bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where do pigeons’ choices come from? Transfer Learning in Spiking Neural Networks for Animal Choices in Behavioral Research
Authors: Plessas Anna , Espinosa-Ramos Josafath Israel , Cowie Sarah , Landon Jason , Parry Dave
Published: February 2023

There is a large body of work in the behavioural psychology literature studying how an organism’s behavior changes in relation to consequences (reinforcement) from the environment. As all behaviors are an outcome of choice, behavioral research focuses on the study of choice behavior. Machine learning (ML) models may assist behavioral research to further understand the mechanisms of choice behavior. However, behavioral psychology datasets can be small and variable, affecting the ML's ability to generalize with new datasets extracted from different populations and/or behavioral experiments and limiting ML's usefulness in this context. Therefore, in this paper, we tested two transfer learning strategies –feature extraction and fine-tuning– to remove the need to retrain ML models for every new dataset. Our approach allowed our state-of-the-art artificial intelligence model to become adaptable to novel instances. Initially, we trained a single spiking neural network (SNN) to identify an organism’s reinforcement history based on five experimental datasets of pigeon binary decision-making. Then we tested two transfer learning strategies by keeping the underlying patterns of the pre-trained SNN the same (i.e., neuron properties and weights) and adapting only the classifier of the outputs (i.e., firing rates) to suit the new datasets. Lastly, we compared the performance of the transfer learning approaches to our baseline SNN model. Our study demonstrated that knowledge gained from a population (baseline model) could be applied to another population’s dataset without retraining the model each time, regardless of which dataset participated in the training or testing of the SNN model. Currently, there is limited use of transfer learning in SNNs and in animal research. Our results may help develop new approaches in the ‘toolbox’ of psychological research to enhance prediction, independent from the dataset, without consuming significant computational resources.
The Purpose of Internet Use and Face-to-Face Communication with Friends and Acquaintances among Older Adults: A JAGES Longitudinal Study
Authors: Chishima Iwao , Nakagomi Atsushi , Ide Kazushige , Shioya Ryunosuke , Saito Masashige , Kondo Katsunori
Published: February 2023

Background
Whether and what type of internet use increases face-to-face communication (FFC) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the mode of internet use that increases the FFC among older adults after three years.
Methods
The participants were 8,734 adults aged 65 years or older who responded to the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) surveys in 2016 and 2019. The exposures were the seven purposes of internet use in 2016, including communication, information search, and financial services. The outcome was the frequency of FFC with friends or acquaintances, more than once per week in 2019. The confounders included 13 variables, including demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. We performed modified Poisson regression analyses to evaluate the association between the purposes of internet use in 2016 and meeting friends or acquaintances more than once per week in 2019. We also analyzed after stratification by the frequency of meeting friends or acquaintances in 2016. We evaluated the number of meetings with friends and acquaintances in the sensitivity analysis.
Results
Internet use for communication was associated with an increased probability of meeting friends or acquaintances more than once a week in 2019 (Cumulative Incidence Ratio:1.08; 95% Confidence Interval = [1.01–1.16]; P = .029). This trend was more noticeable if the frequency of meeting friends or acquaintances was less than once per week in 2016. Internet use for communication is also associated with an increased number of meeting friends or acquaintances.
Conclusions
Internet use for communication in 2016 increased FFC in 2019, especially in the lower frequency of FFC in 2016.
Automated Anomalous Child Repetitive Head Movement Identification through Transformer Networks
Authors: Wedasingha Nushara Deshith , Samarasinghe Pradeepa , Seneviratne Lasantha , Papndrea Michela , Puiatti Alessandro
Published: February 2023

The exponential growth of behavioral disorders among human beings is an increasing concern in the medical community due to a lack of medical resources for early identification of atypical behaviors. Many psychological journals which address behavioral disorders indicate that the most prominent way of puzzling out this problem is to identify behavioral disorder characteristics such as repetitive behaviors in early childhood, and recover through therapy. Even though there are many standards presently used in diagnosing behavioral disorder characteristics, due to a lack of facilities and limited number of professionals in the relevant fields, these traditional standards have failed to cater the increasing number of cases with behavioral disorders. Hence, the need for developing automated approaches to overcome the problems in current systems of diagnosing children with behavioral disorders has arisen from the research community. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop an automated model that analyzes a video to distinguish typical, and atypical repetitive head movements of children while using different learning methods to mitigate issues that affect the performance of the model due to the scarcity of child datasets. In this work, we present a fusion of transformer networks, and Non-deterministic Finite Automata (NFA) techniques, which classify repetitive head movements of a child as typical or atypical based on the analysis of gender, age, the type of the repetitive head movement along with count, duration, and frequency of each repetitive head movement. Different transfer learning methods were experimented to enhance the performance of the model. The experimental results on five datasets: NIR face dataset, Bosphorus 3D face dataset, ASD Dataset, SSBD dataset, and head movements in the wild dataset, corroborate our proposed model has outperformed many state-of-the-art frameworks when distinguishing typical and atypical repetitive head movements of children.
Cognizance and Perception of Physiotherapy Intervention in Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Amongst Clinical Physiotherapy Students in Tertiary Institution, Nigeria
Authors: Okonkwo Uchenna Prosper , Nwose Joy Chinazaekpere , Akosile Christopher Olusanja , Chukwuemeka Uchechukwu Martha , Mbanuzuru Ahaoma Victor , Igwe Emeka Sylvester , Okafor Christiana Nkiru , Ummunah Joseph Onuuwa
Published: February 2023

