bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural performance of steel plates
Authors: Musmar Mazen A.
Published: August 2022

In general, plates are classified as thick plates when the minimum dimension to thickness ratio (b/h) is less than 10, thin plates when the b/h ratio ranges from 10 to about 100, provided that the plate maximum deflection to thickness ratio (w/h) is less than 0.2, and membranes when the b/h ratio approaches 100 and w/h ≥ 0.2. Thick plates develop internal stress resultants governed by three-dimensional elasticity similar to that of a solid body. Thin plates behave as plane stress members governed by two-dimensional elasticity. Membranes can only develop internal tensile stress within the plate’s neutral plane. Few studies have adopted b/h ratios between 90 and 110 to investigate the feasibility of the utilization of such plates in their various available forms. The current study with the b/h ratio of 100 aims to fill the gap. Steel Plates are available in different forms such as intact plates, stiffened, perforated, and stiffened perforated plates. They are used in buildings, bridges, ships, as well as aerospace structures. In this study, the investigated steel plate has a square shape and is subjected to uniaxial loading. The plate edges are simply supported. The plate is 200 mm wide and 2 mm thick. In this case, the critical buckling strength is, in general, less than the plate maximum strength. With further loading, the plate would experience an undesirable sudden mode of failure owing to buckling instability. This study aims at investigating the performance of the different forms of square steel plates, such as intact, stiffened, perforated, and perforated stiffened, when the minimum dimension to thickness ratio is 100. A pushover finite element linear elastic buckling analysis as well as a nonlinear large deflection buckling analysis have been carried out. The study indicated that the increase in the plate maximum strength in single, double, and triple stiffener plates was 75.6%, 174%, and 196%, respectively, compared to that of the intact plate. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the utilization of plates having the b/h ratio of 100 is feasible provided that the appropriate plate form is adopted.
On-chip mid-infrared silicon-on-insulator waveguide methane sensor using two measurement schemes at 3.291 μm
Authors: Zhao Huan , Zheng Chuantao , Pi Mingquan , Liang Lei , Song Fang , Zhang Yu , Wang Yiding , Tittel Frank K.
Published: August 2022

Portable or even on-chip detection of methane (CH4) is significant for environmental protection and production safety. However, optical sensing systems are usually based on discrete optical elements, which makes them unsuitable for the occasions with high portability requirement. In this work, we report on-chip silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide CH4 sensors at 3.291 μm based on two measurement schemes including direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS) and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS). In order to suppress noise, Kalman filter was adopted in signal processing. By optimizing the waveguide cross-section structure, an etch depth of 220 nm was selected with an experimentally high power confinement factor (PCF) of 23% and a low loss of only 0.71 dB/cm. A limit of detection (LoD) of 155 parts-per-million (ppm) by DAS and 78 ppm by WMS at an averaging time of 0.2 s were obtained for a 2 cm-long waveguide sensor. Compared to the chalcogenide (ChG) waveguide CH4 sensors at the same wavelength, the reported sensor reveals the minimum waveguide loss and the lowest LoD. Therefore the SOI waveguide sensor has the potential of on-chip gas sensing in the mid-infrared (MIR) waveband.
Structure-activity assessment of flavonoids as modulators of copper transport
Authors: Lee Vanessa J. , Heffern Marie C.
Published: August 2022

Flavonoids are polyphenolic small molecules that are abundant in plant products and are largely recognized for their beneficial health effects. Possessing both antioxidant and prooxidant properties, flavonoids have complex behavior in biological systems. The presented work investigates the intersection between the biological activity of flavonoids and their interactions with copper ions. Copper is required for the proper functioning of biological systems. As such, dysregulation of copper is associated with metabolic disease states such as diabetes and Wilson’s disease. There is evidence that flavonoids bind copper ions, but the biological implications of their interactions remain unclear. Better understanding these interactions will provide insight into the mechanisms of flavonoids’ biological behavior and can inform potential therapeutic targets. We employed a variety of spectroscopic techniques to study flavonoid-Cu(II) binding and radical scavenging activities. We identified structural moieties important in flavonoid-copper interactions which relate to ring substitution but not the traditional structural subclassifications. The biological effects of the investigated flavonoids specifically on copper trafficking were assessed in knockout yeast models as well as in human hepatocytes. The copper modulating abilities of strong copper-binding flavonoids were largely influenced by the relative hydrophobicities. Combined, these spectroscopic and biological data help elucidate the intricate nature of flavonoids in affecting copper transport and open avenues to inform dietary recommendations and therapeutic development.
Social science for conservation in working landscapes and seascapes
Authors: Bennett Nathan J. , Dodge Molly , Akre Thomas S. , Canty Steven W. J. , Chiaravalloti Rafael , Dayer Ashley A. , Deichmann Jessica L. , Gill David , McField Melanie , McNamara James , Murphy Shannon E. , Nowakowski A. Justin , Songer Melissa
Published: August 2022

