bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Depression, Anxiety, and Pain Catastrophizing on Total Hip Arthroplasty Patient Activity Level
Authors: Reine Seth , Xi Yin , Archer Holden , Wells Joel
Published: August 2022

Background: Psychological factors have a strong association of improvement with increased physical activity in the general population. The effects of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing on activity level have not been thoroughly explored in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), which is often performed in response to pain, functional limitations, and activity limitations. Mental health significantly influences patient perspective on treatment success and quality of life. We hypothesize that improvement in screenings for depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing will correlate with improvement in activity levels between preoperative and postoperative times.Methods: Two hundred ninety-two patients (313 hips) who underwent THA with a minimum one-year (mean 615±270 days) follow-up completed preoperative and postoperative surveys containing UCLA Activity Score, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS). Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests were performed between preoperative and postoperative times for each outcome measure and their subscales. Partial Spearman rank-order correlations were performed between change in UCLA Score and change in HADS, PCS, and DASS subscales controlling for age, BMI, follow-up time, and preoperative subscale score with false discovery rate correction.Results: Wilcoxon tests found significant improvements in UCLA Score (p-value<0.0001) and every subscale of PCS, HADS, and DASS (p-values<0.0001). Significant negative correlations existed between change in UCLA Score and change in HADS-anxiety (rs=-0.21,p-value<0.001), change in HADS-depression (rs=-0.23,p-value<0.001), and change in DASS-anxiety (rs=-0.22,p-value=0.004) following THA. Weaker significant negative correlations existed between change in UCLA Score and change in the remaining PCS (p-values=0.006) and DASS-depression (p-value=0.037) subscales following THA.Conclusion: Improvements in patient-reported depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing screenings following THA were associated with increased activity levels. Patients screening for catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety achieved statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms following THA. Addressing patient mental health may provide another avenue in the holistic care of THA patients.
Clustering method for generic analysis of histological fibrosis staining – an open-source tool
Authors: Remes Anca , Noormalal Marie , Schmiedel Nesrin , Frey Norbert , Frank Derk , Müller Oliver J. , Graf Markus
Published: August 2022

Pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a hallmark of cardiovascular disease, causing cardiac dysfunction by reducing ejection fraction and impaired electrical conductance, leading to arrythmias. Hence, accurate quantification of fibrosis deposition in histological sections is of extreme importance for preclinical and clinical studies. Current automatic tools do not perform well under variant conditions. Moreover, users do not have the option to evaluate data from staining methods of their choice according to their purpose. To overcome these challenges, we underline a novel machine learning-based tool (FibroSoft) and we show its feasibility in a model of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice. Our results demonstrate that FibroSoft can identify fibrosis in diseased myocardium and the obtained results are user-independent. In addition, the results acquired using our software strongly correlate to those obtained by Western blot analysis of collagen 1 expression. Additionally, we could show that this method can be used for Masson’s Trichrome and Picosirius Red stained histological images. The evaluation of our method also indicates that it can be used for any particular histology segmentation and quantification. In conclusion, our approach provides a powerful example of the feasibility of machine learning strategies to enable automatic analysis of histological images.
Realtime user ratings as a strategy for combatting misinformation: An experimental study
Authors: Stein Jonas , Frey Vincenz , de Rijt Arnout van
Published: August 2022

Fact-checking takes time. As a consequence, verdicts are usually reached after a message has started to go viral and interventions can have only limited effect. A new approach inspired by the scholarly debate and implemented in practice is to harness the wisdom of the crowd by enabling recipients of an online message to attach veracity assessments to it, with the intention to allow poor initial crowd reception to temper belief in and further spread of misinformation. We study this approach by letting 4,000 subjects in 80 experimental bipartisan communities sequentially rate the veracity of informational messages. We find that in well-mixed communities, the public display of earlier veracity ratings indeed enhances the correct classification of true and false messages by subsequent users. However, crowd intelligence backfires when false information is sequentially rated in ideologically segregated communities. This happens because early raters’ ideological bias, which is aligned with a message, influences later raters’ assessments away from the truth. These results suggest that network segregation poses an important problem for community misinformation detection systems that must be accounted for in the design of such systems.
Overexpression of ZmDUF1644 from Zoysia matrella enhances salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Guosi , Yin Qihui , Chen Yuting , Li Xiaoxue , Chen Xuelei , Deng Hui , Zhu Fucheng , Wei pei pei
Published: August 2022

