bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assimilation of Geophysics-Derived Spatial Data for Model Calibration in Geologic CO2 Sequestration
Authors: Chen Bailian , Morales Misael M. , Ma Zhiwei , Kang Qinjun , Pawar Rajesh J.
Published: April 2024

Uncertainty in geological models usually leads to large uncertainty in the predictions of risk-related system properties and/or risk metrics (e.g., CO2 plumes and CO2/brine leakage rates) at a geologic CO2 storage site. Different types of data (e.g., point measurements from monitoring wells and spatial data from 4D seismic surveys) can be leveraged or assimilated to reduce the risk predictions. In this work, we develop a novel framework for spatial data assimilation and risk forecasting. Under the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP), we have developed a framework using an ensemble-based data assimilation approach for spatial data assimilation and forecasting. In particular, we took CO2 saturation maps interpreted from 4D seismic surveys as inputs for spatial data assimilation. Three seismic surveys at Years 1, 3, and 5 were considered in this study. Accordingly, three saturation maps were generated for data assimilation. The impact from the level of data noise was also investigated in this work. Our results show increased similarity between the updated reservoir models and the “ground-truth” model with the increased number of seismic surveys. Predictive accuracy in CO2 saturation plume increases with the increased number of seismic surveys as well. We also observed that with the increase in the level of data noise from 1% to 10%, the difference between the updated models and the ground truth does not increase significantly. Similar observations were made for the prediction of CO2 plume distribution at the end of the CO2 injection period by increasing the data noise.
An Analytical Relative Permeability Model Considering Flow Path Structural Characteristics for Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Shale Fracture
Authors: Pang Hong , Wang Duo , Wu Tong , Wang Rui , Dai Xu , Lu Meng , Pan Zhejun
Published: April 2024

Relative permeability models are essential in describing the multiphase fluid flow in reservoir rocks. Literature work has shown that the existing theoretical models of relative permeability cannot perfectly describe the two-phase flow experimental data in fractures because those models are mostly developed for porous media (such as sandstone) or proposed without fully taking the specific characteristics of two-phase flow into consideration. In this paper, we propose a theoretical two-phase flow relative permeability model based on the tortuous flow channels, considering the structural characteristics of two-phase flow in the fractures. This model considers that the gas and liquid flow through different channels of different shapes and sizes at the same time. The formula for two-phase relative permeability was derived from cubic law in fracture and Darcy’s law, with the influence of the slip effect of the gas phase also considered. The results from different models were compared using several series of experimental data. The model proposed in this paper has a better fit than the others for the raw experimental data. This study demonstrates that it is crucial to take the flow paths and distribution of the two phases into consideration to model the two-phase flow in fracture accurately. This work also found that the tortuosity of the gas channel at the irreducible liquid saturation has a negative effect on gas relative permeability but positive to liquid relative permeability. Moreover, the model demonstrates that the decrease in aperture leads to an increase in the gas relative permeability due to gas slippage, while the impact of gas slippage reduces under high pressure.
An Improved Continuum Approach for Unconsolidated Formations on the Field Scale
Authors: Liu Bailong , Ito Takatoshi
Published: April 2024

With the development of unconventional resources, such as oil sands and methane hydrate reservoirs, the importance of the mechanical performance model for underground unconsolidated rocks has increased significantly. The commonly used numerical approach for unconsolidated rocks is the discrete-element method (DEM). However, the extensive calculations required by the DEM make it inadequate for simulating unconsolidated rock behavior on a field scale. An alternative is the continuum approach, used to simulate the behavior of unconsolidated rocks on the field scale. In previous continuum approaches, unconsolidated rocks have been modeled as a visco-plastic fluid (i.e., Bingham fluid). The continuum approach based on visco-plastic fluid uses pressure (scalar) to describe the stress state of the particles. However, this approach does not account for the difference between the maximum and minimum principal stresses of the in-situ stress field when simulating the mechanical performance of unconsolidated rocks. Here, we developed an improved continuum approach for unconsolidated rocks and used the finite-element method as a numerical approach. Our improved model can consider the difference between the maximum and minimum principal stresses of the in-situ stress field and the pore pressure of the unconsolidated formation. We validated our numerical model with the angle of repose test, a benchmark problem for unconsolidated rocks. The validation results confirm the accuracy of our unconsolidated model. For the coupled model between the unconsolidated model and the flow model, we used an analytical solution to verify its reliability. Unconsolidated rock performances in an unconsolidated reservoir with fluid injection have been investigated based on our coupled model. The simulation results show that injection can activate the movement of unconsolidated rock particles, leading to changes in the distribution of effective stress and permeability. Our model has the potential to address large-scale unconsolidated rock issues and contribute to energy extraction.
Evaluating Source, Scale Risk, and Corrosion Risk of the Produced Water Samples from the Appalachian Basin Based on a Geochemical Database
Authors: Dai Zhaoyi , Zhang Jiahe , Yuan Huiying , Liu Huanyu , Zhang Kui , Xie Shucheng
Published: April 2024

