bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel hybrid MARS model based on grey wolf optimizer to improve tunnel blasting vibration prediction
Authors: xu guoquan , wang xinyu
Published: December 2022

Among several adverse effects of tunnel blasting, ground vibration is the most concerned by blasting engineer. Nevertheless, estimation of ground vibration is fiendishly difficult in comparison with other adverse effects that the internal relationship of explosive, blasting design and rock property are complicated. Traditional empirical-based prediction model has been certain constraints in engineering practice. In this study, a novel hybrid machine learning model is developed that using multivariate adaptive regression splines(MARS) technique and meta-heuristic algorithm termed grey wolf optimizer(GWO). To validate the developed hybrid GWO-MARS model, a standalone MARS, multiple linear regression(MLR) and empirical model were also build for comparison. The results indicate that the satisfactory accuracy of the hybrid GWO-MARS in predicting blasting vibration. The standalone MARS and empirical models are slightly worse than GWO-MARS model. Furthermore, MLR is unsuitable in current investigation.
Analysis of the characteristics of road traffic injuries in Guangzhou, China, in 2014–2018
Authors: Lin Wei-Quan , Feng Xiang-Ning , Pan Le-Le , Yang Yun-Ou , Sun Min-Ying , Huang Ting-Yuan , Qin Fa-Ju , Wu Di , Lin Guo-Zhen , Liu Hui , Wang Chang
Published: December 2022

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of road traffic injuries (RTIs) in Guangzhou, China.
Methods: RTI data for the period of January 2014–December 2018 were obtained from the Injury Surveillance System of Guangzhou. Multiple logistic regression modeling was conducted to estimate the risk factors of RTIs in Guangzhou.
Results: A total of 19,124 RTIs were reported in 2014–2018. The RTIs occurred mainly in summer and autumn, particularly in August. The male-to-female ratio of RTIs was 1.59:1. Many RTIs involved 20-year-olds working as businesspersons or service staff. The RTIs included multiple site injuries (30.22%) and lower limb (25.95%) and head (21.98%) injuries. Most RTIs were contusions or scratches (67.57%) and had mild (76.12%) and moderate (20.88%) outcomes. Most RTI cases involved motorcycles (35.20%). Regression results showed that gender, age groups, months, census registration, occupation, and alcohol consumption were associated with RTIs in Guangzhou, China.
Conclusion: The number of reported RTIs in Guangzhou increased year by year. The risk factors are male, 10–69 years of age, June to November, nonlocal residence registration, businesspersons or service staff, low education level, and alcohol consumption. The findings may help formulate scientific and effective preventive measures for enhancing road safety.
Quantum walk in (1+1)-dimensional spacetime for Majorana dynamics with high order approximation in NISQ
Authors: Chang Ching-Ray , Wang Wei-Ting , He Xiao Gang , Kao Hsien-Chung
Published: December 2022

In this study, we show that quantum walk can describe a Majorana fermion when the coin operator constrained by Lorentz covariance and the initial state satisfies the Majorana condition. The time evolution of a Majorana fermion is demonstrated with the numerical simulations and experimentally runs on a real quantum device provided by IBM Quantum System. To reduce errors due to approximation, we proposed a new efficient way to achieve second order accuracy in the near-term quantum computer without increase the complexity of quantum gate circuitry compared with the first order approximation. We show that rest Majorana fermion (expectation value of momentum is zero) can be well defined and its behavior depends more sensitively on the accuracy of the approximation than a Dirac particle due to the stringent constraints of Majorana condition.
Sildenafil in Emergency Treatment of Biliary Colic: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yakoot Mostafa , Elkhayat Hisham R.
Published: December 2022

Background: Sildenafil was reported to have a strong inhibitory effect on both gallbladdercontraction and biliary pressure of the Sphincter of Oddi. We hypothesized that a single oral dose of sildenafil might counteract the smooth muscle spasm and decrease the intra-ductal and sphincteric pressures to relieve pain of biliary colic and facilitate release of impacted stones. We aimed to assess the pain-relieving effect of 25 mg oral Sildenafil dose in comparison to an oral 20 mg ketorolac dose in adult patients presenting with acute biliary colic.
Methods: Twenty consecutive eligible patients presenting with moderate to severe biliary colic were randomly assigned to receive one Sildenafil 25 mg tablet or two ketorolac 10 mg oral tablets. A four point’s verbal rating scale (VRS) and 100 mm Visual pain analog scale (VPAS) of pain severity were measured before treatment then at 30 and 60 minutes after the dose intake.
Results: Treatment success, defined as reduction of VRS, 60 minutes after dose intake from moderate and severe to mild or none was similar (9/10) in both treatment groups. Significant reductions of VPAS at 30 and 60 minutes were noted in both groups. The reduction in VPAS after 60 minutes from dose intake was significantly greater in Sildenafil group (83.16%) than ketorolac group (79.34%) (p=0.033).
Conclusions: Single oral dose of sildenafil 25 mg might be safe and effective for relief of biliary colic. Further studies are needed to confirm its value particularly for patients who cannot tolerate or show inadequate response to analgesics or opiates.
Trial Registration Id: ACTRN12619001388101
https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378014&isReview=true (retrospectively registered)
A Cost of Illness Study of Saudi Healthcare System Spending on Quarantining Patients with Monkeypox Virus
Authors: Alshahrani Ali
Published: December 2022

