bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Out-of-plane electrokinetics via pumping potential achieved by 100 nm-thin polyethylene nanomembranes
Authors: Sun Weilong , Wang Zirui , Yang Kailin , Chen Jingyu , Wu Kai , Zhang Qin , Li Faming , Liu Mingzhen , Li Runlai , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2022

Droplet-induced electricity generation, as one of the most emerging environmental energy harvesting technologies, has been extensively investigated for nearly a decade. Its interaction between ions (in droplets), electrons (in conductors, e.g. graphene), and charges (on the substrate surface) is the key to electricity generation. However, the indirect interaction between ions and charges due to the shielding effect from conductors, inevitably suppresses device performance and limits conductor selection. Here, we addressed above issues by proposing an out-of-plane electrokinetic effect based on a 100 nm-thick negatively charged polyethylene nanomembrane, providing direct interactions between ions and charges, with the shielding effect of conductors eliminated. This new paradigm of electrokinetics could induce a persistent potential for 6 hours (first enduring DEG) and a specific power of 177.2 nW/µL (highest droplet-induced electrokinetics). With new device topologies and extensive conductor materials unlocked, this work is expected to elucidate more physical picture of electrokinetics.
The association between oral health and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Ye Niansi , Deng Bei , Hu Hui , Ai Yating , Wang Ling , Liu Xueting , Peng Yunqiao , Zhou Shi , Li Yucan
Published: November 2022

Background:As the population ages, the number of older adults aged 65 and over is increasing. Increasing age is associated with an increased risk of oral disease and cognitive decline. Older adults with cognitive impairment can experience poor oral health due to reduced self-care abilities, yet the impact of various oral health indicators on the cognitive abilities of older adults remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the relationship between various oral health indicators and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.
Methods:A cross-sectional study of 234 older adults aged 65 years or over was performed between June and September 2022. This study developed a data web platform specifically to screen and intervene with older adults with MCI, using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS) to measure MCI. Oral health status was measured by subjective and objective assessment tools, and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed by Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI).
Results: The univariate analyses revealed that older adults with poor oral health indicators of dental caries, chewing ability, oral and maxillofacial pain, self-perceived oral health, and OHRQoL had lower cognitive levels. The stepwise logistic regression analysis observed that higher literacy level (OR=0.064, 95%CI=0.007, 0.567) and OHRQoL score (OR=0.920, 95%CI=0.878, 0.963) were negatively associated with the presence of MCI.
Conclusions:OHRQoL was found to be independently associated with MCI, implying that OHRQoL may be important in mitigating cognitive decline. The GOHAI scale can be used to more easily and reliably assess the oral health of older adults, which is important for the timely detection of poor oral conditions to delay cognitive decline. Medical workers should develop programs to improve the OHRQoL of older adults and improve the cognitive performance of those with poor OHRQoL.
Instrumental evidence for biodegradation of tannery fleshings during anaerobic digestion and proteolytic enzyme hydrolysate study
Authors: V Kavan Kumar , Mahendiran R. , Subramanian P. , Karthikeyan S. , Surendrakumar A
Published: November 2022

In the present study the evaluation of different instruments was conducted to check the chemical structure change and the contamination of the different treatments and the raw sample of tannery fleshings were checked in it. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to check the loss of weight on thermal degradation, The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) was carried to check the different functional groups like, -OH, -CH, -NH and C-O present in the samples of tannery fleshings at a wavelength of 400 – 4000 cm-1. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis carried out to check the morphological alterations in substrate, digestate, enzyme pretreated fleshings and the chemical composition of the different samples.
Assessment of glacial lake prone to glacial lake outburst flood using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in Changme Khangpu basin, Sikkim Himalaya, India
Authors: Rajak Rajeev , Ranjan Rakesh Kumar , Racoviteanu Adina , Lohar Sargam , Rai Krity , Baruah Bidyutjyoti , Angchuck Thupstan , Rai Anirudra , Sharma Khushboo , Gupta Aparna
Published: November 2022

Changme Khangpu (CK) basin is one of the major glaciated basins in Sikkim Himalaya with a high number of glacial lakes. A glacial lake inventory for the CK basin has been created using a semi-automated method based on Sentinel 2A images from the year 2020 and mapped 134 glacial lakes. Glacial lake outburst floods have emerged as a major concern in the Himalayan region in recent times. 20 glacial lakes were identified as being prone to GLOFs using a set of assessment parameters in the basin. We performed hazard and risk assessments for these glacial lakes using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) scheme using 13 consistent, exhaustive, and non-redundant criteria, categorized into triggering, mechanism, flood size, and impacts for assessing both the hazard as well as the risk associated with the glacial lakes for providing a comprehensive hazard and risk assessment. Based on this scheme, 14 lakes were categorized into the high-risk class and 6 lakes into the medium-risk class. MCDA scheme allows for assessing the risk scores associated with the glacial lakes by changing the threshold values of assessed criteria. Such sensitivity analysis done for the identified glacial lakes shows that even a slight change in the criteria values can significantly change the risk class of the lake. MCDA scheme can be applied at a regional scale across different lake types for the identification of potential GLOF hotspots and constant monitoring making it suitable for first order assessments.
Blind predictions using a hybrid of 1D multiple reflection theory/equivalent linear method and 3D FDM
Authors: hayakawa takashi , Satoh Toshimi , Oshima Mitsutaka , Fukutake Kiyoshi
Published: November 2022

