bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilization of ferromagnetism in carbon doped Mgn−2Mn2On clusters
Authors: Acharya Rabin , Pant Nirajan , Rahaman Badiur , Yadav Manoj Kumar
Published: September 2021

We present density functional theory-based first principles study of magnetic properties of Mn-doped Mg[Formula: see text]Mn2On clusters. Mn-doped MgnOn clusters are found to exhibit antiferromagnetic order. We show that ferromagnetic state can be stabilized by codoping with carbon at oxygen site. Our study suggests that the holes created due to C doping are responsible for the stabilization of ferromagnetism.
Acute carbohydrate overfeeding: a redox model of insulin action and its impact on metabolic dysfunction in humans
Authors: Istfan Nawfal , Hasson Brooke , Apovian Caroline , Meshulam Tova , Yu Liqun , Anderson Wendy , Corkey Barbara E.
Published: September 2021

Current principles assume that conversion of thermic energy to metabolically useful energy follows fixed rules. These principles ignore the possibility of variable proton uncoupling in mitochondria. Our study shows that the net balance of electron distribution between mitochondria and cytoplasm is influenced by insulin in a manner that reduces the need for proton leakage during overfeeding. Characterization of the effects of insulin on redox balance is important for understanding obesity and insulin resistance.
Brain region-specific disruption of mitochondrial bioenergetics in cynomolgus macaques fed a Western versus a Mediterranean diet
Authors: Amick K. Allison , Mahapatra Gargi , Bergstrom Jaclyn , Gao Zhengrong , Craft Suzanne , Register Thomas C. , Shively Carol A. , Molina Anthony J. A.
Published: September 2021

We show that compared with cynomolgus macaques fed a Mediterranean diet, a Western diet resulted in diminished bioenergetic pattern between brain regions related to blood glucose and insulin levels, specifically in brain regions susceptible to neurodegeneration and diabetes. In addition, fatty acid metabolism not directly linked to the TCA cycle and glucose metabolism did not show differences in bioenergetics due to diet.
Geological Structure Exploration of Karst Collapse Column and Evaluation of Water Insulation Properties of the Mud Part
Authors: Yu Shijian , Liu Jiyang , Bai Peng , Xu Hongtao , He Runshan , Wang Yongshen , Yin Dawei
Published: September 2021

In this study, the X5 KCC in Shiquan Coal Mine was investigated by means of controlled source audio magnetotelluric exploration and borehole television. In this way, the subsection geological structure of the KCC was obtained. Next, the geological and electrical characteristics of each part were analyzed, and it is concluded that the development status of the mud part under coal seam floor is the key part to judging whether water inrush will occur during working face recovery under aquifer pressure. Furthermore, the mineral compositions of purplish-red mudstone and lime mudstone were obtained by performing an X-ray diffraction experiment on the KCC interstitial materials. On this basis, the water insulation properties of the mud part were qualitatively evaluated. Finally, the tensile strength of the mud part was obtained by the Brazilian splitting method, and the water insulation ability of the mud part at the periods when the tunneling roadway and the working face passed the KCC was calculated, respectively. The research results boast guiding significance for safe recovery of the working face passing KCCs under aquifer pressure.
Vibration Characteristics of an Industrial‐Scale Flip‐Flow Screen with Crank‐Link Structure and Parameters Optimization
Authors: Li Hongxi , Liu Chusheng , Shen Ling , Zhao Lala
Published: September 2021

Flip‐flow screens are increasingly used in the processing of fine wet coal. In this work, the vibration characteristics of an industrial‐scale flip‐flow screen with crank‐link structure (FFSCLS) were investigated theoretically and experimentally. An improved kinematic model of FFSCLS was proposed and experiments are carried out to verify the reasonability. The effects of the key parameters of the eccentricity of the crankshaft, the rotational speed of the crankshaft, and the tension length of the screen surface on the vibration characteristics of the screen were investigated parametrically. The results show that the kinematic model can describe the vibration characteristics of screen perfectly with the maximum error between the theoretical and experimental results being within 6.96%. Moreover, the key parameters of the eccentricity of the crankshaft, the rotational speed of the crankshaft, and the tension length of the screen surface have significant effects on the vibrations of the screen body and screen surface. These parameters should be optimized to achieve maximum screening performance of the FFSCLS. This work should be useful for optimal design and efficient operation of the flip‐flow screen.
Key Technologies of Cache and Computing in 5G Mobile Communication Network
Authors: Zha Yanfang
Published: September 2021

