bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase Congruency Based on Derivatives of Gaussian Function: An Efficient Feature Map for Image Quality Assessment
Authors: Chen Congmin , Mou Xuanqin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Image quality assessment (IQA) has become a hot issue in image processing, which aims to evaluate the quality of images automatically by a metric being consistent with subjective evaluations. Though deep learning based techniques have been applied to IQA models to achieve much progress, conventional IQA models that adopt deliberately designed features are still meaningful because by which we can learn what features are quality-aware and hence understand more about the way we improve image quality by enhancing quality-aware features. The first stage of conventional IQA model design is the quality-aware feature selection. Phase congruency (PC), as one of efficient saliency maps, which takes advantages of early visual feature, operates in frequency domain to measure local structure such as edges, corners, lines, etc. by computing the local amplitude and local energy in multiple scales. Conventional local PC feature is calculated with log-Gabor based filtration in several orientations, and is usually combined with other features in quality estimating. Recently, researchers suggested that spatially circular symmetric filters, such as gradient magnitude (GM) and Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG), are highly-efficient quality features that have been widely used in various IQA model designs. By considering the first-order derivative property of GM and the second-order derivative property of LoG, the two features are a suitable pairs for PC compositions while keeping the circular symmetric characteristic. Therefore, we use GM and LoG to construct a novel PC feature map and only use this feature map to build a full-reference (FR) IQA model, which is proved to be state-of-the-art on three benchmark databases. Furthermore, we replace the PC algorithm in the state-of-the-art FSIM metric with our PC computation, which achieves improved performance. This study suggests that the proposed circular symmetric PC feature is a high efficient quality feature and can be exclusively used in IQA model designs.
Humulus lupus extract rich in Xanthohumol reduces the risk of a fatal clinical course in critically ill patients treated for COVID-19
Authors: Dabrowski Wojciech , Gagos Mariusz , Siwicka-Gieroba Dorota , Piechota Mariusz , Siwiec Jan , Bielacz Magdalena , Kotfis Katarzyna , Stepulak Andrzej , Grzycka-Kowalczyk Luiza , Jaroszynski Andrzej , Malbrain Manu LNG 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background.
The systemic inflammatory response following severe coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is associated with poor outcome. Several anti-inflammatory medications were studied in COVID-19 patients. Xanthohumol (Xn), a natural extract from hop cones, possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of Xn on the inflammatory response and the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients.
Methods
Adult patients treated for acute respiratory failure (PaO2/FiO2 less than 150) were studied. Patients were randomized into two groups: Xn – patients receiving adjuvant treatment with Xn at a daily dose of 4.5 mg/kg body weight for 7 days, and C – controls (patients receiving placebo – NaCl 0.9%). Observations were performed at four time points: immediately after admission to the ICU and on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days of treatment. The inflammatory response was assessed based on the plasma IL-6 concentration, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer levels. The mortality rate was determined 28 days after admission to the ICU.
Results
Seventy-two patients were eligible for the study, and 50 were included in the final analysis. The mortality rate was significantly lower and the clinical course was shorter in the Xn group compared to controls (20% vs. 48%, p < 0.05, and 9 ± 3 days vs. 22 ± 8 days, p < 0.001). Treatment with Xn decreased plasma IL-6 concentration (p < 0.01), D-dimer levels (p < 0.05) and NLR (p < 0.01) more significantly compared to standard treatment.
Conclusion
Adjuvant therapy with Xn appears to be a promising anti-inflammatory treatment in COVID-19 patients.