We have participated in the blind predictions held in ESG6 and predicted the weak ground motions during the aftershock (BP2) of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence, and the strong ground motions during the foreshock and mainshock (BP3). First, broadband incident waves in the engineering bedrock at the target site (KUMA) were estimated. Then, the ground motions on the ground surface were predicted by the 1D linear analysis in BP2 and the equivalent linear analysis in BP3. Incident waves less than 0.5Hz were estimated by the 3D finite difference method using the 3D structure model. Ground motions during the target earthquakes have been recorded on the ground surface at the observation station EEB of Japan Meteorological Agency located 1.2km from KUMA. The incident waves in the engineering bedrock at EEB were estimated by the 1D linear analysis in BP2 and the equivalent linear analysis in BP3, and then the incident wave above 0.5Hz in the engineering base layer at KUMA were estimated by correcting with the hypocentral distance. The broadband incident waves at KUMA were synthesized by superposing the incident waves above 0.5Hz and below 0.5Hz. In BP2, the predictions were excessive from 3 to 6Hz. The reason was considered to be modeling error of velocity structure shallower than engineering bedrock of EEB. In particular, NS components became significantly excessive at 5Hz. The reason was considered to be the frequency response of the propagation path localized in EEB. In BP3, both foreshocks and mainshocks were underpredicted below 0.5 Hz and above 5 Hz, and overpredicted between 1.5 Hz and 3 Hz. The underestimation below 0.5Hz was considered to be mainly caused by the source model. The reason for the overprediction of 3Hz from 1.5 Hz was the possibility of underestimation of the lowering of the S-wave amplification at KUMA due to the nonlinear soil response. The overestimation and the underestimation of the reduction of the theoretical S-wave amplification due to the nonlinear soil responses in each of EEB and KUMA were considered to be responsible for the underprediction above 5 Hz. Compared with the predicted results of other participants, except for the overpredicted frequency range, our predicted results were almost within the average +/- standard deviation of the Fourier spectra predicted by the participants. For both the foreshock and mainshock, the average of the participants underpredicted the large Fourier spectrum around1 Hz, but this study reproduced it.
Non-fragile exponential synchronization of stochastic neural networks via impulsive control: An aperiodic intermittent technique
Authors: Zhuang Jiawei , Peng Shiguo , Peng Hao
Published: November 2022

This study aims to address the non-fragile exponential synchronization problem of stochastic neural networks (SNNs). To cut down unnecessary control costs, a novel aperiodic intermittent-based impulsive control (APIIC) is designed for the first time in this investigation. Besides, the randomly occurring gain fluctuation (ROGF) is considered in APIIC, which satisfies certain Bernoulli distributed white noise sequences. By exploiting the Lyapunov approach, some sufficient criteria are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which imply that APIIC can achieve exponential synchronization of SNNs with and without ROGF. More intriguingly, a technical definition of aperiodic windows-based average impulsive interval is developed to cut back the conservativeness of these results, meanwhile, these results take into account both synchronizing impulses and desynchronizing impulses. At last, the effectiveness of our explored results is confirmed by several numerical examples.
Precise calculation of the optical constants of self-standing nanoporous silicon layers
Authors: Ramadan Rehab , Martín-Palma Raúl J.
Published: November 2022

The precise knowledge of the values of the optical constants (index of refraction, n, and extinction coefficient, k) for nanostructured porous silicon (nanoPS) is a necessary condition to predict the behavior of any optical and photonic devices based on this material. With this objective in mind, a simulation computational program based on the matrix method was used to determine the values of the optical constants in the visible range of self-standing nanoPS films from their experimental reflectance and transmittance spectra. Furthermore, the spectral absorption coefficient (α) was determined from the spectral k values, which motivated to the determination of the values and type of bandgap (direct or indirect) for different porosities
Development Parallel Distributed Numerical Approach for Securing Cryptocurrency Wallets
Authors: Moghaddam Mahdi Movahedian , Albakri Hossein , Parand Kourosh
Published: November 2022