The deployment of cache and computing resources in 5G mobile communication networks is considered as an important way to reduce network transmission delay and redundant content transmission and improve the efficiency of content distribution and network computing processing capacity, which has been widely concerned and recognized by academia and industry. Aiming at the development trend of cache and computing resource allocation in 5G mobile communication networks, in order to improve the efficiency of content cache and reduce network energy consumption, a 5G network cache optimization strategy based on Stackelberg game was proposed, which modeled network operators and content providers as multimaster and multislave Stackelberg game model. Providers buy base station storage space from network operators to cache popular content. In this paper, we construct the strategy space and profit function of the two sides of the game and prove the existence of Nash equilibrium solution among content providers given a set of base station rental prices of network operators. In this paper, distributed iterative algorithm is used to solve the game model, and the optimal base station pricing of network operators and the optimal base station occupancy rate of content providers are obtained.
Research Onion for Smart IoT-Enabled Mobile Applications
Authors: Alturki Ryan
Published: September 2021

Determining the appropriate approaches and procedures to gain sufficient results is a vital issue that is faced by the majority of researchers. Each type of research can have several methodologies that can be applied. Yet, one approach might lead to concluding more effective outcomes. Thus, designing the research and applying appropriate methods and techniques are the key aim of this experiment. Combining the research onion framework with an advanced Internet of Things- (IoT-) enabled mobile app solution within the real world is the foundation of this research. The framework has six main layers, starting with philosophy and ending with techniques and procedures. This research begins by providing a brief introduction in regard to the selected framework. Then, it provides a comprehensive explanation regarding each of the framework layers and justifying the chosen element within each layer combining with the advanced IoT-enabled mobile app for this research study. Later, it highlights the challenges that can be faced while using such a framework.
Invasive Aspergillus niger Is the Sole Etiological Agent for CSOM : A Clinical Case from Nepal
Authors: Chaurasiya Ajay Kumar , Pradhananga Rabindra Bhakta , Sah Niranjan Prasad , Rijal Basista Prasad , Pokhrel Bharat Mani , Dulal Santosh
Published: September 2021

Aspergillus causing chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is rare in immunocompetent people; however, it can occur as a significant opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Here, in our study, a 53-year-old diabetic patient having a history of CSOM visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT-HNS), Tribhuvan University and Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Nepal, in March 2016. Although he was on medication with an antibacterial ear drop from the last 10 days, his right ear was presented with otorrhea, pruritus, otalgia, aural fullness, hearing impairment, and tinnitus from the last 3-4 months. Preliminarily, otoscopy of the right ear revealed the presence of fungal mass. For further diagnosis, ear discharge was aseptically collected and sent to the laboratory to confirm the etiological agents. Findings of laboratory analysis indicated that Gram staining of aural discharge displayed pus cells with fungal spores but did not exhibit bacteria. Furthermore, potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount revealed the presence of fungal spores and septate hyphae with the characteristic of dichotomous branching. Culture in four different bacterial media (chocolate agar, blood agar, MacConkey agar, and Robertson’s cooked meat medium) has unveiled no bacterial growth. However, fungal growth was observed in both bacterial and fungal media. Thereafter, the fungal colony was investigated via a lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) tease mount which displayed the structure of Aspergillus. Aspergillus niger was microbially conformed by specifically characterizing the specific phenotypic biseriate structure of phialides and the black-coloured conidia. For medication, the patient was treated with Candid Ear Drop with clotrimazole (1% w/v) plus lidocaine (2% w/v) for 4 weeks which successfully improved his condition.
A New Gauss Sum and Its Recursion Properties
Authors: Chen Li
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we introduce a new Gauss sum, and then we use the elementary and analytic methods to study its various properties and prove several interesting three-order linear recursion formulae for it.
Research on the Combined Prediction Model of Residential Building Energy Consumption Based on Random Forest and BP Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Xuenan , Zhang Jinxin , Zhang Jinhua , Zhang YuChuan
Published: September 2021

As the energy consumption of residential building takes a large part in the building energy consumption, it is important to promote energy efficiency in residential building for green development. In order to evaluate the energy consumption of residential building more effectively, this paper proposes a combined prediction model based on random forest and BP neural network (RF-BPNN). To verify the prediction effect of the RF-BPNN combined model, experiments were performed by using the energy efficiency data set in the UCI database, and the model was evaluated with five indicators: mean absolute error, root mean square deviation, mean absolute percentage error, correlation coefficient, and coincidence index. Compared with the random forest, BP neural network model, and other existing models, respectively, it is proven by the experimental results that the RF-BPNN model possesses higher prediction accuracy and better stability.
Coupling Effect of Strain Rate and Freeze-Thaw Temperature on Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Fractal Characteristic of Saturated Yellow Sandstone
Authors: Wu Peng , Zhang Lianying , Mao Xianbiao , Chen Yanlong , Li Ming , Chen Liang , Wang Lan
Published: September 2021

