bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Stock Classification Using Machine Learning: A Case Study for Oslo, Norway
Authors: Ghione Federica , Mæland Steffen , Meslem Abdelghani , Oye Volker
Published: June 2022

This paper describes a new concept to automatically characterize building types in urban areas based on publicly available image databases, making parts of seismic risk assessment more time and cost-effective, and improving the reliability of seismic risk assessment, especially in regions where building stock information is currently not documented. One of the main steps in evaluating potential human and economic losses in a seismic risk assessment, is the development of inventory databases for existing building stocks in terms of load-resisting structural systems and material characteristics (building typologies classification). The common approach for building stock model classification is to perform extensive fieldwork and walk-down surveys in representative areas of a city, and in some cases using random sample surveys of geounits. This procedure is time and cost consuming, and subject to personal interpretation: to mitigate these costs, we have introduced a machine learning methodology to automate this classification based on publicly available image databases. We here use a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to automatically identify the different building typologies in the city of Oslo, Norway, based on facade images taken fromin-situfieldwork and from Google Street View. We use transfer learning of state-of-the-art pretrained CNNs to predict the Model Building Typology. The present article attempts to categorize Oslo’s building stock in five main building typologies: timber, unreinforced masonry, reinforced concrete, composite (steel-reinforced concrete) and steel. This method results in 89% accuracy score for timber buildings, though only 35% success score for steel-reinforced concrete buildings. We here classify and define for the first time a relevant set of five typologies for the Norwegian building typologies as observed in Oslo and applicable at national level. In addition, this study shows that CNNs can significantly contribute in terms of developing a cost-effective building stock model.
Exploring the Associations Between MAP Growth and SBA by Demographics
Authors: Durant January , Wright Daniel B.
Published: June 2022

MAP Growth (MAP) and Smarter Balanced assessment (SBA) are two of the most common standardized assessments used in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 education in the United States. We show how scores on MAP relate to scores on SBA for third grade students. Previous studies examining the relationship between MAP Growth and SBA have been conducted by the test publisher. The current study expands on this and examines how scores on MAP Growth relate to scores on SBA and examine if these relationships vary by when the MAP Growth assessment is taken or by student demographics (by English language proficiency, gender, and ethnicity). Scores on these assessments are compared for 3rd grade students from Clark County, Nevada, which is the fifth largest school district in the United States. The scale scores were associated and, when using MAP to predict SBA scores, followed a quadratic pattern. While students' scores on the assessments varied by English language proficiency, gender, and ethnicity (i.e., discrepancies that are often referred to as achievement gaps), the relationships between these assessments showed a similar pattern across these demographics. Growth scores were calculated for three MAP administration time points. As well as showing a slight “rich get richer” effect (i.e., slightly more growth for those scoring high), there were regression toward the mean effects. The MAP growth curves were similar by English language proficiency, gender, and ethnicity.
Building Trauma Informed Teachers: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study of Remote Primary School Teachers’ Experiences With Children Living With the Effects of Complex Childhood Trauma
Authors: Brown Meegan , Howard Judith , Walsh Kerryann
Published: June 2022

The experiences of remote teachers who work with children living with the effects of complex childhood trauma is under explored. Children from remote areas of Australia are vulnerable to complex childhood trauma as their communities can face the effects of colonization, higher rates of disadvantage and exposure to potentially traumatic circumstances, such as natural disasters and family and community violence. This is compounded by the tyranny of distance in accessing effective supports. In such contexts, the roles of schools and teachers in addressing the debilitating impacts of trauma are both vital and amplified. This article summarizes a qualitative study, incorporating constructivist grounded theory, that generated a new theory to explain social processes that teachers in remote schools undergo when working with the effects of complex childhood trauma. Data were collected from teachers in individual interviews (n = 23) and a focus group. Data were analyzed using constant comparative method, emergent themes were categorized, leading to the development of the grounded theory,Building Trauma Informed Teachers. This overarching theory consists of seven categories. This study contributes insights into the scope and nature of the work of teachers in remote schools and recommends ways in which cognate systems can prepare and support teachers for their professional work supporting and educating trauma-impacted children.
Closing Achievement Gaps Through Preschool-to-Third-Grade Programs
Authors: Temple Judy A. , Ou Suh-Ruu , Reynolds Arthur J.
Published: June 2022