Biodiversity is in precipitous decline globally across both terrestrial and marine environments. Therefore, conservation actions are needed everywhere on Earth, including in the biodiversity rich landscapes and seascapes where people live and work that cover much of the planet. Integrative landscape and seascape approaches to conservation fill this niche. Making evidence-informed conservation decisions within these populated and working landscapes and seascapes requires an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the human dimensions through application of the conservation social sciences. Yet, there has been no comprehensive exploration of potential conservation social science contributions to working landscape and seascape initiatives. We use the Smithsonian Working Land and Seascapes initiative – an established program with a network of 14 sites around the world – as a case study to examine what human dimensions topics are key to improving our understanding and how this knowledge can inform conservation in working landscapes and seascapes. This exploratory study identifies 38 topics and linked questions related to how insights from place-based and problem-focused social science might inform the planning, doing, and learning phases of conservation decision-making and adaptive management. Results also show how conservation social science might yield synthetic and theoretical insights that are more broadly applicable. We contend that incorporating insights regarding the human dimensions into integrated conservation initiatives across working landscapes and seascapes will produce more effective, equitable, appropriate and robust conservation actions. Thus, we encourage governments and organizations working on conservation initiatives in working landscapes and seascapes to increase engagement with and funding of conservation social science.
Vascular biomarkers in the prevention of childhood cardiovascular risk: From concept to clinical implementation
Authors: Hanssen Henner
Published: August 2022

Vascular biomarkers allow for non-invasive assessment of vascular structure and function and have been shown to be surrogates for cardiovascular (CV) outcome in adults. They reflect the cumulative risk of a plethora of single CV risk factors, such as obesity and hypertension, on the arterial wall. The process of atherosclerosis oftentimes has its origin in childhood and tracks into adulthood. Obesity-related CV risk in childhood is a main determinant of manifest CV disease and adverse outcome in adulthood. To date, prevention strategies are directed toward the detection and reduction of CV disease in adulthood. This review updates and puts into perspective the potential use of vascular biomarkers in children. With reference to the concept of early vascular aging in adults, it elaborates on the role of vascular biomarkers for CV risk stratification in children. The concept of primordial vascular aging implies that young children be screened for vascular health, in an attempt to timely detect subclinical atherosclerosis and initiate treatment strategies to reverse vascular damage in a period of life with high probability for risk regression. The evidence for the validity of macro- and microvascular candidate biomarkers as screening tools of CV risk in children is reviewed, and limitations as well as remaining research gaps are highlighted. Furthermore, an overview on the effects of exercise treatment on vascular biomarkers is given. Vascular biomarkers susceptible to lifestyle or drug treatment have the potential to qualify as monitoring tools to guide clinicians. This review discusses evidence for vascular biomarkers to optimize screening of childhood CV risk from initial concepts to potential future clinical implementation in cardiovascular prevention.
The paleotectonic evolution of the western Mediterranean: provenance insights from the internal Betics, southern Spain
Authors: Poulaki Eirini M. , Stockli Daniel F.
Published: August 2022

Since the early Cenozoic, the closure of the Alpine Tethys in the Western Mediterranean has been accomplished by protracted subduction, followed by collision and orogenic collapse. The internal zones of the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain) and Rif (northern Morocco) experienced subduction metamorphism and subsequent exhumation due to the westward migration of the orogenic system. The detrital provenance of these meta-sedimentary units contains crucial insights into their pre-subduction stratigraphic arrangement, which is essential to constrain the pre-Cenozoic paleogeography and tectonic evolution of the Western Mediterranean. This study focuses on the Nevado-Filábride Complex (NFC) and the Eastern Alpujárride Complex in the Internal Betic Cordillera. New depth-profile zircon U-Pb LA-ICP-MS data from the NFC (N = 72) and Alpujárride (N = 21) and in situ apatite U-Pb data from a metabasite within the NFC allow us to establish the pre-subduction stratigraphy, sedimentary provenance, and paleotectonic configuration of the Iberian rifted margin during the Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic. Our dataset demonstrates that the NFC represents an intact Devonian to Early Jurassic stratigraphic sequence that records the evolution of the Western Mediterranean from the Variscan orogeny to rifting and opening of the Alpine Tethys. Detrital zircon U-Pb age modes of the NFC remain remarkably similar for over 200 Myr with only the differences being the progressive addition of new zircon modes related to depositional ages. Additionally, a comparison between the provenance record of the NFC and Alpujárride reveals notably similar zircon signatures of Carboniferous and Permian strata. This study reports the first data from the Triassic–Jurassic strata that record the opening of the Alpine Tethys. Additional evidence for rifting is present in the metabasites from the Veleta unit yielding in situ apatite U-Pb ages of 197 Ma, recording CAMP magmatism and Early Jurassic rifting in the Alpine Tethys. The data demonstrate a palinspastic connection between the NFC and the Alpujárride. Based on these extensive new provenance data, we propose a pre-subduction tectonic configuration in which the NFC and Alpujárride both represent adjacent attenuated continental fragments that are separated from the southern Iberian rifted margin by a narrow oceanic domain of the Alpine Tethys in the early Mesozoic.
A preliminary study on the geological conditions and indexes for the accumulation of shale gas in the marine-continental transitional facies sediments in the South North China Basin
Authors: Peng Yicong , Pan Jishun , An Xifeng
Published: August 2022

