bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Fog Computing on Indian Smart-Cities: An Empirical Study
Authors: Priyadarshinee Pragati 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The article introduces a two-stage Structural equation modelling- Artificial Neural Network (SEM-ANN) model for the Smart city creation through Fog Computing (FC) and Internet of Things (IOT) by identifying the critical success factors in Indian context. The research article introduces a new factor Fog Computing (FC). Internet of Things (IoT) is again sub-divided into three more factors as Internet of People (IoP), Internet of Services (IoS) and Internet of Energy (IoE) as the independent variables. 13 Smart cities and 379 respondents are involved for this study. The data analysis is done through Structural equation modelling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) which measures both the linear and non-linear relationships respectively. From Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) output, it is identified that Internet of Things (IOT), Internet of People (IOP) and Internet of Services (IOS) have some significant positive effect on Fog Computing (FC). Internet of Energy (IOE) has the negative effect on Fog Computing (FC) which is the only exception in the study for future research direction in this area. The SEM accepted variables are considered as the input for the next layer of ANN analysis that identified IOT has the major effect on Fog Computing (FC). A comparison is also done on SEM and neural network results. The outcome of the study will help more number of Smart City (SC) creations and will fulfil the target of 100 Smart city creation by Government of India taking forward towards a sustainable development.
Development of tBu-phenyl acetamide appended thiacalix[4]arene as “Turn-ON” Fluorescent Probe For Selective Recognition of Hg(II) Ions
Authors: Verma Ashukumar , Modi Krunal , Dey Shuvankar , Kongor Anita , Panchal Manthan , Vora Manoj , Panjwani Falak , Jain Vinodkumar 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Herein, a novel N-(4-(tert-butyl)-phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide functionalized thiacalix[4]arene architecture, viz TCAN2PA has been synthesized and the sensing behaviour towards metal ions was explored. The probe, TCAN2PA displayed a “Turn-ON” fluorescence response towards Hg(II) ions in acetonitrile over a series of competing common metal ions. A bathochromic shift in absorption band along with a significant “Turn-ON” fluorescence behaviour of TCAN2PA was observed upon interaction with Hg(II) ions. The lower rim modification of thiacalixarene with N-(4-(tert-butyl)-phenyl)-2-chloroacetamide actively contributes toward the fluorescence property due to the presence of strong electron-donating aryl amido substituent. Fluorescence titration experiments were conducted to find out the limit of detection and to understand binding stoichiometry as well. The electron transfer interactions between the electron-rich TCAN2PA host with Hg(II) ions have been postulated which is also supported by computational modelling insights.
Jiedu Tongluo Tiaogan Formula Protects Pancreatic Islet Cells Against Dysfunction by Relieving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Excessive Autophagy via Regulating CaMKKβ/AMPK Pathway
Authors: Piao Chunli , Zhang Qi , Jin Wenqi , Wang Han , Tang Cheng , Zhao Xiaohua , Wang Yu , Sun Liwei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and excessive autophagy are increasingly recognized as risk factors associated with development and progression of β-cell dysfunction. Jiedu Tongluo Tiaogan Formula (JTTF) has known anti-glucotoxicity activities, but its pharmacological effects on pancreatic cell are not clearly understood. This study was designed to investigate JTTF effects/mechanisms on in vitro glucotoxicity (HG)-induced ERS and excessive autophagic damage of pancreatic cells in vitro and on in vivo pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Methods: The chemical composition of a JTTF preparation were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprinting. Meanwhile, cell viability, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, insulin biosynthesis dysfunction, Ca2+ overload, ERS and excessive autophagy were assessed in JTTF-pretreated pancreatic β-cells with HG-induced injury. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analyses of pancreatic tissues revealed effects of in vivo JTTF pretreatment on development of HG-induced pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Results: Five JTTF chemical components were identified. Our results revealed that JTTF treatment protected β-cells from HG injury by increasing insulin biosynthesis and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), while also decreasing Ca2+ overload, ERS and excessive autophagy. Furthermore, protective effects of JTTF treatment against HG-induced β-cell ERS and excessive autophagy were linked to regulation of CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway functions, while JTTF administration as confirmed to reverse pancreatic injury in db/db mice. Conclusions: Collectively, the results presented here indicate that JTTF may prevent islet cell dysfunction in T2DM mice by inhibiting CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway-mediated ERS and excessive autophagy. These findings enhance our understanding of mechanisms underlying beneficial JTTF-induced amelioration of T2DM.