Statistically, oil and gas production can generate up to 20 times the oil equivalent of produced water. The composition of produced water samples reflects its source, its interactions with reservoir rocks, and downhole (DH) facilities, which are critical for basin evolution, water source determination, and the monitoring, management, and optimization of oil and gas production. For example, scale and corrosion, two of the most severe flow assurance issues accompanied by produced water, can lead to billions of dollars lost every year. However, few studies have developed a standard protocol to extract such valuable information from produced water compositions due to a lack of data and professional models. Using produced water geochemical data from the Appalachian Basin, one of the largest natural gas producers in the US, from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Produced Waters Geochemical Database (PWGD), we developed a standard protocol to investigate the produced water source, evolution history, and scale and corrosion risks under both DH and surface conditions by means of incorporating the professional models for water-rock interaction and corrosion. The results show that the produced water from the Appalachian Basin possibly evolves from seawater evaporation following a typical evolution pattern of ion concentration and water isotopes, while a group of time-elapsed samples indicates that such an evolution pattern can also be due to the mixture of the injected water and reservoir water. In addition, most produced water samples show obvious risks of mineral scaling (e.g., calcite, barite, and siderite) and CO2 corrosion with corresponding mitigation strategies recommended. This study not only developed a reliable data processing and analysis protocol but also showed the valuable information a systematic analysis of produced water samples can provide for actual oil and gas production.
Knowledge, Precautionary, Mental Health Status During the Stabilization Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among the University Students in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Cheang Chonin , Chan Wengtong , Wang Xiaona , Xia Sujian
Published: April 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to survey the part of the university students in Guangzhou, China to better understand their levels of anxiety and common mental disorders (CMD) during the stabilization stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: An online survey was conducted from November 1 to 12, 2021, utilizing a convenience sampling strategy. It gathered demographic information, health status, COVID-19-related circumstances, degrees of knowledge, preventative actions, and COVID-19-related concerns. Mental health self-assessment tools were distributed online via WeChat and other social media platforms. The impact on mental health was assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), evaluating the mental health of university students in Guangzhou. The outcome indicator was the rate of positive detection.
Results: The study included 2,010 respondents. Of these, 12.1% reported symptoms of anxiety, while 22.6% reported symptoms of CMD. Higher risks of mental disorders were significantly associated with being older, male, participating in online classes, attending national non-key universities, being unvaccinated, and personal or family history of COVID-19 diagnosis. Additional risk factors included nearby confirmed COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 related worries, and lower levels of COVID-19 knowledge and precautionary measures (all odds ratios [OR] > 1.20, p < 0.05).
EpilConNet: A Novel Multi-Class Epileptic Seizure Classification Model through Layer Concatenation
Authors: Ghosh Sudip , _ Deepti , Gupta Shivam
Published: April 2024

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which can affect individuals of all age groups, but infants and older individuals are particularly vulnerable. Sudden epileptic attacks can pose significant risks and be life-threatening, impacting the overall quality of life of affected individuals. With the progress made in medical science, Electroencephalography (EEG) has emerged as a valuable tool for diagnosing and predicting seizure occurrences. The availability of wearable EEG devices, including caps and helmets, has become increasingly prominent in the market. As a result, there has been a recent surge in the development of deep learning-based systems. These systems are helpful for diagnosis in hospital settings and for mobile applications that provide timely warnings and predictions regarding seizure onset. Most of the existing state-of-the-art (SOTA) approaches focus on distinguishing between healthy and epileptic patients. Some studies categorize individuals into three classes: healthy, experiencing the onset of a seizure, or currently having a seizure, specifically focusing on mobile applications. However, limited literature is available on the five-class problem, which is valuable for localization and diagnosis in hospitals and mobile applications. In this regard, we propose our novel model, named EpilConNet, and conduct extensive experiments on a real-world dataset to demonstrate its efficacy in all modes of classification. EpilConNet results in a significant increase of 4% in accuracy in five-class classification.
The Virtual Bonds: Unveiling the Influence of Social Networking Sites on College Students
Authors: ALI SHAHEEN EFRAH
Published: April 2024

Purpose –The purpose of this study is to gain insights into students' usage, purpose, and behavior regarding social media, investigate the relationship between social media use and academic performance, and explore the average time spent by students on social media.
Research Methodology–The study employed a descriptive research design, convenience sampling to gather data from 100 college students in Bareilly District, Uttar Pradesh. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire, and analysis was conducted using MS Excel with the frequency and percentage method.
Findings –The study found that most surveyed students, especially those aged 18-21, primarily used social media for chatting and studying. The study also identified potential drawbacks of social media, including time consumption and the risk of cyberbullying.
Research limitations/implications –One limitation of this study is the reliance on self-reported data may be subject to response bias which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Practical implications –The insights provided by this study can inform educational institutions and policymakers about the impact of social networking sites on college students.
Originality/value –This study provides original insights into their social media behavior, the relationship between social media use & academic performance and the average time spent on social media.
A Case Study on Working Condition of Brick Kiln Workers of Rohilkhand region, U.P, India
Authors: Ali Shaheen Efrah
Published: April 2024

