bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Firearm Injuries during Pregnancy in the USA
Authors: Luster Taylor , Loder Randall T.
Published: July 2023

Trauma during pregnancy is the leading cause of non-pregnancy-related maternal deaths, with some due to injuries from firearms. It was the purpose of this study to characterize the patterns and presentations of firearm-associated injuries in pregnant women using a national emergency department visit database. Data from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research Firearm Injury Surveillance Study 1993–2020 were utilized. The data include age, sex, race, type of firearm, perpetrator of injury, intent of injury (unintentional, assault, suicide, or law enforcement), anatomic location of the injury, incident locale, disposition from the emergency department (ED), and whether the patient was shot or not with the firearm. Of the 3.36 million ED visits over this time span for firearm injuries, 4410 were pregnant women. The mean age of the pregnant cohort was 23.6 years, with more Hispanic and fewer White women in the pregnant group compared to the non-pregnant cohort. Pregnant women were more likely to experience an injury involving the lower trunk and had a higher percentage of fatalities and hospital admissions compared to the non-pregnant cohort. Fetal demise occurred in at least 70% of cases. Nearly one half of the assaults (44%) occurred on Saturdays and Sundays. As the cause of these injuries is complex, prevention will require input from multiple sources, including health care providers, social agencies, government agencies, elected officials, and law enforcement.
Clinico-Pathological Features and Immunohistochemical Comparison of p16, p53, and Ki-67 Expression in Muscle-Invasive and Non-Muscle-Invasive Conventional Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma
Authors: Hasan Abdulkarim , Mohammed Yasien , Basiony Mostafa , Hanbazazh Mehenaz , Samman Abdulhadi , Abdelaleem Mohamed Fayek , Nasr Mohamed , Abozeid Hesham , Mohamed Hassan Ismail , Faisal Mahmoud , Mohamed Eslam , Ashmawy Diaa , Tharwat Mohamed , Morsi Deaa Fekri , Farag Abeer Said , Ahmed Eman Mohamed , Aly Noha M. , Abdel-Hamied Hala E. , Salama Doaa E. A. , Mandour Essam
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The identification of bladder detrusor muscle invasion in urothelial cancer is essential for prognosis and management. We studied the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical expression of p16, p53, and Ki-67 in urothelial detrusor muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and urothelial non-detrusor muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in Egyptian patients. Methods: Sixty-two bladder urothelial cancer cases obtained through TURBT were included and divided into two groups: (MIBC, stage T2) and NMIBC (T1). Tissue blocks were recut and re-examined microscopically; then, the immunostaining of p16, p53, and Ki-67 was performed to compare both groups and evaluate the 13% cut-off for Ki-67, 20% for p53, and p16 intensity in various conditions aided by telepathology technology. Results and conclusion: Hematuria was the main clinical first presentation, with no significant difference between either group. The mean age was 61.6 years, with male predominance (52 males and 10 females). The absence of papillary histological pattern was associated with a higher stage, including detrusor muscle invasion (p = 0.000). The overall average percent of p53 immunostaining was 12.9%, revealing no significant difference between MIBC and NMIBC when a cut-off of 20% was implicated. The Ki-67 expression was correlated with higher grade and muscle invasion; however, no association was found with the other two markers’ expression. The negative immunostaining of p16 was associated with low grade and NMIBC in the case of the preservation of the papillary pattern. We recommend further studies on the cut-off of widely used markers and more immunohistochemical and genetic studies on the p16(INK4A), taking into consideration the histological pattern of conventional carcinomas.
Preparation and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Mo/N Co-Doped TiO2 Nanotube Array Films
Authors: Ding Yaoxin , Xue Danni , Yu Hanzhou , Shen Jie
Published: July 2023

Mo/N co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films were obtained by a combination of magnetron sputtering and anodization. The influences of doping concentration and nanotube morphology on the structure, morphology, elemental composition, light-absorption capacity, and optoelectronic properties of TiO2 nanotubes were studied. The findings revealed that Mo was primarily incorporated into the TiO2 lattice in the Mo6+ valence state, while N was mainly embedded into the lattice as interstitial atoms. It was observed that when the sputtering power was 35 W for TiN target and 150 W for Mo-Ti target, the Mo/N co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films exhibited the best photovoltaic performance with a photogenerated current of 0.50 µA/cm2, which was 5.5 times of that of Mo-doped TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency observed in Mo/N co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films can be ascribed to three main factors: an increase in the concentration of photogenerated electrons and holes, a reduction in the band gap width, and intense light absorption within the visible spectrum.
Effect of Polyethyleneimine Cationic Surfactant on Morphology and Corrosion Resistance of Electrodeposited Ni-Co-SiC Composite Coatings
Authors: Kan Hongmin , Wang Wenxin , Meng Yuanyuan
Published: July 2023