Objectives: This study examines cognizance and perception of physiotherapy intervention in ADHD amongst clinical physiotherapy students in a tertiary institution and, also, determines the relationship of the study variables on the socio-demographic characteristics.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey and employed a convenient sampling technique to recruit 137 respondents. A cognizance and perception questionnaire was used as the survey instrument to obtain data. Descriptive statistics of frequency, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the socio-demographic characteristic. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship amongst the variables of COG-ADHD, PERCEP-ADHD, COG-PT_ITV, PERCEP-PT_ITV, Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of age and the level of study on the cognizance and perception of ADHD. Variables having a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Result: The majority of the respondents (63.5%) had high cognizance of physiotherapy intervention for ADHD, while, the majority of the respondents (60.6%) had a fair perception of physiotherapy intervention for ADHD. A significant proportion of respondents (26.3%) had no source of information on ADHD before the study. Cognizance of ADHD significantly correlated with perception of ADHD, ADHD, and perception of physiotherapy intervention in ADHD, and cognizance of physiotherapy intervention in ADHD. There were significant positive correlations between gender and cognizance of physiotherapy intervention in ADHD, and between the level of study and perception of ADHD
Conclusion: Respondents' perception of physiotherapy intervention in ADHD was relatively low; in contrast, their cognizance was relatively satisfactory. Strengthening their cognizance and perception is paramount.
Effects of local and systemic metronidazole as adjunctive treatment in chronic periodontitis patients
Authors: Barrouz Maryam Mehravani , Houshyar Ehsan , Jamalnia Sheida , Ghareaghaji Rasul
Published: February 2023

Aim
This study aimed to compare the effects of local and systemic metronidazole in patients with chronic periodontitis.
Materials and methods
In this randomized clinical study, 30 patients (3 teeth per patient) were treated in three groups: SRP treatment alone, metronidazole tablet as adjunctive treatment, and metronidazole gel as adjunctive treatment. BOP (Bleeding on probing), PPD (pocket probing depth), and CAL (clinical attachment level) data were taken at the beginning and three months later. Collected data tested by Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.21.
Results
BOP, CAL, and PPD levels were significantly different at the beginning of treatment and after three months, and this was true for all treatments. BOP, CAL, and PPD levels did not differ significantly between the three groups after the treatment. (p > 0.005).
Conclusion
The effectiveness of these methods was all equal. Accordingly, choosing one of these methods depends on the ease of use, the patient's condition, and the clinician’s opinion.
Clinical relevance:
Chronic Periodontitis is progressive disease wich can cause tooth loss. The accepted treatment is scaling and root planing (SRP). Antibiotics used systemically can penetrate the depth of the periodontal pockets but have several side effects; Hence, using a kind of less complicated medicinal form in the form of a topical gel as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis can be more effective.
Effects of Mindfulness and Holotropic Breathwork on the Rehabilitation of Adolescents Who Use Psychoactive Substances: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sánchez-Quijano Frank , Puerta-Cortés Diana Ximena , Mazorco-Salas Julio Eduardo
Published: February 2023

This pilot study aims to compare the effects of mindfulness and holotropic breathwork treatments on adolescents in the rehabilitation process for psychoactive substance use. Participants comprised 18 female adolescents aged 15–18 admitted to the Fundación Grupo de Apoyo, affiliated with the Colombian Family Welfare Institute. The Fundación is dedicated to rehabilitation from, detoxification from, and prevention of psychoactive substance use. The study utilizes a mixed methods approach with an exploratory design. Heart rate is used as an important indicator of psychological well-being and overall cardiovascular health, and the mean pretest/posttest heart rates of the control and experimental groups are compared quantitatively. The effects of both treatments on the study population are described qualitatively. The results show a reduction in heart rate in the mindfulness group compared to the control. The narratives of the participants and the institution’s workers show positive changes in emotional regulation and coping, better communication, and a reduction in stress and anxiety or the desire to use, as a result of both experimental treatments.
The role of outer membrane protein A in OmpA vaccine was revealed by the analysis of alternative splicing and lncRNA after the Edwardsiella anguillarum infected the immunized European eels (Anguilla anguilla)
Authors: Guo Songlin , Chen Minxia , Wan Qijuan , Li Wanbo , Xu Ming
Published: February 2023