At present, the Carboniferous-Permian shale gas in the South North China Basin is still in the exploration stage, and the understanding of the microscopic pore structures, mineral composition and hydrocarbon enrichment law of the marine-continental transitional shale gas reservoirs in this area is extremely limited. In this paper, taking the Carboniferous-Permian shale gas reservoir in the South North China Basin as an example, the geological conditions of shale gas accumulation have been systematically studied using a large amount of sedimentary, logging, seismic, core, geochemical, physical property, and scanning electron microscope data. The study shows that the transitional dark shale is stable and widely distributed in the South North China Basin. Among them, the average thickness of the high-quality shale in the Taiyuan Formation is 67 m, while that of the Shanxi Formation is 56 m. Carboniferous and Permian are the main strata for the distribution of shale gas resources. Among them, the dark shale developed in the Taiyuan and Shanxi Formations has the largest thickness and the highest organic matter abundance. In addition, the organic matter types of the Upper Paleozoic coal-measure source rocks in the South North China are mainly II2-III types, and a small part of them belong to II1 types. The brittle minerals in the target shale are mainly quartz, and the content of illite is the highest among the clay minerals. Porosity is negatively correlated with clay mineral content, and positively correlated with quartz and TOC content. In addition, the permeability is negatively correlated with the organic matter content. Finally, the criteria for key indicators of the transitional shale gas reservoirs in the South North China Basin were developed.
The pregnancy outcomes of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing intrauterine insemination with different attempts of previous ovulation induction
Authors: Gao Yining , Jiang Shutian , Chen Li , Xi Qianwen , Li Wenzhi , Zhang Shaozhen , Kuang Yanping
Published: August 2022

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for infertility. The consensus of the treatment of infertile women with PCOS is ovulation induction (OI) for six to nine attempts beforein vitrofertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Nowadays, more attention was paid to a rising, noninvasive treatment, intrauterine insemination (IUI), as some experts claimed IUI could benefit PCOS patients with infertility. Our study means to investigate the outcomes of IUI for PCOS patients and if patients’ previous OI cycles can be a predictive factor for IUI outcomes.

Methods

A total of 1,086 PCOS patients was included and 1,868 IUI cycles were performed between January 2007 and July 2021 in the department of assisted reproduction in Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. All included patients underwent IUI treatments with letrozole+human menopausal gonadotropin (LE+hMG) for ovarian stimulation.

Results

The pregnancy outcomes were not associated with the attempts of failed OI cycles previously. Specifically, the clinical pregnancy rate was 21.14% for PCOS patients without previous OI cycles, 21.95% for PCOS patients with 1-2 previous OI cycles and 23.64% for PCOS patients with 3 or more previous OI cycles (p=0.507). The corresponding live birth rate was 16.64%, 18.06%, and 18.68%, respectively, of which the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.627). The cumulative rate per patient was 38.59% for clinical pregnancy and 31.03% for live birth, and approximately 98% of the pregnancies occurred in the first 3 cycles of IUI.

Conclusion

PCOS women with different attempts of OI cycles had similar pregnancy outcomes after IUI, thus a history of repeated failures of OI treatments was not a predictive factor for the pregnancy outcomes in IUI cycles. Most pregnancies occurred in the first three cycles of IUI, so we strongly recommended three attempts of IUI for PCOS women before they switched to IVF/ICSI. Generally, IUI might be an assist for infertile women with PCOS before IVF/ICSI and might accelerate pregnancy for target women without invasive manipulations.
Increased plasma D-dimer levels may be a promising indicator for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhuang Lei , Yu Chao , Xu Feng , Zhao Li-hua , Wang Xiao-hua , Wang Chun-hua , Ning Li-yan , Zhang Xiu-lin , Zhang Dong-mei , Wang Xue-qin , Su Jian-bin
Published: August 2022

Background

Increased plasma D-dimer levels have been reported to be associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether plasma D-dimer is connected to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

This study was part of a series exploring the potential risks for DPN. All patients were questioned for neurologic symptoms, examined for neurologic signs, and received nerve conduction studies to collect nerve action potential onset latency, amplitude, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Composite Z scores of latency, amplitude, and NCV were calculated. DPN was confirmed as both at least a neurologic symptom/sign and an abnormality of nerve conduction studies. Coagulation function indices, such as plasma D-dimer levels, were also synchronously detected.