Achievement gaps by family income, race, and ethnicity have persisted for decades. Yet only in recent years has this major social problem become a national priority in the United States and many other countries as concern rises over growing economic inequalities. In this article, we document gaps in school readiness and achievement in the United States and how they adversely affect the life course development of children and families from underrepresented groups. We emphasize the promising role of preschool-to-3rd grade (P-3) programs to reduce a variety of achievement gaps through comprehensive strategies that enrich educational and family experiences during most of the first decade of life. Implementation of the core elements of effective learning experiences, collaborative leadership, aligned curriculum, parent involvement and engagement, professional development, and continuity and stability in the Child-Parent Center (CPC) Program have shown relatively strong and sustained effects on school achievement, especially for Black children growing up in urban poverty. This evidence from the Chicago Longitudinal Study (CLS) and other projects suggests that broader scale up of truly comprehensive approaches that begin early, continue through most of the first decade, and are multilevel in scope can make a bigger difference than many existing strategies in reducing achievement gaps and their persistence.
What Makes an Excellent Teacher? Insights From Junior High School Students With a History of Disruptive Behavior
Authors: Graham Linda J. , Tancredi Haley , Gillett-Swan Jenna
Published: June 2022

Evidence of the powerful relationship between what teachers do and how effectively their students learn has led to reforms aimed at improving the quality of teaching. Most jurisdictions are now paying increased attention both to the initial and ongoing education of teachers, as well as methods to assess, reward and improve quality teaching. Predominant among these methods are frameworks that define observable elements of pedagogical practice for which there is evidence of benefit for student learning, engagement, and behavior. However, we contend that even the best of these do not go far enough, as they do not explicitly consider students with disability, even those students with so-called “high-incidence” disabilities enrolled in everyday classrooms—such as those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Developmental Language Disorder—whose classroom behavior often indicates that their learning needs are not being met. In this manuscript, we report findings from in-depth interviews with 50 Grade 7–10 students with a history of disruptive and disengaged behavior from three secondary schools serving disadvantaged communities. Responses to the question “what makes an excellent teacher” were coded into four categories. Three of the four categories (emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support) reflect internationally accepted domains of quality teaching, while the fourth, teachers’ temperament and personality, was added to gauge accuracy of the common belief that this is the element students care most about. Analysis yielded novel results with the majority of students emphasizing instructional support practices that are not well represented in most measures of quality teaching. We argue that these practices represent an essential—but often absent—“top layer” of clarity and accessibility that is necessary for “quality teaching” to be inclusive teaching.
GaSbBi Metal Semiconductor Metal Detectors for Mid-Infrared Sensing
Authors: Cao Zhongming , Hulme Sorcha , Veal Tim D. , Ashwin Mark J. , Sandall Ian
Published: June 2022

The viability of incorporating Bi and N into GaSb layers to realise photodetectors operating in the mid-infrared has been investigated. The effects of Bi and N on the cut-off wavelength of GaSb metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors has been evaluated. The spectral responsivity measurements indicate a clear wavelength extension, to 1950 nm (Bi, 2.9%), 1990 nm (Bi, 3.8%), 2080 nm (Bi, 4.5%) and 2190 nm (N, 1.5%) from a reference GaSb device at 1720 nm, with only a relatively modest reduction in the external quantum efficiency (EQE). Comparisons of spectral response characteristics indicate that Bi incorporation reduces the carrier extraction and the impact of this on future device design is considered.
A Clinical Predictive Model of Central Lymph Node Metastases in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zipeng , Chang Qungang , Zhang Hanyin , Du Gongbo , Li Shuo , Liu Yihao , Sun Hanlin , Yin Detao
Published: June 2022

Background

Thyroid carcinoma is one of the most common endocrine tumors, and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common pathological type. Current studies have reported that PTC has a strong propensity for central lymph node metastases (CLNMs). Whether to prophylactically dissect the central lymph nodes in PTC remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the risk factors and develop a predictive model of CLNM in PTC.

Methods

A total of 2,554 patients were enrolled in this study. The basic information, laboratory examination, characteristics of cervical ultrasound, genetic test, and pathological diagnosis were collected. The collected data were analyzed by univariate logistic analysis and multivariate logistic analysis. The risk factors were evaluated, and the predictive model was constructed of CLNM.

Results

The multivariate logistic analysis showed that Age (p < 0.001), Gender (p < 0.001), Multifocality (p < 0.001), BRAF (p = 0.027), and Tumor size (p < 0.001) were associated with CLNM. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) showed high efficiency with an area under the ROC (AUC) of 0.781 in the training group. The calibration curve and the calibration of the model were evaluated. The decision curve analysis (DCA) for the nomogram showed that the nomogram can provide benefits in this study.

Conclusion

The predictive model of CLNM constructed and visualized based on the evaluated risk factors was confirmed to be a practical and convenient tool for clinicians to predict the CLNM in PTC.
The Effect of HER2 Status on Metaplastic Breast Cancer A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Hu Jin , Zhang Yanting , Dong Fang , Shen Jian , Chen Hengyu , Li Lei , Huang Tao
Published: June 2022

Background

The role of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) patients remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of HER2 status on MBC patients by propensity-score matching (PSM).

Methods

The SEER data from 2010 to 2016 were extracted. The breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of MBC patients, diagnosed from 2001 to 2016, was compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis. The multivariate Cox proportional model between groups was performed. PSM was used to make 1:1 case-control matching.

