bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Treatment Of Colorectal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Could Be Discriminate From Adenocarcinoma: Genesis And Immune Microenvironment Differences On Transcript Level
Authors: Liu Jianbo , Qiu Siyuan , Fu Xiaorui , Zhou Bin , Zu Ruijuan , Lv Zhaoying , Li Yuan , Yang Lie , Zhou Zongguang
Published: August 2023

Background
Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) of colorectal cancer (CRC) differs from adenocarcinoma (AD) in clinical features and molecular characteristics. Current treatment of colorectal MC isn't precise enough and the molecular characteristics remain unclear. The study aims to explore the difference between MC and AD of CRC on transcriptome level, for possibility of treating colorectal MC precisely.
Methods
We accessed the data of CRC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, then we performed differential analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the differential hub RNAs between colorectal MC and AD. Functional enrichment analysis, RNAs co-expression networks, risk score based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model and validation in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, survival analysis were also performed. Finally, differential hub lncRNAs and hub RNA of significant module were validated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) among different colon cancer cell lines.
Results
In total, we found 1680 differential expressed RNAs (DERs) and 4 significant modules (darkred, magenta, lightstellblue1, tan) comparing colorectal MC (52, 13.3%) with AD (340, 86.7%). From the functional enrichment analysis and RNAs co-expression networks, the darkred module was considered as a mucin-associated module, while some others may be associated with unique immune progress. Construction of logistic regression model and calculation of risk score based on differential hub RNAs in darkred module showed acceptable result in both TCGA and GEO data. Survival analysis suggested that many differential hub RNAs were positive and correlated with better survival. Finally, 8 differential hub RNAs in the darkred module (CTD-2547H18.1, CTD-2589M5.4, RP11-234B24.2, LA16c-321D4.2, LINC00261, RP11-25K19.1, COLCA1 and CAPN9) were validated by qRT-PCR. Except for LA16c-321D4.2 and COLCA1, all other RNAs showed higher expression levels in mucin-producing colorectal cell lines (Ls174T, HT-29 and T84).
Conclusion
This study suggests that clinical treatments for colorectal MC should be differentiated from AD. Further exploration of enterocyte (goblet cell) differentiation with tumor genesis and the distinct immune progression of MC may help to identify key therapeutic targets for colorectal MC. Further research into the application of immunotherapy to colorectal MC is needed.
Spatial Resolution of Phosphenes within the Visual Field using Non-Invasive Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
Authors: Sadrzadeh-Afsharazar Faraz , Douplik Alexandre
Published: August 2023

Non-Invasive Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (NITACS) is a method that applies weak electrical currents to the scalp or face to modulate brain activity. A fascinating application of NITACS is the induction of phosphenes — visual phenomena where individuals perceive light without external stimuli. These phosphenes have been observed and generated through various techniques, including direct electrical stimulation of the visual cortex. However, NITACS provides a non-invasive way to create these visual effects. This research aimed to understand the spatial resolution of NITACS-induced phosphenes, vital for visual aid technology and neuroscience. Eight healthy participants underwent NITACS with a novel electrode configuration on the face. Findings indicated that NITACS could induce phosphenes that showed spatially defined patterns in the visual field. The phosphene locations differed among participants but were consistently within the visual field. These patterns remained stable across repeated stimulations. Optimal parameters were determined for inducing vibrant phosphenes without discomfort. The study also identified electrode positions that moved phosphenes to various visual field regions. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis estimated specificity and sensitivity at 70.7% and 73.9%, respectively, with a control trial effectiveness of 98.4%. Overall, NITACS holds promise as a reliable non-invasive means to modulate visual perception.
Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress prevents renal pathology in hindlimb unloaded mice
Authors: Ranade Anu V , Ray Animikh , Khan Amir Ali , Gul Muhammad Tehsil , Jose Josemin , Ramachandran Gopika , Karim Asima , Ahmad Firdos , Ebby Suni , Qaisar Rizwan
Published: August 2023

Hindlimb unloaded (HU) mouse, an animal model of prolonged bed rest and spaceflight, exhibits extensive damage to several body organs. However, relevant effects on renal tissues are unknown. In this work effects of protein dysregulation by endoplasmic reticulum (ER), termed ER stress to renal histology and molecular phenotype in HU mice has been investigated. Role of 4-phenyl butyrate (4PBA) in reversal of these detrimental effects was also evaluated. c57BL/6j mice was categorized into three cohorts-ground-based controls, (GC),treated with vehicle (HU) , treated with 4PBA. It was observed that an HU-induced glomerular widening and an obliteration of Bowman’s space takes place in HU mice, which were partly reversed by 4PBA.
The effect of protein dysregulation by endoplasmic reticulum in HU mice and its reversal was evaluated at transcriptome level using RNA-Seq analysis using an illumina next generation sequencing platform. Downstream analysis of mapped transcriptome provides support to the hypothesis that PBA has the potential to reverse renal stress in HU mice. The GO enrichment analysis validated heightened ER stress in HU kidneys and its reversal with 4PBA treatment. These findings were supported by KEGG-based and Reactome-based pathway analysis. 4PBA treatment upregulated PPAR signaling pathway, which protects against ER stress.
A machine learning-guided strategy for replacement of peripheral venous catheters in the prevention of hospital-acquired bacteremia: A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Jakobsen Rune , Nielsen Thomas , Christensen Jakob , Leutscher Peter , Sørensen Sabrina , Koch Kristoffer
Published: August 2023

Machine learning (ML) models for early identification of patients at risk of hospital-acquired bacteremia (HAB) may guide a preventive strategy of routine replacement of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs). The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such an approach have not been evaluated.