Ni-Co-SiC composite coatings were prepared by modified watt-type plating solution with 40 nm SiC particles. The effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI) on the dispersion of SiC nanoparticles and the hardness and corrosion resistance of Ni-Co-SiC coatings were studied. The electrode reaction process was measured by cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that when the PEI concentration was 0.06 g/L, the peak current was the highest. SiC distribution in Ni-Co-SiC coatings was relatively uniform and the coating was flat and dense. With the increase in PEI concentration, the hardness and corrosion resistance showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The hardness and corrosion resistance were at their best with 0.06 g/L PEI. Pretreatment effectively avoided the competitive adsorption of surfactant and other additives on the surface of SiC particles. PEI was preferentially adsorbed on the surface of SiC particles by pretreatment. Steric resistance was formed, which inhibited the agglomeration of nanoparticles and make SiC particles more evenly dispersed into the coating. The hardness was significantly increased by 119.26 Hv, and the corrosion resistance improved accordingly.
Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Several Metal-Based Complexes with Two Widely Used Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics: Lomefloxacin and Pefloxacin Drugs
Authors: Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Bhat Mashooq A. , Eskandrani Razan , Alotaibi Fatimah A. , Refat Moamen S. , Adam Abdel Majid A.
Published: July 2023

Lomefloxacin (F1) and pefloxacin (F2) have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we investigated the complexation mode, morphological, and biological properties of four metal-based complexes of F1 and F2 molecules with Mg(II), Ca(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) metal ions. These complexes were prepared at ~60–70 °C in a neutral medium using a 5% NH3 solution at ph ~7–8 with a 1:1 ratio. Multiple physicochemical methods were employed to characterize the binding mode between F1 and F2 with the metal ions under investigation. The results of these methods suggested that the gross formula of the complexes obtained with the metal ions were [mgf1(H2O)Cl]⋅2H2O, [caf1(H2O)Cl]⋅3H2O, [znf1(H2O)Cl], [fef1(H2O)2Cl2]⋅Cl⋅2H2O, [mgf2(H2O)Cl]⋅2H2O, [caf2(H2O)Cl]⋅3H2O, [znf2(H2O)Cl], and [fef2(H2O)2Cl2]⋅Cl⋅2H2O. The microscopic characterizations indicated that the Ca(II)-F1 complex had an interesting surface topography. Its particles had a homogenous, short, rod-like shaped structure that clustered together to form a tree shape. Using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion protocol, the synthesized metal-based complexes were screened in vitro against different gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial and fungal species. The antimicrobial profile of the Fe(III)-F1 complex indicated that it had remarkable inhibitory activity against all the tested bacterial and fungal species with a potency equal to that of the standard drugs (streptomycin and ketoconazole).
Compounds with Polar Metallic Bonding—Reloaded
Authors: Hoch Constantin
Published: July 2023

In June 2019 the first volume of a Special Edition of Crystals with the subject Compounds with Polar Metallic Bonding was presented [...]
Effects of Fe and Ni Doping on the Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4
Authors: Yang Xiufan , Qin Xinmao , Yan Wanjun , Zhang Chunhong , Zhang Dianxi
Published: July 2023

This study evaluated the electronic structure and optical properties of Fe-doped, Ni-doped, and (Fe,Ni)-co-doped Cu2ZnSnS4 through the first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave method based on density functional theory. The results indicated that Fe single-doping and Ni single-doping Cu2ZnSnS4 can reduce the charge transfer number of adjacent S atoms, enhancing covalent bonding in Fe–S and Ni–S bonds and reducing the bond length, lattice constants a and c, and unit cell volume v. The formation energies for Fe-doping, Ni-doping, and (Fe,Ni)-co-doping were 1.0 eV, 0.58 eV, and 0.78 eV, respectively. Both Fe and Ni-doping introduced 3d electrons near the Fermi level, resulting in new impurity levels and a gradual decrease in the band gap of Cu2ZnSnS4 from 0.16 eV. The conduction band density of Cu2ZnSnS4 was primarilycontributed by Sn 5s, Sn 5p, and a portion of S 3p orbital electrons, whereas the valence band density mainly stemmed from Cu 3d, Sn 5p, and S 3p orbital electrons. Fe and Ni-doping also partly contributed to the 3d layer electrons. In the case of (Fe,Ni)-co-doping, the maximum static dielectric constant was 100.49, and the dielectric peak shifted toward the low-energy direction in the presence of both Fe and Ni. Within the visible light range, Fe-doping, Ni-doping, and (Fe,Ni)-co-doping in Cu2ZnSnS4 exhibited absorption coefficients greater than 104 cm−1, with the maximum absorption coefficient being 1.6 × 105 cm−1 in the case of (Fe,Ni)-co-doping. In the energy range from 1.5 to 6.3 eV, the reflectivity of Cu2ZnSnS4 doped with Fe, Ni, or both was lower than 30%. Notably, a high conductivity peak at 1.9 eV indicated that Cu2ZnSnS4 possesses good photoconductivity in the visible range. Fe-doping and Ni-doping resulted in a slight shift of the conductance peak position towardthe low-energy direction, accompanied by an increase in the peak value.
Modulation of Neurotransmitter Pathways and Associated Metabolites by Systemic Silencing of Gut Genes in C. elegans
Authors: Shukla Shikha , Saxena Ankit , Shukla Sanjeev K. , Nazir Aamir
Published: July 2023