Quarantine is a popular public health intervention often used to curb pandemics involving infectious diseases that threaten to spread across a population. However, the economic implications of enforcing quarantine have sparked debate on its justifiability, particularly with less severe infectious viruses. This research seeks to estimate the direct and indirect costs needed to set up a quarantine facility to curb the spread of the Monkey Pox virus. To do so, the study simulates a quarantine facility housing 100 Monkey Pox virus patients in Saudi Arabia for the incubation period (14 days). The direct costs include accommodation expenses and treatment costs.
On the other hand, the indirect costs of implementing a quarantine are measured in terms of lost productivity after the infected population fails to attend work. The direct and indirect costs of the quarantine were almost similar, $152,500 and $129,500, respectively. However, most of the direct costs ($150,000) include accommodation expenses. Hence, if a patient were to self-isolate at home, the indirect costs of quarantine would by far surpass the direct costs. Thus, the study concludes that enforcing quarantine would adversely affect the economy due to job absenteeism. Hence, considering that the Monkey Pox virus poses a low risk to the public and can be cured with no or affordable prescriptions, other strategies such as mass vaccinations, remote working, and routine hygiene practices should instead be used to tame the spread of the virus.
Contamination of polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobutadiene in greenhouse and open-field agricultural soils across China
Authors: Yaru Li , Lan Jing , Zhao Zongshan
Published: December 2022

Combined with the physical isolation feature of greenhouse, the popularization of greenhouse throughout China makes the pollution of greenhouse soils more noteworthy as a result of its high yielding food exposed to human beings. Here, a national-scale survey was conducted to evaluate the contamination status, contaminated sources and human health risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) in greenhouse and open-field soils of 20 regions across China. The PCBs contents ranged from <LOD to 673.78 ng/g with the mean content of 77.38 ng/g in greenhouse soils and ranged from <LOD to 552.53 ng/g with the mean content of 61.90 ng/g in open-field soils. The HCBD contents ranged from 0.85 ng/g to 24.18 ng/g with the mean content of 8.33 ng/g in greenhouse soils and ranged from <LOD to 20.19 ng/g with the mean content of 6.39 ng/g in open-field soils. Among divided seven regions, higher levels of PCBs in greenhouse and open-field soils were found in north and south China. Furthermore, in most regions, correlation analysis indicated that soil PCBs in greenhouse and open-field were likely from the same emission sources. Higher levels of soil pollutants in greenhouse than in open-field may be contributed to the limited air-soil exchange. Compared with higher levels of ΣPCBs in greenhouse soils, the health risks of ΣPCBs in open-field soils were higher due to the higher percentages of high-toxicity PCBs, especially for the carcinogenic risks to children (> 10-6). This study provided a full insight into the contamination status and risks of PCBs and HCBD when guiding greenhouse agriculture activities.
Postconditioning with mild hypoxia induces HIF-1a express and improves neurobehavioral ability of mice with Hypoxia-ischemic brain damage
Authors: deng qingqing , chang yanqun , Cheng Xiaomao , Luo Xingang , li Yan , Tang Xiaoyuan
Published: December 2022

Background
While severe hypoxia is known to contribute to neurotoxicity and lead to abnormal behavior, mild hypoxia may have beneficial effects mediated through endogenous adaptive responses.
Objective
To investigate the effects of postconditioning with mild hypoxia on brain damage and long-term neurobehavioral ability recovery after hypoxia ischemic brain damage.
Method
Seven-day-old mice underwent left carotid ligation followed by 2 h of hypoxic stress. Mice received different protocols of postconditioning with repeated mild hypoxia for 3 weeks and underwent neurobehavioral testing during the last week of the study. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1a) expression was assessed and neurobehavioral ability assays were performed.
Result
Compared to the HIBD group, mice postconditioning with mild hypoxia had elevated HIF-1a expression and their brain functioned better in neurobehavioral analyses. The recovery of the brain function may be directly related to the higher HIF- 1a expression and better behavioral performance.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that postconditioning mild hypoxia improves neurobehavioral ability and HIF-1a may be a potential mediator of the observed effects. Our results may have clinical implications for treating infants with HIBD.
Hyperfluorescence of choroidal arteries in periphery (HCAP) on late-phase ICGA
Authors: Li Miaoling , Zhang Xiongze , Ji Yuying , Mi Lan , Wen Feng
Published: December 2022

