bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency-optimized Data Perturbation in Local Differentially Private Federated Learning
Authors: Zhao Jianzhe , Yang Mengbo , Zheng Jiali , Feng Jingran , Matwin Stan
Published: August 2022

Federated learning (FL) pours vitality into developing data-driven AI. However, there are still some challenges, such as balancing the security and efficiency in FL. Differential privacy is one of the dominant means in privacy-preserving machine learning. Local differential privacy (LDP) further realizes the confidentiality of the server by perturbing the transmitting parameters, which is naturally applicable for the decentralized FL. However, the current research exists the weaknesses of low communication efficiency and poor adaptability in complex deep learning models. In this work, we propose an efficiency-optimized LDP data perturbation mechanism (Adaptive-Harmony), which allows adaptive parameter range to reduce variance and improve model accuracy. Specifically, each client in each round adaptively selects perturbation parameters according to model training. Furthermore, only 1-bit data transmission for each dimension of the model parameters, thus significantly reducing the communication overhead. Theoretical analysis and proof have shown that Adaptive-Harmony holds the same asymptotic error bounds and convergence performance as advanced works but with minimal communication costs. An LDP-FL framework (Optimal LDP-FL) is also proposed, taking Adaptive-Harmony as the core. We also introduce a parameter shuffling in the Optimal LDP-FL, which avoids server tracking clients through the model parameters, thereby improving privacy levels without consuming the privacy budget. Comprehensive experiments on the MNIST and Fashion MNIST datasets show that the proposed method can significantly reduce computational and communication costs with the same level of privacy and model utility.
A 53-year-old woman with solitary plasmacytoma of skull: a case report
Authors: Ma Jiaqi , Liu Bei
Published: August 2022

Background: Solitary plasmacytoma is a rare malignant plasma cell disease, accounting for about 3% of all malignant plasma cell diseases. Therefore, we report a rare case of solitary plasmacytoma showing growth and invasion patterns in the right lateral orbit.Case Presentation: Patient concerns A 53-year-old woman presented in 7 years ago with right facial numbness for a month and the symptoms had worsened for two weeks. Diagnosis Solitary bone plasmacytoma in right lateral orbital exhibiting in growth and encroachment pattern. Interventions We placed the patient in the supine position and operated from the right pterional approach to remove the tumor. The patient underwent surgery to remove all the tumor, however, she did not receive any radiotherapy. Outcomes After 7 years of postoperative follow-up, the patient showed no functional damage, no tumor recurrence, and had orthobiosis, and proper functioning. Conclusions: Solitary plasmacytoma of skull is so rare that It's hard to accumulate large cohorts and conduct clinical trials to discover better treatment models and ideas. Further prospective studies are needed on patients' recovery.
Long-term Results of Upfront, Single-session Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Large Cystic Vestibular Schwannomas
Authors: Peker Selcuk , Samanci Yavuz , Ozdemir Inan Erdem , Kunst Henricus PM , Eekers Daniëlle B P , Temel Yasin
Published: August 2022

Background: Anecdotally, cystic vestibular schwannomas (cVSs) are regarded to have unpredictable biologic activity with poorer clinical results and most studies showed a less favorable prognosis following surgery. While stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-established therapeutic option for small to medium-sized VSs, cVSs are often larger, thus making upfront SRS more complicated. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and safety of upfront SRS for large cVSs. Methods: The authors reviewed the data of 54 patients who received upfront, single-session GKRS with a diagnosis of large cVS (>4 cm3). Patients with neurofibromatosis type 2, multiple VSs, or recurrent VSs and < 24 months of clinical and neuroimaging follow-up were excluded.Results: Hearing loss (48.1%) was the primary presenting symptom. The majority of cVSs were KOOS grade IV (66.7%), and the most prevalent cyst pattern was “mixed pattern of small and big cysts” (46.3%). The median time between diagnosis and GKRS was 12 months (range, 1-147 months). At GKRS, the median cVS volume was 6.95 cm3 (range, 4.1–22 cm3). The median marginal dose was 12 Gy (range, 10-12 Gy). The mean radiological and clinical follow-up periods were 62.2 ± 34.04 months (range, 24-169 months) and 94.9 ± 45.41 months (range, 24-175 months), respectively. At 2, 6, and 12 years, the tumor control rates were 100%, 95.7%, and 85.0%, respectively. Tumor shrinkage occurred in 92.6% of patients (n=50), tumor volume remained stable in 5.6% of patients (n=3), and tumor growth occurred in 1.9 percent of patients (n=1). At a median follow-up of 53.5 months, the pre-GKRS tumor volume significantly decreased to 2.35 cm3 (p<0.001). While Koos grade 3 patients had a greater possibility of attaining higher volume reduction, “multiple small thick-walled cyst pattern” and smaller tumor volumes decreased the likelihood of achieving higher volume reduction. Serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson Scale I-II) was present in 16.7% of patients prior to GKRS and it was preserved in all of these patients following GKRS. After GKRS, 1.9% of patients (n=1) had new-onset trigeminal neuralgia. There was no new-onset facial palsy, hemifacial spasm, or hydrocephalus.Conclusions: Contrary to what was believed, our findings suggest that upfront GKRS seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for large cVSs.
Dupilumab-Associated Mycosis Fungoides; A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hamp Austin , Hanson Jamie , Schwartz Robert A , Lambert W. Clark , Alhatem Albert
Published: August 2022