The gut is now recognized as the “second brain” of the human body due to its integral role in neuronal health and functioning. Although we know that the gut communicates with the brain via immunological factors, microbial metabolites, and neurotransmitters, the interplay of these systems remains poorly understood. To investigate this interplay, we silenced 48 genes that are exclusively or primarily expressed in the C. elegans intestine. We studied the associated effects on various aspects of neurodegeneration, including proteotoxicity induced by α-Syn expression. We also assayed behaviours, such as mobility and cognition, that are governed by various neurotransmitters. We identified nine gut genes that significantly modulated these events. We further performed HR-MAS NMR-based metabolomics to recognize the metabolic variability induced by the respective RNAi conditions of R07E3.1, C14A6.1, K09D9.2, ZK593.2, F41H10.8, M02D8.4, M88.1, C03G6.15 and T01D3.6. We found that key metabolites such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, inosine, and glutamine showed significant variation among the groups. Gut genes that demonstrated neuroprotective effects (R07E3.1, C14A6.1, K09D9.2, and ZK593.2) showed elevated levels of inosine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine; whereas, genes that aggravated neurotransmitter levels demonstrated decreased levels of the same metabolites. Our results shed light on the intricate roles of gut genes in the context of neurodegeneration and suggest a new perspective on the reciprocal interrelation of gut genes, neurotransmitters, and associated metabolites. Further studies are needed to decipher the intricate roles of these genes in context of neurodegeneration in greater detail.
EML4-ALK Gene Mutation Detected with New NGS Lung Cancer Panel CDx Using Sputum Cytology in a Case of Advanced NSCLC
Authors: Morikawa Kei , Kinoshita Kohei , Matsuzawa Shin , Kida Hirotaka , Handa Hiroshi , Inoue Takeo , Nakamura Seiji , Sato Yoshiharu , Mineshita Masamichi
Published: July 2023

The detection of driver gene mutations has become essential for lung cancer; however, insufficient sample sizes make gene panel tests difficult to use. We previously reported that the lung cancer compact panel TM (LCCP) could detect EGFR and MET gene mutations with sputum cytology. To date, the detection of gene mutation using RNA from sputum samples is considered practically difficult. We report a case in which the EML4-ALK fusion gene was successfully detected from a sputum sample using the LCCP that was just released in Japan as a new next-generation sequencing lung cancer panel, CDx.
Proteomic Alteration in the Progression of Multiple Myeloma: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ismail Nor Hayati , Mussa Ali , Al-Khreisat Mutaz Jamal , Mohamed Yusoff Shafini , Husin Azlan , Johan Muhammad Farid
Published: July 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy. Most MM patients are diagnosed at a late stage because the early symptoms of the disease can be uncertain and nonspecific, often resembling other, more common conditions. Additionally, MM patients are commonly associated with rapid relapse and an inevitable refractory phase. MM is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow. During the progression of MM, massive genomic alterations occur that target multiple signaling pathways and are accompanied by a multistep process involving differentiation, proliferation, and invasion. Moreover, the transformation of healthy plasma cell biology into genetically heterogeneous MM clones is driven by a variety of post-translational protein modifications (PTMs), which has complicated the discovery of effective treatments. PTMs have been identified as the most promising candidates for biomarker detection, and further research has been recommended to develop promising surrogate markers. Proteomics research has begun in MM, and a comprehensive literature review is available. However, proteomics applications in MM have yet to make significant progress. Exploration of proteomic alterations in MM is worthwhile to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of MM and to search for new treatment targets. Proteomics studies using mass spectrometry (MS) in conjunction with robust bioinformatics tools are an excellent way to learn more about protein changes and modifications during disease progression MM. This article addresses in depth the proteomic changes associated with MM disease transformation.
An Improved Multimodal Medical Image Fusion Approach Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cross-Correlation
Authors: Haribabu Maruturi , Guruviah Velmathi
Published: July 2023

Multimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) is the process of merging different modalities of medical images into a single output image (fused image) with a significant quantity of information to improve clinical applicability. It enables a better diagnosis and makes the diagnostic process easier. In medical image fusion (MIF), an intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) plays a role in enhancing the quality of the image, which is useful for medical diagnosis. In this article, a new approach to intuitionistic fuzzy set-based MMIF has been proposed. Initially, the input medical images are fuzzified and then create intuitionistic fuzzy images (IFIs). Intuitionistic fuzzy entropy plays a major role in calculating the optimal value for three degrees, namely, membership, non-membership, and hesitation. After that, the IFIs are decomposed into small blocks and then perform the fusion rule. Finally, the enhanced fused image can be obtained by the defuzzification process. The proposed method is tested on various medical image datasets in terms of subjective and objective analysis. The proposed algorithm provides a better-quality fused image and is superior to other existing methods such as PCA, DWTPCA, contourlet transform (CONT), DWT with fuzzy logic, Sugeno’s intuitionistic fuzzy set, Chaira’s intuitionistic fuzzy set, and PC-NSCT. The assessment of the fused image is evaluated with various performance metrics such as average pixel intensity (API), standard deviation (SD), average gradient (AG), spatial frequency (SF), modified spatial frequency (MSF), cross-correlation (CC), mutual information (MI), and fusion symmetry (FS).
Intraoperative MRI Assessment of the Tissue Damage during Laser Ablation of Hypothalamic Hamartoma
Authors: Lombardi Sophie , Tortora Domenico , Picariello Stefania , Sudhakar Sniya , De Vita Enrico , Mankad Kshitij , Varadkar Sophia , Consales Alessandro , Nobili Lino , Cooper Jessica , Tisdall Martin M. , D’Arco Felice
Published: July 2023