The Socioeconomic condition of workers is adversely affected due to the poor working condition and Worker’s Harassment by Contractor. In recent years, there has been a shortage of workforce as the younger generation no longer wants to be linked with the brick kiln sector. They are not getting proper workplace environment and Workplace Harassment takes place due to labour bondage condition of labour between Brick kiln owner & Contractor. Thus, it’s important to analyze the working Condition of brick kiln industry workers. The study brings out the reality of the workers of brick kiln, their vulnerability, migration issues, social insecurity, potential health risks, & the hazardous atmosphere that they thrive in their day-to-day lives. Primary data was collected with help of face to face interview schedule from the different 6 brick kiln of Rohilkhand region, U.P. India.(n = 320). For Analysis of data, Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and Chi-Square test were used. The study revealed that the majority of the workers are male respondents at the brick kiln with low education level & facing major health issues. The majority of the workers claimed that they didn’t get proper sanitation (84.3%) and drinking water (68.7%) and facing Wages Harassment by Contractor at workplace (71.8%).
Intravitreal ranibizumab in aggressive retinopathy of prematurity compared with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in Egyptian preterm infants (non-randomized clinical trial)
Authors: Tawfik Ghada , Shahein Ezzat , Dabour Sherif , Hassanein Dina , Elshewy Ahmed
Published: April 2024

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) monotherapy in type 1 retinopathy of prematurity compared to aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (A-ROP) in Egyptian preterm infants.
Methods: A-ROP group included 18 eyes of 15 infants and type 1 ROP group included 19 eyes of 15 infants who were recruited between November 2020 and November 2022. Both groups received IVR. Rescue IVR injection was given for reactivation. Outcome measures included regression achieved by single or multiple injections, recurrence of ROP, retinal vascularization time, need for laser photocoagulation and complications. Mean follow-up duration was 11.44 and 13.95 months for A-ROP and type 1 ROP groups, respectively.
Results: Regression of ROP by single injection at 55 weeks’ PMA was achieved in 11/18 eyes (61.1 %) in A-ROP and 19/19 eyes (100%) in type 1 ROP group (P= 0.003). 4 /18 eyes (22.2%) in the A-ROP group developed late reactivation which necessitated rescue injection. Vascularization reached zone III in 9/18 eyes (50%) at 52.59 ± 3.89 weeks' PMA in A-ROP group, and all eyes in type 1 ROP group (P < 0.001). Indirect laser photocoagulation on peripheral avascular retina was done in 5/18 eyes (27.8 %) in A-ROP group at mean of 59.2 weeks' PMA (P=0.008). No laser was needed in type 1 ROP.
Conclusion: Ranibizumab has proved to be effective regarding prompt initial regression of active ROP in type 1 ROP and A-ROP. Higher proportion of reactivation and rescue injection was significantly detected in A-ROP group than type 1 ROP group.
Trial registration number NCT05701124
Analyzing Attempt and Success Factors for Amputated Digit Replantation in Japan Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination Database
Authors: Hamada Daishi , Suzuki Hitoshi , Muramatsu Keiji , Zenke Yukichi , Kawasaki Makoto , Fushimi Kiyohide , Matsuda Shinya , Sakai Akinori
Published: April 2024

The number of amputated finger replantation has declined in the USA and Germany in recent years; however, there have been no reports on recent trends within Japan. We examined the current practices, attempts, and success factors of digit replantation in Japan. The authors hypothesized that the rates of digit replantation and success rates were consistently standardized in Japan. The Diagnosis Procedure Combination database was used to analyze 14,004 cases from April 2014 to March 2020, excluding multiple-digit amputations, thus focusing on 13,484 patients. We evaluated replantation success rates and identified factors influencing replantation decisions using multiple logistic regression analysis. The key findings included a higher frequency of replantation in thumb cases and surgeries during overtime hours, on Sundays, and in educational institutions. Success rates were notably higher for thumb replantations and patients under 20 years of age. Patients over 65 years of age treated with urokinase showed higher failure rates, unrelated to regional or hospital case volumes The number of amputated digit replantation surgeries in Japan was high during overtime hours, on Sundays, and in educational institutions. No region or hospital case volume has a lower success rate, indicating that the surgical technique was standardized throughout the country.
Influenza A virus hemagglutinin remodels membranes into a vRNP clustering platform
Authors: Chlanda Petr , Wachsmuth-melm Moritz , Peterl Sarah , Makroczyová Jana , Vale-Costa Sílvia , Amorim Maria-João
Published: April 2024