Results

We included 1887 patients with a median follow-up time of 28 months (range 1-83 months). 1749 (92.7%) and 138 (7.3%) patients presented in the HER2-negative group and HER2-positive group. 833 (44.1%) patients received post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). The HER2-positive group had younger patients, lower tumor grades, and more advanced tumor stages. The prognoses were related to age of diagnosis, race/ethnicity, TNM stage, and PMRT in multivariate Cox analysis. ER status and HER2 status had no impact on BCSS. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, PMRT was associated with a better prognosis. Importantly, patients with HER2-negative status can benefit from PMRT, but not those with HER2-positive status. After PSM, on multivariate Cox analysis, the prognosis was related to HER2 status and PMRT. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, PMRT was related to a better prognosis for HER2-negative patients.

Conclusions

Our findings supported that PMRT and HER2-positive status were associated with a better prognosis after PSM. However, HER2-negative, but not HER2-positive patients could benefit from PMRT.
Fertility Preservation and Restoration Options for Pre-Pubertal Male Cancer Patients: Current Approaches
Authors: Eugeni Elena , Arato Iva , Del Sordo Rachele , Sidoni Angelo , Garolla Andrea , Ferlin Alberto , Calafiore Riccardo , Brancorsini Stefano , Mancuso Francesca , Luca Giovanni
Published: June 2022

Fertility preservation for prepubertal male patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapies, potentially depleting spermatogonial cells, is an expanding necessity, yet most of the feasible options are still in the experimental phase. We present our experience and a summary of current and novel possibilities regarding the different strategies to protect or restore fertility in young male patients, before proceeding with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for malignances or other diseases. Adult oncological patients should always be counselled to cryopreserve the semen before starting treatment, however this approach is not suitable for prepubertal boys, who aren’t capable to produce sperm yet. Fortunately, since the survival rate of pediatric cancer patients has skyrocketed in the last decade and it’s over 84%, safeguarding their future fertility is becoming a major concern for reproductive medicine. Surgical and medical approaches to personalize treatment or protect the gonads could be a valid first step to take. Testicular tissue autologous grafting or xenografting, and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) transplantation, are the main experimental options available, but spermatogenesis in vitro is becoming an intriguing alternative. All of these methods feature both strong and weak prospects. There is also relevant controversy regarding the type of testicular material to preserve and the cryopreservation methods. Since transplanted cells are bound to survive based on SSCs number, many ways to enrich their population in cultures have been proposed, as well as different sites of injection inside the testis. Testicular tissue graft has been experimented on mice, rabbits, rhesus macaques and porcine, allowing the birth of live offspring after performing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), however it has never been performed on human males yet. In vitro spermatogenesis remains a mirage, although many steps in the right direction have been performed. The manufacturing of 3D scaffolds and artificial spermatogenetic niche, providing support to stem cells in cultures, seems like the best way to further advance in this field.
Oxidative Stress Causes Masculinization of Genetically Female Medaka Without Elevating Cortisol
Authors: Mukai Koki , Hara Seiji , Sakima Konosuke , Nozu Ryo , Yazawa Takashi , Kitano Takeshi
Published: June 2022

Medaka (Oryzias latipes) is a teleost fish with an XX/XY sex determination system. Sex reversal from female-to-male (masculinization of XX fish) can be induced through cortisol elevation from exposure to environmental stress such as high temperature during sexual differentiation. However, the effects of oxidative stress, generated via metabolic reactions and biological defense mechanisms, on the sexual differentiation of medaka are unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of oxidative stress on medaka sexual differentiation using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which induces oxidative stress in vertebrates. H2O2 treatment from 0 to 5 days post-hatching induced masculinization of wild-type XX medaka, but not of gonadal soma-derived growth factor (gsdf) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-a (pparaa) knockout XX fish. Co-treatment with an oxidative stress inhibitor caused masculinization recovery but co-treatment with a cortisol synthesis inhibitor did not. H2O2 treatment significantly upregulated gsdf and pparaa expression in XX medaka. However, H2O2 did not elevate cortisol levels in medaka larvae during sexual differentiation. These results strongly indicate that oxidative stress induces masculinization of XX medaka without causing elevation of cortisol.
Risk Factors for Neck Nodal Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Cancer With BRAF V600E Mutation
Authors: Han Ying , Hou Ling , Zhao Bowen , Gao Li , Li Shiyan
Published: June 2022

Background

The BRAF V600E mutation is the most common genetic variant in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), but the relationship between the BRAF V600E mutation in PTC and cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) remains controversial.

Objective

To estimate risk factors for neck nodal metastasis in PTC with BRAF V600E mutation.

Patients

A total of 292 patients diagnosed with BRAF V600E mutation related PTC were admitted.

Design

In this retrospective study, data from 292 patients, including clinical, molecular, and ultrasonic characteristics, were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify risk factors for LNM in PTC with the BRAF V600E mutation.