Today, with the growth of cryptocurrencies, the importance of keeping them has increased. Wallets are one of the ways to keep cryptocurrencies safe. One of the techniques for securing cryptocurrency wallets is the use of multi-signature technique. This technique is based on a concept called secret sharing. In order to ensure the security of these wallets, the secret sharing scheme is used, which uses the Lagrange interpolation algorithm. This algorithm has a challenge in terms of time complexity, and in this research, we introduced two parallel approaches to reduce this time complexity based on graphical processor units (GPU) and distributed systems. In addition to reducing the time complexity, the distributed approach was able to help us increase the security of the algorithm. The speedup obtained from the execution on the interpolation of 16384 points in the GPU-based approach was equal to 45214 and in the distributed approach, in the execution resulting from 4 to 128 processes was equal to 7.81.
Loss of function ABCG2 c.421C>A (rs2231142) polymorphism increases steady-state exposure to mycophenolic acid in stable renal transplant recipients: exploratory matched cohort study
Authors: Borić-Bilušić Ana , Božina Nada , Lalić Zdenka , Lovrić Mila , Nađ-Škegro Sandra , Penezić Luka , Barišić Karmela , Trkulja Vladimir
Published: November 2022

Introduction. Polymorphism ABCG2 c.421C > A (rs2231142) results in a reduced activity of the important drug efflux transporter breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2). One study suggested that it may affect enterohepatic recirculation of mycophenolic acid (MPA). We evaluated the effect rs2231142 on steady-state exposure to MPA in renal transplant recipients. Methods. Consecutive, stable adult (age ≥ 16 years) renal transplant recipients on standard MPA-based immunosuppressant protocols (N = 68, 43 co-treated with cyclosporine, 25 with tacrolimus) underwent routine therapeutic drug monitoring after a week of initial treatment, and were genotyped for ABCG2 c.421C > A and 11 polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes and transporters implicated in MPA pharmacokinetics. ABCG2 c.421C > A variant vs. wild-type (wt) patients were matched in respect to demographic, biopharmaceutic and genetic variables (full optimal combined with exact matching) and compared for dose-adjusted steady-state MPA pharmacokinetics (frequentist and Bayes [skeptical neutral prior] estimates of geometric means ratios, GMR). Results. Raw data (12 variant vs. 56 wt patients) indicated by around 40% higher total exposure (frequentist GMR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.10–1.91; Bayes = 1.38, 95%CrI 1.07–1.81) and by around 30% lower total body clearance (frequentist GMR = 0.66, 0.58–0.90; Bayes = 0.71, 0.53–0.95) in variant carriers than in wt controls. The estimates were similar in matched data (11 variant vs. 43 wt patients): exposure GMR = 1.41 (1.11–1.79) frequentist, 1.39 (1.15–1.81) Bayes, with 90.7% and 85.5% probability of GMR > 1.20, respectively; clearance GMR = 0.73 (0.58–0.93) frequentist, 0.71 (0.54–0.95) Bayes. Sensitivity analysis indicated high unsusceptibility of the estimates to unmeasured confounding. Conclusions. Loss-off-function polymorphism ABCG2 c.421C > A increases steady-state exposure to MPA in stable renal transplant patients.
The influence of the BDNF Val66Met genotype on emotional recognition memory in post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Nicholson Emma L , Garry Michael , Ney Luke J , Hsu Ken Chia Min , Zuj Daniel V. , Felmingham Kim L.
Published: November 2022

Dysregulated consolidation of emotional memories is a core feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) influences synaptic plasticity and emotional memory consolidation. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has been associated with PTSD risk and memory deficits respectively, although findings have been inconsistent, potentially due to a failure to control for important confounds such as sex, ethnicity, and the timing (child/adult) and extent of previous trauma experiences. Furthermore, very little research has examined the impact of BDNF genotypes on emotional memory in PTSD populations. This study investigated the interaction effects of the BDNF Val66Met genotype and PTSD symptomatology in an emotional recognition memory task in 234 participants. Key findings revealed impaired negative recognition memory in PTSD (n=44) compared to Control (n=85) and trauma exposed (n=105) groups and in participants with the Val/Met compared to the Val/Val genotype. There was a group x genotype interaction driven by the lack of impairment in the TE group with the Val/Met genotype. Results suggest that people previously exposed to trauma who do not develop PTSD may be protected from the BDNF Met effect, however more research is needed to replicate findings and to explore the relevant epigenetic and neural processes involved.
The Impact of Home Motor Affordances on Motor Skills of Children Born Preterm
Authors: Bakhshinezhad Behnaz , Shojaei Masomeh , Daneshfar Afkham , Orangi Behzad Mohammadi , Gabbard Carl
Published: November 2022

