bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ADP based trajectory-tracking control via backstepping method for underactuated AUV with unknown dynamics
Authors: Che Gaofeng , Yu Zhen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates trajectory-tacking control problem for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) with unknown dynamics. Different from existing adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) schemes, our proposed control scheme can achieve high-level system stability and tracking control accuracy. Firstly, the backstepping approach is introduced into the kinematic model of underactuated AUV and produces a virtual velocity control which is taken as the desired velocity input of the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Secondly, the error tracking system is constructed according to the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Thirdly, the critic neural network and the action neural network are employed to transform the trajectory-tracking control problem into optimal control problem based on policy iteration algorithm. At last simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the control scheme proposed in this paper.
Therapeutic and Tectonic Keratoplasty with Simple Cryopreserved Remnants of Donor Corneas: An 11 Year Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Kim Jae-Gon , Jun Jong Hwa 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study sought to describe the use of deep-frozen donor corneal remnants preserved after keratoplasty procedures for therapeutic or tectonic keratoplasty without subsequent optical keratoplasty. This single-centre retrospective consecutive case series analyzed the electronic medical records of patients who had undergone therapeutic or tectonic keratoplasty using deep-frozen donor remains preserved in Optisol-GS, for the past 11 years at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Fifty-five surgical cases in 46 patients were included. Twenty-three surgical cases in 18 patients underwent therapeutic keratoplasty for refractory infectious corneal ulcer. Complete eradiation of primary infection was achieved in 14 patients (77.8%). Tectonic keratoplasty were performed 32 cases in 28 patients. Twenty-seven of 28 patients were ultimately able to maintain anatomical integrity (96.4%). Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from 1.77 ± 0.94 preoperatively to 1.31 ± 0.95 at the last follow up postoperatively in the tectonic graft group by logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (P = 0.002). There were no cases of graft rejection. Keratoplasty using cryopreserved donor tissue is a suitable surgical alternative for infectious or non-infectious corneal ulcers in elderly patients or patients with poor general condition. It could be a viable alternative to overcome the shortage of corneal donors.
Mindfulness Meditation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Quasi-randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Lino Cesare , Neuwersch-Sommeregger Stefan , Likar Rudolf , De Bartolo Paola 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Pain Therapy (MBPT) a treatment combining mindfulness meditation and several interventions taken from cognitive therapy within the frame of the multimodal pain therapy program, in patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP).Design: A quasi-randomized case-control study. Subjects: The study included 20 subjects with chronic low back pain were recruited and quasi-randomly allocated to a standard multimodal pain therapy (n=10) or to a multimodal pain therapy group with MBPT (n=10). The intervention was identical for both groups except for the mindfulness meditation program.Methods. Both groups participated in a 4-week training, 5 times/week. All subjects underwent the same measurement protocol before and after the intervention. The program was evaluated on the basis of measure of pain, quality of life, disability, pain catastrophizing and depression. Results: The trial group displayed significant reduction in pain intensity, improvement in the quality of life, reduction in pain disability, in depression and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: The study indicated that mindfulness meditation can influence the treatments and lead to a significant improvement in the overall result of the multimodal pain therapy.
Exposure to Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Arsenic and Uric Acid Levels: Results from NHANES 2007-2016
Authors: Gao Wenhui , Tong Li , Zhao Saisai , Jin Lina 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Mechanisms underlying abnormal uric acid (UA) levels from exposure to heavy metals have not been not fully elucidated, especially in the context of mixtures.Objectives: To identify major heavy metals affected UA levels with a mixture exposure concept in the association model.Methods: 4794 adults from 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were involved. Serum UA (SUA) and SUA/SCr were used to estimate the UA levels, and cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in blood and/or urinary were evaluated in the study. We assessed the associations between heavy metals and UA levels using linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results: The median [P25, P75] SUA/SCr and SUA level were 6.22[5.27, 7.32] and 0.83[0.72, 0.98], respectively. There was no difference for SUA/SCr by gender, (men: 6.25[5.39, 7.29]; women: 6.17[5.17, 7.36], P=0.162), but men had higher SUA than women (men: 0.95[0.85, 1.05]; women: 0.72[0.64, 0.82], P<0.001). Blood Pb (βmen = 0.651 and βwomen =1.014) and urinary Cd (βmen = 0.252 and βwomen = 0.613) were positively associated with SUA/SCr, and urinary Pb (βmen = -0.462 and βwomen = -0.838) was inversely associated with SUA/SCr in multivariate linear regression analysis, but urinary As (βmen= 0.351) was positively associated with SUA/SCr only in men. BKMR showed that higher concentrations of exposure to a mixture of heavy metals was positively associated with higher UA levels, where Cd, Pb and urinary As contributed most to the overall mixture effect in men, while Pb and urinary Cd in women.Conclusions: Our study provided the first evidence that mixtures of metals are associated with the UA levels. Increased concentrations of metals, particularly blood Pb, urinary Cd and As (only in men) may increase the levels of UA.
