bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attività fisica e diabete mellito gestazionale: necessario muoversi verso una prevenzione di precisione
Authors: Mirabelli Maria , Chiefari Eusebio , Foti Daniela , Brunetti Antonio
Published: January 2023

Sommario

Il diabete mellito gestazionale (DMG), è il disordine endocrino-metabolico a maggiore prevalenza nelle donne in gravidanza e si associa a un alto rischio di complicanze materno-fetali. L’eziologia di tale condizione è complessa e multifattoriale, con fattori di rischio e meccanismi patogenetici in gran parte comuni a quelli del diabete mellito di tipo 2 (DMT2), il quale spesso compare nelle donne che hanno una storia di DMG anche a soli pochi anni di distanza dal parto. Tuttavia, mentre per la prevenzione del DMT2 gli interventi multimodali di modifica dello stile di vita, comprendenti programmi di attività fisica o esercizio fisico, uniti a cambiamenti nutrizionali e comportamentali, sono associati a benefici certi, lo stesso non vale per il DMG, per cui esistono evidenze scientifiche di natura osservazionale e sperimentale a volte contrastanti. Dall’analisi della letteratura più recente, riassunta in questa rassegna, emerge la necessità di spostare l’attenzione della ricerca sugli effetti di una prevenzione di precisione, che adatti il timing di inizio, la tipologia e l’intensità del programma di esercizio fisico per la prevenzione del DMG alle caratteristiche fisiologiche delle singole gestanti. Si ravvisa, inoltre, il bisogno di estendere la “finestra d’intervento” al periodo preconcezionale per massimizzare le possibilità di successo, soprattutto nelle donne ad alto rischio.
Effect of a short video on patients’ motivation for dose reduction or cessation of hypnotics
Authors: Amagai Misato , Ozone Motohiro , Utsumi Tomohiro , Hotchi Ayana , Iwashita Masayuki , Yamadera Wataru , Shigeta Masahiro
Published: January 2023

Recently, addiction to regular doses of hypnotics has become a problem. While many patients report a desire to reduce their dosage, many do not agree with their physicians’ suggestions for reduction. In this study, we created an online short video targeting patient motivation to reduce hypnotics usage and examined its efficacy and factors associated with the intention to reduce medication. We created a 10 min video that included “sleep education,” “guidance for reducing the use of hypnotics,” and “systematic motivation for reducing the use of hypnotics” and posted it on our website. For 1 year, we conducted a questionnaire survey to determine the effectiveness of the video and factors associated with the intention to reduce hypnotics use. Of 4548 viewers, 609 (13.4%) completed the questionnaire, 369 (67.9%) of whom used hypnotics. Most respondents were older adults. The intention to reduce medication use was significantly strengthened after watching the video in 37.7% of medication users (effect size 0.404). In the group that was not inclined toward medication reduction before viewing, 85.2% of patients had stronger intentions to reduce medication use after watching the video (effect size 0.818). “Memorable content about side effects” was extracted as a factor related to reinforcement of the intention to reduce medication use, suggesting that prescribing physicians’ descriptions of current insomnia treatment is inadequate in explaining side effects to patients. A short informational video can have beneficial effects on patients’ motivation for dose reduction or cessation of hypnotics.
Impact of COVID-19 on Management, Quality and Satisfaction of Health Organizations: A Case Study in a Portuguese Hospital
Authors: Gaspar Tânia , Salado Vanesa , do Céu Machado Maria , Guedes Fábio Botelho , Faia-Correia Manuela , Coelho Anabela
Published: January 2023

The hospital health care professionals are the front-line fighting COVID-19 considering they are responsible for all the care provided to patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 at the hospital management level and, also, to understand how psychosocial environment, and satisfaction of Health Professionals were affected. A case study was performed in a Portuguese Hospital. Data were collected at one hospital under study at two different occasions: the first before the pandemic (November 2019) and the second almost two years after the pandemic started (November 2021). Regarding data collection, 37.0% of participants responded in the occasion 1 (n = 296) and 63.0% responded in the occasion 2 (n = 503). The instrument for the Assessment of Global Management of Health Organizations (AGMHO) consists of 39 items organized into six dimensions (Gaspar et al. in J Occup Environ Med 63: 581–587, 2021). Comparing timings pre and during pandemic COVID-19, it was found that the participants in the pre-COVID-19 era showed stronger organizational culture, higher quality of life, better psychosocial environment regarding content/leadership and higher job satisfaction when compared to the participants during pandemic COVID-19. On the other hand, participants in the second occasion were found to have higher psychosocial risks related to mental health when compared to participants in the pre-COVID-19 phase. We conclude that the professionals’ perception of the different dimensions of the health organization worsened after 2 years of the pandemic. With special focus on psychosocial risks at work and relationship with leadership.
Programming Languages
Authors: Ramsey Norman
Published: January 2023