In this study, we developed ML models for the preventive strategy of ML-guided routine replacement of PVCs and evaluated this strategy according to number needed to harm and incremental cost-effectiveness for preventing a HAB-related death. The ML-guided strategy of early identification of patients at risk of HAB can lead to a reduction in the labor-intensive intervention of routine PVC replacement. However, this is at the expense of increased costs for establishing and maintaining ML model guidance, as well as increased costs for patients erroneously categorized as low-risk for HAB by the ML model.
Atrial fibrillation may increase the risk of osteoporotic fracture in Asian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhang Yuyu , Guo Haiyi , Li Tingting , Yin Zhuohao , Zhao Kai , Chen Long , Ge Wei
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Falls among the elderly often occur in the community. The elderly with osteoporosis frequently induces fractures after falls. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures is high, and the prognosis is poor, which warrants attention. This is particularly crucial for community primary health care providers, as they need to identify the risk factors contributing to increased osteoporotic fractures. Several cardiovascular diseases have been linked to an elevated risk of bone fractures. However, it remains unclear whether atrial fibrillation increases the risk of bone fracture. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies to quantify the magnitude of the association between atrial fibrillation and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies from January 1st 2000 to March 10th 2022. Observational studies which compared the association of osteoporotic fracture in atrial fibrillation group with non-atrial fibrillation group were included.

Results

A total of 5 cohort studies with 187868 participants met all the eligibility criteria for our study. 835 people suffered a fracture in atrial fibrillation group and 6512 in non-atrial fibrillation group. The overall risk of osteoporotic fractures was non-statistically higher in patients with 5.4% (835/15395) in atrial fibrillation group and 3.8% (6512/172473) in non-atrial fibrillation group. Analysis of included studies observed non-significant association between atrial fibrillation and osteoporotic fractures (odds ratio (OR)=1.17, 95% confidence intervals (CIs)=0.60-2.29). However, subgroup analysis displayed that Asian population with atrial fibrillation had a higher risk of fracture (OR=1.61, 95%CI=1.38-1.87), whereas Caucasian population with atrial fibrillation suggested a negative result. (OR=0.94, 95%CI=0.24-3.59).

Conclusions

The association between atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of fracture may be related to race. Asians with atrial fibrillation have been found to be more prone to fractures, whereas the risk remains insignificant in the Caucasian population. It is important to note that the number of studies included in this article is limited. Therefore, further research and additional data are needed to fully support the results of our study. Keywords
atrial fibrillation; osteoporotic fracture; risk factor; cohort study; meta-analysis
Stream quality and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity in the badeye area logone occidental province, southwestern chad.
Authors: Beosso Théophile Djikoloum
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study of benthic macroinvertebrates in the south-western Canton Badeye in Chad was to determine their population structure in relation to the physicochemical quality of the water in the Man baptem tributary. A total of 4012 benthic macroinvertebrates in 38 families were identified and counted. Arthropods were the most diverse, with 35 families, and the most abundant (92.32%) of the total, followed by Molluscs (6.65%) and Annelids (1.02%). Insects predominated at all sampling stations (89.40%), followed by Gastropoda (6.75%), Malacostraca (2.85%), Achaete (0.57%) and Oligochaete (0.45%). The preponderance of the Chironomidae, Psychodidae and Physidae families in station A3 implies that the water at this station is of poor quality compared with the other 3 stations. The Shannon-Weaver and Piélou indices are higher at station C3, confirming some of the physicochemical parameter values at this station. Overall, the 4 sampling stations are diverse. The abundance of certain benthic groups such as Chironomidae Diptera in the Man baptem tributary shows that this watercourse is subject to anthropogenic disturbance.
RAES：a rapid and high-fidelity method for artificial extrachromosomal circular DNA synthesis and its application as a bacterial DNA-free vector for robust microRNA overexpression
Authors: Xi Xiang , Jiaying Yu , Haoran Zhang , Han Peng
Published: August 2023