Results

In the univariate analysis of all PTC patients with the BRAF V600E mutation, the LNM was found to be significantly associated with age (P = 0.010), size (P = 0.000), bilaterality (P = 0.000), multifocality (P = 0.002), LNM in ultrasound (US) (P = 0.000), and capsular invasion (P = 0.010). In ultrasonic image characteristics, margin (P = 0.036), shape (P = 0.046), and microcalcification (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with LNM. In multivariate analysis, LNM in PTCs with BRAF V600E mutation was significantly associated with age ≤ 45 years (OR = 1.869, P = 0.020, 95% CI = 1.106 - 3.158), size ≥ 1cm (OR = 3.131, P = 0.001, 95% CI = 1.578 - 6.212), LNM in US (OR = 6.962, P = 0.000, 95% CI = 2.924 - 16.572), bilaterality (OR = 1.626, P = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.142 - 2.314), ill-defined margins in US (OR = 1.980, P = 0.033, 95% CI = 1.057 - 3.709), and microcalcification in US (OR = 2.786, P = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.464 - 5.303).

Conclusion

This study revealed that several significant risk factors for LNM in PTCs with the BRAF V600E mutation included: age ≤ 45 years, size ≥ 1cm, LNM in US, bilaterality, ill-defined margins in US, and microcalcification in US.
An Endometrial Thickness < 8 mm Was Associated With a Significantly Increased Risk of EP After Freeze-Thaw Transfer: An Analysis of 5,960 Pregnancy Cycles
Authors: Zhao Ying , Liu Dong’e , Liu Nenghui , Li Yumei , Yao Zhongyuan , Tian Fen , Xu Aizhuang , Li Yanping
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Endometrium characteristics that are most likely to induce ectopic pregnancy were investigated on the basis of the data of 5,960 pregnant freeze-thaw cycles.

Methods

A total of 5,960 pregnancy cycles after freeze-thaw embryos transfer were included, with the number of intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies being 5,777 and 183, respectively. Ectopic pregnancy was the primary outcome. Endometrial thickness was the main measured variable. The risk factors of ectopic pregnancy were eventually determined based on univariate analysis and subsequent multiple-stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Results

1. After adjusting for confounders, endometrial thickness could independently predict ectopic pregnancy. The adjusted odd ratios for women with endometrial thickness in the ranges of < 8 mm, 8–9.9 mm, and 10–11.9 mm were 3.270 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.113–9.605, P = 0.031], 2.758 (95% CI, 0.987–7.707, P = 0.053), and 1.456 (95% CI, 0.502–4.225, P = 0.489), respectively, when compared with those having an endometrial thickness of 12–13.9 mm. 2. Endometrial type and preparation protocol were however not identified as risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.

Discussion

1. After freeze-thaw embryo transfer, risks of ectopic pregnancy were significantly higher when the endometrial thickness was < 8 mm. 2. A thin endometrial thickness could be linked with abnormal endometrial peristaltic waves or abnormal endometrial receptivity. 3. Adequate attention should therefore be paid to patients with a thin endometrial thickness to prevent EP or to achieve early diagnosis during the peri-transplantation period.
Association Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tang Min , Cao Han , Wei Xiao-Hui , Zhen Qin , Liu Fang , Wang Yu-Fan , Fan Neng-Guang , Peng Yong-De
Published: June 2022

Objective

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an inflammatory marker. This study aimed to identify the correlation between hs-CRP levels and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials/Methods

This cross-sectional and observational study included 927 patients with T2DM. We collected the data of patients based on their medical data, including sociodemographic characteristics, concomitant diseases, laboratory results, and medical therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between hs-CRP levels and DKD. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to assess the correlation of hs-CRP levels on a continuous scale with the DKD.

Results

In total, 927 patients were recruited in our study. The median age of the recruited patients was 55 years, and there were 346 female patients and 581 male patients. The hs-CRP levels were evidently higher in patients with DKD than those without DKD. After adjusting for age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, neck circumference, waist circumference, hypertension, duration of diabetes, common carotid artery plaque, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, leukocyte, γ-glutamyl transferase, albumin, urea nitrogen, uric acid and triglyceride, a significant increase in the odds ratios (ORs) for DKD in the fourth hs-CRP quartile compared with the first quartile was observed (P value for trend= 0.003), and the ORs (95% confidence intervals) in the fourth quartile of hs-CRP were 1.968 (1.244–3.114) for DKD compared to the first quartile.. Moreover, the RCS curves presented a positive association between hs-CRP and DKD in total subjects, male subjects and female subjects, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of our study indicated that hs-CRP levels were significantly and positively correlated with the presence of DKD, which may provide predictive and diagnostic values in clinical practice.
Multi-Faceted Influence of Obesity on Type 1 Diabetes in Children – From Disease Pathogenesis to Complications
Authors: Ciężki Sebastian , Kurpiewska Emilia , Bossowski Artur , Głowińska-Olszewska Barbara
Published: June 2022