Development of prosthetic device based on engineering design approach
Authors: Francisco Marta , Junior Osiris Canciglieri , Okumura Maria Lucia , Santanna Angelo Marcio 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Engineering design with innovative characteristics that offer additional benefits to the customer is a process consisting of complex activities that require research, planning, and systematic methods. A prominent product development process has been driven by technological innovations used to assist the disabled in acquiring greater autonomy and performing daily tasks. Assistive product development has ensured the disabled more excellent prospects, contributing to providing or expanding the functional abilities of people with disabilities, resulting in the promotion of independent living and inclusion. This paper aims to develop a prosthetic device to aid patients with hand agenesis in practicing swimming based on the engineering design approach. The assistive product development was made based on the four phases: (i) demand perception, (ii) product projection, (iii) product characterization, and (iv) optimization. In addition, it was used for Monte Carlo simulation, multivariate analysis, and tolerance interval analysis techniques in the product development phases. We developed this approach as an alternative to classical engineering design used in the additive manufacturing process for prosthetic devices. The assistive product set aims to significantly stimulate the hand agenesis patient in physical activity, representing one of the doors of entry for social inclusion, providing a better quality of physical and emotional life for the individual with a disability.
Real-time smooth trajectory generation for 3-axis blending tool-paths based on FIR filtering
Authors: Fang Jun , Li Bingran , Zhang Hui , Ye Peiqing 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
3-axis machining tool-paths are generated using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems and programmed by series of G01 codes mixed with long and short segments. The computer numerical control (CNC) system needs to analyze the path information according to the G codes, through the path smoothing, speed planning, and interpolation process, generate the smooth trajectory and ensure the high-order continuity of velocity. This paper proposes a real-time smooth trajectory generation algorithm with simple structure and low calculation for 3-axis blending machining tool-paths. FIR filters are used to generate a smooth trajectory with bounded acceleration in real-time. Due to the delay of the filter, it will inevitably bring contour error. The feed rate is adjusted by considering the influence of the adjacent segments on the contour error in the case of long segments, then this idea is extended to continuous micro-segments. Finally, through the pre-discretization with certain rules, a direct one-step smooth trajectory generation algorithm for the blending tool-paths is realized. The algorithm not only can effectively control the contour error, but also is suitable for blending tool-paths. Consequently, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are validated in simulations and also experimentally on a 5-axis machine tool.
Multimodal Interaction Aware Embedding for Location-Based Social Networks
Authors: Yu Ruiyun , Yang Kang , Wang Zhihong , Zhen Shi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Location-based social networks (LBSNs) have greatly promoted the development of the field of human mobility mining. However, the sparsity, multimodality and heterogeneity nature of the user check-in data remains a great concern for learning high-quality user or other entities representations, especially in the downstream application tasks, such as point-of-interest (POI) recommendation. Most existing methods focus on user preference modeling based on sequential POI tags without exploring the interaction between different modalities (e.g., user-user interactions, user-timestamp interactions, user-POI interactions, etc.). To this end, we introduce a multimodal interaction aware embedding framework to generate reliable entity embeddings on the heterogeneous socio-spatial network. At its core, first, multi-modal interaction sub-graph sampling techniques are designed to capture the heterogeneous contexts; then, a self-supervised contrastive learning technique is leveraged to extract intra-modality and inter-modality interactions in a light way. We conduct experiments on the next-POI recommendation tasks based on three real-world datasets. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our model over the state-of-the-art embedding learning algorithms.
Immediate myeloid depot for SARS-CoV-2 in the human lung
Authors: Magnen Melia , You Ran , Rao Arjun , Davis Ryan , Rodriguez Lauren , Simoneau Camille , Hysenaj Lisiena , Hu Kenneth , Love Christina , Woodruff Prescott , Erle David , Hendrickson Carolyn , Calfee Carolyn , Matthay Michael , Roose Jeroen , Sil Anita , Ott Melanie , Langelier Charles , Krummel Matthew , Looney Mark 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic1, considerable focus has been placed on a model of viral entry into host epithelial populations, with a separate focus upon the responding immune system dysfunction that exacerbates or causes disease. We developed a precision-cut lung slice model2,3 to investigate very early host-viral pathogenesis and found that SARS-CoV-2 had a rapid and specific tropism for myeloid populations in the human lung. Infection of alveolar macrophages was partially dependent upon their expression of ACE2, and the infections were productive for amplifying virus, both findings which were in contrast with their neutralization of another pandemic virus, Influenza A virus (IAV). Compared to IAV, SARS-CoV-2 was extremely poor at inducing interferon-stimulated genes in infected myeloid cells, providing a window of opportunity for modest titers to amplify within these cells. Endotracheal aspirate samples from humans with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from COVID-19 confirmed the lung slice findings, revealing a persistent myeloid depot. In the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, myeloid cells may provide a safe harbor for the virus with minimal immune stimulatory cues being generated, resulting in effective viral colonization and quenching of the immune system.