Computer scientists often need to learn new programming languages quickly. The best way to prepare for this is to understand the foundational principles that underlie even the most complicated industrial languages. This text for an undergraduate programming languages course distills great languages and their design principles down to easy-to-learn 'bridge' languages implemented by interpreters whose key parts are explained in the text. The book goes deep into the roots of both functional and object-oriented programming, and it shows how types and modules, including generics/polymorphism, contribute to effective programming. The book is not just about programming languages; it is also about programming. Through concepts, examples, and more than 300 practice exercises that exploit the interpreter, students learn not only what programming-language features are but also how to do things with them. Substantial implementation projects include Milner's type inference, both copying and mark-and-sweep garbage collection, and arithmetic on arbitrary-precision integers.
The Archimedes Code: a dialogue between science, practice, design theory and systems engineering
Authors: Reich Yoram
Published: January 2023

Archimedes, the founder of statics and hydrostatics, in his mathematics and physics studies, created methods related to his inventions of new machines, for example, the method of mechanical theorems based on his lever invention. He also used the principles of decomposition and replication underlying his heat ray invention, and these two principles permeate his work. Analysis of Archimedes’ work shows how he was perhaps the first to use methodically a strategy for solving diverse complex problems. In this article, we use the term Archimedes Code to encompass the way Archimedes approached problems including those two principles. Archimedes was perhaps the first design theorist and the first to think systematically about how to address design challenges. Furthermore, his work demonstrates the fundamental role of engineering practice in advancing science. The new insights regarding the Archimedes Code and its value in design practice may inspire both design researchers and practitioners.
Malaria infection and the risk of epilepsy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Alizadeh Khatir Ali , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Daryabari Yasaman , Taghipour Ali , Mollalo Abolfazl , Aghapour Saeed , Rostami Ali
Published: January 2023

Epilepsy, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, is highly prevalent in malaria-endemic regions. Therefore, several studies have evaluated the associations between malaria infection and epilepsy development. A meta-analysis of observational studies published from inception to 10 May 2022 has been conducted to synthesize and pool the existing data on this topic. The relevant publications were systematically searched in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science database collections. A random-effects meta-analysis model (REM) was utilized to generate the pooled odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The between-studies heterogeneity was assessed withI2, as well as several subgroups, meta-regression and sensitivity analysis were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Overall, 17 eligible studies containing 6285 cases and 13 909 healthy controls were included. The REM showed a significant positive association between malaria infection and epilepsy development (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.44–3.88). In subgroup analyses, significant positive associations were observed in studies that: epilepsy was the outcome in the follow-up of patients with cerebral malaria (OR 7.10; 95% CI 3.50–14.38); used blood smear to diagnose malaria (OR 4.80; 95% CI 2.36–9.77); included only children (OR 3.92; 95% CI 1.81–8.50); published before 2010 (OR 6.39; 95% CI 4.25–9.62). Our findings indicated that patients with malaria, especially those with cerebral malaria, are at a high risk of epilepsy development; however, further well-designed and controlled studies are needed to verify the strength of the association.
Crystal structure of oxfendazole, C15H13N3O3S
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Gates-Rector Stacy , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: January 2023

The crystal structure of oxfendazole has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Oxfendazole crystallizes in space group P21/c (#14) with a = 18.87326(26), b = 10.40333(5), c = 7.25089(5) Å, β = 91.4688(10)° V = 1423.206(10) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure consists of stacks of the planar portions of the L-shaped molecules, resulting in layers parallel to the bc-plane. Only weak hydrogen bonds are present. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).
Sense of Purpose and Experiences of Discrimination During Older Adulthood
Authors: Wilson Megan E. , Hill Patrick L.
Published: January 2023