The DUF1644 family is a highly conserved and functionally unknown protein family and has been demonstrated significantly improved the salt tolerance of rice (nonhalophytes). However, little is understood about the function of the DUF1644 gene in halophytes. Further studies are required to determine whether it has a similar function in halophyte species. In our study, the functions of ZmDUF1644 from halophyte Zoysia matrella Z123 species were investigated under salt stress. Phylogenetic analysis clustered ZmDUF1644 and OsSDIP361 in the same group, which function as a salttolerant genes in rice. Our experimental data suggested that the ZmDUF1644 gene significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings caused by salt stress. The maximum root length, fresh weight, and photosynthetic pigment content of transgenic seedlings were obviously better than that of the wild type. Moreover, a relatively lower relative electrolyte leakage rate, toxic ion (Na+) content, and Na+/K+ ratios were also found in the transgenic line when compared with the wild type under salt stress. In conclusion, this study revealed that the ZmDUF1644 gene was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhancing the salt tolerance of seedlings. It is the first report on the functions of ZmDUF1644 from halophyte Zoysia matrella which has a similar function in halophyte species.
Population mixing mediates the intestinal flora composition and facilitates invasiveness in a globally invasive fruit fly
Authors: Wang Yidan , Li Zhihong , Zhao Zihua
Published: August 2022

Background
Changes in population heterozygosity and genetic diversity play important roles in mediating life history traits of organisms; these changes often lead to phenotypic evolution in offspring, which become superior to their parents. In the present study, we examined phenotypic differentiation, the intestinal microbiome composition and metabolism in the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) by comparing an inbred (monophyletic) native population and an outbred (mixed) invasive population.
Results
The results showed that the outbred population of B. dorsalis had significantly higher biomass, adult longevity, and fecundity than the inbred population. Additionally, intestinal microflora analysis revealed that both Diutina rugosa and Komagataeibacter saccharivorans were significantly enriched in the outbred population with higher genetic heterozygosity. D. rugosa enrichment altered amino acid metabolism in the intestinal tract, and supplementing essential amino acids (e.g., histidine and glutamine) in the diet led to an increase in pupal weight of the outbred population. Additionally, transcriptome analysis revealed that the HSPA1S gene was significantly downregulated in the outbred population. HSPA1S was involved in activation of the JNK-MAPK pathway through negative regulation, caused the upregulation of juvenile hormone (JH), and led to an increase in biomass in outbred flies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the outbred population had an altered intestinal microbe composition, mediating metabolism and transcriptional regulation, leading to phenotypic differentiation; this may be a potential mechanism driving the global invasion of B. dorsalis. Thus, multiple introductions could lead to invasiveness enhancement in B. dorsalis through population mixing, providing preliminary evidence that changes in the intestinal microbiome can promote biological invasion.
Impact of serum cystatin C level on long-term cognitive impairment after acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack
Authors: Zuo Lijun , Dong YanHong , Pan Yuesong , Yan Hongyi , Meng Xia , Li Hao , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yilong , Wang Yongjun , Liao MD；Xiaoling
Published: August 2022

Objective:Cognitive impairment after stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) has a high prevalence. Cystatin C (CysC) has been found as a novel biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. We aimed to explore the possible correlations of serum cystatin C level with cognitive impairment in patients who had mild stroke and TIA after 1 year.Methods:We measured serum CysC levels in 1025 participants with a minor ischemic stroke/TIA from enrolled from the Impairment of Cognition and Sleep (ICONS) study of the China National Stroke Registry-3 (CNSR-3). They were divided into four groups according to quartiles of baseline CysC levels. Patients’ cognitive functions were assessed by MoCA-Beijing at day 14 and at 1 year. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the relationship between CysC and PSCI at 1 year follow-up.Results: Cognitive impairment was defined as MoCA-Beijing ≤22. Most patients were in 60s (61.52±10.97 years old) with a median (interquartile range) National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of 3.00(4.00) and greater than primary school level of education, and 743 participants (72.49%) were male. Among the 1025 participants, 331 participants (32.29%) patients suffered PSCI at 1 year follow-up. A U-shaped association was observed between CysC and 1-year PSCI [quartile (Q)1 vs. Q3: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.64, 95% CI 1.65-4.20, p＜0.0001; Q2 vs. Q3: aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17-2.84, p = 0.0078; Q4 vs. Q3: aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.20-2.87, p = 0.0055]. Moreover, the U-shaped trends were also found between CysC level and the subscores of attention, recall, abstraction and language in MoCA.Conclusions: CysC showed a U-shaped correlation with 1-year overall cognitive function. It is probable that measurement of the serum cystatin C level would aid in the early diagnosis of PSCI.
The changes of distance between nipples following correction of women pectus excavatum
Authors: Yoo Gyeol , Jeon Hui Hyung , Rha Eun Young , Ko Jun Gul , Baek Sang Oon , Lee Jun Yong , Jeong Jin Yong
Published: August 2022

