bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The biomarkers related to immune infiltration to predict distant metastasis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Ren Chengsi , Gao Anran , Fu Chengshi , Teng Xiangyun , Wang Jianzhang , Lu Shaofang , Gao Jiahui , Huang Jinfeng , Liu Dongdong , Xu Jianhua
Published: December 2022

Background:The development of distant metastasis (DM) results in poor prognosis of breast cancer (BC) patients, however, it is difficult to predict the risk of distant metastasis.
Methods: differentially expressed gene (DEGs) were screened out using GSE184717 and GSE183947.GSE20685 were randomly assigned to the training and the internal validation cohort. A signature was developed according to the results of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis,which was validated by using internal and external(GSE6532) validation cohort. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used for functional analysis.Finally, a nomogram was constructed and calibration curves and concordance index (C-index) were compiled to determine predictive and discriminatory capacity.The clinical benefit of this nomogram was revealed by decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, we explored the relationships between candidate genes and immune cell infiltration, and the possible mechanism.
Results: A signature containing CD74 and TSPAN7 was developed according to the results of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis,which was validated by using internal and external(GSE6532) validation cohort. Mechanistically,the signature reflect the overall level of immune infiltration in tissues, especially myeloid immune cells. The expression of CD74 and TSPAN7 is heterogeneous, low expression levels of TSPAN7 is caused by methylation modification in breast cancer cells, which is negatively correlated with CD74 expression level.CD74 is mainly derived from myeloid immune cells and do not affect the proportion of CD8+T cells. This signature could act as an independent predictive factor in patients with BC (P = 0.01, HR = 0.63), and it has been validated in internal (P = 0.023, HR = 0.58) and external (P = 0.0065, HR = 0.67) cohort. Finally, we constructed a individualized prediction nomogram based on our signature. The model showed good discrimination in training, internal and external cohort, with a C-index of 0.742, 0.801, 0.695 respectively, and good calibration. DCA demonstrated that the prediction nomogram was clinically useful.
Conclusion: A new immune infiltration related signature developed for predicting metastatic risk will improve the treatment and management of BC patients
Evaluation of CMIP5 Decadal Precipitation at Catchment level
Authors: Hossain Md Monowar , Anwar A. H. M. Faisal , Garg Nikhil , Prakash Mahesh , Bari Mohammed
Published: December 2022

The fidelity of the decadal experiment in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase-5 (CMIP5) has been examined, over different climate variables for different temporal and spatial scales, in many previous studies. Most of the studies were, however, for the temperature and temperature-based climate indices. A quite limited study was conducted on precipitation of decadal experiment and no attention was paid to a catchment level. This study evaluates the performances of eight GCMs (MIROC4h, EC-EARTH, MRI-CGCM3, MPI-ESM-MR, MPI-ESM-LR, MIROC5, CMCC-CM, and CanCM4) for the monthly hindcast precipitation of decadal experiment over the Brisbane River catchment in Queensland, Australia. First, the GCMs datasets were spatially interpolated onto a spatial resolution of 0.05o×0.05o (5 km×5 km) matching with the grids of observed data and then were cut for the catchment. Next, model outputs are evaluated for temporal skills, dry and wet periods, and total precipitation (over time and space) based on the observed values. Comparing the skills, models are divided into three categories (Category-I: MIROC4h, EC-EARTH and MRI-CGCM3; Category-II: MPI-ESM-LR and MPI-ESM-MR; and Category-III: MIROC5, CanCM4, and CMCC-CM). Three multi-model ensembles’ mean (MMEMs) are formed using the arithmetic mean of Category-I (MMEM1), Category-I and II (MMEM2), and all eight models (MMEM3). The performances of MMEMs are also assessed using the same skill tests and found MMEM2 performed best which suggests evaluating the models is an important step before the formation of MMEM using GCM models.
A literature review of methods for assessment of reproducibility in science
Authors: Nordling Torbjörn , Peralta Tomas Melo
Published: December 2022

Introduction: In response to the US Congress petition, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine investigated the status of reproducibility and replicability in science. A piece of work is reproducible if the same results can be obtained while following the methods under the same conditions and using the same data. Unavailable data, missing code, and unclear or incomplete method descriptions are common reasons for failure to reproduce results.
Objectives: The motivation behind this review is to investigate the current methods for reproducibility assessment and analyze their strengths and weaknesses so that we can determine where there is room for improvement.
Methods: We followed the PRISMA 2020 standard and conducted a literature review to find the current methods to assess the reproducibility of scientific articles. We made use of three databases for our search: Web of Science, Scopus, and Engineering Village. Our criteria to find relevant articles was to look for methods, algorithms, or techniques to evaluate, assess, or predict reproducibility in science. We discarded methods that were specific to a single study, or that could not be adapted to scientific articles in general.
Results: We found ten articles describing methods to evaluate reproducibility, and classified them as either a prediction market, a survey, a machine learning algorithm, or a numerical method. A prediction market requires participants to bet on the reproducibility of a study. The surveys are simple and straightforward, but their performance has not been assessed rigorously. Two types of machine learning methods have been applied: handpicked features and natural language processing.
Conclusion: While the machine learning methods are promising because they can be scaled to reduce time and cost for researchers, none of the models reviewed achieved an accuracy above 75%. Given the prominence of transformer models for state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) tasks, we believe a transformer model can achieve better accuracy.
A Cost-effective Communication Model for Requirements Elictation in Global Software Development
Authors: Rauf Muhammad Aqib , Bibi Sarfraz , Ali Sadia
Published: December 2022