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) has recently gained increasing attention due to its significant role in cancer and other pathological states. The majority of circular DNAs detected by Circle-seq are small-size eccDNAs with enigmatic functions. One major technical hurdle is to synthesize eccDNA for functional assessment. Here, we describe RAES (RCA-product dependent Artificial EccDNA Synthesis), a rapid and economic method for artificial eccDNA synthesis. Eight eccDNAs carrying different microRNA genes (eccMIR) found in gastric cancer tissues, ranging from 329 bp to 2 189 bp in size, were created utilizing the RAES method. Exonuclease V and single restriction-endonuclease digestion identified the circular structure of synthetic eccDNAs. The DNA circularization efficiency afforded by RAES ranged from 15.6% to 31.1%, which was negatively correlated with the eccDNA length. In addition, we demonstrated that RAES-synthesized eccMIRs can express both miRNA-3p and -5p molecules efficiently in different cell types, independent of a canonical promoter. Further assays proved that these eccMIRs were functional as they were able to repress the luciferase gene containing a miRNA-target sequence in the 3’UTR as well as the endogenous mRNA targets. Together, RAES is an economic and efficient method to synthesize artificial eccDNAs, which also provides a promising way to produce bacterial DNA-free vectors for safe and robust miRNA overexpression in either fundamental research or clinical therapeutics.
Responses of plant biomass allocation and carbon storage characteristics to altitude gradient in alpine peat bogs
Authors: Kang Man-Ping , Zhao CZ , Ma Min
Published: August 2023

The change in hydrothermal conditions caused by altitude gradient will affect plant growth. The study of plant biomass and carbon storage in peat bogs at different elevations is of great significance for further understanding plant tolerance to habitat stress and the uncertainty of plant carbon sinks. According to the distribution characteristics of peat bogs in Zoige Plateau, 3400–3800 m peat bogs in the Shouqu Nature Reserve of the Yellow River were selected as experimental samples. The characteristics of plant biomass allocation, carbon storage, and their main influencing factors were studied by single-factor analysis and path analtysis. The results showed that (1) The biomass distribution ratio of plants in peat bogs was root > leaf > stem, and the subsurface biomass of vegetation was higher than that of above-ground biomass. With the increase in altitude, the aboveground biomass decreased, the total biomass and underground biomass increased first and then decreased, and the root-shoot ratio increased. (2) The organic carbon content of plants in peat bogs was higher in stem > leave > root. The underground carbon storage of plants was higher than that of above-ground carbon storage, and the total carbon storage decreased with the increase in altitude. (3) Path analysis showed that AD, SWC, and TS had direct positive effects on plant biomass and carbon storage, while DEP and pH had direct negative effects on plant biomass and carbon storage. The biomass allocation patterns and carbon storage characteristics of plants in peat bogs reflect the adaptation rules of plants in heterogeneous habitats. It is of great theoretical and practical value to understand the environmental response mechanism of plants in peat bogs under the global climate background and to evaluate wetland plants carbon sink.
Feasibility of Self-measurement Telemonitoring Using a Handheld Heart Sound Recorder in Patients with Heart Failure – SELPH multicenter pilot study
Authors: Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Kasai Takatoshi , Murata Nobutaka , Yamakawa Nobuhide , Tanaka Yuki , Hiki Masaru , Inoue Kenji , Sato Akihiro , Ishiwata Sayaki , Murata Azusa , Shitara Jun , Kato Takao , Suda Shoko , Matsue Yuya , Naito Ryo , Minamino Tohru , Yanagisawa Naotake , Daida Hiroyuki
Published: August 2023

Introduction:
Multi-parametric assessment, including heart sounds in addition to conventional parameters, may enhance the efficacy of noninvasive telemonitoring for heart failure (HF). We sought to assess the feasibility of self-telemonitoring with multiple devices including a handheld heart sound recorder and its association with clinical events in patients with HF.
Methods
Ambulatory HF patients recorded their own heart sounds, mono-lead electrocardiograms, oxygen saturation, body weight, and vital signs using multiple devices every morning for six months.
Results
In the 77 patients enrolled (63 ± 13 years old, 84% male), daily measurements were feasible with a self-measurement rate of > 70% of days in 75% of patients. Younger age and higher Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores were independently associated with lower adherence (P = 0.001 and 0.017, respectively). A usability questionnaire showed that 87% of patients felt self-telemonitoring was helpful, and 96% could use the devices without routine cohabitant support. Six patients experienced 10 HF events of re-hospitalization and/or unplanned hospital visits due to HF. In patients who experienced HF events, a significant increase in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure and a decrease in the time interval from Q wave onset to the second heart sound were observed 7 days before the events compared with those without HF events.
Conclusions
Self-telemonitoring with multiple devices including a handheld heart sound recorder was feasible even in elderly patients with HF. This intervention may confer a sense of relief to patients and enable monitoring of physiological parameters that could be valuable in detecting the deterioration of HF.
Genetic Diversity, Correlation and Genotype by Yield by Trait (GYT) Analysis of Grain Yield and Nutritional Quality Traits in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) Genotypes in Tigray, northern Ethiopia
Authors: Welderufael Shushay , Abay Fetein , Ayana Amsalu , Amede Tilahun
Published: August 2023

