bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting Entities of Works for Chinese Chatbot
Authors: Wu Chuhan , Wu Fangzhao , Qi Tao , Liu Junxin , Huang Yongfeng , Xie Xing
Published: September 2020

Chatbots such as Xiaoice have gained huge popularity in recent years. Users frequently mention their favorite works such as songs and movies in conversations with chatbots. Detecting these entities can help design better chat strategies and improve user experience. Existing named entity recognition methods are mainly designed for formal texts, and their performance on the informal chatbot conversation texts may not be optimal. In addition, these methods rely on massive manually annotated data for model training. In this article, we propose a neural approach to detect entities of works for Chinese chatbot. Our approach is based on a language model (LM) long-short term memory (LSTM) convolutional neural network (CNN) conditional random value (CRF), or LM-LSTM-CNN-CRF, framework, which contains a language model to generate context-aware character embeddings, a Bi-LSTM network to learn contextual character representations from global contexts, a CNN to learn character representations from local contexts, and a CRF layer to jointly decode the character label sequence. In addition, we propose an automatic text annotation method via quote marks to reduce the effort of manual annotation. Besides, we propose an iterative data purification method to improve the quality of the automatically constructed labeled data. Massive experiments on a real-world dataset validate that our approach can achieve good performance on entity detection for Chinese chatbots.
Toward a Microarchitecture for Efficient Execution of Irregular Applications
Authors: Leidel John D. , Wang Xi , Williams Brody , Chen Yong
Published: September 2020

Given the increasing importance of efficient data-intensive computing, we find that modern processor designs are not well suited to the irregular memory access patterns often found in these algorithms. Applications and algorithms that do not exhibit spatial and temporal memory request locality induce high latency and low memory bandwidth due to the high cache miss rate. In response to the performance penalties inherently present in applications with irregular memory accesses, we introduce a GoblinCore-64 (GC64) architecture and a unique memory hierarchy that are explicitly designed to exploit memory performance from irregular memory access patterns. GC64 provides a pressure-driven hardware-managed concurrency control to minimize pipeline stalls and lower the latency of context switches. A novel memory coalescing model is also introduced to enhance the performance of memory systems via request aggregations. We have evaluated the performance benefits of our approach using a series of 24 benchmarks and the results show nearly 50% memory request reductions and a performance acceleration of up to 14.6×.
Automated Bug Detection for High-level Synthesis of Multi-threaded Irregular Applications
Authors: Fezzardi Pietro , Ferrandi Fabrizio
Published: September 2020

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are becoming an appealing technology in datacenters and High Performance Computing. High-Level Synthesis (HLS) of multi-threaded parallel programs is increasingly used to extract parallelism. Despite great leaps forward in HLS and related debugging methodologies, there is a lack of contributions in automated bug identification for HLS of multi-threaded programs. This work defines a methodology to automatically detect and isolate bugs in parallel circuits generated with HLS. The technique relies on hardware/software Discrepancy Analysis and exploits a pattern-matching algorithm based on Finite State Automata to compare multiple hardware and software threads. Overhead, advantages, and limitations are evaluated on designs generated with an open-source HLS compiler supporting OpenMP.
Analysis of Cyber Incident Categories Based on Losses
Authors: Kesan Jay P. , Zhang Linfeng
Published: September 2020

The fact that “cyber risk” is indeed a collective term for various distinct risks creates great difficulty in communications. For example, policyholders of “cyber insurance” contracts often have a limited or inaccurate understanding about the coverage that they have. To address this issue, we propose a cyber risk categorization method using clustering techniques. This method classifies cyber incidents based on their consequential losses for insurance and risk management purposes. As a result, it also reveals the relationship between the causes and the outcomes of incidents. Our results show that similar cyber incidents, which are often not properly distinguished, can lead to very different losses. We hope that our work can clarify the differences between cyber risks and provide a set of risk categories that is feasible in practice and for future studies.
Expression and Genetic Polymorphisms of ERCC1 in Chinese Han Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Chaokui , Gan Ning , Liu Ping , Chen Hongying , Li Yong , Li Xian
Published: September 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the excision repair cross‐complementation group 1 (ERCC1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the possible association of ERCC1 polymorphisms with susceptibility and response to chemotherapy of OSCC in a Chinese Han population. The expression of ERCC1 was determined by real‐time PCR in eight patients. Four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11615, rs3212948, rs3212961, and rs735482 of ERCC1 were genotyped in 113 OSCC patients and 184 healthy controls using a PCR restriction matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) assay. We found that a higher gene expression of ERCC1 was observed in tumor tissue as compared to pericarcinomatous tissue in OSCC patients. All genotypic and allelic frequencies of the tested ERCC1 polymorphisms were in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs11615, rs3212948, rs3212961, and rs735482 of ERCC1 were not different between OSCC patients and controls. No correlation was observed between ERCC1 polymorphisms and the response to chemotherapy. Our results show that ERCC1 is increased in the tumor tissue of OSCC patients. The investigated ERCC1 gene polymorphisms (rs11615, rs3212948, rs3212961, and rs735482) are not associated with the susceptibility and response to chemotherapy of OSCC in our investigated Chinese Han population.
Lupeol Counteracts the Proinflammatory Signalling Triggered in Macrophages by 7-Keto-Cholesterol: New Perspectives in the Therapy of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Saha Sarmistha , Profumo Elisabetta , Togna Anna Rita , Riganò Rachele , Saso Luciano , Buttari Brigitta
Published: September 2020