Requirement elicitation is an important activity performed during requirement engineering. Requirement elicitation becomes more significant in global software development. In global software development, effective communication among stakeholders required for better requirement elicitation. Time zone, cultural and language difference are factors which has strong influence on communication in global software development. These factors affect the timely coordination which might affects the quality of software. Researcher proposed communication models for requirement elicitation in global software development. The aim of this study is to critically review the existing communication models presented for requirement elicitation in global software development. This review will provide the publication trends, introductory overview, strength, and limitations of existing proposed communication model for requirement elicitation in global software development. Based on limitations we will propose new cost-effective communication model for requirement elicitation in global software development. Finally, a case study-based experiment will be performed to see the effectiveness of proposed techniques.
Proposal of one new order, two new families, nine new genera and seventy-eight new basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from China
Authors: Jiang You-Liang , Bao Wen-Jing , Wang Gui-Shuang , Wang Man-Man , Zhao Wei-Na , Li Yao-Yao , Liu Fei , Chen Xiu-Hao , Li Ai-Hua , Wang Qi-Ming
Published: December 2022

More than 2,000 yeast strains isolated from 1200 samples mostly collected from Tibet and Yunnan provinces were identified as 466 species according to the internal transcribed spacer including the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rDNA (LSU) sequence analyses. Among them, 78 new basidiomycetous yeast species were proposed based on the multi-locus phylogenetic analyses including the D1/D2 domains, the ITS, the small subunit rDNA (SSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1), as well as the phenotypic comparisons. Fifty-three new species belong to 17 genera in the Agaricomycotina, 19 new species occur in 12 genera in the Pucciniomycotina and six new species distribute in four genera in the Ustilaginomycotina, and eleven new species were classified in nine newly established genera. Two new families and one new order were also proposed based on two of these new genera. The genus Guomyces and the species Guomyces nicotianae were validated.
Changes in postural sway and cortical activities after napping
Authors: Lin Chun-Ling , Lou Shu-Zon , Chen Hui-Ya
Published: December 2022

Some falls occur immediately after waking, and the underlying mechanisms might include the need to recalibrate the sensory organization system. This study aimed to examine the changes in postural sway and associated cortical activities immediately after waking from a nap. A convenience sample of young adults (7 males and 5 females, 21.0 ± 2.3 year.) was recruited. Before and after a 50-min nap, participants were asked to stand quietly with eyes open/closed on a firm/foam surface, and electroencephalography (EEG) in alpha, beta, and gamma bands in sensory association areas was recorded. The results showed larger postural sway in the foam than in the firm condition (F3,33 = 59.828, p < 0.001) and less sway after sleep (F1,11 = 8.545, p = 0.014). There was also an increased frequency of postural sway after sleep in the eyes-open condition but a decreased frequency after sleep in the eyes-closed condition (F3,33 = 5.031, p = 0.006). The EEG results revealed decreased activity in the alpha (F1,9 = 15.540, p = 0.003) and gamma (F1,9 = 6.626, p = 0.030) bands in the right parietal area after sleep, and increased beta power in the left occipital area (Z = -2.241, p = 0.025). In conclusion, after waking from a nap, healthy adults showed decreased postural sway through the strategy of increased changes in direction of postural sway in eyes-open conditions. The EEG results suggested a lack of efficacy in dealing with sensory challenges in standing balance tasks after sleep.
Thermal Product Sensor: A potentially new diagnostic tool in the detection of skin malignancy
Authors: DeGiovanni C , Patel M , Drake Paul , Sains Parv , Chana Kam , Srid Vikram
Published: December 2022

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Skin cancer is currently a global public health problem that is escalating. In the UK, the incidence of malignant melanoma has increased from 837 per year to 6963 per year in males and 1609 per year to 6952 per year in females between 1981 and 2018. Early diagnosis and treatment, as with any other disease will have a positive outcome in terms of survival and costs of management. Advances in technology have allowed the development of tools that provide rapid and sensitive diagnosis of many diseases. This paper describes the development and use of a thermal based technique which directly measures the thermal properties of skin. The Thermal Product Sensor (TPS), a new biosensor, has been demonstrated in the diagnosis of skin malignancies. The technique is quantitative and is shown to distinguish between normal and malignant skin.
Effect of oral esketamine on preoperative sedation and venipuncture analgesia in pediatric patients: a prospective randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial
Authors: Liu Zunyuan , Wang Xuexia , Liu Lei , Xu Huiying , Liu Guoying , Wu Guisheng , Zhang Hongquan
Published: December 2022

