPath query has the characteristics of data stream processing and is suitable for pipeline processing, the data flow of each query step usually varies a lot, which results in limited performance under multithreading conditions. In this paper, we propose a pipelined XPath query method (PXQ) based on cost optimization. This method uses pipelined query primitives to process query steps based on relation index. During pipeline construction, a cost estimation model based on XML statistics is proposed to estimate the cost of the query primitive and provide guidance for the creation of a pipeline phase through the partition of query primitive sequence. The pipeline construction technique makes full use of available worker threads and optimizes the load balance between pipeline stages. The experimental results show that our method can adapt to the multithreaded environment and stream processing scenarios of XPath query, and its performance is better than the existing typical query methods based on data parallelism.
Plasma DNA Integrity as a Prognostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhu Feng , Ma Jing , Ru Dongdong , Wu Ningning , Zhang Yunhua , Li Huiyuan , Liu Xiaoli , Li Jianfeng , Zhang Huiling , Xu Yue , Zhao Jiangman , Tang Hui , Wang Yusheng , Fu Weihua
Published: May 2021

Objectives. To verify whether the concentrations and integrity index of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in serum may be clinically useful for the progression monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods. Serum samples were collected from 76 primary CRC patients who underwent surgery, including 60 with chemotherapy and 43 with follow-up. Long (247 bp) and short (115 bp) DNA fragments in serum were detected by real-time quantitative PCR by amplifying the ALU repeats. Ten serum traditional biomarkers levels were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay assay. Results. The median DNA integrity index (ALU247/ALU115) of serum DNA in the preoperative group was significantly higher than those in the postchemotherapy and the follow-up groups, while cfDNA concentration (ALU115) was significantly lower in the preoperative group compared with the postchemotherapy and the follow-up groups. CEA and CA242 were significantly lower in the postoperative group than in the preoperative group. Conclusions. Serum DNA integrity index (ALU247/115) may prove to be a promising candidate biomarker for prognostic prediction of CRC who underwent chemotherapy and during short-term follow-up.
Effect of Ni on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of a Co-Ti-V-Based Superalloy
Authors: Zhou Pengjie , Gao Xinkang , Song Dehang , Liu Yinbing , Cheng Jun
Published: May 2021

The effect of Ni on microstructure, elemental partition behavior,

γ

′

phase solvus temperature, lattice misfit between

γ

and

γ

′

phases, and mechanical properties of the Co-8Ti-11V-xNi alloys was investigated. The result shows that the lattice misfit in the alloys decreases from 0.74% to 0.61% as the Ni content increases from 0 to 10%, and the average sizes of the cuboidal

γ

′

phase were measured to be 312.10 nm, 112.86 nm, and 141.84 nm for the Co-8Ti-11V, Co-8Ti-11V-5Ni, and Co-8Ti-11V-10Ni, respectively. Ti, V, and Ni exhibit a slight tendency to partition into the

γ

′

phase, while Co shows a slight tendency to partition into the

γ

phase. The solvus temperatures of the

γ

′

phase were measured to be 1167°C, 1114°C, and 1108°C for the Co-8Ti-11V, Co-8Ti-11V-5Ni, and Co-8Ti-11V-10Ni alloys, respectively, by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, the yield strength and ultimate strength of the Co-8Ti-11V, Co-8Ti-11V-5Ni, and Co-8Ti-11V-10Ni alloys were investigated, and the yield strength and ultimate strength of the 10Ni alloy were highest, at 219 MPa and 240 MPa. After compression at 1000°C, the dislocations cannot effectively shear the

γ

′

phase in the 0Ni and 10Ni alloys, resulting in a relatively high compressive strength of the 0Ni and 10Ni alloys. However, the

γ

′

phase of the 5Ni alloy is no longer visible, and its strength is the lowest.
Associations between Hypertriglyceridemia and Circulating Neutrophil Subpopulation in Patients with Dyslipidemia
Authors: Genkel Vadim , Dolgushin Ilya , Baturina Irina , Savochkina Albina , Kuznetsova Alla , Pykhova Lubov , Shaposhnik Igor
Published: May 2021