Strain rate is not only an important influence factor for deformation property but also an important parameter for analyzing the dynamic mechanical behavior of rock material. In this study, the dynamic compressive mechanical properties of saturated yellow sandstone at four strain rates and six freeze-thaw temperatures are investigated by using the SHPB test system. The coupling effect of strain rate and freeze-thaw temperatures on the mechanical parameters of rock material are discussed in detail, and the relationship formula of peak strain and dissipated energy with strain rate and freeze-thaw temperature are also established. Finally, the fractal dimension characteristic of fracture specimens with the strain rate and temperature are analyzed by using the fractal dimension method. The research results indicate that (1) with the increase of strain rate, the increase speed of peak strain, peak strength, and dissipated energy at medium strain rate level was obviously higher than that at high strain rate level, indicating that the strain rate effect weakened at high strain rate. (2) Freeze-thaw temperature can improve the brittleness-ductile transformation rate of saturated specimens. (3) According to the strain rate sensitivity coefficient, at room temperature, the strain rate effects on peak strain and peak strength are weakest, while at -20°C ~ -30°C, they are most significant. In addition, the strain rate effect on dissipated energy is significant at room temperature, while weakest at -30°C. (4) The fractal dimension gradually increases with strain rate increasing or freeze-thaw temperature decreasing, indicating that the freeze-thaw environment has a positive function for increasing the damage and fracture degree of specimens for saturated specimen. Our research results can provide an extremely important theoretical basis for the dynamic disaster prevention and structural design of rock engineering in cold regions.
Analysis of the Shortest Path in Spherical Fuzzy Networks Using the Novel Dijkstra Algorithm
Authors: Ullah Zafar , Bashir Huma , Anjum Rukhshanda , AlQahtani Salman A. , Al-Hadhrami Suheer , Ghaffar Abdul
Published: September 2021

The concept of fuzzy graph (FG) and its generalized forms has been developed to cope with several real-life problems having some sort of imprecision like networking problems, decision making, shortest path problems, and so on. This paper is based on some developments in generalization of FG theory to deal with situation where imprecision is characterized by four types of membership grades. A novel concept of T-spherical fuzzy graph (TSFG) is proposed as a common generalization of FG, intuitionistic fuzzy graph (IFG), and picture fuzzy graph (PFG) based on the recently introduced concept of T-spherical fuzzy set (TSFS). The significance and novelty of proposed concept is elaborated with the help of some examples, graphical analysis, and results. Some graph theoretic terms are defined and their properties are studied. Specially, the famous Dijkstra algorithm is proposed in the environment of TSFGs and is applied to solve a shortest path problem. The comparative analysis of the proposed concept and existing theory is made. In addition, the advantages of the proposed work are discussed over the existing tools.
Ground Subsidence Prediction Model and Parameter Analysis for Underground Gas Storage in Horizontal Salt Caverns
Authors: Zhang Guimin , Liu Yuxuan , Wang Tao , Zhang Hao , Wang Zhenshuo
Published: September 2021

Due to a great demand of natural gas or oil storage in these years, horizontal caverns were proposed to fully use bedded salt formations of China. Under the same geological and operating conditions, the horizontal cavern would shrink more than traditional pear-shaped cavern, which might bring larger ground subsidence and affect the safety of storage facilities. A new prediction model was proposed in this paper for the time-dependent ground subsidence above horizontal caverns. The proposed model considered the impurity of bedded salt formations and simplified the horizontal cavern to an ideal cylinder. The shape of the subsidence trough was determined by the probabilistic integration method, and corresponding calculation formulas for the tilt, curvature, horizontal displacement, and horizontal strain were derived. Based on the assumption that the subsidence volume at the ground was proportional to the reduced volume of horizontal cavern, a formula for the reduced volume over time was established. FLAC3D was introduced to simulate the ground subsidence, and the results show that the proposed prediction model agreed well with the simulation results. Finally, the proposed prediction model was used to analyze the impacts of different stratigraphic parameters and design parameters. The results mainly show that, as the draw angle increases, the subsidence trough becomes deeper and narrower; as the depth of the cavern increases, the maximum subsidence first increases and then decreases, and the subsidence trough gradually becomes round; with the increase of the purity, the subsidence gradually decreases; with the increase of the creep properties and the stress exponential constant, the maximum subsidence first increases rapidly and then slowly approaches the limit; increasing the brine extraction velocity can shorten the cavern construction period and then reduce excessive ground subsidence; the subsidence decreases nonlinearly with the increase of internal pressure; with the increase of the cross section diameter and length of the horizontal cavern, the subsidence presents a significant nonlinear increase. In addition, unlike the traditional pear-shaped cavern, under the same conditions, the ground subsidence above the horizontal cavern according to this newly proposed model is much larger, and the ground subsidence contour line is no longer a standard circle. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of the prediction of ground subsidence above salt caverns and also provide a reference for the design and construction. However, the proposed prediction method is ideal and theoretical and should be further improved by engineering practice in the future.
HPV Sequencing Facilitates Ultrasensitive Detection of HPV Circulating Tumor DNA
Authors: Leung Eric , Han Kathy , Zou Jinfeng , Zhao Zhen , Zheng Yangqiao , Wang Ting Ting , Rostami Ariana , Siu Lillian L. , Pugh Trevor J. , Bratman Scott V.
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA offers a convenient circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) marker for HPV-associated malignancies, but current methods, such as digital PCR (dPCR), provide insufficient accuracy for clinical applications in patients with low disease burden. We asked whether a next-generation sequencing approach, HPV sequencing (HPV-seq), could provide quantitative and qualitative assessment of HPV ctDNA in low disease burden settings.