A New Investigation into Al-Cu Dissimilar Joint by SiC Nanoparticle during the FSSW Process: Influence of Rotational Speed and Dwell Time
Authors: Alizadeh Mehdi , Bagheri Behrouz , Shamsipur Ali , Abdollahzadeh Amin , Mirsalehi Seyyed Ehsan 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) was implemented to joining of AA2024-T4 and commercially pure copper with SiC nanoparticles as a reinforcing particle for the first time. The influence of welding parameters namely rotational speed (1300, 1600, and 1900 rpm) and dwell time (2, 4, and 6 s) on microstructure and mechanical characteristics of the welds were studied. For this purpose, macro-and microstructures, shear tensile strength, and microhardness of the joints were investigated. The grain size of the stir zone on copper and aluminum sides decreases from 45.1 to 10.5 µm and 62.2 to 14.5 µm as rotational speed and dwell time decrease. Furthermore, the size of the weld zone increased as rotational speed and dwell time increased. The results revealed the formation of AlCu and Al2Cu intermetallic compounds in the weld zone. The thickness of the IMCs layer in the interface joint increases as input heat increases. It was found that there is a direct relationship between the shear strength of weld specimens and rotational speed and dwell time during the FSSW process. The microhardness value of the joint zone was significantly improved from HV 122 to HV 156 with an increase in rotational speed and dwell time.
Prognostic significance of tumor-associated neutrophils and circulating neutrophils in glioblastoma, IDH wild-type
Authors: Wang Xuezhen , Li Xiaoxia , Wu Yufan , Hong Jinsheng , Zhang Mingwei 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) in the tumor microenvironment are prognostic biomarkers in many malignancies. However, the prognostic value of TANs in glioblastoma, IDH wild-type remains poorly studied. We analyzed correlations of TANs and peripheral blood neutrophils prior to radiotherapy with overall survival (OS) in glioblastoma.
Methods
RNA-seq expression profiles of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, IDH wild-type were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). TAN infiltration was inferred using CIBERSORTx algorithm. Neutrophil counts prior to radiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, IDH wild-type were obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The prognostic value of TANs and peripheral blood neutrophils before radiotherapy was investigated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. The robustness of these findings was evaluated by sensitivity analysis, and E values were calculated.
Results
A total of 113 and 173 individuals with glioblastoma, IDH wild-type were identified from the TCGA and CGGA cohorts, respectively. High infiltration of TANs was of prognostic of poor OS in TCGA (HR = 1.811,95% CI: 1.048–3.128) and CGGA (HR = 1.572, 95% CI: 1.046–2.365). Levels of peripheral blood neutrophils before radiotherapy (HR = 2.073, 95% CI: 1.077–3.990) were independently associated with poor prognosis. Sensitivity analysis determined that the E-value of high TANs infiltration was 2.38 and 2.52 in the TCGA and CGGA cohorts.
Conclusions
TANs and peripheral blood neutrophil levels before radiotherapy are prognostic of poor outcomes in glioblastoma, IDH wild-type.
Lack of Coherence Between Commercial and Scientific Names for Timber Species: Implications for the Sustainable Exploitation of Andoung in Gabon
Authors: Mboma R , Chevillotte H , Doumenge C , Labat J-N† , PP Lowry II 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The lack of coherence between the trade names applied to commercially sold wood and the scientific names of the species involved may be contributing to the degradation and loss of biodiversity. To test this, a study was conducted in nine forestry concessions in Gabon to evaluate how well tree spotters were able to recognize and identify the group of nine species referred to by the commercial name andoung. Only 65% of the 308 trees recognized by the spotters as andoungs belonged to this group; this includes species in two genera, Aphanocalyx and Bikinia, both of which are often confused with members of other, more distantly related genera of Fabaceae. Trees assigned a commercial name with a qualifying epithet, corresponding to a particular species of andoung, were correctly identified only 11% of the cases. The inability to distinguish among species means that those that are rare and/or have restricted distribution, and may therefore be threatened, are almost certainly being harvested and sold. To improve this situation, we propose several steps designed to favor more accurate in-field identification of andoung species and to promote greater awareness of which species are suitable for sustainable harvested and which ones require legal protection to ensure their survival.
