bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the evolution of metal-bonded microgrinding tool topography due to wear
Authors: Singh Anandita , Singh Ritesh K. , Singh Ramesh K. , Mote Rakesh G.
Published: January 2023

The key challenge in the analysis of the grinding process involves the characterization of tool topography due to a large degree of randomness in the grit shapes, sizes, orientation and distribution. The effect of random tool topography on the output characteristics is even more pronounced in microgrinding. During the process, the wear of bond and grits cause the exposure of the underlying grits of the multi-layered metal bonded microgrinding tools. Due to the random tool topography and its variation during grinding due to continuous wear and self-dressing makes the process analysis highly complex. This study proposes a model that characterizes the multi-layered metal bonded microgrinding tool topography and its evolution during the process caused due to wear. The effects of both grit and bond wear on topography evolution is investigated. The emergence of new grits due to bond wear during the tool-workpiece interaction has also been captured in the model. Individual grit life cycle has been analyzed and the number of protruding, active, dislodged and worn out grits at a given machining time is estimated. Statistical analysis of the protrusion height distribution is carried out which gives an insight into the effect of wear on the height distribution variation.
WAASB-based stability analysis and validation of resistance sources to Plasmopara halstedii race-100 from the sunflower working germplasm for the semi-arid regions of India
Authors: Dudhe Mangesh Yuwaraj , Dudhe M.Y. , Jadhav M.V. , Sujatha M. , Meena H.P. , Rajguru A.B. , Gahukar S.J. , Ghodke M.K.
Published: January 2023

In sunflower, stable performance in a semi-arid region is an essential factor for obtaining high and stable seed as well as oil yield. Therefore, efforts were made to evaluate 28 sunflower genotypes including USDA, USA, France collection and germplasm maintained at ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad under four semi-arid locations of India during 2021–2022. Screening of the selected genotypes for Sunflower Downy Mildew (SDM) which is important disease and cause losses upto 100% incited by Plasmopara halstedii race-100 in India was undertaken during previous years (2017-20) and validation experiment was conducted during 2021. WAASB (Weighted Average of Absolute Scores) and Multi-Trait Stability Index (MTSI) adopted for stability analysis. The analysis of variance from AMMI showed highly significant effects of the climate, genotypes, and their interaction. Only 56.13% which is lesser than 60% of total GEI variation was explained by first two PCs indicating the complexity of GEI and suitability of WAASB statistics. Based on WAASB study most stable genotypes identified for yield were GMU-494, LTRR-341, EC-601901 and GMU-481and GMU-494 for oil content. Based on WAASBY scores most stable genotype identified for yield were GMU-770 (96.76) and EC-178168-2 (96.53) and for oil content GMU-481(93.64), EC-601901(91.30). Simultaneous selection index MTSI has been employed for selecting high yielding genotypes with medium to high oil content. MTSI index identified ideal genotype EC-198078 which is closer to hypothetical ideotype with least MTSI index coupled with high WAASBY score and resistant reaction to SDM. Population structure based on 20 SSR markers depicted the change of Delta (k) value (k = 4) which suggests the four populations within the collection of 28 sunflower germplasm accessions. Based on multiple year screening we have identified and validated 10 resistance sources and three new sources of resistance to SDM for semi-arid region. Identified stable genotypes coupled with SDM resistance could be useful for the development of inbreds or can be used to develop superior populations in sunflower.
Enhancement of YKL40,IL-6,IL-8, TNF-a, and the possible mechanism of YKL40 promoting overexpression of IL-6,IL-8, TNF-a in childhood with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Wang Yingge , Lin Chang , Huang Min , Fang Xiuling , Chen Guohao , Ye Shengnan
Published: January 2023

Objective
To evaluate the levels of YKL40, IL-6(interleukin-6), IL-8(interleukin-8), IL-10(interleukin-10), TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor-α) in OSAS (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome )children and explore the mechanism of YKL40 promoting inflammatory factors overexpression in tonsils.
Methods
qPCR and ELISA were used to identify the expression of YKL40, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-a in the tonsils of OSAS children. Primary tonsil lymphocytes (PTLCs) were cultured and recombinant human YKL40(rhYKL40)was used to stimulate PTLCs in different concentrations and time points. The activation of NF-κb in PTLCs was observed by western blotting.
Results
Relative mRNA of YKL40, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α was overexpression in OSAS-derived tonsil tissue and the levels of YKL40, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased in OSAS-derived tonsil protein supernatant.The relative mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were increased under the treatment of YKL40 (100 ng/mmol for 24h). The phosphorylation of NF-κb p65 was stimulated in the process.
Conclusion
The levels of YKL40, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased in OSAS children, and YKL40 may promote the overexpression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in PTLCs via NF-κb pathway. This result indicates that inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSAS in children. Inhibition of YKL40 may have a potential therapeutic target for YKL40-induced inflammation in pediatric OSAS.
Aquaporin 9 is involved in CRC metastasis through DVL2-dependent Wnt/βcatenin signaling activation
Authors: Liu Yiting , Feng Xingzhi , Chen Guanxing , Jiang Xuefei , Ye Shubiao , Chen Daici , Yang Zihuan
Published: January 2023