Importance: Treating AD with dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), may be associated with progression of MF. Objective: To examine the associations between length of dupilumab treatment, age and sex, and onset of MF. Design, Setting, and Participants: An institutional data registry and literature search were used for a retrospective cross-sectional study. Only patients with a diagnosis of MF on dupilumab for the treatment of AD and eczematous dermatitis were included. Exposure: AD patients treated with dupilumab. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the length of dupilmab exposure, age and sex, and MF onset. Linear correlations (Pearson) and Cox regression analysis were used to assess the correlation and the risk. Results: Five eligible patients were identified at our institution. In addition, the PubMed review identified an additional 20 patients. The median age was 58 years, with 42% female. Disease history was significant for adult-onset AD in most patients (n=17, 65.4%) or recent flare of AD previously in remission (n=3, 11.5%). All patients were diagnosed with MF, and one patient progressed to Sezary syndrome while on dupilumab, with an average duration of 13.5 months of therapy prior to diagnosis. Tumor stage was described in 19 of the cases and ranged from an early-stage disease (IA) to advanced disease (IV). Treatment strategies included narrow-band UVB therapy, topical corticosteroids, brentuximab, praladextrate, and acitretin. Male gender, advanced-stage disease, and older age correlated significantly with the hazard of MF onset and a shorter time to onset during dupilumab treatment. Conclusion and Relevance: Our results suggest a correlation between the duration of dupilumab treatment and the diagnosis of MF, the higher MF stage at diagnosis the shorter the duration of using dupilumab to MF onset. Furthermore, elderly male patients appeared to be more at risk as both male gender and older age correlated with hazard of MF diagnosis. The results raise the question as to whether the patients had MF misdiagnosed as AD that was unmasked by dupilumab or if MF truly is an adverse effect of treatment with dupilumab. Close Monitoring of these patients and further investigation of the relationship between dupilumab and MF can shed more light into this question.
Potential use of essential oils from Origanum vulgare and Syzygium aromaticum to control Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on two host plant species
Authors: Susurluk Hilal
Published: August 2022

Plant extracts and plant essential oils are considered alternatives to synthetic chemicals having toxic effects on insects and mites. Acaricidal, repellent, and oviposition effects of commercially available essential oils of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) (Myrtaceae) were investigated in this study on Tetranychus urticae, one of the main pests in agriculture, on two host plant species, using leaf disc bioassays. O. vulgare essential oil showed higher toxicity to T. urticae protonymphs and adults inhabiting both bean and tomato leaves than S. aromaticum essential oil. The LC50 values of O. vulgare essential oil were found to be 1.676 and 2.052 µl L−1 air for the bean populations in protonymphs and adult females, and 1.877 and 3.076 µl L−1 air for the tomato populations, respectively. S. aromaticum essential oil in the concentrations of 5% had the highest repellent effect on the bean population of T. urticae after 1, 24, and 48 hours, resulting in 61.22%, 40.81%, and 18% repellence, respectively. The mortality rates of adult females of T. urticae treated with either O. vulgare or S. aromaticum essential oil increased with the increasing concentration and time on both host plants. Both essential oils caused a decrease in egg number and larvae hatching in both bean and tomato populations of T. urticae.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis of two homoeoalleles in tobacco confers resistance to powdery mildew
Authors: Wang Xuebo , Li Dandan , Tan Xiaolei , Cai Changchun , Zhang Xinyao , Shen Zhan , Yang Aiguo , Fu Xiankui , Liu Dan
Published: August 2022

The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has proven to be an effective tool for crop improvement. In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), the Mildew Locus O (MLO) genes, NtMLO1 and NtMLO2, are responsible for powdery mildew susceptibility. However, modification of multiple homoeoalleles is complex in polyploidy crops. Therefore, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9) system containing a single-guide RNA (sgRNA) to enable targeted mutagenesis of both NtMLOs simultaneously and enhance the powdery mildew resistance of tobacco. The approach generated different mutants, of which two-thirds had both genes mutated. In the T1 lines, three types of mutations were identified for NtMLO1 and two types for NtMLO2 at the expected position based on Sanger sequencing. Meanwhile, four mutation events were identified in the mutants with both genes edited in T1 lines. These double mutants showed enhanced resistance to powdery mildew, whereas the mutants with only one edited gene showed no significant difference compared to wild-type plants. Our results suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted editing of NtMLO1 and NtMLO2 is a practical approach for improving the powdery mildew resistance of tobacco.
Full genome characterization of feline and porcine origin G3P[9] rotavirus A strain in a child with acute gastroenteritis in Japan
Authors: Fukuda Yuya , Araki Kaoru , Hara Megumi , Yamashita Yuji , Adachi Shuhei , Honjo Saho , Togashi Atsuo , Hirakawa Satoshi , Fukumura Shinobu , Yamamoto Masaki , Tsugawa Takeshi
Published: August 2022

