bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovering, correcting and reconstructing precipitation data affected by gaps and irregular readings: the Padua series from 1812 to 1864
Authors: Valle Antonio della , Camuffo Dario , Becherini Francesca , Zanini Valeria
Published: September 2022

The aim of this work is to reconstruct the 1812-1864 period of the Padua precipitation series, affected by some biases, e.g. missing readings and cumulative values, as in this period the observers did not follow a precise protocol: the measurements were not taken at specific hours of the day, it may happen that the raingauge was read after some days, cumulating rain, or even the precipitation was not recorded at all. Therefore, the daily amount and the frequency reported in the Log are not homogeneous with other periods, and need correction. The correction methodology has been based on the daily weather notes written in the Log in parallel to the readings. Taking advantage of the periods in which both weather observations and instrumental readings were regularly taken, the terms used to describe the precipitation type and intensity have been classified, analyzed statistically, calibrated, and transformed into numerical values. The weather notes allowed to distribute the cumulative amounts collected during some consecutive rainy days into the likely precipitation occurred in every single rainy day. In the case of missing readings, but in the presence of weather notes, the missing amounts have been estimated using the relationships found between precipitation types and amounts. Finally, the recovery of additional contemporary documents made it possible to fill some gaps of this period.
Gravitational folding of surface tension regions originates bio quantum path duality that quantizes Newtonian parameter value-driving inertia into parameter repetitiveness memory equivalent bio-inertia
Authors: Lai Yi Yu
Published: September 2022

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.
Inversion energy is defined as parameter-against-gravity-internal-fluctuation, quantizing time is internal fluctuation invariance conjugation of it inside a non-isolated environment. Newtonian Three Laws are modified as, first law: cosx = sinx = ; second law: + ; third law: Wavelength = L, frequency = n . Bio-systems are topological spaces that are capable of processing input objects into gravitational inversion energy for entropy-control by repetitiveness memory, the capability of equivalent procured inversion energy with memorized trigonometric curve repetitiveness is bio-inertia. Evolution is a process of accumulating trigonometric curve folding equivalent capacity inside space. Conventional Schrödinger equation has only quantized energy but still hasn’t quantized time thus inducing quantum collapse. We then conjugate inversion energy with quantizing time for lifespan. Originating from gravitational folding of surface tension regions, bio quantum path duality establishes in vivo cross folded-surface tension region-flow at diverse levels to drive evolution. Biofunctions from growth to consciousness revive from the elastic quantum duality that follows three modified laws.
Impact of Body Mass Index on Clinical Outcomes after Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Da Vinci: is There an Obesity Paradox?
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Ding Renzhong , Chen Jianming , Yuan Ye , Song Yi , Yan Manrong , Hu Yijie
Published: September 2022

Objective：To analyze the safety and efficacy of Da Vinci robotic cardiac surgery, to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on postoperative clinical outcomes, and to explore the postoperative obesity paradox.
Methods：The data of 146 patients who underwent cardiac surgery under Da Vinci robotic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from July 2016 to June 2022 in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, and their demographic data and related clinical data were statistically analyzed. The mean age was (42.88±13.01) years, 55 (37.67%) were male and 91 (62.33%) were female. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to preoperative BMI: lean group (BMI<18.5 kg/m2; n=17; 11.64%), normal group (18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<23.9 kg/m2; n=81; 55.48%), and overweight and obese group (BMI≥24 kg/m2; n=48; 32.88%). Multivariate analysis was performed to compare clinical outcomes across BMI groups.
Results：Preoperative data in different BMI groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in gender, height, weight, body surface area (BSA), diabetes, left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LAD), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and lymphocyte count (LY) (all P<0.05). Postoperative clinical outcomes showed that the risk of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) was significantly increased in the overweight and obese groups (P=0.021), and further multivariate binary logistic regression analysis suggested that preoperative TG (OR 1.772, 95%CI 1.068-2.942,P=0.027) and operation time ≥ 300 min (OR 3.823, 95%CI 1.098-13.308,P=0.035) were independent risk factors for postoperative CSA-AKI.
Conclusion：Overweight and obese cardiac surgery is prone to CSA-AKI, which does not support the obesity paradox; preoperative TG and operation time≥300 min are independent risk factors for postoperative CSA-AKI.
Forewarning model of Glacial Lake Outburst Disaster in Southeast Tibet
Authors: Gao Jia , Du Jun , Ma Peng fei
Published: September 2022

The southeast region of Tibet was a frequent area of glacial lake outburst disasters, and disaster warning was an important means of disaster prevention and reduction. Based on remote sensing images and historical data, 21 Glacial Lakes in southeast Tibet were selected as samples for risk analysis. The probability model of glacial Lake Outburst in southeast Tibet is established by using the method of logistic regression for 8 selected prediction indexes. By calculating the sensitivity and specificity of the model, the probability of identifying the galcial Lake outburst event is 60% , and the identification degree of the galcial lake outburst is 86% . The AUC index area is obviously larger than 0.5, which indicates that logistic regression prediction plays a certain role in southeast Tibet. The probability equation of the model shows that the area of the Glacial Lake, the distance of the Glacial Lake from the glacier, the slope of the glacier, the slope of the glacier tongue and the slope of the water behind the dam are in direct proportion to the probability of the Glacial Lake Bursting, the more likely it is that the glacical lake will outburst, which is consistent with the observed facts.
Water Quality Assessment of Lake Burullus, Egypt, utilizing Statistical and GIS Modeling as Environmental Hydrology Applications
Authors: Mohsen Ahmed , Zeidan Bakenaz , Elshemy Mohamed
Published: September 2022