Experimental Design:

We conducted preclinical technical validation studies on HPV-seq and applied it retrospectively to a prospective multicenter cohort of patients with locally advanced cervix cancer (NCT02388698) and a cohort of patients with oropharynx cancer. HPV-seq results were compared with dPCR. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) according to end-of-treatment HPV ctDNA detectability.

Results:

HPV-seq achieved reproducible detection of HPV DNA at levels less than 0.6 copies in cell line data. HPV-seq and dPCR results for patients were highly correlated (R2 = 0.95, P = 1.9 × 10–29) with HPV-seq detecting ctDNA at levels down to 0.03 copies/mL plasma in dPCR-negative posttreatment samples. Detectable HPV ctDNA at end-of-treatment was associated with inferior PFS with 100% sensitivity and 67% specificity for recurrence. Accurate HPV genotyping was successful from 100% of pretreatment samples. HPV ctDNA fragment sizes were consistently shorter than non–cancer-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments, and stereotyped cfDNA fragmentomic patterns were observed across HPV genomes.

Conclusions:

HPV-seq is a quantitative method for ctDNA detection that outperforms dPCR and reveals qualitative information about ctDNA. Our findings in this proof-of-principle study could have implications for treatment monitoring of disease burden in HPV-related cancers. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm that patients with undetectable HPV ctDNA following chemoradiotherapy have exceptionally high cure rates.
Antitumor Activity of the Novel BTK Inhibitor TG-1701 Is Associated with Disruption of Ikaros Signaling in Patients with B-cell Non–Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Ribeiro Marcelo Lima , Reyes-Garau Diana , Vinyoles Meritxell , Profitós Pelejà Núria , Santos Juliana Carvalho , Armengol Marc , Fernández-Serrano Miranda , Sedó Mor Alícia , Bech-Serra Joan J. , Blecua Pedro , Musulen Eva , De La Torre Carolina , Miskin Hari , Esteller Manel , Bosch Francesc , Menéndez Pablo , Normant Emmanuel , Roué Gaël
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

Despite the remarkable activity of BTK inhibitors (BTKi) in relapsed B-cell non–Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), no clinically-relevant biomarker has been associated to these agents so far. The relevance of phosphoproteomic profiling for the early identification of BTKi responders remains underexplored.

Experimental Design:

A set of six clinical samples from an ongoing phase I trial dosing patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with TG-1701, a novel irreversible and highly specific BTKi, were characterized by phosphoproteomic and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. The activity of TG-1701 was evaluated in a panel of 11 B-NHL cell lines and mouse xenografts, including two NF-κB- and BTKC481S-driven BTKi-resistant models. Biomarker validation and signal transduction analysis were conducted through real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, immunostaining, and gene knockout (KO) experiments.

Results:

A nonsupervised, phosphoproteomic-based clustering did match the early clinical outcomes of patients with CLL and separated a group of “early-responders” from a group of “late-responders.” This clustering was based on a selected list of 96 phosphosites with Ikaros-pSer442/445 as a potential biomarker for TG-1701 efficacy. TG-1701 treatment was further shown to blunt Ikaros gene signature, including YES1 and MYC, in early-responder patients as well as in BTKi-sensitive B-NHL cell lines and xenografts. In contrast, Ikaros nuclear activity and signaling remained unaffected by the drug in vitro and in vivo in late-responder patients and in BTKC481S, BTKKO, and noncanonical NF-κB models.

Conclusions:

These data validate phosphoproteomic as a valuable tool for the early detection of response to BTK inhibition in the clinic, and for the determination of drug mechanism of action.
MicroRNA-425-5p Is Involved in the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy and Regulates the Proliferation and Migration of Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Liu Xia , Zhou Yanhua , Liu Yunxia , Wang Qian , Pan Lili
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The objective of this article was to detect the expression pattern and clinical value of miR-425-5p in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and investigate its effect on the proliferation and migration of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) in a high glucose (HG) state. Methods: The serum miR-425-5p level of the subjects was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The diagnostic value of serum miR-425-5p was validated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Pearson analysis detected the correlation between clinical indicators and microRNA. The influence of miR-425-5p on cell proliferation and migration under HG conditions was calculated by using Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assay. Results: Serum miR-425-5p levels showed a gradual increasing trend in the healthy control group, the diabetic mellitus patients without DR, and DR patients. Moreover, the levels of miR-425-5p in proliferative DR (PDR) patients were elevated than that of non-PDR (NPDR) patients. Furthermore, upregulated miR-425-5p had a high diagnostic value for DR patients and can distinguish PDR patients from NPDR patients. The expression of miR-425-5p was significantly positively correlated with the fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and disease course of the patients. Under HG conditions, overexpression of miR-425-5p promoted HRMEC proliferation and migration, while inhibition of miR-425-5p led to opposite results. Conclusion: Present research confirmed that serum miR-425-5p levels in DR are marked by elevation. High expression of miR-425-5p can be used as a feasible diagnostic biomarker for DR patients and can predict the development and severity of DR. Moreover, inhibiting the expression of miR-425-5p levels under the condition of hyperglycemia may be used as a valuable therapeutic strategy for preventing the pathogenesis of DR.
Beyond VOTE: The New Frontier of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy
Authors: Dedhia Raj C. , Seay Everett G. , Schwartz Alan R.
Published: September 2021