Aims
To correlate the hyperfluorescent lines in periphery on late-phase indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to infrared and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.
Methods
This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Multimodal imaging data of patients, including ICGA, fluorescein angiography, infrared imaging, and OCT were analyzed. The hyperfluorescent lines were categorized into 2 grades according to their extents. In addition, non-fasting serum level of apolipoprotein A (ApoA) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
A total of 247 patients who underwent multimodal imaging were reviewed. The hyperfluorescent lines in periphery on late-phase ICGA were detected in 96 patients, and were correlated to superficial choroidal arteries by infrared imaging and OCT. The incidence of hyperfluorescent choroidal arteries in periphery (HCAP) on late-phase ICGA increased in groups of older ages (0–20 years, 4.3%; 20–40 years, 2.6%; 40–60 years, 48.9%; >60 years, 88.7%; p < 0.001). In addition, the mean age increased with the grades of HCAP (grade 1, 52.3 ± 10.8 years; grade 2, 63.3 ± 10.5 years; p < 0.001). The hyperfluorescence was also detected in posterior choroidal arteries in 11 eyes, all patients in grade 2. There was no significant correlation between grades of HCAP and gender, or serum level of ApoA and ApoB.
Conclusion
HCAP is an age-related change. The superficial location of choroidal arteries in periphery exposes their hyperfluorescence on late-phase ICGA. HCAP might reveal the local lipid degeneration of choroidal artery walls, according to the binding property of ICG molecules.
How to Evoke Empathetic Experience and Deepen Impression: The role of profile pictures in social media
Authors: Liu Yong-Jin , Liu Xinge , Zhou Chao , Zhang Shu , Liu Niqi , Liu Zixi , Wang Shaocong , Yu Minjing
Published: December 2022

Profile pictures are perceived as a form of social identity and individuals often engage in similar categorization processes. Profile pictures in social media represent virtual identities in online social networks and embody personal impression. The influence of profile picture styles on empathy plays an important role in the design and user experience of social media. However, the potential impact of profile pictures with different image styles (e.g., cartoon faces, real faces, or non-face images) on the perception of users in social media is still unclear. To investigate this impact, a controlled laboratory experiment (48 participants) and an ecological online experiment (184 participants) were conducted. Results show that participants’ empathic experience for users choosing cartoon faces or real faces as profile pictures are greater than that for users choosing non-face images. Besides, participants performed better in identity recognition for users choosing real face or non-face images than those choosing cartoon faces. Increasing empathic experience was associated with the degree to which users choosing profile pictures are categorized as ingroup members. Users of social media often make social categorizations (i.e., ingroup/outgroup categorization) based on the social identities expressed by their profile pictures. Our results also showed that increasing empathic experience was associated with the degree to which users choosing profile pictures are categorized as ingroup members.
Existential Anxiety of Nurses in the Corona-Virus Units and Its Relation with Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: A Survey in Southeast Iran
Authors: Nasab Farshid Rafiee Sarbijan , Ghonchehpour Asma , Maghsoudi Fatemeh , Mehdipour-Rabori Roghayeh
Published: December 2022

Background
The study aimed to investigate the relationship between existential anxiety, post-traumatic growth, and resilience in nurses working in COVID-19 units of hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences.
Methods
This was a Descriptive-analytical study. The researchers conducted this study on 224 nurses working in the COVID-19 units of four hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Southeast Iran from 2020 to 2021. They collected data using demographic questionnaire, Masoudi Sani et al.'s existential anxiety questionnaire, Conner-Davidson resilience scale, post-traumatic growth inventory. They also used SPSS V 25 to analyze data.
Results
The results suggested that the mean score of existential anxiety was 80.92 ± 9.18, the mean resilience score was 63.51 ± 15.00, and the mean post-traumatic growth score was 87.69 ± 16.55. The results showed no statistically significant relationship between existential anxiety, resilience, and post-traumatic growth (P > 0.005) but a negative and significant relationship between post-traumatic growth and resilience (P < 0.001, r=-0.38). there were no statistical relationship between the mean existential anxiety score, age, sex, and education level, but the mean existential anxiety score in the emergency personnel was significantly higher than that in those of other departments.
Conclusion
The results demonstrated that the mean scores of existential anxiety and resilience were moderate, while post-traumatic growth score was high. The researchers suggest educational and interventional measures to improve resilience and reduce existential anxiety among nurses.
Propranolol-induced apoptosis via the AKT signaling pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Tao Yin , Chen Yin , Liu Fieya , Lai Xuanyin , Wang Xin , Zhu Qiong
Published: December 2022

Objective: This study aims to explore whether the effect of propranolol on the viability and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells is mediated by inhibiting AKT signaling pathway.
Methods: SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell was treated with 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400μM propranolol hydrochloride for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h, and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8. After treating SKOV-3 cells with 0, 50, 100, and 200μM propranolol for 24h, Q-PCR detected the mRNA levels of BCL-2, BAX, and AKT. Western blotwas employed to detect the protein expression of caspase-3 and AKT. The activator N-oleoylglycine and the inhibitor A2D5363 were combined with propranolol to treat SKOV-3 cells for 24h. Western blot detected the protein expression of AKT and CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation.
Results: Propranolol inhibited the proliferation of SKOV-3 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, propranolol promoted the expressions of BAX and caspase-3 and inhibited BCL-2 and AKT. Propranolol combined with AKT inhibitor A2D5363 enhanced the propranolol anti-ovarian cancer effect and the combined with AKT activator N-Oleoylglycine reduced the anti-ovarian cancer effect of propranolol.
Conclusions: Propranolol-induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer is mediated by inhibiting the AKT signaling pathway.
A Link Prediction-based Recommendation System using Transactional Data
Authors: Yilmaz Emir Alaattin , Balcisoy Selim , Bozkaya Burcin
Published: December 2022