The breasts in women pectus excavatum patients frequently appear to be slanting medially along the inclination of the distorted ribs. This study aims to evaluate changes in the distance between the nipples and to find out whether medially slanting breasts are corrected in women pectus excavatum patients following modified Nuss procedure. This case series analysis enrolled 22 young women patients with pectus excavatum between October 2011 and September 2020. We measured all the patients’ distances from the sternal midline to the right and left nipples, based on chest computerized tomography. We calculated the distances between nipples as being the sum of the right and left distances. The mean age of patients was 16.50 ± 4.73 years, and the follow-up periods were 35.59 ± 20.23 months. The postoperative Haller indices (2.89 ± 0.43) were significantly lower than the preoperative Haller indices (5.14 ± 1.96) (p = 0.000). The distances between the nipples before and after Nuss procedure were 145.17 ± 17.73 mm and 172.29 ± 19.11 mm, which is a significant increase following surgery. (p = 0.000). Our results demonstrated that skeletal correction with modified Nuss procedure in pectus excavatum increased the distance between nipples, indicating that medially slanting breasts had been corrected.
Multiple plasma membrane reporters discern LHFPL5 region that blocks trafficking to the plasma membrane
Authors: Soler David , Ballesteros Angela , Sloan Andrew , McCormick Tom , Stepanyan Ruben
Published: August 2022

The mechanotransduction (MET) channel of the inner ear sensory receptor cells, termed hair cells, is a central protein complex that enables our senses of hearing and balance. Hair cell MET requires an elaborate interplay of multiple proteins that form the MET channel. One of the MET complex components is the transmembrane protein LHFPL5, which is required for hair cell MET and hearing. LHFPL5 is thought to interact with two other MET channel complex proteins, PCDH15 and TMC1. Despite localizing to the plasma membrane of stereocilia, the mechanosensing organelles of hair cells, LHFPL5 requires its binding partner within the MET complex, PCDH15, to localize to the stereocilia tips in hair cells and to the plasma membrane in heterologous cells. Using the Aquaporin 3-tGFP reporter (AGR) for plasma membrane localization, we found that a region within extracellular loop 1, which interacts with PCDH15, precludes the trafficking of the AGR reporter to the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells. Our results suggest that the presence of protein partners may mask endoplasmic reticulum retention regions or enable the proper folding and trafficking of the MET complex components, to facilitate expression of the MET complex at the stereocilia membrane.
Detection method of rail surface defects based on deep learning
Authors: Xu Jianming
Published: August 2022

For the detection of uneven and irregular texture surface defects, the conventional image reconstruction is difficult because the background texture is a nonstationary signal. At the same time, because it is difficult to obtain the image feature information such as the shape and gray level of defects in advance, and the visual features of similar defects can show great dispersion, the existing detection methods that rely on target features are difficult to apply. According to the vibration theory and transient finite element-boundary element theory, a method of analyzing and detecting rail fracture defects by using rail vibration response data is proposed. By establishing the dynamic model of vibration analysis of ballastless track, the characteristics of vibration acceleration of track under the condition of complete rail fracture and 50% fracture of rail section under the periodic load excitation of nodes are studied. In this paper, an unsupervised learning surface defect detection method based on image inpainting is proposed.In this method, a small number of normal texture sample images should be used as training sets to train the network model. Then, during detection, the missing region is artificially set in the sample image, and the content of the missing region is predicted by using the network model. Finally, according to the structural similarity evaluation and residual error between the reconstructed image and the image to be tested, the defect detection and separation are realized. Experimental results show that the algorithm has strong generalization ability, can accurately segment defects of tile images with large amount of complex texture, uneven illumination and low contrast, and has strong robustness.
Cortical Microtubule Dynamics During Reaction Wood Formation Ensures Context-Appropriate Cellulose Microfibril Angle in Woody Trees
Authors: Tobias Larissa Machado , McFarlane Heather E. , Bossinger Gerd , Spokevicius Antanas Vytas
Published: August 2022

Microtubules are directly and indirectly involved in guiding cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs) through the plasma membrane. The angle of cellulose deposition is a critical response to environmental signals and/or stress conditions, and particularly crucial during reaction wood formation, a process in which woody plants deposit additional cell wall material to counteract gravitational forces. Tubulin genes are upregulated in response to gravitational stimulus during reaction wood formation, which can result in changes to microtubule assembly. In this study, microtubules were visualised in three woody tree species (two angiosperms: Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Populus alba L., and one gymnosperm: Pinus radiata D. Don.) using immunofluorescence to quantitatively evaluate microtubule organisation during reaction wood formation. Our results suggest that reorientation of the cortical microtubule array affects secondary cell wall deposition, even across different types of reaction wood, by ensuring context-appropriate orientation of cellulose microfibrils and determining MFA in wood cells. Pharmacological studies conducted on in vitro cultured stem segments or in vivo during reaction wood formation corroborated these important roles for microtubules during wood development. This study starts to unveil the role of tubulins during wood formation by exploring cortical microtubule array organisation in trees subjected to gravitational stimulus and it sheds light on cellular and molecular mechanisms behind cellulose deposition in tree species.
Spinal erector spinalis block for postoperative analgesia for transfemoral amputation in an ontologic patient: Case Report
Authors: GRIJALVA MARIANA CAROLINA GONZÁLEZ , NUÑO JACQUELINE MORALES
Published: August 2022