Background
Anxiety and uncooperation are common among pediatric patients during the preoperative preparation, which requires adequate and appropriate analgesia and sedation.
Methods
We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial involving 1–6-year-old pediatric patients scheduled for elective tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy between December 2020 and May 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to control (group C), esketamine 1 mg.kg− 1 (group EK1), or esketamine 2 mg.kg− 1 (group EK2) group. Venipuncture analgesia, cooperation, and sedation, as well as satisfaction upon parent–child separation, cooperation, sedation, and adverse events, were compared among the three groups. Dynamic changes in the sedation score and vital signs were monitored.
Results
A total of 88 pediatric patients were analyzed, with 29, 29, and 30 patients in groups C, EK1, and EK2, respectively. Compared with group C, groups EK1 and EK2 both had better analgesia during venipuncture (P < 0.001). In addition, better cooperation and sedation was noticed in groups EK1 and EK2 during parent–child separation and venipuncture than in group C. Compared with the baseline, the mean respiratory rate had a significant decrease from 25.6 ± 0.3 to 24.6 ± 0.4 breaths/min at 30 min after the esketamine administration in group EK2, although it was still within normal limits (P = 0.030). There were no significant differences in adverse events among three groups.
Conclusions
Preoperative oral administration of 1 or 2 mg.kg− 1 esketamine in pediatric patients could achieve effective analgesia and sedation. Oral medication of 2 mg.kg− 1 esketamine had more pronounced effects.
Trial registration
: This clinical trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040739) on 08/12/2020.
Using spatial panel-data models to investigate the factors related to incidence of end-stage renal disease
Authors: Su Chien-Chou , Lee Kuo-Jung , Yen Chi-Tai , Wu Lu-Hsuan , Huang Chien-Huei , Lu Meng-Zhan , Cheng Ching-Lan
Published: December 2022

Background
The assumptions of conventional spatial models cannot estimate the responses across space and over time. Spatial panel data models were proposed to investigate the association between the risk factors and incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Methods
A longitudinal (panel data) study was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan. We set up an algorithm to identify the patient’s residence and estimate the ESRD rate in each township. Corresponding covariates, including patient comorbidities, history of medication use, and socio-environmental factors, were collected. Local Indicators of Spatial Association were used to describe local spatial clustering around an individual location. Moreover, a spatial panel data model was proposed to investigate the association between ESRD incidence and risk factors.
Results
In total, 73,995 patients with ESRD were included in this study. There was a higher proportion of high incidence rates in the western region than in the eastern region. The proportion of high incidence rates in the eastern areas increased over the years. It was found that most of “social environmental factors,” except average income and air pollution (PM 2.5 and PM10), had a significant influence on the incidence rate of ESRD when considering spatial dependences of response and explanatory variables. Receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aminoglycosides within 90 days prior to ESRD had a significant positive effect on the ESRD incidence rate.
Conclusions
Future comprehensive studies on townships located in higher-risk clusters of ESRD will help in setting up healthcare policies for suitable action.
Randomized trials assessing the impact of flavors on pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and subjective parameters in dry and moist nicotine pouch products
Authors: Staaf Mikael , Masser Anna E. , Pramfalk Camilla , Pendrill Robert , Moses Sara , Lindholm Johan , Ljung Tryggve
Published: December 2022

The nicotine delivery profile of oral nicotine pouches (NPs) affects their abuse liability and ability to function as alternatives for users of riskier combustible products. However, it is unclear if flavors exert any effect on nicotine pharmacology. Here, data from two open-label, randomized, nine-way cross-over, single dose administration pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies of unflavored and flavored varieties of a dry 6 mg nicotine and a moist 9 mg nicotine NP product was analyzed. Maximum plasma concentrations of nicotine (Cmax) were observed ~ 1 h after NP administration, with overlapping mean values for the two products (13.02–15.95 ng/mL). The total nicotine exposure (AUCinf) was 44.65–54.53 h*ng/mL. Equivalence testing for AUCinf and Cmax between unflavored and flavored NP varieties showed equivalence for all varieties except NP moist D minty and NP moist H minty compared to NP moist A unflavored. Neither AUCinf, Cmax, or time to maximum nicotine concentration were affected by flavor. The effect of flavor was more pronounced for the moist product, where subjects rated the flavored varieties higher for satisfaction, product-liking, and intent to use again. Overall, large variations were seen between subjects in terms of flavor preferences, highlighting the requirement for multiple varieties and products.
Evidence for a metacognitive awareness of autobiographical memory organisation
Authors: Carreras Fabien , Moulin Chris J.A.
Published: December 2022