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth patients with diabetes type 1 is increasing. It is estimated, that even up to 35% of young patients with this type of diabetes, considered so far to be characteristic for slim figure, are overweight or even obese. General increase of obesity in children’s population complicates differential diagnosis of the type of diabetes in youths. Coexistence of obesity has clinical implications for all stages of diabetes course. It is confirmed that obesity is the risk factor for autoimmune diabetes, and is connected with the earlier onset of diabetes in predisposed patients. Many diabetic patients with obesity present additional risk factors for macroangiopathy, and are recognised to present metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and typical for diabetes type 2 - polycystic ovary syndrome, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The prevalence of obesity rises dramatically in adolescence of diabetic child, more often in girls. It has negative impact on metabolic control, glycaemic variability and insulin demand. The risk for microangiopathic complications increases as well. The treatment is difficult and includes not only insulinotherapy and non-pharmacological trials. Recently treatment of insulin resistance with biguanids, and treatment with typical for type 2 new diabetes drugs like GLP-1 analogues, SGLT-2 receptor inhibitors, or even cases of bariatric surgery also has been reported.
From an Empty Stomach to Anxiolysis: Molecular and Behavioral Assessment of Sex Differences in the Ghrelin Axis of Rats
Authors: Börchers Stina , Krieger Jean-Philippe , Maric Ivana , Carl Jil , Abraham Maral , Longo Francesco , Asker Mohammed , Richard Jennifer E. , Skibicka Karolina P.
Published: June 2022

Ghrelin, a stomach-produced hormone, is well-recognized for its role in promoting feeding, controlling energy homeostasis, and glucoregulation. Ghrelin’s function to ensure survival extends beyond that: its release parallels that of corticosterone, and ghrelin administration and fasting have an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect. This clearly suggests a role in stress and anxiety. However, most studies of ghrelin’s effects on anxiety have been conducted exclusively on male rodents. Here, we hypothesize that female rats are wired for higher ghrelin sensitivity compared to males. To test this, we systematically compared components of the ghrelin axis between male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Next, we evaluated whether anxiety-like behavior and feeding response to endogenous or exogenous ghrelin are sex divergent. In line with our hypothesis, we show that female rats have higher serum levels of ghrelin and lower levels of the endogenous antagonist LEAP-2, compared to males. Furthermore, circulating ghrelin levels were partly dependent on estradiol; ovariectomy drastically reduced circulating ghrelin levels, which were partly restored by estradiol replacement. In contrast, orchiectomy did not affect circulating plasma ghrelin. Additionally, females expressed higher levels of the endogenous ghrelin receptor GHSR1A in brain areas involved in feeding and anxiety: the lateral hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. Moreover, overnight fasting increased GHSR1A expression in the amygdala of females, but not males. To evaluate the behavioral consequences of these molecular differences, male and female rats were tested in the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OF), and acoustic startle response (ASR) after three complementary ghrelin manipulations: increased endogenous ghrelin levels through overnight fasting, systemic administration of ghrelin, or blockade of fasting-induced ghrelin signaling with a GHSR1A antagonist. Here, females exhibited a stronger anxiolytic response to fasting and ghrelin in the ASR, in line with our findings of sex differences in the ghrelin axis. Most importantly, after GHSR1A antagonist treatment, females but not males displayed an anxiogenic response in the ASR, and a more pronounced anxiogenesis in the EPM and OF compared to males. Collectively, female rats are wired for higher sensitivity to fasting-induced anxiolytic ghrelin signaling. Further, the sex differences in the ghrelin axis are modulated, at least partly, by gonadal steroids, specifically estradiol. Overall, ghrelin plays a more prominent role in the regulation of anxiety-like behavior of female rats.
Cell-Free Fat Extract Improves Ovarian Function and Fertility in Mice With Advanced Age
Authors: Liu Mengyu , Li Wenzhu , Zhou Xiaowei , Zhou Mingjuan , Zhang Wenjie , Liu Qiang , Zhang Aijun , Xu Bufang
Published: June 2022