Background: Children born preterm at generally considered at-risk for a multitude of physical impairments. This study examined the relationship between a sample born preterm, the availability of home motor affordances, and level of motor development.
Method:The sample consisted of 103 children born preterm and assessed between the ages of 18- to 42 months using two parent self-reports: the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development(AHEMD), and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) for level of motor skill development.
Results:Overall AHEMD scores revealed three distinct groups (Group 3 provided the greatest level of affordances). Significant group differences were revealed for fine-motor (FM) and gross motor (GM) skills with Group 3 better than the other two groups and Group 2 better than Group 1. According to regression results, the total AHEMD score predicted 51% of FM ability and 43% of GM behavior.
Conclusions:The level of home motor affordances had a significant impact on the motor development of this sample of children born preterm. With that said, comparisons to general norm data suggest that these children still need special attention, especially with gross motor skill development.
Testing Quantised Inertia on the Bending of Light by the Sun.
Authors: McCulloch Michael
Published: November 2022

This paper applies a new cosmological theory of inertia, called quantised inertia (QI) to the dynamics of light in gravitational fields. It is shown for the first time that QI correctly predicts the observed bending of light by the Sun and the Shapiro time delay. It is also argued that QI provides a simpler and more testable mechanism than standard general relativity since Unruh radiation can be, and has been, directly observed, but a metric of space cannot.
Identification of the role of immune-related genes in the diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder with metabolic syndrome through machine learning and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Feng Yu , Shen Jing
Published: November 2022

Background
Bipolar affective disorder and metabolic syndrome are both associated with the expression of immune disorders. The current study aims to find the effective diagnostic candidate genes for bipolar affective disorder with metabolic syndrome.
Methods
A validation data set of bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome was provided by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found utilizing the Limma package, followed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Further analyses were performed to identify the key immune-related center genes through function enrichment analysis, followed by machine learning-based techniques for the construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and identification of the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Random Forest (RF). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to diagnose bipolar affective disorder with metabolic syndrome. To investigate the immune cell imbalance in bipolar disorder, the infiltration of the immune cells was developed.
Results
There were 2289 DEGs in bipolar disorder, and 691 module genes in metabolic syndrome were identified. The DEGs of bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome module genes crossed into 129 genes, so a total of 5 candidate genes were finally selected through machine learning. The ROC curve results-based assessment of the diagnostic value was done. These results suggest that these candidate genes have high diagnostic value.
Conclusion
Potential candidate genes for bipolar disorder with metabolic syndrome were found in 5 candidate genes (AP1G2、C1orf54、DMAC2L、RABEPK and ZFAND5), all of which have diagnostic significance.
LUAD BALF Exosomal miR-183-5p promoted the metastasis of NLCSC
Authors: Liu Ziyu , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) are the predominant lung non-small cell cancer subtype (NSCLC), accounting for approximately 50%. miR-183-5p from LUAD exosomes could promote the migration of LUAD and become a potential biomarker for LUAD;
(2) Methods: Exosomes are enriched from LUAD BALF and A549 cancer cells to identify the role of miR-183-5p in LUAD by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and fluorescence microscope. TCGA and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) data sets are used to analyze the expression of miR-183-5p. q-PCR and Western blot are performed to the existence and the target of miR-183-5p. Wound healing and Transwell assays are conducted to explore the function of miR-183-5p in LUAD;
(3) Results: We identify the particle size of BALF exosomes in LUAD patients and control groups through NTA and find BALF exosomes in LUAD patients promote the invasion and migration of LUAD cells and EMT process through Wound healing and Transwell assays. The analysis of sequencing data and the mining of TCGA data show that miR-183-5p is highly expressed in LUAD tissue and blood. It is further verified by q-PCR that compared with the control group, the expression of miR-183-5p in BALF secretion of LUAD patients is also upregulated. Furthermore, miR-183-5p could promote the migration of A549 cells and inhibit the expression of PTEN, as well as the BALF exosomes from LUAD patients through Wound healing and Transwell experiments;
(4) Conclusions: LUAD BALF exosomes can promote the migration and EMT process of A549 cells by up-regulated miR-183-5p, which targets PTEN through exosome transport.
Everolimus combined with PD-1 blockade inhibits progression of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Li Guangxin , Hu Jiajia , Cho Christina , Cui Junwei , Li Ao , Ren Pengwei , Zhou Jichun , Wei Wei , Zhang Tianxiang , Liu Xiaoling
Published: November 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Due to rapid progression and a lack of targetable receptors, TNBC is exceptionally difficult to treat. Available treatment options are nonspecific cytotoxic agents, which have had modest success; thus, there is a need for novel therapies for TNBC. The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in TNBC, and this pathway has been shown to promote cancer cell survival and chemoresistance. As such, mTOR inhibition has been considered a potential therapeutic strategy for TNBC. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus (EVE) has been approved for the treatment of estrogen positive breast cancer; however, its efficacy in TNBC is still undetermined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EVE monotherapy and the mechanism of EVE resistance in the 4T1 model of TNBC. Whereas EVE monotherapy inhibited mTOR signaling activity, it did not attenuate tumor progression. Additionally, tumors from EVE-treated mice had abnormal vasculature characterized by disorganized architecture and hyperpermeability. We also found that treatment with EVE increased PD-L1 expression in intratumoral vascular endothelial cells, and this increase in endothelial cell-associated PD-L1 corresponded to reduced CD8+T cell tumor infiltration. Importantly, combination treatment with anti-PD-1 antibody and EVE normalized the tumor vasculature, rescued CD8+T cell tumor infiltration, and reduced tumor growth. Taken together, our findings improve our current understanding of mechanisms underlying mTOR inhibition resistance in TNBC and identify a novel combination treatment strategy in the treatment of mTOR resistant tumors.
Ontogenetic Transitions, Biomechanical Trade-Offs and Macroevolution of Scyphozoan Medusae Swimming Patterns
Authors: von Montfort Guilherme M. , Costello John H. , Colin Sean P. , Morandini André C. , Migotto Alvaro E. , Maronna Maximiliano , Reginato Marcelo , Miyake Hiroshi , Nagata Renato M.
Published: November 2022