GIS is a very powerful tool for analyzing huge amount of data and connecting them with the geography, moreover recently there is great advancement in the field. The main objective of this study is to assess the water quality (WQ) and trophic status (TS) conditions of Lake Burullus, Egypt, using statistical modeling (PCA/FA & CA), WQ index (L-WQI) and trophic status index (Carlson TSI & TRIX) approaches, in addition to using GIS tools for building models able to automatically calculate the various indices and producing color coded maps for the lake. The results indicated that PCA/FA grouped the twenty-four WQ parameters into nine principal components explaining 72.6% of the total variance, domestic and agriculture pollution were dominant. CA divided the twelve sampling stations into most and least polluted groups. The lake WQ was classified as a “Very Poor”, according to L-WQI. Moreover, the results of the Carlson TSI and TRIX indices were coincided and classified the eutrophication levels in the lake as “Hyper-Eutrophic” and “Elevated Trophic”, respectively. Based on the results of this study, Lake Burullus needs urgent plans for recovering its WQ. Pre-treatment for its drains effluents and implementing of a periodical WQ monitoring program are highly recommended.
Impact of Behcet’s Disease on the Periodontitis and Gingivitis- A Case-Control Study
Authors: Orduyilmaz Fikriye , Ozmeric Nurdan , Elgun Serenay , Gürbüz Sühan , Kucuk Hamit , Bitik Berivan , Tufan Abdurrahman , Göker Berna
Published: September 2022

Objective Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic ‘autoinflammatory’ disorder, characterized by the triad of oral and genital apthous ulcerations and iritis. We hypothesized that BD patients might have different immunological responses towards bacterial inflammation in their periodontal tissues due to their disease status, as well as medical treatment and this immunological differences might lead to clinical consequences. Materials and Methods Forty BD patients with gingivitis (BG) or periodontitis (BP) and 47 systemically healthy patients with either gingivitis (HG) or periodontitis (HP) were studied. Periodontal status was recorded with routine clinical indexes. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva samples were obtained. Nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were analyzed using colorimetric assay, EIA and ELISA. Current BD symptoms and medications usage were recorded. Results Mean probing pocket depths and clinical attachment levels were significantly lower in BG compared to HG subjects. Moreover, mean salivary IL-1β, TNF-α levels were elevated, and mean NO levels were decreased in BG compared to HG patients (p < 0.05 for IL-1β, TNF-α, p < 0.001 for NO). In contrast, mean NO levels in GCF were higher in BP group than in HP group (p < 0.01). While the BD patients with and without vascular involvement were compared, the salivary NO level was lower in patients with vascular involvement (p < 0.001). Conclusions Our results suggest that BD might have profound effects on the pathogenetic mechanisms of the gingivitis and periodontitis. Clinical Relevance The chronic inflammatory nature of both diseases, Behçet and periodontal disease, and the close relationship of proinflammatory cytokines with both disease activities suggested that there may be a bidirectional interaction between them.
Impact of COVID19 on clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma:A multicentre cohort study
Authors: De Souza Shuell , de Long Jeffery Kahol , Perone Ylenia , Shetty Shishir , Qurashi Maria , Jones Robert , Yip Vincent , Ross Paul , Bettinger Dominic , Reeves Helen , Geh Daniel , Sharma Rohini , Temperely Laura , Orr James , Banerjee Abhirup , Sturm Lukas , Shah Tahir , Allen Benjamin
Published: September 2022

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruption of healthcare services worldwide and interrupted patients’ access to essential services. During the first lockdown, many healthcare services were shut to all but emergencies. In this study, we aimed to determine the immediate and long-term indirect impact of COVID-19 health services utilisation on hepatocellular cancer (HCC) outcomes.
Methods
A prospective cohort study was conducted from March 1, 2020, until June 30, 2020 correlating to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were enrolled from tertiary hospitals in the UK and Germany with dedicated HCC management services. All patients with current or past HCC who were discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) were identified. Any delay to treatment (DTT) and the effect on survival at 1 year were reported.
Results
The median time to receipt of therapy following MDM discussion was 49 days. Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages-A/B disease were more likely to experience DTT. Significant delays across all treatments for HCC were observed but delay was most marked for those undergoing curative therapies. Even though severe delays were observed in curative HCC treatments, this did not translate in reduced survival in patients.
Conclusion
Interruption of routine healthcare services because of the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe delays in HCC treatment. However, DTT did not translate to reduced survival. Longer follow is important given the delay to therapy in those receiving curative therapy.
The Economic Value of the Ecosystem Services of Wetlands in the Nile Basin: the Case of Lower Baro in Ethiopia and South Sudan
Authors: Tadesse Jemal A. , Mulatu Dawit W. , Yohannes Tinebeb , Akwany Leonard O.
Published: September 2022