Edwardsiella anguillarumis a common bacterial pathogen mainly infected cultivated eel, and outer membrane protein A (OmpA) emulsified with Freund's adjuvant was evaluated as an effective fishery vaccine. However, the role of solo OmpA in the vaccine have not been explored on the molecular mechanism. In this study, we examined the RNA-seq in the liver of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) post the challenge ofE. anguillarumin eels injected with the OmpA vaccine, Freund's adjuvant, or PBS to elucidate the alternative splicing (AS) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the process ofE. anguillaruminfection and host anti-infection using genome-wide transcriptome. After all eels were challenged byE. anguillarumat 28 d post the injection (dpi), compared to severe pathological changes in the liver of PBS injected eels (Con_inf group), the OmpA immunized eels (OmpA_inf group) showed infiltrated lymphocytes in the liver as well as the Freund's adjuvant inoculated eels (FCIA_inf group) showed slight edema of hepatocytes and blood coagulation. Compared to the Con_inf group, the relative percent survival (RPS) of eels was 77.7% and 44.4% in OmpA_inf and FCIA_inf group. The results of DEGs and DE-transcripts showed 6 samples in the OmpA_inf and FCIA_inf groups were clustered together, which different to 3 samples in the Con_inf group. We found only 35 DEGs between OmpA_inf and FCIA_inf compare to thousands of DEGs in two compares of OmpA_inf vs Con_inf and FCIA_inf Con_inf. GO and KEGG analysis of genes targeted by 37 DE-lncRNAs in co-expression and co-location showed at least 52 GO terms and 2 KEGG pathways were enrichment. The results of AS analysis showed 293 differentially alternative splicing (DAS) genes between OmpA_inf and FCIA_inf were mainly involved in GO terms of catalytic activity, membrane part and biological regulation, and KEGG pathways of signal transduction, immune system and infection disease. Finally, the interaction between proteins expressed by DAS genes and the interaction between DE-lncRNAs and target genes were explored using Cytoscape 3.9.1. The results indicated 66 DAS gene expressed proteins formed total of 50 degrees in 20 networks, and 33 DE-lncRNAs interacted with 194 target genes formed total of 246 and 41 networks in co-expression and co-location. Taken together, after the immunization of OmpA vaccine, compared to Freund's adjuvant inoculation, higher RPS was closely related to DAS genes and DE-lncRNAs in response toE. anguillaruminfection in European eels. The OmpA role in vaccine was firstly revealed through AS genes and lncRNAs, and results of this study are of great significance to the development of fishery subunit vaccines.
Tuned responses to visual short-term memory load in a frontoparietal topographic map hierarchy
Authors: Ackooij Martijn van , Paul Jacob , Helden Joeri van , Hendrikx Evi , Gayet Surya , Stoep Nathan van der , Harvey Ben
Published: February 2023

Visual short-term memory (VSTM), intentionally remembering image features, relies on interacting sensory and executive processes. Sensory processing relies on tuned responses, organized in hierarchical networks of topographic maps. How does the brain distribute responses to task demands across neural populations? We examined neural responses to the number of remembered visual items (VSTM load) using ultra-high field fMRI (7T). We describe neural populations showing tuned responses to VSTM load in an extensive series of topographic maps, hierarchically increasing in VSTM load preferences from posterior sensory to anterior executive areas. These responses are absent when viewing the same stimuli without varying task demands, and appear unrelated to response preferences for visual position and numerosity. These results generalize principles of neural tuning, topographic organization, and hierarchical transformations from sensory encoding to distribution of task demands across neural populations.
Clinical-Radiomics Nomogram for Risk Prediction of Esophageal Fistula in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated by IMRT or VMAT
Authors: Li Zhaohui , Gong Jie , Shi Liu , Li Jie , Yang Zhi , Chai Guangjin , Lyu Bo , Xiang Geng , Wang Bin , Shi Mei , Zhao Yilin , Zhao Lina
Published: February 2023

Background and purpose: To analyze the predictive factors and establish a prediction model of esophageal fistula (EF) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT).
Materials and Methods: Patients with ESCC treated with IMRT or VMAT from 2013 to 2020 in Xijing hospital were retrospectively analyzed. 43 patients with EF and 129 patients without EF were included in the analysis by 1:3 propensity score matching (time of diagnosis, gender). The clinical characters and radiomic features were recorded and extracted. Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses were provided to determine the risk factors associated with EF.
Results: The median follow-up time was 23.96 months (range 1.3-104.9 m), and the median OS of EF patients was 13.1 months. 1158 radiomics features were extracted and 8 radiomics features were selected. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of radiomic signature calculated by selected features for predicting EF was 0.794. Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor length, tumor volume, T stage, lymphocyte rate and grade 4 esophagus stenosis were related to EF, and the AUC value of clinical nomogram for predicting EF was 0.849. The clinical-radiomics nomogram had the best performance in predicting EF with an AUC value of 0.896.
Conclusions: The clinical-radiomics nomogram can predict the risk of EF in ESCC patients and be helpful for individualized treatment of esophageal cancer.
Hysteresis, endogenous growth, and monetary policy
Authors: Amador Sebastian
Published: February 2023