Alternatives to positive airway pressure therapy, including surgery, represent an important area of research. Specifically, predictors of response to surgical therapy remain underdeveloped. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) holds promise as a diagnostic tool to identify patient-specific causes of airway collapse. Herein, we present a novel, standardized approach which combines anatomic and physiologic measurements during DISE. Our DISE platform measures airflow, airway compliance, airway collapsibility, and structural drivers of collapse. Taken together, these inputs provide a comprehensive framework to further inform the surgeon in providing personalized care of the patient with obstructive sleep apnea.
Artificial Intelligence and Capsule Endoscopy: Automatic Detection of Small Bowel Blood Content Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Mascarenhas Saraiva Miguel , Ribeiro Tiago , Afonso João , Ferreira João P.S. , Cardoso Hélder , Andrade Patrícia , Parente Marco P.L. , Jorge Renato N. , Macedo Guilherme
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Capsule endoscopy has revolutionized the management of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Nevertheless, reading capsule endoscopy images is time-consuming and prone to overlooking significant lesions, thus limiting its diagnostic yield. We aimed to create a deep learning algorithm for automatic detection of blood and hematic residues in the enteric lumen in capsule endoscopy exams. Methods: A convolutional neural network was developed based on a total pool of 22,095 capsule endoscopy images (13,510 images containing luminal blood and 8,585 of normal mucosa or other findings). A training dataset comprising 80% of the total pool of images was defined. The performance of the network was compared to a consensus classification provided by 2 specialists in capsule endoscopy. Subsequently, we evaluated the performance of the network using an independent validation dataset (20% of total image pool), calculating its sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision. Results: Our convolutional neural network detected blood and hematic residues in the small bowel lumen with an accuracy and precision of 98.5 and 98.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 98.6 and 98.9%, respectively. The analysis of the testing dataset was completed in 24 s (approximately 184 frames/s). Discussion/Conclusion: We have developed an artificial intelligence tool capable of effectively detecting luminal blood. The development of these tools may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of capsule endoscopy when evaluating patients presenting with obscure small bowel bleeding.
Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and Myeloperoxidase Predict Survival after Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Reijonen Pauliina , Peltonen Reetta , Tervahartiala Taina , Sorsa Timo , Isoniemi Helena
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been extensively studied in several malignancies, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a promising new prognostic biomarker. We investigated the prognostic value of MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO, as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in colorectal cancer with operable liver metastases. Methods: This study included 419 patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2000 and 2013. Serum samples were drawn before and 3 months after liver resection. We evaluated associations of MMP-8, MMP-9, MPO, CRP, CEA, and CA19-9 concentrations to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier log-rank method. Results: In univariate Cox regression analyses, pre- and postoperatively high MMP-8 (HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.07–2.19, p = 0.021 and HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01–2.09, p = 0.044, respectively) associated with worse 10-year OS. Postoperatively high MPO indicated better 5-year DFS (HR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.90, p = 0.007). Elevated pre- and postoperative CEA and CA19-9 as well as postoperative CRP indicated impaired survival. Conclusions: Pre- and postoperatively high MMP-8 associates with worse 10-year OS, and postoperatively high MPO associates with better 5-year DFS. CEA, CA19-9, and CRP are also prognostic.
Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Patients With Resistant Hypertension: Results of the TRIUMPH Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Blumenthal James A. , Hinderliter Alan L. , Smith Patrick J. , Mabe Stephanie , Watkins Lana L. , Craighead Linda , Ingle Krista , Tyson Crystal , Lin Pao-Hwa , Kraus William E. , Liao Lawrence , Sherwood Andrew
Published: September 2021

Background:

Although lifestyle modifications generally are effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) among patients with unmedicated hypertension and in those treated with 1 or 2 antihypertensive agents, the value of exercise and diet for lowering BP in patients with resistant hypertension is unknown.