Post-surgical pain management during the first 24 hrs before a supracondylar amputation is difficult to control, so the use of multimodal analgesia is essential, regional anesthesia is increasingly used as part of this. The ESP block was described in 2016 by Mauricio Forero for analgesia at thoracic level in patients with chronic neuropathic pain as well as for post-surgical and post-traumatic pain also at thoracic level, in this case we demonstrate a correct and novel use for post-surgical analgesia for a lower limb procedure by placing it at lumbar level. We describe the successful use of single-dose erector spinae plane blockade (ESP) as part of postoperative analgesic management in a patient who underwent transfemoral amputation. ESP was shown to produce sensory blockade in several dermatomes and successful analgesia for the first 72 hr post-surgery.
Modelling the effectiveness of surveillance based on metagenomics in detecting, monitoring, and forecasting antimicrobial resistance in livestock production under economic constraints
Authors: Apenteng Ofosuhene O. , Aarestrup Frank M. , Vigre Håkan
Published: August 2022

Current surveillance of AMR is mostly based on testing indicator bacteria using MIC panels. Metagenomics has the potential to identify all known ARGs in complex samples and thereby detect changes in the occurrence earlier. Here, we simulate the results of an AMR surveillance program based on metagenomics in the Danish pig population. We modelled both an increase in the occurrence of ARGs and an introduction of a new ARG in a few farms and subsequent spread to the entire population. To make the simulation realistic, total cost of the surveillance was constrained, and the sampling schedule set at one pool per month with 5, 20, 50, 100, or 200 samples. Our simulations demonstrate that a pool of 50–100 samples and a sequencing depth of 250 million fragments resulted in the shortest time to detection in both scenarios, with a time-delay to detection of change of \(>\)15 months in all scenarios. Overall, our findings suggest that using metagenomics could improve the monitoring of AMR in the animal population.
To summarise the approach to and findings of the PPIE undertaken as part of a programme of secondary research with a vulnerable, hard to reach population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: McGrane Niall , Dunbar Paul , Keyes Laura M
Published: August 2022

BackgroundPublic and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) is an important part of research. The inclusion of PPIE in research is becoming more widespread, however, there are some areas where it is still uncommon. For example, undertaking PPIE in secondary analysis projects is uncommon and PPIE with difficult to reach populations and vulnerable groups can be seen as being too difficult to facilitate. The aim was to summarise the approach to and findings of the PPIE undertaken as part of a programme of secondary analysis with a vulnerable, hard to reach population; residents of residential care facilities (RCFs), during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsAs part of a project to develop a publically available database of statutory notifications of adverse events from RCFs in Ireland, residents (n=9) from RCFs for older people and people with disability were telephone interviewed. Residents were engaged through gatekeepers and posted participant information and consent forms. Themes were identified using content analyses of interview notes. ResultsThree parent themes were identified, each with two subthemes: privacy concerns, enthusiasm and dissemination of research findings. Residents highlighted the importance that no personal information be shared in the database. Once data were anonymized, residents thought that the database should be published and shared. Residents reported being happy about research being undertaken using the data and thought that publishing the database would help inform the public about RCFs. Completing a PPIE project with a vulnerable group during the global COVID-19 pandemic required planning and resources. Resources included finances, time and expertise. ConclusionsThe involvement of residents informed the data inclusion in the published database and the approach taken in the protection of personal data. Enthusiasm for publication and research using the database by residents enthused the developers as it was considered something that was wanted by residents. The benefits of PPIE can be achieved with vulnerable groups during unprecedented times with the appropriate planning. It requires dedication of time, finances and expertise. Overcoming the obstacles was achievable and worthwhile. The approach outlined can be used as an example to support PPIE in secondary analysis projects and or with vulnerable groups
Customer requirements analysis in PSS design
Authors: Lyu Feng , Feng Zhuangzhuang , Li Fengjun , Su Jianxin
Published: August 2022

The identification of customer requirements (CRs) priority is the beginning of Product-service system (PSS) design, which identifies the direction of enterprise resource allocation. In order to accurately reflect customer’s intrinsic requirements in PSS design, a hierarchical model based on the means-end chain theory is constructed to capture CRs from the perspective of customer expectations in this paper, and then a method combining cloud model, fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) with improved analytical Kano (A-Kano) model is proposed to identify importance priority. Cloud model and Relative Preference Relation of the triangular fuzzy number are applied to identify the basic importance with solving the problem of fuzziness and randomness in expert evaluation information. Considering the directional influence relationship among CRs, the fuzzy DEMATEL method is introduced to modify the basic importance. Based on the category criterion of CRs, an improved A-Kano model is constructed, and the importance index and satisfaction index based on customer satisfaction are introduced to identify the final importance. A case study is carried out to verify the scientificity and feasibility of the proposed method.
SIES epidemic model for novel COVID-19 by Conformable fractional derivative
Authors: Sadabadi Negar Bakhshi , Maheri Fariba
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we provide a SIES epidemic model for the spread of COVID-19 using the Conformable fractional derivative. The feasibility region of the system is investigated. We proved the existence of a unique solution for the model by using fixed point theorem. The stability analysis is in the frame of Ulam-Hyers criteria. Numerical simulations are given to support the theoretical results. The results show that the present procedure is very effective and convenient.AMS (2010) subject classification: 49J15, 47H07.
Identification of valid anatomical landmarks to locate and protect recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery: A cadaveric study
Authors: Patra Apurba , Asghar Adil , Chaudhary Priti , Ravi Kumar Satish
Published: August 2022