Background. There is strong evidence to suggest that the negative influence of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) on atherosclerosis development and progression is at least partially mediated by their proinflammatory effects. However, the effect of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) on the subpopulation composition of circulating neutrophils has not been studied so far. The aim of this study was to examine correlations between the level of triglycerides (TGs) and the subpopulation composition of circulating neutrophils in middle-aged patients with dyslipidemia without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). Methods. Ninety-one patients with dyslipidemia, including 22 (24.2%) patients with HTG, were enrolled in the study. Phenotying of neutrophil subpopulations was performed through flow cytometry (Navios 6/2, Beckman Coulter, USA). For phenotyping of neutrophil subpopulations, conjugated monoclonal antibodies were used: CD16, PE-Cyanine7 (Invitrogen, USA); CD11b-FITC (Beckman Coulter, USA); CD62L-PE (Beckman Coulter, USA); and CD184 (CXCR4)-PE-CF594 (BD Biosciences, USA). Results. Following the correlation analysis, the TG level directly correlated with the number of circulating leukocytes (r = 0.443;

p
<
0.0001

) and neutrophils (r = 0.311;

p
=
0.008

). HTG patients displayed a significantly high number of circulating neutrophils with CD16hiCD11bhiCD62Lhi and CD16hiCD11bloCD62Lbr phenotypes. TG levels directly correlated with the number of circulating neutrophils having CD16hiCD11bhiCD62Lhi and CD16hiCD11bloCD62Lbr phenotypes. Following the linear regression analysis, statistically significant correlations between TG levels and neutrophil subpopulations having CD16hiCD11bloCD62Lbr and CD16hiCD11bbrCD62LloCXCR4hi phenotypes were established. Changes in TG levels could explain up to 19.1% of the variability in the number of studied neutrophil subpopulations. Conclusion. Among middle-aged patients without established ASCVDs, patients with HTG demonstrated a significantly higher overall number of neutrophils and neutrophils having CD16hiCD11bhiCD62Lhi (mature neutrophils) and CD16hiCD11bloCD62Lbr (immunosuppressive neutrophils) than patients with normal TG levels. The TG level was associated with an increase in the number of CD16hiCD11bloCD62Lbr and CD16hiCD11bbrCD62LloCXCR4hi (ageing neutrophils) neutrophils, adjusted for the sex and age of the patients.
Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) Injection Ameliorates Iron Overload-Associated Cardiac Dysfunction by Regulating the Expression of DMT1, TfR1, and FP1 in Rats
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Xue Yucong , Zheng Bin , Han Xue , Ma Donglai , Ma Zhihong , Guan Shengjiang , Gao Yonggang , Li Ziliang , Chu Li
Published: May 2021

Previous studies have found that Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) injection have a protective effect on the iron overloaded (IO) heart. However, the mechanisms are not completely known. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms based on the iron transport-related proteins. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, IO group, low-dose SM group, high-dose SM group, and deferoxamine control group. Iron dextran was injected to establish the IO model. After 14 days of treatment, cardiac histological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Iron uptake-related proteins divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1), transferrin receptor-1 (TfR-1), and iron export-related proteins ferroportin1 (FP1) in the heart were detected by Western blotting. The results showed that SM injection decreased cardiac iron deposition, ameliorated cardiac function, and inhibited cardiac oxidation. Most important of all, SM injection downregulated the expression of DMT-1 and TfR-1 and upregulated FP1 protein levels compared with the IO group. Our results indicated that reducing cardiac iron uptake and increasing iron excretion may be one of the important mechanisms of SM injection reducing cardiac iron deposition and improving cardiac function under the conditions of IO.
Improved Particle Filter Using Clustering Similarity of the State Trajectory with Application to Nonlinear Estimation: Theory, Modeling, and Applications
Authors: Jiao Ziquan , Feng Zhiqiang , Lv Na , Liu Wenjing , Qin Haijian
Published: May 2021

A clustering similarity particle filter based on state trajectory consistency is presented for the mathematical modeling, performance estimation, and smart sensing of nonlinear systems. Starting from an information fusion model based on the consistency principle of the spatial state trajectory, the predicted observation information of the current particle filter (original trajectory) and future multistage Gaussian particle filter (modified trajectory) are selected as the state trajectories of the sampling particles. Clustering similarity methods are used to measure the state trajectories of the sampling particles and the actual system (reference trajectory). The importance weight of a first‐order Markov model is updated with the measurement results. By integrating the targeted compensation scheme of the latest measurement information into the sequential importance sampling process, the adverse effects of the particle degradation phenomenon are effectively reduced. The convergence theorems of the improved particle filter are proposed and proved. The improved filter is applied to practical cases of nonlinear process estimation, economic statistical prediction, and battery health assessment, and the simulation results show that the improved particle filter is superior to traditional filters in estimation accuracy, efficiency, and robustness.