Background: Aquaporin 9 (AQP9), an aquaporin protein family member, is permeable to water and other small molecules. Aquaporins play important role in a variety of pathophysiological processes, fostering growing interests in identifying them as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. We previously found that AQP9 is related to the efficacy of chemotherapy in CRC patients, but its role and regulating mechanism in CRC progression remains unclear.
Results: In this study, we find that AQP9 is highly expressed in metastatic CRC. AQP9 overexpression induces reduced cell roundness and enhanced cell motility in CRC, which contribute to cancer metastasis. We further show that AQP9 interacts with DVL2 via the C-terminal SVIM motif, resulting in DVL2 stabilization and nuclear β-catenin increase. Deletion of the SVIM motif disrupts the AQP9-DVL2 interaction and results in the repression of TCF/LEF transcriptional activity, supporting the involvement of DVL2 in AQP9 induced Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. Additionally, we identify the E3 ligase NEDD4L as an modulator in regulating the ubiquitination and degradation of AQP9.
Conclusions: Collectively, our study reveals the important role of AQP9 in regulating DVL2 stabilization and Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote CRC metastasis. Targeting NEDD4L-AQP9-DVL2 axis might be with therapeutic usefulness in metastatic CRC treatment.
Total Synthesis of Tetrodotoxin and 9-epiTetrodotoxin
Authors: Qi Xiangbing , Chen Pei-hao , Wang Jing , Wang Yan , Sun Yuze , Bai Songlin , Wu Qingcui , Zhang Shuangfeng , Cheng Xinyu , Cao Peng
Published: January 2023

Tetrodotoxin and congeners are specific voltage-gated sodium channel blockers that exhibit remarkable anesthetic and analgesic effects. Here, we present a scalable asymmetric synthesis of TTX and 9-epiTTX from the abundant chemical feedstock furfuryl alcohol. The optically pure cyclohexane skeleton was assembled via a stereoselective Diels-Alder reaction. The dense heteroatom substituents were established sequentially by a series of functional group interconversions on highly oxygenated cyclohexane frameworks, including a chemoselective cyclic anhydride opening, and a decarboxylative hydroxylation. An innovative SmI2-mediated concurrent fragmentation, an oxo-bridge ring opening and ester reduction followed by an Upjohn dihydroxylation delivered the highly oxidized skeleton. Ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative alkyne cleavage and formation of the hemiaminal and orthoester under acidic conditions enabled the rapid assembly of TTX, anhydro-TTX, 9-epiTTX, and 9-epi lactone-TTX.
A Low-Cost Indoor Navigation and Tracking System Based on Wi-Fi-RSSI
Authors: Aminah Nina Siti , Ichwanda Arsharizka Syahadati , Djamal Daryanda Dwiammardi , Budiharto Yohanes Baptista Wijaya , Budiman Maman
Published: January 2023

In the recent years, the number of smartphone users has increased dramatically every year. Smartphones produce a variety of services including indoor navigation and tracking using the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) routers to estimate user position. In this research, we developed a navigation and tracking system using a Fingerprint map and k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm. In that way, we can help the user to go through the nearest path to user destination by using Dijkstra’s algorithm. These features are displayed in the form of an RSSI-based navigation application on an Android smartphone. At the same time, estimated position of user of this navigation app will be sent to server and viewed in a real time website application. This system helps to assist visitors in finding their way in a complex building and at the same time it allows building owners record and analyze visitor movement. One key benefit of the system is its low initial cost. It only utilizes the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure. Experimental results show that this system can reach an accuracy up to 78% and distance errors less than 3 meters.
Growth and Characterization of (Cd-Zn)S (Cadmium Zinc Sulfide) Thin Film Prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition
Authors: Yadu Goverdhan , Verma Lekhram , Chandrakar Vani , Hirwani Lekhram
Published: January 2023

The present paper reported the optical & structural property of the ternary undoped and Lantanium(La) doped Cadmium Zinc Sulfide (Cd-Zn)S, deposited on the glass substrate by using chemical bath deposition(CBD) method. For the deposition of (Cd-Zn)S thin film used high purity cadmium sulphate, (CdSO4) for Cd2+ ion, thiourea (NH2)2SC for S2− ion, Zinc Acetate ZN(CH3COO)2 is source of Zn2+ ion, Ammonia to maintain pH value, EDTA used as complexing agent, For the doping Lanthanum Nitrate (La(NO3)3) used which is the source of La. The outcomes of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence (PL) Study and Photoconductivity study are reported for prepared sample. The thickness of prepared Undoped sample (Cd-Zn)S is 1.17 µm and the La Doped Sample (Cd-Zn)S:La thickness is 1.12 µm. Absorption edge spectra shows 550 nm & 520 nm for (Cd-Zn)S & (Cd-Zn)S:La respectively and corresponding band gap is 2.12eV & 2.26eV. In the photoconductivity study the ratio of IPC/IDC found to be of the order of 104, PL Spectra shows excitation peak by transition of excitonic level elements. The Phase of the prepared film is tetragonal, hexagonal, cubic and orthogonal which confirm from XRD study.
Description of Static, Dynamic and Perceptual Body Balance in Youth Soccer Players
Authors: Montealegre-Mesa Lina María , Daza Carlos A. Castillo , Castellanos-Ruíz Julialba , Zamuner Fernanda Habechian
Published: January 2023