The group A rotavirus (RVA) G3P[9] is a rare genotype isolated in humans and cats. We isolated only one G3P[9] strain RVA/Human-wt/JPN/R11-035/2014/G3P[9] among 487 stool samples in our rotavirus surveillance of children with gastroenteritis in Japan, during 2014–2015. The R11-035 strain was isolated from a 2 year old girl presenting with vomiting and diarrhea who had daily contact with cats. She had type A histo-blood group antigen, which is reported to be related to rare human P[9] rotavirus infection. Full genome sequencing revealed that the R11-035 strain had AU-1-like constellations, except for the NSP3 (T) gene, G3-P[9]-I3-R3-C3-M3-A3-N3-T1-E3-H6. Phylogenetic analysis of all genome segments, except for the NSP3 gene, showed that the R11-035 strain formed distinct clusters and had high nucleotide sequence identity with human/feline-like strains. We postulate that the R11-035 strain was directly transmitted from a cat to the patient. Interestingly, the NSP3 gene of R11-035 was found to cluster closely with Taiwanese porcine strains. Since the remaining genes of R11-035 were closely related to those of human/feline-like human strains, it is likely that R11-035 acquired its NSP3 gene through intergenotype reassortment events with porcine strains before being transmitted to humans. The CAU14-1-262 strain, isolated from a 2 year old girl in South Korea in 2014, is the only reported strain having the same genome constellations as R11-035. These two strains had extremely high nucleotide sequence identity in all 11 gene segments (99.3–99.9%). It is therefore likely that strains with these genome sequences are circulating in East Asia.
Colour Sorting of Red Oak, Yellow Poplar and Maple Veneers using Self-Organizing Map: Comparisons between Different Camera Genres
Authors: Liew Shaer Jin , Ng Siew Cheok , Mustapa Mohd. Zamakhsyary , Usop Zuraini , Fauthan Mohd. 'Akashah , Mahalil Khairuddin , Tan Chiat Oon
Published: August 2022

Colour sorting is a vital process in manufacturing of high-quality wood products, however hitherto a relatively manual process in majority of facilities in Malaysia. Automation is an ideal solution; however, costs are prohibitive for small-medium industries (SMI). Thus, this project aims to produce a flexible solution that can cater for different scales of manufacturers. Three cameras of different price ranges are used: i) Hikrobot® MV-CE200-10UC (Hikrobot), ii) Logitech® C920 (Logitech), and iii) Sony® RX0 II (Sony). Having set up a veneer imaging prototype, human sorted images of American red oak (Quercus rubra), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and maple (Acer spp.) are acquired. After performing image preparations and calibrations, 26 features are extracted from each image. The features are based on the average and standard deviation of the wood basal colour and wood grain colour. The salient features are obtained using the Sequential Forward Selection (SFS) method. The most salient features are then used to train a Self-Organizing Map (SOM), and the resulting maps are observed. From results, it is affirmed that the colour of the basal colour is highly correlated with human sorted colour groups. As expected, Hikrobot topped the charts being of industrial grade. It is interesting that Logitech exhibited comparable performance. Sony performed the worst due to software limitations. This proposed system can achieve accuracy of 89.0% for red oak, 94.3% for poplar and 96.4% for maple. This research will assist the SMI to develop an affordable vision system for colour sorting.
Mental health literacy and associated factors among residents living Dilla town, Gedeo zone, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Ababu Henok , Kassaw Chalachew , Temesgen Kiber , Sileshy Bethelhem , Negash Misrak
Published: August 2022

Background
Mental health literacy includes the ability to recognize the signs of mental disorders, understand their origins and risk factors, have a positive attitude about mental health, and have access to both professional help and mental health information. In developing country, mental illness is not treated in hospitals due to lack awareness about mental health, despite there is a shortage of studies conducted about mental health literacy. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health literacy and associated factors among residents living in Dilla Town, Gedeo Zone, South-Ethiopia 2022.
Methods
A community based cross sectional study design was employed from June to July 2022 G.C among 422 residents living in Dilla town and used a systematic random sampling to select households. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and analyzed using a logistic regression analysis model. A 35 item mental health literacy scale was used to assess the outcome variable.
Result
According to the study's findings, 35.1% of participants had good mental health literacy. Being educated, having strong social support, not smoking and not consuming alcohol had significant and positive association with mental health literacy [AOR (95% C.I, 1.183 (1.009, 1.386)], [AOR (95% C.I, 1.748 (1.618, 4.904)], [AOR (95% C.I, 1.684 (1.564, 6.831)], [AOR (95% C.I, 1.491(1.364, 3.664)] respectively.
Conclusion
This study revealed that only one third of the respondents had good mental health literacy. Those respondents with good psychosocial profile had better awareness and attitude about mental illness. As a result, there is a need of collaborate work with stakeholders to enhance the mental health awareness. Moreover, it is better to have a population-level intervention programs aimed to increase the literacy about mental health.
Applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to Optimize the Fertilizer and Pesticides Consumption in Wetland Rice Cultivation in Malaysia
Authors: Mairghany Modather , Elsoragaby Suha , Yahya Azmi , Adam Nor Maria , Shukery Mohamad Firdza Mohamad
Published: August 2022