Selecting sorghum genotypes with higher grain yield and nutritional quality is essential to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the genetic diversity, trait association and genotype by yield by trait (GYT) analysis and to select superior sorghum genotypes. One hundred and ten sorghum genotypes were evaluated at three locations in Tigray during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons using alpha lattice design. Traits such as grain yield, protein content, ash content, starch content, zinc content, iron content, calcium content and magnesium content were profiled. Results showed that wide range and highly significant (p < 0.001) genotype mean performance in each environment as well as combined environments. Several highly performing genotypes were distinguished for each trait studied that could be exploited as breeding parents or direct use. This study further detected highly significant variation (p < 0.001) among the test genotypes for all the traits studied in individual environments and across environments suggesting the presence of sufficient genetic diversity for selection. The high broad-sense heritability (H2 > 0.9) in all individual environments and moderate to high (H2 > 0.0.41 < 0.82) in pooled environments recorded in the present study assured the possibility of effective selection among the genotypes. Besides, strong positive and negative associations were detected between some of the traits in individual and across environments. The significant positive association between traits indicates that both the traits can be improved concurrently through direct selection. Using the GYT analysis, we suggest ten promising sorghum genotypes for direct use or breeding programs in arid and semi-arid areas in general and in Tigray in particular.
FDG PET/CT, Precise Positioning of the Criminal Focus in the Osteogenic Region of Breast Cancer Bone Metastases after Therapy
Authors: Lin Runlong , Lv Huiyun , Yu Jing , Tian Aijuan , Song Chen
Published: August 2023

Purpose
The present study endeavours to investigate the utility and indispensability of FDG PET/CT in appraising the post-treatment efficacy of bone metastasis in cases of breast cancer.
Method
A cohort of 11 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and suffering from bone metastases was enrolled for this investigation. These patients underwent repeated FDG PET/CT evaluations, with comprehensive clinical records and sufficient follow-up duration available. Division of patients and bone metastases ensued into three distinct groups - amelioration, stability, and progression - predicated upon the response exhibited by each bone metastatic site subsequent to treatment. The ensuing analysis and juxtaposition encompassed PET and CT image alterations, levels of serum tumour biomarkers (CEA, CA153), as well as biochemical indicators (ALP, Ca), within each group across the identical time frame. Furthermore, the inquiry scrutinized disparities between immunohistochemical outcomes of primary breast cancer and bone metastases displaying escalated FDG uptake as discerned through PET/CT post-treatment.
Results
Discernible disparities in serological indices (CEA, CA153, ALP, and Ca) were absent among patients classified under distinct efficacy categories (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, diminished expression of Her-2 engendered an elevated likelihood of suboptimal efficacy (p < 0.05). Appraisal of efficacy, guided by individual bone metastases, unveiled notable fluctuations in FDG uptake through PET (SUVmax) amid the three groups (p < 0.05), while density variations in CT scans did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.243). Variances surfaced in FDG uptake, alterations in CT density, and levels of CEA and CA153 within patient sera before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Of these indicators, paramount diagnostic efficacy was ascribed to FDG PET metrics: alterations in FDG uptake (AUC 0.972) and post-therapy SUVmax (AUC 0.949). Immunohistochemical examination of bone metastases within the progressive group diverged from primary lesions.
Conclusions
FDG PET/CT confers precise assessment of the post-treatment efficacy pertaining to each bone metastatic site in breast cancer cases. The modality facilitates identification of eluding foci following extant therapies, localization for pathological assessment, and bears substantive significance in evaluating therapeutic efficacy, refining treatment stratagems, and prognosticating the trajectory for breast cancer patients contending with bone metastases.
Hemodynamics of proximal coronary lesions in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Patient-specific in silico study
Authors: BELLOUCHE Yahia , ABDELLI Sirine , HANNACHI Sinda , BENIC Clement , VEN Florent LE , MANSOURATI Jacques , DIDIER Romain
Published: August 2023

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent disease with significant implications for patients' prognosis, particularly when accompanied by coronary artery disease. However, the optimal revascularization strategy remains uncertain, especially with the emergence of transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we aimed to investigate the hemodynamics of proximal coronary lesions in the context of AS and their response to aortic valve replacement (AVR) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on patient-specific data. Patient-specific CT scans and invasive coronary angiograms were utilized to create 3D models of the coronary arteries and aortic valve, enabling CFD simulations to provide pressure, flow, and shear stress data. The results demonstrated excellent agreement between CFD-estimated fractional flow reserve (FFR) and invasive measurements, affirming the accuracy of CFD methods.No noticeable variation of iFR (0.901 vs. 0.901, p = 0.89), CFR (1.97 vs. 1.98,p=0.49) nor FFR (0.805 vs. 0.804, p=0.81) values post-procedure were found. Additionally, AVR led to a reduction in the areas of coronary arteries exposed to high shear stress. These findings suggest that a post TAVI revascularization approach to non-critical proximal lesions (<70\%) may be deemed safe. This study underscores the potential benefits of CFD in preoperative planning for patients with AS and concomitant coronary artery disease, offering valuable insights into coronary physiology and the hemodynamic impact of TAVI.
Novel Transfer Learning Approach for Early Detection of Childhood Pneumonia
Authors: NECIR HAMID , Rebai Younes , Nada Fatima-zohra
Published: August 2023