South Sudan and Ethiopia, despite possessing many wetlands – some even having international importance, there has been limited attempts to value the ecosystem and biodiversity services of the wetlands. However, such valuation exercises are vital to promote knowledge-based decision making and the proper management of the wetlands. The Lower Baro wetlands systems is one of the wetlands in the Nile Basin located in both countries and among the wetlands with limited availability of literature; let alone valuation studies. This study is, hence, aimed at filling this gap and applied the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD) to estimate the values of the ecosystem services since it was difficult to access the study area. The land use land cover map of the area was extracted using Remote Sensing and GIS tools. Considering 2020 as a base year, the annual economic value of the wetlands’ ecosystem services was estimated at above $660 million. More than half of these benefits emanate from the provisioning services while regulating and cultural services contribute about 22.5 percent each. The biodiversity services stood the least with less than half a percentage contribution. The findings reveal that the ESVD database is a good source of information for valuing wetlands in data scarce regions. Since the regulating and biodiversity services have a public good character, which may not be the immediate reasons for the conservation of the wetlands, actors from local to international levels should play their part in designing mechanisms for duly compensating local communities for these services.
Sulforaphane attenuates AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumorigenesis in mice via inhibition of intestinal inflammation
Authors: Shao Fang , Xie Yewen , Ding Jun , Pan Jie , Sun Xiao , Xia Lei , Qi Chunjian , Wang Shizhong , Zhu Dawei
Published: September 2022

Background
Sulforaphane (SFN) is a compound derived from cruciferous plants. It has received considerable attention in recent years due to its effectiveness in cancer prevention and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumor potential of sulforaphane on CAC through the establishment of a mouse model with AOM/DSS.
Methods
First, an AOM/DSS and DSS-induced model were established and administered SFN for 10 weeks, and then the severity of colitis-associated colon cancer was examined macroscopically and histologically. Subsequently, immune cells and cytokines in TME were quantified. Finally, the influence of sulforaphane was also investigated using different colon cell lines.
Results
We found that sulforaphane treatment decreased tumor volume, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) expansion, the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL1β, and the level of IL-10 in serum. Also, it enhanced the antitumor activities of CD8 + T cells and significantly reduced tumorigenesis as induced by AOM/DSS. Sulforaphane also attenuated intestinal inflammation in DSS-treated mice. In vitro, sulforaphane reduced viability, blocked colon cancer cells in G2/M phase, enhanced the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1, and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in colon cancer cells.
Conclusion
This work demonstrates that sulforaphane suppresses carcinogenesis-associated intestinal inflammation and prevents AOM/DSS-induced intestinal tumorigenesis and progression. These results call for further studies on sulforaphane as a natural agent for the prevention or treatment of colorectal cancer.
Coherent control of an ultrabright single spin in hexagonal boron nitride at room temperature
Authors: Guo Nai-Jie , Li Song , Yang Yuan-Ze , Zeng Xiao-Dong , Yu Shang , Meng Yu , Li Zhi-Peng , Wang Zhao-An , Xie Lin-ke , Ge Rong-Chun , Wang Jun-Feng , Li Qiang , Xu Jin-Shi , Liu Wei , Wang Yi-Tao , Tang Jian-Shun , Gali Adam , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guangcan
Published: September 2022

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) exhibits as the remarkable two-dimensional (2D) material to host solid-state spins, which has the great potential to be used in quantum information including quantum network. In this application, both the optical and spin properties are curcial for single spins, however, which nevertheless are not discovered simultaneously for hBN spins yet, e.g., the negatively charged boron-vacancy defect can be coherently controlled but is not isolated due to weak optical properties, and single-defect ODMR is detected but not shown to be coherently controllable. Here, we realize an efficient method to array and isolate the single defects of hBN and find a new spin defect. This single defect emits antibunching photons with ultrahigh emission rate reaching 25MHz (corrected) and Debye-Waller factor of 0.8, and possesses the optically-controllable spin (with narrow optically-detected-magnetic-resonance linewidth) indicated by significant Rabi-oscillation and Hahn-echo experiment at room temperature. First principles calculations indicate that complexes of carbon and oxygen dopants may be the origin of the single spin defects. The probability to find optically-detectable spins by our method is 85%, which gets 21-fold enhancement compared to the traditional methods. This provides the possibility to further address the spins that can be optically-controlled, since they only take 10.5% out of the optically-detectable spins.
Esophagectomy is possible with TAP! Avoid the epidural: A retrospective cohort review
Authors: Mitchell Will , Roser Thomas , Heard Jessica , Logarajah Shankar , Ok John , Jay John , Osman Houssam , Jeyarajah D. Rohan
Published: September 2022