Laser ablation for treatment of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a minimally invasive and effective technique used to destroy hamartomatous tissue and disconnect it from the functioning brain. Currently, the gold standard to evaluate the amount of tissue being “burned” is the use of heat maps during the ablation procedure. However, these maps have low spatial resolution and can be misleading in terms of extension of the tissue damage. The aim of this study is to use different MRI sequences immediately after each laser ablation and correlate the extension of signal changes with the volume of malacic changes in a long-term follow-up scan. During the laser ablation procedure, we imaged the hypothalamic region with high-resolution axial diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and T2-weighted images (T2WI) after each ablation. At the end of the procedure, we also added a post-contrast T1-weighted image (T1WI) of the same region. We then correlated the product of the maximum diameters on axial showing signal changes (acute oedema on T2WI, DWI restriction rim, DWI hypointense core and post-contrast T1WI rim) with the product of the maximum diameters on axial T2WI of the malacic changes in the follow-up scan, both as a fraction of the total area of the hamartoma. The area of the hypointense core on DWI acquired immediately after the laser ablation statistically correlated better with the final area of encephalomalacia, while the T2WI, hyperintense oedema, DWI rim and T1WI rim of enhancement tended to overestimate the encephalomalacic damage. In conclusion, the use of intraoperative sequences (in particular DWI) during laser ablation can give surgeons valuable information in real time about the effective heating damage on the hamartomatous tissue, with better spatial resolution in comparison to the thermal maps.
Faecal Immunochemical Testing to Detect Colorectal Cancer in Symptomatic Patients: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Authors: Rahman Farzana , Trivedy Mihir , Rao Christopher , Akinlade Funmi , Mansuri Ahmer , Aggarwal Atul , Laskaratos Faidon-Marios , Rajendran Nirooshun , Banerjee Saswata
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: NHS England recommended faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for symptomatic patients in June 2020 to rationalise limited diagnostic services during COVID-19. (2) Aim: to investigate the diagnostic performance of FIT, analysing the proportion of FIT-negative colorectal cancers (CRC) missed in symptomatic patients and how this risk could be mitigated. (3) Design and Setting: a retrospective study of biochemistry and cancer databases involving patients referred from primary healthcare with suspected CRC to a single secondary care trust in North East London. (4) Methods: a retrospective cohort diagnostic accuracy study was undertaken to determine the performance of FIT for detecting CRC at 10 µgHb/g. (5) Results: between January and December 2020, 7653 patients provided a stool sample for FIT analysis; 1679 (22%) samples were excluded due to inadequate or incorrect specimens; 48% of suspected CRC referrals completed FIT before evaluation; 86 FIT tested patients were diagnosed with histologically proven CRC. At 10 µgHb/g, FIT performance was comparable with the existing literature with a sensitivity of 0.8140 (95% CI 0.7189–0.8821), a specificity of 0.7704 (95% CI 0.7595–0.7809), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.04923 (95% CI 0.03915–0.06174), a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.9965 (95% CI 0.9943–0.9978), and a likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.545; 16 patients with CRC had an FIT of ≤10 µgHb/g (18.6% 95% CI 11.0–28.4%). (6) Conclusions: this study raises concerns about compliance with FIT testing and the incidence of FIT-negative CRC at the NICE recommended threshold and how this risk can be mitigated without colonic imaging. Whilst FIT may have facilitated prioritisation during COVID-19, we must be cautious about using FIT alone to determine which patients are referred to secondary care or receive further investigation.
Beyond Visual Interpretation: Quantitative Analysis and Artificial Intelligence in Interstitial Lung Disease Diagnosis “Expanding Horizons in Radiology”
Authors: Rea Gaetano , Sverzellati Nicola , Bocchino Marialuisa , Lieto Roberta , Milanese Gianluca , D’Alto Michele , Bocchini Giorgio , Maniscalco Mauro , Valente Tullio , Sica Giacomo
Published: July 2023

Diffuse lung disorders (DLDs) and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are pathological conditions affecting the lung parenchyma and interstitial network. There are approximately 200 different entities within this category. Radiologists play an increasingly important role in diagnosing and monitoring ILDs, as they can provide non-invasive, rapid, and repeatable assessments using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). HRCT offers a detailed view of the lung parenchyma, resembling a low-magnification anatomical preparation from a histological perspective. The intrinsic contrast provided by air in HRCT enables the identification of even the subtlest morphological changes in the lung tissue. By interpreting the findings observed on HRCT, radiologists can make a differential diagnosis and provide a pattern diagnosis in collaboration with the clinical and functional data. The use of quantitative software and artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances the analysis of ILDs, providing an objective and comprehensive evaluation. The integration of “meta-data” such as demographics, laboratory, genomic, metabolomic, and proteomic data through AI could lead to a more comprehensive clinical and instrumental profiling beyond the human eye’s capabilities.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Kawasaki Disease—Evolution and Pathogenic Mechanisms
Authors: Nadig Pallavi , Joshi Vibhu , Pilania Rakesh , Kumrah Rajni , Kabeerdoss Jayakanthan , Sharma Saniya , Suri Deepti , Rawat Amit , Singh Surjit
Published: July 2023