A Practical Approach for Continuous In Situ Characterization of Radiation Quality Factors in Space
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Slaba Tony C. , Plante Ianik , Poignant Floriane , Blattnig Steven R. , Brenner David J. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The space radiation environment is qualitatively different from Earth, and its radiation hazard is generally quantified relative to photons using quality factors that allow assessment of biologically-effective dose. Two approaches exist for estimating radiation quality factors in complex radiation environments: One is a fluence-based risk cross-section approach, which requires very detailed in silico characterization of the radiation field and biological cross sections, and thus cannot realistically be used for in situ monitoring. By contrast, the microdosimetric approach, using measured (or calculated) distributions of microdosimetric energy deposition together with empirical biological weighting functions, is conceptually and practically simpler. To demonstrate feasibility of the microdosimetric approach, we estimated a biological weighting function for one specific endpoint, heavy-ion-induced tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice, which was unfolded from experimental results after a variety of heavy ion exposures together with corresponding calculated heavy-ion microdosimetric energy deposition spectra. Separate biological weighting functions were unfolded for targeted and non-targeted effects, and these differed substantially. We folded these biological weighting functions with microdosimetric energy deposition spectra for different space radiation environments, and conclude that the microdosimetric approach is indeed practical and, in conjunction with in-situ measurements of microdosimetric spectra, can allow continuous readout of biologically-effective dose during space flight.
A Demographic and Clinical Panorama of a Sixteen-Year Cohort of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients in Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo Luiza Ohasi , Júnior Augusto Afonso Guerra , Acurcio Francisco Assis , Almeida Alessandra Maciel , Cherchiglia Mariângela Leal , Wainstein Alberto Julius Alves , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos , Nogueira-Rodrigues Angélica 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Little is known about soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in Brazil, once the federal statistics regarding estimates on incidence and mortality of the most common cancers that affect the Brazilian population currently do not include STS. This study aims to perform a broad evaluation and description of the epidemiological profile, access to treatment and main clinical outcomes of the Brazilian STS patient.Methods: A population-based cohort study of 66,825 patients who underwent procedures related to STS treatment registered in the Brazilian public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS) databases. Results: Median age was 57 years, 30% of them older than 65 years and 50.7% of the cohort was female. The majority, 50,383 patients (75.4%), was diagnosed between 2008 and 2015. Most prevalent anatomic sites were head and neck (13.6%) and upper and lower limbs (12.6%). The registry of sarcomas without a specific location comprehended 29.7% of the cohort. The majority of patients resided in the Northeast (40.2% of the patients). Surgery was the first treatment modality in 77.7% of the cases. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate of the patients was, respectively, 82.3% (95% CI = 82%-82,7%), 57.4% (95% CI = 56.9%-58%) and 42% (95% CI = 41.2%-42.9%).
Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Chemoradiotherapy and an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jang Jeong Yun , Kim Su Ssan , Song Si Yeol , Kim Yeon Joo , Kim Sung-woo , Choi Eun Kyung 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Immunotherapy has been administered to many patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only few studies have examined toxicity in patients receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Therefore, we performed a retrospective study to determine factors that predict radiation pneumonitis (RP) in these patients.Methods: We evaluated the size of the planning target volume, mean lung dose (MLD), and the lung volume receiving more than a threshold radiation dose (VD) in 106 patients. The primary endpoint was RP ≥ grade 2, and toxicity was evaluated. Results: After CCRT, 51/106 patients were treated with ICI. The median follow-up period was 11.5 months (range, 3.0–28.2), and RP ≥ grade 2 occurred in 47 (44.3%) patients: 27 and 20 in the ICI and non-ICI groups, respectively. None of the examined clinical factors were associated with RP. Four dosimetric variables (MLD, V20, V30, and V40) had prognostic significance in univariate analysis for occurrence of pneumonitis (odds ratio, p-value; MLD: 3.0, 0.026; V20: 4.1, 0.001; V30: 3.1, 0.006; V40: 3.7, 0.002). Only V20 was a significant risk factor in the non-ICI group, and V30 and V40 were significant risk factors in the ICI group. The survival and local control rates were superior in the ICI group than in the non-ICI group, but no significance was observed.Conclusions: Patients receiving ICI after definitive CCRT were more likely to develop RP, which may be related to the lung volume receiving high-dose radiation. Therefore, several factors should be carefully considered for patients with NSCLC.
Mechanism of Youguiyin in the Treatment of Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Pan Yi , Zhao Wanlu , Qin Luping , Zhang Lu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Youguiyin (YGY) has been confirmed to treat osteoporosis (OP) in clinical trials, but its specific pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the material basis and potential mechanism of YGY in the treatment of OP based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods: Databases including TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction database, OMIM, and TTD were used to predict the effective ingredients and relevant targets of YGY in the treatment of OP. The STRING database was used to reveal the relationship between each intersection target protein. Metascape database was used to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the intersection targets. Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to show the complex network relationship of YGY in the treatment of OP. According to the results of network characteristics analysis, the core effective ingredients and the core targets were screened out. Autodock 4.0 was used for molecular docking and Pymol was used to visualize the docking results.Results: 290 effective ingredients, 1127 targets of the effective ingredients, 273 relevant targets of OP and 17 intersection targets were screened out in total by searching literature and databases. Intersection targets could affect biological processes including regulation of inflammatory response, ossification, negative regulation of post-transcriptional gene silencing, positive regulation of cytokine biosynthetic process and regulation of hormone levels by regulating signal pathways including TNF signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, apoptosis, MAPK signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Through screening, 14 core effective ingredients and 6 core targets were confirmed. The results of molecular docking showed that most of the core effective ingredients including α-humulene, cinnamaldehyde, denudatine, benzoylhypaconine and quercetin had good binding activity with the core targets including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6.Conclusion: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, the critical effective ingredients, key targets, important signal pathways and main biological processes of YGY in the treatment of OP were successfully screened out. This study revealed the material basis and the mechanism of YGY in the treatment of OP and provided a theoretical basis for follow-up experimental research and clinical application of YGY.
Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, body trunk-balance training in a sitting position improved persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomoya , Miwa Toru , Tamura Kaoru , Inoue Fumiko , Umezawa Naomi , Maetani Toshiki , Hara Masahiko , Kanemaru Shin-ichi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a newly defined disorder of functional dizziness. Due to its recent discovery, definitive treatment for PPPD has not been established; therefore, this study aimed to measure the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-guided, dual-task, body trunk balance training using the mediVR KAGURA system for the treatment of PPPD.MethodsData from patients with PPPD collected from January 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021 were reviewed. Additionally, healthy people were included as controls. VR-guided training was performed using 100 