Fertilizers and pesticides are the most effective and costly inputs in rice production in wetland rice cultivation in Malaysia. Farmers need to know the optimum amount of these inputs to produce the same rice yield. In this study, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to estimate the farm input efficiencies of rice production based on seven inputs including N, P, K, and chemicals pesticides liquid insecticides, solid insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, and one output of rice grain yield. The study aimed to benchmark the inefficient farms to the efficient farms to optimize the fertilizer and pesticide inputs, and also maximize the rice grain yield output. We used three main models Charnes–Cooper–Rhodes (CCR), Banker–Charnes–Cooper (BCC), and Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) models in both direction input and output-oriented to evaluate the performance of every model and determine the effective one. The technical, pure technical, scale and cross efficiencies were calculated for rice production through the three models. The results revealed the average technical were (0.89 and 0.95) for CCR, (0.76 and 0.87) for SBM-I-C, (0.89 and 0.95) for SBM-O-C, and pure technical efficiencies were (0.95 and 0.97) for BCC-I, (0.97 and 0.99) for BCC-O, (0.79 and 0.9) for SBM-I-V, and (0.96 and 0.99) for SBN-O-V for first and second season respectively. The results showed that out of the total number of farms the efficient farms were 16.7% and 43.3% for CCR models, and 26.7% and 56.7% for BCC models for the first and second season respectively.
Development and Evaluation of Rizatriptan Benzoate-loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Treatment of Migraine
Authors: Varia Umang , Soni Vishwa , Katariya Hitesh , Detholia Krunal , Jadeja Mukesh , Joshi Disha
Published: August 2022

The aim is to develop and evaluate rizatriptan benzoate (RB) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) that might improve oral bioavailability. NLC was prepared using High-Speed Homogenization (HSH) coupled with the ultrasonication method. Process parameters were selected on basis of the trial-and-error method which is time for homogenization, speed of homogenization, and time for sonication. Using a Design expert, 32 Full Factorial design was prepared using solid lipid to liquid lipid ratio and concentration of surfactant as independent variables. RB-NLC was evaluated on basis of particle size, %Entrapment Efficiency (EE), Zeta potential, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), In-Vitro permeation study, and Ex-vivo permeation study. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy was performed to study the uptake of RB-NLC through M-Cells, and Peyer's Patches. RB-NLC dispersion was converted into free-flowing lyophilized powder using cryoprotectant which is trehalose and in vitro permeation study was performed. Among all the batches of RB-NLC, the Optimized batch was evaluated. The optimized formulation showed a particle size of 412.8 ± 1.15nm with 0.261 PDI and − 36.6mV zeta potential. It showed 84.26 ± 1.03% EE. TEM image showed a spherical shape and smooth surface area. In-Vitro and Ex-vivo studies showed 97.21 ± 0.36%CDR up to 22 hours & 61.02 ± 1.25%CDR up to 6 hours. Lyophilized powder showed 96.37 ± 0.36%CDR up to 22 hours. Based on the data we can conclude that RB-NLC increases the permeation and it may increase its Bioavailability (BA). Lyophilized powder of RB-NLC showed a sustained release pattern and it may reduce the dosing frequency of the drug.
Study of the Effect of Accelerated Aging by Sea Water on the Mechanical and Chemical Properties of High Density Polyethylene Bottles
Authors: Elkori Rabiaa , LAMARTI AMAL , Salmi Houda , Had Khalid El , Hachim Abdelilah , Yamari Imane
Published: August 2022

The increase of plastic waste in the marine environment has several ecological, human and marine biota problems. In this paper, an accelerated artificial ageing study in seawater was performed, after immersion of samples extracted from high density polyethylene bottles for several ageing times and under two different temperatures. The degradation of the mechanical properties of HDPE at different ageing conditions was studied using static tensile and compression tests. The absorption of seawater by the samples is analyzed by a gravimetric procedure, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). A further surface analysis of the samples during accelerated ageing was shown by scanning electron microscope SEM. The results obtained show that the high density polyethylene loses its ductility and changes from ductile to brittle failure. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) analysis shows an increase in crystallinity over the ageing period.
Sulfated polyborate catalyzed enamines, enaminones synthesis via Methyl Ketones, Active Methylenes, and DMF-DMA activation: Application to Imatinib, Nilotinib intermediates †
Authors: Bandivadekar Priyanka V. , Gavali Kanchan D. , Chaturbhuj Ganesh U.
Published: August 2022