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of childhood that affects the medium vessels with a special predilection to the involvement of coronary arteries. The major morbidity of this disease is due to coronary artery aneurysm, which occurs in about 25–30% of untreated cases. For decades now, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has consistently been shown to reduce the risk of CAAs to less than 5%. However, the mechanism of immunomodulation remains unclear. Several studies on the role of IVIg in the modulation of toll-like receptor pathways, autophagy, and apoptosis of the mononuclear phagocytic system, neutrophil extracellular trap, and dendritic cell modulation suggest a modulatory effect on the innate immune system. Similarly, certain studies have shown its effect on T-cell differentiation, cytokine release, and regulatory T-cell function. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory actions of IVIg in patients with Kawasaki disease. Furthermore, we provide a summary of the evidence regarding various infusion protocols and dosages utilized in the treatment of KD patients.
Assessment of the Tumor–Stroma Ratio and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Colorectal Cancer: Inter-Observer Agreement Evaluation
Authors: Kazemi Azar , Gharib Masoumeh , Mohamadian Roshan Nema , Taraz Jamshidi Shirin , Stögbauer Fabian , Eslami Saeid , Schüffler Peter J.
Published: July 2023

Background: To implement the new marker in clinical practice, reliability assessment, validation, and standardization of utilization must be applied. This study evaluated the reliability of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) assessment through conventional microscopy by comparing observers’ estimations. Methods: Intratumoral and tumor-front stromal TILs, and TSR, were assessed by three pathologists using 86 CRC HE slides. TSR and TILs were categorized using one and four different proposed cutoff systems, respectively, and agreement was assessed using the intraclass coefficient (ICC) and Cohen’s kappa statistics. Pairwise evaluation of agreement was performed using the Fleiss kappa statistic and the concordance rate and it was visualized by Bland–Altman plots. To investigate the association between biomarkers and patient data, Pearson’s correlation analysis was applied. Results: For the evaluation of intratumoral stromal TILs, ICC of 0.505 (95% CI: 0.35–0.64) was obtained, kappa values were in the range of 0.21 to 0.38, and concordance rates in the range of 0.61 to 0.72. For the evaluation of tumor-front TILs, ICC was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32–0.67), the overall kappa value ranged from 0.24 to 0.30, and the concordance rate ranged from 0.66 to 0.72. For estimating the TSR, the ICC was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.35–0.60), the kappa value was 0.49 and the concordance rate was 0.76. We observed a significant correlation between tumor grade and the median of TSR (0.29 (95% CI: 0.032–0.51), p-value = 0.03). Conclusions: The agreement between pathologists in estimating these markers corresponds to poor-to-moderate agreement; implementing immune scores in daily practice requires more concentration in inter-observer agreements.
Security- and Reliability-Guaranteed Transmission Control of Time-Sensitive Physical Layer Security Systems
Authors: Li Jianye , Dong Yunquan , Pan Chengsheng
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we consider information transmission over a three-node physical layer security system. Based on the imperfect estimations of the main channel and the eavesdropping channel, we propose reducing the outage probability and interception probability by hindering transmissions in cases where the main channel is too strong or too weak, which is referred to as an SNR-gated transmission control scheme. Specifically, Alice gives up its chance to transmit a packet if the estimated power gain of the main channel is smaller than a certain threshold so that possible outages can be avoided; Alice also becomes silent if the estimated power gain is larger than another threshold so that possible interceptions at Eve can be avoided. We also consider the timeliness of the network in terms of the violation probability of the peak age of information (PAoI). We present the outage probability, interception probability, and PAoI violation probability explicitly; we also investigate the trade-off among these probabilities, considering their weight sum. Our numerical and Monte Carlo results show that by using the SNR-gated transmission control, both the outage probability and the interception probability are reduced.
Quartz Origins and Paleoenvironmental Controls on Organic Matter Accumulation of Marine Shale in the Ordovician Wulalike Formation, Northwestern Ordos Basin, China: Significance for Shale Gas Exploration
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Li Rongxi , Xi Shengli , Gao Jianwen , Chen Lei , Huang Hexin , Zhao Bangsheng , Khaled Ahmed
Published: July 2023