Background: Esophagectomy traditionally has high levels of perioperative morbidity and mortality due to the surgical techniques and case complexity. While thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is considered first-line for postoperative analgesia after esophagectomy, there can be complications related to its sympathectomy and mobility impairment. Additionally, it has been shown that postoperative outcomes are improved with early extubation following esophagectomy. Our aim is to describe the impact of transversus abdominus plane (TAP) blocks on extubation rates following esophagectomy when uncoupled from TEA.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of 42 patients who underwent trans-hiatal esophagectomy between 2019 and 2022 who received a TAP block in the absence of TEA. The primary outcomes of interest were the rates of extubation within the operating room (OR) and reintubation. Secondary outcomes included: intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), opioid pain medication use, time to enteral diet, reported postoperative pain scores, development of anastomotic leak, and 30-day readmission.
Results: The mean age at operation was 63 years and 97.6% of patients were represented by American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) physical status class III or IV. 35 (83.3%) patients immediately extubated postoperatively. Nine patients (21.4%) underwent reintubation during their hospital course. Only six patients (14%) required vasopressors postoperatively. The median LOS was five days in the ICU and 10 days in the hospital. TAP block alone was found to be equivalent to TAP with additional regional blocks (TAP+) on the basis of immediate extubation, reintubation, ICU and hospital LOS, and reported postoperative pain.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate TAP blocks do provide comparable rates of successful immediate extubation and reintubation to TEA with fewer hypotensive complications after trans-hiatal esophagectomy. This was shown despite the elevated comorbidity burden of this study’s population. Additionally, TAP blocks maintained similar reported pain control scores to TEA literature.Overall, this study supports the use of TAP blocks as the primary analgesia in patients undergoing trans-hiatal esophagectomy over TEA.
Trial Registration: This study includes participants who were retrospectively registered. IRB# 037.HPB.2018.R
Diagnosis value of 18 F-Fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in pulmonary hamartoma
Authors: Ye Sheng , Meng Shen , Bian Shuang , Zhao Cuicui , Yang Jin , Lei Wei
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma (PH) based on computed tomography (CT) is a challenge, especially in patients with atypical imaging characteristics. This study was aimed at summarizing the imaging characteristic of 18F-Fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) in PH and exploring the application value of PET in the diagnosis of PH.
Data and Methods: Patients diagnosed with PH who had undergone PET-CT from our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. And other cases were publications regarding the use of PET-CT in patients with PH were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases, until June 2022. Patients’ symptoms, imaging characteristics of chest CT, tumor markers, PET-CT characteristics, the reason for PET-CT and the complications were analyzed.
Results: In this retrospective study, a total of 219 patients were diagnosed with PH and had been examined by PET-CT. 23 of the cases were patients of our hospital from January 2008 to June 2022. Others were collected from the literature. the mean diameter of most lung hamartoma lesions is 1.68 cm (0.4-5.5cm). Most of their SUVmax values were lower than internationally recognized cut-off value (SUVmax=2.5). PET-CT was superior to CT in diagnosing PH but there was a consistency of diagnostic efficiency between CT and PET-CT. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC(Area under curve) of SUVmax was 0.905, and the optimal diagnostic threshold was SUVmax>2.65.
Conclusion: PET-CT might be a useful tool to diagnose PH, even though with atypical radiographic features, and show better diagnostic accuracy than CT.
CircBRD7 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via forming a positive feedback regulation loop with its host gene
Authors: Wei Jianxia , Li Mengna , Chen Shipeng , Xue Changning , Zhan Yuting , Zheng Lemei , Duan Yumei , Deng Hongyu , Tang Faqing , Fan Songqing , Xiong Wei , Li Guiyuan , Zhou Ming
Published: September 2022