Objective
To describe the characteristics of static, dynamic and perceptive body balance in professional league youth soccer players.
Method
Descriptive, cross-sectional design.
Context:
Soccer players from the Caldas Soccer League. Manizales-Colombia.
Participants:
40 youth male soccer players with an age range between 17 and 20 years old belonging to the sub-17 and sub-20 categories at the professional level of a nationally recognized club, Manizales-Colombia.
Measurements:
Romberg test to assess static balance. Stability limits test that allows to evaluate the dynamic stability and the displacement of the centers of pressure. Cumberland Ankle Instability Test Questionnaire (CAIT), which is a self-reported outcome questionnaire that rates the level of functional ankle disability.
Results
There are no significant changes between the balance tests eyes open and eyes closed, therefore, there are no significant variations between body balance; greater center of gravity of the right foot compared to the left, which represents less stability of this hemibody; statistical difference between the feet according to the CAIT questionnaire.
Conclusions
For the analysis of balance in soccer players, it is necessary to observe motor control, the functional and physiological component and understand the factors associated with sports practice such as pain, decreased muscle strength, muscle fatigue, disability, among others, which are contemplated through the CAIT questionnaire, thus establishing the measurable balance and perceptive results of the soccer player.
A fully automated hybrid approach to assessing liver fibrosis and necroinflammation on conventional MRI: A multi-center cohort Study
Authors: Zha Jun-hao , Huang Shan , Xia Tian-yi , Chen Zhi-yuan , Zheng Tian-ying , Yu Qian , Zhou Jia-ying , Cao Peng , Wang Yuan-cheng , Tang Tian-yu , Song Yang , Xu Jun , Song Bin , Liu Yu-pin , Ju Shenghong
Published: January 2023

Background & Aims: To develop and validate the CoRC model at conventional MRI for diagnosing clinically significant liver fibrosis (≥ F2) and necroinflammation (≥ G2).
Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study recruited 537 patients with biopsy-proven liver fibrosis and necroinflammation at center 1 from May 2015 to Aug 2020 and center 2 between Jan 2011 and Jan 2021. 394 patients were randomly allocated into training (n = 276) and internal test (n = 118) cohorts at center 1.. Automated entire liver segmentation used ResUNet-based Human-in-the-Loop approach. Radiomics features were extracted from the mask on fat-suppressed T2-weighted and delayed enhanced T1-weighted images separately. Radiomics signatures were generated using logistic regression. Radiomics-scores and optimal clinical biomarkers as independent risk factors were integrated into the CoRC models in the training cohort with multivariate logistic regression. Models were tested in independent temporal test cohort at center 1 (n = 96) and an external test cohort from center 2 (n = 47). Diagnostic performance was evaluated by area under the curve, calibrations and decision curve analysis.
Results: In the internal, temporal, and external test cohorts, CoRC model 1 yielded AUCs of 0.79, 0.82 , and 0.83 for ≥ F2, meanwhile, CoRC model 2 showed AUCs of 0.86, 0.79, and 0.89 for ≥ G2. ,We compared CoRC models with transient elastography-based liver stiffness measurement (TE-LSM) subgrouply (AUC 0.78 vs.0.79, P = 0.86/0.82 vs. 0.73, P = 0.14 for ≥ F2, whereas 0.88 vs. 0.81, P = 0.16/0.79 vs. 0.74, P = 0.49 for ≥ G2).
Conclusions CoRC models exhibited promising diagnostic performances for ≥ F2 and ≥ G2, which could be a potential alternative when TE-LSM is unavailable.
Risk Factors of Submucosal Invasion in Early Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Tianzheng , He Chiyi , Li Lin
Published: January 2023

Aim

This study aimed to explore the risk factors of submucosal invasion in early colorectal cancer (ECC), so as to provide more accurate treatment strategies for ECC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients with ECC who received endoscopic or surgical treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, from January 2017 to December 2021. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors of submucosal invasion in ECC. We used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to estimate the predictive value of independent risk factors for the risk of submucosal invasion in ECC.

Results

A total of 109 ECC patients were enrolled, among them, 46 cases (42.20%) with infiltration depth of submucosa were classified as the study group, and the remaining 63 cases without submucosal invasion were classified as the control group. Univariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years old, lesion diameter > 1cm, differentiation degree, lesion surface accompanied by erosion or ulceration, redness and bleeding tendency were associated with submucosal invasion of ECC (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the moderate or poor differentiation (β = 4.158, odds ratio [OR] = 63.960, 95% confidence interval [CI]:15.149-270.038, P < 0.001), bleeding tendency (β = 2.828, OR = 16.914, 95%CI:1.728-165.553, P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for submucosal invasion with ECC. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of differentiation degree was 0.871 (95%CI: 0.797–0.945, P < 0.001), the AUC of bleeding tendency was 0.582 (95%CI: 0.471–0.693, P = 0.145), and the AUC of the combined measurements was 0.906 (95%CI: 0.845–0.967, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Moderate or poor differentiation and bleeding tendency are independent risk factors for submucosal invasion with ECC. The accuracy of combined measurements is higher than that of single measuremnet. Patients with ECC meeting the above conditions should be adequately evaluated before surgery, so as to provide more accurate treatment strategies.
A Bayesian Method for Dam Failure Risk Analysis using Causal Loop Diagrams and Word Frequency Analysis
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Hongen , Sheng Jinbao , Yuan LI , Pan Yuxuan , Zhao Jianguo
Published: January 2023