Purpose Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the most critical structure in terms of intricacy. Anatomic variations of the nerve may further make thyroid surgery cumbersome. The present study was undertaken to provide comprehensive knowledge about the soundness of commonly used anatomical landmarks such as Berry's ligament (BL), tracheoesophageal groove (TEG), inferior thyroid artery (ITA) and the midpoint of the posterior border of the thyroid gland in the identification of the nerve intraoperatively. Methods Thirty adult cadavers were dissected to identify the RLN in the neck and to locate it in relation to the aforementioned anatomical landmarks. Results The RLN/BL relationship: RLN was most often located superficial to the BL (88.3%), followed by deep to the BL in 8.4%, and piercing the BL in 3.3% of cases, respectively. The RLN/TEG relationship: the RLN was located inside the TEG in most cases (71.7%), followed by RLN lying outside the TEG in 28.3%. Outside the groove, it was most commonly found lateral to the TEG (64.7%). RLN/ITA relationship: the nerve was passing deep to the artery in most of the cases (65%), followed by superficial (30%) and rarely (5%) in-between the branches. RLN/ midpoint posterior border of thyroid relationship: In 57 (95%) cases, RLN was coursing in the area posterior to the midpoint of the posterior border of the gland with an average distance of 4.95 ± 2.23 mm ranging between 2.21mm to 12.1mm. Conclusions Both the BL and TEG are potentially crucial for safeguarding RLN. Although in results, BL turns out to be more consistent than TEG, we propose the utilization of both these anatomical landmarks together for complication-free neck surgeries. Furthermore, the midpoint of the posterior border of the thyroid turns out to be the single most consistent landmark for identifying RLN during partial thyroidectomy.
A New Chaos-based Text Encryption/Decryption to Secure Cloud Computing
Authors: Chaouch Ismehene , Naanaa Anis , ElAsmi Sadok
Published: August 2022

In this paper, an analysis study of two encryption algorithms applied to texts is carried out in order to evaluate their robustness in terms of security. The first is the classical cryptosystems known as, respectively, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Data Encryption Standard (DES). The second comes from the study of chaotic systems by using the Tent map. Experimental results and their analysis show that chaotic encryption algorithm is more secure and high efficiency compared to classical algorithms. In addition, the chaotic system present a good encryption speed.
Enlarged perivascular spaces are associated with decreased brain tau deposition
Authors: Kang Koung Mi , Byun Min Soo , Yi Dahyun , Lee Kyung Hoon , Kim Min Jung , Ahn Hyejin , Jung Gijung , Lee Jun-Young , Kim Yu Kyeong , Lee Yun-Sang , Sohn Chul-Ho , Lee Dong Young
Published: August 2022

Background
The drainage of interstitial fluid into the perivascular spaces is recognized as an important clearance pathway for waste from the brain. Nevertheless, the relationship between enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) and the key protein pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease, that is, beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition, has not been clearly understood. We aimed to investigate the associations of EPVS in the BG and CSO with Aβ and tau deposition in older adults with a diverse cognitive spectrum.
Methods
A total of 163 (68 cognitively normal and 95 cognitively impaired) older participants underwent clinical assessment, [11C] Pittsburgh Compound B and [18F] AV-1451 PET, and MRI. EPVS in the BG and CSO were rated using a validated visual rating scale and categorized as low or high degree. Other small vessel disease markers, such as white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and deep and lobar microbleeds, were also assessed.
Results
Increased EPVS in the BG showed a significant association with lower cerebral tau deposition, even after controlling for other small vessel disease markers. Further exploratory analyses showed that this association was significant in cognitively impaired, Aβ-positive, or APOE4-positive individuals, but not significant in the cognitively normal, Aβ-negative, or APOE4-negative participants. In contrast to EPVS in the BG, EPVS in the CSO did not have any relationship with cerebral tau deposition. In addition, none of the two types of EPVS were associated with cerebral Aβ deposition.
Conclusion
Brain tau deposition appears to be reduced with increased EPVS in the BG, especially in individuals with cognitive impairment, pathological amyloid burden, or genetic Alzheimer’s disease risk.
Potential future changes of climatic drivers for the European Spruce bark beetle outbreaks in Northern Baltic Sea area under CMIP5 projections
Authors: Tikkanen Olli-Pekka , Lehtonen Ilari
Published: August 2022