The Ordovician Wulalike marine siliceous shale is a notable hydrocarbon source rock in the Northwestern Ordos Basin. However, the causes of quartz and organic matter enrichment are still a mystery to experts. In this study, the organic geochemistry (maceral compositions, Rbitu, and TOC) and elemental geochemistry (major and trace elements) with mineralogy (XRD) and petrography were jointly acquired to systematically investigate the quartz origins and the paleoenvironment, and the main controlling factors for organic matter enrichment in the Wulalike shale. The results show that the organic matter is type I kerogen with low TOC concentrations (average 0.51%), and that the thermal evolution has reached mature and high mature stages (mean Requ is 1.08%). Three types of quartz are developed in Wulalike shale: biogenic quartz (average 63%) is the most dominant, followed by clastic quartz (average 31%) and microcrystalline quartz (average 6%). Babio and Ba/Al values indicate the low paleoproductivity, which is the primary cause for the low TOC found throughout the area. Redox indexes show the anoxic or dysoxic to oxic conditions from the bottom to the top of the section. Paleoclimate and paleowater depth proxies also changed from the bottom to the top. Various paleoenvironments and sedimentological evidence show that Wulalike shale went through the changing environments, and the early sedimentary environments were conducive to organic matter enrichment, leading to a relatively high TOC. The paleoproductivity and preservation conditions have an impact on organic matter enrichment. Based on the results of biogenic quartz distribution and sedimentary environments, it is considered that the bottom of the Wulalike Formation is the most favorable for shale gas exploration and development.
A Novel Ensemble Model Based on an Advanced Optimization Algorithm for Wind Speed Forecasting
Authors: Wang Yukun , Zhao Aiying , Wei Xiaoxue , Li Ranran
Published: July 2023

Concerning the vision of achieving carbon neutral and peak carbon goals, wind energy is extremely important as a renewable and clean energy source. However, existing research ignores the implicit features of the data preprocessing technique and the role of the internal mechanism of the optimization algorithm, making it difficult to achieve high-accuracy prediction. To fill this gap, this study proposes a wind speed forecasting model that combines data denoising techniques, optimization algorithms, and machine learning algorithms. The model discusses the important parameters in the data decomposition technique, determines the best parameter values by comparing the model’s performance, and then decomposes and reconstructs the wind speed time series. In addition, a novel optimization algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the machine learning algorithm using a waiting strategy and an aggressive strategy to improve the effectiveness of the model. Several control experiments were designed and implemented using 10-min wind speed data from three sites in Penglai, Shandong Province. Based on the numerical comparison results and the discussion of the proposed model, it is concluded that the developed model can obtain high accuracy and reliability of wind speed prediction in the short term relative to other comparative models and can have further applications in wind power plants.
Convolutional Autoencoder-Based Anomaly Detection for Photovoltaic Power Forecasting of Virtual Power Plants
Authors: Park Taeseop , Song Keunju , Jeong Jaeik , Kim Hongseok
Published: July 2023

Machine learning-based time-series forecasting has recently been intensively studied. Deep learning (DL), specifically deep neural networks (DNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM), are the popular approaches for this purpose. However, these methods have several problems. First, DNN needs a lot of data to avoid over-fitting. Without sufficient data, the model cannot be generalized so it may not be good for unseen data. Second, impaired data affect forecasting accuracy. In general, one trains a model assuming that normal data enters the input. However, when anomalous data enters the input, the forecasting accuracy of the model may decrease substantially, which emphasizes the importance of data integrity. This paper focuses on these two problems. In time-series forecasting, especially for photovoltaic (PV) forecasting, data from solar power plants are not sufficient. As solar panels are newly installed, a sufficiently long period of data cannot be obtained. We also find that many solar power plants may contain a substantial amount of anomalous data, e.g., 30%. In this regard, we propose a data preprocessing technique leveraging convolutional autoencoder and principal component analysis (PCA) to use insufficient data with a high rate of anomaly. We compare the performance of the PV forecasting model after applying the proposed anomaly detection in constructing a virtual power plant (VPP). Extensive experiments with 2517 PV sites in the Republic of Korea, which are used for VPP construction, confirm that the proposed technique can filter out anomaly PV sites with very high accuracy, e.g., 99%, which in turn contributes to reducing the forecasting error by 23%.
Floristic Composition, Structure, and Aboveground Biomass of the Moraceae Family in an Evergreen Andean Amazon Forest, Ecuador
Authors: García-Cox Walter , López-Tobar Rolando , Herrera-Feijoo Robinson J. , Tapia Aracely , Heredia-R Marco , Toulkeridis Theofilos , Torres Bolier
Published: July 2023

The current study determined the floristic composition, structure, and aboveground biomass (AGB) of the individuals of the Moraceae family. This occurred in order to value them as a source of biomass carbon, which itself is dependent on the altitudinal gradient (601–1000 m.a.s.l.) in the evergreen foothill forest of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The study encountered 117 individuals belonging to the Moraceae family, which was grouped into 32 species. Hereby, the most abundant were the genus Ficus sp., with 9.40% relative abundance, Brosimun alicastrum with 6.84%, and Aucleopsis sp. with 5.98%. Forest structural characteristics, such as the horizontal and vertical structure, diameter at breast height (DBH), and the diameter of the tree crown, were considered for the analysis. The horizontal profile determined that the crowns of the species of the Moraceae family cover approximately 16.43% of the upper canopy within the sampling unit area. The trees of the Moraceae family have a carbon capture capacity in the projected AGB per hectare of 35.09 (Mg ha−1), with the Ficus cuatracasana Dugand species being the species with the highest projected capture per hectare, with 15.737 (Mg ha−1). These results highlight the relevance of similar studies assessing the carbon accumulation capacity of species from other families, emphasizing high commercial value species due to their timber resource.
Indicators of the Psychosocial and Physiological Effects of Forest Therapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chun Hae-ryoung , Choi Yoon-Young , Cho Inhyung , Nam Hee-kyoung , Kim Geonwoo , Park Sujin , Cho Sung-il
Published: July 2023