Results

We finally recruited 393 eligible patients for this study, of whom 24.7% (n = 97) were determined to have DPN. The plasma D-dimer level was found to be closely associated with the composite Z score of latency, amplitude, and NCV after adjusting for other coagulation function indices and clinical covariates (latency: β = 0.134, t = 2.299, p = 0.022; amplitude: β = –0.138, t = –2.286, p = 0.023; NCV: β = –0.139, t = –2.433, p = 0.016). Moreover, the prevalence of DPN in the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) of the D-dimer level was 15.2%, 15.9%, 26.4%, and 42.7%, respectively (p for trend < 0.001). The corresponding adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs for DPN in D-dimer quartiles were 1, 0.79 (0.21–2.99), 1.75 (0.49–6.26), and 5.17 (1.38–19.42), respectively. Furthermore, the optimal cutoff value of the plasma D-dimer level to discriminate DPN was ≥0.22 mg/L (sensitivity = 67.01%, specificity = 58.78%, and Youden index = 0.26) after analysis by the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusions

Increased plasma D-dimer levels may be a promising indicator for DPN in patients with T2D.
Data-driven classification of prediabetes using cardiometabolic biomarkers: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016
Authors: Jiang Yan , Xia Jinying , Che Caiyan , Wei Yongning
Published: August 2022

Background

Cluster analyses have proposed different prediabetes phenotypes using glycemic parameters, body fat distribution, liver fat content, and insulin sensitivity. We aimed at classifying the subjects with prediabetes using cluster analysis and exploring the associations between prediabetes clusters with hypertension and kidney function.

Methods

Patients with prediabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) underwent comprehensive phenotyping and physical and laboratory variable assessment. We identified six clusters using consensus clustering analysis based on the measurements representing the body fat, glycemic status, pancreatic islet function, blood lipids, and liver function. Differences in the characteristics and prevalence of hypertension, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were compared between clusters.

Results

A total of 4,385 subjects with prediabetes were classified into six clusters of distinctive patterns by manifesting higher or lower levels of certain metabolic parameters in each cluster. Subjects with prediabetes in cluster 1 had the lowest prevalence of hypertension, decreased eGFR, and increased ACR, whereas these were much higher in cluster 5 and cluster 6. Except for cluster 3, all the other clusters had significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of hypertension as compared with cluster 1. Compared with cluster 1, all the other clusters presented significantly increased ORs of decreased eGFR. There were also significantly higher ORs of increased ACR for cluster 5 (OR 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–3.51) and cluster 6 (OR 2.02, 95%CI = 1.15–3.52) compared with cluster 1.

Conclusion

We stratified subjects with prediabetes into six subgroups with different characteristics. With further development and validation, such approaches might guide early intervention on the risk factors for the subjects with prediabetes who would benefit most.
Postoperative water and electrolyte disturbances after extended endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery
Authors: Canelo Moreno Juan Manuel , Dios Fuentes Elena , Venegas Moreno Eva , Remón Ruíz Pablo Jesús , Muñoz Gómez Cristina , Piñar Gutiérrez Ana , Cárdenas Valdepeñas Eugenio , Kaen Ariel , Soto Moreno Alfonso
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Water and electrolyte disturbances are common after pituitary surgery and can generally be classified into transient hypotonic polyuria and transient or permanent diabetes insipidus (DI). The prevalence varies in the literature between 31-51% for transient hypotonic polyuria, 5.1-25.2% for transient DI, and 1-8.8% for permanent DI.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of water and electrolyte disturbances with polyuria and the preoperative and postoperative predictive factors in patients undergoing surgery with an extended endoscopic endonasal approach.

Material and methods

This retrospective observational descriptive study included 203 patients with a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma who underwent their first transsphenoidal surgery via the extended endoscopic endonasal approach between April 2013 and February 2020. The diagnosis of water and electrolyte disturbances was based on the criterion for polyuria (>4 ml/kg/h). Postoperative polyuria was defined as those cases diagnosed during the immediate postsurgical period that resolved prior to discharge. Transient DI included all cases with a duration of less than 6 months but still present at hospital discharge, and permanent DI included cases lasting more than 6 months.