Macrophage activation and polarization play a central role in atherosclerotic plaque fate. The M1/M2 activation phenotypes represent two profiles of the macrophage polarization state. During atherosclerosis regression or stabilization, macrophages switch from M1 proinflammatory phenotype to M2 anti-inflammatory reparative one. Here, we investigated whether the natural compound lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, induces phenotypical and functional changes in human M1 macrophages and counteracts the proinflammatory signalling triggered by 7-keto-cholesterol (7KC), a major product of oxidative stress-mediated cholesterol oxidation. Flow cytometric and immunochemical analysis showed that the treatment with lupeol of M1 monocyte-derived macrophagesM(IFN-γ/LPS)specifically stimulated these cells to upregulate the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-)10 and TGF-β, and of the scavenger receptor CD36, whereas downregulated the proinflammatory cytokine IL-12 and the M1 activation marker HLA-DR. Pretreatment of macrophages with lupeol prevented the release of IL-12, IL-1β, and the upregulation of HLA-DR expression triggered by 7KC and increased the IL-10 production and CD36 expression. This treatment also prevented the impairment of endocytosis triggered by 7KC and prevented 7KC-induced foam cell formation by reducing the lipid droplet accumulation in M1-polarized THP-1 macrophages, whereas showed an additive effect in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Western blotting analysis of autophagy markers LC3-I/II and p62-SQSTM1 in M1-polarized THP-1 macrophages demonstrated that lupeol activated autophagy as indicated by increased LC3-II levels, and by marked inhibition of p62. These findings indicate that lupeol has a cytoprotective effect on 7KC-proinflammatory signalling by efficiently switching the macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, probably through the activation of the autophagy pathway by increasing ROS production, the reduction of cellular lipid accumulation, and an overall reduction of proinflammatory phenotype. Thus, our data demonstrating an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of lupeol in human M1 macrophages suggest its usefulness as an adjunctive drug in the therapy of atherosclerosis.
Simulation of the Extraction Efficiency of Coalbed Methane under Water Injection: A Gas-Liquid-Solid Coupling Model
Authors: Pu Hai , Zhang Liqiang , Dong Xu , Jing Tao , Junce Xu
Published: September 2020

Coalbed methane is always a major hidden danger that affects mining safety in coal mines. In the study of coal seam water injection to control gas disaster, the increase of free water content is helpful to destroy the integrity of coal seam and to promote the flow of gas in fractures. However, when the free water fills the fracture space, it will increase the flow resistance of gas, and then will reduce the gas extraction efficiency. At present, there is currently no mathematical model describing the effects of coal seam water injection that combines these two aspects on gas drainage. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to study the differences in mechanical property changes under wetting conditions with different coal samples. The experimental results show that the elastic modulus and compressive strength decrease as an exponential function with increasing water pressure. Based on the experimental results, a gas-liquid-solid coupling model including effective stress change and gas desorption is established and used to predict a field gas extraction application. According to the results of the numerical model, In the plastic failure zone of coal seam, the permeability increases, the elastic modulus drops and gas migrates faster. In the water wetting zone, the free water occupies the fracture space, which blocks the gas migration channel. The overall effect of water injection on gas extraction depends on which impact plays a dominant role. The established gas drainage model is validated by field data and can reflect the pattern of borehole damage and gas drainage under water injection.
Combinational Use of Antiplatelet Medication Sarpogrelate with Therapeutic Drug Rosuvastatin in Treating High‐Cholesterol Diet‐Induced Chronic Kidney Disease in ApoE‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Xu Jingyi , Pei Zuowei , Yu Meng , Li Xiang , Wang Lu , Lin Yichen , Chen Xinyan , Liu Xiaodan
Published: September 2020