Methods:

One hundred forty patients with resistant hypertension (mean age, 63 years; 48% female; 59% Black; 31% with diabetes; 21% with chronic kidney disease) were randomly assigned to a 4-month program of lifestyle modification (C-LIFE [Center-Based Lifestyle Intervention]) including dietary counseling, behavioral weight management, and exercise, or a single counseling session providing SEPA (Standardized Education and Physician Advice). The primary end point was clinic systolic BP; secondary end points included 24-hour ambulatory BP and select cardiovascular disease biomarkers including baroreflex sensitivity to quantify the influence of the baroreflex on heart rate, high-frequency heart rate variability to assess vagally mediated modulation of heart rate, flow-mediated dilation to evaluate endothelial function, pulse wave velocity to assess arterial stiffness, and left ventricular mass to characterize left ventricular structure.

Results:

Between-group comparisons revealed that the reduction in clinic systolic BP was greater in C-LIFE (–12.5 [95% CI, –14.9 to –10.2] mm Hg) compared with SEPA(–7.1 [–95% CI, 10.4 to –3.7] mm Hg) (
P
=0.005); 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP also was reduced in C-LIFE (–7.0 [95% CI, –8.5 to –4.0] mm Hg), with no change in SEPA (–0.3 [95% CI, –4.0 to 3.4] mm Hg) (
P
=0.001). Compared with SEPA, C-LIFE resulted in greater improvements in resting baroreflex sensitivity (2.3 ms/mm Hg [95% CI, 1.3 to 3.3] versus –1.1 ms/mm Hg [95% CI, –2.5 to 0.3];
P
<0.001), high-frequency heart rate variability (0.4 ln ms
2
[95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6] versus –0.2 ln ms
2
[95% CI, –0.5 to 0.1];
P
<0.001), and flow-mediated dilation (0.3% [95% CI, –0.3 to 1.0] versus –1.4% [95% CI, –2.5 to –0.3];
P
=0.022). There were no between-group differences in pulse wave velocity (
P
=0.958) or left ventricular mass (
P
=0.596).

Conclusions:

Diet and exercise can lower BP in patients with resistant hypertension. A 4-month structured program of diet and exercise as adjunctive therapy delivered in a cardiac rehabilitation setting results in significant reductions in clinic and ambulatory BP and improvement in selected cardiovascular disease biomarkers.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02342808.
The Venice Commission and Rule of Law Backsliding in Turkey, Poland and Hungary
Authors: Turkut Emre
Published: September 2021

How did the Council of Europe cope with its member states that engaged in rule of law backsliding? This article analyses the responses of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s expert body on constitutional matters, to Turkey, Hungary, and Poland as their governments eliminated key checks and balances on their power, curtailed judicial independence, and undermined political pluralism and civil society. It finds that the Venice Commission managed to address a set of particularly vital issues that get to the heart to rule of law backsliding in these countries. Despite the breadth of the Venice Commission’s forthright involvement, these case studies display the limitations on the part of other Council of Europe bodies in forming a coordinated approach and response to rule of law backsliding.
Assimilating Cloud Optical Depth for Applications to Extreme Weather Events
Authors: PENG JUXIANG , XIE YUANFU , KANG ZHAOPING
Published: September 2021

This paper reports the assimilation of cloud optical depth datasets into a variational data assimilation system to improve cloud ice, cloud water, rain, snow, and graupel analysis in extreme weather events for improving forecasts. A cloud optical depth forward operator was developed and implemented in the Space and Time Multiscale Analysis System (STMAS), a multiscale three-dimensional variational analysis system. Using this improved analysis system, the NOAA GOES-15 DCOMP (Daytime Cloud Optical and Microphysical Properties) cloud optical depth products were assimilated to improve the microphysical states. For an eight-day period of extreme weather events in September 2013 in Colorado, the United States, the impact of the cloud optical depth assimilation on the analysis results and forecasts was evaluated. The DCOMP products improved the cloud ice and cloud water predictions significantly in convective and lower levels. The DCOMP products also reduced errors in temperature and relative humidity data at the top (250–150 hPa) and bottom (850–700 hPa) layers. With the cloud ice improvement at higher layers, the DCOMP products provided better forecasts of cloud liquid at low layers (900–700 hPa), temperature and wind at all layers, and relative humidity at middle and bottom layers. Furthermore, for this extreme weather event, both equitable threat score (ETS) and bias were improved throughout the 12 h period, with the most significant improvement observed in the first 3 h. This study will raise the expectation of cloud optical depth product assimilation in operational applications.
Forging New Futures for the Study of Religion in Canada: A Review of Hughes’s From Seminary to University
Authors: Selby Jennifer A
Published: September 2021

Aaron W. Hughes’s monograph, From Seminary to University: An Institutional History of the Study of Religion in Canada, argues that, unlike other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, the study of religion in Canada is imbricated with nation-state politics. The creation of Canada’s initial seminaries post-Confederation served to establish Christianity as normative. By the 1960s, these seminaries were largely replaced with departments that aimed to promote national values of multiculturalism and diversity. In her critique, Selby commends the book’s convincing argument and impressive historical archival work, and critiques the book’s limited engagement with the politics of settler colonialism and scholarly contributions in the province of Québec.
The effects of performance evaluation on punishment in organisations
Authors: Yu Seungwon , Yoo Eun Ji , Kim Suhee
Published: September 2021