The reduction in the quantity and quality of oocytes is the major factor affecting fertility in women with advanced age, who tend to experience delayed childbearing and declined fertility rate. However, effective therapeutic strategies to combat this decrease in ovarian function are lacking in clinical practice. Thus, identifying a new method to rescue ovarian function and improve reproduction in natural age-related decline in fertility is necessary. Cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) has been verified to possess diverse active proteins exerting anti-aging and proliferation-promoting effects. Nonetheless, whether CEFFE can rescue the decline in aged-related ovarian function and improve the fertility of females with advanced age remains unclear. In this study, a natural aging mouse model, exhibiting similarities to the physiological changes of ovarian senescence, was used to observe the anti-aging effect of CEFFE on ovarian functions. We found that CEFFE, injected via the veins, could recover the levels of the sex hormone, increase angiogenesis and the number of growth follicles in the natural aging mice model. Moreover, CEFFE promoted the development of embryos and increased the litter size of aged mice. Transcriptome analysis of the aged mouse ovaries revealed that CEFFE treatment upregulated the expression of genes involved in the repair of DNA damage. And both in vivo and in vitro experiment proved that CEFFE improved the function of granulosa cells, including promoting proliferation, alleviating senescence, and rescuing DNA damage in aged granulosa cells. Collectively, our study implied that CEFFE improved the ovarian function and fertility of naturally aging mice by ameliorating the overall microenvironment of ovary, which provided a theoretical basis for new anti-aging therapeutic strategies for cell-free therapy in ovaries.
A Review of Wind Energy Output Simulation for New Power System Planning
Authors: Liu Xinmiao , Yue Yuan , Huang Xin , Xu Wei , Lu Xun
Published: June 2022

The uncertain and volatile nature of wind energy have brought huge challenges to power system planning and operation. Therefore, it is necessary to model the wind power output. In this paper simulation models of wind energy output for new power system planning are reviewed. We begin by discussing the characteristics of wind power output, and then introduce the wind power output simulation model based on different application scenarios that are based on probability and time series. Finally, the directions for further research in the future are anticipated.
RETRACTED: Dynamic Linkages Between Developing Economy and Environmental Pollution: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag Statistical Approach
Authors: Wang Hong , Alfryyan Nada , Al-Buriahi M. S. , Khan Yousaf Ali , Alhomrani Majid , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Azhar Muhammad , Abbas Syed Zaheer
Published: June 2022

The goal of the study is to examine the dynamic linkages between developing economy and environmental pollution. FDI, the tourism industry, electricity use, and GDP growth have all been studied in relation to CO2 emissions over the period from 1980 to 2019. The study applied the ARDL model for statistical data analysis and to ensure the results reliability, the FMOLS and DOLS models have been used in conjunction. The results disclose a significant negative correlation between GDP squared and the observed data. FDI and GDP growth, in contrast, have significant long-term positive effects on CO2 emissions. Due to Pakistan’s lack of infrastructure and transportation facilities, the tourism industry has a long-term negative impact on Pakistan’s CO2 emissions, which are expected to rise over the next several decades. CO2 emissions and GDP growth are linked in a U-shape. The results also showed that GDP growth and electricity use have no significant short-term impacts on CO2 emissions; only FDI coefficients have a negative significance. The Granger causality test found connections between electricity use, FDI, GDP, and CO2 emissions shows a one-way causation.
On the Multiple Identities of Stakeholders in Wolf Management in Minnesota, United States
Authors: Schroeder Susan A. , Landon Adam C. , Fulton David C. , McInenly Leslie E.
Published: June 2022

Social identity theory offers a means to understand attitudes about wolves, with consequences for management support. Using data from a mail survey about wolves, we explored relationships among seven identities (i.e., wolf advocate, hunter, environmentalist, nature enthusiast, farmer, trapper, conservationist) using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and principal components analysis (PCA). We examined how identities correlated with political ideology, trust in a wildlife management agency, wildlife value orientations (WVOs) and attitudes about wolves, and we evaluated whether WVOs mediated the relationship between identities and attitudes. PCA suggested two factors in identifying relationships among stakeholders, while MDS and correlations found diversity among stakeholders beyond these factors. Hunter identity was most strongly associated with a domination WVO and conservative political ideology. Farmer identity was most strongly associated with agency distrust and negative wolf attitudes. Wolf advocate was most strongly associated with a mutualism WVO (i.e., beliefs that humans are meant to coexist in harmonious relationships with wildlife), agency trust, and positive wolf attitudes. Conservationist identity was positively correlated with all other identities. WVOs partially mediated the relationship between identities and attitudes.
Spatial Learning and Memory in the Naked Mole-Rat: Evolutionary Adaptations to a Subterranean Niche
Authors: Hite Natalee J. , Sudheimer Keith D. , Anderson Luke , Sarko Diana K.
Published: June 2022

Evolutionary adaptation to a subterranean habitat consisting of extensive underground tunnel systems would presumably require adept spatial learning and memory, however, such capabilities have not been characterized to date in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) which, like other members of Bathyergidae, are subterranean rodents. The goal of this study was to develop a method for effectively assessing spatial learning and memory by modifying a Hebb-Williams maze for use with these subterranean rodents. Established behavioral tests to assess spatial learning and memory have primarily focused on, and have been optimized for, more typical laboratory rodent species such as mice and rats. In the current study, we utilized species-appropriate motivators, analyzed learning curves associated with maze performance, and tested memory retention in naked mole-rats. Using a modified Hebb-Williams maze, naked mole-rats underwent 3 days of training, consisting of five trials per day wherein they could freely explore the maze in search of the reward chamber. Memory retention was then tested 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month following the last day of training. Performance was analyzed based on latency to the reward chamber, errors made, and distance traveled to reach the reward chamber. Overall, this study established a behavioral paradigm for assessing maze navigation, spatial learning, and spatial memory in subterranean rodents, including optimization of rewards and environmental motivators.
Social Communication in Big Brown Bats
Authors: Montoya Jessica , Lee Yelim , Salles Angeles
Published: June 2022