Recommending relevant items to users has become an important task in many systems due to the increased amount of data produced. For this purpose, transaction datasets such as credit card transactions and e-commerce purchase histories can be used in recommendation systems to understand underlying user interests by exploiting user-item interactions, which can be a powerful signal to perform this task. This study proposes a link prediction-based recommendation system combining graph representation learning algorithms and gradient boosting classifiers for transaction datasets. The proposed system generates a network where nodes correspond to users and items, and links represent their interactions. A use case scenario is examined on a credit card transaction dataset as a merchant prediction task that predicts the merchants where users can make purchases in the next month. Performances of common network embedding extraction techniques and classifier models are evaluated via various experiments conducted and based on these evaluations, a novel system is proposed, and a matrix factorization-based alternative recommendation method is compared with the proposed model. The proposed method has shown superior performance to the alternative method in terms of receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve, and mean average precision metrics. The use of transactional data for a recommendation system is found to be a powerful approach to making relevant recommendations.
Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Needle Tunneling with Platelet-rich Plasma Injections for Peyronie's Disease in the Outpatient Setting: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zugail Ahmed S. , Alshuaibi Muaath , Lombion Sandrine , Beley Sébastien
Published: December 2022

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the combined simultaneous percutaneous needle tunneling (PNT) coupled with injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease (PD). This prospective cohort study included patients who underwent this procedure from November 2020 to July 2022. The main outcome was an improvement in penile curvature that facilitated intercourse. Fifty-four patients enrolled and underwent 6 sessions of PNT/PRP followed by vacuum therapy for the treatment of PD in our outpatient department (OPD). The amendment of the curvature angle was significant with a median correction percentage of 44.4% (p = 0.001). None required any pain medication and pain disappeared within 24 hours in all patients. All patients reported less difficulty during sexual intercourse. In our experience PNT/PRP in the OPD is a safe, effective and feasible treatment of penile deformity for PD that facilitates sexual intercourse.
Oncogenic role of SATB2 in prostate cancer: Regulator of pluripotency, self-renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Srivast Rakesh , Yu Wei , Srivast Rashmi , Ma Yiming , Boinpelly Varun , Mores Grace , Shankar Sharmila
Published: December 2022

Special AT-rich sequence binding protein-2 (SATB2) is a nuclear matrix protein that binds to nuclear attachment regions and is involved in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. In stem cells, it regulates the expression of genes required for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we examined the oncogenic role of SATB2 in prostate cancer, and assess whether overexpression of SATB2 in human normal prostate epithelial cells (PrECs) induces properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The results demonstrate that SATB2 is highly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and CSCs, but not in PrECs. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs induces cellular transformation which was evident by the formation of colonies in soft agar and spheroids in suspension. Overexpression of SATB2 in PrECs also resulted in induction of stem cell markers (CD44 and CD133), pluripotency maintaining transcription factors (cMyc, Oct4, Sox2, KLF4, and Nanog), cadherin switch and EMT-related transcription factors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that SATB2 can directly bind to promoters of Bcl-2, Bsp, Nanog, XIAP, KLF4 and HOXA2, suggesting SATB2 is capable of directly regulating pluripotency/self-renewal, cell survival and proliferation. Since prostate CSCs play a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, we also examined the effects of SATB2 knockdown on stemness. SATB2 knockdown in prostate CSCs inhibited spheroid formation, cell viability, colony formation, cell motility, migration, and invasion compared to their scrambled control groups. SATB2 knockdown in CSCs also upregulated the expression of E-Cadherin and inhibited the expression of N-Cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Zeb1. The expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in prostate adenocarcinoma compared to normal tissues. Overall, our data suggest that SATB2 acts as an oncogenic factor where it is capable of inducing malignant changes in PrECs by inducing CSC characteristics.
An agarose-alginate microfluidic device for the study of spheroid invasion, ATRA inhibits CAFs-mediated matrix remodeling
Authors: Nasiraee Mohammad Reza , Shahrivari Shabnam , Sayad Soheila , Mahdavi Hoda , Saraygord‐Afshari Neda , Bagheri Zeinab
Published: December 2022

Growing evidence demonstrates that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are responsible for tumor genesis, growth, metastasis, and treatment response. Therefore, targeting these cells may contribute to tumor control. It has been proposed that targeting key molecules and pathways of proliferative functions can be more effective than killing CAFs. In this regard, multicellular aggregates, like spheroids, can be used as human tumor models. Spheroids closely resemble human tumors and mimic many of their features. Microfluidic systems are ideal for cultivation and study of spheroids. These systems can be designed with different biological and synthetic matrices in order to have a more realistic simulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we investigated the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on 3D spheroid invasion of MDA-MB cells exposed to hydrogel matrix derived from CAFs. The number of invasive cells significantly decreased in CAF-ECM hydrogel treated with ATRA (p < 0.05), which indicates that ATRA could be effective for CAFs normalization. This experiment was done using an agarose-alginate microfluidic chip. As compared with common methods, such hydrogel casting is an easier method for chip fabrication and can even reduce costs by 50%.
Outcome and characteristics of nonsecretory multiple myeloma compared with secretory multiple myeloma: A retrospective multicenter study from China
Authors: Sun Hailu , Liu Aijun , Liu Lihong , Wang Wei , Cai Zhen , Yan Hua , Chen Lijuan , Gao Guangxun , Wang Fang , Liao Aijun , Chen Bing , Feng Jia , Li Juan , Huang Dong-Ping , Gao Da , Zhang Qi-Ke , Luo Jun , Fu Rong , Du Juan , Lu Jin
Published: December 2022