Research on forest therapy and health outcomes is insufficient and involves the limited unification of various health indicators. Information on the natural therapeutic elements of forests and forest-therapy programs is insufficient. We investigated forest-therapy programs, the natural therapeutic elements of the forest environment, and health-outcome measures to standardize the health indicators of forest therapy. A systematic review was conducted on the health outcomes of forest therapy from 2010 to 2021. We summarized natural therapeutic elements and forest-therapy sites, characteristics, and health outcomes. Twenty-nine articles were analyzed. Among them, forest therapies of walking and physical activity were conducted most frequently. Additionally, a positive improvement in general sentiment condition was substantial in all vegetation environments, and a reduction in depression, psychological enhancement, stress alleviation; and an enhancement in the cardiovascular system and the endocrine system occurred in both narrow- and broad-leaved forests. Walking, five-senses stimulation, physical activities, and meditation benefited psychological and physiological outcomes. We evaluated natural therapeutic elements of the forest-environment program and health outcomes. This systematic review can be used as a reference for the planning and operation of forest-therapy programs.
Dynamic Analysis and Control of a Financial System with Chaotic Behavior Including Fractional Order
Authors: Tusset Angelo M. , Fuziki Maria E. K. , Balthazar Jose M. , Andrade Dana I. , Lenzi Giane G.
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the results of investigating the dynamics of an economic system with chaotic behavior and a suboptimal control proposal to suppress the chaotic behavior. Numerical results using phase portraits, bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, and 0-1 testing confirmed chaotic and hyperchaotic behavior. The results also proved the effectiveness of the control, showing errors below 1%, even in cases where the control design is subject to parametric errors. Additionally, an investigation of the system in fractional order is included, demonstrating that the system has periodic, constant, or chaotic behavior for specific values of the order of the derivative.
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 Genotype (ApoE rs429358—ApoE rs7412 Polymorphisms) Is Not Associated with Long COVID Symptoms in Previously Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors
Authors: Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Díaz-Gil Gema , Gómez-Esquer Francisco , Gil-Crujera Antonio , Gómez-Sánchez Stella M. , Ambite-Quesada Silvia , Palomar-Gallego María A. , Pellicer-Valero Oscar J. , Giordano Rocco
Published: July 2023

The role of genetics as a predisposing factor related to an increased risk of developing long COVID symptomatology is under debate. The aim of the current secondary analysis was to identify the association between the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, a gene affecting cholesterol metabolism and previously associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity, and the development of long COVID in a cohort of individuals who had been hospitalized by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from 287 previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. Three genotypes of the ApoE gene (ApoE ε2, ε3, ε4) were obtained based on the combination of ApoE rs429358 and ApoE rs7412 polymorphisms. Participants were asked to self-report the presence of any post-COVID symptom in a face-to-face interview at 17.8 ± 5.2 months after hospital discharge and medical records were obtained. Each participant reported 3.0 (1.9) post-COVID symptoms. Overall, no significant differences in long COVID symptoms were observed depending on the ApoE genotype (ApoE ε2, ApoE ε3, ApoE ε4). The presence of the ApoE ε4 genotype, albeit associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity, did not appear to predispose for the presence of long COVID in our cohort of previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors.
Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota Impairs Gene Expression in Gut-Liver Axis of Mice
Authors: Liu Pu , Zhang Yv , Zhang Zhongyuan , Huang Xiaorong , Su Xiaojie , Yang Shilong , Xie Yongfang
Published: July 2023

Antibiotics can be a double-edged sword. The application of broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to the suppression of microorganisms in the human body without selective targeting, including numerous non-pathogenic microorganisms within the gut. As a result, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can occur. The gut microbiota is a vast and intricate ecosystem that has been connected with various illnesses. Significantly, the gut and liver function in a closely coupled anatomical and physiological relationship referred to as the “gut-liver axis”. Consequently, metabolites stemming from the gut microbiota migrate via the portal vein to the liver, thereby influencing gene expression and proper physiological activity within the liver. This study aimed to investigate the dysbiosis of gut microbiota ecology and the disruption of gene expression resulting from oral antibiotics and their subsequent recovery. In the experiment, mice were tube-fed neomycin (0.5 mg/mL) and ampicillin (1 mg/mL) for 21 days (ABX group) to conduct 16s rRNA sequencing. By simultaneously analyzing public datasets PRJDB6615, which utilized the same antibiotics, it was found that nearly 50% of the total microbiota abundance was attributed to the f__Lactobacillaceae family. Additionally, datasets GSE154465 and GSE159761, using the same antibiotics, were used to screen for differentially expressed genes pre-and post-antibiotic treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to evaluate gene expression levels before and after antibiotic treatment. It was discovered that oral antibiotics significantly disrupted gene expression in the gut and liver, likely due to the dysregulation of the gut microbiota ecology. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was found to be an effective method for restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis. To further enhance the restoration of gut microbiota and gene expression, an antioxidant, vitamin C, was added to the FMT process to counteract the oxidative effect of antibiotics on microorganisms. The results showed that FMTs with vitamin C were more effective in restoring gut microbiota and gene expression to the level of the fecal transplant donor.
A Python Application for Visualizing an Imbricate Thrust System: Palomeque Duplex (SE, Spain)
Authors: Bullejos Manuel , Martín-Martín Manuel
Published: July 2023