Recently, spruce bark beetle (SBB) damage has been on an extreme record-breaking level in East Central Sweden. It is considered a result of the increase in temperatures and severe droughts propagated by climate change. At the same time, SBB outbreaks have been less severe in the eastern side of the Baltic Sea, in Estonia and Finland, than in Sweden. This study investigated to what extent precipitation, temperature sum, and droughts (hydrothermal index) have varied in land areas surrounding the Baltic Sea. We studied recent meteorological observations (from 1950 to 1999) and modelled the effect of climate change on precipitation and temperature, using three representative pathway scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) and multiple (17–23) climate models. Future climate projections (up to 2100) were made for Southeastern Estonia, Southern Finland, and East Central Sweden. Weather data showed that temperature sum has been high and drought severe, particularly in East Central Sweden, in the 2010s, where SBB outbreaks have been a larger problem than on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. Future climate projections suggest that an increase in thermal sum will further enhance the reproduction of SBB, especially in RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. In all climate change scenarios, drought continues to be a problem in Central Eastern Sweden, potentially facilitating SBB outbreaks. In addition, moderate and severe droughts can become more frequent in Southeastern Estonia and Southern Finland if climate change proceeds as predicted in RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios.
Maker-Entrepreneurs Navigating a Maker Economy
Authors: Lee Chuike , Vyas Dhaval
Published: August 2022

The DIY and maker movement has enabled makers to venture out into entrepreneurial endeavours. Members of this community are known to experience a sense of fulfillment when personal moral codes of ethics are maintained, even when they are from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. Our work seeks to explore ways in which this fulfillment is also carried over into an entrepreneurship context. This paper applied a qualitative study involving 9 maker-entrepreneurs from low SES backgrounds, where contextual interviews and a cultural probe inspired method was employed to capture their motivations, business management and overall entrepreneurial trajectory. Our findings indicate maker-entrepreneurs’ clear motivations for being a part of the maker culture, while having a strong sense of responsibility towards the environmental and social issues, as well as the challenges faced by low SES maker-entrepreneurs. This work is intended to add to the low SES maker-entrepreneurship discourse in HCI and identify opportunities to help these entrepreneurs in economic value creation.
Improved collaborative filtering algorithm using intuitionistic fuzzy C -means clustering and incorporating time factors
Authors: Zhang Yanju , Li Rui , Wang Shiqin
Published: August 2022

Collaborative filtering (CF) has been widely used to help users discover items of interest. Most of the existing CF methods collect preference information from other users to predict user’s ratings. However, the user’s interest will change over time, and the traditional collaborative filtering recommendation does not take the change of user’s interest into consideration. In addition, there are also problems of information overload and data sparseness in applications. In order to solve the problem of data sparseness and take the changes of user interests into account , we propose an improved collaborative filtering algorithm using intuitionistic fuzzy C-means clustering and incorporating time factors. Firstly, we introduce intuitionistic fuzzy C-means clustering to complete the classification of items; secondly, the above classification results are combined with the user-item score matrix to obtain the user-type preference matrix; thirdly, the joint similarities are used to obtain the nearest neighbors of the target user; finally, the changes of user interest over time are taken into account when predicting the target user’s rating on unrated items, top-k items are selected as recommendation results. To verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, experiments are conducted on Movie Lens and Booking-Crossing datasets. The Improved collaborative filtering algorithm using intuitionistic fuzzy C-means clustering results show that compared with the traditional recommendation algorithms , the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively solve data sparseness and improve the quality and accuracy of recommendation.
The health and economic burden of musculoskeletal disorders in Belgium from 2013 to 2018
Authors: Gorasso Vanessa , Heyden Johan Van der , De Pauw Robby , Pelgrims Ingrid , De Clercq Eva , De Ridder Karin , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Vansteelandt Stijn , Vaes Bert , De Smedt Delphine , Devleesschauwer Brecht
Published: August 2022

Introduction
: Low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NKP), osteoarthritis (OST) and rheumatoid arthritis (RHE) are among the most disabling musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. The current study aims to analyse the health and economic impact of these MSK disorders in Belgium, providing a summary of morbidity and mortality outcomes from 2013 to 2018, as well as direct and indirect costs from 2013 to 2017.
Methods
The health burden of LBP, NKP, OST and RHE in Belgium from 2013 to 2018 was summarized in terms of prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) using data from the Belgian health interview surveys (BHIS), the INTEGO database (Belgian registration network for general practitioners) and the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study 2019. The economic burden included estimation of direct medical costs and indirect costs, measured by cost of work absenteeism. For this purpose, data of the respondents to the BHIS-2013 was linked with the national health insurance data (intermutualistic agency [IMA] database) 2013–2017.
Results
In 2018, 2.5 million Belgians were affected by at least one MSK disorder. OST represented the disorder with the highest number of cases for both men and women, followed by LBP. In the same year, MSK disorders contributed to a total of 180,746 DALY for female and 116,063 DALY for men. LBP appeared to be the largest contributor to the health burden of MSK. Having at least one MSK disorder costed on average 3 billion € in medical expenses and 2 billion € in indirect costs per year, with LBP being the most costly.
Conclusion
MSK disorders represent a major health and economic burden in Belgium. As their burden will probably continue to increase in the future, acting on the risk factors associated to these disorders is crucial to mitigate both the health and economic burden.
Trustable Decision Tree Model using Else-Tree Classifier
Authors: Tran Truong , Pusey Marc , Aygun Ramazan
Published: August 2022

With advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, learning models have been used in many decision-making and classification applications. The nature of critical applications, which require a high level of trust in the prediction results, has motivated researchers to study classification algorithms that would minimize misclassification errors. In our study, we have developed the {\em trustable machine learning methodology} that allows the classification model to learn its limitations by rejecting the decision on cases likely yield to misclassificationsand hence produce highly confident outputs. This paper presents our trustable decision tree model through the development of the {\em Else-Tree} classifier algorithm. In contrast to the traditional decision tree models, which use a measurement of impurity to build the tree and decide class labels based on the majority of data samples at the leaf nodes, Else-Tree analyzes homogeneous regions of training data with similar attribute values and the same class label. After identifying the longest or most populated contiguous range per class, a decision node is created for that class, and the rest of the ranges are fed into theelsebranch to continue building the tree model. The Else-Tree model does not necessarily assign a class for conflicting or doubtful samples. Instead, it has an else-leaf node, led by the last else branch, to determine rejected or undecided data. The Else-Tree classifier has been evaluated and compared with other models through multiple datasets. The results show that Else-Tree can minimize the rate of misclassification.
Machine learning and conventional method for reference evapotranspiration estimation using limited climatic data scenarios
Authors: Santos Pietros André Balbino dos , Schwerz Felipe , Carvalho Luiz Gonsaga , Baptista Victor Buono Silva
Published: August 2022

Reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is one important agrometeorological parameter for hydrological studies and agricultural water management. The ET0 calculated by the Penman-Monteith - FAO method requires several input data. However, in the Minas Gerais region, the meteorological data are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) to estimate the monthly mean ET0 with different input data combinations and scenarios. Three scenarios were evaluated: at the state level, where all climatological stations were used (Scenario I - SI) ; and at regional level, where the Minas Gerais state was divided according to the climatic classification of Thornthwaite (Scenario II - SII) and by Köppen (Scenario III - SIII). ANN and RF performed better in ET0 estimating among the models evaluated in the SI, SII and SIII scenarios with the following data combination: i) latitude, longitude, altitude, month, mean, maximum and minimum temperature, and relative humidity; and ii) latitude, longitude, altitude, month, mean temperature, and relative humidity. Also, the SVM and MLR models are recommended for all scenarios in situations with limited climatic data, where only air temperature and relative humidity data are available. Although dividing into scenarios results in less input data for models training, SII and SIII showed a slightly better result in the southern areas of the Minas Gerais state.
Selection of CMIP6 representative climate models and downscaling in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Wada Idris Muhammad , Usman Haruna Shehu , Amechi S. Nwankwegu , Makhai Nwunuji Usman , Selamawit Haftu Gebresellase
Published: August 2022

Using multiple General Circulation Models (GCMs) for impact assessment improves the credibility of an analysis and circumvents limit-based uncertainties. Therefore, the selection of the most suitable models for regional/local studies is crucial prior to impact studies and forcing hydrological models. This study included the selection of GCM models from 100 ensembles each for SSP4.5 and SSP8.5 scenarios from the CMIP6 archive using advanced envelop-based selection approach for Northern Nigeria. We used (2021-2050) as the short-term and (2051-2080) as the long-term periods. The approach found that, CanESM5 models are skilful in simulating the warm and wet season, HadGEM3-GC31-LL in the warm and dry season, whereas MPI-ESM1-2-HR and MPI-ESM1-2-LR are skilful in the cold and dry season. We selected three skilled models for each scenario and study period. The skilled models were downscaled for adequate futuristic representation of the temperature and precipitation variables in the region. The downscaled variables predicted an increase in the future. Considering SSP4.5, the average annual precipitation predicted a 13% and 20% increase for the short-term and long-term period respectively. Similarly, for SSP8.5, the predictions are 23% and 41% increment in short-term and long-term periods respectively. For temperature, considering SSP4.5, the average annual temperature predicted an increase of 1.1⁰C and 2.5⁰C for short-term and long-term respectively. Similarly, an increment of 1.2⁰C and 2.7⁰C is expected for SSP8.5 during the short-term and long-term respectively. The selection also suggests that the skilled model does not vary with climate scenario and future periods.
Bilateral Cochlear Implants in a Case of Spondyloenchondrodysplasia With Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Case Report
Authors: Muslat Arwa A. Al , Alamry Saleh. S.
Published: August 2022