What Is The Agreement Between Intraoperative Fluoroscopy And Postoperative Radiographs In Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy?
Authors: Peng Jianping , Xiao Fei , Zhu Junfeng , Shen Chao , Li Yang , Han Xiuguo , Cui Yimin , Chen Xiaodong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
It is important to reorient the acetabular fragment in an optimal position and version to ensure a good long-term outcome after Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Unfortunately, the intraoperative balance between overcorrection and undercorrection remains challenging for the surgeon. The purpose of this study was to answer two questions: (1) Does the femoral head coverage measured on intraoperative fluoroscopic images agree with that measured on postoperative radiographs? (2) What is the reliability of intraoperative fluoroscopy in identifying hip center correction in PAO?
Methods
A total of 173 patients (173 hips) who underwent PAO in our center from July 01, 2020, to December 31, 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging data from 111 patients were included in this study. The analysis included measurement of the lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular index (AI), anterior wall index (AWI), posterior wall index (PWI), extrusion index (EI), and medial offset distance (MO). These measurements were acquired from intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative radiographs and compared using the matched-pairs t test. Significance was determined at a p value of < 0.05. Bland–Altman analysis was used to quantify the agreement between intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative radiographs.
Results
The mean (SD) of LCEA, AI, AWI, PWI, EI, and MO obtained on the intraoperative fluoroscopy images were 32.86° (5.73°), 0.66° (5.55), 0.29 (0.10), 0.75 (0.17), 11.15% (6.50%), and 8.49 mm (3.68 mm), respectively. On the postoperative radiographs, the corresponding values were 32.91° (6.31°), 1.63° (5.22°), 0.29 (0.15), 0.85 (0.14), 11.27% (7.36%), and 9.60 mm (3.79 mm). The differences in the LCEA, AWI, and EI acquired from the intraoperative fluoroscopy and the postoperative radiographs were not significant (p = 0.90, 0.95, 0.83, respectively), but those in the AI, PWI, and MO were (p < 0.05). The mean bias (95% limits of agreement) of the LCEA, AI, AWI, PWI, EI, and MO were − 0.04 (-6.85), -0.97 (-7.78), 0 (-0.30), -0.11 (-0.36), -0.12 (-11.92), and − 1.11 (-5.51), respectively.
Conclusion
The LCEA, EI, and AWI can be used to reliably predict postoperative femoral head coverage. The acetabular inclination can be cautiously assessed using AI on intraoperative fluoroscopy. The AWI and PWI demonstrates acceptable agreement between fluoroscopy and radiography in assessing acetabulum version. Although the MO shows slight bias, it can be helpful in positioning the acetabulum properly during PAO.
Immunobiotic bacteria attenuate fibrosis in Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mice model: molecular insights and therapeutic potential of immunobiotics for the gut-liver axis
Authors: Kanmani Paulraj , Villena Julio , Lim Soo-kyoung , Song Eun-Ji , Nam Young-Do , Kim Hojun 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide that can progress to liver fibrosis (LF). Probiotics have beneficial roles in reducing intestinal inflammation and gut-associated diseases, but their effects and mechanisms beyond the gut in attenuating the progression of LF are remains unclear.