Earthen dams operate in complex environments where their safety is often affected by multiple uncertain risks. A Bayesian network (BN) is often used to analyze the dam failure risk, which is an effective tool for this issue as its excellent ability in representing uncertainty and reasoning. The validity of the BN model is strongly dependent on the quality of the sample data, making convincing modeling rationale a challenge, which limits its use. There has been a lack of systematic analysis of the dam failure data of China, which further leads to a lack of in-depth exploration of potential associations between risk factors. In this paper, we established a comprehensive database containing various dam failure cases in China. Herein, historical dam failure statistics are used to develop BN models for risk analysis of earthen dams in China. In order to unleash the value of the historical data, we established a Bayesian network through the Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD) based on the nonlinear causal analysis. We determined the conditional probabilities using Word Frequency Analysis (WFA). By comparing with the Bayesian learning results, the modeling method of BN proposed in our study has apparent advantages. According to the BN model established in this paper, the probabilities of dam failure with three damage modes of seepage damage, overtopping and structural instability are 22.1%, 58.1%, and 7.9%, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated how to perform the inference process of the dam failure path. This will provide helpful information for dam safety practitioners in their decision-making process.
Effects of da Vinci robot versus thoracoscopic surgery on body trauma and lymphocyte subsets in lung cancer patients: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Hong Ziqiang , Sheng Yannan , Bai Xiangdou , Cui Baiqiang , Cheng Tao , Lu Yingjie , Wu Xusheng , Jin Dacheng , Gou Yunjiu
Published: January 2023

Objective
To assess the impact of da Vinci robot versus thoracoscopic surgery on body trauma and lymphocyte subsets in lung cancer patients.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of 352 patients with lung cancer treated by minimally invasive surgery completed by the same operator in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from October 2019 to October 2022. The patients were divided into a robotic-assisted thoracic surgery(RATS) group (n = 159) and a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group(VATS) (n = 193) according to the surgical procedure. Propensity score matching analysis (PSM) was performed in both groups, and perioperative indicators were recorded. Levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, CRP; interleukin-6, IL-6) and lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) were measured 1 day before surgery, 1, 3 and 5 days after surgery, respectively. To compare the effects of the two surgical procedures on the trauma and lymphocyte subsets of the patient's organism.
Results
138 patients in each group after PSM. The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage time, and drainage flow were all lower in the RATS group than in the VATS group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The levels of CRP and IL-6 increased in both groups after surgery compared with those before surgery, and the increase was less in the RATS group than in the VATS group. Postoperative T-lymphocyte levels were lower in both groups compared with preoperative levels, and T-lymphocyte levels were significantly lower in the VATS group compared with the RATS group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Compared with thoracoscopic radical lung cancer surgery, robotic radical lung cancer surgery is clinically superior because it is less invasive, induces less inflammatory response in the body, has faster recovery, and has less suppressive effects on lymphocyte subpopulations.
Enhancing 5G Propagation into Vehicles and Buildings using Optically Transparent and Polarisation Insensitive Metasurfaces over Wide-Incidence Angles
Authors: Bagheri Amirmasood , Danesh Shadi , Wang Fan , Khalily Mohsen , Tafazolli Rahim
Published: January 2023

This article presents two transmissive metasurfaces coated on a glassy window to enhance the 5G outdoor to indoor (O2I) coverage inside vehicles and buildings. Two different wide-incident angle, and polarization insensitive unit cells are proposed for both single-glazing and double glazing glasses and have been arranged in a periodic structure to construct the transmission surfaces. Both metasurfaces are optically transparent as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is used as a conductive part of each unit cell. The proposed transmission surfaces empower the indoor coverage of 5G signals at 3.5 GHz band for wide range of incident angels. Although multi-layer structures are generally more sensitive to angle of incidence, however, both proposed two layered transmissive surfaces offer wide angular stability up to 65 and 75 degrees for double-and single-glazed glass accordingly. In order to achieve wide stable angular response, evolutionary optimization techniques have been used to optimise the proposed unit-cells. Both designs support high transmission coefficient over the operating frequency for wide incident angles which are higher than reported structures in the literature review. The fabricated prototypes have been evaluated experimentally and from measured results, it appears that both metasurfaces offer significant potential to improve propagation into buildings and vehicles.
Intergenerational Mobility of Earnings in China
Authors: wang yanmin , jin jing
Published: January 2023

Due to dataset limitations, existing studies on China’s intergenerational income mobility are unreliable. Using longitudinal data from the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey, this study applied a modified version of the Zimmerman [Zimmerman DJ (1992) Regression toward mediocrity in economic stature. Am Econ Rev 82(3):409–429] model and estimated intergenerational earnings mobility based on a complete model with covariance restrictions. The new estimate demonstrates that intergenerational earnings elasticity in China is 0.54, a rather higher level relative to most developed countries.JEL: J62, C81, D31
Trace metals contamination in varieties of cereal-based pediatric foods sold in parts of Accra, Ghana
Authors: Domfeh A. , Anim A. K. , Asamoah A.
Published: January 2023