Childhood pneumonia is a leading cause of death among young children worldwide. Early detection and treatment are crucial for a positive outcome, but diagnosing this disease can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms. Current methods for diagnosing childhood pneumonia, such as chest X-rays, can be time-consuming, expensive, and require specialized staff. In this paper, we propose a novel transfer learning approach to fine-tune the pre-trained MobileNet model for analyzing chest X-rays to identify patterns that may indicate early childhood pneumonia. To improve the performance of our model and minimize the risk of overfitting, we use five augmentation techniques and incorporate Gaussian and fish noises, which are commonly observed in medical images. Unlike previous approaches, which used the validation set and the training set interchangeably, we divide the dataset into three parts: the training set, the validation set, and the test set. This allows us to test our model on new images and detect overfitting problems that might not have been identified using a k-fold cross-validation approach or using the validation set as a test set. Finally, we validated our solution by comparing it to a set of existing approaches using the publicly available dataset entitled "Chest X-Ray Images (Pneumonia)". The results show that our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance on the childhood pneumonia detection task, with an accuracy of 98%. This suggests that our approach has the potential to be used as a reliable tool for the early detection of childhood pneumonia in resource-limited settings.
Performance Evaluation of a Solar-powered Membrane Capacitive Deionization System Considering Energy Recovery
Authors: Bahrami HamidReza , Gorjian Shiva , Ghobadian Barat , Gheisari Jafar , Kuriqi Alban , Mokhtarzadeh Hamed
Published: August 2023

Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) is characterized by low energy consumption, making this technology suitable to be powered by renewable energies. This study experimentally evaluated performance of a photovoltaic-powered MCDI system (PV-MCDI) in three main steps. In the first step, the effect of the charging current of the MCDI module and the feedwater flow rate on the water production rate was investigated. The results showed that the desalination rate increased by 49% when the supplied current increased from 2 A to 8 A. Similarly, the desalination rate improved by 25% when the flow rate decreased from 1.4 l/min to 0.2 l/min. The results also showed that the water recovery (WR) index does not depend on the feedwater salinity, amount of the supplied charging current, or feedwater flow rate rather than the module's operation, ranging from 47% to 71%. The second step studied the amount of energy available for recovery. The amount of supplied charging current, the discharging method, and the remaining charge in the MCDI module were evaluated. The results of the experiments indicated that the maximum energy consumed for the deionization of 1 liter of saline feedwater is 0.962 kJ (at a charging current of 10 A and a feedwater salinity of 1300 ppm). Moreover, under the specified operating conditions of a 4-A supplied charging current and a feedwater salinity of 1300 ppm, the maximum recovered energy from the MCDI module was obtained at 17.55%. The MCDI module was integrated with a small off-grid PV system in the third phase. The results of the economic analysis indicated that the financial payback decreases to less than one year when the treated water price is above 0.034 USD/l. Therefore, it was found that the PV-MCDI system, especially when combined with energy recovery, can compete in energy consumption with conventional electric desalination technologies such as electrodialysis (ED) and reverse osmosis (RO) when brackish water is desalinated.
Analysis of risk factors for acute kidney injury in children with severe wasp stings
Authors: Lu Jing , Dong Liqun , Zhang Lijuan , Guo Yannan , Liu Hanmin , Liu Yang
Published: August 2023

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in children with sepsis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), poisoning or other conditions. Wasp sting is recognized as an important etiology of AKI. Several retrospective studies have investigated AKI after wasp stings were reported in adults, but researches in children remain limited. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 48 children with severe wasp stings to identify the risk factors for acute kidney injury in this population.
Methods: This study included 48 children with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after wasp stings injuries. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, management and clinical outcomes were collected, statistically analyzed and compared to identify early indicators or risk factors for acute kidney injury. The cases were divided into AKI and non-AKI group.
Results: Out of 48 children, 20 (41.7%) developed AKI, 28 (58.3%) did not. Among the children with AKI (16/20, 80%), it is observed that serum creatine level elevated within 24h since the wasp stings. Comparing the AKI and non-AKI groups, the AKI group exhibited more cases of cola-colored urine, oliguria and jaundice, higher sting number/body surface area (BSA) and sequential organ failure assessment scores (SOFA), as well as a higher level of C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin, creatine kinase and prothrombin time. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified cola-colored urine as a potential early risk factor for AKI.
Conclusions: This retrospective study explored the risk factors for AKI in children after severe wasp stings. The AKI group presented higher levels in the sting number/BSA, CRP, ALT, AST, TBIL, LDH, cTnI, and CK. It is also found that cola-colored urine may serve as an early indicator or potential risk factor for AKI after wasp stings in children, which is very easy to identify for first aiders or pediatricians.
Choices of measures of association affect the visualisation and composition of the multimorbidity networks
Authors: Baneshi Mohammad Reza , Dobson Annette , Mishra Gita
Published: August 2023