A number of metabolic disorders, including hyperlipidemia, potentially cause chronic kidney disease (CKD), one of their major chronic complications and comorbidities. Rosuvastatin is one of the widely used antiatherogenic drugs among hyperlipidemic patients. Meanwhile, sarpogrelate is not only a 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist but also an antiplatelet agent, inhibiting platelet‐stimulated blood coagulation and improving peripheral circulation. In this study, a combination of sarpogrelate and/or rosuvastatin was used on CKD mice induced by a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks. The mice were tested for pathological changes using histological evaluation. Tremendous alterations were found, including a remarked increase in total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, glomerular endothelial proliferation, and mesangial expansion. Also, tubular damage and extracellular matrix accumulation occurred, namely, a marked increase in the macula densa, scattered and apoptotic loss of the apical brush border with vacuolated basophilic cytoplasm and heavily stained nuclei, and expanded Bowman’s space, which were at least partially ameliorated by sarpogrelate and/or rosuvastatin treatment. The analysis of expression profiles at both the RNA and protein levels, using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, indicated that LDL‐R/CD68/LOX‐1‐positive monocyte/macrophage‐mediated enhanced proinflammatory activation, including the significant upregulation of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6, was actually attenuated by sarpogrelate and/or rosuvastatin treatment. The findings indicated that sarpogrelate and/or rosuvastatin treatment potentially ameliorates CKD progression in patients with the aforementioned comorbid metabolic disorders.
Qidonghuoxue Decoction Ameliorates Pulmonary Edema in Acute Lung Injury Mice through the Upregulation of Epithelial Sodium Channel and Aquaporin‐1
Authors: Ma Chunfang , Dong Lei , Li Minjing , Cai Wanru
Published: September 2020

QDHX decoction is an effective traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat ALI, a disease characterized by pulmonary edema and inflammation. In this study, the aim is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of QDHX decoction on improving the alveolar‐capillary membrane permeability and alleviating inflammatory response. The BALB/c mice were divided into five groups including the control group, ALI group, ALI + low‐dose QDHX decoction, ALI + high‐dose QDHX decoction, and ALI + dexamethasone. When the animals were sacrificed, the pathology and wet/dry of lung tissue were tested and confirmed Ali model, the LDH and nucleated cells in BALF, and TNF‐α and IL‐1β in serum; α‐ENaC and AQP‐1 in lung tissue were examined. In the results, QDHX decoction downregulated the cytokine such as TNF‐α and IL‐1β, reduced the nucleated cells, and some biochemical parameters of the BALF. It also ameliorated the ENaC‐α and AQP‐1 expression induced by LPS in primary epithelial cells. These findings may provide new insights into the application of QDHX decoction for the prevention and treatment of LPS‐related ALI.
[Retracted] circSMARCA5 Promoted Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation, Adhesion, Migration, and Invasion through a Competing Endogenous RNA Network
Authors: Zhang Hepeng , Meng Fanyu , Dong Shuaicheng
Published: September 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a widely common sort among bone cancer in children, and its overall survival ratio is low. The hidden mechanism of tumor genesis, progression, and metastasis regarding osteosarcoma needed to be further investigated. Emerging studies concentrated on exploring the functional roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human cancers. The present study conducted a loss‐of‐function experiments to explore the circSMARCA5‐induced influence on OS proliferation, cell cycle, and metastasis. Moreover, our manuscript unearthed the potential mechanisms of circSMARCA5 in regulating OS progression by in silico analysis. Our findings would provide new evidence to support that circSMARCA5 could be indicated as a biomarker for OS.
The Role of Multimodality Imaging in Monitoring Disease Activity and Therapeutic Response to Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Conticini Edoardo , Sota Jurgen , Falsetti Paolo , Baldi Caterina , Bardelli Marco , Bellisai Francesca , Tosi Gian Marco , Frediani Bruno , Cantarini Luca
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel (LV) vasculitis, mainly affecting elder patients. Monitoring GCA activity during tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment is an unmet need, since low serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) during treatment may underestimate disease activity. To date, few data are available on the role of different imaging techniques in monitoring GCA activity and response to treatment. We report herein a cohort of GCA patients treated with TCZ and followed up with multimodal imaging. Patients and Methods. We collected clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of 11 GCA patients treated with TCZ 162 mg subcutaneously every week. Disease activity was assessed at baseline and within 12 months from the start of treatment using different imaging techniques such as color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), magnetic resonance imaging/angiography (MRI/MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and/or positron emission tomography (PET). Results. Four patients were affected by cranial and 7 by LV-GCA. All patients were treated with oral glucocorticoids (GCs) (mean dose 55.68 mg±8.19 of prednisone or equivalent) in combination with TCZ. Treatment was preceded in 5 cases by 3 intravenous boluses of 1000 mg methylprednisolone. A significant decrease of the mean dose of oral GCs was observed between baseline and the last follow-up visit (4.65±3.69 mg) (p=0.003). TCZ treatment significantly decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.01) and CRP levels (p<0.01). At follow-up (mean 8.18±3.63 months), all patients were in clinical and serological remission. Moreover, PET, CDUS, MRI/MRA, and CTA did not show any LVV finding. Conclusions. Our study highlights TCZ efficacy in inducing GCA remission and its steroid-sparing effect. We highlighted a reliability of imaging procedures in the evaluation of disease activity and treatment response. A close disease monitoring with imaging techniques should be taken into account in GCA patients during TCZ treatment.
Isokotomolide A from Cinnamomum kotoense Induce Melanoma Autophagy and Apoptosis In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Chung-Yi , Huang Jyun Yin , Wang Lin , Xu Zixuan , Kang Wenyi , Lin Miao-Hsia , Wang Hui-Min David
Published: September 2020