I provide evidence of substantial hysteresis (i.e., a situation in which temporary shocks have long-run effects) from monetary shocks on two sources of endogenous growth; human capital and technological adoption. This contribution is the first to test for the presence of this phenomenon in direct measures of the supply-side potential of economies, instead of indirect measures, e.g., TFP. To estimate the effects of exogenous monetary policy shocks, I improve on the trilemma identification by incorporating a mean-unbiased instrumental variable estimator. Results show substantial hysteresis in both human capital and technological adoption. Importantly, these are found to be asymmetric, as only contractionary shocks result in long lasting responses. I evaluate the aggregate importance of monetary hysteresis with a growth accounting exercise. Across the 17 countries in sample, the accumulated average cost of monetary hysteresis ranges between 1.2 and 9.6% of TFP, for human capital and the adoption of electricity, respectively.
JEL codes: E32, O40, O47.
Unbalanced segmental duplication of W chromosomes in Australian Ridge-tailed goannas
Authors: Dobry Jason , Zhu Zexian , Zhou Qi , Wapstra Erik , Deakin Janine , Ezaz Tariq
Published: February 2023

Sex chromosomes are mostly conserved, but in some cases are variable within species. Varanids are known for conserved sex chromosomes, but there are differences in the size of the W chromosome among species representing varying stages of sex chromosome evolution. We tested for homology of the ZW sex chromosome system in varanids with size differences among four species from two lineages in Australia, the dwarf lineage Odatria and the sand goanna lineage Gouldii, with a combined genomic and cytogenetic approach. We found that while DNA sequences of the sex chromosomes are conserved, a mutation on an enlarged autosomal microchromosome is homologous with the W in some isolated populations of V. acanthurus and V. citrinus from the Odatria lineage. The enlarged microchromosome was unpaired in all individuals tested and is likely an unbalanced segmental duplication translocated from the W to another microchromosome. We also found evidence of an ancient balanced duplication that is also homologous to the W and to the telomeric region of chromosome 2. We conclude the most parsimonious explanation is that the duplicated region likely originated on chromosome 2. We also demonstrated that genes and related DNA sequences have likely originated on an autosome, translocated to the W, accumulated repeats and amplified on the W and then duplicated and translocated to another autosomal microchromosome. Given the role of these duplications as important evolutionary drivers of speciation in other taxa, our findings provide broader insight into the evolutionary pathway leading to rapid chromosomal and genic divergence of species.
Efficient Parallel Memetic Algorithm to Rule Extraction in Data Mining
Authors: Oualid Dahmri , Baba-Ali Ahmed Riadh
Published: February 2023

This is extension of my last publication [1] with more expermetation to explain how I choseed every variable in each algorithm and to present more clear results and discussions. we presents a parallel memetic algorithm (PMA) for solving the classification problem in the process of Data Mining. We focus our interest on accelerating the PMA. In most parallel algorithms, the tasks performed by different processors need access to shared data, this creates a need for communication, which in turn slows the performance of the PMA. In this work, the design of PMA with new replacement approach is presented.. This latter is a hybrid approach that uses both Lamarckian and Baldwinian approaches at the same time in order to reduce the quantity of information exchanged between processors and consequently to improve the speedup of the proposed algorithm. An extensive experimental study performed on the UCI Benchmarks proves the efficiency of the proposed PMA.
A Comparative Study of Robot-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in Treatment of Pulmonary Sequestration in Children
Authors: Liang Liang , Tan Zheng , Huang Ting , Gao Yue , Zhang Jian , Yu Jiangen , Shu Qiang
Published: February 2023

Purpose
This study was performed to compare the application of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pulmonary sequestration (PS) in children.
Methods
Clinical data of 128 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for PS from May 2019 to July 2022 at our institution were reviewed. 62 patients underwent robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS group)，while 66 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS group). There were no significant differences in age, weight, gender, type of PS, preoperative infection and surgical method between the two groups. Aberrant artery was ligated with silk suture or vascular clips and lobectomy, partial lobectomy or sequestrectomy was performed depending on the type of lesion in the two groups. Perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of the RATS.
Results
Neither group had surgical mortality.One case in each group required conversion to thoracotomy (1/62 vs 1/66, P>0.999).The median operation time of the RATS group was 77.5(60.0,111.3) minutes, while the VATS group was 60.0(40.0,75.0)minutes which had a significant difference (P<0.001) between the two groups.However, RATS was associated with less intraoperative bleeding [2.0(1.0, 2.0) ml vs 5.0(2.0, 5.0)ml, P <0.001], shorter postoperative duration [5.0(4.0, 6.0)days vs 6.0(5.0, 7.0)days, P<0.001] and shorter drainage days [1.0(0.8, 1.3)days vs 2.0(1.0, 3.0)days, P<0.001] compared with VATS. No significant difference was found for postoperative complications (hydrothorax and pneumothorax) incidence between two groups.
Conclusion
Although there was limitation of application of RATS in low-age, low-weight infants, RATS was a feasible and safe approach for pediatric patients with PS over 6 months and more than 7kg in weight. Furthermore, due to the enhanced vision and hand-wrist control, RATS had some advantages over VATS with less intraoperative blood loss and shorter postoperative drainage time and hospital duration.
Pan-Cancer Analysis of TASL: A Novel Immune Infiltration-Related Biomarker for Tumor Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response Prediction
Authors: Li Huanyu , Sun Xiaoyu , Zhao Yanyun , Zhang Changzhu , Jiang Kai , Ren Jie , Xing Lijuan , He Miao
Published: February 2023