An activation of methyl ketones or active methylenes and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMF-DMA) at 110 °C by sulfated polyborate under solvent-free conditions has been developed for enamines and enaminones synthesis. Selected Brønsted acid, optimized reaction conditions, and easy separation method lead to 82-97% yield, making this process cost-effective and eco-friendly. We chose boric acid for scale-up activity in the interest of readers and industries. The optimized reaction condition was applied to demonstrate a 10 gm scale-up for intermediate of Imatinib and Nilotinib with 80% yield from 3-acetylpyridine. This method is extendable to produce Ocinaplon intermediate using 4-acetyl pyridine as starting material.
Efficacy of Dual Antiplatelet therapy depending on hsCRP levels and CYP2C19 Genotype
Authors: Xue Jing , Yang Ming , Cheng Aichun , Xu Jie , Pan Yuesong , Li Jiejie , Yan Hongyi , Meng Xia , Zheng Lemin , Wang Yongjun
Published: August 2022

Background
Both high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and CYP2C19 genotypes are independent predictors of clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke. We aim to evaluate the association of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles (LoFA) carrying status with the effects of dual/single antiplatelet therapy at different hsCRP levels using the High-Risk Patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial.
Methods
Subjects with both of CYP2C19 major alleles information (*2, *3, and *17) and hsCRP measurements were enrolled from the prespecified subgroup. CYP2C19 LoFA carriers were defined as patients with either*2 or *3 allele. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the interaction of CYP2C19 LoFA carrying status with the effects of dual/single antiplatelet therapy at different hsCRP levels. The primary outcome was recurrent stroke within 90 days.
Results
Among 2801 patients, 1646 (58.8%) were LoFA carriers, and 922 (32.9%) had elevated hsCRP. In patients with non-elevated hsCRP, there was a significant interaction effect between CYP2C19 LoFA carrying status and dual/single antiplatelet regimens for prevention of recurrent stroke and combined vascular events (p = 0.048, 0.048, respectively), but, not in patients with elevated hsCRP (p = 0.502, 0.472, respectively). Only among patients with non-elevated hsCRP and non-carrier of CYP2C19 LoFA, dual antiplatelets significantly reduced the risk of recurrent stroke compared with aspirin alone (hazard ratio = 0.44 [0.26–0.74], p = 0.003). No significant differences in bleeding were found.
Conclusions
Non-elevated hsCRP and non-carrier of CYP2C19 LoFA may predict a better response to dual antiplatelet therapy in reducing stroke recurrence and composite vascular events for patients with minor stroke and high-risk TIA.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00979589
Are US Asian Indians Dying with Atherosclerosis More Likely to have Concurrent Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis of National Multiple Cause of Mortality Data (2012 - 2019)
Authors: Nair Deepak Rajendran , Chauhan Abhyuday , Vaidya Dhananjay
Published: August 2022

Background:
Asian Indians (AI) are at high risk for both atherosclerotic diseases (ATH) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). We analyze the clustering of these two comorbidities as contributing causes of death in AI versus the rest of the US population (Non-AI).
Methods:
Using Mortality Multiple Cause Files (2012–2019) from the National Center for Health Statistics, we included deaths at age ≥ 45 years among US residents where AI versus Non-AI status could be ascertained (n = 55,461 AI; n = 20,090,038 Non-AI) and identified ATH (ICD10: I20-I25, I63, I70) and DM (ICD10: E10-E14) as contributing causes of death. We calculated the tetrachoric correlation (Rho) between these contributing causes and the difference in the fraction of deaths involving DM in those with versus without ATH.
Results:
Among AI decedents, 29.9% of deaths included ATH as a contributing cause, 16.4% included DM as a contributing cause with 8.3% deaths being included in the overlap (Rho = 0.36, SE = 0.007) whereas, among Non-AI, 22.4% of deaths included ATH as a contributing cause, 10.0% included DM as a contributing cause with 4.1% deaths being included in the overlap (Rho = 0.31, SE = 0.0005). Thus, DM and ATH as co-occurring causes correlated more strongly in AI versus Non-AI (p < 0.001). Further, this difference in clustering of DM with ATH was highest for younger AI women (age < 60 years) compared to comparable Non-AI women.
Conclusions:
The more frequent co-occurrence of DM and ATH as causes of death among AI compared to Non-AI suggest that the increased burden of these diseases among AI during life has vicious synergistic consequences in terms of mortality. Public health strategies targeted to AI should focus on prevention and clinical treatment of both conditions jointly, in all adults, and especially in women < 60 years.
A class of spectral conjugate gradient methods for Riemannian optimization
Authors: Tang Chunming , Tan Wancheng , Xing Shajie , Zheng Haiyan
Published: August 2022