tasks for 10 min. Equilibrium tests were performed at baseline and immediately after VR-guided training to examine the effectiveness of static and dynamic balance ability. Additionally, assessments of clinical questionnaire-based surveys of balance disorders were performed at baseline and 1 week after VR-guided training to examine the effects on the symptoms related to balance disorders. The primary outcome was the usefulness of static and dynamic body balance and NPQ scores.ResultsVR-guided training using mediVR KAGURA improved objective symptoms, including static and dynamic postural stability (relating to somatosensory and visual weighting, respectively) even when the training was conducted once for 10 min. Additionally, VR-guided training improved the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score and the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire score, 1 week after a 10-min training session. ConclusionVR-guided training was found to be a viable method in managing the balancing ability, anxiety, and symptoms of patients with PPPD. VR-guided training offers safety and reduction of human resources; however, its clinical efficiency warrants further evaluation in prospective studies.Trial registrationInstitutional Ethics Committee of Kitano Hospital, approval number: 1911003. Registered 18 December 2019, https://kitano.bvits.com/rinri/publish_document.aspx?ID=426
Quantitative Evaluation of PSMA PET Imaging using a Realistic Anthropomorphic Phantom and Shell-less Radioactive Epoxy Lesions
Authors: Fedrigo Roberto , Kadrmas Dan J. , Edem Patricia E. , Fougner Lauren , Klyuzhin Ivan S. , Petric M. Peter , Bénard François , Rahmim Arman , Uribe Carlos 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET images have shown superior performance in detecting metastatic prostate cancers. Relative to [18F]FDG PET images, PSMA PET images tend to visualize significantly higher-contrast focal lesions. We aim to evaluate segmentation and reconstruction algorithms in this emerging context. Specifically, Bayesian or maximum a posteriori (MAP) image reconstruction, compared to standard OSEM reconstruction, has received significant interest for its potential to reach convergence with minimal noise amplifications. However, few phantom studies have evaluated the quantitative accuracy of such reconstructions for high contrast, small lesions (sub-10mm) that are typically observed in PSMA images. In this study, we cast 3mm-16mm spheres using epoxy resin infused with a long half-life positron emitter (sodium-22; 22Na) to simulate prostate cancer metastasis. The anthropomorphic Probe-IQ phantom, which features a liver, bladder, lungs, and ureters, was used to model relevant anatomy. Dynamic PET acquisitions were acquired and images were reconstructed with OSEM (varying subsets and iterations) and BSREM (varying β parameters), and the effects on lesion quantitation were evaluated.
Results
The 22Na lesions were scanned against an aqueous solution containing fluorine-18 (18F) as the background. Due to the long half-life of 22Na compared to 18F, a separate scan with fully-decayed background was used to measure the ground truth radioactivity concentrations of the 22Na lesions. Regions-of-interest were drawn with MIM Software using 40% fixed threshold (40% FT) and a gradient segmentation algorithm (MIM’s PET Edge+). Recovery coefficients (RCs) (max, mean, peak, and newly defined “apex”) and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) were calculated for each sphere. SUVpeak and SUVapex had the most consistent RCs for different lesion-to-background ratios and reconstruction parameters. The gradient-based segmentation algorithm was more accurate than 40% FT for determining MTV, particularly for lesions \(\le\)6mm in diameter (R2 = 0.86–0.89 vs. R2 < 0.02, respectively).
Conclusion
An anthropomorphic phantom was used to evaluate quantitation for PSMA PET imaging of metastatic prostate cancer lesions. BSREM with β = 200–400 and OSEM with 1–2 iterations resulted in the most accurate SUV and MTV values for these imaging conditions. SUVapex, a hybrid metric of SUVmax and SUVpeak, was proposed for robust, accurate, and segmentation-free quantitation of lesions for PSMA PET.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Different SRAM Cell Topologies in 7-nm FinFET Technology
Authors: Abbasian Erfan , Birla Shilpi , Gholipour Morteza 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This article aims to provide a wide comparative analysis of different SRAM cells in 7nm FinFET Technology. Due to various limitations of the CMOS device in nanotechnology, FinFET is one of the trending choices for memory designers which can improve the stability and minimize the Short Channel Effects of the CMOS. Here, performance metrics of these SRAM cells like the stability, access time, power have been measured at a supply voltage range of 0.2 V to 0.5 V. The layout of the existing cells has been designed and compared in which the ST12T consumes the maximum area. The simulated results inferred that the ST11T SRAM cell offers the highest RSNM and the minimum dynamic and leakage power amongst all the SRAM cells. Moreover, ST12T SRAM cell has the highest WSNM in comparison to other SRAM cells. An electrical quality metric has been utilized, which displays the superiority of the ST12T SRAM cell amongst all the considered SRAM cells in this article.