Background New immunotherapeutic strategies based on predictors are urgently needed. Toll-like receptor adaptor interacting with SLC15A4 on the lysosome (TASL) was recently confirmed to fulfill an important role in the innate immune response. However, whether TASL was involved in tumor immunotherapy response prediction has not been reported.
Methods TCGA and GTEx were used to yield transcriptional, genetic, and epigenetic levels of TASL in 33 cancer types. CIBERSORT was used to explore the correlation between TASL expression and multiple immune-related signatures and tumor-infiltrating immune cell content in different cancer types. The ability of TASL to predict tumor immunotherapy response was analyzed in seven datasets. Finally, we tested TASL expression in human glioma cell lines and tissue samples and analyzed its correlation with clinicopathological parameters.
Results TASL is widely heterogeneous at the transcriptional, genetic, and epigenetic levels. High TASL expression is an independent poor prognostic factor for immune “cold” tumor Low-Grade Glioma (LGG) but an opposite factor for “hot” tumors Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM). TASL may affect tumor immune infiltration by mediating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages. It may differentially affect the prognosis of the three cancers by regulating the immunosuppressive microenvironment in LGG and the immunostimulatory microenvironment in LUAD and SKCM. High TASL expression is a potential biomarker for the positive response to immunotherapy in cancers such as SKCM and was also experimentally confirmed to be positively associated with adverse clinicopathological features of gliomas.
Conclusion TASL expression is an independent prognostic factor for LGG, LUAD, and SKCM. High TASL expression is a potential biomarker for the positive response to immunotherapy in certain cancer types. Further basic studies focusing on TASL expression and tumor immunotherapy are urgently needed.
Two novel difference schemes for the one-dimensional multi-term time fractional Oldroyd-B equation
Authors: Guan Zhen
Published: February 2023

In this paper, two novel difference schemes, which are based on the order reduction technique together with the weighted and shifted Grünwald-Letnikov difference (WSGD) operator, are derived for the one-dimensional multi-term time fractional Oldroyd-B equation. Utilizing the discrete energy method, we proved that the schemes are unconditionally stable and convergent in the maximum norm with the global convergence orders O(τ2−β + h2) and O(τ2−β + h4), respectively. Finally, a numerical example is carried out to verify the theoretical results, showing that our schemes are efficient indeed and have higher accuracy compared with the existed methods.
Mathematical formulation and irregularity topological indices of cellular neural network system
Authors: Zaman Shahid , Shabbir Naila
Published: February 2023

The Cellular Neural Network (CNN) execute high-speed calculations, geometric maps, non-linear processing, image processing, and other parallel processing tasks. It is an analogue paradigm made up of a collection of cells that are locally coupled to one another. Different arrangements of cells are possible. An input, a state, and an output are present in each cell. Only neighboring cells can communicate with one another in a cellular neural network. It can be seen graphically, with the interconnections between cells represented by edges and the cells themselves by vertices. Uniquely suited for high-speed parallel signal processing are cellular neural networks. The continuous-time aspect of cellular neural networks enables real-time signal processing, while the local interconnection feature makes them particularly suited for VLSI implementation. Cellular neural networks combine the best features of both worlds. Topological descriptors are employed in chemical graph theory to investigate graph structure and biological activity. The entire graph can be described by a single value. The irregular topological indices for CNN have been computed in this paper. The obtained results are useful to CNN networks of any size. The applications of CNN in image processing, partial differential equations, 3D surface analysis, sensory-motor organ modelling, and biological vision modelling are all improved by these studies.
Characterization of Musa Paradisiaca Activated Carbon Supporting Iron Nanoparticles, after Adsorption of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from Biogas on a Fixed Bed Column
Authors: KONAN GBANGBO Rémis , ADJOUMANI KOUAKOU Rodrigue , DONATIEN EHOUMAN , YAO Benjamin , LOU Gonézié Vanessa-Edwige GOLI , GOUESSE Briton Bi Henri , GNABOA Tougnon Zéphirin , BAH Koffi Née Alphonsine Badou Affoua , KIARI Mahamane Nassirou AMADOU
Published: February 2023