Models of autobiographical memory (AM) recall posit some form of control process, but the extent to which we can reflect on this form of retrieval is under-researched. Here we propose a method for measuring such metacognitive awareness in AM. Since the verification of personal facts is difficult, we based our design on AM organisation. AMs are proposed to be organised into a coherent life story, that is, a subjective chronology reflecting the goals of the individual over time. We investigated the metacognitive awareness of this coherence. Eighty-three participants generated AMs and made two judgements of order for pairs of memories and gave a confidence rating. We found that participants were indeed able to distinguish pairs of memories that were coherent with their life story chronology from pairs which were not. We also found a significant effect of response time and task difficulty on confidence, suggesting that judgement of order fluency was determinant for metacognitive evaluation. This suggests common properties between metacognitive abilities related to autobiographical memory and those related to other forms of memory.
The Effects of Anodal tDCS Combined with a Selected Balance Exercise Program on Balance Performance and Working Memory in Older Adults
Authors: Mehrdadian Mehrshad , Saemi Esmaeel , Doustan Mohammadreza , Yamaguchi Tomofumi
Published: December 2022

Background
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently drawn attention as an inexpensive, painless, safe, and effective technique to improve motor performance and cognitive function in older adults. This quasi-experimentstudy examined the effects of a selected balance exercise combined with anodal tDCS on balance performance in older adults.

Methods

Twenty-four older adults (Mean age M±SD= 69.79±5.50) participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned into a real tDCS or sham tDCS groups. The participants in the real tDCS group received 2 mA anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex (M1) for 20 min. The participants performed a selected balance exercise program for 50 min following tDCS. Training was conducted 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks (16 sessions). Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and working memory test (2-back task) were measured before (baseline), after 8 weeks of the training, and 4 weeks of follow-up.

Results

Compared to sham tDCS group, BBS and TUG were significantly improved in real tDCS group after the training and 4 weeks of follow-up, however, this intervention could not effect of working memory.

Conclusions

In sum, these results indicate that the selected balance exercise program combined with anodal tDCS can improve balance performance but not working memory in older adults.
Study of Toll -like Receptor 4 and Colony Stimulating Factor 2 Gene Expression for Early Recognition of Axial Spondyloarthritis Changes in Psoriatic cases.
Authors: Naidany Sherin S. EL , Shehata Wafaa A. , Saif Dalia S. , El-Hefnawy Sally M. , Ellaithy Manal Abd El Monem
Published: December 2022

Background
About 30% of cases with psoriasis will suffer from psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Heritable element plays a role in PsA as different genes are involved. However, few genes are involved in both psoriasis and PsA. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and colony stimulating factor (CSF) 2 gene expression for early detection of axial spondyloarthritis in psoriatic patients.
Methods
This study included 200 subjects; 100 psoriatic patients, subdivided into two groups; Group 1: included 66 patients with plaque psoriasis without any articular complaint, and Group 2: included 44 patients with psoriatic arthritis. Group 3 included: 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. Laboratory assessment of TLR4 and CSF2 gene expression by real time polymerase chain reaction technique, and axial joint radiological assessment by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Results
There were significant increase of CSF2 and TLR4 gene expression levels in cases compared with controls (p < 0.001) for both. Additionally, a significant rise of CSF2 and TLR4 gene expression levels in cases with psoriatic arthritis compared to cases with psoriatic skin affection only (U = 2.45, p = 0.01, 3.34, p = 0.001 respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve done for earlier detection of sub-clinical changes of axSpA regarding positive MRI results in cases with psoriasis and PsA respectively with P value < 0.001.
Conclusion
TLR4 and CSF2 gene expression have strong predictive value in early detection of axial SpA changes in asymptomatic and non-radiographic psoriatic patients which is equivalent and equal to the MRI predictive value.
Naked-eye observation of water-forming reaction on palladium etalon: transduction of gas-matter reaction into light-matter interaction
Authors: Lee Jongsu , Yu Eui-Sang , Kim Taehyun , Kim In Soo , Kwak Jeonghun , Lee Sin-Doo , Chung Seok , Kwak Seung Jae , Lee Won Bo , Pak Yusin , Ryu Yong-Sang
Published: December 2022

Palladium is the most prominent material in both scientific and industrial research on gas storage, purification, detection, and catalysis due to its unique properties as a catalyst and hydrogen absorber. Advancing the plasmonic optical phenomena of palladium reacting with hydrogen, transduction of the gas-matter reaction into light-matter interaction is attempted to visualize the dynamic surface chemistry and reaction behaviors. The simple geometry of the metal-dielectric-metal structure, Fabry-Perot etalon, is employed for a colorimetric reactor, to display the catalytic reaction of the exposed gas via water-film/bubble formation at the dielectric/palladium interface. The adsorption/desorption behavior and catalytic reaction of hydrogen and oxygen on the palladium surface display highly repeatable and dramatic color changes based on two distinct water formation trends: the foggy effect by water bubbles and the whiteout effect by water film formation. Simulations and experiments demonstrate the robustness of the proposed Fabry-Perot etalon as an excellent platform for monitoring the opto-physical phenomena driven by heterogeneous catalysis.
Creating zero amylose barley with high soluble sugar content by genome editing
Authors: li Yun , Jiang Yanyan , Cao Dong , Dang Bin , Yang Xijuan , Fan Shiting , shen Yuhu , Li Genying , Liu Baolong
Published: December 2022