Background:Nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) is a rare type of multiple myeloma (MM). Few studies have described the clinical features and outcomes of NSMM in novel agents. Additionally, the prognostic characteristics have remained controversial in recent years.
Purpose: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of NSMM and explore the prognostic value of involved free light chain (FLC) levels in NSMM patients in the Chinese population.
Methods:We retrospectively enrolled 176 newly diagnosed NSMM cases between January 2005 and December 2021 from 19 clinical centers in China. The control group was selected using a 1:4 propensity score matching technique of newly diagnosed secretory MM, with age, sex and diagnosis time as the matching variables.
Results: The median age of NSMM patients was 60 years, and 22.6% of patients were classified as ISS stage 3. The ORR of the NSMM patients was 87.4%, and the CR was 65.8%. Compared to the matched secretory MM patients, more NSMM patients achieved CR after first-line treatment (65.8% vs. 36%, p=0.000). TheORR of first-line treatment was not significantly different between NSMM and secretory MM (89.45% vs. 84.7%, p=0.196). The first-line PFS was 27.5 m and 23 m (p=0.063), and the median OS was 81 m and 70 months(p=0.401). However,for CR-achieved NSMM and CR-not-achieved NSMM patients, the median PFS was 37 mvs. 16 m(p=0.021), while the median OS showed no difference (107 m vs. 87 m, p=0.290). In multivariate analysis, the significant factors for PFS were age ≥65and ISS-3. ISS-3 was the only independent prognostic factor of OS. TheiFLC>50 mg/Lgroup had ahigh ORR of97.3%,and the median PFS and OS were 48 mand NR, respectively. Compared to the matched secretory MM, the iFLC ≥50 mg/Lgroup also showed more CR and longer OS (NR vs. 70 m, p=0.006) and PFS (48 m vs. 23 m, p=0.003).
Conclusions:Our results revealed that ChineseNSMM patients are younger and have a higher CR but not superior survival. The subgroup of NSMM patients with iFLC≥50 mg/L had better outcomes thansecretory MM.
Experimental investigation of coatings efficiency in micro-ball-end milling of pre-sintered 5Y-TZP ceramic
Authors: Marques Franck , Gilbin Alexandre , Fontaine Michaël , Escolle Bérenger , Picart Philippe
Published: December 2022

This study deals with micro-ball-end milling of a pre-sintered Yttria Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal. The aim is to underline the reliability of different coatings while machining this material regularly used in dental and luxury industries. A particular tool configuration – which is identified as critical by the targeted sectors – is tested previously determined stable cutting conditions, for all the chosen coatings. Cutting forces, tool reliability and surface integrity data is obtained by green machining of a 5Y-TZP (tetragonal zirconia polycrystal stabilized by 5%mol of yttrium) with 1 mm diameter tungsten carbide micro-tools coated with two PVD and one CVD coatings (respectively AlCrN, DLC and diamond). The results highlight that the choice of an appropriate coating is mandatory for this type of abrasive ceramics, even if they are partially sintered. Material flow, tool wear and machined surface quality are discussed and correlated.
Molecular regulation of differential lipid molecule accumulation in intramuscular fat and abdominal fat of chicken
Authors: Li Jingjing , Huang Qinke , Wu Jinbo , Li Ronghong , Chen Meiying , Ren Peng
Published: December 2022

Background
Reducing abdominal fat (AF) accumulation and increasing the level of intramuscular fat (IMF) simultaneously is a major breeding goal in poultry industry.
Results
To explore the different molecular mechanisms between AF and IMF, gene expression profiles in the breast muscle (BM) and AF among three chicken breeds were analyzed. A total of 4737 shared DEGs were identified between BM and AF, of which 2602 DEGs were upregulated and 2135 DEGs were downregulated in the BM groups compared with that in AF groups. DEGs involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism were potential regulators resulting in the difference of lipid metabolite accumulation in IMF and AF. PPAR signaling pathway was the most important pathway involved in tissue-specific lipid deposition. Correlation analysis showed that most representative DEGs enriched in PPAR signaling pathway, such as FABP5, PPARG, ACOX1, GK2, were negatively correlated with PUFA-enriched glycerophospholipid molecules. Most DEGs related to glycerophospholipid metabolism, such as GPD2, GPD1, PEMT, CRLS1 and GBGT1, were positively correlated with glycerophospholipid molecules, especially DHA- and arachidonic acid (ARA)- containing glycerophospholipid molecules.
Conclusion
This study elucidated the molecular mechanism of tissue-specific lipid deposition and poultry meat quality.
Expression and biological functions of tRNA-Derived Fragments Secreted by Extracellular Vesicles in sepsis-associated ARDS
Authors: Zhang Jing , Lei Jiaxi , Wang Huijuan , Liu Shiping , Zhan Liying
Published: December 2022