In this study, the characteristics of Musa Paradisiaca (MP) iron-funtionalysed activated carbon (AC) after adsorption of H2S from biogas were demonstrated. The AC was chemically impregnated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and then carbonised at a temperature of 500°C for 3 hours for activation. The activated carbon was then functionalized with iron oxide (Fe2O3) and labelled BANK-Fe. The H2S adsorption test was performed on a fixed bed column. The biogas flow rate was 1 L.min− 1. with 25% water (w/w) added. This test resulted in an adsorption capacity of 9.86 mgH2S.g-1 after a saturation time of 615 minutes. This was satisfactory for the purposes of biogas treatment. The present work is a follow-up to the adsorption tests already carried out. The analyses on the functionalized activated carbon sample after adsorption underwent a physical and chemical change. The surface morphology was modified: the more or less homogeneous asperities of the BANK-Fe (before adsorption) gave way to a relatively more amorphous form. Sulphur elements were detected in the sample after adsorption, in contrast to the starting sample. This confirms the adsorption of H2S from the biogas. Oxygen and Iron in BANK-Fe decreased by 39.49% and 94.16% respectively in atomic concentration, which proves that they reacted and played a role in the H2S adsorption mechanism. In addition, the microporosity decreased by 35.71%: the iodine value decreased from 1065.96 mg.g− 1 to 685.26 mg.g-1. This indicates that part of the pores, in particular the micropores, was occupied by the pollutants during the adsorption of the biogas.
Renal Glucose Transporters Play a Role in Removal of Cadmium from Kidney Cells Mediated by GMDTC – A Novel Metal Chelator
Authors: Tang Xiaojiang , Chen Xushen , Xiao Bo , Zhao Qile , Hu Wei , McKenery Amber , Zhong Zhiyong , Ren Xuefeng
Published: February 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal, exposure to which leads to various adverse health effects including chronic kidney damage. Tremendous efforts have been explored in identifying safe chelating agents for removing accumulated Cd from kidney, but with limited success owing to their associated side effects and the ineffectiveness in eliminating Cd from the body. A newly developed chelating agent, sodium (S)-2-(dithiocarboxylato((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl) amino)-4(methylthio)butanoate (GMDTC), has been shown to effectively mobilize Cd from kidney. However, the mechanism(s) of removal are unclear, while it has been hypothesized that renal glucose transporters potentially play key roles mainly because GMDTC contains an open chain glucose moiety. To test this hypothesis, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and human kidney tubule HK-2 cells, and constructed sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) or glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) gene knockout (KO) cell lines. Our data showed that GMDTC’s ability in removing Cd from HK-2 cells was significantly reduced both in GLUT2-/- or SGLT2-/- KO cells, with a removal ratio reduced from 28.28% in the parental HK-2 cells to 7.37% in GLUT2-/- KO cells and 14.6% in SGLT2-/- KO cells. Similarly, knocking out the GLUT2 or SGLT2 gene led to a compromised protective effect of GMDTC in reducing cytotoxicity of HK-2 cells. This observation was further observed in animal studies, in which the inhibition of GLUT2 transporter by phloretin treatment resulted in a reduced efficiency of GMDTC in removing Cd from the kidney. Altogether, our results show that GMDTC is safe and highly efficient in removing Cd from the cells, and this effect is mediated by renal glucose transporters.
The association between childhood adversity and the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA) in sexual minority men
Authors: Dalvie Shareefa , Li Michael , Kalmin Mariah , Cole Steven , Stein Dan Joseph , Shoptaw Steven
Published: February 2023

Adverse childhood experiences (ACES) increase risk for mental and physical health disorders in adulthood, particularly in individuals from sexual and ethnic minority groups. The effects of ACES on health may be mediated by the immune system. The exact mechanisms by which an environmental exposure, such as childhood adversity, can affect the immune system are still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether early adversity predicts significant changes in the expression of a predefined set of immune–related genes, known as the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), in a diverse group of sexual minority men (SMM). Participants included HIV positive and negative males from the mSTUDY. Expression data from 53 CTRA genes were obtained at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Childhood adversity was measured with the 10-item ACES questionnaire. Wilcoxon rank sum and chi-squared tests were used to assess differences in sociodemographic variables and HIV status between exposed (cumulative ACES ≥ 3) and unexposed groups (cumulative ACES ≤ 2). Linear mixed models were used to determine associations between ACES (cumulative score, dichotomous measure and subscales) and CTRA gene expression. There were no differences in age and employment status between the exposed and unexposed groups. A larger number of exposed participants were HIV positive than in the unexposed group (p = 0.03). There were no significant associations between any of the ACES variables and CTRA gene expression. A range of factors may have contributed to this unexpected finding. Further studies are needed to assess the biological effects of ACES in adulthood.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF THE ENDOMETRIUM IN WOMEN WITH HYPERPROLIFERATIVE PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERUS AND REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTION
Authors: Mуkуtуn Kseniia
Published: February 2023