Pandemics caused by influenza A virus are associated with co-infections of zoonotic and human-adapted viruses. To form an infectious entity, the virus must incorporate eight different ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) into virions budding at the plasma membrane. The process of vRNP clustering is poorly understood and has not been investigated at a molecular resolution. Here we employ in situ cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy at late stages of viral infection to identify hemagglutinin and neuraminidase as drivers of membrane remodelling. We show that hemagglutinin, but not neuraminidase-remodelled compartments serve as vRNP clustering platforms. Our nearest-neighbour analysis demonstrates that vRNPs cluster on hemagglutinin-remodelled membranes in a Rab11a-dependent manner. Additionally, we uncover that matrix protein 1 (M1) forms multi-layered cylindrical assemblies in the nucleus which restructure in the cytoplasm. Further, we show that M1 layer assembly precedes its attachment to the plasma membrane and M1 thereby coordinates the closure of the virion budding neck. In summary, we demonstrate that hemagglutinin is involved in intracellular vRNP clustering by inducing membrane remodelling to provide a large interaction surface. Thus hemagglutinin-membrane remodelling may play a role during vRNP sorting and reassortment that lead to the adaptation of zoonotic influenza A viruses.
Use of lichens as bioindicators of contamination by agrochemicals and metals
Authors: Gómez Shirley , Vergara Maria , Rivadeneira Bryan , Rodríguez Joan , Carpio Antonio
Published: April 2024

The presence or absence of lichens serves as an indicator of the condition of an ecosystem and the degree to which it is contaminated by various agents, such as agrochemicals and metals. Evaluating the use of lichens as bioindicators of agrochemical contamination could provide a more comprehensive perspective on current contamination levels. Monitoring was, therefore, carried out over a four-month period in two study areas: a well-conserved control area and another treated area surrounded by agricultural crops. Data on the presence and abundance of lichens in each study area were recorded at 10 sampling points, a procedure that was repeated 16 times (every 15 days), and concentrations of heavy metals and “organophosphate” agrochemicals in the lichens collected were measured by means of gas chromatography. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess abundance and richness, while general linear mixed models were used to attain Shannon diversity and Simpson dominance indices. Moreover, a multivariate analysis was performed in order to compare the lichen communities in both areas. The results indicated differences between the control and treated areas in terms of abundance and Simpson's dominance index, while no differences were found for the richness and diversity models. The PERMANOVA analysis also showed differences between the lichen communities in the two areas. The results also demonstrated that “Canoparmelia caroliniana” bioaccumulated metals in both areas. Finally, the concentrations of agrochemicals were higher in the treated area, and included toxic substances such as Methyl Parathion and Parathion, which are prohibited in Ecuador. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of lichens as precise indicators of environmental health and contamination by agrochemicals and metals.
Small extracellular vesicle-derived circular RNA hsa_circ_0007386 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Zhand Sareh , Liao Jiayan , Castorina Alessandro , Yuen Man Lee , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi , Cheng Yuen Yee
Published: April 2024

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a highly aggressive tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure and lacks effective therapeutic regimens. Current procedures for PM diagnosis are invasive and can take a long time to reach a definitive result. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been identified as important communicators between tumour cells and their microenvironment via their cargo including circular RNAs (circRNAs). CircRNAs are thermodynamically stable, highly conserved and it has been found to be dysregulated in cancer. This study aimed to identify potential biomarker for PM diagnosis by investigating the expression of specific circRNA gene pattern (hsa_circ_0007386) in cells and sEVs using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). For this reason, 5 PM, 14 non-PM, and one normal mesothelial cell line were cultured. The sEV were isolated from the cells using the gold standard ultracentrifuge method. The RNA was extracted from both cells and sEVs, cDNA was synthesised, and dPCR was run. Results showed that hsa_circ_0007386 was significantly overexpressed in PM cell lines and sEVs compared to non-PM and normal mesothelial cell lines (p<0.0001). The upregulation of hsa_circ_0007386 in PM highlights its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. This study underscores the importance and potential of circRNAs and sEVs as cancer diagnostic tools.
Evaluation indicator system construction and data processing method using resilience evaluation of Chinese provinces as a case study
Authors: Wang Mingzhen , Gao Lin
Published: April 2024

Comprehensive evaluation is widely used in many fields, and the evaluation results are an important basis for the next decision. In order to obtain reasonable and reliable evaluation results, the evaluation indicator system must be able to scientifically, comprehensively and accurately reflect the object and purpose of the evaluation, and all indicator data must be authoritative, accurate and properly processed. Based on the above requirements, the construction of resilience evaluation indicator system and data processing method are put forward, the specific use steps are combed out, and the calculation process and results are given by taking China’s provincial resilience evaluation as a case study. The construction of the evaluation indicator system includes the primary selection of indicators based on evaluation objectives and existing researches, the optimization selection of indicators based on data acquisition, and the screening selection of indicators based on KMO test statistics and Measure of Sampling Adequacy (MSA). The data processing is carried out after the optimization selection of indicators, including the time sequence three-dimensional data table, the consistency processing of the indicator type, the non-negative processing and the dimensionless processing. Based on the processed time sequence data table, the eigenvectors corresponding to the positive maximum eigenvalues can be calculated, and the elements in the eigenvectors are the weights of each indicator.
Comparative membrane proteomic analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus isolates
Authors: Rivero Maria B. , Alonso Andrés M. , Abdala Maria E. , Luque Melchor E. , Carranza Pedro G. , Coceres Veronica M. , Rivero Fernando D.
Published: April 2024

Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated and anaerobic parasite able to infect cattle and felines. Despite its prevalence, there is no effective standardized or legal treatment for T. foetus-infected cattle; the vaccination still has limited success in mitigating infections and reducing abortion risk; and nowadays, the diagnosis of T. foetus presents important limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity in bovines. Here, we characterize the plasma membrane proteome of T. foetus and identify proteins that are represented in different isolates of this protozoan. Additionally, we performed a bioinformatic analysis that revealed the antigenicity potential of some of those proteins. This analysis is the first study to identify common proteins at the plasma membrane of different T. foetus isolates that could be targets for alternative diagnostic or vaccine techniques in the future.
Anchorage Parameter Optimization Design of Slope with Dip Weak Layer in Open-pit Coal Mine ： Taking the West Side of Zani River Open-pit Coal Mine as an Example
Authors: Li Guanghe , Wang Pengyu , Ding Chunjian , Wang Dong , Wang Laigui , Liang Zuchao , Zhou Zhiwei
Published: April 2024

In order to solve the problem of geological disaster management of slope landslide with dip weak layer in open-pit coal mine, taking the Zani River open-pit mine as the engineering background, based on analyzing the stability of the west slope, determination of anchor cable reinforcement position: Using dichotomy and residual thrust method, development of a calculation program for the axial force required for anchor cable reinforcement, The installation angle of anchor cable reinforcement is determined, parameters such as cable spacing are also determined: Finally, the reinforcement effect of west slope anchor cable is verified by numerical simulation. The results show that the anchor cable reinforcement position of the west slope of the Zani River open pit mine is determined as + 590 level, + 578 level, and + 566 level, determining that safety reserve coefficient 1.100 is satisfied, At this time the need for anchor cable force of 9700 kN, anchor installation angle of 30°, anchor spacing is 2 m, the row number of anchor cables is 15, discharge distance 4 m, length of anchorage section is 14 m. Landslide mode of west slope finally reaching boundary is a combined failure, landslide mechanism is traction type. The west slope after anchor cable reinforcement finally reaches the boundary slope, displacement and stress can be effectively controlled, reinforcement effect is remarkable.
MSCFF-Net : Multi-scale context feature fusion network for polyp segmentation
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Zhang Lei , Yin Songlin , Zhang Ge
Published: April 2024

Accurate segmentation of polyps in colonoscopic images is a key step in computer-aided diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Although the current segmentation algorithm has some achievements in the field of polyp segmentation, there are still some challenges. The size and shape of the polyp area are different, and the boundary with the background is not obvious. In order to solve the above problems, we propose a new multi-scale context information fusion network(MSCFF-Net). Specifically, the network first uses pyramid transformer (PVTv2) as the encoder, and designs a feature interactive decoder (FID) to obtain a rough location map of the polyp area. Then, four multi-stage feature fusion modules (MSFF) are designed to realize the interaction of multi-stage feature information and enrich the scale diversity of polyp features. Finally, multi-scale attention (MSA) is introduced behind the multi-stage fusion module to improve the attention of the model to polyp features. Experiments on two public polyp datasets show that MSCFF-Net is superior to other advanced polyp segmentation methods.
Surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant versus Ahmed glaucoma valve in neovascular glaucoma: A multicenter study
Authors: Iwasaki Kentaro , Kojima Sachi , Wajima Ryotaro , Matsuda Akira , Yoshida Koki , Tsutsui Aika , Kono Michihiro , Nozaki Miho , Namiguchi Koji , Nitta Keisuke , Miura Yusaku , Inoue Toshihiro , Higashide Tomomi , Ishida Kyoko , Tanito Masaki , Inatani Masaru
Published: April 2024

This multicenter retrospective study compared the surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) surgery with those of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgery in patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). This study included patients with NVG aged ≥ 20 years who had undergone BGI (223 eyes) or AGV (146 eyes) surgery between April 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021, across 10 clinical centers in Japan. Surgical success or failure was the primary outcome measure of this study. We defined surgical failure as a reduction of < 20% in the pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) or criterion A (IOP > 21 mmHg), criterion B (IOP > 17 mmHg), or criterion C (IOP > 14 mmHg). In addition, we considered a requirement for reoperation, loss of light perception, and hypotony as surgical failure. The surgical success rate of the BGI surgery group was significantly higher than that of the AGV group for criteria A (P = 0.01) and B (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that AGV surgery showed significant associations with surgical failure for criteria A (hazard ratio, 1.74), B (hazard ratio, 1.72), and C (hazard ratio, 1.33). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was comparable between the two groups. The requirement for reoperation in the AGV surgery group was significantly higher than that in the BGI surgery group (12.3% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.03). BGI surgery yielded a higher success rate than AGV surgery in patients with NVG for a target IOP of < 21 or < 17 mmHg. No significant differences were observed between the two procedures in terms of the incidence of postoperative complications. Additional glaucoma surgery was required more frequently following AGV surgery.
Effect of kynurenic acid on enzymatic activity of the DNA base excision repair pathway in specific areas of the sheep brain
Authors: Młotkowska Patrycja , Misztal Tomasz , Kowalczyk Paweł , Marciniak Elżbieta
Published: April 2024