Dietary intake is a potential route of babies’ exposure to trace metals contamination. Cereal-based pediatric foods on the Ghanaian market can be susceptible to contamination as they are mostly produced on small scales by individuals with little or no knowledge of food safety. This study ascertained trace metals quality of fifty (50) cereal-based pediatric foods composed of: maize, rice, millet, wheat, and mixed cereals from major sales outlets on the Ghanaian market. The samples were acid (HNO3 + H2O2) digested and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS).
Concentration (mg/kg) of trace metals were: 0.87–34.74 (Fe), <0.001­–1.00 (Zn), <0.003–0.92 (Cu), <0.002–0.82 (Cd), <0.001–0.26 (Cr), <0.005–0.23 (Co), <0.001–0.58 (Pb), and <0.001–0.20 (Ni) across samples. Pb and Cd were respectively measured in 22 % and 44 % of samples that were not registered by the Food and Drug Authority (FDA). Concentration of Cd in 10% of samples exceeded the WHO limit by a factor of 8. Calculated hazard indices > 1.0 indicated potential health risk to baby within the studied age groups with cadmium as the predominate cause. This initial findings show that some locally produced cereal-based pediatric foods on the Ghanaian market can present a route of trace metals contamination and therefore warrant periodic investigations to safeguard public health.
MRI features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension are not prognostic of visual and headache outcome
Authors: Bsteh Gabriel , Marik Wolfgang , Krajnc Nik , Macher Stefan , Mitsch Christoph , Pruckner Philip , Novak Klaus , Wöber Christian , Pemp Berthold
Published: January 2023

Background: In idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), certain MRI features are promising diagnostic markers, but whether these have prognostic value is currently unknown.
Methods: We included patients from the Vienna-Idiopathic-Intracranial-Hypertension (VIIH) database with definitive IIH according to Friedman criteria and cranial MRI performed at diagnosis. Presence of empty sella (ES), optic nerve sheath distension (ONSD), optic nerve tortuosity (ONT), posterior globe flattening (PGF) and transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) was assessedand multivariable regression models regarding visual outcome (persistent visual impairment/visual worsening) and headache outcome (headache improvement/freedom of headache) were fitted.
Results: We included 84 IIH patients (88.1% female, mean age 33.5 years, median body mass index 33.7). At baseline, visual impairment was present in 70.2% and headache in 84.5% (54.8% chronic). Persistent visual impairment occurred in 58.3%, visual worsening in 13.1%, headache improvement was achieved in 83.8%, freedom of headache in 26.2%.
At least one MRI feature was found in 78.6% and 60.0% had ≥3 features with ONSD most frequent (64.3%) followed by TSS (60.0%), ONT (46.4%), ES (44.0%) and PGF (23.8%).
In multivariable models, there was no association of any single MRI feature or their number with visual impairment, visual worsening, headache improvement or freedom.
Visual impairment at baseline predicted persistent visual impairment (odds ratio 6.3, p<0.001), but not visual worsening. Chronic headache at baseline was significantly associated with lower likelihood of headache freedom (odds ratio 0.48, p=0.013), but not with headache improvement.
Conclusions: MRI features of IIH are neither prognostic of visual nor headache outcome.
How is the clinical value of HER2-low expression in early breast cancer with the neoadjuvant setting: an ambidirectional cohort study.
Authors: He Junlin , Song Jian , Li Muyao , Wang Xin , Liu Ye , Jin Feng , Zheng Ang
Published: January 2023

Background: Cumulative studies supported that HER2 low is a biological subtype of breast cancer however controversial conclusions were made in different real-world studies. We explored the differences in clinical characteristics and short-term and long-term prognosis outcomes between HER2 0 and HER2 low early breast cancer patients using an ambidirectional cohort in China.
Methods: Among 711 patients who first diagnosed with breast cancer between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, those with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were screened. Finally, 303 patients were included in our analysis and 90 patients (29.7%) with HER2 = 0 and 213 patients (70.3%) with HER2 = 1+. Propensity score method with inverse probability of treatment weighting was applied to account for the confounders. Results from weighted Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test, weighted logistic and cox regression were used to compare two groups.
Results: Regarding the baseline and clinical characteristics between HER2-low and HER2-0 group. Family history of caner, ER, PR, HR, Ki-67 labeling index and treatment regimens were observed different. 35% patients used EC-T/EC-P/AC-P treatment. Regarding the bpCR, ORR and rwOS, after multivariate adjustment and propensity score method, no evidence indicated any differences between two groups.
Conclusions: HER2-low as a specific biological subtype remains difficult. The HER2-low expression can differ from the therapeutic value in neoadjuvant setting among early breast cancer patients. Further research on the understanding of HER2 low breast cancer is necessary.
Decadal-scale variability and global warming affect spring timing and forest growth across the western Great Lakes region
Authors: McPartland Mara Y.
Published: January 2023