Background: Network analysis, commonly used to describe the patterns of multimorbidity, uses the strength of association between conditions as weight to classify conditions into communities and calculate centrality statistics. Our aim was to examine the robustness of the results to the choice of weight.
Methods: Data used on 27 chronic conditions listed on Australian death certificates for women aged 85+. Five statistics were calculated to measure the association between 351 possible pairs: odds ratio (OR), lift, phi correlation, Salton cosine index (SCI), and normalised-joint frequency of pairs (NF). Network analysis was performed on the 10% of pairs with the highest weight according to each definition, the ‘top pairs’.
Results: Out of 56 ‘top pairs’ identified, 13 ones were consistent across all statistics. In networks of OR and lift, three of the conditions which did not join communities were among the top five most prevalent conditions. Networks based on phi and NF had one or two conditions not part of any community. For the SCI statistics, all three conditions which did not join communities had prevalence below 3%. Low prevalence conditions were more likely to have high degree in networks of OR and lift but not SCI.
Conclusion: Use of different statistics to estimate weights leads to different networks. For exploratory purposes, one may apply alternative weights to identify a large list of pairs for further assessment in independent studies. However, when the aim is to visualise the data in a robust and parsimonious network, only pairs which are selected by multiple statistics should be visualised.
Manure Application Effects on Nitrogen Uptake and Distribution in Organic Chinese Flowering Cabbage Based on 15N-tracing
Authors: Yang Yi , Wang Zhan , Zheng Wengang , Li Yinkun , Duan Minjie , Guo Wenzhong
Published: August 2023

The application of large amounts of manure nitrogen (N) in Northwest China has had a serious negative impact on the sustainable development of regional organic agriculture and ecological environmental protection. Field experiments were conducted in three crop cycles in Ningxia, Northwest China, to study the effects of different manure application rates on the N absorption and utilization of Chinese Flowering Cabbage (CFC) and N distribution characteristics of manure, which were carried out on the basis of 0(M0), 300(M300), 600(M600), 900(M900), 1200(M1200) kg N·hm-2 manure N rates by setting an 15N micro-area. Results showed that the 15N absorption in each crop of CFC showed a parabola trend of "low high low" with an increase in the amount of manure, and the 15N absorption of the M900 treatment was the highest, which increased by 64.3 % compared with that of the M1200 treatment (P<0.05). After three crops of CFC, only 10.2–24.0% of manure N was absorbed by the crops, and 39.0–54.3% remained in the 0–100 cm soil layer, with a loss ratio of 35.5–48.5%. The manure N absorption rate under M900 treatment reached the maximum (24.0 %), and the amount of soil residual (351.11 kg·hm-2) was greater than the loss (333.28 kg·hm-2). N absorption in the M1200 treatment was 39.2 % lower than that in M900 (P<0.05), and the loss (581.17 kg·hm-2) was greater than that of the residue (487.64 kg·hm-2). The residual 15N was mainly distributed in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and the residual amount was 127.65–390.32 kg·hm-2, which accounted for 78.1–81.3% of the total residual amount. The nitrate-N content in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers increased with increasing manure application rates, and there was no significant difference between the M900 and M1200 treatments. However, the NO3–-15N content in the 40–100 cm soil layer in the M1200 treatment was 1.2 times higher than that in the M900 treatment (P<0.05). Therefore, considering the absorption, residue, and loss of manure N in crops, it can be concluded that a manure N application rate of 900 kg N·hm-2 is the most favorable for the production of three consecutive crops of CFC.
Population Trend and Distribution of Mountain (Lepus Timidus) and Brown Hares (Lepus Europaeus) in Central ALPS (N-Italy, 1980-2020)
Authors: MARTINO Greta , CHIATANTE Gianpasquale , FERLONI Maria , MERIGGI Alberto
Published: August 2023

Mountainous regions are very vulnerable to climate changes, as they experience higher temperature increases than the surrounding environments. A general movement of species towards higher altitudes, in search of suitable sites, is being observed. In the case of the Italian Alps, an expansion of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is possible within the zones occupied by the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), which frequents higher altitudes. The risk is an increase in the hybridization and a contraction of the mountain hare’s range. In this study we analysed the hunting bags of brown and mountain hares from the period 1980-2020, in the province of Sondrio, in northern Lombardy (N-Italy), with the aim of: i) identify the environmental variables that influence the distribution of the two species, ii) create suitability maps of the study area, iii) identify the changes of the ranges of the two species, iv) highlight any population trends in relation to climate change. The results indicate that the two species select different altitudes, with the exception of the altitudes between 1000-1400 and 1800 m a. s. l. Both species select pastures and coniferous forests. The brown hare also selects mixed and broad-leaved forests, while the mountain hare high-altitude grasslands. No significant trends in population size, altitude, or spatial overlap of the two species were observed over the period investigated. Considering the period between 2000 and 2020, however, a moderate increase was highlighted for the brown hare. In all cases, weather variables do not seem to have influenced population trends.
Nomogram based on multi-modal ultrasound radiomics for the differentiation of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 categories thyroid nodules
Authors: Yi Ai-jiao , Xu Jing , Cao Chuang , Lv Wenzhi , Tu Liang , Wu Sai-Qun , Cui Xin-Wu , Dietrich Christoph F , Wang Bin
Published: August 2023