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer with high lethality. In order to find new anticancer agents, isokotomolide A (Iso A) and secokotomolide A (Sec A) isolated from Cinnamomum kotoense were identified to be potential bioactive agents against human melanoma but without strong antioxidative properties. Cell proliferation assay displayed Iso A and Sec A treated in the normal human skin cells showed high viabilities. It also verified that two of them possess strong antimelanoma effect in concentration-dependent manners, especially on B16F10, A2058, MeWo, and A375 cells. Wound healing assay presented their excellent antimigratory effects. Through 3-N,3-N,6-N,6-N-Tetramethylacridine-3,6-diamine (acridine orange, AO) staining and Western blot, the autophagy induced by treatment was confirmed, including autophagy-related proteins (Atgs). By using annexin V–FITC/PI double-stain, the apoptosis was confirmed, and both components also triggered the cell cycle arrest and DNA damage. We demonstrated the correlations between the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and antimelanoma, such as caspase cascade activations. To further evaluate in vivo experiments, the inhibition of tumor cell growth was verified through the histopathological staining in a xenograft model. In this study, it was confirmed that Iso A and Sec A can encourage melanoma cell death via early autophagy and late apoptosis processes.
Dynamics Analysis of a Betel Nut Addiction Spreading Model on Scale-Free Networks
Authors: Wang He , Li Tao , Cheng Xinming , Kong Yu , Lei Yangmei
Published: September 2020

Medical research has shown that overeating betel nut can be addictive and can damage health. More serious cases may cause mouth cancer and other diseases. Even worse, people’s behavior habit of chewing betel nut may influence each other through social interaction with direct or indirect ways, such as face-to-face communication, Facebook, Twitter, microblog, and WeChat, which leads to the spreading phenomenon of betel nut addiction. In order to investigate the dynamic spreading characteristics of betel nut addiction, a PMSR (Potential-Mild-Severe-Recovered) betel nut addiction spreading model is presented on scale-free networks. The basic reproductive number R0 and equilibria are derived. Theoretical results indicate that the basic reproductive number R0 is significantly dependent on the topology of the underlying networks, and some influence parameters. The existence of equilibria is determined by the basic reproductive number R0. Furthermore, we prove that if R0<1 the addiction-elimination equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. If R0>1, the betel nut addiction spreading is permanent, and the addiction-prevailing equilibrium is globally attractive. Finally, numerical simulations confirm the theoretical analysis results.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Caesalpinia volkensii Harms., Vernonia lasiopus O. Hoffm., and Acacia hockii De Wild
Authors: Muthoni Guchu Beatrice , Machocho Alex King’ori , Mwihia Stephen Kiruthi , Ngugi Mathew Piero
Published: September 2020

Oxidative stress is the result of the disparity between pro‐oxidants and antioxidants in an organism, and it is important in the pathogenesis of several degenerative disorders, such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Free radicals can damage biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and carbohydrates, and the DNA leading to mutations. The use of antioxidants is effective in delaying the oxidation of biomolecules. Antioxidants are complexes found in the food that can retard or deter oxidation by preventing the initiation and propagation of oxidizing chain reactions. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by man to manage diseases and have a host of antioxidant complexes. Traditionally, Caesalpinia volkensii, Vernonia lasiopus, and Acacia hockii have folkloric remedies against associated oxidative stress‐mediated complications. However, the upsurge in its use has not been accompanied by scientific validations to support these claims. In this study, in vitro antioxidant activity of Caesalpinia volkensii, Vernonia lasiopus, and Acacia hockii collected from Embu County (Kenya) were determined by radical scavenging activities of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical in addition to ferric reducing antioxidant power analyzed against that of L‐ascorbic acid as the standard. The obtained results revealed remarkable antioxidant activities of the studied plant extracts as evidenced by the low IC50 and EC50 values. These antioxidant activities could be due to the presence of antioxidants phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins among others. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of this plant could be due to their antioxidant properties. This study recommends bioassay of the extracts against oxidative stress‐related disorders for development of phytomedicine with antioxidant properties.
State-Space Measurement Update for GNSS/INS Integrated Navigation
Authors: Gan XingLi , Li Wei , Yang Ling , Zhang Heng
Published: September 2020