Abstract: Experiencing discrimination may hinder purposeful pursuits, but it remains unclear whether experiences continue to hinder sense of purpose into older adulthood. Using the Health and Retirement Study dataset from the United States ( MAge = 65.06; 17% Black, 83% White), the current study examined how everyday and major discrimination relates to sense of purpose and explored whether race and the perceived reason for discrimination moderates these relationships. Results indicate that, while both everyday and major discrimination are negatively associated with sense of purpose, only everyday discrimination remains significant when included in the same model. Additionally, race moderates these associations, whereby Black adults show less negative relationships than White adults. However, there is little evidence that perceiving discrimination as stemming from racism moderates purpose-discrimination associations.
Film und Erfahrungslernen
Authors: Biehl Brigitte
Published: January 2023

Zusammenfassung. Filme werden für die Aus- und Weiterbildung im Bereich Führung eingesetzt – dort meist mit einem Fokus auf der Story. Wenn wir jedoch mit Film als Erlebnis arbeiten, können wir emotionale und ästhetische Führungskompetenzen verbessern. Dieser Artikel präsentiert eine Taxonomie des ästhetischen Lernens mit Filmen auf folgenden drei Stufen: Erfahrungmachen, Verarbeiten, kulturelle Reflexion.
Data Mining Inspired Localized Resistivity in Global MHD Simulations of the Magnetosphere
Authors: Arnold H. , Sorathia K. , Stephens G. , Sitnov M. , Merkin V. G. , Birn J.
Published: January 2023

Recent advances in reconstructing Earth's magnetic field and associated currents by utilizing data mining of in situ magnetometer observations in the magnetosphere based on geomagnetic indices and solar wind parameters have proven remarkably accurate at reproducing observed ion diffusion regions. We investigate the effect of placing regions of localized resistivity in global simulations of the magnetosphere at specific locations inspired by the data mining results for the substorm occurring on 6 July 2017. When explicit resistivity is included, the simulation forms an x‐line at the same time and location as the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission observation of an ion diffusion region at 15:35 UT on that day. Without this explicit resistivity, reconnection forms later in the substorm and far too close to Earth (≳−15RE), a common problem with global simulations of Earth's magnetosphere. A consequence of reconnection taking place farther down the tail due to localized resistivity is that the reconnection outflows transport magnetic flux Earthward and thus prevent the current sheet from thinning enough for reconnection to take place nearer Earth. As these flows rebound tailward from the inner magnetosphere, they can temporarily and locally (in the dawn‐dusk direction) stretch the magnetic field allowing for small scale x‐lines to form in the near Earth region. Due to the narrow cross‐tail extent of these x‐lines (≲5RE) and their short lifespan (≲5 min), they would be difficult to observe with in situ measurements. Future work will explore time‐dependent resistivity using 5 min cadence data mining reconstructions.
Instrumentation for Ionized Space Environments: New High Time Resolution Instrumental Modes of Mutual Impedance Experiments
Authors: Bucciantini L. , Henri P. , Dazzi P. , Wattieaux G. , Lavorenti F. , Vallières X. , Brochot J. Y. , Colin F. , Katrougkalou M. C. , Vengeons G. , Lecas T. , Le Duff O.
Published: January 2023

Mutual impedance experiments are in situ plasma diagnostic techniques for the identification of the plasma density and the electron temperature. Different versions of mutual impedance instruments were included in past and present space missions (e.g., Rosetta, BepiColombo, JUICE and Comet Interceptor). New versions are currently being devised to fit the strong mass, volume and power constraints on nanosatellite platforms for future multi‐point space missions. In this study, our goal is to define and validate two new instrumental modes (i.e., chirp and multi‐spectral modes) to improve the time resolution of the experiment with respect to typical mutual impedance instrumental modes (i.e., frequency sweep). Higher time resolution measurements are expected to simplify the integration of mutual impedance experiments onboard nanosatellite platforms by facilitating antenna sharing between different experiments. The investigation is performed both (a) numerically, using a 1D‐1V electrostatic full kinetic Vlasov‐Poisson model and, (b) experimentally, with laboratory tests using a vacuum chamber and a plasma source. From a plasma diagnostic point of view, we find that both the chirp and multi‐spectral modes provide measurements identical to the (reference) frequency sweep mode. From an instrumental point of view, multi‐spectral measurements are faster than frequency sweep measurements but they require larger amounts of onboard computing resources (i.e., larger power consumption). Chirp measurements, instead, outperform frequency sweep measurements both in terms of measurement duration (20 times faster) and onboard processor usage (20% less).
Solar Wind Protons Forming Partial Ring Distributions at Comet 67P
Authors: Moeslinger A. , Wieser G. Stenberg , Nilsson H. , Gunell H. , Williamson H. N. , LLera K. , Odelstad E. , Richter I.
Published: January 2023