Results

The overall prevalence of water and electrolyte disorders was 30.5% (62), and the prevalence of postoperative polyuria was 23.6% (48). The median number of desmopressin doses administered to patients with postoperative polyuria was one dose (interquartile range [IQR] 1-2), and thus the median duration of treatment was 0 days. The median initiation of desmopressin was the second day after surgery (IQR 1-2). The overall prevalence of DI was 6.89%. Among the patients with transient DI, the duration was less than 3 months in three patients (1.47%), and between 3 and 6 months in two (0.98%). Nine patients had permanent DI (4.43%). (4.43%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of electrolyte disturbances in our study was high, although similar to that found in the literature. Most of the cases were transient hypotonic polyuria that resolved within one day. The prevalence of transient DI in our cohort was lower than that described in the literature, while permanent DI was similar.
Implementation of radial basis function network-based maximum power point tracking for a PV-fed high step-up converter
Authors: Bharathidasan Mohan , Indragandhi Vairavasundaram
Published: August 2022

This research offers a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) systems based on neural networks (NNs) and a rapid step-up converter configuration. An improved variable step size-radial basis function network (RBFN) in the NN algorithm is accomplished in the proposed system to track the maximum power point (MPP) with high convergence speed and obtain maximum power with reduced oscillations. Under various irradiance and temperature conditions, the performance of the recommended algorithm was compared to that of particle swarm optimization (PSO), modified perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT technique, artificial neural network (ANN), and multilayer perceptron feed-forward (MPF) NN-based MPPT method. In this system, a new interleaved non-isolated large step-up converter with the coupled inductor technique is suggested to compensate for the discord in PV devices to enable a continuous and independent power flow. The proposed PV-fed converter system is validated under partial shading conditions (PSCs) and uniform solar PV, and the results are experimentally verified with the use of a programmable direct current (DC) source. The obtained results indicate that the proposed converter produces output with high gain, continuous input current, low voltage stress on switches, minimal ripple, high power density, and extensive input and output operations. Finally, a prototype has been implemented to verify the functionality of the presented converter in continuous conduction mode operation with an input voltage range of 20 V and an output voltage of 200 V.
Optimization of long-term fracture conductivity with quartz: An experimental investigation
Authors: Wei Jian-Guang , Wang Xian-Jun , Fu Xiao-Fei , Gong Peng-Qi , Zhou Xiao-Feng , Li Yu-Wei , Yang Ying , Chen Ying-He , Jia Bao , Wu Jie
Published: August 2022

For the purpose of cost management, many companies and research institutions have carried out technical research on the replacement of ceramic with quartz sand as proppant. However, few studies have systematically carried out short-term and long-term conductivity evaluation experiments for quartz sand proppants with different particle sizes. It is urgent to conduct experiments on the conductivity of quartz sand, and optimize the fracturing design based on the experimental results. The conductivity is the key indicator of the fracturing effect. The greater the conductivity, the better the hydraulic fracturing effect, and the longer the effective period, the higher the fracturing benefit. In this study, by evaluating the long-term conductivity of proppant, the influence of the type of quartz sand proppant, proppant particle size and sand paving concentration on the fracture conductivity are studied. Main results show that 1) the proppant performance of quartz sand produced in Chifeng is better than that of produced in Tongliao; 2) The long-term conductivity experiment results show that the conductivity of quartz sand proppant produced in Chifeng is better than that of TL, and under the same sanding concentration and closing pressure, the larger the particle size of the quartz sand, the higher the conductivity, and the greater the decrease in conductivity with the increase of the closing pressure; 3) In the influence of sand paving concentration, when the sand paving concentration is 5 and 7.5 kg/m2, the conductivity increase with the increase of the sand paving concentration.
Research on the effect of green credit on ecological welfare performance: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Ran , Cao Yahui , Wu Kerong , Sun Huaping
Published: August 2022

Achieving high-quality economic development is a crucial feature of China’s new development stage. As an environmental regulation tool by implementing a differentiated credit policy, green credit is an inevitable choice to achieve high-quality economic development. In this paper, ecological welfare performance is used to measure the level of high-quality economic development. And based on the panel data of 30 provinces during 2008–2019, the spatial Durbin model and mediating effect model are used to empirically study the direct and indirect effect of green credit on ecological welfare performance in China. The results show that: (1) China’s ecological welfare performance shows the positive global spatial correlation in the overall spatial scope, with local characteristics of high–high aggregation and low–low aggregation. (2) Green credit can significantly promote the ecological welfare performance of local regions, but has a negative spatial spillover effect on the ecological welfare performance of adjacent regions. (3) Green credit can boost ecological welfare performance by improving technological innovation, industrial structure upgrading, and energy consumption structure. Based on these conclusions, the policy recommendations are put forward.
Spatial spillover effect of industrial structure upgrading on carbon emission intensity: panel data evidences from Beijing, China
Authors: Shi Baoguo , Wang Renwang , Zhe Ru , Zhai Ziqian
Published: August 2022