Hyperproliferative pathology of the uterus (HPЕ) occupies one of the leading places in the structure of female infertility, leading to women’s generative dysfunction in 80% of cases.
The aim of the study: to assess the immunohistochemical and morphological features of the endometrium in patients with hyperproliferative pathology of the endometrium and infertility.
Materials and methods. Forty endometrial samples from women with infertility and hyperproliferative pathology of the endometrium were examined: 20 samples of endometrium obtained from women with infertility and endometrial polyps (1 group) and 20 samples obtained from women with infertility and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. The endometrium of 20 healthy women was examined as the control group.
Pipelle biopsy of the endometrium was performed in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women of the main and control groups to obtain the material. The morphological and immunohistochemical features of the endometrium in women with infertility and hyperproliferative pathology of the endometrium were determined.
Histogram sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and picrofuxin (Van Gizon’s stain). An immunohistochemical study was performed with the polymer detection method of antigen application using the UltraVisionQuanto peroxidase polymer and DAB plus chromogen detection system to determine the expression of monoclonal antibodies to estrogen and progesterone receptors, natural killers СD-56 and СD-138.
The results of the investigation. Morphological examination of the endometrium of women with infertility and hyperproliferative pathology of the endometrium revealed a number of pathological changes: glandular and glandular-fibrous polyps of the endometrium (70–80%), atypical endometrial hyperplasia (10–20%), dyschronosis of endometrial receptivity (40–50%), morphological signs of chronic endometritis, positive expression of CD-138 (10%), as well as their combination.
Conclusions. Women with infertility and hyperproliferative pathology of the uterus and unsuccessful attempts at ART have expressed dyshronosis of receptivity of the endometrium on the background of reduced expression of endometrial natural killers and positive expression of CD-138. It is indicative of the dysregulation of immunological homeostasis on the local level, which may be the cause of disruption of blastocyst implantation processes, unsuccessful attempts of ART and lead to early pregnancy loss.
Antioxidant activity, analgesic activity, and phytochemical analysis of Ammi majus (L.) extracts
Authors: EL-GUOURRAMI Otman , DRIOUA Soufiane , AMEGGOUZ Mouna , SALHI Najoua , SAYAH Karima , ZENGİN Gokhan , ZAHIDI Ahmed , DOUKKALI Anass , BENZEID Hanane
Published: February 2023

Ammi majus (L.) is commonly used to cure many diseases in Moroccan folk medicine, especially vitiligo. This research tries to evaluate the phytochemical constituents of two aqueous extracts (E1; Maceration; 48 h) and (E2: Infusion; 1h) and three organic fractions (F1: Cyclohexane), (F2: Ethyl acetate (EtOAc)) and (F3: Ethanolic (EtOH)) of A. majus (L.) seeds, as well as to study the antioxidant and analgesic activity of the species. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and TAC tests), and analgesic activity (writhing and tail immersion were induced by Acetic acid tests) were analyzed according to the literature. A quantitative phytochemical study indicate that the E1 had the highest content of total polyphenols (26.95 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoids (37.92 ± 0.46 mg QE/g extract), while F3 showed a promising flavonol content (24.26±0.08 mg QE/g extract). Tannins were found to be high in F1 (59.27 ± 0.16 mg CE/g extract) and F2 (57.65 ± 1.18 mg CE/g extract). Antioxidant results reveals that DPPH (IC50 = 179.68 ± 0.47 μg/mL) and FRAP (EC50 = 367.03 ± 0.12 μg/mL) show to E1 a high antioxidant activity. Regarding the analgesic activity of the different studied extracts, it was found that E1 has a high peripheral analgesic effect with 62.32 % and a high central analgesic potential throughout the experimentation at 500 mg/kg. Our studies demonstrated for the first time that A. majus seeds extracts have high antioxidant and analgesic activities through different analysis techniques.
Factorization and global symmetries in holography
Authors: Benini Francesco , Copetti Christian , Di Pietro Lorenzo
Published: February 2023

We consider toy models of holography arising from 3d Chern-Simons
theory. In this context a duality to an ensemble average over 2d CFTs
has been recently proposed. We put forward an alternative approach in
which, rather than summing over bulk geometries, one gauges a one-form
global symmetry of the bulk theory. This accomplishes two tasks: it
ensures that the bulk theory has no global symmetries, as expected for a
theory of quantum gravity, and it makes the partition function on
spacetimes with boundaries coincide with that of a modular-invariant 2d
CFT on the boundary. In particular, on wormhole geometries one finds a
factorized answer for the partition function. In the case of non-Abelian
Chern-Simons theories, the relevant one-form symmetry is non-invertible,
and its “gauging” corresponds to the condensation of a Lagrangian
anyon.
An adaptive infrared image denoising method based on two-dimensional empirical mode decomposition for distribution network inspection UAV
Authors: Zhou Qigang , Yang Lei , Liu Fengqi , Li Songyu
Published: February 2023

An adaptive denoising method based on 2D empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is proposed to improve the infrared image quality of inspection UNMANNED aerial vehicles (UAVs) and provide guarantee for improving the inspection level of distribution network. Through rapid adaptive two-dimensional empirical mode decomposition algorithm decomposition of a UAV collected for distribution network inspection original noise of infrared image, get more than the IMF component and the residual amount, a forecast noise dominated the IMF component parameters such as threshold value and the variance of noise, using the estimated parameters in combination with the optimal linear interpolation algorithm of noise threshold function of leading the IMF component implementation of threshold denoising. After the denoised IMF component is obtained, the denoised infrared image is obtained after reconstruction with the signal-dominated IMF component, and the adaptive denoising of the infrared image of the distribution network inspection UAV is realized. The experimental results show that the method in this paper can maintain the details of the image, improve the definition, significantly improve the visual effect, the overall denoising performance is stable and feasible, and ensure the quality inspection UAV to collect infrared images.
Land use and damaging hydrological events temporal changes in the Sarno River basin: potential for green technologies mitigation by remote sensing analysis
Authors: Mobilia Mirka , Longobardi Antonia , Amitrano Donato , Ruello Giuseppe
Published: February 2023