Ephyrae, the early stages of scyphozoan jellyfish, possess a conserved morphology among species. However, ontogenetic transitions lead to morphologically different shapes among scyphozoan lineages, with important consequences for swimming biomechanics, bioenergetics and ecology. We used high-speed imaging to analyse biomechanical and kinematic variables of swimming in 17 species of Scyphozoa (1 Coronatae, 8 “Semaeostomeae” and 8 Rhizostomeae) at different developmental stages. Swimming kinematics of early ephyrae were similar, in general, but differences related to major lineages emerged through development. Rhizostomeae medusae have more prolate bells, shorter pulse cycles and higher swimming performances. Medusae of “Semaeostomeae”, in turn, have more variable bell shapes and most species had lower swimming performances. Despite these differences, both groups travelled the same distance per pulse suggesting that each pulse is hydrodynamically similar. Therefore, higher swimming velocities are achieved in species with higher pulsation frequencies. Our results suggest that medusae of Rhizostomeae and “Semaeostomeae” have evolved bell kinematics with different optimized traits, rhizostomes optimize rapid fluid processing, through faster pulsations, while “semaeostomes” optimize swimming efficiency, through longer interpulse intervals that enhance mechanisms of passive energy recapture.
A simple scoring system for the prediction of early pregnancy loss developed by following 13,977 infertile patients after in vitro fertilization
Authors: Ouyang Yan , Zhang Senmao , Peng Yangqin , Gong Fei , Li Xihong
Published: November 2022

In order to investigate a convenient simple scoring system for the prediction of early pregnancy loss (EPL) based on simple demographics, a retrospective study with 13,977 women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound scan on Days 27–29 after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) from June 2016 and December 2017 was conducted. The first trimester pregnancy outcome was noted at 12 weeks of gestation. The areas under the curve of this scoring system were 0.884 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.870-0.899) and 0.890 (95% CI 0.878-0.903) in the training set and test set, respectively. The score totals ranged from point -8 to 14. Points 5 which offered the highest predictive accuracy (94.01%) and corresponded to a 30% miscarriage risk, was chosen as the cutoff value, with a sensitivity of 62.84%, specificity of 98.79%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.87% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.54%, for the prediction of EPL in the training set. In the test set, point 5 had a sensitivity of 64.69%, specificity of 98.78%, PPV of 89.87% and NPV of 93.62%, and 93.91% of the cases were correctly predicted. Therefore, the simple scoring system using routinely collected data can be conveniently used for the prediction of EPL after ET.
Spatial Modeling of Groundwater Level in Bangladesh Using Physio-Climatic Variables: Machine Learning and Statistical Approaches
Authors: Kamal A S M Maksud , Fahim Abul Kashem Faruki , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: November 2022

Groundwater monitoring is essential for sustainable groundwater resource management in a country like Bangladesh, where this precious resource is gradually declining due overextraction. Acquiring groundwater level (GWL) over a large area is time-consuming and expensive. This study proposes an alternative approach to groundwater monitoring using freely available daily groundwater storage (GWS) gridded data of the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) with other freely available data, including population, rainfall, temperature, irrigation, elevation for modeling GWL data of Bangladesh with a spatial resolution of 0.25o × 0.25o. This was accomplished by employing multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN), using weekly in-situ GWL data at 844 locations distributed over Bangladesh. The results showed the inability of GWS data to estimate the country's groundwater spatial variability and trend. The relative performance of MLR and ANN models revealed a higher capability of ANN in estimating GWL from GWS and other data with an overall correlation coefficient (R) of 0.95 and mean squared error (MSE) of 0.64. The study revealed population and rainfall have the most decisive influence in determining GWL. The model developed using ANN can be used to estimate GWL at locations where observation data are unavailable and thus monitor GWL for sustainable groundwater management.
Research on the spatial equity of medical facilities based on Rawls’ theory of justice: A case study of Nanchang, China
Authors: Xiong Zhiwei , Chen Wuying
Published: November 2022