Objective: To detect the expression level of tRNA-derived fragments secreted by extracellular vesiclesin sepsis and explore the influence of tRNA-derived fragments on the occurrence of sepsis.
Methods: High-throughput sequencing was performed to examine the tRFs belonging to the H-EV(Extracellular Vesicles derived from the plasma of healthy human) and S-EV (Extracellular Vesicles derived from the plasma of septic patients)groups. The expression of seven differentially expressed tRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR. Finally,Target prediction and bioinformatics analysis were performed to explore their co-targeted genes and biological functions.
Results: It was found that a variety of differentially expressed tRFs in the extracellular vesicles from sepsis patients by sequencing. There were 1 upregulated and 22 downregulated tRFs in S-EV group,respectively.Higher expression levels of plasma exosomal tiRNA-1:34-Glu-CTC-1-M2, and lower expression levels of tRF-52:71-chrM.Pro-TGG,tRF-1:28-chrM.Ser-TGA,tRF-60:76-Lys-TTT-3-M2,tRF-58:75-Cys-GCA-11-M7,tRF-1:15-Val-TAC-1-M3,tRF-59:76-Tyr-GTA-1-M2 in S-EV group were confirmed by qRT-PCR.
Conclusion: The tiRNA-1:34-Glu-CTC-1-M2 was over-expressed in S-EV group,which might be a diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis.
Effect of silicon wafer surface stains on copper-assisted chemical etching
Authors: Ma Liang , Chen Xiuhua , Tang Chenggui , Li Shaoyuan , Xi Fengshuo , Lan Huayuan , Ma Wenhui , Chang Yuanchih
Published: December 2022

Silicon wafer slicing is a crucial process of solar cell fabrication, this process often stains the silicon wafer surface, Thus, this work systematically investigated the composition, source, cleaning method of typical white spot stains on silicon wafer surface. The EDS and XPS results showed that the white spot stains contained CaCO3 and SiO2 that are basically consistent with the filler components in sticky stick glue. Meanwhile, The effects of stains on copper deposition and copper-assisted chemical etching were systematically studied, the white spot stain was still attached on silicon after the deposition and the etching process, we have fond that the stains can affect the uniform deposition of copper particles on the surface of the silicon wafer, it also impede the catalytic etching process of copper particles. Finally, the KOH solution combined with the ultrasonic field was proposed to remove the surface stains of the silicon wafer. This study has important guidance on knowledge and cleaning of silicon wafer contamination for fabricating high-efficiency solar cells.
The impact of radical prostatectomy on global climate: a prospective multicentre study comparing laparoscopic versus robotic surgery
Authors: Pastore Antonio , Fuschi Andrea , Salhi Yazan Al , DE NUNZIO COSIMO , Tema Giulia , Rera Onofrio Antonio , Carbone Flavia , Asimakopoulos Anastasios D. , Sequi Manfredi Bruno , Valenzi Fabio Maria , Suraci Paolo Pietro , Scalzo Silvio , Nardecchia Stefano , Martoccia Alessia , Carbone Antonio
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND: More than 4% of the global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by healthcare system. Focusing on the environmental impact of minimally invasive surgery, we assessed and compared the CO2 emissions between Robot-assisted (RALP) and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP).
METHODS: In patients prospectively enrolled, we evaluated the age, surgical and anesthesiologic time, postoperative intensive care unit and hospital stay, blood transfusion, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and Gleason score, open conversion need, and complications (Clavien–Dindo classification). We assessed the life cycle to estimate the energy consumption for surgical procedures and hospital stays. We reported the materials, CO2 produced, and fluid quantity infused and dispersed. Disposable and reusable materials and instruments were weighed and divided into metal, plastic, and composite fibers. The CO2 consumption for disposal and decontamination was also evaluated.
RESULTS: Of the 223 patients investigated, 119 and 104 patients underwent RALP and LRP, respectively. The two groups were comparable as regards age and preoperative Gleason score. The laparoscopic and robotic instruments weighed 1733 g and 1737 g, respectively. The CO2 emissions due to instrumentation were higher in the laparoscopic group, with the majority coming from plastic and composite fiber components. The CO2 emissions for metal components were higher in the robotic group. The robot functioned at 3.5 kW/h, producing 4 kg/h of CO2. The laparoscopic column operated at 600 W/h, emitting ~1 kg/h of CO2. The operating room operated at 3,0 kW/h. The operating time was longer in the laparoscopic group, resulting in higher CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions from hospital room energy consumption were lower in the robot-assisted group. The total CO2 emissions were ~47 kg and ~60 kg per procedure in the robot-assisted and laparoscopic groups, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: RALP generates substantially less CO2 than LRP owing to the use of more reusable surgical supplies, shorter operative time and hospital stay.
Antibody-mediated delivery of TAPBPR enables the redirection of virus-specific T cell responses to tumour cells
Authors: Neerincx Andreas , Aflalo Aure , Hafstrand Ida , Torres Alice Abreu , McDowall Alison , Altenburg Arwen , Satti Reem , Ilca F , Okkenhaug Klaus , Wills Mark , Boyle Louise
Published: December 2022