Bats are social mammals that display a wide array of social communication calls. Among them, it is common for most bats species to emit distress, agonistic, appeasement and infant isolation calls. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) are no different: They are gregarious animals living in colonies that can comprise hundreds of individuals. These bats live in North America and, typically found roosting in man-made structures like barns and attics, are considered common. They are insectivorous laryngeal echolocators, and while their calls and associated brain mechanisms in echolocation are well-documented, much less is known about their neural systems for analyzing social vocalizations. In this work we review what we know about the social lives of big brown bats and propose how to consolidate the nomenclature used to describe their social vocalizations. Furthermore, we discuss the next steps in the characterization of the social structure of this species and how these studies will advance both research in neuroethology and ecology of big brown bats.
Ecological Water Requirement Accounting of the Main Stream of the Yellow River From the Perspective of Habitat Conservation
Authors: Zhao Fen , Li Chunhui , Shang Wenxiu , Zheng Xiaokang , Wang Xuan , Liu Qiang , Bu Jiuhe
Published: June 2022

The Yellow River Basin is of great significance to China’s economic and social development and ecological security. The Yellow River Basin is not only an important ecological barrier but also an important economic zone. In this article, natural hydrological conditions were taken as a reference, a habitat simulation model of the key sections of the Yellow River was constructed based on the MIKE 21 model, and an ecological water requirement assessment method for river ecological integrity combined with habitat simulation and features of the hydrological reference group was established, which took account of the survival and reproduction of indicator species. The suitable flow rates for the spawning period (i.e., April to June) of Silurus lanzhouensis in Lanzhou (LZ) and Cyprinus carpio in Longmen (LM) were 350–720 and 260–400 m3/s, respectively. Therefore, high pulse flow with a low flow peak should be guaranteed in mid- to late April. The peak flow should be at least approximately 1,000 m3/s to ensure that fish receive spawning signals, with a high pulse flow process occurring 1–2 times in May to June. The annual ecological water requirement of the Lanzhou and Longmen section was 9.1 × 109–11 × 109 and 4.7 × 109–11.3 × 109 m3. The model quantitatively simulated the changes in ecological water requirement of indicator fishes in key sections of the Yellow River, and an effective and realistic tool for ecological water requirement accounting of the Yellow River was provided.
Spatiotemporal Variation on Fertility, Mating System, and Gene Flow in Vriesea gigantea (Bromeliaceae), an Atlantic Forest Species
Authors: Paggi Gecele Matos , Palma-Silva Clarisse , Zanella Camila Martini , Goetze Márcia , Büttow Miriam Valli , Lexer Christian , Bered Fernanda
Published: June 2022

Knowledge of the patterns of variation in plant mating systems and fitness, in the context of conservation biology, is essential for understanding microscale differences and their probable causes. The aim of this study was to assess the patterns and determinants of spatiotemporal variation in fertility, mating systems, and gene flow in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea, which is endemic to the Atlantic Forest. We studied three wild populations over 2 years in terms of flowering, fruit set, seed production, and seed germination, and used nuclear microsatellite markers to analyse variations in the mating system and contemporary gene flow. We observed high fertility parameter values, with among-population differences only in fruit set and germination rate. Mating system analysis showed moderate outcrossing rates (tm), which ranged from 0.107 to 1.2, and strong pollen pool genetic structures (ΦFT), of 0.319 to 0.598 across populations and years. We suggest that the observed spatiotemporal variation in fertility, mating systems, and gene flow in this species are attributable to the adaptation to selfing due to edge effects, mainly caused by range expansion during post-glacial migration. Populations on the edge of the V. gigantea distribution were the most genetically divergent in the southern limit of the Atlantic Forest biome. Our results may contribute to ongoing debate regarding the characteristic fitness trade-offs that shape variation in plant mating systems and gene flow when species meet their range limits.
The Impact of Proband Indication for Genetic Testing on the Uptake of Cascade Testing Among Relatives
Authors: Schmidlen Tara J. , Bristow Sara L. , Hatchell Kathryn E. , Esplin Edward D. , Nussbaum Robert L. , Haverfield Eden V.
Published: June 2022