Background: Under the impact of COVID-19, public health awareness and medical systems in various countries are facing significant changes. Such problems as unequal and unbalanced distribution of medical resources have become increasingly prominent. Therefore, building a scientific and reasonable equity evaluation system for urban public medical facilities layout optimization is of great research significance.
Methods: This paper introduces the improved potential model and uses the Baidu API navigation planning service to measure the spatial accessibility of medical care under two modes of transportation in Nanchang, and analyzes the spatial equity of medical facilities through the degree of accessibility equilibrium, accessibility adequacy and accessibility deprivation of vulnerable groups.
Results: In terms of accessibility equilibrium and adequacy, The study found a positive correlation between the accessibility of medical facilities and the level of medical services, and spatial equity was the worst in first-level hospitals. The results of the Mann-Whitney U test show that the communities with high housing prices in central city areas have better medical accessibility than those with low housing prices located on the urban fringes. In addition, owing to the high dependence of low-income people on public transport, marginalized urban communities have worse public transport than the central city, resulting in a dual deprivation of resources and location.
Conclusions: In practice, research on spatial equity of medical facilities should pay attention to the exploitation of medical resources of vulnerable groups, prioritize the planning and construction of primary hospitals (primary hospitals), and ensure residents’ demand for basic medical facilities, and step-by-step improvement of inequities in healthcare facilities.
Full-Duplex Multi-User MIMO Communication Systems Performance Optimization Using Leakage-based Precoding
Authors: Teklu Merhawit Berhane , Choi Dong-You , Meng Wei-Xiao
Published: November 2022

The spectral efficiency (SE) can approximately double when using full-duplex multiuser MIMO communications. However, there are difficulties because of multiuser interferences, self-interference (SI), and co-channel interference (CCI). To improve the SE of the DL, this paper proposes CCI-aware enhancement to SLNR (signal-to-leakage-and-noise-ratio) and considers a suppressing filter at the receiver to cancel the interferences again designing a beamformer based on CCI-plus-noise covariance matrices for every user at the transmitting side. Additionally, we propose an improvement in the SLNR method by using SI-plus-noise covariance matrices to design UL beamformers. Unlike zero-forcing and block-diagonalization, the SLNR approach serves numerous antennas at users and BS (base station). The total SE of the communication yielded using the optimized precoder, i.e., obtained from the SLNR-based precoding. To achieve the maximum EE, we use a power consumption model. Simulation results confirm that full-duplex performs well compared to half-duplex when the number of antennas at every user in uplink as well downlink channels grow, for all Rician factors, for slight powers of the CCI and SI, and a limited number of antennas at the BS. With the proposed scheme for given transmit power and circuit power, we demonstrate that FD has a higher EE than HD.
Thymoquinone, active constituent of Nigella sativa oil, against gastric cancer: A new hope of therapy.
Authors: Türkdoğan Kürşad , Koçyiğit Abdurrahim , Güler Eray Metin , Özer Ömer Faruk , Demir Kübra
Published: November 2022

Background

The oil and seeds of the famous medicinal herb Nigella sativa have been utilized for millennia. Its volatile oil contains thymoquinone, which has a variety of medicinal effects. We set out to investigate the effects of thymoquinone on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells, including its cytotoxic, genotoxic, apoptotic and ROS-producing characteristics.

Methods

The effects of a 24-hour exposure to thymoquinone at various dosages were investigated on a typical cell line of gastric cancer cells. Cytotoxicity, formation of reactive oxygen species and genotoxicity were evaluated by using the tests of ATP cell viability, 2',7'dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate and alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis respectively. Western blotting and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining were also used to identify the induction of apoptosis.

Results

Thymoquinone decreased gastric adenocarcinoma cells viability (80%) at the maximum concentration and also significantly induced apoptosis of gastric adenocarcinoma cells (80%) and DNA damage (nearly 100% ) in a dose dependent manner. Reactive oxygen species generation increased in a close negative relationship with cell viability, suggesting its pro-oxidant activity and it is thought to be a trigger mechanism for thymoquinone induced apopitosis.

Conclusions

Thymoquinone inhibited gastric adenocarcinoma cells’ proliferation and induced their apoptosis and DNA damage significantly. It seems to be a powerful and promising agent against gastric cancer in the near future.
Titanium (IV) oxide anatase nanoparticles as vectors for diclofenac: Assessing single and combined oxidative stress-related toxicity in the aquatic macrophyte Egeria densa
Authors: Esterhuizen Maranda , Lutsko Mariia , Kim Youngsam , Yoon Hakwon , Park Chang-Beom , Kim Young Jun , Pflugmacher Stephan
Published: November 2022