Spectral conjugate gradient (SCG) methods are combinations of spectral gradient method and conjugate gradient (CG) methods, which have been well studied in Euclidean space. In this paper, we aim to extend this class of methods to solve optimization problems on Riemannian manifolds. Firstly, we present a Riemannian version of the spectral parameter, which guarantees that the search direction always satisfies the sufficient descent property without the help of any line search strategy. Secondly, we introduce a generic algorithmic framework for the Riemannian SCG methods, in which the selection of the CG parameter is very flexible. Under the Riemannian Wolfe conditions, the global convergence of the proposed algorithmic framework is established whenever the absolute value of the CG parameter is no more than the Riemannian Fletcher-Reeves CG parameter. Finally, some preliminary numerical results are reported and compared with several classical Riemannian CG methods, which show that our new methods are efficient.MSC Classification: 65K05 , 90C30
Identification of a pathogenic mutation in PCDH19-related female-limited epilepsy
Authors: CHEN Yanzhao , Chen Lipeng , Yao Dong , Liu Zhiping , Zhou Keying , YUE Yongjian
Published: August 2022

Background
Early infantile epilepticencephalopathy-9 (EIEE9) is an X-linked genetic disorder characterized by the onset of seizures during infancy. Mutations in PCDH19 are the main causes of EIEE9. The subject of our study is a child who presented with recurrent epileptic seizures and findings of abnormal synchronous discharges on electroencephalography. Our study aimed to identify causative variants of pathogenic genes and to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy.
Case presentation
The proband is a girl who had been experiencing recurrent epileptic seizures for more than 2 years. The electroencephalography features strongly supported the diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on the proband and parents to identify potential genetic variants. Candidate pathogenic variants were validated using Sanger sequencing. A pathogenic heterozygous variant was observed in PCDH19 (c.695A > G). Two likely benign variants, c.71C > T in GABRD and c.G1691A in SCN1A were also identified, including a paternally inherited nonsense heterozygous variant.
Conclusions
Based on clinical phenotyping and genetic analyses, the patient was diagnosed with PCDH19-female limited epilepsy. The application of WES to reveal the pathogenic variant was a crucial step in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. Genetic testing improves the diagnoses of PCDH19-related epilepsy manifesting with typical symptoms and provides valuable evidence that may enhance genetic counseling and clinical treatment guidance.
Retirement Savings and Elderly Living Arrangements: Evidence from India
Authors: Sengupta Reshmi , Rooj Debasis
Published: August 2022

This paper examines the role of retirement savings on the living arrangements of persons aged 60 years and above in India. A major challenge to empirically analyze this relationship is the lack of a comprehensive database that captures the financial savings and health indicators of the elderly population in India in the same framework. Therefore, we use two nationally representative data sets and combine them at the district level for our empirical exercise. We exploit the exogenous variation in the exposure to retirement savings across the districts to analyze how retirement savings impact the living arrangements of elderly persons. Our findings indicate that elderly persons in districts with high retirement savings are more likely to live independently. Elderly people from the lower-income strata with retirement savings are more likely to live independently than those from higher-income groups. Our results demonstrate the importance of retirement savings in improving the welfare of the elderly population and the need for further improving the financial penetration among the elderly in India.JEL Classification: G5, G51,I31,J14
How Does Climate Environment Affect Middle-aged and Elderly People’s Health Performances: Evidence from China
Authors: Zeng Yanxi , Zheng Xuyang
Published: August 2022

This research examined the effects of climatic factors on the health performances of middle-aged and elderly people in China, analyzing data from 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and Integrated Surface Hourly (ISH) dataset with logistic regression models. We find that external climate environment is negatively associated with middle-aged and elderly people’s various health outcomes: the odds of diagnosing some chronic diseases, having pains or reporting a poor health are likely to increase under the increase of daily mean temperature, daily temperature difference, daily mean sea level pressure, and daily maximum sustained wind speed. Also, the health effect differs by gender and age groups. The results of this paper might provide supports to future public health policies from a climate-environmental perspective to prevent older people from suffering from various types of chronic diseases and pains, thereby improving the health quality of older people in China.
Circulating extracellular vesicle-derived lncRNA-GC1 serves as a novel biomarker for predicting and monitoring gastric cancer patient immunotherapeutic outcomes
Authors: Guo Xin , Wei Jiangpeng , Li Xiaohua , Song Qiying , Wu Di , Ru Yi , Xu Shenhui , Chen Lubin , Wang Xinxin , Lv Xiaohui , Wei Bo , Ji Gang
Published: August 2022