Although multiple factors can influence the uptake of cascade genetic testing, the impact of proband indication has not been studied. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study comparing cascade genetic testing rates among relatives of probands who received either diagnostic germline testing or non-indication-based proactive screening via next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based multigene panels for hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) and/or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The proportion of probands with a medically actionable (positive) finding were calculated based on genes associated with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tier 1 conditions, HCS genes, and FH genes. Among probands with a positive finding, cascade testing rates and influencing factors were assessed. A total of 270,715 probands were eligible for inclusion in the study (diagnostic n = 254,281,93.9%; proactive n = 16,434, 6.1%). A positive result in a gene associated with a CDC Tier 1 condition was identified in 10,520 diagnostic probands (4.1%) and 337 proactive probands (2.1%), leading to cascade testing among families of 3,305 diagnostic probands (31.4%) and 36 proactive probands (10.7%) (p < 0.0001). A positive result in an HCS gene was returned to 23,272 diagnostic probands (9.4%) and 970 proactive probands (6.1%), leading to cascade testing among families of 6,611 diagnostic probands (28.4%) and 89 proactive probands (9.2%) (p < 0.0001). Cascade testing due to a positive result in an HCS gene was more commonly pursued when the diagnostic proband was White, had a finding in a gene associated with a CDC Tier 1 condition, or had a personal history of cancer, or when the proactive proband was female. A positive result in an FH gene was returned to 1,647 diagnostic probands (25.3%) and 67 proactive probands (0.62%), leading to cascade testing among families of 360 diagnostic probands (21.9%) and 4 proactive probands (6.0%) (p < 0.01). Consistently higher rates of cascade testing among families of diagnostic probands may be due to a perceived urgency because of personal or family history of disease. Due to the proven clinical benefit of cascade testing, further research on obstacles to systematic implementation and uptake of testing for relatives of any proband with a medically actionable variant is warranted.
Self-Reported Walking Pace and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Chen Lu , Sun Xingang , He Yuxian , Zheng Liangrong
Published: June 2022

Background: In observational studies, the self-reported walking pace has been associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, whether those associations indicate causal links remains unclear. We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the causal effect of walking pace on several CVD outcomes, including atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF), any stroke, ischemic stroke (IS), and IS subtypes.

Methods: Genetic variants associated with self-reported walking pace were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) from the latest genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Summary-level data for outcomes were obtained from the corresponding GWAS and the FinnGen consortium. The random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main MR analysis, supplemented by replication analyses using data from the FinnGen. To explore the effect of pleiotropy due to adiposity-related traits, we further conducted MR analyses by excluding the adiposity-related IVs and regression-based multivariable MR adjusting for body mass index (BMI).

Results: The MR results indicated significant inverse associations of self-reported walking pace with risks of AF [odds ratio (OR), 0.577; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.442, 0.755; p = 5.87 × 10−5], HF (OR, 0.307; 95% CI, 0.229, 0.413; p = 5.31 × 10−15), any stroke (OR, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.388, 0.752; p = 2.63 × 10−4) and IS (OR, 0.604; 95% CI, 0.427, 0.853; p = 0.004) and suggestive inverse association of self-reported walking pace with cardioembolic stroke (CES) (OR, 0.492; 95% CI, 0.259, 0.934; p = 0.030). Similar results were replicated in the FinnGen consortium and persisted in the meta-analysis. However, there was no causality between walking pace and large artery stroke (OR, 0.676; 95% CI, 0.319, 1.434; p = 0.308) or small vessel stroke (OR, 0.603; 95% CI, 0.270, 1.349; p = 0.218). When excluding adiposity-related IVs and adjusting for BMI, the associations for HF and any stroke did not change substantially, whereas the associations for AF, IS, and CES were weakened.

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that genetically predicted increasing walking pace exerted beneficial effects on AF, HF, any stroke, IS, and CES. Adiposity might partially mediate the effect of walking pace on AF, IS, and CES.
Path-ATT-CNN: A Novel Deep Neural Network Method for Key Pathway Identification of Lung Cancer
Authors: Yuan Lin , Lai Jinling , Zhao Jing , Sun Tao , Hu Chunyu , Ye Lan , Yu Guanying , Yang Zhenyu
Published: June 2022

Attention convolutional neural networks (ATT-CNNs) have got a huge gain in picture operating and nature language processing. Shortage of interpretability cannot remain the adoption of deep neural networks. It is very conspicuous that is shown in the prediction model of disease aftermath. Biological data are commonly revealed in a nominal grid data structured pattern. ATT-CNN cannot be applied directly. In order to figure out these issues, a novel method which is called the Path-ATT-CNN is proposed by us, making an explicable ATT-CNN model based on united omics data by making use of a recently characterized pathway image. Path-ATT-CNN shows brilliant predictive demonstration difference in primary lung tumor symptom (PLTS) and non-primary lung tumor symptom (non-PLTS) when applied to lung adenocarcinomas (LADCs). The imaginational tool adoption which is linked with statistical analysis enables the status of essential pathways which finally exist in LADCs. In conclusion, Path-ATT-CNN shows that it can be effectively put into use elucidating omics data in an interpretable mode. When people start to figure out key biological correlates of disease, this mode makes promising power in predicting illness.