We present partial ring distributions of solar wind protons observed by the Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko. The formation of ring distributions is usually associated with high activity comets, where the spatial scales are larger than multiple ion gyroradii. Our observations are made at a low‐activity comet at a heliocentric distance of 2.8 AU on 19 April 2016, and the partial rings occur at a spatial scale comparable to the ion gyroradius. We use a new visualization method to simultaneously show the angular distribution of median energy and differential flux. A fitting procedure extracts the bulk speed of the solar wind protons, separated into components parallel and perpendicular to the gyration plane, as well as the gyration velocity. The results are compared with models and put into context of the global comet environment. We find that the formation mechanism of these partial rings of solar wind protons is entirely different from the well‐known partial rings of cometary pickup ions at high‐activity comets. A density enhancement layer of solar wind protons around the comet is a focal point for proton trajectories originating from different regions of the upstream solar wind. If the spacecraft location coincides with this density enhancement layer, the different trajectories are observed as an energy‐angle dispersion and manifest as partial rings in velocity space.
Hemispheric Asymmetry of the Polar Ionospheric Density Investigated by ESR and JVD Radar Observations and TIEGCM Simulations for the Solar Minimum Period
Authors: Kim E. , Jee G. , Wang W. , Kwak Y.‐S. , Shim J.‐S. , Ham Y.‐B. , Kim Y. H.
Published: January 2023

The ionospheric density displays hemispheric asymmetries in the polar region due to various hemispheric differences, for example, in the offset between geographic and geomagnetic poles and in the geomagnetic field strength. Using ground‐based ionospheric measurements from Vertical Incidence Pulsed Ionospheric Radar with Dynasonde analysis at Jang Bogo Station (JBS), Antarctica and from EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) where both sites are located mostly in the polar cap, we investigate the hemispheric differences in the ionospheric density between the northern and southern hemispheres for geomagnetically quiet and solar minimum condition. The results are also compared with Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamic Global Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations. The observations show larger density and stronger diurnal and seasonal variations at JBS in the southern hemisphere than at Svalbard in the northern hemisphere. The diurnal variations of the density peak height are also observed to be much larger at JBS. In both hemispheres, the ionospheric density is significantly reduced in winter due to the limited solar production at high geographic latitudes, but TIEGCM considerably overestimates winter density, which is even larger than summer density, especially in the northern hemisphere. Also existed are the differences in the equinoctial asymmetry between the observations and the simulations: the daytime F‐region density is observed to be larger in fall than in spring in both hemispheres, but TIEGCM shows the opposite. In general, most of the observed asymmetrical density are much weaker in the model simulation, which may result from lack of proper magnetospheric forcings and neutral dynamics in the model.
Forced Subduction Initiation Near Spreading Centers: Effects of Brittle‐Ductile Damage
Authors: Liu Mingqi , Gerya Taras
Published: January 2023