Low tumour immunogenicity is a major hurdle to overcome in the treatment of cancers with immunotherapies. Here, we reveal a novel therapeutic approach to increase tumour immunogenicity. By delivering the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) peptide exchange catalyst TAPBPR in an antibody-mediated manner onto the plasma membrane of tumour cells, extracellular MHC-I become highly peptide-receptive. Upon exposure to low doses of exogenous peptide, MHC-I molecules on tumour cells are efficiently loaded with immunogenic antigens, including those derived from human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus. TAPBPR-antibody fusion proteins were delivered specifically to tumours in vivo. Finally, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells respond to tumour cells in a targeted manner and can mediate killing of antibody target-positive cells. As memory T cells specific for previously encountered common viruses patrol tumours, TAPBPR-based therapeutics could offer an attractive means to redirected virus-specific T cells against tumours in the fight against cancer.
Building trust and collaboration among the stakeholders in a Mobility as a Service ecosystem - A theoretical framework
Authors: Kandanaarachchi Thiranjaya , Nelson John D. , Ho Chinh
Published: December 2022

This paper presents the findings of a study investigating the factors that build trust and collaboration among the stakeholders in a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) ecosystem. The research approach employed the Constructivist Grounded Theory Method (CGTM) using semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with the representatives of key stakeholder organisations in two selected MaaS ecosystems. A theoretical framework for trust and collaboration was developed to illustrate the process of forming and consolidating trust and collaboration in MaaS ecosystems. The findings suggest that trust acts as the antecedent and catalyst for building collaborative space within a MaaS ecosystem. Possessing a good understanding of partners’ expectations is a prerequisite for collaboration as the different stakeholders can sometimes have conflicting interests and goals. The capability of the partners, prior relationships and open negotiations emerged as the key constructs which form trust in a MaaS ecosystem. Findings show that collaboration among the stakeholders created an environment where they synergized their capabilities to co-create with each other, going beyond their role-based silos instead of restricting to contractual agreements.
The incidence of all organ malignancies and overall survival of patient with sustained virological response of HCV
Authors: Obi Shuntaro , Kanda Miho , Ooka Yoshihiko , Ohyama Hiroshi , Yokouchi Ritsuko , Sato Naho , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Omata Masao
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study prospectively observed the incidence of all malignancies and the prognosis of all patients in a population of patients who achieved Sustained Virological Response (SVR) with a 100% capture rate.

Design:

A prospective study of 651 SVR cases was conducted from July 2013 to December 2021. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of all malignancies, and the secondary endpoint was overall survival. The cancer incidence during the follow-up period was calculated using the man-year method, and risk factors were analyzed. In addition, sex- and age-matched standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were used to compare the general population with the study population.

Results

The overall median follow-up was 5.44 years. 107 malignancies occurred in 99 patients during the follow-up. The incidence of all malignancies was 3.94/100 person-years. The cumulative incidence was 3.6% at 1 year, 11.1% at 3 years, and 17.9% at 5 years, and continued to increase almost linearly. The incidence of liver cancer and non-liver cancer was 1.94/100 patient-years vs. 1.81%/100 patient-years. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 99.3%, 96.5%, and 94.4%, respectively. This life expectancy was compared to the standardized mortality ratio of the Japanese population, which proved non-inferior.

Conclusion

It was found that malignancies of other organs occur as frequently as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, follow-up of patients who have achieved SVR should focus not only on HCC but also on malignant tumors of other organs, and lifelong follow could contribute prolonged life expectancy for the previously short-lived.
Efficacy of the polyglycolic acid sheet for preventing anastomotic leakage in double- stapling technique anastomosis for left-sided colon or rectal cancer surgery: a retrospective study
Authors: Shibutani Masatsune , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Iseki Yasuhito , Kasashima Hiroaki , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: December 2022

Background
To prevent anastomotic leakage in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent double-stapling technique (DST) anastomosis, we investigated a new method: DST anastomosis with a polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet. This procedure has been shown to have the potential to decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage. However, due to the small number of cases enrolled in our previous study, it was not possible to compare the outcomes of the new and conventional procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the PGA sheet on preventing anastomotic leakage in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent DST anastomosis by retrospectively comparing the anastomotic leakage rate between the PGA sheet and conventional groups.
Methods
A total of 356 patients with left-sided colorectal cancer who underwent DST anastomosis during surgery at Osaka City University Hospital between January 2016 and April 2022 were enrolled in this study.
Results
The PGA sheet was used in 43 cases (PGA sheet group) and it was not used in 313 cases (conventional group). The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the PGA sheet group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (2.3% versus 13.4%, p = 0.042).
Conclusion
DST anastomosis with the PGA sheet, which is easy to perform, contributes to the reduction of anastomotic leakage rate by increasing the strength of the anastomotic site.
Whole course quality of tuberculosis care in rural China: challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and management
Authors: Li Mingyue , Zhang Xiaotian , Cheng Haozhe , Zhang Baisong , Wei Tiantian , Cheng Xiaoran , Jiang Shiwen , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: December 2022