Background: BRD7 was identified as a tumor suppressor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Circular RNA (CircRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of NPC as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. However, the function and mechanism of the circRNAs derived from BRD7 in NPC are not well understood.
Methods: Bioinformatics analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing were performed to screen and identify the circular RNA derived from BRD7. CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays were used to evaluate the cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of circBRD7. The ChIP-qPCR assay was performed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of circBRD7 on BRD7. Xenograft tumor and lung metastasis models were constructed to confirm the effect of circBRD7 on tumor growth and metastasis.
Results: CircBRD7 was identified as a circular RNA derived from BRD7 that inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion of NPC cells as well as the xenograft tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically,circBRD7 promoted the transcription and expression of BRD7 by enhancing the enrichment of H3K27ac in the promoter region of its host gene, and BRD7 promoted the expression of circBRD7, thus circBRD7 formed positive feedback loop with BRD7 to inhibit NPC development and progression. Moreover, restoration of BRD7 expression rescued the inhibitory effect of circBRD7 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cell and xenograft tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, circBRD7 was expressed at low levels in NPC tissues, which was positively correlated with BRD7 expression and negatively correlated with the clinical stage of NPC patients. The combination of circBRD7 and BRD7 could be used as an important molecular marker for the evaluation of NPC progression.
Conclusions: Taken together, circBRD7 inhibits the tumor growth and metastasis of NPC via forming positive feedback loop with its host gene, and targeting the circBRD7/BRD7 axis is a promising strategy for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NPC.
Married women’s decision to delay childbearing, and loneliness, severe psychological distress, and suicidal ideation under crisis: Online survey data analysis from 2020 and 2021
Authors: Matsushima Midori , Yamada Hiroyuki , Kondo Naoki , Arakawa Yuki , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: September 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, including the decision to become pregnant. Existing literature suggests that infertility and the decision to delay childbearing at a younger age are associated with a lower level of well-being and regrets when women start to desire a baby. Thus, the decision to delay childbearing due to the pandemic could negatively affect the well-being of women. This study focuses on how pregnancy decisions affect the well-being of women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
From the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey, a nationally representative web-based survey, 768 observations of married women aged 18 to 50 years who had the intention of getting pregnant during the pre-pandemic period (conducted in 2020 and 2021) were used. Loneliness, severe psychological distress, and suicidal ideation were used as well-being indicators. For pooled data, a generalised estimated equation (GEE) model was used to estimate how pregnancy decision related to well-being indicators. For a sub-analysis, the sample was divided by the survey year and a Poisson regression model was used.
Results
Approximately 20% of married women reported that their decision to postpone childbearing was due to the pandemic. The GEE analysis showed an association between delaying childbearing and severe psychological distress, with the prevalence ratio (PR) being 2.06 [95% CI (1.40–3.03)]. Furthermore, loneliness and suicidal ideation that occurred after the beginning of the pandemic were significantly related to the decision to delay childbearing—1.55 [95% CI (1.03,2.34)] and 2.55 [95% CI (1.45–4.51)], respectively. Moreover, these PRs were larger for 2021 compared to 2020.
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately one-fifth of married women who had childbearing intentions before the pandemic decided to postpone pregnancy. They exhibited a deteriorated mental health state. Furthermore, the negative associations were larger in 2021 compared to 2020. Loneliness has negative consequences for both mental and physical health, as well as elevated severe psychological distress and suicidal ideation among those who decided to postpone pregnancy. Therefore, the current results should not be overlooked by society.
Groundwater vulnerability assessment using a GIS-based DRASTIC method in Erbil Dumpsite area (Kani Qirzhala), Central Erbil Basin, North Iraq
Authors: Hamed Masoud H. , Dara Rebwar N. , Kirlas Marios C.
Published: September 2022

Groundwater vulnerability assessment is an essential step for the efficient management of groundwater resources, especially in areas with intensive anthropogenic activities and groundwater pollution. In the present study, the DRASTIC method was applied using geographic information system (GIS) to evaluate groundwater vulnerability zones in Erbil Dumpsite area, Central Erbil Basin, North Iraq. Results showed that the area was classified into the following vulnerability classes: very low (16.97%), low (27.67%), moderate (36.55%) and high (18.81%). The southern, south-eastern and northern part of the study area had the highest vulnerability potential, whereas the central-northern, northern and north-western portion of the study area revealed the lowest vulnerability potential. Moreover, results of the single-parameter sensitivity analysis showed that amongst the seven DRASTIC parameters the unsaturated zone and the aquifer media were the most influencing parameters. Finally, the correlation of 25 nitrate concentration values with the final vulnerability map, using the Pearson correlation coefficient, gave a satisfactory result equal to R = 0.72.
Off-axis high-speed camera-based real-time monitoring and simulation study for laser powder bed fusion of 316L stainless steel
Authors: Thanki Aditi , Jordan Carlos , Booth Brian G. , Verhees Dries , Heylen Rob , Mir Mariam , Bey-Temsamani Abdellatif , Philips Wilfried , Witvrouw Ann , Haitjema Han
Published: September 2022

In-situ monitoring and post-process metrology form a basis to better understand the fundamental physics involved in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process and ultimately to determine its stability. By utilizing high-speed imaging, various process signatures are produced during single track formation of 316L stainless steel with various combinations of laser power and scan speed. In this study, we evaluate whether these signatures can be used to detect the onset of potential defects. To identify process signatures, image segmentation and feature detection are applied to the monitoring data along the line scans. The process signatures determined in the current study are mainly related to the features like the process zone length-to-width ratio, process zone area, process zone mean intensity, spatter speed and number of spatters. It is shown that the scan speed has a significant impact on the process stability and spatter formation during single track fusion. Simulations with similar processing conditions were also performed to predict melt pool geometric features. Post-process characterization techniques such as X-ray computed tomography and 2.5-D surface topography measurement were carried out for a quality check of the line track. An attempt was made to correlate physics-based features with process-related defects and a correlation between the number of keyhole porosities and the number of spatters was observed for the line tracks.
Study the ISO-FDTD algorithm to processing higher-order dielectric function in SFM-FDTD
Authors: gu ke-da , xie jin , yang hong-wei
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we use an ISO-FDTD (improved shift operator finite-difference time-domain, proposed by others) algorithm to further process some more complex dielectric functions like critical models, and several higher order Lorentz models fitted by ourselves, these function models totally have 6 ~ 8 susceptibility terms, and each term was consisted by two complex poles (Lorentz model). Our working supporting the universal applicability of ISO-FDTD for processing higher-order complex dispersive materials. And we applied this ISO-FDTD algorithm in SFM-FDTD (split-field method FDTD) to simulate dispersion media under oblique incidence. The simulation results meet well with the analytical solutions. Researchers can have an alternate option besides ADE and PLRC methods when processing high-order dispersive media in SFM-FDTD.
pH‑EGFET sensor based on the surface modification of MacroPSi with Au-NPs
Authors: Slewa Lary H. , Sabah Fayroz A. , Gozeh Bestoon A. , Othman Hazha Omer , Abbas Tariq A. , Ahmed Naser M.
Published: September 2022