Although positive buoyancy of young lithosphere near spreading centers does not favor spontaneous subduction, subduction initiation occurs easily near ridges due to their intrinsic rheological weakness when plate motion reverses from extension to compression. It has also been repeatedly proposed that inherited detachment faults may directly control the nucleation of new subduction zones near ridges subjected to forced compression. However, recent 3D numerical experiments suggested that direct inversion of a single detachment fault does not occur. Here we further investigate this controversy numerically by focusing on the influence of brittle‐ductile damage on the dynamics of near‐ridge subduction initiation. We self‐consistently model the inversion of tectonic patterns formed during oceanic spreading using 3D high‐resolution thermomechanical numerical models with strain weakening of faults and grain size evolution. Numerical results show that forced compression predominantly reactivates and rotates inherited extensional faults, shortening and thickening the weakest near‐ridge region of the oceanic lithosphere, thereby producing ridge swellings. As a result, a new megathrust zone is developed, which accommodates further shortening and subduction initiation. Furthermore, brittle/plastic strain weakening has a key impact on the collapse of the thickened ridge and the onset of near‐ridge subduction initiation. In contrast, grain size evolution of the mantle only slightly enhances the localization of shear zones at the brittle‐ductile transition and thus plays a subordinate role. Compared to the geological record, our numerical results provide new helpful insights into possible physical controls and dynamics of natural near‐ridge subduction initiation processes recorded by the Mirdita ophiolite of Albania.
The Initiation of Frictional Motion—The Nucleation Dynamics of Frictional Ruptures
Authors: Gvirtzman Shahar , Fineberg Jay
Published: January 2023

Frictional interfaces lose stability via earthquake‐like ruptures, which are close analogues of shear cracks that are well‐described by fracture mechanics. Interface ruptures, however, need to be first formed—or nucleated. Rupture nucleation therefore determines the onset of friction, replacing the concept of a characteristic “static friction coefficient”. Utilizing rupture arrest at an imposed barrier, we experimentally determine nucleation locations, times and stresses at the origin of each subsequent rupture event. This enables us study the nucleation process via real‐time measurements of real contact area and local strain. Nucleation events initiate as 2D patches that expand at nearly constant velocities, vnuc, that are orders of magnitude lower than the dynamic rupture velocities described by conventional fracture mechanics. We find that: (a) Nucleation has location‐dependent stress thresholds, (b) vnuc is roughly proportional to the local stress level, (c) the nucleation process continues until the patch size reaches Ltran ∼ LG, the Griffith length for the onset of dynamic fracture (d) scaling time by τ = Ltran/vnuc, nucleation patches exhibit self‐similar dynamics (e) dynamic ruptures' cohesive zones are not fully established until significantly beyond Ltran. Many details of nucleation are governed by the local contact area topography, which is roughly invariant under successive rupture events in mature interfaces. Topography‐dependent details of the nucleation process include: precise nucleation site location, patch geometry, critical stress thresholds and the proportionality constant of vnuc with stress. We believe that these results shed considerable light on both how frictional motion is triggered and earthquake initiation.
Prion infection modulates hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell fate through cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms
Authors: Sim Hyun-Jaung , Kim Yong-Chan , Bhattarai Govinda , Won Sae-Young , Lee Jeong-Chae , Jeong Byung-Hoon , Kook Sung-Ho
Published: January 2023

Studies of PrPC-derived prion disease generally focus on neurodegeneration. However, little is known regarding the modulation of hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) that express PrPC in prion infection. Among bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) strongly express PrPC. A bioassay revealed the presence of misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) in BM cells derived from prion-infected mice; these BM cells demonstrated reproducible prion infectivity. At 5 months after infection with ME7, mice exhibited a significant decrease in the number of HSPCs. This decrease was mainly driven by increased apoptotic cell death, rather than cell cycle progression and senescence, in PrPC-positive but not PrPC-negative HSPC populations through a cell-autonomous mechanism. Notably, both PrPC-positive and PrPC-negative HSCs underwent cellular senescence, as indicated by high levels of senescence-associated factors and deficits in repopulation and self-renewal capacities at 7 months after infection. Senescence of HSCs occurred in the ME7-impaired BM microenvironment with aging phenotypes through non-cell autonomous mechanisms. These data provide novel evidence that prion infection differentially modulates HSC fate through both cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms.
Impact of retrotransposon protein L1 ORF1p expression on oncogenic pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of cytoplasmic PIN1 upregulation
Authors: Zadran Bassier , Sudhindar Praveen Dhondurao , Wainwright Daniel , Bury Yvonne , Luli Saimir , Howarth Rachel , McCain Misti Vanette , Watson Robyn , Huet Hannah , Palinkas Fanni , Berlinguer-Palmini Rolando , Casement John , Mann Derek A. , Oakley Fiona , Lunec John , Reeves Helen , Faulkner Geoffrey J. , Shukla Ruchi
Published: January 2023

Background

Molecular characterisation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is central to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the disease. We have previously demonstrated mutagenic consequences of Long-Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE1s/L1) retrotransposition. However, the role of L1 in HCC, besides somatic mutagenesis, is not well understood.