Relatively low levels of antioxidant enzymes coupled with high oxygen metabolism result in the formation of numerous oxidative DNA damages in the tissues of the central nervous system. Recently, kynurenic acid (KYNA), knowns for its neuroprotective properties, has gained increasing attention in this context. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that increased KYNA levels in the brain would be able to positively influence mRNA expression of selected enzymes of the base excision repair pathway as well as enhance their efficiency in excising damaged nucleobases in specific areas of the sheep brain. The results revealed a significant increase in the relative mRNA abundance of N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase (MPG) following administration of both dose of KYNA across all examined tissues. The transcription of thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG) increased significantly in all tissues in response to the lower KYNA dose compared to the control group. In addition, 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) DNA glycosylase (OGG1) mRNA levels were higher in both animal groups. Moreover, in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala, AP endonuclease 1 (APE1) mRNA expression increased under both doses of KYNA. In summary, the potential neuroprotective effects of KYNA in brain tissues may involve stimulation of BER pathways enzymes.
Transarterial Embolization of Type 2 Endoleak Using Coils and N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: The Importance of Treating the Nidus and Sac Branches
Authors: Okumura Kenichiro , Ogi Takahiro , Matsumoto Junichi , Asato Nobuyuki , Sugiura Takumi , Yokka Akira , Kozaka Kazuto , Kobayashi Satoshi
Published: April 2024

Background
Transarterial embolization (TAE) of the nidus and branches prevents aneurysm sac growth due to Type 2 endoleaks (T2EL). Embolization materials include coils and liquid embolic substances such as N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue, a type of liquid embolic glue. However, when the nidus is characterized by heterogeneous perigraft opacity on CT imaging with an ill-defined boundary within the sac, it becomes challenging to embolize the nidus directly, often resulting in the embolization of only the branches connected to it. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of TAE for the endoleak nidus and side branches versus embolizing the side branches alone in preventing aneurysm sac enlargement after T2EL, comparing mid-term follow-up results.
Materials and Methods
In a single-center retrospective cohort study, we reviewed consecutive 59 patients who underwent TAE for T2EL from September 2017 to August 2022. After excluding cases with less than 6 months follow-up or without abdominal aortic aneurysm, 40 patients were included in the analysis. Initial treatment for all patients included attempts at direct embolization of the endoleak nidus and side branches using coils and NBCA glue. Even if the nidus was reached, if embolization of the nidus proved difficult, the directly connected branches were embolized instead. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier curve for estimating sac enlargement freedom, with the primary outcome being aneurysm sac diameter change post-T2EL embolization.
Results
No visible endoleak nidus was detected in any patient after TAE. Of all patients (n = 40), 60% (n = 24) underwent embolization via direct cannulation to the nidus. Direct TAE involving the nidus and main branches with coils, supplemented with NBCA glue, considerably hindered sac enlargement (p < 0.0001). Of 14 patients with sac enlargement, 72% (10 patients) had unsuccessful direct TAE, resulting in a significant association (p = 0.006). On the other hand, 77% (20 of 26 patients) without sac enlargement experienced successful direct TAE. Three patients displayed sac enlargement even after successful direct TAE using only NBCA glue (p = 0.04).
Conclusions
Direct TAE of the endoleak nidus, using coils and supplemented with NBCA glue as necessary, is effective in preventing sac enlargement after T2EL embolization.
RETRACTED: Resolving the gaps in public transport policy and practice for gender inclusion in South and Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Sil Ankita , Chowdhury Subeh , Thoreau Roselle , Roy Uttam Kumar
Published: April 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Hemodynamics of short-duration light-intensity physical exercise in the prefrontal cortex of children: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Naito Takashi , Oka Koichiro , Ishii Kaori
Published: April 2024

Identifying the types of exercise that enhance cerebral blood flow is crucial for developing exercise programs that enhance cognitive function. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the amount of light-intensity, short-duration exercises that individuals can easily perform on cerebral blood flow, particularly in children. We examined the effects of these exercises on the hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Participants comprised 41 children (aged 12.1 ± 1.5 years, 37% females) who engaged in seven light-intensity exercises, with each movement performed in two patterns lasting 10 or 20 s. Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) levels at rest and during exercise were compared using analysis of covariance, with sex and age as covariates. Significant increases in oxy-Hb were observed in multiple regions of the PFC during all forms of exercise (including dynamic and twist stretching [66.6%, 8/12 regions, η2 = 0.07–0.27], hand and finger movements [75.0%, 9/12 regions, η2 = 0.07–0.16], and balance exercises (100.0%, 6/6 regions, η2 = 0.13–0.25]), except for static stretching with monotonic movements. This study implies that short-duration, light-intensity exercises, provided that they entail a certain degree of cognitive and/or physical demand, can activate the PFC and increase blood flow.
Not just surviving, but flourishing – insights into student coping, anxiety and motivation
Authors: Gibbons Chris
Published: April 2024