A heterostructure of (Au-NPs/MacroPSi) was synthesized by filtering a colloidal of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) into MacroPSi layer using high voltage electrophoretic deposition (HVEPD). The aim of that is to enhance the performance of MacroPSi used as a pH-EGFET sensor. For this purpose, the MacroPSi with an average pore size of 1.388 µm was synthesized by anodic etching of Si wafer, and a spherical shape of Au-NPs with size varied in the range of 5 to 25 nm were synthesized in ethanol by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique. The density of (Au-NPs) on the surface and inside the pores of MacroPSi was determined utilizing FESEM. The pH sensitivity, linearity, and hysteresis of the heterostructure Au-NPs/MacroPSi pH-EGFET sensor were measured in the pH range from 2 to 12. The outcomes indicated that the membrane exhibited a significantly enhanced pH sensitivity value of 83.57 mV/pH with linear regression of 99.37%, and hysteresis of 3 mV and 5 mV in the acid and base pH cycles, respectively. The presence of Au-NPs improve the sensitivity and stability of the sensor due to deactivate of the Si-h surface bond and enhancement the conducting on the surface of MacroPSi, and also provide better Ohmic contact to the PSi. The research work confirms the feasibility of using the hetero structures (Au-NPs/MacroPSi) as extended get for acidity and basicity detection.
Human embryonic stem cells overexpressing dopaminergic transcription factors survive and differentiate in the substantia nigra in vivo
Authors: Ramos-Acevedo Rodrigo , Morato-Torres Carmen Alejandra , Bernal-Conde Luis Daniel , Padilla-Godínez Francisco Javier , Palomero-Rivero Marcela , Zafar Faria , Schüle Birgitt , Guerra-Crespo Magdalena
Published: September 2022

Background: Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is responsible for motor and cognitive impairment. Replacing the dopaminergic cell population in the SNpc to restore normal dopamine levels is a potential therapeutic approach. However, improving neuronal integration still requires a reliable cell source for transplantation and a profound understanding of the effects of the local microenvironment on transplanted cells. We have previously shown that embryoid bodies (EBs)-derived cells from mouse embryonic stem cells overexpressing the dopaminergic transcription factor Lmx1a engrafted into SNpc develop tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive phenotype. In the present work, we transplanted EBs-derived cells from genetically engineered human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), overexpressing the dopaminergic transcription factors LMX1A, FOXA2, and OTX2 (hESC-LFO). We determined their potential to differentiate into TH-expressing neurons in the SNpc of anin vivoPD model. Methods: EBs-derived cells from genetically the engineered hESCs-LFO cell line were transplanted, and their neuronal differentiation potential was determined in the SNpc of anin vivoPD model with 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA). Three rat groups were designed as follows: Untreated (healthy rats), sham (rats administered with saline solution), and 6-OHDA (rats lesioned with 6-OHDA). A one-way ANOVA test was performed for statistical analysis. Results: Neural rosettes, a fundamental developmental hallmark of neuroepithelial tissue, were found at 7 and 15 days post-transplantation (dpt) in ~ 70% of the transplanted brains in all three conditions: Untreated, sham, and 6-OHDA. The majority of the neural rosettes corresponded to the lumen formation stage. In comparison, no graft survival was observed in EB transplants derived from unmodified hESCs. Interestingly, at 30 dpt, hESC-LFO engrafted cells showed neuronal morphology and positive immunolabeling for TH in all the brains exhibiting surviving transplants: 10% 6-OHDA rats, 0% sham, and 100% untreated rats. Conclusions: Overall, our results show that overexpression of LFO factors favors short-term survival while strongly initiating neural differentiation of hESC-derived cells in SNpc surviving grafts by forming neural rosettes and differentiating into TH-positive cells.
Simultaneous estimation of a model-derived input function for quantifying cerebral glucose metabolism with [18F]FDG PET
Authors: Narciso Lucas , Dassanayake Praveen , Liu Linshan , Pinto Samara , Anazodo Udunna , Soddu Andrea , Lawrence Keith St
Published: September 2022