The Great Lakes region of central North America has warmed by 1–2 degrees Celsius on average since pre-industrial times, with the bulk of warming occurring in winter and spring. Within the continental interior, the multi-decadal warming trend is modulated by long-range teleconnections to centers of ocean-atmosphere variability in the North Pacific and high Arctic, which affect atmospheric dynamics across the mid-latitude. Variability in spring temperatures affects regional ecosystems by altering growing season length and growth phenology, and different ecotypes and species may exhibit unique or diverging responses to climatic changes. Determining the relative influence of natural ocean-atmosphere variability versus the ‘secular’ warming trend on spring temperatures is necessary to estimate the range of potential ecological responses to future warming scenarios. This study examines shifts in Great Lakes climate by evaluating the role of warming and major ocean atmosphere climate patterns on interannual variability and multi-decadal trends in spring climatology in long observational records and leading modes of ocean-atmosphere circulation over the Arctic and North Pacific. From the analysis of climatology, this study also measures the sensitivity of regional forests to variation and trend in temperature using long-term growth records from tree-rings and satellite data. Using a modeling approach designed to test for regime shifts in time series data, this research shows that mid-continent spring climatology is strongly influenced by winter phases-changes in the North Pacific, and that regional forests show a strengthening response to the trend in spring climate during the last half-century.
Determining the Earliest Growth Stage to Detect the Presence of Endophytes in Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass Seedlings Using Molecular Markers
Authors: Lee Kendall , Hill Nicholas , Missaoui Ali , Cerna Chloe
Published: January 2023

Background
Tall fescue and perennial ryegrass are important cool-season forage and amenity grasses. Both types of grass have a mutualistic association with an endophytic fungus. Novel endophytes, non-toxic to livestock, have been bred in association with elite cultivars of the two species. It is critically important for producers to ensure that their seeds have an adequate level of endophyte-infection. There are different ways to test for endophyte presence and toxicity. Immunoblot tests have been commonly used but molecular markers have been developed that can be used as well. The goal of this research was to identify the earliest growth stage endophyte presence in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass can be successfully detected following seed germination using molecular markers as compared to immunoblot tests. We also sought to test an in-house primer, lolF, against a housekeeping gene marker, tef1exon, for endophyte detection.
Results
We found that molecular marker detection is limited at 14 DAG as there are not enough mycelia in the leaf tissue for DNA extraction and PCR to be carried out. Molecular markers can be reliably used at 28 DAG and later, whereas immunoblot testing can be done as early as 14 DAG. We find that at the time points when they can be reliably tested, molecular markers are comparable to the immunoblot assay in identifying endophyte presence. We also found that lolF is equal in endophyte detection to tef1exon in tall fescue but is not effective in perennial ryegrass.
Conclusions
Immunoblot assays identify endophyte presence at the earliest time point. Molecular markers can be reliably used at 28 days post germination and later. These findings provide researchers and producers with useful information that help them decide when and how to test their populations for endophytes.
miR-382-5p promotes breast cancer invasion via the regulation of PTEN
Authors: Amelimojarad Melika , Amelimojarad MANDANA , Wang Jian , Pourmahdian Alireza
Published: January 2023

Background
The expression of miR-382-5p is dysregulated in various cancers, and its aberrant expression has been linked to cancer progression and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to estimate the expression level of miR-382-5p in breast cancer (BC) tissues and cell lines, as well as evaluate its biological function in tumorigenesis.
Methods
First, qRT-PCR was used to detect miR-382-5p expression in both BC tissues and cell lines. Next, the effects of miR-382-5p on cell proliferation and invasion were studied using the CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, and invasion assay. The association between miR-382-5p and its target (PTEN) was investigated using bioinformatics tools and confirmed using a luciferase assay. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between miR-382-5p and PTEN. Finally, the analysis of signaling networks was visualized.
Results
Our findings showed that overexpression of miR-382-5p in both BC tissues and cell lines increased cell viability and invasive ability via PTEN depletion, whereas PTEN up-regulation via plasmid transfection suppressed miR-382-5p proliferation and invasive effect on BC cells. Furthermore, the upregulation of miR-382-5p was associated with a poor prognosis and patient outcomes.
Conclusions
As a result of our findings, knocking down miR-382-5p could be considered a potential target for BC treatment.
Mitochondrial IRG1 traps Mcl-1 to induce hepatocyte apoptosis and promote carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Dong Yue , Zhang Luxin , Wang Minjun , Zhou Ye , Jia Kaiwei , Wang Suyuan , Wang Mu , Li Yunhui , Lu Shan , Fan Yiwen , Zhang Dingji , Yang Yingyun , Li Nan , Yu Yizhi , Cao Xuetao , Hou Jin
Published: January 2023