This article expands understanding of the relationship between punishment and performance in organisations. We analyse Korean data on performance and punishment as follows. While prior literature has focused on the effect of punishment on performance, this article examines the effect of performance gaps on punishment. Based on behavioural theory, strategic reference point theory and principal–agent theory, it sheds light on the negative relationship between performance gaps (cause) and punishment (effect). The article demonstrates that low performers are more often punished and high performers less so (i.e. a negativity bias). Our results also show that organisations prioritise light punishment over heavy punishment when disciplining employees in response to performance.

Points for practitioners

Low-performing organisations are more often punished and high-performing organisations less often so. The degree to which negative performance increases punishment is greater than that to which positive performance decreases punishment. Organisations prioritise light punishment over heavy punishment when disciplining employees in response to performance.
A Look Back: Preschool perspectives in Kappan
Authors: Preston Teresa
Published: September 2021

In this monthly column, Kappan managing editor Teresa Preston looks back at how the magazine has covered early childhood education. Since the 1960s, authors have largely agreed about the benefits of high-quality early childhood education, and there has been general consensus about what such a program should look like. However, expanding access to such programs has remained a challenge.
The benefits of prekindergarten programs: Strong findings and open questions
Authors: Shapiro Anna
Published: September 2021

A wealth of evidence shows that children who attend preK. and other early childhood programs have higher pre-academic skills at kindergarten entry than those who don’t attend, and the benefits of attending preK. can last long into adolescence and adulthood. Anna Shapiro discusses these findings and argues for making universal public preK. an urgent policy priority.
The dynamic tension at the core of the grammar of schooling
Authors: Labaree David F.
Published: September 2021

The American system of schooling has been remarkably resistant to change, with most changes coming in the form of tinkering around the edges. Large-scale reform that alters what David Tyack and Larry Cuban (1995) referred to as the “grammar of schooling” has tended to fizzle out. David Labaree suggests that the practices that are most likely to become part of this persistent grammar of schooling, such as the age-graded classroom, are those that align with schools’ social mission and that meet schools’ organizational needs. Those two elements of the grammar of schooling must remain in balance if reform is to succeed.
Are you ready for the genetic revolution in education?
Authors: Warne Russell T.
Published: September 2021

Recent findings in behavioral genetics and technological advances have the potential to alter education administration in ways that were inconceivable just a decade ago. Specifically, new understandings about the heritability of educational outcomes and the ability to calculate polygenic scores that predict likely student outcomes could change how educators identify students who are eligible for specific services. Russell Warne explains where the science currently stands, describes the benefits and possible drawbacks of using genetic technologies, and suggests policies for applying these technologies in schools.
Bookshelf: Kappan authors on their favorite reads
Authors: Labaree David
Published: September 2021

In this monthly column, Kappan authors discuss books and articles that have informed their views on education. David Labaree recommends Exit, Voice, and Loyalty: Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States. And Laura Bornfreund recommends First Things First: Creating the New American Primary School.
Reinforcement learning-based dynamic position control of mobile node for ocean sensor networks
Authors: Wang Weijun , Wu Huafeng , Kong Xianglun , Zhang Yuanyuan , Ye Yang , Zeng Zhongcheng , Cheng Jian , Zhang Quandi
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a novel dynamic position control (PC) approach for mobile nodes (MNs) is proposed for ocean sensor networks (OSNs) which directly utilizes a neural network to represent a PC strategy. The calculation of position estimation no longer needs to be carried out in the proposed scheme, so the localization error is eliminated. In addition, reinforcement learning is used to train the PC strategy, so that the MN can learn a more highly accurate and fast response control strategy. Moreover, to verify its applicability to the real-world environment, we conducted field experiment deployment in OSNs consisting of a MN designed by us and some fixed nodes. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed control scheme with impressive improvements on PC accuracy by more than 53% and response speed by more than 15%.
Set-membership filtering for automatic guided vehicles with unknown-but-bounded noises
Authors: Yang Hao , Zhang Yilian , Gu Wei , Yang Fuwen , Liu Zhiquan
Published: September 2021

This paper is concerned with the state estimation problem for an automatic guided vehicle (AGV). A novel set-membership filtering (SMF) scheme is presented to solve the state estimation problem in the trajectory tracking process of the AGV under the unknown-but-bounded (UBB) process and measurement noises. Different from some existing traditional filtering methods, such as Kalman filtering method and [Formula: see text] filtering method, the proposed SMF scheme is developed to provide state estimation sets rather than state estimation points for the system states to effectively deal with UBB noises and reduce the requirement of the sensor precision. Then, in order to obtain the state estimation ellipsoids containing the true states, a set-membership estimation algorithm is designed based on the AGV physical model and S-procedure technique. Finally, comparison examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed SMF scheme for an AGV state estimation problem in the present of the UBB noises.
Social media users (under)appreciate the news: An application of hostile media bias to news disseminated on Facebook
Authors: Gearhart Sherice , Moe Alexander , Holland Derrick
Published: September 2021