Amylose biosynthesis is strictly associated with granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) encoded by the Waxy gene. Mutagenesis of single bases in the Waxy gene, which induced by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, caused absence of intact GBSSI protein in grain of the edited line. Consequently, B-type granules disappeared. The amylose and amylopectin contents of waxy mutants were zero and 31.73%, while those in the wild type were 33.50% and 39.00%, respectively. The absence of waxy protein led to increase in soluble sugar content to 37.30% compared with only 10.0% in the wild type. Sucrose and β-glucan, were 39.16% and 35.40% higher in waxy mutants than in the wild type, respectively. Transcriptome analysis identified differences between the wild type and waxy mutants that could partly explain the reduction in amylose and amylopectin contents and the increase in soluble sugar, sucrose and β-glucan contents. This waxy flour, which showed lower final viscosity and setback, and higher breakdown, could provide more option for food processing.
Ecofriendly Camouflage Textiles with Natural Sand-based Silicon Dioxide against Simultaneous Combat Background of Woodland, Desertland, Rockland, Concreteland and Water/Marine
Authors: Hossain Md. Anowar
Published: December 2022

Natural sand-based silicon dioxide (NSSD) is a common material of multidimensional combat backgrounds (CBs) such as dry leaves/wood, green leaves, tree bark-woodland CB; water-marine CB; sand-desertland CB; rock-rockland CB and concrete-concreteland CB. NSSD was coated, printed and padded on polyamide-6,6 (PA-6,6) and cotton fabric for camouflage textiles. The camouflage properties of coated, printed and padded fabric in visible wavelength, 400–700 nm were investigated by International Commission on Illumination (CIE)-color value (L*, a*, b*), Kubelka-Munk (K-M) reflection, reflection (%) and color rendering techniques of color measurement spectrophotometer. The structural properties versus electron imaging were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Field trialling of NSSD treated camouflage textiles was investigated by visible imaging under natural illumination, sunlight. The adaptive properties for CIE-chromatic appearance (red, green, blue, L*, a*, b*) of NSSD formulated fabric was analyzed by ImageJ software. This optical assessment of ecofriendly NSSD-camouflage material relates to camouflage signature management for defence threat protection against five-dimensional combat background such as desertland, woodland, rockland, concreteland and water/marine.
Risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Li Shanshan , Xiao Yang , Wang chunyan , Zhao Jie , Zhang Na , Yin Yue , Qin Li , Jia Mei , Cui Liyan
Published: December 2022

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) causes adverse obstetric outcomes in the affected patients. Our study aimed to investigate the risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) in women with APS.
Methods: This retrospective study included 143 pregnant women with APS admitted to Peking University People’s Hospital. Based on the presence of APOs, pregnant women were divided into the adverse outcomes group (n=49) and the non-adverse outcomes group (n=94). Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with APOs.
Results: We found that the low platelet count (≤50×109/L), hypertension during pregnancy, and single-positivity of antiphospholipid antibody (aPLs) were the risk factors of APOs after adjusting age, the number of prior spontaneous miscarriages, weight change during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, thrombosis, oligohydramnios, and aPLs status (model I). Of importance, hypertension during pregnancy and single-positivity of aPLs remained the risk factors for adverse outcomes, but the low platelet count (≤50×109/L) was no longer a risk factor after adding the adjustments of the time of diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy (model II). And the number of platelets increased after delivery under the treatment (87.53±49.81 vs. 65.06±41.3 vs. 52.75±20.70 vs. 110.19±55.30; p<0.05). Therefore, treatment could effectively decrease the risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant APS patients with thrombocytopenia.
Conclusion: APS increases the risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy. Thrombocytopenia, hypertension during pregnancy, and single-positivity of aPLs were the risk factors of APOs in women with APS. Treatment can significantly reduce the risk of adverse outcomes by upregulating platelet count during pregnancy in APS patients with thrombocytopenia.
Mutual Pathways between Peer and Own E-Cigarette Use among Youth in The United States: A Cross-Lagged Model
Authors: Cheng Hui G. , Lizhnyak Pavel N. , Richter Nadja
Published: December 2022

Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become the most common tobacco product used among adolescents in the United States (US). Prior research has shown that peer e-cigarette use was associated with increased risk of own e-cigarette use. Nonetheless, there is little empirical evidence on the directionality of these associations - if peer use predicts own use (peer influence) or if own use predicts peer use (peer selection). Methods We estimated the association between peer and own e-cigarette use among US adolescents 12–17 years of age. We used the fixed-effects model to hold constant observed and unobserved time-invariant variables and the cross-lagged model to investigate the mutual relationship between peer and own e-cigarette use over time using data from a population-based longitudinal study, Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health. Stratified analyses were conducted by sex and age subgroups. Results Having best friends who use e-cigarettes was strongly associated with the use of e-cigarettes among adolescents (OR = 17.5; 95% CI = 15.1 to 20.3 for 12–17-year-olds). This association weakened but remained statistically significant when time-invariant variables were controlled for using fixed-effect model (OR = 4.8; 95% CI = 4.0 to 5.6). Results from cross-lagged model showed a statistically significant predicting path leading from peer use at the prior time point to own use at the following time point, but not vice versa. Conclusions We found strong relationships between peer e-cigarette use and own e-cigarette use at both between- and within-individual levels. Peer influence paths were more robust than peer selection paths for e-cigarette use. Incorporating peers into prevention and intervention programs may help enhance these strategies.
Brain tumor MRI Classification using a Novel Deep Residual and Regional CNN
Authors: Zahoor Mirza Mumtaz , Khan Saddam Hussain , Sadiq Muhammad , Liang Junwei , Hassnain Syed Agha
Published: December 2022

Brain tumor classification is crucial for clinical analysis and an effective treatment plan to cure patients. Deep learning models help radiologists to accurately and efficiently analyze tumors without manual intervention. However, brain tumor analysis is challenging because of its complex structure, texture, size, location, and appearance. Therefore, a novel deep residual and regional-based Res-BRNet Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is developed for effective brain tumor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) classification. The developed Res-BRNet employed Regional and boundary-based operations in a systematic order within the modified spatial and residual blocks. Spatial blocks extract the brain tumor’s homogeneity and heterogeneity patterns, and boundary-related features. Additionally, the residual blocks significantly capture local and global texture variations of brain tumors. The efficiency of the developed Res-BRNet is evaluated on a standard dataset; collected from Kaggle and Figshare containing various tumor categories, including meningioma, glioma, pituitary, and healthy images. Experiments prove that the developed Res-BRNet outperforms the standard CNN models and attained excellent performances (accuracy: 98.22%, sensitivity: 0.9811, F1-score: 0.9841, and precision: 0.9822) on challenging datasets. Additionally, the performance of the proposed Res-BRNet indicates a strong potential for medical image-based disease analyses.
Investigation of natural hazard related to mass movements in the Boi River basin, southern Brazil, with SHALSTAB and Hyper KANAKO.
Authors: Franck Alessandro Gustavo , Kobiyama Masato
Published: December 2022

Extreme rainfall events have been more frequent, resulting in an increase in potentially catastrophic natural phenomena such as landslides and debris flows. To reduce disaster risk related, the hazard mapping for these phenomena is essential. Therefore, the objective of this study was (i) characterize geotechnical units with field survey in a mountain basin, southern Brazil; (ii) apply the combination of the SHALSTAB and Hyper KANAKO models to the basin; (iii) perform a hazard mapping to landslides and debris flows; and (iv) understand better these phenomena. The study area is the Boi River basin at the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark, which is a part of the largest canyon chain in South America. The simulated scenarios showed that the occurrence of debris flows in the region represents a real danger for tourists and residents, with locations where these phenomena reach the trails with speeds greater than 50 km.h-1 and depths greater than 5 m.
Impairments following COVID-19 infection: Manifestations and investigations of related factors
Authors: Badinlou Farzaneh , Forsström David , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Abzhandadze Tamar , Lundgren Tobias
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major global impact on the health and wellbeing for many individuals. Even though the infection rates have gone down due to the availability of vaccines, the consequences of the disease are still present due to persistent symptoms among individuals. The aim of the current study was to map long-term impairments in individuals infected with COVID-19 by applying the framework of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and also investigate the factors related to the context of an individual’s life influencing the impairments. A web-survey that targeted individuals that had been infected with COVID-19 was used. The survey included a range of measures covering contextual factors and factors related to body functions and structures and post-COVID impairments. A total of 501 individuals were included in the study. Many of the respondents endorsed different impairments due to COVID-19 infection and the most frequent one was fatigue. Severity of COVID-19 infection appeared as the strongest risk factor for post-COVID impairments. Based on the results, interventions can be tailored to help individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. This could be one way lessening the effect of COVID-19 on health care and society as a whole.
WNT pathway in focal cortical dysplasia compared to perilesional nonlesional tissue in refractory epilepsies
Authors: Marinowic Daniel , Zanirati Gabriele , Xavier Fernando , Varelle Fabio , Azevedo Sofia , Ghilardi Isadora , Pereira-Neto Normando , Koff Marco , Paglioli Eliseu , Palmini André , de Abreu José Garcia , Machado Denise , Costa Jaderson Da
Published: December 2022