Novel bursting patterns and the bifurcation mechanism in a piecewise smooth Chua’s circuit with two scales
Authors: Xu Huijun , Zhang Zhengdi , Peng Miao 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the coupling of two scales on the dynamics of a piecewise smooth dynamical system. A relatively simple model with two switching boundaries is taken as an example by introducing a nonlinear piecewise resistor and a harmonically changed electric source into a typical Chua’s circuit. Taking suitable values of the parameters, four different types of bursting oscillations are observed corresponding to different values of the exciting amplitude. Regarding the periodic excitation as a slow-varying parameter, equilibrium branches of the fast subsystem as well as the related bifurcations, such as fold bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation, period doubling bifurcation, nonsmooth Hopf bifurcation and nonsmooth fold limit cycle bifurcation, are explored with theoretical and numerical methods. With the help of the overlap of the transformed phase portrait and the equilibrium branches, the mechanism of the bursting oscillations can be analyzed in detail. It is found that for relatively small exciting amplitude, since the trajectory is governed by a smooth subsystem, only conventional bifurcations take place, leading to the transitions between the spiking states and quiescent states. However, with an increase of the exciting amplitude so that the trajectory passes across the switching boundaries, nonsmooth bifurcations occurring at the boundaries may involve the structures of attractors, leading to complicated bursting oscillations. Further increasing the exciting amplitude, the number of the spiking states decreases although more bifurcations take place, which can be explained by the delay effect of bifurcation
Implementation and Impact of National Centralized Drug Procurement Policy in China: Evidence from the National Drug Procurement Database
Authors: Lu Jiancheng , Yang Ying , Wen Xiaotong , Wang Jing , Shen Yuan , Mao Lining , Cui Dan , Mao Zongfu , Li Jinghua 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Chinese government implemented the first round of National Centralized Drug Procurement pilot in 4 municipalities and 7 sub-provincial cities in 2019, so called "4 + 7" policy. This study evaluated the implementation and impact of “4 + 7” policy.
Methods
This study used drug purchase data from China Drug Supply Information Platform (CDSIP) database. “4 + 7” policy-related drugs were selected as study samples, including 25 drugs in the “4 + 7” List and 92 alternative drugs that have an alternative relationship with “4 + 7” List drugs in clinical use. “4 + 7” List drugs were divided into bid-winning and non-winning products. We applied Defined Daily Doses (DDDs), DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), purchase expenditures, and Defined Daily Drug cost (DDDc) as outcome variables. Interrupted time-series was adopted to quantity policy effect.
Results
As of December 2019, the completion rate of overall bid-winning drugs in 9 pilot cities reached 154.40%, and the completion rate of 25 bid-winning drugs ranged between 74.77% and 477.75%. After policy intervention, the DID of bid-winning drugs, “4 + 7” List drugs, alterative drugs, as well as the overall policy-related drugs increased by 545.18%, 14.03%, 12.21%, and 13.04% in pilot cities. Bid-winning drugs significantly increased 132.84 million DDDs (p < 0.001) in volume and 48.95 million CNY (p < 0.05) in expenditures, and dropped 6.35 CNY (p < 0.001) in DDDc. The volume proportion of bid-winning products increased from 12.67–71.66%. The DDDc of non-winning drugs increased 0.94 CNY (p < 0.001). Overall, the DDDc of policy-related drugs dropped 1.38 CNY (p < 0.001), and the expenditures decreased 634.68 million CNY (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
An overall satisfying implementation progress of “4 + 7” policy was observed in pilot cities. The policy alleviated the medication burdens of patients, which is supported by the significant reduction in DDDc and costs of policy-related drugs. The accessibility and consumption of policy-related drugs improved. However, monitoring regarding the clinical use of policy-related drugs will still be necessary in the future.