Cinobufagin Enhances the Sensitivity of Cisplatin-Resistant Lung Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy by Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK Pathways
Authors: Zhang Guangxin , Liu Xueshibojie , Wang Yicun , Jin Chengyan , Lu Zhengyang , Yang Hao , Tong Ti 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Lung cancer patients always develop serious chemotherapy resistance after long-term use of cisplatin (DDP) treatment. It has been demonstrated that combination of DDP with other chemotherapy drugs may significantly reduce drug resistance. Cinobufagin (CB) showed potent anti-tumor effect against lung cancer. However, the relevance of CB and DDP resistance in lung cancer remains unclear. This article will study the effects of CB on reversing lung cell resistance in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL staining. The invasiveness was detected by Invasion assay. The mRNA and protein of apoptosis-related proteins, P-AKT, P-PI3K, P-MEK1/2, P-ERK1/2 and MRP1 were estimated by qRT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis, respectively. In vivo antitumor activities were investigated by subcutaneous xenograft assay. Results: The present study firstly demonstrated that the sensitivity of DDP in DDP-resistant A549 (A549/DDP) cells was enhanced when treatment with CB. Moreover, CB combined with DDP significantly weakened the proliferation and increased apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. In addition, the expression level of Bcl-2 was increased, whereas Bax and Caspase-3 were activated when A549/DDP cells were treated with both drugs. Moreover, after treatment with IGF1 (activator of PI3K/AKT) or PMA (activator of MAPK/ERK) and mixed drugs (CB+DDP), the expressions of P-AKT, P-PI3K, P-MEK1/2 and P-ERK1/2 were increased. Finally, the results of in vivo experiments showed that the combination of DDP and CB significantly reduced the growth of tumors derived from A549/DDP cells. Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study indicate that the combination of CB and DDP can be considered an effective strategy to increase the sensitivity of DDP-resistant lung cancer cells to DDP by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways.
A Numerıcal Investıgatıon of The Thermal Behavıor of Dıfferent Phase Change Materıals In Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Kan Mehmet 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM) are widely used in thermal energy storage systems due to their high heat storage properties. However, due to the low thermal conductivity of PCMs, different surface areas are employed in order to increase the amount of energy. One of these methods is to use fins with high thermal conductivity. This study numerically investigated the thermal behavior of different PCMs (paraffin, paraffin wax, polyethylene glycol 6000) during the melting process in a thermal energy storage system with 15 fins. A FOX 50 heat flow meter was used for thermal conductivity measurements of these PCMs, and TA DSC Q200 (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) devices were used for specific heat measurements. The thermal property data of these measured PCMs were used in a time-dependent analysis. With the PCM data obtained, time-dependent thermal analyses were carried out using the Ansys-Fluent program based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The effect of these different PCMs on the melting processes was investigated by using water at 75oC in a 15-fin thermal storage system by observing their thermal behavior in the thermal energy storage system. In addition, cost analyses were conducted by determining the required amount of PCMs for the thermal storage system.
Orbiting Light Around the Outer Surface of Dielectric Microspheres
Authors: Ogura Toshihiko 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Circulating light in the total internal reflection within dielectric spheres or disks is called the whispering gallery mode (WGM), which by itself is highly sensitive to its surface and capable of detecting viruses and single atomic ions. The detection site of the sensors using WGM is created by the evanescent light from the circulating light inside spheres. On the other hand, there have been no reports of observation or discussion of the light orbiting outside the surface of dielectric microspheres. Here we report light orbiting the outer surface of a dielectric microspheres different from the WGM. We observed anomalously enhanced Raman spectrum at the periphery of 3 μm diameter polystyrene (PS) microspheres on a silicon nitride (SiN) film using Raman microscopy. The wavelength intensity of this enhanced Raman spectrum was accompanied by periodic changes due to interference. These features may lead to the development of high-sensitive sensors and optical devices.