Background:Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a malformation of cortical development that causes medical refractory seizures, and one of the main treatment may be surgical resection of the affected area of the brain. People affected by FCD may present with seizures of variable severity since childhood. Despite many medical treatments available, only surgery can offer cure. The pathophysiology of the disease is not yet understood;however, it is known that several gene alterations may play a role. The WNT/β-catenin pathway is closely related to the control and balance of cell proliferation and differentiation in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to explore genes related to the WNT/β-catenin pathway in lesional and perilesional brain tissue in patients with FCD type II.Methods:Dysplastic and perilesional tissue from the primary dysplastic lesion of patients with FCD type IIa were obtained from two patients who underwent surgical treatment. The analysis of the relative expression of genes was performed by a qRT-PCR array (super array) containing 84 genes related to the WNT pathway.Results:Our results suggest the existence of molecular alteration in some genes of the WNT pathway in tissue with dysplastic lesions and of perilesional tissue. We call this tissue of normal-appearing adjacent cortex (NAAC). Of all genes analyzed, a large number of genes showsimilar behavior between injured, perilesional and control tissues. However, some genes have similar characteristics between the perilesional and lesional tissue and are different from the control brain tissue, presenting the perilesional tissue as a molecularly altered material.Conclusion:Our results suggest that the perilesional area after surgical resection of tissue with cortical dysplasia presents molecular changes that may play a role in the recurrence of seizures in these patients. The perilesional tissue should receive expanded attention beyond the somatic mutations described and associated with FCD, such as mTOR, for example, to new signaling pathways that may play a crucial role in seizure recurrence.
Explosive strength and dynamic balance as determinants of the single leg hop test: cross-sectional study among young elite female basketball athletes
Authors: Domínguez-Navarro Fernando , Casaña Jose , Perez-Dominguez Borja , Ricart-Luna Borja , Cotolí-Suárez Pedro , Calatayud Joaquin
Published: December 2022

Objective
To analyze the impact of balance, lower-limb explosive strength and anthropometric variables on the result of the hop test in young elite female basketball athletes.
Methods
Ninety young elite female basketball athletes (13–17 years), without current or recent lower-limb injury, were assessed in the off-season period of July 2021. Single leg hop test, countermovement jump, Y balance test and anthropometric outcomes were assessed. A correlation study and a regression model were performed to investigate the influence of such outcomes and the value of their participation on the hop test results.
Results
It was found a low-to-moderate correlation effect size for both countermovement jump (distance and power flight) and Y balance test values (except interlimb outcomes) with the single leg hop test results. Anthropometric outcomes did not show significant correlation (p > 0.05). Regression model revealed significant predictive value for countermovement jump outcomes in both right (β = 0.249, p = 0.013; β = 0.301; p = 0.031) and left leg (β = 0.229, p = 0.025; β = 0.365, p = 0.040), as well as certain Y balance outcomes values.
Conclusions
Among young elite female basket athletes, the explosive strength, measured with the countermovement jump, seems to be a relevant functional component for the results of the single leg hop test. Also, dynamic balance, but with a minor influence. Focusing on the elements that compose the hop test helps to improve the understanding and the design of specific interventions to enhance the test's performance.
Afterload Pressure and Left Ventricular Contractility Synergistically Affect Left Atrial Pressure During Veno-Arterial Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Jiang Jacky , Jain Pankaj , Adji Audrey , Stevens Michael , Vazquez Gabriel Matus , Barua Sumita , Hayward Christopher
Published: December 2022

Background: Veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may cause adverse effects including increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressure, LV distension and pulmonary oedema. We aimed to quantify the effects of ECMO flow, LV contractility, aortic pressure (AoP) and ECMO configuration on left atrial pressure (LAP) during VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock in a mock circulatory loop (MCL).
Methods: An MCL simulated a normal state, LV failure, right ventricular failure and biventricular failure. The ECMO return cannula was placed in the femoral artery (retrograde flow) or ascending aorta (antegrade flow). ECMO flow was incrementally increased from 0 to 5L/min. LAP, mean AoP, ECMO flow and total cardiac output were measured at steady state.
Results: During VA-ECMO, LAP increased linearly with AoP, with the slope greater in the presence of LV impairment compared to preserved LV function. When AoP was held constant, as is the goal of therapy in clinical management, ECMO flow had no effect on LAP. In multivariable linear regression, AoP and LV contractility (p<0.001 for each) correlated independently with LAP, but ECMO flow did not. ECMO return flow direction had no effect on LAP.
Conclusion:AoP and LV contractility, but not circuit flow or direction, independently determine LAP under VA-ECMO support. By controlling each of these inputs, vasodilator and inotrope management may combine synergistically to prevent VA-ECMO-related complications.
TMEM88 is a protective gene in HCC and has the function of promotes immune escape
Authors: LIMAN ANDREW , Zhu Qian
Published: December 2022