The aims explored the associations between distress and eustress ratings and coping influences (support, hardiness, personality and cognitive and emotional strategies), on anxiety and learning motivation. Undergraduate students in a UK university, (N = 184), were surveyed on stress demands and coping influences against anxiety and learning motivation. Hardiness-commitment and extraversion were associated with lower anxiety; neuroticism and defensive pessimism with higher scores and neuroticism mediated between stress demands and anxiety. Optimism did not help. Extraversion did and was associated with better cognitive and emotional coping and it mediated between hassle ratings given to support and anxiety. Defensive pessimism was used to good effect by those anxious-prone – there was no difference in learning motivation between those high in defensive pessimism and those high in extraversion. Eustress experiences of the course were associated with higher motivation, as was hardiness-commitment. Course hassle ratings lowered motivation. This might indicate course shortcomings and/or the stress associated with learning. The results suggested extraversion, defensive pessimism, support and hardiness offer effective coping, along with key cognitive and emotional strategies. All are adaptable qualities, even extraversion can be feigned. Students should look to emulate the strategies and ingredients of good copers and, educators, with little imagination in course design, could help cascade good student-coping.
A Cervical Cancer Detection System Using Genetic Algorithm Enhanced Context-Aware Feature Selection
Authors: Iqbal Anam , Qureshi Shaima , Chishti Mohammad Ahsan
Published: April 2024

Cervical cancer is the fourth highest cause of death among women, but in its early stages, it shows no symptoms. A lack of effective early diagnosis is the fundamental cause of the disease's prevalence and poses the greatest obstacle to researchers. Pap smears, human papillomavirus tests, colposcopy, and biopsies are all invasive procedures that necessitate the assistance of medical professionals; they are time-consuming and do not identify cancer until a later stage. Thus, the absence of early symptoms and lack of invasive diagnostics, highlight the need for utilizing machine learning and deep learning approaches to revolutionize cervical cancer detection. To address this, we propose GCFS-CC(Genetic Algorithm based Context-aware Feature Selection for Cervical Cancer), which is a framework to detect cervical cancer from Pap smear images of cervical cells and classify these using a deep learning method. In our work, we use a genetic algorithm which is a bio-inspired algorithm, to select the best features from the acquired images. For feature selection, we incorporate the context-aware entropy gain method. We evaluated our model on one data set which combined a total of 917 normal and cancerous images, divided into seven classes.

Using the selected features we build a deep learning model to validate our proposed framework. The results showed that after feature selection, the performance metrics(accuracy, precision, and recall), all improved. These results pave the way for GCFS-CC to be a valuable tool for early cervical cancer detection. This, however, comes with certain challenges, availability of high-quality images and proper parameter tuning for the genetic algorithm required for feature selection.

To successfully implement machine learning-based cervical cancer detection into clinical practice, it will be necessary to address these challenges. Furthermore, any ethical and privacy concerns associated with the use of machine learning algorithms in healthcare settings must be addressed.
Correlation of meibomian gland architecture and indicators of dry eye disease, BMI, weight and age in pediatric population of China
Authors: Xu Zhen , Bao Lulu , Wang Xiaomin , Ying Haihang , Mao Jianbo
Published: April 2024

AIM To explore the factors causing structural abnormalities of meibomian gland in the pediatric population.METHODS Two-hundred children were enrolled to evaluate the morphology of meibomian gland. Demographic and clinical information were collected. Symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) were assessed with the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire. Meibography was performed and grading of images was performed by a 5-point meiboscale (0–4) for gland atrophy and a 3-point score (0–2) for gland tortuosity.RESULTS 200 eyes of 200 participants aged 10–18 years (13.10 ± 2.39 years) were imaged. Most patients had a score of 1, 130 (65%) in meiboscore and 138 (69%) in gland tortuosity. The meiboscore and BMI category showed significant difference with the increase of weight, BMI, OSDI and BUT. The gland tortuosity showed significant difference with the increase of age and BMI. Gender had no significant effect on gland meiboscore, tortuosity and BMI category. Besides, BUT was affected by weight, BMI and OSDI. The gland meiboscore was significantly correlated with weight, BMI, OSDI score and BMI percentile. The gland tortuosity was significantly correlated with weight, BMI and BMI percentile.CONCLUSION In this pediatric population, the meiboscore become higher with the increase of weight, BMI, OSDI and the decrease of BUT, and gland tortuosity became more serious with the increase of age and BMI. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the effect of overweight on the meibomian gland tructure to reduce the risk of meibomain gland dysfunction (MGD).
Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) in patients with severe encephalitis as a useful prognostic indicator:a multivariate analysis
Authors: Hui Bo , Zhao Di , Du Fang , Zhang Xiao , Shi Xiaodan , Yang Fang
Published: April 2024