Background
Hepatocarcinogenesis is initiated by repeated hepatocyte death and liver damage, and the underlying mechanisms mediating cell death and the subsequent carcinogenesis remain to be fully investigated. Immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1) and its enzymatic metabolite itaconate are known to suppress inflammation in myeloid cells, and its expression in liver parenchymal hepatocytes is currently determined. However, the potential roles of IRG1 in hepatocarcinogenesis are still unknown.
Methods
Hepatocyte-specific IRG1 knockout mice were constructed to examine the role of IRG1 in hepatocarcinogenesis using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and stelic animal model (STAM)-induced mouse models. Molecular and biological experiments were performed to explore the mechanisms of hepatic IRG1 in promoting hepatocyte apoptosis and carcinogenesis in vivo and in vitro.
Results
Here, using the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis mouse model, we found that IRG1 expression in hepatocytes was markedly induced upon DEN administration. The DEN-induced IRG1 was then determined to promote the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis of hepatocytes and liver damage, thus enhancing the subsequent hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the pro-apoptotic and carcinogenesis-promotive functions of IRG1 were independent on its catalytic product itaconate. Mechanistically, we found that the mitochondrial IRG1 could associate and trap anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 to inhibit the interaction between Mcl-1 and pro-apoptotic Bim, thus promoting Bim activation and downstream Bax mitochondrial translocation, and then releasing cytochrome c and initiating apoptosis.
Conclusions
The inducible mitochondrial IRG1 promotes hepatocyte apoptosis and the following hepatocarcinogenesis, which provides mechanistic insight and a potential target for preventing liver injury and HCC.
Conservation implications of mapping the potential distribution of an Ethiopian endemic versatile medicinal plant, Echinops kebericho Mesfin.
Authors: Teferi Bedilu Tafesse , Gode Tamirat Bekele , Woodmats Sebesbe Demissew , Dullo Bikila Warkineh , Duguma Sileshi Nemomssa , Gelete Desalegn Chala
Published: January 2023

Herbal medicines have served as remedies for both human and livestock ailments for ages. This is continued to be so in developing countries such as Ethiopia where about 80% of the population are still dependent on traditional medicines. However, immense anthropogenic pressure is posing a threat on these invaluable resources. Echinops kebericho is a narrow range multipurpose medicinal plant confined to Ethiopia and known for its efficacy to cure several disease such as epilepsy, epistaxis and atrophy. Extracts from E. kebercho has antibacterial and anti-leshmanial activities as well as several agricultural and veterinary applications. Currently, intense land use and overharvesting for traditional medicine have resulted in its narrow distributions and E. kebercho is among the medicinal plants of Ethiopia with a decreasing population trend. Here we aim to map its potential distribution, which is key to guide conservation efforts and sustainable use. We modeled the potential distribution of this multipurpose medicinal plant using maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) employing twenty-one predictor variables by calibrating the model at two complexity levels and replicating each model 10 times using a cross validation technique. We projected the models into the whole of Ethiopia and produced binary presence-absence maps by splitting the average map from both complexity levels applying three threshold criteria and ensembling the resulting maps into one for the final result. We mapped suitable habitat predicted with high certainty and identified local districts where E. kebericho can be cultivated or introduced to enhance its conservation. We estimated that E.kebercho has about 137,925 km2 of suitable habitat, mainly concentrated in the western highlands of the Ethiopian mountains. Our models at both complexity levels had high average performances, AUC values of 0.925 for the complex model and 0.907 for the simpler model. Although E. kebericho is locally confined, our models predict that, it has a remarkably wider potential distribution area. We recommend introducing E. kebericho to these areas to improve its conservation status and tap its multiple benefits on a sustainable basis. Locally confined threatened plants and animals likely have wider potential distributions than their realized niche and thus similar methodology can be applied for their conservation.
Pashto handwritten character recognition based on Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) and Deep learning
Authors: ullah muneeb
Published: January 2023

In the field of machine learning, various models are used to train and test machines to perform a variety of tasks, including data analysis, computer vision, speech recognition, pattern matching, pattern recognition, and natural language processing. Computer vision is an important area where deep learning architectures, GANs, and transfer learning are applied. In the field of pattern matching and pattern recognition, research based on deep learning models has attracted significant attention from researchers due to their excellent performance. Pashto is an ancient and historical language spoken in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Optical character recognition (OCR) systems using Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) have been developed for several cursive languages, such as Chinese, Urdu, and Japanese, but no study has been done yet to recognize Pashto handwritten characters using the GAN network architecture. In this study, we used a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to generate additional images of handwritten characters in order to help improve the accuracy of a recognition system for handwritten characters. We used a dataset of 43,000 images representing 43 different classes of Pashto characters, which was collected from GitHub repositories and is available for other researchers to use. We employed two deep transfer models, ResNet50 and VGGNet16, to recognize the Pashto handwritten characters and evaluated their performance. The results showed that VGGent16 achieved 98.39% testing accuracy while ResNet50 achieved 99.24% testing accuracy. From the experimental result found that ResNet50 achieved a higher accuracy rate than VGGNet16 when tested on the dataset of Pashto characters. Furthermore, the accuracy rate achieved by ResNet50 was higher than the accuracy rates reported in previous studies on Pashto character recognition.
Study of the growth of two yeast strains (Yarrowia lipolytica and Pichia guilliermondii) in an ammonium formate solution of rubber effluents
Authors: NESTOR NSOE MENGUE JEAN JACQUES , PATRICE KOFA GUILLAUME , SYLVERE NDI KOUNGOU , BOUKAR HASSANA , VICTORIA AMBA ESEGNI , JOSEPH KAYEM
Published: January 2023