The Comprehensive Analysis of Competitive Endogenous RNA Networks and Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Gastric Cancer With Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Gong Fangxiao , Liang Tianyu , Lin Zongbin , Liu Renyang , Hong Jun , Chen Minhua 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer is a kind of tumor with strong heterogeneity. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) play significant roles in the development of tumors. Methods: In this study, we divided all TCGA gastric cancer patients into the whole, intestinal and diffuse cohorts for further analysis, and constructed competitive endogenous RNA network and evaluated immune cells using CIBERSORTx. The support vector machines recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) was used for screening significant signatures and the support vector machines (SVM) for establishing model predicting the lymph node metastasis. Results: In this study, we divided all TCGA gastric cancer patients into the whole, intestinal and diffuse cohorts for further analysis, and constructed competitive endogenous RNA network and evaluated immune cells using CIBERSORTx. The support vector machines recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) was used for screening significant signatures and the support vector machines (SVM) for establishing model predicting the lymph node metastasis. The performance of SVM model was good in the intestinal and diffuse cohort, while the model in the whole cohort was relatively poor. Some important co-expression patterns between immune cells and ceRNAs network indicated significant correlation CD70 with dendritic cells and so on. Conclusion: Our research inferred competing endogenous RNA network of lymph node metastasis and built an excellent predicting model.
Comparison of Telomere Length Between Buccal Cells and Blood Cells
Authors: Xu Lu , Qiu Zhuoziqi , Cong Yu-Sheng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background

Telomere length (TL) in blood has been extensively studied as a biomarker of aging and aging-associated disease. TL in blood cells is commonly used as a proxy for TL in other tissue types. The source of DNA of adequate quality and quantity is an important consideration in telomere length analysis. Compared to blood cells, buccal cells easy for genomic DNA preparation would facilitate the rapid and reliable telomere length analysis. However, the feasibility of buccal cells for TL analysis remains yet unestablished.
Methods

A total of 52 participants ranged in age from 18 to 80 years including 24 males and 28 females were included in this study. Both buccal and blood samples were taken at the same time by using buccal cell swabs and fingertip stick from each participant. Relative telomere length (RTL) was analyzed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method.
Results

The results indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between buccal RTL and blood RTL and negative correlation between both buccal RTL and blood RTL with age.
Conclusion

The validity of sampling using buccal cell swabs provides simple operation and good reproducibility for telomere length analysis, which overcomes the discomfort and risk of infection caused by blood sampling.
COVID-19 as a Social Disease: Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Prevention Needs, Impact of Control Measures and Community Responses Among Racialized/Ethnic Minorities in Antwerp, Belgium
Authors: Nöstlinger Christiana , Landeghem Ella Van , Vanhamel Jef , Rotsaert Anke , Manirankunda Lazare , Ddungu Charles , Reyniers Thijs , Katsuva Deogratias , Vercruyssen Jana , Dielen Stef , Meudec Marie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: In high income countries, racialized/ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. We lack in-depth understanding of these communities’ experiences with and responses to COVID-19 despite the established importance of community involvement in epidemic preparedness. We explored information and prevention needs, coping mechanisms with COVID-19 control measures and their impact on lived experiences among selected racialized/ethnic minority communities.Methods: This qualitative rapid assessment conducted in Antwerp/Belgium used an interpretative and participatory approach. We included migrant communities with geographic origins ranging from Sub-Saharan Africa, North-Africa to the Middle East, Orthodox Jewish communities and community workers working with these groups. Data were collected between May 2020 - May 2021 through key informant-, in-depth interviews and group discussions (N=71). Transcripts were analyzed inductively, adopting a reflexive thematic approach. A community advisory board provided feedback throughout the research process.Results: Participants indicated the need for tailored information in terms of language and timing. At the start of the epidemic, they perceived official public health messages as insufficient to reach all community members. Information sources included non-mainstream (social) media and media from home countries, hampering a nuanced understanding of virus transmission mechanisms and local and national protection measures. Participants felt the measures’ most negative impact on their livelihoods (e.g. loss of income, disruption of social and immigration support). Economic insecurity triggered chronic stress and fears at individual and family level. High degrees of distrust in authorities and anticipated stigma were grounded in previously experienced racial and ethnic discrimination. Community-based initiatives mitigated this impact, ranging from disseminating translated and tailored information, providing individual support, and successfully reaching community members with complex needs (e.g. the elderly, digitally illiterate people, those with small social networks or irregular legal status). Conclusion: Study participants’ narratives showed how coping with and responding to COVID-19 was strongly intertwined with socio-economic and ethnic/racial characteristics, justifying conceptualizing COVID-19 a social disease. At the same time, communities demonstrated resilience in responding to these structural vulnerabilities. From a health equity perspective, we provide concrete policy recommendations grounded in insights into communities’ structural vulnerabilities and resilience.