Background
The prognostic impact of poor nutritional status in severe encephalitis is not clearly understood. We aim to investigate the relationship between the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and poor outcomes of severe encephalitis.
Method
We conducted a retrospective study involving patients with severe encephalitis to determine whether the nutritional and inflammatory biomarker is linearly related to the prognosis of encephalitis. The PNI was calculated as follows: 10×serum albumin (g/L) + 5×total lymphocyte count (109/L). The PNI scores were analyzed as continuous variables and categorical variables divided by quartiles from top to bottom. Restricted cubic splines and logistic regression were applied.
Result
In this study, 307 patients were enrolled. We found that the advanced age(＜0.001), respiratory failure(＜0.001), status epilepticus(＜0.001) and GCS<8(＜0.001) were significantly higher in the poor-prognosis group. The relationship between PNI score and poor prognosis of severe encephalitis was linear. According to a logistic regression model, a lower PNI score had a poorer prognosis for encephalitis. [per 1-point decrement; adjusted OR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.14; compared with Quartile 1 (PNI ≥ 50.36), Quartile 4 (PNI < 40.15), unadjusted OR =3.60, 95% CI:1.67-7.74; and adjusted OR=3.33, 95% CI:1.46-7.62 ]
Conclusion According to our study, lower PNI score was correlated with poorer outcome in severe encephalitis patients. It suggested that PNI is a useful prognostic indicator in patients with severe encephalitis.
A Novel Nomogram based on Hemodynamic Monitoring for Predicting Survival of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Analysis Based on the MIMIC-III
Authors: Xu Shuwan , Li Junping , Yao Jiyi , Li Zhaolin , Zheng Jianming , Mai Peibiao , Luo Niansang , Zhang Huanji , Zhang Kun
Published: April 2024

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cause of mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which is often accompanied by hemodynamic instability. We aimed to develop a nomogram integrated hemodynamic parameters to predict both short-term and long-term overall survival of patients with AMI.
Methods: 1606 AMI patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database were retrospectively enrolled, all of whom underwent hemodynamic measurement within 24 h of ICU admission. In the primary cohort, a predictive nomogram based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis was constructed to identify prognostic factors for the overall survival of AMI patients.
Results: LASSO and Cox regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, central venous pressure, systemic vascular resistance index, left ventricular stroke work, heart rate and oxygen saturation were satisfied to establish the prediction nomogram. The AUC of the model was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.664 to 0.755) for the primary cohort and 0.704 (95% CI: 0.637 to 0.771) for the validation cohort. The time-dependent AUC did not decrease significantly over time within 1 year (fluctuates around 0.7). Moreover, calibration curves, decision curve and survival curves for 7 days, 14 days, 30 days and 1 year demonstrated that this validated nomogram could provide a good predictive value for patients with AMI by combining multiple hemodynamic parameters.
Conclusions: Our nomogram based on multiple hemodynamic parameters has a good predict value for the survival of AMI patients.
Antifouling and and antibacterial study of PSf/bio-ZnO nanoparticle (bio-ZnO NP) mixed matrix membrane for humic acid separation
Authors: SHOHUR MUHAMAD FIKRI , Harun Zawati , JAMALLUDIN MOHD RIDUAN , HUBADILLAH SITI KHADIJAH , YUNOS MUHAMAD ZAINI
Published: April 2024

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) are well-known for their efficacy as inorganic compounds with antifouling and antibacterial properties in membrane filtration. In this work, bio-zinc oxide nanoparticles (bio-ZnO NP) was synthesized using Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) powder as a green reducing agent and Zinc nitrate as a precursor through the sol-gel method. Subsequently, the bio-ZnO NP powder was incorporated into a polysulfone (PSf) membrane at varying weight percentages (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 Wt.%). The results indicate that the addition of bio-ZnO NP to PSf enhances the size and complexity of finger-like structures, leading to an increase in tensile strength from 31.9 MPa to 57.6 MPa. However, porosity also increases from 44.1% to 58.2% as the bio-ZnO/NP content rises from 0.1 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%. Notably, the PSf/bio-ZnO NP membrane with 0.5 wt.% concentration demonstrates the highest Pure Water Flux (PWF) at 517.9 LMH with humic acid rejection reaching 99.9%. Furthermore, the incorporation of bio-ZnO NP significantly enhances antibacterial activity, as reflected in the inhibition ring diameter increasing from 24.2 mm to 48.3 mm with higher bio-ZnO/NP concentrations. The PSf/bio-ZnO NP mixed matrix membrane (MMM) with 0.3 wt.% concentration exhibits optimal stability conditions, and superior antifouling properties, making it a promising candidate for membrane applications.