The growth of microorganisms is influenced by several physico-chemical parameters that need to be controlled before starting a biological treatment plant for better process efficiency. In this study, the influence of temperature (25-40 °C), pH (4-8), and ammonium formate concentration (1.59-7.94 mM) on the growth of two yeast strains (Y.lipolytica and P.guilliermondii ) examined in a batch process. Temperature has a direct impact on the kinetic growth parameters with an activation energy (Ea) of 14.3 kcal/mol and R2 0.95 for Y.lipolytica and 12.5 kcal/mol and R2 0.97 for P.guilliermondii, what indicating a dominant biological regime. The yeast strains are acidophilic with a maximum growth pH between pH 5 and 6.
High soluble uric acid levels in healthy subjects are accompanied by elevated peripheral lymphocytes
Authors: Yu Qiuyang , Sun Zhengyi , Wang Ying , Du Xue , Huang Jing , Wang Liying
Published: January 2023

Background: Studies have shown that uric acid (UA) crystals can induce immune responses in the body; however, the relationship between soluble UA and immune responses remains unknown.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed and compared peripheral blood immune cells and cytokine levels in healthy individuals with high or normal serum uric acid (SUA) levels. We used soluble UA to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro and examined lymphocyte subset counts and activation.
Results: The number of immune cells in healthy individuals with high SUA levels increased, with the most obvious increase being observed in lymphocytes, mainly in CD4+ T cells. Lymphocyte elevation was more pronounced in women, who showed increased CD19+ B cell counts. Concomitantly, IL-4 and IL-10 levels significantly increased in healthy individuals with high SUA levels. In vitro, soluble UA promoted the proliferation and activation of CD4+ T and CD19+ B cells.
Conclusions: Our study revealed that elevated soluble UA levels may cause peripheral lymphocytes counts increase and make healthy subjects in a Th2-dominant immune status.
Can public emergencies force farmers to improve Automation level?
Authors: Liu Zhentao , Zhou Xunzhang , Shen Lin , Ma Zhuoya , Lu Jian
Published: January 2023

The frequent occurrence of public emergencies seriously affects the healthy development of the farming industry, and it is important to improve the level of farming automation to cope with the impact of public emergencies and improve farming efficiency and the healthy development of the farming industry. Based on the dual impact of African swine fever and COVID-19, the article empirically analyzes the impact of unexpected public events on the level of farming automation using primary research data and an Ordered Logit model. It is found that: 1) both direct and indirect shocks of public emergencies will force farming entities to improve their automation levels; 2) there are differences in the impact of public emergencies on different scale farming entities to improve their automation levels. For conventional farmers, the direct impact of public emergencies on the improvement of farming automation level changes from negative to positive with the introduction of control variables. For non-regulated farmers, both direct and indirect shocks from public emergencies increase the probability of increasing automation level. Accordingly, the article proposes suggestions in terms of increasing the investment in automation facilities, investment in disease prevention and control, and consideration of scale differences to help farmers better cope with the shocks of unexpected public events and thus stabilize production.
Negative surface chlorophyll concentration anomalies in the southeastern Arabian Sea during 2015 and 2019 summers
Authors: Huang Huaming , Huang Ke , Yang Lei , Wang Dongxiao , Liang Zhanlin
Published: January 2023

Two extremely low surface chlorophyll concentration events in the southeast Arabian Sea (SEAS, 6oN-15oN, 72oE-77oE) during summers of 2015 and 2019 have been found since 1998. Although warm sea surface temperature (SST) and low nutrients are the direct cause for the anomalously low surface chlorophyll concentration, the physical processes leading to the warm SST anomalies during 2015 and 2019 summer are different. Satellite observations, model outputs and reanalysis data are used to explore the related mechanisms. In 2019, the combined effects of northward local wind anomaly due to extreme positive Indian ocean dipole (IOD) and westward-propagating downwelling Kelvin wave driven by the easterly anomaly in eastern Sri Lanka weaken the upwelling in the SEAS, leading to warm SST anomaly and suppressing the upward transport of the subsurface nutrients to the surface. A weaker positive IOD occurred in 2015, leading to stronger upwelling in the SEAS than during 2019. Yet, seawater in the SEAS experienced extreme warming (lowest SST exceeded 28.5oC) due to the development of super El Niño in 2015. The significant seawater warming can shoal mixed layer and prevent the nutrients in the subsurface from reaching surface, which is unfavorable for the chlorophyll growth. The thermal balance analysis suggests that the extreme warming in the SEAS was mainly related to more downward shortwave radiation and zonal advection.
Public Communication as a Mechanism for Collusion in the Broiler Industry
Authors: Sheng Qiwen , Vukina Tomislav
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we investigate whether the U.S. broiler companies used public information sharing mechanisms to collude to reduce output and fix prices. Utilizing natural language processing methods, we converted quarterly earnings call transcripts of publicly traded broiler companies into structured data. We identified 6 keywords used as signals: cut, balance, constrain, discipline, reduction and adjustment. Our results show statistically significant and mildly elastic negative relationship between the keywords signals and three different broiler production precursors. For example, a 1% increase in aggregated signal is associated with 1.24% reduction in the broiler-type eggs placed in incubators. The results are corroborated when using LASSO estimation to identify the most important elements in the vector of collusion signals. Our findings can be interpreted as adding to the already large body of prosecutorial evidence that in the early 2010s broiler companies colluded to reduce production and fix prices.