This paper theoretically derives the equivalence conditions for the loosely and tightly coupled GNSS/INS integration algorithms. Firstly, the equivalence is proved when using single epoch GNSS measurements, which means the GNSS processor provides standalone solution. Then, the equivalence proof is further extended for the filtering solutions, which are usually applied for differential GNSS and precise point positioning. Based on these, different state and measurement models for GNSS/INS integration navigation are summarized, and natural differences among these models are discussed. This indicates that once the same measurement and predict information are used, the integration would be equivalent no matter what kind of coupling schemes are used. A flight dataset with GNSS and tactical IMU data is used to evaluate the equivalence and discrepancies among four different measurement models, and the results confirm the theoretical derivations.
Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Combined with Auricular Point Pressing in Improving Mental Well‐Being among Individuals with Heroin Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial and Pilot Study
Authors: Yu Kai-Chiang , Wei Han-Ting , Chang Shang-Chih , Hsu Chung-Hua
Published: September 2020

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining electroacupuncture with auricular point pressing in improving quality of life of individuals with heroin use disorder undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. Design. A randomized controlled crossover trial. Subjects. 50 participants were recruited from Taipei City Hospital, Linsen Chinese Medicine and Kunming branches, and randomly allocated to treatment groups. Method. The 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) was used. Group A received electroacupuncture at the Hegu (LI4) and Zusanli (ST36) and auricular point pressing on Ear Shenmen, and Group B received only auricular point pressing on Ear Shenmen biweekly for 4 weeks. After a 1‐week washout period, crossover of the groups was performed. Results. The SF‐36 mental component scores of the combined treatment group improved relative to the single treatment group (11.09 vs. 10.33, p = 0.023). Methadone dosage was reduced in both groups (combined therapy group: 8.58 ± 4.17/7.76 ± 4.11 (baseline/posttreatment) vs. single therapy group: 8.36 ± 4.20/8.30 ± .28, p = 0.001). Conclusion. Combined therapy of high‐frequency electroacupuncture with auricular point pressing had better efficacy in enhancing quality of life, especially for mental well‐being, and in gradually reducing methadone dosage.
Adaptive Dynamic Surface Decentralized Output Feedback Control for Switched Nonstrict Feedback Large-Scale Systems with Unknown Dead Zones
Authors: Wan Min , Huang Shanshan
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates a novel adaptive output feedback decentralized control scheme for switched nonstrict feedback large-scale systems with unknown dead zones. A decentralized linear state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasurable states of subsystems. The dead zone inverse technique is used to compensate the effect of the unknown dead zone. A variable separation approach is applied to deal with the nonstrict feedback problem. Moreover, dynamic surface control and minimal parameter learning technology are adopted to reduce the computation burden. The proof of stability and the arbitrary switching are obtained by the common Lyapunov method. Finally, simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
New Strategies in the Design of Paramagnetic CAs
Authors: Smeraldo Alessio , Netti Paolo A. , Torino Enza
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the first diagnostic imaging modality for numerous indications able to provide anatomical information with high spatial resolution through the use of magnetic fields and gradients. Indeed, thanks to the characteristic relaxation time of each tissue, it is possible to distinguish between healthy and pathological ones. However, the need to have brighter images to increase differences and catch important diagnostic details has led to the use of contrast agents (CAs). Among them, Gadolinium-based CAs (Gd-CAs) are routinely used in clinical MRI practice. During these last years, FDA highlighted many risks related to the use of Gd-CAs such as nephrotoxicity, heavy allergic effects, and, recently, about the deposition within the brain. These alerts opened a debate about the opportunity to formulate Gd-CAs in a different way but also to the use of alternative and safer compounds to be administered, such as manganese- (Mn-) based agents. In this review, the physical principle behind the role of relaxivity and the T1 boosting will be described in terms of characteristic correlation times and inner and outer spheres. Then, the recent advances in the entrapment of Gd-CAs within nanostructures will be analyzed in terms of relaxivity boosting obtained without the chemical modification of CAs as approved in the chemical practice. Finally, a critical evaluation of the use of manganese-based CAs will be illustrated as an alternative ion to Gd due to its excellent properties and endogenous elimination pathway.
The Electrical Analogue Computer of Microtubule’s Protofilament
Authors: Ekosso M. C. , Fotue A. J. , Kenfack S. C. , Fotsin H. , Fai L. C.
Published: September 2020

Microtubules as essential biopolymers implicated into electrical intracellular transport open a lot of questions about their intrinsic character of dynamic instability. Both experimental and theoretical investigations are used to understand their behavior in order to mimic and build powerful and smart biomaterials. So, in this paper, by analytical and computational approaches, we proposed an electrical analogue computer of microtubule’s protofilament drawing from the partial differential equation which describes microtubule’s motion. Using the computing elements, namely, operational amplifiers, capacitors, and resistors, we designed analytically the bioelectronic circuit of the microtubule’s protofilament. To validate our model, Runge–Kutta code was used to solve the partial differential equation of MT’s motion on software Matlab, and then, the results obtained are used as a controller to fit and validate numerical results obtained by running the bioelectronic circuit on software PSpice. It is shown that the analogue circuit displayed spontaneous electrical activity consistent with self-sustained electrical oscillations. We found out that two behaviors were exhibited by the voltage generated from the electrical analogue computer of MT’s protofilament; amplification and damping behaviors are modulated by the values of the resistor of the summing operational amplifier. From our study, it is shown that low values of the resistor promote damping behavior while high values of the resistor promote an amplification behavior. So microtubule’s protofilament exhibits different spontaneous regimes leading to different oscillatory modes. This study put forward the possibility to build microtubule’s protofilament as a biotransistor.
Experiment on Direction of Arrival Estimation of Atmospheric Spark Discharge Plasma Using Combined Time-Domain Antenna
Authors: Yan Jiangzehui , Xu Luping , Tie Weihao , Jiang Dan
Published: September 2020