Background
Efforts to predict patient outcomes following immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment remain limited owing to a lack of any reliable prognostic biomarkers. In prior studies, circulating extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived lncRNA-GC1 was found to offer value as a gastric cancer (GC)-specific biomarker that could be used for the early diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of affected patients. This study was developed with the goal of expanding on these prior results by assessing the utility of EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 as a predictive biomarker associated with the outcomes of GC patients undergoing ICI treatment.
Methods
qPCR was used to measure EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 levels in patient samples, while correlations between the levels of this lncRNA and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed for GC patients undergoing ICI treatment in both a training cohort (n = 84), two separate validation cohorts (n = 124 and n = 131), and one prospective cohort (n = 80). Lastly, the stability of EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 was assessed in a distinct retrospective patient cohort (n = 30).
Results
EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 levels were independent of the PD-L1 expression status or density of CD8+ T cell infiltration observed for GC patients. Baseline EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 levels were able to effectively predict patient immunotherapeutic outcomes and could be used for the dynamic monitoring of GC patients over the course of treatment. Lower EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 levels were associated with microenvironmental characteristics of more robust antitumor immunity including higher levels of activated CD8+ T/NK cells and an increased TH1/TH2 ratio. Such EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 could also be stably detected in clinical samples even after they had undergone repeated freeze/thaw cycles or prolonged incubation at room temperature. These results were also consistent across multiple training and validation cohorts.
Conclusions
Here, EV-derived lncRNA-GC1 was found to reliably predict immunotherapeutic responses in GC patients undergoing ICI-related therapy, suggesting that targeted analyses of this lncRNA may be ideal as a tool to guide patient treatment planning, monitoring, and related decision-making, in addition to offering new insights with the potential to improve GC patient immunotherapy outcomes.
The technology of ancient lime mortars from the Żejtun Roman Villa (Malta)
Authors: Fort R. , Varas-Muriel M. J. , Ergenç D. , Cassar J. , Anastasi M. , Vella N. C.
Published: August 2022

Studies on original mortars can greatly assist archaeological interpretations, as elucidating the composition of such mortars gives clues on the origin of raw materials, manufacturing technology and the construction phases of a site. This article presents the multi-analytical characterization of 24 mortars and plasters sampled at the Żejtun Roman Villa, Malta, to support archaeological hypotheses on the history of the construction of the site. The stratigraphy of the Żejtun archaeological site includes at least three distinct phases and samples were obtained from each. Samples were analysed using polarised light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), ion chromatography (IC), and stable isotope analysis (13C and 18O). The assessment of the results of the analyses through correlations with archaeological evidence identifies five types of mortars with varying degrees of hydraulicity. These are associated with different phases of the development of the site, and distinctive uses, and were mainly produced by using local resources, except from the Early Roman period when natural pozzolanic raw materials started being used. As there are no natural pozzolanic materials on the Maltese Islands, it is being hypothesised that the pozzolanic aggregate was imported to the Islands from neighbouring volcanic regions. This volcanic aggregate was abundant in one of the mortar types, which was used mainly as a bedding mortar for floors.
Dynamic Advertising Games in Duopolies under One Step Ahead Optimal Control
Authors: Bhaya Amit , Kaszkurewicz Eugenius
Published: August 2022

Models of sales response to advertising, also referred to as market share dynamics under advertising have been the concern first of economists and later of researchers in marketing, starting from the late 1950s. Vidale and Wolfe, in 1957, proposed their now eponymous model based on sales data. Since then, most of the work in the field has centered around the application of optimal control methods, leading to open-loop control of the Vidale-Wolfe and variants, in order to achieve a given market share, while minimizing advertising expenditure. The extension to duopolies was made by Deal, in the continuous-time case, and is denominated the Vidale-Wolfe-Deal (VWD) model. In discrete-time VWD models and variants, two firms compete for market share, in a dynamic game setting , described by a pair of difference equations. This paper studies these dynamic games, using the natural concept of one step ahead optimal control, in which each firm optimizes its own performance index at the next step, and only has access to some information about its competitor. Two cases are studied: with and without stipulating target market shares for each firm. It is shown that when target market shares are not specified , for the VWD model, limit cycles of large period can occur when each firm uses linear performance indices, while multiple equilibria may arise when quadratic performance indices are used. Three other proposed models result in games that lead to equilibria and do not have limit cycle behavior. When target market shares are specified, convergence to an equilibrium occurs for all the models proposed in this paper.
Remote Care Adoption in Underserved Congenital Heart Disease Patients during the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Morrison Annie R. , Moore Judson A. , Moreno Jasmine S. , Dyer Karla J. , Lopez Keila N.
Published: August 2022

Objective
The COVID-19 pandemic restricted in-person appointments and prompted an increase in remote healthcare delivery. Our goal was to assess access to remote care for complex pediatric cardiology patients.
Methods
We performed a retrospective chart review of Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) pediatric cardiology outpatient appointments from March 2020 to December 2020 for established congenital heart disease (CHD) patients 1 to 17 yo. Primary outcome variables were remote care use of telemedicine and patient portal activation. Primary predictor variables were age, sex, insurance, race/ethnicity, language, and location. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patient demographics. Multivariate logistic regression determined associations with remote care use (p < 0.05).
Results
We identified 5,410 established patients with clinic appointments during the identified timeframe. Adopters of telemedicine included 13% of patients (n = 691). Of the prior non patient portal users, 4.5% activated their accounts. On multivariate analysis, older age (10–17 yo) was associated with increased telemedicine (OR 2.05, 95%CI 1.73, 2.45) and patient portal use (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.33, 2.18). Public insurance (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.31, 2.29) and Spanish speaking were associated with increased patient portal adoption. Race/ethnicity was not significantly associated with telemedicine use or patient portal adoption.
Conclusion
Telehealth adoption among older children may be indicative of their ability to aid in the use of these technologies. Higher participation in patient portal activation among publicly insured and Spanish speaking patients is encouraging and demonstrates ability to navigate some degree of remote patient care. Adoption of remote patient care may assist in reducing access to care disparities.
Polyvinylalcohol-carbazate mitigates acute lung injury caused by hydrochloric acid
Authors: Dong Caijuan , Liu Jielu , Quaranta Alessandro , Jing Xu , Nie Mu , Wheelock Craig , Murrell Benjamin , Coquet Jonathan M. , Bowden Tim , Engstrand Thomas , Adner Mikael
Published: August 2022