Objective
To develop a multi-modal ultrasound including B-mode ultrasound (BMUS), shear wave elastography (SWE), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) radiomics nomogram and evaluate the diagnostic performance of radiomics nomogram for the differentiation of benign and malignant American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) 4 and 5 categories thyroid nodules.
Materials and Methods
From March 2019 to April 2022, a total of 133 patients with 139 ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 categories thyroid nodules were enrolled. These nodules were divided randomly into a training and validation cohort. Radiomics features were extracted from BMUS, SWE and CEUS images. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and five cross-validations were used to select features and build radiomics score. A multi-modal ultrasound radiomics nomogram was established based on multivariate logistics regression analysis with multi-modal ultrasound including BMUS, SWE and CEUS radiomics score (Rad-score) and clinical characteristics, including BMUS features in the 2017 edition of ACR TI-RADS. The performance of the nomogram was assessed via discrimination, calibration and clinical usage in the training and validation cohorts.
Results
Multi-modal ultrasound radiomics had better diagnostic performance compared with using BMUS radiomics, SWE radiomics or CEUS radiomics alone. Based on multivariate logistics regression analysis, calcification and multi-modal ultrasound Rad-score were the independent risk factors for the discrimination of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 categories thyroid nodules. The nomogram incorporated with these independent risk factors had better diagnostic performance compared with clinical model. The AUC of nomogram in training and validation cohorts were 0.911 (95% CI, 0.850–0.972) and 0.883 (95% CI, 0.776–0.990), respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated the nomogram had a high clinical value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, multi-modal ultrasound radiomics had better diagnostic performance, compared with using BMUS radiomics, SWE radiomics or CEUS radiomics alone. The multi-modal ultrasound radiomics nomogram showed satisfying accuracy for the differentiation of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 categories thyroid nodules, which might be a potentially noninvasive and useful method to discriminate benign and malignant nodules, it could assist surgeons in clinical decision making and thyroid nodules management, improve the prognosis of patients.
Macroscopic quantum correlation using coherence manipulations of polarization-path correlations of a continuous-wave lase
Authors: Ham Byoung
Published: August 2023

Quantum superposition is normally sustained in a microscopic regime governed by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle applicable to a single particle. Quantum correlation between paired particles implies the violation of local realism governed by classical physics. Over the last decades, quantum features have been implemented in various quantum technologies including quantum computing, communications, and sensing. Such quantum features are generally known to be impossible by any classical means. Here, a macroscopic quantum correlation is presented for coherence manipulations of polarization-path correlations of a continuous wave laser, satisfying the joint-parameter relation in an inseparable product-basis form. For the coherence control of the polarization-path correlation, a pair of electro-optic modulators is used in a noninterfering Mach-Zehnder interferometer for deterministic switching between paired polarization bases, resulting in the polarization product-basis superposition in a selective product-basis choice manner by a followed pair of acousto-optic modulators. This unprecedented macroscopic quantum feature opens the door to a new understanding of quantum mechanics beyond the microscopic regime for future classical optics-compatible quantum information.
Characterizations of Tzitzeica Curves Using Conformable Frenet Frame
Authors: Has Aykut , Yılmaz Beyhan , Ayvacı Hilal
Published: August 2023

Tzitzeica curve is a mathematical curve that has been used to describe the behavior of certain physical phenomena. It was first discovered by Romanian mathematician Gheorghe Tzitzeica and has since been used to model many phenomena, including the motion of a pendulum, the oscillations of a vibrating string, and the flow of electricity through a circuit. The curve is an example of what is known as an elliptic curve and can be used to analyze complex systems. Its properties make it useful in many applications, such as cryptography and data compression. In the light of this information, the aim of this study, the conditions for a conformable curve and its spherical indicator curves to be a Tzitzeica curve will be examined. Thus, by understanding the behavior of the Tzitzeica curve, researchers can gain insight into complex systems and make more accurate predictions about their behavior.
MSC Classification: 26A33 , 53A04 , 53A55
Exact distributed quantum algorithm for generalized Simon’s problem
Authors: Li Hao , Qiu Daowen , Luo Le , Mateus Paulo
Published: August 2023