Apart from interfering in the communication system of an aircraft, electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) radiated from spark discharge plasma, which is generated during high-speed flight, can also be utilized in passive detection. In order to validate this idea, an experiment on direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of a spark discharge plasma target using its radiated EMPs is carried out in this paper. A combined time-domain antenna is designed based on the model of spark discharge process and is used to receive the radiated EMPs during the experiment. According to the experimental results, the DOA estimation system with combined antenna is able to obtain the direction information of a spark discharge plasma. Results also show that the estimation performance of elevation angle is better when the actual elevation angle of the discharge plasma target is higher, while the estimation performance of azimuth is opposite. The azimuth angle of a target has very little influence on the DOA estimation. Moreover, the estimation error can be reduced effectively by increasing the aperture size of receiving array. The previously mentioned results provide an approach to locate the discharge plasma source using radiated EMPs with passive detection techniques.
Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters Related to Vision Impairment in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema: A Quantitative Correlation Analysis
Authors: Li Bing , Zhang Bilei , Chen Youxin , Li Donghui
Published: September 2020

Purpose. To quantitatively explore the correlation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and vision impairment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods. This study was a retrospective observational case series. One-hundred eyes from 66 patients with DME were retrospectively included. OCT parameters, including central macular thickness (CMT), height of intraretinal cystoid, subretinal fluid and sponge-like retinal swelling, density of hyperreflective foci (HRF), and integrity of the ellipsoidal zone (EZ), were assessed. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to quantitatively explore the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT parameters. Results. Among all OCT parameters, CMT, height of intraretinal cystoid, height of sponge-like retinal swelling, and density of HRF and EZ integrity were significantly correlated with BCVA (r = −0.550, −0.526, −0.411, −0.277, and −0.501, respectively; P<0.01). In multiple linear regression analysis, CMT, density of HRF, and EZ integrity fit a significant linear equation (β = 0.482, 0.184, and 0.447, respectively), with the adjusted R square reaching 0.522 (P<0.001). In eyes without SRF, the height of intraretinal cystoid, density of HRF, and EZ integrity were included in the model and an adjusted R square of 0.605 (P<0.001) was obtained. Conclusion. In DME eyes, OCT parameters, including the density of HRF, the EZ integrity together with CMT, or the height of intraretinal cystoid, could explain 52.2% to 60.5% of the variation in BCVA and were weighted approximately 2 : 1 : 2, respectively.
An Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Multichaotic System and DNA Coding
Authors: Zheng Jiming , Luo Zheng , Tang Zhirui
Published: September 2020

In this paper, an improved two-dimensional logistic-sine coupling map (N2D-LSCM) and an improved Henon map (NHenon) are proposed. Furthermore, by combining N2D-LSCM and NHenon map, an image encryption algorithm is proposed based on these two chaotic systems and DNA coding. The chaotic sequences generated by N2D-LSCM are used as the parameters of NHenon. In the scrambling stage, DNA encoding is carried out for pixels after scrambling by two chaotic sequences generated by N2D-LSCM; in the stage of diffusion, DNA random coding acts on random matrix obtained by two chaotic sequences generated by NHenon, and DNA XOR operation is carried out with the image obtained in the scrambling stage to diffuse. Compared with other 2D map for image encryption algorithm, this algorithm exhibits good security and holds high efficiency.
Birzeit University Students’ Perception of Bottled Water Available in the West Bank Market
Authors: Abdah Buthainah , Al-Khatib Issam A. , Khader Abdelhaleem I.
Published: September 2020

Water bottling industry has negative environmental impacts due to exploitation and possible pollution of water resources and due to solid waste problems related to the use of plastic bottles. To mitigate these impacts, it is important to study the link between consuming bottled drinking water and the perception of its quality. The objective of the study is to assess the perception of Birzeit University students’ of the bottled water marketed in the West Bank and its impact on the humans and the environment. Universities play an important role in providing awareness about environmental issues and sustainability, and university students are thought to be more environmentally conscious about these issues. A quantitative survey was used to analyze the behaviors and perceptions of Birzeit University students. The sample size was 375 students, distributed according to the college, gender, and the academic year at the university. The results show that the factors that affect the perception of the students are mainly the educational year at the university, the income, the family size, and the community type.
A Configurable Semantic-Based Transformation Method towards Conceptual Models
Authors: Wang Tiexin , Cao Jingwen , Tao Chuanqi , Yang Zhibin , Wu Yi , Li Bohan
Published: September 2020