Applying the panel data of 16 districts in Beijing, China from 2009 to 2020 as the research object, this study measures and analyzes the carbon emission intensity and the level of industrial structure upgrading. Based on the above results, a spatial econometric model is established to analyze the spatial spillover effect of industrial structure upgrading on carbon emission intensity. Conclusions are drawn as follows: (a) In 2009, 2015 and 2020, the carbon emission intensity in most districts of Beijing has decreased, and in some areas even decreased significantly. The upgrading of industrial structure in all districts has been improved (b). According to the results of spatial autocorrelation, the carbon emission intensity in Beijing shows significant positive spatial autocorrelation in 2009 and 2020, while negative spatial autocorrelation in 2015; The upgrading of industrial structure in Beijing shows significant positive spatial autocorrelation in 2009, 2015 and 2020 (c). The regression results of the spatial econometric model show that industrial structure upgrading not only reduces the carbon emission intensity of the region, but also decreases the carbon emission intensity of the surrounding areas.
The impact of government environmental attention on public health: Implications for corporate sustainable development
Authors: Tian Jinfang , Zhang Shu , Wei Xudong , Zhuang Shan , Zhang Mingxuan
Published: August 2022

As major contributors to air pollution, enterprises have a growing impact on the environment, which puts public health at risk and requires urgent government intervention. This study constructs a government environmental attention variable via textual analysis of Chinese government work reports from 2004 to 2017, and examines the impact of government environmental attention on public health. We find that local government environmental attention has a significant and positive impact on public health. Our mechanism analysis suggests that government environmental governance investment acts as an important mediating channel in transferring the impact of government environmental attention on public health. Moreover, we find that the impact of government environmental attention on public health is more pronounced in Central and Western China, in low-openness regions, and after the incorporation of environmental performance in the cadre evaluation system in 2006. Overall, our study links micro-level environmental issues with macro-level governmental behaviors, providing a new perspective for future research on the influencing factors of public health and practical implications for corporate sustainable development.
Protection challenges in seat positions with large rearward adjustment in frontal collisions: An approach using stochastic human body model simulations
Authors: Ressi Felix , Leo Christoph , Klug Corina , Sinz Wolfgang
Published: August 2022

Novel seat positions enabled by self-driving cars have been investigated in various studies in recent years. However, there is little research on the effect of increased rearward seat adjustments. To predict challenges associated with the possibility to move the seat further backwards in the car than currently possible as driver, appropriate methods have to be defined. A detailed human body model, a THUMS v4.1 in particular, tissue-based injury risk evaluation methods, a generic vehicle interior and a Latin hypercube design of experiments taking the variability of real-world crashes into account was established. In a first step, 200 simulations at current representative seat positions and a driving occupant posture were performed. The results were then compared to field data from an accident database to evaluate the accuracy of the method. The predictions exceeded the injury risks for the abdomen, head, and upper extremities, while underestimating the risk for thoracic and lower extremity injuries. A good match was observed for injuries of the neck and spine. In a second step, the 200 simulations were run again, but with the seat adjusted rearwards significantly. In this seat configuration, with the exception of the head and the upper extremities, increased injury risks were predicted for all body regions. The highest increases affected the lower extremities (+28%)—predominantly pelvic fractures—and the neck (+9%). In addition, (partial) submarining occurred in almost 50% of cases with the rearward adjusted seat—as opposed to none in the conventional seat position. The established method could be used in future studies to design safety measures addressing these identified potential safety risks.
An integrative analysis revealing POLD2 as a tumor suppressive immune protein and prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer
Authors: Cong Fengyun , Long Junxian , Liu Jun , Deng Zhixiang , Yan Binli , Liang Cao , Huang Xiaoliang , Liu Jinxin , Tang Weizhong
Published: August 2022

Introduction: POLD2 is an indispensable subunit of DNA polymerase δ, which is responsible for the synthesis of the backward accompanying strand in eukaryotic organisms. Current studies have found an association between POLD2 and the development of a variety of cancers. However, its value in cancer immunotherapy has not been fully established.

Methods: POLD2 expression was analyzed using RNA expression and clinical data from TCGA and GTEx databases. The prognostic impact of POLD2 on tumor patients was analyzed using clinical survival data from TCGA. Gene enrichment analysis was performed using the R package “cluster analyzer” to explore the role of POLD2. We used the TIMER2 database to analyze the relationship between immune cell infiltration and POLD2 expression in TCGA. We downloaded relevant data from TCGA and analyzed the relationship between POLD2 and immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive genes, immune activating genes, chemokines and chemokine receptors.

Results: POLD2 was significantly overexpressed in most tumors compared to normal tissue. High POLD2 expression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, significantly shorter overall survival and progression-free survival. Also, we found that POLD2 expression correlated strongly with immunomodulatory genes, and significantly negatively with most immune checkpoints (PD-L1, CTLA4, TIM3, and CD28). Pathway enrichment analysis suggests that low expression of POLD2 promotes immune regulation-related pathways and high expression promotes metabolic and DNA repair-related pathways. Furthermore, tumor microenvironment analysis suggests that high POLD2 expression inhibits infiltration of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ memory T cells.