Background: Spondyloenchondrodysplasia (SPENCD) is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia caused by acid phosphates 5 gene mutation. SPENCD has multisystemic manifestations including enchondromas in the long bones or pelvis, skeletal anomalies, immune dysfunctions, and neurological impairments. Out of the wide spectrum of presentation in SPENCD, hearing loss is one of the least presented symptoms. Case presentation: Here we present a two-year-old female, who visited the otolaryngology clinic concerned about hearing and delayed speech. The patient was started on hearing aids and after investigations, she was diagnosed with SPENCD. After a discussion with the family, the patient underwent a bilateral cochlear implant for sensorineural hearing loss at the age of four, which went uneventfully. Conclusion: The objective of this report is to highlight the unusual presentation of profound sensorineural hearing loss in a pediatric case with SPENCD that was managed with cochlear implants.
Identification and Characterization of N6-Methyladenosine LncRNAs in Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Jiang Rongli , Gan Xiongkang , Zhou Yaqing , Pan Yang , Fu Yahong , Liang Lanyu , Chen Xiumei , Jia Enzhi
Published: August 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal RNA modification in mammalian cells. Lots of previous studies have shown that m6A is strongly linked to the occurrence and development of diseases. However, studies on the role of m6A modifications in atherosclerosis are limited and the possible mechanism needs to be elucidated. In this study, we used MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq to obtain a genome-wide profiling of m6A-modified lncRNAs in the model of coronary atherosclerosis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the reliability of the data. Functional enrichment analysis uncovered that the associated genes of lncRNAs with different m6A levels were mostly enriched in the regulation of many crucial cell biological processes, including cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell cycle, and Rap1 signaling pathway which can affect the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In summary, our study provided an expressed profile of lncRNA m6A in Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells(HCASMCs), and we can infer that the methylation state of lncRNA may be essential for their function and offer a new direction for the treatment ofcoronary artery disease(CAD).
Recombinant VEGF-C restores mesenteric lymphatic drainage and improves gut immune surveillance in experimental cirrhosis
Authors: Juneja Pinky , Rahman Syed Nazrin Ruhina , Tripathi Dinesh M , Kaur Impreet , Rohilla Sumati , Gupta Abhishek , Rawal Preety , Baweja Sukriti , Rastogi Archana , Naidu VGM , Sarin Shiv K , Banerjee Subham , Kaur Savneet
Published: August 2022

Gut lymphatic vessels (LVs) are crucial for maintaining gut immunity and abdominal fluid homeostasis. In experimental liver cirrhosis with ascites, gut LVs are dilated and dysfunctional with impaired gut immune response. Therapy with pro-lymphangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) promotes functional LVs growth and attenuates inflammation. However, therapeutic role of VEGF-C in cirrhosis has not been explored. Here we developed a nanoformulation comprising of recombinant human VEGF-C loaded reverse micelles (E-VEGF-C) and delivered it orally in rat models of liver cirrhosis to specifically target mesenteric LVs (mLVs). E-VEGF-C treated cirrhotic rats displayed an increased density of gut LVs, improved functional drainage and reduced abdominal fluid/ascites and portal pressures without any adverse events. E-VEGF-C also enhanced the proliferation of LVs in the mesenteric lymph nodes, triggering active immune responses, which helped to contain the spreading of bacteria to other organs preventing systemic infection. At molecular level, E- VEGF-C treatment upregulated the expression of cell adhesion and permeability markers, VE-cadherin and VCAM1 in the mesenteric lymphatic endothelial cells. Collectively, oral delivery of E-VEGF-C in cirrhotic rats ameliorates drainage of gut LVs, ascites formation and immunity and thus represents a potential treatment to manage ascites and immune dysfunction in cirrhosis.
Determinants of household adoption of solar energy technology in Seychelles in a context of 100% access to electricity
Authors: Etongo Daniel , Naidu Harini
Published: August 2022

Seychelles is among four countries in the African continent with 100% access to electricity, of which over 90% of the energy is generated from fossil fuels. The energy transition is a crucial enabler of sustainable development and climate resilience. Therefore, this study seeks to understand the determinants of solar PV uptake based on a stratified random sample of 130 households on Mahe Island, Seychelles. We applied logistic regression and descriptive statistics to analyze the driving factors of a household decision regarding the adoption of a solar PV system. Results indicated that access to credit and household savings influenced the adoption of solar PV systems at the 1% significance level. In comparison, monthly household income did so at the 5% level. Independent variables such as gender, age, and education of household heads, including family size that were significant in other studies, were not significant in the current study. Cost-saving, energy security, and environment friendly were chief among the motivational drivers of the 60 households that had adopted solar PV systems. Whereas, for the non-adopters, the four most essential barriers cited were cheap electricity, high initial cost, existing loans, and long payback time. For the communal approach to solar PV systems in Seychelles to be successful, the adoption barriers that occur at the level of households should be considered.