Conceptual models are built to depict and analyze complex systems. They are made of concepts and relationships among these concepts. In a particular domain, conceptual models are helpful for different stakeholders to reach a clear and unified view of domain problems. However, the process of building conceptual models is time-consuming, tedious, and expertise required. To improve the efficiency of the building process, this paper proposes a configurable semantic-based (semi-) automatic conceptual model transformation methodology (SbACMT) that tries to reuse existing conceptual models to generate new models. SbACMT contains three parts: (i) a configurable semantic relatedness computing method building on the structured linguistic knowledge base “ConceptNet” (SRCM-CNet), (ii) a specific meta-model, which follows the Ecore standard, defines the rules of applying SRCM-CNet to different conceptual models to automatically detect transformation mappings, and (iii) a multistep matching and transformation process that employs SRCM-CNet. A case study is carried out to detail the working mechanism of SbACMT. Furthermore, through a systematically analysis of this case study, we validate the performance of SbACMT. We prove that SbACMT can support the automatic transformation process of conceptual models (e.g., class diagrams). The scalability of SbACMT can be improved by adapting the meta-model and predefined syntax transformation rules.
Comparison of Primer‐Probe Sets among Different Master Mixes for Laboratory Screening of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Authors: Cuong Hoang Quoc , Hai Nguyen Duc , Linh Hoang Thuy , Anh Nguyen Hoang , Hieu Nguyen Trung , Thang Cao Minh , Thao Nguyen Thi Thanh , Lan Phan Trong
Published: September 2020

Background. There is a shortage of chemical reagents for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnosis and a surge of SARS-CoV-2 cases, especially in limited‐resource settings. Therefore, the combination of an optimal assay kit is necessary. Methods. We compared the ability to screen SARS-CoV-2 among three primer‐probe sets in two different master mixes, Invitrogen™ SuperScript™ III One‐Step RT‐PCR and LightCycler Multiplex RNA Virus Master. Results. The assay with TIB‐Molbiol, IDT, and Phu Sa sets for LightCycler Multiplex RNA Virus Master or Invitrogen™ SuperScript™ III One‐Step RT‐PCR showed positive results from a single reaction of triplicate in the three days of 4.8 copies per reaction. R squared and amplification efficiency were 0.97 and ranged from 107 to 108%, respectively. Conclusions. Our findings indicated that TIB‐Molbiol, IDT, and Phu Sa primer‐probe sets could be beneficial for the laboratory screening of SARS-CoV-2 by RT‐qPCR assay of E gene. There is a need to consider the combination of these reagent sets as a new strategy to increase the testing capacity of screening programs for COVID‐19.
Does Cataract Surgery Improve the Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Cai Qinhua
Published: September 2020

Purpose. Cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the common causes of blindness in the elderly. Although cataract surgery is the most effective treatment for cataract, some clinicians suspect that such interventions may accelerate the progression of AMD. Therefore, we carried out this meta-analysis to focus on demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of cataract surgery in eyes with AMD. Methods. We performed a systematic literature search in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, and the electronic databases were last searched in January 2019. We planned to include cohort trials of eyes affected by both cataract and AMD in which cataract surgery would be compared to no surgery. Two reviewers independently evaluated the search results against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 8 trials were included for this meta-analysis. Results. We used the Stata/12.0 to integrate the data that was extracted from the articles. Eight cohort trials with data from different study populations were included. In random effects model, the relative risk (RR) for the progression of AMD is 1.194 (95% CI 0.897–1.591). As for those grouped according to the follow-up year, the RR for longer than five years was 1.372 (95% CI 1.062–1.772). Conclusion. We could draw out such a conclusion that there is still a positive correlation between cataract surgery and the progression of AMD, especially for the Asians. However, based on the current results, it is not possible to draw conclusions from existing studies on the impact of cataract surgery on early AMD development.
Garment Waste Recycled Cotton/Polyester Thermal and Acoustic Properties of Air‐Laid Nonwovens
Authors: Sakthivel S. , Melese Bahiru , Edae Ashenafi , Abedom Fasika , Mekonnen Seblework , Solomon Eshetu
Published: September 2020