Evaluation and Projection of Vb-Cyclones and Associated North-Western Mediterranean Sea State in Regional Coupled Climate Simulations
Authors: Pothapakula Praveen Kumar , Hoff Amelie , Hellhund Anika Obermann , Keber Timo , Ahrens Bodo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Vb-cyclones propagating from the North-Western Mediterranean Sea into Central Europe are often associated with extreme precipitation. This study explores the state & process chains linking the North-Western Mediterranean Sea and the Vb-event precipitation in Danube, Elbe, and Odra catchments in regional coupled atmosphere-ocean climate simulations with COSMO-CLM+NEMO.
Two high-resolution simulations, an evaluation simulation (1951-2005) downscaling the centennial ERA-20C reanalysis and a continuous simulation (historical 1951-2005 + RCP-8.5 future scenario 2006-2099) downscaling the EC-EARTH global climate RCP-8.5 projection are used for this purpose. Sea surface temperature (SST) validation with observations over the Mediterranean Sea reveals a cold bias (approx 1 -- 1.5 K) in the historical & evaluation simulations. There is a good agreement in mean annual Vb-cyclone frequency between the evaluation (9.7 events/year) and the historical (10.1 events/year) simulations. But, there are significant discrepancies in the seasonal cycle. The mean cyclone intensity measured with minimum central pressure, track density, and precipitation rankings in the catchments also show good agreement. A basin-average SST warming of approx 2.5 -- 3 K, but insignificant changes in Vb-frequency, mean intensity, and precipitation in the catchments are projected by the end of the 21st century.
The North-Western Mediterranean SST, evaporation, and wind speed anomalies corresponding to the precipitation rankings over the three catchments & associated process chains differ between the evaluation & historical simulations. In the evaluation simulation, Vb-cyclone precipitation rankings correspond with SST, evaporation, and wind speed anomalies, while in the historical & the future simulation no such correspondence is seen. Especially the Adriatic & Ionian basins show no sensitivity to the Vb events in the EC-EARTH driven simulation. The change in the processes might be because of the emergence of simulation biases inherited from the driving EC-EARTH global simulation.
Indirect Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Weekly Trends in Morbidity and Mortality Indicators in Brazil, 2020 to 2021
Authors: Percio Jadher , Cabral Cibelle Mendes , Fantinato Francieli Fontana Sutile Tardetti , Barrera Lely Stella Guzmán , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, safe and efficacious vaccines were quickly developed and made available to reduce its morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to describe the trends and evaluate the association of COVID-19 vaccination with indicators of morbidity and mortality due to the disease in Brazil.Methods: This was an ecological study whose unit of analysis was the time elapsed between February 16th, 2020, from the introduction of COVID-19 in Brazil and July 17th, 2021, six months after the start of vaccination in the country. From secondary databases, indicators of morbidity and mortality (incidence of hospitalization, proportion of severe cases, lethality and mortality) and vaccine coverage (doses 1, 2 or single dose) per epidemiological week (EW) and age groups were calculated (18 to 59 years and 60 years or older). Indicators of morbimortality were compared in the pre-vaccination (EW 8/2020 to EW 2/2021) and vaccination (EW 3/2021 to EW 28/2021) periods, analyzing the trends estimated using the JointPoint model and their associations using the Poisson model.Results: For individuals aged 60 years and over, during the period of COVID-19 vaccination there was a weekly trend towards a reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations (PMSV: -4.7%), severity (PMSV: -0.3%, lethality (PMSV: -2.0%) and mortality (PMSV: -2.8%); the increase in COVID-19 vaccination coverage was inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalizations (IRR: 0.969), lethality (IRR: 0.993), and mortality (IRR: 0.981). For individuals aged 18 to 59 years of age, during the period of COVID-19 vaccination there was a weekly trend towards a reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations (PMSV: -2.6%) and lethality (PMSV: -2.0%), while there was an increase in mortality (PMSV: 3.8%); the increase in COVID-19 vaccination coverage was inversely associated with the incidence of hospitalizations (IRR: 0.975) and lethality (IRR: 0.939). Conversely, it was directly associated with mortality (IRR: 1.054).Conclusions: it was demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination had an indirect impact in reducing the morbidity and mortality trend from the disease in Brazil, especially in the elderly population, in which vaccination was prioritized and achieved greater coverage, when compared to individuals aged 18 to 59 years.