Background
Little is known about the whole-course quality of tuberculosis (TB) care in China, one of the highest TB burdens countries.
Methods
A retrospective study using chart abstraction for the whole course was conducted in two underserved counties. All registered TB patients from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020 were included. Medical records for the whole course (6–8 months) were examined to abstract information using pre-determined checklists. Descriptive analysis was used to present the characteristics of included medical records, and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with TB treatment completion.
Results
This study included 268 outpatient medical records and 126 inpatient records. For diagnostic quality, 257 (96.3%) patients received sputum tests (2.6 times per person on average). 94.2% of the diagnosis were based on adequate evidence. For treatment quality, 240 (91.6%) outpatients and 100 (85.5%) inpatients took the standard chemotherapy regimens. 234 (87.3%) patients completed treatment. There were 67 (53.2%) inpatients prescribed second-line drugs, 85.1% of which were inappropriate. For management quality, 128 (47.9%) patients received midterm assessments. Only 47 (19.7%) received sufficient services for the whole course. Patients with TB symptoms were significantly more likely to complete treatment (OR = 1.80 P = 0.011).
Conclusion
This study measured the quality of TB care during the whole course including diagnoses, treatment, and management in rural China. TB patients received high-quality diagnosis and treatment services, but low-quality whole-course management. Integration of medical and public health services should be strengthened to improve whole-course quality.
Deep drop: a common finding in uroflowmetry of healthy children and adolescents
Authors: Lim Li Yi , Yang Stephen Shei-Dei
Published: December 2022

Uroflowmetry patterns indicate the presence of a specific lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction. However, the definitions for these patterns are mostly descriptive, resulting in poor inter-observer reliability. Irregular and fluctuating flow, which may indicate a staccato flow pattern, is frequently observed in healthy individuals. This study defines "deep drop (DD)" as a "sudden decrease of flow ≥√Qmax or 5ml (whichever is lowest) per second, followed by a rebound of flow ≥ 2ml/s", and investigates the incidence of "DD" in uroflowmetry of healthy children and adolescents. 1787 participants aged 5 to 18 took 3158 uroflowmetry measurements. Uroflowmetry with artefacts (n = 466) and low voided volume (VV) (n = 393) were excluded. 15.8%, 5.9%, and 4.6% of the 2299 uroflowmetry included in the analysis had one, two, and ≥ three DD, respectively. The incidence DD increased from 21.1% at VV < 25% of estimated bladder capacity (EBC) to 41.7% at VV ≥ 115% of EBC. 56.8% of the 734 participants who had two uroflowmetry measurements had no DD on both occasions, while 0.7% had ≥ three DD on both. DD are common in healthy subjects' uroflowmetry. More research is required to determine the validity of this definition and the number of DD required to define the staccato pattern.
Physical Activity and TV Viewing Parenting Practices for Toddlers among South Asians in the UK: Born in Bradford 1000 Study
Authors: Kwon Soyang , Kandula Namratha R. , Tandon Pooja S , Shah Nilay S.
Published: December 2022

Background
Children and adults of South Asian (SA) origin in the UK have been found to have suboptimal levels of physical activity (PA). PA habits in early childhood tend to sustain through adulthood. Parents play an important role in establishing these habits in young children. The primary aim of this study was to compare PA and television (TV) viewing parenting practices for young children between SA British (SAB) and White British (WB) parents living in the UK.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of the Born in Bradford (BiB) 1000 study, using survey data at child ages 24 and 36 months. The study sample included three groups of mothers (n = 1,149): foreign-born SAB (n = 458), UK-born SAB (n = 276), and WB (n = 455). Mothers completed a survey about parenting practices (i.e., PA-supportive, PA-restrictive, allowing TV viewing at mealtimes, limiting TV viewing) at child age 24 months and child PA and TV viewing behaviors at child ages 24 and 36 months. Parenting practices were compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses compared children’s weekly walking frequency and daily TV viewing hours by parenting practices in the three groups.
Results
The foreign-born SAB group showed the lowest frequencies of PA-supportive parenting practices (verbal encouragement: 3.7 ± 3.1 times/week; logistic support: 1.5 ± 1.8 times/week) and the highest frequencies of PA-restrictive parenting practices (7.8 ± 7.7 times/week) among the three groups (p < 0.01). Children of Foreign-born SAB mothers had the most frequent TV watching during a mealtime (4.0 ± 3.1 times/week) among the three groups (p < 0.01). Less frequent PA-supportive parenting practices and SA ethnicity were associated with lower walking frequency at 24 and 36 months of age among children (p < 0.01). More frequent exposure to TV at mealtimes and SA ethnicity were associated with higher TV viewing time at 24 and 36 months of age among children (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that SAB parents, particularly those that are foreign-born, apply parenting practices for their young children that are less supportive of PA and more supportive of TV viewing, and their children have lower PA and higher TV viewing time, compared with their WB counterparts.