Discussion: In conclusion, POLD2 may be a molecular biomarker for pan-cancer prognosis and immunotherapy. It may serve as a potential target for new insights in human tumor prognosis prediction and immunotherapy assessment.
Identification of Four Biomarkers of Human Skin Aging by Comprehensive Single Cell Transcriptome, Transcriptome, and Proteomics
Authors: Mao Rui , Wang Yunying , Wang Fan , Zhou Lei , Yan Sha , Lu Shanshan , Shi Wei , Zhang Yiya
Published: August 2022

Background: Aging is characterized by the gradual loss of physiological integrity, resulting in impaired function and easier death. This deterioration is a major risk factor for major human pathological diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases. It is very important to find biomarkers that can prevent aging.

Methods: Q-Exactive-MS was used for proteomic detection of young and senescence fibroblast. The key senescence-related molecules (SRMs) were identified by integrating transcriptome and proteomics from aging tissue/cells, and the correlation between these differentially expressed genes and well-known aging-related pathways. Next, we validated the expression of these molecules using qPCR, and explored the correlation between them and immune infiltrating cells. Finally, the enriched pathways of the genes significantly related to the four differential genes were identified using the single cell transcriptome.

Results: we first combined proteomics and transcriptome to identified four SRMs. Data sets including GSE63577, GSE64553, GSE18876, GSE85358, and qPCR confirmed that ETF1, PLBD2, ASAH1, and MOXD1 were identified as SRMs. Then the correlation between SRMs and aging-related pathways was excavated and verified. Next, we verified the expression of SRMs at the tissue level and qPCR, and explored the correlation between them and immune infiltrating cells. Finally, at the single-cell transcriptome level, we verified their expression and explored the possible pathway by which they lead to aging. Briefly, ETF1 may affect the changes of inflammatory factors such as IL-17, IL-6, and NFKB1 by indirectly regulating the enrichment and differentiation of immune cells. MOXD1 may regulate senescence by affecting the WNT pathway and changing the cell cycle. ASAH1 may affect development and regulate the phenotype of aging by affecting cell cycle-related genes.

Conclusion: In general, based on the analysis of proteomics and transcriptome, we identified four SRMs that may affect aging and speculated their possible mechanisms, which provides a new target for preventing aging, especially skin aging.
DDX59-AS1 is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in OSCC
Authors: Sun Yang , Zhou Qianrong , Sun Jian , Bi Wei , Li Ruixue , Wu Xingwen , Li Ni , Song Liang , Yang Fei , Yu Youcheng
Published: August 2022

Background: lncRNAs play a critical role in multiple steps of gene regulation associated with tumor progression. However, the engagement of DDX59-AS1, a lncRNA, remains equivocal, particularly in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, the expression of DDX59-AS1 and its association with immune infiltration were investigated, and its prognostic value in OSSC was evaluated.

Methods: OSCC patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression of DDX59-AS1 in OSCC and healthy tissue was compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. The relationship between DDX59-AS1 and clinicopathological features was analyzed using Logistic regression. Gene ontology (GO) terminology analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were utilized to interpret the enrichment pathway and functionality and to quantify the immune cell infiltration of DDX59-AS1. The correlation between survival and DDA59-AS1 was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. The prognostic impact of DDX59-AS1 was predicted by the nomogram based on Cox multivariate analysis.

Results: High expression of DDX59-AS1 was significantly correlated with T stage, clinical stage, race, and age (p < 0.05). Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated that the high expression of DDX59-AS1 was associated with lower overall and specific survival rates. The prognosis prediction was validated by the nomogram and calibration curves. The expression of DDX59-AS1 was negatively correlated with Mast cells, Tfh, T cells, Treg, and B cells, and positively related with the Tgd infiltration level.

Conclusion: DDX59-AS1 played a crucial role in the progression and prognosis of OSCC and was potentially a predictive biomarker for OSCC.
CircSMARCA5: A key circular RNA in various human diseases
Authors: Zhu Yi , Huang Gaozhen , Li Shihao , Xiong Hong , Chen Ruiqi , Zuo Ling , Liu Hongwei
Published: August 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are recognized as a novel type of single-stranded endogenous noncoding RNA molecule with the characteristics of tissue specificity, sequence conservation and structural stability. Accumulating studies have shown that circRNAs play a unique biological role in different kinds of diseases. CircRNAs can affect tumor proliferation, migration, metastasis and other behaviors by modulating the expression of downstream genes. CircSMARCA5, an example of a circRNA, is dysregulated in various noninfectious diseases, such as tumors, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that circSMARCA5 is associated with the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors, including gastric cancer, glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, multiple myeloma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and osteosarcoma. Mechanistically, circSMARCA5 primarily acts as a sponge of miRNAs to regulate the expression of downstream genes, and can serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of malignant tumors. This review summarizes the biological roles of circSMARCA5 and its molecular mechanism of action in various diseases. Moreover, the meta-analysis of some publications showed that the expression of circSMARCA5 was significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients and tumor TNM stage, showing that circSMARCA5 has the potential to be a prognostic marker.
Knowledge structure and emerging trends in the application of deep learning in genetics research: A bibliometric analysis [2000–2021]
Authors: Zhang Bijun , Fan Ting
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Deep learning technology has been widely used in genetic research because of its characteristics of computability, statistical analysis, and predictability. Herein, we aimed to summarize standardized knowledge and potentially innovative approaches for deep learning applications of genetics by evaluating publications to encourage more research.