Background
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are important causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Gastric contents aspiration is one of the most common causes of ALI/ARDS. To date, there are still no specific and effective pharmacological treatments for ALI/ARDS. Polyvinylalcohol-carbazate (PVAC), a polymer that has the ability to bind endogenous aldehydes, neutralize oxidative stress and inhibit inflammatory factors, may be a potential treatment for ALI/ARDS.
Methods
A hydrochloric acid (HCl) induced mouse model were employed to assess the effect of PVAC. The changes of lung mechanics, pulmonary edema, histology and immune cells, cytokines, and lipid mediators in bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were investigated in HCl-challenged mice.
Results
In the HCl model, PVAC administration alleviated airway hyperresponsiveness and improved pulmonary edema and damage. In addition, it decreased the recruitment of neutrophils to the lung, and inhibited the increase of IL-6, TNF-α and leukotriene B4.
Conclusions
PVAC is a potential treatment for ALI/ARDS caused by inhalation of gastric acid.
Development and validation of a clinical guideline for responding to child sexual abuse in Iran: a mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Rahnavardi Mona , Shahali Shadab , Montazeri Ali , Ahmadi Fazlollah
Published: August 2022

Background: Failure to provide health services for complications of child and adolescent sexual abuse harms for health in survivors. Designing and executing a clinical guideline that provides evidence-based services for the survivor's problems based on their practical context is the best approach. Here, we purpose to develop and validate a clinical guideline for health care services for children and adolescents with sexual abuse in Iran.Methods: We will develop and validate a guideline in three phases by using an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach: (1) Conducting a systematic review on studies, resources, and guidelines on health care services for survivors worldwide and describing the diagnostic and treatment needs for survivors of sexual abuse in Iran and the health services they receive.(2) Developing a guideline on health care services for children and adolescents who survived sexual abuse in Iran based on the results of phase 1 and relevant comments from key informants by "nominal group technique" through multiple steps.(3) Validating the guideline and determination of the ‘User Agreement’ and key stakeholders about the applicability of this guideline by using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Instrument.Discussion: Due to the limitations that exist in this area in Iran, a comprehensive, practical, and cultural-based guideline on providing diagnostic and treatment services for children and adolescents who survived sexual abuse will be developed. It is expected that this guideline can significantly prevent many short and long-term sexual abuse complications and improve the quality of life of survivors of sexual abuse by providing timely health care services.Registration and grant number: This project was approved by Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran with the ethics code of (IR.MODARES.REC.1398.230), and (Grant no. 1398-230).
Validation of soil thermal conductivity models
Authors: Wessolek Gerd , Bohne Klaus
Published: August 2022

This study describes the generation of a homogeneous data base of 2733 non-stationary thermal conductivity laboratory measurements of about 158 soil cores with varying texture, bulk density, SOM, pH, and carbonate content. This data set has been used to validate ten well established pedo-transfer functions for predicting thermal conductivity by using easily available soil information such as soil texture, bulk density, and water content. Models were grouped into (i) physically based and (ii) empirical ones that need measured data for its calibration.The physical based transfer-function of deVries et al. (1963), as described by Döll (1996), has been finally used to set up a framework of standard values for the USDA soil classes. For planning purposes, these estimates may be more valuable than single point values of thermal conductivity.
Clinical alteration with nearly application of silicone hydrogel contact lenses after small incision lenticule extraction
Authors: Luo Yiqi , Chen Pei , Yu Keming
Published: August 2022

AIM: To evaluate the effects of early application of silicone hydrogel contact lenses on the ocular surface and tear film changes, visual acuity, and visual quality of patients after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).METHODS: A prospective randomized, self-controlled study was conducted utilizing 124 eyes attained from 62 patients with myopia and astigmatism. One eye of each patient was randomly assigned to wear Pure Vision contact lenses which were removed 1 day post SMILE, while the other eye did not wear lenses. Follow-up was performed 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery.RESULTS: Postoperative objective visual quality parameters MTF, SR, OV100%, OV20%, and OV9% in both two groups were increased over time (Ptime < 0.05), yet no significant difference between the two groups. At the follow-up of 4 hours, 8 hours, and 1 day after surgery, the symptoms of tearing in the treatment group were significantly reduced compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected regarding tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining score, Schirmer I test score, and central corneal thickness at each time point following surgery (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Early silicone hydrogel contact lens-wearing after SMILE exerts an ameliorative effect on subjective discomfort symptoms of patients within 4 hours post surgery, but it cannot shorten the duration of altered ocular surface tear dynamics and objective visual quality caused by SMILE.