The urban growth leads cities to adopt sustainable strategies in order to mitigate the relevant hydrological effects. In this study, the use of synthetic aperture radar SAR imagery has allowed us to demonstrate a 70% increase of the built-up area in Sarno River basin between 1995 and 2016. This increase is linked to the statistical temporal increase of the damaging hydrological events occurring during the same period. To restore the pre-development hydrological condition, a scenario analysis was undertaken where SWMM was used to simulate the hydrological effect of green roof retrofitting landscape design. SAR imagery was furthermore used to explore the potential retrofitting surfaces, leading to defining three different conversion scenarios with 5%, 30% and 100% of potential retrofitting surfaces. The study demonstrated that the pre-development hydrological condition can be never fully restored. Indeed, this scenario is partially equaled only by a 100% green conversion of the existing traditional roofs, with average runoff and peak flow reduction of 41% and 25%, respectively. Such conditions are clearly not feasible, provided the obvious retrofitting limitation for existing buildings. The use of additional nature-based techniques, beyond green roofs conversion, should be explored in the perspective of a balance for urban growth.
Minimum night flow (MNF) and corrosion control in compliance with internet of things (IoT) for water systems
Authors: Hariri Asli Kian , Hariri Asli Kaveh
Published: February 2023

In the new world view, water is considered an economic-social commodity and a basic human need. This work aims to investigate the relationship between corrosion and changes in the minimum night flow (MNF) rate in water systems. Changes in MNF as a dependent variable are affected by changes in independent variables such as total unreported water loss, allowed night consumption, and network field leakage. First of all, the share of water loss due to network corrosion in total unreported water loss was investigated through a mathematical model and regression analysis according to Geography Information System (GIS). As a result, the p-value for pressure was .564. The Power function had a suitable correlation on the scatter diagram and best-fit curve which was used for Inflow to the water distribution network based on the regression model. The error of the consumers' meter and the correction of these errors were discussed in the apparent water loss section. The apparent water loss value was equal to 1.12% of produced water. This amount of apparent water loss showed the share of the actual water loss due to network corrosion from the total unreported water loss in the facilities.
Novel Perspectives for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecological
Cancers using Dysregulation of PIWI Protein and PiRNAs as
Biomarkers
Authors: Yousefi Bahman , Sadoughi Fatemeh , Asemi Zatollah , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Hallajzadeh Jamal
Published: February 2023

The term “gynecological cancer” is used for a group of cancers occurring in the female reproductive system. Some of these cancers are ranked as the leading causes of death in developed and developing countries. The lack of proper diagnostic strategies is one of the most important reasons that make them lethal. PIWI-interacting RNAs or piRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which contain 24-32 nucleotides. These RNAs take part in some cellular mechanisms, and their role in diverse kinds of cancer is confirmed by accumulative evidence. In this review, we gather some information on the roles of these RNAs and members of the PIWI protein family to provide new insight into accurate diagnostic biomarkers and more effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Aptamers-based Strategies for the Treatment of Microbial Infections
Authors: Di Rienzo Annalisa , Marinelli Lisa , Di Stefano Antonio , Vicaretti Giuseppina , Cacciatore Ivana
Published: February 2023

Background:

Nowadays, infectious diseases caused by bacteria are one of the major risks for
the human population worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance determined the necessity to develop both, new
drugs and therapeutic approaches as alternatives to antibiotics and novel methods to detect bacteria. Aptamers
have revealed their potential in combating antimicrobial infections. Aptamers are small singlestranded
DNA or RNA oligonucleotides obtained through an in vitro process able to bind several targets
with high affinity and specificity.

Objective:

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the state of the art of aptamer-based antimicrobial
therapeutic strategies, new methods of detection of bacteria, and their potential use as delivery
systems.

Conclusion:

Recent applications on research about aptamers suggest their important potential in discovering
novel pharmacological tools for the treatment of microbial infections.
Autologous CD19-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)T-Cells as
the Future of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment
Authors: Kambayana Gede , Surya  Rini Sandra
Published: February 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune illness with an unclear eti-ology and a range of clinical manifestations. The therapeutic results of current conventional treat-ments are frequently unsatisfactory. Many B-cell-directed immunotherapies have recently been dis-covered, as B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, large-scale rituximab trials found that the antibody against CD20 was no better than a placebo. Autologous CAR T-cell therapy has garnered considerable interest and is considered a potential treatment option for SLE. CD19+CD20- B cells are thought to play an essential role in the onset and progression of SLE. CD19-targeted CAR T-cells destroy B cells without requiring an accessory cell type, thereby de-creasing B cells more efficiently. Preclinical trials of CAR T-cells in mice have shown promising results against SLE. The review aimed to shed light on autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cells as a potential treatment for SLE.