Results
We used a diet-induced NASH/LF mouse model to examine the therapeutic potential of immunomodulatory probiotics (immunobiotics) on the attenuation of LF and the underlying mechanisms ameliorating the progression of LF. The results showed that a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet resulted in hepatic inflammation, steatosis, increased triglyceride and lipid accumulation, inflammatory immune cells, and fibrosis. Immunobiotics mixtures reduced the MCD-died serum endotoxin, IL-17A, alanine, and aspartate aminotransferase and increased the serum regulatory cytokine and liver weight. Th17 cells, which produce inflammatory cytokine IL-17, on the liver tissues of MCD diet-fed mice were reduced significantly by immunobiotics. The immunobiotics treatment reduced the MCD diet-induced collagen, a-smooth muscle actin, CD68 deposition, and fibrogenic TGF-β signaling activation. The MCD diet reduced gut-barrier integrity, mucin production, and inflammatory cytokines and altered the gut microbiota composition that could be restored by immunobiotics. The administration of immunobiotics increased the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) pathway activation in both colonic and liver tissues of MCD diet-fed mice.
Conclusions
Our results demonstrate a novel insight into the mechanisms through which immunobiotic administration improves the gut barrier integrity, modulates the gut microbial composition, increases AhR activation, and reduces gut dysbiosis, bacterial translocation, LPS, and inflammatory cytokines levels, which in turn in increases the AhR pathway and inhibits HSCs activation and fibrosis progression beyond the gut in the liver tissue of NASH/LF mice.
Excessive iron in diets promotes kidney fibrosis via disordering the inflammation factors in Sheep
Authors: Sun Fengjiao , An Yuzhi , Zhang Liangyu , Lv Xiaoping , Liu Chaonan , Gao Xueli 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Iron is a mineral that the body acquires from the environment in order to maintain physiological function; however, excessive iron causes disease. The aim of this work is to investigate the processes by which excessive iron in diets induces kidney fibrosis in sheep by disorders their inflammatory factors. All sheep were fed a basal diet supplemented with 50 (CON), 500 (L-iron), 1000 (M-iron), and 1500 (H-iron) mg Fe/kg as ferrous sulfate monohydrate (FeSO4·H2O), respectively. Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E), Perls, and Masson staining were used to observe histopatholological alterations; Western blotting, ELISA, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect changes in the amounts of key inflammatory factor genes and proteins. As iron intake rose, glomerular cell contents dropped, tubular inflammatory cells infiltrated and fibrin was secreted, collagen fiber deposition and fibrosis have noticeable symptoms. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) activities were decreased, while interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) actvities were increased. Excessive iron disorders inflammatory factor secretion, triggers an inflammatory response, and promotes the development of renal fibrosis, according to this study.
Image encryption based on chaos, elliptic curve, dynamic S-boxes and variable permutations
Authors: Garcia Victor Manuel Silva , Garcia-Cuahutle Kevin Brando , Flores-Carapia Rolando , Gonzalez-Ramirez Marlon David , Chimal-Eguia Juan Carlos 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The proposed algorithm called Image encryption based on chaos, elliptic curve, dynamic S-boxes and variable permutations (IECC) is a symmetric cryptosystem for encrypting bmp images, in this case 512 × 512 pixelfigures are used for testing. This algorithm consists of 15 rounds with a different S-box for each round and each set of S-boxes is different for each image encryption. Based on the above, a permutation is applied beforethe first round, additionally, in round 15 the inverse permutation of the first round intervenes. Both the S-boxes and the permutations are built using the E. Lorenz equations, which obtain solutions with two different points of the elliptic curve chosen randomly in each process. To measure the resistance to differential attack of the proposed cryptosystem, the following measurements are carried out: Number of Pixels Change Rate NPCR, Unified Average Changing Intensity - UACI. Also, taking into account that the generation of the boxes is dynamic, the algebraic attack is avoided; furthermore, with this symmetric cryptosystem it is possible to distribute keys and sign, since an asymmetric system is used in its construction. On the other hand, four types of noise are applied to the encrypted images to evaluate the resistance of the encryption algorithm to this type of attack. Ten instruments are used to measure the quality of encryption; namely: entropy, correlation, discrete Fourier transform, NPCR, UACI, Avalanche Criteria - AC, contrast, energy, homogeneity and a goodness of fit test is proposed using the χ2 distribution