Background: Quantification of cerebral glucose metabolism by dynamic [ 18 F]FDG PET is often limited to the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRGlu) due to the challenges associated with obtaining microparameters at the voxelwise level (e.g., noise, choice of parameter estimation method, and input function quality). Efforts to avoid invasive arterial sampling include the simultaneous estimation (SIME) approach, which models the image-derived input function (IDIF) by series of exponentials with coefficients obtained by fitting time activity curves (TACs) from multiple volumes-of-interest. A limitation of SIME is the assumption that the input function can be modelled accurately by a series of exponentials. Alternatively, we propose a SIME approach based on the two-tissue compartment model to extract a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) modelderived input function (MDIF) from the whole-brain TAC. The purpose of this study is to present the MDIF approach and its implementation in the analysis of animal and human data.
Methods: Simulations were performed to assess the MDIF approach in terms of accuracy, by evaluating a range of temporal resolutions; and precision, by adding noise to simulated TACs. The derived MDIFs were compared to the gold standard using retrospective data from animal experiments ( n = 5). Retrospective data from neurologically healthy volunteers ( n = 18) were used to extract macro- and microparameters from dynamic [ 18 F]FDG PET data.
Results: Simulations demonstrated that extracting the MDIF from a whole-brain TAC requires using a sampling rate sufficient to minimize truncation errors. The MDIF approach improved the precision of estimated [ 18 F]FDG microparameters compared to the original SIME method. Good agreement between MDIFs and measured AIFs was found in the animal experiments. Similarly, the ratio of the area under the curve for MDIF to IDIF in the human experiments was 1.05 ± 0.11, resulting in agreement in grey matter CMRGlu: 24.2 ± 3.5 and 24.4 ± 3.8 mL/100 g/min for MDIF and IDIF, respectively. The MDIF method was superior in characterizing the first pass of [ 18 F]FDG. Groupwise macro- and microparameter voxelwise images obtained with the MDIF showed the expected patterns.
Conclusions: A model-driven SIME method was proposed to derive high SNR input functions. Simulations indicate that [ 18 F]FDG rate constants obtained with the MDIF had higher precision than corresponding estimates from the original IDIF SIME approach, which is attributed to the MDIF method requiring fewer fitting parameters to characterize the input function.
Comparative analysis of lightning current parameters
Authors: Jia Jinbing , Lu Youqing , He Wei
Published: September 2022

In this paper, theoretical analysis and simulation are carried out on the function expressions of the three most commonly used lightning current mathematical models in lightning protection engineering, and the correction coefficient of peak current, peak time, total charge Qs and The unit energy W/R is solved numerically.
Efficacy of Robot-assisted Hepaticojejunostomy and Laparoscopic-assisted Hepaticojejunostomy in Pediatric Congenital Choledochal Dilatation ： A System Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Liu Shaowen , Li Tengfei , Zhan Jianghua
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The efficacy of Robot-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (RAHJ) and Laparoscopic-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (LAHJ) in children with congenital choledochal dilatation has been a topic of much debate and controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of RAHJ and LAHJ in pediatric congenital choledochal dilatation.
Method: The review program has been prospectively registered (PROSPEROID: CRD42022306868). We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CBM, VIP, Web of Science, CNKI databases and Wanfang databases from March 2021. The Mantel–Haenszel method and a random effects model were used to figure out the hazard ratio (95% CI).
Results: Ten studies evaluated 869 subjects (332 in the robotic group and 537 in the laparoscopic group), meeting all inclusion criteria. Compared with the laparoscopic group, robotic group demonstrated fewer postoperative complications [p = 0.0009; OR = 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.64); I2= 3%], shorter postoperative hospital stay [p < 00001; MD = -2.05 (95% CI, -2.40-1.70); I2 = 0%] and less intraoperative bleeding [p < 0.008; MD = -10.08 (95% CI, -18.80--2.81); I2 = 99%]. There was no significant difference in operative time between the two groups [p = 0.10; MD = 24.53 (95% CI, -5.11-54.17); I2 = 99%]. The same situation happened in short-term complication outcomes [p = 0.06; RR = 0.45 (95% CI, 0.19-1.04); I2 = 0%]. However, children in the RAHJ group had significantly lower levels of long-term complications [p = 0.04; OR = 0.41 (95% CI, 0.17-0.96); I2 = 0%]. Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the RAHJ group [p < 0.00001; OR = 27113.86 (95% CI, 26307.24-27920.48); I2 = 0%]. For overall complications, subgroup analysis of literature published after 2020 and of literature with high quality scores showed a significant decrease in the RAHJ group.
Conclusion: In children with congenital choledochal dilatation, RAHJ is associated with reduced intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications and length of stay. Robotic surgery has a bright future in the treatment of pediatric common hepatic duct cysts and deserves to be promoted and popularized.
Impact of cooled compressed air and high-speed cutting on the drilling of hybrid composite-metal stacks
Authors: Devitte Cristiano , Souza André J.
Published: September 2022

Hybrid composite-metal stacks (HCMS) are used to manufacture and maintain aircraft combining metal alloys and composite materials. Drilling stands out due to its high use for installing rivets in fuselages. This work sought to identify the influence of cooled compressed air and high-speed cutting (HSC) on drilling multi-material joints with different configurations. Among the factors observed are the composite type (carbon- or glass-fiber-reinforced polymer), joint type with 2024 aluminum alloy (simple or composed), presence or absence of cooled air, cutting speed (40 and 220 m/min), and feed rate (0.02 and 0.08 mm/rev) in HCMS drilling. Adjusted delamination factor, hole wall roughness, hole roundness, and thrust force were evaluated. The combined effect between cutting speed and cooled air did not significantly impact the defects generated, making it possible to use HSC without harming the joint. Cooled air showed a tendency to decrease defects in HCMS drilling.
Adventive population of Trissolcus japonicus, parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys, discovered in southwestern Idaho
Authors: Richardson Kate V. , Alston Diane G. , Spears Lori R.
Published: September 2022