Titanium dioxide, frequently used in commonplace products, is now regularly detected in aquatic environments. Understanding its toxic effects on native biota is essential; however, combined toxicity with commonly occurring pollutants, such as the pharmaceutical diclofenac, may provide more insight into environmental situations. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of titanium dioxide and diclofenac, individually and combined, on the macrophyte Egeria densa. DCF uptake and removal were assessed. DCF and titanium dioxide toxicity were evaluated by assaying enzymes as bioindicators of biotransformation and oxidative stress. Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities were increased by diclofenac, titanium dioxide, and the combination. Both enzymes’ activities were more significantly elevated by diclofenac and the combination than nanoparticles alone. Microsomal glutathione S-transferase was unaffected by diclofenac exposure but inhibited with titanium dioxide and the mixture. Diclofenac elicited the most significant response. Based on the macrophytes’ vitality, the cytosolic enzymes effectively prevented damage.
Detection of tau-PET positivity in clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment with multidimensional features.
Authors: Li Bingyu , Shi Kening , Ren Chao , Kong Min , Ba Maowen
Published: November 2022

Background and purpose: The way to evaluate brain tau pathology in vivo is tau positron emission tomography (tau-PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. In the clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a significant proportion of tau-PET are negative. Interest in less expensive and convenient ways to detect tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease has increased due to the high cost of tau-PET and the invasiveness of lumbar puncture, which typically slows down the cost and enrollment of clinical trials. This study aimed to investigate one simple and effective method in predicting tau-PET status in MCI individuals.
Methods: Based on multidimensional data from MCI participants recruited by Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, we used stepwise regression to select the unitary or combination of variables that best predicted tau-PET. The sample included 154 individuals which were dichotomized into tau-PET (+) and tau-PET (-) using a cut-off of >1.33. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the accuracy of single and multiple clinical markers. The relative importance of predictive variables was judged by nomogram. At last, decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of the best model.
Results: The combined performance of four variables [β-amyloid42 (Aβ42) , phosphorylated tau (p-tau), total tau (t-tau), β-amyloid42/β-amyloid40 ratio (Aβ42/40)] in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers demonstrated the best predictive accuracy of tau-PET status [accuracy=84.3%, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.922], followed by neurocognitive measures using the combination of three variables [Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale 13 (ADAS-Cog13), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), ADNI-Memory summary score (ADNI-MEM)] (accuracy=85.7%, AUC = 0.879). Structural MRI also showed high accuracy in the middle temporal (accuracy=72.6%, AUC = 0.835). In addition, ADAS-Cog13 (AUC = 0.818) and ApoEε4 genotype (AUC=0.757) were the best independent predictors. The combination of clinical markers model (ApoEε4, neurocognitive measures and structural MRI imaging of middle temporal) had the best discriminative power (AUC=0.946).
Conclusions: As a noninvasive test, the combination of ApoEε4, neurocognitive measures and structural MRI imaging of middle temporal accurately predicts tau-PET status. The finding may provide a non-invasive, cost-effective and time-saving tool for clinical application in predicting tau pathology among MCI individuals.
Hydrogel capsules as new delivery system for Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003 to control Rhizoctonia solani in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Cruz-Barrera Mauricio , Izquierdo-García Luisa Fernanda , Gómez-Marroquín Magda , Santos-Díaz Adriana , Uribe-Gutiérrez Liz , Moreno-Velandia Carlos Andrés
Published: November 2022