Background Transmembrane protein 88 (TMEM88) is a cancer-related protein that acts as a cancer-promoting or cancer-inhibiting regulator in multiple tumor types. However, the exact role of TMEM88 in liver cancer is unclear. This study was designed to determine the expression of TMEM88 in liver cancer cells. Results TMEM88 expression was higher in liver cancer tissues than in corresponding normal tissues. TMEM88 expression in HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) tissues correlates with prognosis. Low TMEM88 expression was associated with poorer overall survival, disease-specific survival, progression-free survival, and relapse-free survival in multiple cohorts of patients with HCC, particularly in late disease stages (grades 2 and 3). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation among MCPCOUNTER infiltration, XCELL infiltration and TIDE infiltration of TMEM88 in liver tumor cells. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that TMEM88 is a protective gene in HCC and promotes immune escape.
A novel symmetry analysis methodology for general energy conversion systems
Authors: Guo Huan , Xu Yujie , Li Yifu , Huang Lujing , Chen Haisheng
Published: December 2022

Symmetry has attracted extensive attention in the field of mathematics and physics. However, the previous studies of symmetry paid less attention to macroscopic system analysis. In this paper, the symmetry of macroscopic energy conversion systems/cycles is explored, and the symmetry analysis method is established for the first time. We found that general energy conversion systems/cycles show a certain symmetry after parameter transformations. Brayton cycle is analyzed as an example, and the potential-displacement-energy (PDE) diagram for system symmetry analysis is proposed. By establishing the specific C-P diagram (a kind of PDE diagram) to analyze the Brayton cycle, it is found that the ideal Brayton cycle has a regular symmetrical structure. When the rotational symmetry is the strongest, the maximum work is generated; and when the reflection symmetry is the strongest, the system is most efficient with constant specific heat capacity (cp). When the integral of varied cp to temperature can be decomposed into the symmetric structure of temperature along with the constraints met, cp has no effect on the intermediate maximum-work temperature, and this condition for cp is greatly broaden compared with previous literatures. Meanwhile, a more symmetrical cycle with circular-shaped structure is established with π/2 times greater of work output compared to conventional Brayton cycle, and the system efficiency is also improved due to its symmetry. By constructing the symmetrical structure, general energy conversion systems including P-V-T cycles can also be analyzed with the proposed symmetry analysis method.
Effects of Reminiscence Therapy combined with Memory Specificity Training (RT-MeST) on depressive symptoms in older adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Wu Yuejin , Zhang Xin , Yu Tianzhuo , Sui Xin , Li Yuewei , Xu Haiyan , zeng Ting , Leng Xin , Zhao Lijing , Li Feng
Published: December 2022

Background: Geriatric depression has become a serious public health problem, reduced autobiographical memory and increased over-general memory, as main cognitive markers of depression, are not only associated with current depressive symptoms but also associated with the onset and course of depression, which can lead to a range of harms, economic and effective psychological interventions are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy combined with memory specificity training in improving autobiographical memory and depressive symptoms in older adults.
Methods：In this multicenter, single-blind, three-arm parallel randomized controlled study, we aim to enroll 78 older adults aged 60 years or older with a score of ≥11 on the Geriatric Depression Scale, and participants will be randomly assigned to either the reminiscence therapy group or reminiscence therapy with memory specificity training group or usual care group. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0) as well as immediately post-intervention (T1), 1 (T2), 3 (T3) and 6 (T4) months post-intervention. The primary outcome measure is self-reported depressive symptoms, measured using the GDS. Secondary outcome measures included measures of autobiographical memory, rumination, and social engagement.
Discussion: We believe that the intervention has played a positive role in improving autobiographical memory and depressive symptoms in older adults. Poor autobiographical memory is a predictor of depression and a major cognitive marker，improving autobiographical memory is of great significance in alleviating depression symptoms in the elderly. If our program is effective, it will provide a convenient and feasible strategy for further promoting healthy aging.
Trial registration:ChiCTR2200065446
Fully automatic transfer and measurement system for structural superlubric materials
Authors: Chen Li , Lin Cong , Shi Diwei , Zheng Quanshui , Nie Jinhui , Ma Ming
Published: December 2022

Structural superlubricity (SSL), a state of nearly zero friction and no wear between two contact surfaces under relative sliding, holds immense potential for research and application prospects in the fields of MEMS devices, mechanical engineering, and energy resources. A critical step towards the practical application of SSL is the massive transfer and high throughput performance evaluation. As SSL systems are heterogeneous, existing automated systems, such as roll printing or massive stamping, are inadequate for this task. In this paper, a machine learning-assisted system is proposed to realize fully automated selective transfer and mechanical performance measurement for SSL materials. Specifically, the system has a judgment accuracy of over 98% for the selection of micro-scale graphite flakes with SSL properties. It can also complete the self-retraction force measurement of an individual graphite flake within 30 s, which is five times faster than manual operation. For fabrication, the system can complete the 10×10 graphite flakes assembly array and form various pre-designed patterns within 100 mins without manual intervention, which is 15 times faster than manual operation. The high accuracy, efficiency, robustness, and scalability of this automated system open up new possibilities in micron-scale experiments and manufacturing, and they pave the way for the construction of a database for the genetic engineering of micron materials.