Adventive populations of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) have been detected in eastern and western United States including the western states of Washington, Oregon, California, and Utah. These populations may provide classical biological control for the invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) which can cause severe damage and economic loss, especially to specialty crops in western North America. Idaho has previously been un-surveyed for the exotic T. japonicus and native parasitoids of H. halys. To assess the presence of stink bug parasitoids in Idaho, we deployed yellow sticky cards at nine sites in southwestern Idaho between June and October 2021. We discovered T. japonicus on sticky cards and emerging from wild H. halys egg masses. This is the first record of T. japonicus in the state of Idaho. Trissolcus japonicus constituted only 5% of Trissolcus species detected; other species included T. euschisti, T. hullensis, and T. utahensis. In other studies, native Trissolcus have been found to provide low parasitism rates of H. halys in invaded regions. Through genetic population level analysis, specimens from this study may suggest that T. japonicus is expanding inland from the West Coast, inhabiting ecozones previously considered unsuitable due to high temperatures and low humidity. These findings open the prospect of an effective biological control agent for H. halys in Idaho and potentially other hot and dry geographic regions and expands documentation of the presence of adventive T. japonicus populations in North America.
Multimorbidity in patients with low back pain seeking care from Danish chiropractic practice: a cohort study
Authors: Rafn Bolette Skjødt , Hartvigsen Jan , Siersma Volkert , Andersen John Sahl
Published: September 2022

Background:
People with multimorbidity, defined as the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, often suffer from pain and functional limitations caused by musculoskeletal disorders and the chronic conditions. In chiropractic practice, two thirds of patients are treated for low back pain (LBP). It is unknown to what extent LBP is accompanied with chronic conditions in chiropractic practice. The objective was to determine the prevalence of multimorbidity among patients with LBP in chiropractric practice and to investigate if multimorbidity affects pain intensity, self-rated health, physical and mental health. Finally, to explore if individuals with multimorbidity have a different recovery for the LBP.
Methods:
Patients presenting with a new episode of LBP were recruited from 10 chiropractic clinics in 2016-18. Patient-reported data concerning socio-demographics, self-rated health, pain intensity, history of LBP, mental health and chronic conditions were collected at baseline. The prevalence of multimorbidity was determined. To evaluate differences in recovery from the LBP, we estimated changes in the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score and use of pain medication at baseline, two weeks, three months and twelve months. The analyses were adjusted using regression models.
Results:
2,083 patients were included at baseline and 71%, 68% and 64% responded to follow-up questionnaires at two weeks, three and twelve months. 1,024 (49%) participants reported to have at least one chronic condition and 421 (20%) had multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic conditions). The presence of multimorbidity was associated with increased odds of poor self-rated health (OR 2.13), physical fitness (OR 1.79), poor muscular strength (OR 1.52), poor endurance (OR 1.51), and poor balance (OR 1.33). Patients with high LBP intensity combined with multimorbidity showed a poorer recovery than patients without chronic diseases (mean difference in RMDQ score 3.53 at 12 months follow-up). More patients with multimorbidity used pain medication for LBP at 12 months follow-up compared to those without chronic disease (OR 2.36).
Conclusions:
Chiropractors should be aware that patients with LBP may suffer from multimorbidity with poor general health. Patients with multimorbidity also have poorer recovery from LBP than people without chronic disease and clinical follow-up may be indicated.
Microvasculature evaluation of monocular anisometropic amblyopia children by Angio-OCT
Authors: Ye Haiyun , Wang Siying , Zhang Yidan , Fang Wangyi , Ye Han , Chen Luya , Qiao Tong
Published: September 2022

Background
To compare and assess the choroidal and retinal microstructural vascularity in amblyopic eyes with the fellow eyes in monocular anisometropic amblyopic children using angiography optical coherence tomography (Angio-OCT).
Methods
Twenty-seven children (54 eyes; 5.59 ± 1.08 years old; 59.3% girls) were enrolled in this study. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured with the use of the enhanced depth imaging mode in Angio-OCT. Parafoveal/peripapillary vascular density indices and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size were analyzed by Matlab code programming on Angio-OCT images.
Results
The mean FAZ size of the amblyopic eyes were larger both in superficial and deep capillary plexus layer (SCPL/DCPL). Compared with the contralateral eyes (which were emmetropia), all the vascular density indices of SCPL and DCPL in the parafoveal and peripapillary zones were lower in the amblyopic eyes, however, the difference were insignificant (p > 0.05). No significant decrease was observed in four quadrants analyses of the amblyopic eyes (p > 0.05). Except for the measurement at 2000µm and 1500µm from the fovea in temple, CT in amblyopic eyes were significantly thicken than the fellow eyes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Compared with the fellow eyes, the CT of certain areas were thicker in the amblyopic eyes. Though the FAZ size of the amblyopic eyes were obvious larger in SCPL/DCPL layers, the retinal vascular density indices in SCPL/DCPL were lower in amblyopia eyes without statistically difference. Angio-OCT may be an effective way to evaluate the status of the choroidal and retinal vascular system in amblyopic children.