Biological control (BCAs) such as Trichoderma spp. minimize fungicides inputs in agriculture, and increase both the plant nutrition and the efficacy against fungal diseases. Novel bioproducts in crop management are called to guarantee sustainable antagonism activity of BCAs and increase the acceptance of the farmers. The encapsulation in polymeric matrices play a prominent role for providing an effective carrier/protector and long-lasting bioproduct. This research aimed to compare two hydrogel capsules prototypes based on alginate (P1) and amidated pectin (P2), containing Trichoderma koningiopsis Th003 conidia. Capsules were prepared by the ionic gelation method and calcium gluconate as crosslinker was used. The capsules were characterized by various properties such as conidia releasing at different pH values, drying conidia survival, storage stability, and biocontrol activity against sheath blight (R. solani) in rice. P2 prototype provided higher survival to Th003 up to 98% in fluid bed drying, faster conidia release at pH 5.8, storage stability > 6 months at 18°C, and a disease reduction up to 67%. Amidated pectin provides advantages on drying survival and conidia release at pH 5.8. Both biopolymers facilitate the antagonistic activity against R. solani, and therefore can be incorporated in hydrogel capsules for novel bioinoculants development. This research highlights the knowledge regarding the influence of biopolymer in hydrogel capsules on survival and shelf-life of Trichoderma spp conidia.
Haplotype of CaSR gene is associated with risk of Renal Stone Disease in West Indian Population
Authors: Patel Yash P , Pandey Sachchida Nand , Patel Sandip B , Parikh Aditya , Soni Shailesh , Shete Nitiraj , Srivast Ratika , Raval Manan A , Ganpule Arvind P , Patel Samir G , Desai Mahesh R
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Calcium is the most abundant metabolite involved in the stone matrix. The CaSR gene controls calcium homeostasis, and genetic variation in the CaSR gene could lead to the development of renal stone disease. Therefore, the current study has been designed to assess the association of genetic variants of CaSR gene polymorphisms with renal stone disease.
Method
A single-centric prospective study has been carried out on a total of 300 participants (150 cases and 150 controls). Serum levels of calcium, creatinine, parathyroid hormone, and 24 Hour urine metabolites were measured. Two polymorphisms, rs1801725 and rs1042636, of the CaSR gene, have been genotyped for each participant. T-test, Chi-square, and Receiving Operative Curve (ROC) curve analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Result
Renal stone patients had significantly higher levels of serum parathyroid hormone, creatinine, and 24hr urine metabolites in comparison to the controls. CaSR gene variants rs1801725 (GG) and rs1042636 (AA) both have shown significant association with renal stone disease. In addition, individuals having specific genotypes along with metabolic abnormalities such as hypercalcemia, and hyperparathyroidism are found to be at a higher significant risk of developing the renal stone disease. Further, ROC analysis also showed a higher risk (54%) for individuals carrying the GG/AA haplotype.
Conclusion
In the present study, the haplotype of the CaSR gene has shown an association with renal stone disease. Individuals with hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia and risk genotype have a higher susceptibility to developing the renal stone disease.
Necroptosis-related lncRNAs signature predicts prognosis and influences immune microenvironment in patients with colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Zijie , Liu Jingya , Wang Yiwen , Shen Haoyang , Zhu Lingjun , Shu Yongqian
Published: November 2022

Background: The present study aimed to identify an NRLs (necroptosis-related long noncoding RNAs [lncRNAs]) signature for the prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and to investigate its potential relationship with clinical characteristics and immune microenvironment.
Methods: Clinical information of patients with COAD and RNA sequence data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) were obtained from the GeneCards website. Co-expression analysis was performed to identify NRLs. By using the “limma” package in R software, differentially expressed NRLs (DE-NRLs) were screened from the identified NRLs. A prognostic NRLs signature was established based on the results of univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO algorithm, and multivariate Cox analysis. Survival analysis and area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to evaluate the prognostic efficacy of this signature. Clinical correlation and independent prognostic factors were then assessed, and a predictive nomogram was then constructed. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to determine the potential molecular mechanisms. Immune analysis was performed to analyze the tumor microenvironment and to predict the immune response of patients with COAD. Lastly, experiments were conducted to validate the expression and function of NRLs involved in the prognostic signature.
Results: Three NRLs were identified, and a prognostic signature was constructed from them. According to the risk score calculated using this signature, patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups. The signature exhibited a strong ability to predict survival, and the risk score was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor. GSEA showed differences in specific molecular pathways involved in immune response, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism. The two groups also showed significant differences in immune cell infiltration, immune function, and immune checkpoint gene expression. The high-risk group showed higher immunogenicity and may benefit from immunotherapy. Lastly, in vivo experiments validated the expression and function of NRLs involved in the prognostic signature.
Conclusions: The prognostic signature of NRLs developed in this study can facilitate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with COAD and may serve as a valuable reference for in-depth studies of functional mechanisms of NRLs in the immune microenvironment.
Suitability evaluation of human settlements using a global sensitivity analysis method: A case study in China
Authors: Wu Feifei , Yang Xiaohua , Kang Jing , Lian Bing , Wang Yan
Published: November 2022

The suitability evaluation of human settlements over time and space is essential to track potential challenges towards suitable human settlements and provide references for policy-makers. This study established a theoretical framework of human settlements based on the nature, human, economy, society and residence subsystems. Evaluation indicators were determined with the consideration of the coupling effect among subsystems. Based on the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test algorithm, the global sensitivity analysis that considered the coupling effect among indicators was used to determine the weights of indicators. The human settlements suitability was evaluated at both subsystems and comprehensive system levels in 30 provinces of China between 2000 and 2016. The findings were as follows: (1) human settlements suitability index (HSSI) values increased significantly in all 30 provinces from 2000 to 2016. Among five subsystems, the suitability index of the residence subsystem in China exhibited the fastest growing, followed by the society and economy subsystems. (2) HSSI in eastern provinces with developed economy was higher than that in western provinces with underdeveloped economy. In contrast, the growing rate of HSSI in eastern provinces was significantly higher than that in western provinces. (3) The inter-provincial difference of HSSI decreased from 2000 to 2016. For subsystems, it decreased for the residence system, whereas it increased for the economy system. (4) The suitability of the natural subsystem has become a limiting factor for the improvement of human settlements suitability, especially in economically developed provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong. The results can be helpful to support decision-making and policy for improving the quality of human settlements in a broad nature, human, economy, society and residence context.