News outlets rely on social media to freely distribute content, offering a venue for users to comment on news. This exposes individuals to user comments prior to reading news articles, which can influence perceptions of news content. A 2 × 2 between-subject experiment (N = 690) tested the hostile media bias theory via the influence of comments seen before viewing a news story on perceptions of bias and credibility. Results show that user comments induce hostile media perceptions.
Teaching Radiology to Medical Students in Canada; a Virtual, Integrative, Clinical Approach
Authors: Kamel Serageldin , Dobson Jessica L. , Patel Parth , Khatchikian Aline D , Rohren Scott A , Cheung Jeffrey Lam Shin , Rooprai Paul , Gorman Mathew , Tomasso Daniel , Greidanus Paul , Xiong Wei Ting , Kielar Ania , Wilson Nagwa , Stein Lawrence , Ibrahim Mohannad , He Hongying , Elsayes Khaled M
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

To construct, apply, and evaluate a multidisciplinary approach in teaching radiology to Canadian medical students.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary team of radiology and other disciplines experts designed an online 5-session course that was delivered to medical students. The topics of each session were clinical cases involving different systems. The target audience was medical students of Canadian schools. Pretests and post-tests were administered before and after each session respectively. An evaluation survey was distributed at the end of the course to gauge students’ perceptions of this experience.

Results:

An average of 425 medical students attended the live sessions. For each session, 405 students completed both the pre-tests and post-tests. In general, students scored an average of 56% higher on the post-test than on the pre-test. The final course survey was completed by 469 students. The survey results show that more than 98% of students found the course to meet or exceed their expectations. Over 80% of students agreed that the course increased their interest in radiology and about 81% agree that the topics presented were excellent and clinically important. The ratings in the final survey results also indicate that students increased their confidence in basic radiology skills after completing the course.

Conclusions:

The implementation of an integrative clinical approach to teaching radiology in a virtual setting is achievable. It provides efficient use of educational resources while being accessible by a large number of students across different medical schools.
On the Periphery: Examining Women’s Exclusion From Core Leadership Roles in the “Extremely Gendered” Organization of Men’s Club Football in England
Authors: Bryan Amée , Pope Stacey , Rankin-Wright Alexandra J.
Published: September 2021

In this article, we frame men’s club football as an “extremely gendered” organization to explain the underrepresentation of women leaders within the industry. By analyzing women’s leadership work over a 30-year period, we find that women’s inclusion has been confined to a limited number of occupational areas. These areas are removed, in terms of influence and proximity, from the male players and the playing of football. These findings reveal a gendered substructure within club football that maintains masculine dominance in core football leadership roles and relegates women to a position of peripheral inclusion in leadership roles. Through a discourse analysis of gender pay gap reports, we show that men’s football clubs legitimize women’s peripheral inclusion by naturalizing male dominance at the organizational core. These findings are significant because they demonstrate that men’s football clubs, as masculinity-conferring organizations, have excluded women from core roles to maintain their masculine character while superficially accepting women into roles that do not challenge the association of football with hegemonic masculinity. Therefore, organizational change may be possible only if women are granted greater access to core organizational roles. Here, we offer a new theoretical framework for “extremely gendered” organizations that can be applied to other sporting and male-dominated contexts to analyze women’s access to core leadership roles.
How do Gender Norms and Childcare Costs Affect Maternal Employment Across US States?
Authors: Ruppanner Leah , Collins Caitlyn , Landivar Liana Christin , Scarborough William J.
Published: September 2021

In this article, we investigate how state-to-state differences in U.S. childcare costs and gender norms are associated with maternal employment. Although an abundance of research has examined factors that influence mothers’ employment, few studies explore the interrelationship between maternal employment and culture, policy, and individual resources across U.S. states. Using a representative sample of women in the 2017 American Community Survey along with state-level measures of childcare costs and gender norms, we examine the relationship between these state conditions and mothers’ probability of employment. We pay careful attention to differences in mothers’ level of education. Our results suggest that expensive childcare is associated with lower maternal employment, particularly for those with less education. For the college educated, expensive childcare is negatively associated with maternal employment in states with traditional gender norms that uphold mothers as primary caregivers. Among mothers with lower levels of education, gender norms have a limited association with employment. These findings suggest that highly educated mothers mobilize resources to remain in the labor force when paid work is supported by local gender norms. For less-educated mothers, expensive childcare predicts lower employment regardless of gender norms, indicating that structural constraints outweigh normative expectations among those with fewer resources.