Simon’s problem is one of the most important problems demonstrating the power of quantum algorithms, as it greatly inspired the proposal of Shor’s algorithm. The generalized Simon’s problem is a natural extension of Simon’s problem, and also a special hidden subgroup problem: Given a function f : {0, 1} n → {0, 1} m , with the property that for any x, y ∈ {0, 1} n , there is some unknown hidden subgroup S ≤ Z n 2 such that f (x) = f (y) iff x ⊕ y ∈ S, where |S| = 2 k for some 0 ≤ k ≤ n (m ≥ n − k). The goal of generalized Simon’s problem is to find the hidden subgroup S. In this paper, we present two key contributions. Firstly, we characterize the structure of the generalized Simon’s problem in distributed scenario and introduce a corresponding distributed quantum algorithm. Secondly, we refine the algorithm to ensure exactness due to the application of quantum amplitude amplification technique. Our algorithm offers exponential acceleration compared to the distributed classical algorithm. When contrasted with the centralized quantum algorithm for the generalized Simon’s problem, our algorithm’s oracle requires fewer qubits, thus making it easier to be physically implemented. Particulary, the exact distributed quantum algorithm we develop for the generalized Simon’s problem outperforms the best previously proposed distributed quantum algorithm for Simon’s problem in terms of generalizability and exactness.
Exploring the lived experiences of South African men having a premature baby: A Descriptive phenomenological approach.
Authors: Nell Jonathan , Jackson Kyle , Andipatin Michelle
Published: August 2023

Much has been written about fathers, fatherhood and premature babies. However, in the South African context, studies about the experiences of fathers having a premature baby is lacking. This study is original as no other published studies seem to exist in South Africa that speaks to fathers’ lived experiences of having a premature baby. This study aimed to explore how South African fathers (n = 10) experience having a premature baby using a descriptive phenomenological approach. A descriptive phenomenological approach that allowed for the distillation and elucidation of common core experiences among fathers who had a premature baby. The findings demonstrated that the participants experienced intense fears regarding the survival and wellbeing of their children; They reported experiencing financial difficulties related to hospital bills and experienced being alienated by hospital institutions. Despite these reported barriers, these fathers were adamant in their resolve to support their children and partners during this challenging time.
Removal of soluble Se from mining influenced water by native mine site bacteria depends on the consortium composition
Authors: Nkansah-Boadu Frank , Hatam Ido , Flibotte Stephane , Baldwin Susan A.
Published: August 2023

Soluble Se compounds are of great concern in mine influenced water (MIW) from many coal and metal mines due to Se bioaccumulation in aquatic environments and toxicity to birds and fish. Biological treatment to remove soluble Se to regulated levels, which are on the orders of µg-Se/L, is challenging due to the chemical and biological complexity of MIW. For instance, co-contaminant nitrate can inhibit selenate reduction. Native bacteria consortia from mine impacted aquatic environments are sources for known and novel selenate reducing bacteria. In this study, two consortia of native bacteria enriched from different locations on a coalmine known to exhibit elevated release of Se were tested for their ability to remove soluble Se from a typical MIW in sequencing batch bioreactors. One consortium, enriched from an impacted natural vegetated wetland known to harbour native microorganisms involved in selenate-Se reduction, when inoculated into MIW achieved limited soluble Se removal in the presence of nitrate. The other consortium enriched from a disused tailing storage facility achieved greater removal of soluble Se in the presence of nitrate. Genome-resolved metagenomics were used to identify and track consortium members and identify putative novel selenate reducing microorganisms.
Dynamic Deviation Algorithm
Authors: Hoseini Delshad
Published: August 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A High-Speed Low-Offset Double Tail Dynamic Comparator for Low-Power Applications
Authors: George Reena , Ch Nagesh
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a double tail dynamic comparator (DTDC) to obtain the high speed, low-power and low-offset voltage. In the proposed design, a regenerative latch is activated more quickly and it uses the lowest amount of power with an addition of two PMOS switching transistors MR4 and MR5 to the latch stage. The design and simulations are carried out in 90 nm CMOS technology with the supply voltage of 0.8 V having the clock frequency of 1 GHz. The simulation results confirm that the power consumption and offset voltages are significantly reduced in the proposed DTDC. The power consumption is 11.67 µW, the delay and slew rate are 76.97 ps and 10.51 V/ns, respectively. And also the offset voltage is reduced to 1.657 mV. Further, the total power consumption is reduced by a factor of 77.11 % in comparison to existing works. In addition, the Monte-Carlo simulation for the analysis of the 1-sigma offset error is performed.
The model integrating channel attention for point cloud classify and segment
Authors: Li HengYu , Yang JiaZhi
Published: August 2023

point cloud classification is still a challenging task due to the unordered, unstructured and discrete characteristics of point cloud data. Based on the successful application of Transformer in other fields, this paper attempts to extract enhanced features from channel relations, and designs a new point cloud classification segmentation model, which integrates channel attention mechanism. The model first constructs local regions using farthest point sampling and K-nearest neighbors methods, then normalizes the sampling points to make them normally distributed, then extracts features using residual MLPs, and finally uses attention mechanisms to enhance channel information, to enhance the effect of feature extraction. We performed point cloud classification and segmentation experiments on multiple datasets, with OA at 84.9\% and mAcc at 83.1\% on the ScanObjectNN dataset, OA at 93.5\% and mAcc at 91.3\% on the ModelNet40 dataset; On the ShapeNet dataset, the mean union-intersection ratio (mIoU) was 86.4\% . Compared with other methods, there are different degrees of lead in all aspects.