This research paper reports a study on thermal and sound insulation samples developed from garment waste recycled cotton/polyester fiber (recycled cotton/PET) for construction industry applications. In this research work, the piece of clothing waste recycled cotton and polyester fiber is a potential source of raw material for thermal and sound insulation applications, but its quantities are limited. To overcome the above problems, apparel waste recycled cotton fiber was mixed with recycled/PET fiber in 50/50 proportions in the form of two‐layer nonwoven mats with chemical bonding methods. The samples such as cotton (color and white), polyester (color and white), and cotton–polyester blend (color and white) were prepared. All the samples were tested for thermal insulation, acoustic, moisture absorption, and fiber properties as per the ASTM Standard. Also, the behavior of the six recycled cotton/polyester nonwoven samples under high humidity conditions was evaluated. The sound absorption coefficients were measured according to ASTM E 1050 by an impedance tube method; the acoustics absorption coefficients over six frequencies of 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz were calculated. The result revealed that recycled/PET/cotton garment waste nonwoven mats were absorbing the sound resistance of more than 70% and the recycled nonwoven mats provided the best insulation, acoustic, moisture absorption, and fiber properties. The recycled pieces of clothing waste cotton/polyester nonwoven mats have adequate moisture resistance at high humidity conditions without affecting the insulation and acoustic properties.
Dynamics of a Virological Model for Cancer Therapy with Innate Immune Response
Authors: Nouni Ayoub , Hattaf Khalid , Yousfi Noura
Published: September 2020

The aim of this work is to present a virological model for cancer therapy that includes the innate immune response and saturation effect. The presented model combines both the evolution of a logistic growing tumor and time delay which stands for the period of the viral lytic cycle. We use the delay differential equation in order to model this time which also means the time needed for the infected tumor cells to produce new virions after viral entry. We show that the delayed model has four equilibria which are the desired outcome therapy equilibrium, the complete failure therapy equilibrium, the partial success therapy free-immune equilibrium when the innate immune response has not been established, and the partial success therapy equilibrium with immune response. Furthermore, the stability analysis of equilibria and the Hopf bifurcation are properly exhibited.
Early Learning Curve in the Assessment of Deep Pelvic Endometriosis for Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Indrielle-Kelly T. , Fischerova D. , Hanuš P. , Frühauf F. , Fanta M. , Dundr P. , Lavu D. , Cibula D. , Burgetova A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose. We aimed to compare the learning curves of an ultrasound trainee (obstetrics and gynecology resident) and a radiology trainee when assessing pelvic endometriosis. Methods. Consecutive patients with suspected endometriosis were prospectively enrolled in a tertiary center. They underwent an ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively, which was reported according to the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group consensus. Trainees reported on deep endometriosis (DE), endometriomas, frozen pelvis, and adenomyosis. Using the Kappa agreement, their findings were compared against laparoscopy/histology and expert findings. The learning curve was considered positive when performance improved over time and indeterminate in all other cases. Results. Reports from thirty‐five women were divided chronologically into 3 equal blocks to assess the learning curve. For ultrasound, trainee versus expert showed a positive learning curve in overall pelvic DE assessment. There was an excellent agreement for adenomyosis (Kappa = 1.00, p = 0.09), frozen pelvis (Kappa = 0.90, p = 0.01), bowel (Kappa = 1.00, p = 0.01), and bladder DE assessment (Kappa = 1.00, p = 0.01). Endometrioma and uterosacral ligament assessment showed an indeterminate curve. For radiology, trainee versus expert showed a positive curve when detecting adenomyosis (Kappa = 0.42, p = 0.09) and bladder DE (Kappa = 1.00, p = 0.01). The assessment of endometriomas, frozen pelvis, overall pelvic DE, bowel, and uterosacral ligament DE showed indeterminate curve. Agreement between trainees and laparoscopy/histology showed a positive curve for bladder (both) and frozen pelvis (ultrasound only). Conclusion. A positive learning curve can be seen in some areas of pelvic endometriosis mapping after as little as 35 cases, but a bigger caseload is required to demonstrate the curve in full. The ultrasound trainee had positive learning curves in more anatomical locations (bladder, adenomyosis, overall bowel DE, frozen pelvis) than the radiology trainee (bladder, adenomyosis), which could be down to individual factors, differences in training, or the imaging method itself.
ACTH-Independent Cushing’s Syndrome Associated with Left Adrenocortical Oncocytoma of Uncertain Malignant Potential
Authors: Sica Giuseppe S. , Siragusa Leandro , Sensi Bruno , Bellato Vittoria , Floris Pierangela , Rovella Valentina , Mauriello Alessandro , Di Prete Monia , Telesca Rossana , Ciavoni Valerio , Cardillo Carmine , Di Daniele Nicola , Tesauro Manfredi
Published: September 2020

Adrenocortical oncocytomas are rare and mostly nonfunctioning neoplasms. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with an ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome due to left adrenal oncocytoma. She underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Histopathological examination revealed an oncocytoma of uncertain malignant potential with a low Ki-67 proliferation index, inhibin A positivity, and chromogranin A negativity. Electron micrographs confirmed adrenal oncocytoma cells, characterized by the presence of a large amount of mitochondria. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient experienced a progressive regression of Cushing-related symptoms. Periodical follow-ups with MRI and cortisol dosage are required due to the neoplasm’s uncertain malignant potential. Considerations on the diagnosis, pathology findings, clinical remarks, and interventions are made.