Methods: The Science Citation Index Expanded TM (SCIE) database was searched for deep learning applications for genomics-related publications. Original articles and reviews were considered. In this study, we derived a clustered network from 69,806 references that were cited by the 1,754 related manuscripts identified. We used CiteSpace and VOSviewer to identify countries, institutions, journals, co-cited references, keywords, subject evolution, path, current characteristics, and emerging topics.

Results: We assessed the rapidly increasing publications concerned about deep learning applications of genomics approaches and identified 1,754 articles that published reports focusing on this subject. Among these, a total of 101 countries and 2,487 institutes contributed publications, The United States of America had the most publications (728/1754) and the highest h-index, and the US has been in close collaborations with China and Germany. The reference clusters of SCI articles were clustered into seven categories: deep learning, logic regression, variant prioritization, random forests, scRNA-seq (single-cell RNA-seq), genomic regulation, and recombination. The keywords representing the research frontiers by year were prediction (2016–2021), sequence (2017–2021), mutation (2017–2021), and cancer (2019–2021).

Conclusion: Here, we summarized the current literature related to the status of deep learning for genetics applications and analyzed the current research characteristics and future trajectories in this field. This work aims to provide resources for possible further intensive exploration and encourages more researchers to overcome the research of deep learning applications in genetics.
Differential expression of HAVCR2 gene in pan-cancer: A potential biomarker for survival and immunotherapy
Authors: Li Hetong , Yang Dinglong , Hao Min , Liu Hongqi
Published: August 2022

T-cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM-3) has emerged as a promising immune checkpoint target in cancer therapy. However, the profile of the hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2) gene, encoding TIM-3 expression, is still obscure, along with its role in cancer immunity and prognosis. This study comprehensively analyzed HAVCR2 expression patterns in pan-cancer and underlined its potential value for immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy. Our results displayed that HAVCR2 was differentially expressed and closely corresponded to survival status in pan-cancer. More importantly, the HAVCR2 expression level was also significantly related to cancer immune infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, and immune marker genes. Enrichment analyses implicated HAVCR2-associated terms in cancer, including immunity, metabolism, and inflammation. Our study demonstrated that HAVCR2 could participate in differing degrees of immune infiltration in tumorigenesis. The highlights of the HAVCR2 pathway revealed that TIM-3 could function as both a biomarker and clinical target to improve the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy.
Menstrual irregularity and its associated factors among college students in Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Mittiku Yohannes Moges , Mekonen Haile , Wogie Girma , Tizazu Michael Amera , Wake Getu Engida
Published: August 2022

Background

Menstrual irregularity can occur at any age, but it is most common among women under the age of 23 years. Menstrual irregularity is a foremost gynecological problem and a cause of anxiety to students and those close to them. These students experience monthly absenteeism, premenstrual symptoms, and a lack of concentration due to menstrual problems, all of which interfere with their education. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of menstrual irregularity and associated factors among college students in Debre Berhan Town, North Shewa, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, in 2021.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2021 in Debre Berhan town. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires in 420 eligible female college students by systematic random sampling technique. Weight and height were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated after data collection. Each questionnaire was checked for completeness, cleaned, coded, entered into EPI-DATA, and then transported to SPSS software. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the association of each independent variable with the dependent variable. P ≤ 0.05 were used to declare association and select predictors.

Results

In the current study, 395 students participated with a response rate of 93.6%. Of all the total respondents, the magnitude of menstrual cycle irregularity was 33.4% (95% CI 28.6–38.2). Age < 20 years old [AOR = 3.88, 95% CI (1.25–12.18)], age of menarche ≤ 12 years [AOR = 4, 95% CI (1.18–13.9), sleeping hours ≤ 5 h [AOR= 2.26, 95% CI (1.04–4.93)], perceived stress [AOR = 2, 95% CI (1.53–3.23)] and being overweight [AOR = 2, 95% CI (1.13–3.23) were the variables significantly associated with the magnitude of menstrual irregularity.

Conclusion and recommendation

This study shows that more than one-third of the college students in Debre Berhan town have experienced menstrual irregularity. Being less than 20 years old, having a history of early menarche, being overweight, and perceived stress were a variable significantly associated with menstrual irregularity. To control menstrual irregularity, girls should control their weight and lead a healthy lifestyle, including getting adequate sleep which could be aided by training on time management.