This paper introduces a Python application for visualizing an imbricate thrust system. The application uses the traditional geologic information to create an HTML geological map with real topography and a set of geological cross-sections with the essential structural and stratigraphic elements. On the basis of the high geological knowledge gained during the last three decades, the Palomeque sheets affecting the Cenozoic Malaguide succession in the Internal Betic Zone (SE Spain) were selected to show the application. In this area, a Malaguide Cretaceous to Lower Miocene succession is deformed as an imbricate thrust system, with two thrusts forming a duplex, affected later by a set of faults with a main strike-slip kinematic. The modeled elements match well with the design of the stratigraphic intervals and the structures reported in recent scientific publications. This proves the good performance of this Python application for visualizing the structural and stratigraphic architecture. This kind of application could be a crucial stage for future groundwater, mining, and civil engineering management.
Minerva in Colours: First Results on a Polychrome Roman Sculpture from Carnuntum (Pannonia)
Authors: Kremer Gabrielle , Linke Robert , Plattner Georg , Pollhammer Eduard , Brzakovic Marina , Krickl Robert , Silnovic Nirvana , Pitthard Václav
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the first results of a current interdisciplinary research project on the polychromy of Roman provincial stone artefacts in selected areas of the Danubian provinces (PolychroMon). The statuary group of Minerva and the Genius immunium from Carnuntum (Archaeological Museum Carnuntinum inv. CAR-S-48) is dated to the second half of the second century AD and still retains traces of the original polychromy. The aim was to focus on non-invasive techniques and to employ micro-invasive methods for necessary cross-checking and gaining information otherwise not accessible. The investigation revealed that paint was applied on a layer of white lime wash. Additionally, the object shows several traces of Egyptian blue, which was mainly detected in Minerva’s and the Genius’ clothes. Other pigments whose traces were found on the sculpture include green earth, yellow and red ochre, as well as red lead and carbon black. Microscopic analysis confirms the presence of modern-age compounds as well (barium sulphate and zinc oxide) used for modern retouches. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed the use of egg as the major proteinaceous binding medium in the red lead polychromy.
Predictors of Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Persons from Mozambique: The Dual Role of Schooling
Authors: Lufiande Jorge , Silva Susana , Reis Ana Catarina , Guerra Marina Prista
Published: July 2023

Increasing quality of life (QoL) is both an end in itself and a means to optimize the impact of treatment in HIV-infected persons. Possibly due to cultural and social influences, the predictors of QoL vary across studies, highlighting the importance of studying specific populations. In the present study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic (age, sex and schooling, or number of years at school) and psychosocial correlates (meaning in life, social support, positive and negative affects) of QoL in HIV-infected persons living in Mozambique, a country with a high prevalence of HIV but also with well-structured strategies to fight the disease. To that end, we made correlational analyses followed by regression models and examined potential mediation processes among predictors. All correlates were relevant except for sex. Meaning in life was the strongest predictor, while social support was the weakest. Schooling was both directly and indirectly related with QoL—in the latter case, it was mediated by meaning in life, social support and positive affect. Our findings suggest that investments in education may be highly rewarding to Mozambicans, and that satisfying needs for self-actualization and purpose may be more urgent than improving social connections.
The Detection of Mutations and Genotyping of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Isolated from Patients in the Rural Eastern Cape Province
Authors: Faye Lindiwe M. , Hosu Mojisola C. , Oostvogels Selien , Dippenaar Anzaan , Warren Robin M. , Sineke Ncomeka , Vasaikar Sandeep , Apalata Teke
Published: July 2023

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is still a major public health concern in South Africa. Mutations in M. tuberculosis can cause varying levels of phenotypic resistance to anti-TB medications. There have been no prior studies on gene mutations and the genotyping of DR-TB in the rural Eastern Cape Province; hence, we aimed to identify DR-TB mutations, genetic diversity, and allocated lineages among patients in this area. Using Xpert® MTB/RIF, we assessed the rifampin resistance of sputum samples collected from 1157 patients suspected of having tuberculosis. GenoType MTBDR plus VER 2.0 was used for the detection of mutations causing resistance to anti-TB medications. The next step was to spoligotype 441 isolates. The most prevalent rifampin resistance-conferring mutations were in rpoB codon S531L in INH-resistant strains; the katG gene at codon S315TB and the inhA gene at codon C-15TB had the most mutations; 54.5% and 24.7%, respectively. In addition, 24.6% of strains showed mutations in both the rpoB and inhA genes, while 69.9% of strains showed mutations in both the katG and rpoB genes. Heteroresistance was seen in 17.9% of all cases in the study. According to spoligotyping analysis, Beijing families predominated. Investigation of the evolutionary lineages of M. tuberculosis isolates can be carried out using the information provided by the study’s diversity of mutations. In locations wherein these mutations have been discovered, decision-making regarding the standardization of treatment regimens or individualized treatment may be aided by the detection frequency of rpoB, katG, and inhA mutations in various study areas.