Methods

We analysed L1 expression in the TCGA-HCC RNAseq dataset (n = 372) and explored potential relationships between L1 expression and clinical features. The findings were confirmed by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of an independent human HCC cohort (n = 48) and functional mechanisms explored using in vitro and in vivo model systems.

Results

We observed positive associations between L1 and activated TGFβ-signalling, TP53 mutation, alpha-fetoprotein and tumour invasion. IHC confirmed a positive association between pSMAD3, a surrogate for TGFβ-signalling status, and L1 ORF1p (P < 0.0001, n = 32). Experimental modulation of L1 ORF1p levels revealed an influence of L1 ORF1p on key hepatocarcinogenesis-related pathways. Reduction in cell migration and invasive capacity was observed upon L1 ORF1 knockdown, both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, L1 ORF1p increased PIN1 cytoplasmic localisation. Blocking PIN1 activity abrogated L1 ORF1p-induced NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response genes while further activated TGFβ-signalling confirming differential alteration of PIN1 activity in cellular compartments by L1 ORF1p.

Discussion

Our data demonstrate a causal link between L1 ORF1p and key oncogenic pathways mediated by PIN1, presenting a novel therapeutic avenue.
USP39 stabilizes β-catenin by deubiquitination and suppressing E3 ligase TRIM26 pre-mRNA maturation to promote HCC progression
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Lei Yongbin , Zhang Gongye , Li Xiaomei , Yuan Jiahui , Li Tingting , Zhong Wei , Zhang Yuqi , Tan Xuemei , Song Gang
Published: January 2023

Ubiquitin-specific protease 39(USP39) plays an important role in modulating pre-mRNA splicing and ubiquitin-proteasome dependent proteolysis as a member of conserved deubiquitylation family. Accumulating evidences prove that USP39 participates in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the mechanism especially deubiquitinating target of USP39 in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth. Here, we prove that USP39 promotes HCC cell proliferation and migration by directly deubiquitin β-catenin, a key molecular of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway whose abnormal expression or activation results in several tumors, following its co-localization with USP39. In this process, the expression of E3 ligase TRIM26, which is proved to restrain HCC in our previous research, shows a decreasing trend. We further demonstrate that TRIM26 pre-mRNA splicing and maturation is inhibited by USP39, accompanied by its reduction of ubiquitinating β-catenin, facilitating HCC progression indirectly. In summary, our data reveal a novel mechanism in the progress of HCC that USP39 promotes the proliferation and migration of HCC through increasing β-catenin level via both direct deubiquitination and reducing TRIM26 pre-mRNA maturation and splicing, which may provide a new idea and target for clinical treatment of HCC.
Computer vision quantification of whole-body Parkinsonian bradykinesia using a large multi-site population
Authors: Morinan Gareth , Dushin Yuriy , Sarapata Grzegorz , Rupprechter Samuel , Peng Yuwei , Girges Christine , Salazar Maricel , Milabo Catherine , Sibley Krista , Foltynie Thomas , Cociasu Ioana , Ricciardi Lucia , Baig Fahd , Morgante Francesca , Leyland Louise-Ann , Weil Rimona S. , Gilron Ro’ee , O’Keeffe Jonathan
Published: January 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurological disorder, with bradykinesia being one of its cardinal features. Objective quantification of bradykinesia using computer vision has the potential to standardise decision-making, for patient treatment and clinical trials, while facilitating remote assessment. We utilised a dataset of part-3 MDS-UPDRS motor assessments, collected at four independent clinical and one research sites on two continents, to build computer-vision-based models capable of inferring the correct severity rating robustly and consistently across all identifiable subgroups of patients. These results contrast with previous work limited by small sample sizes and small numbers of sites. Our bradykinesia estimation corresponded well with clinician ratings (interclass correlation 0.74). This agreement was consistent across four clinical sites. This result demonstrates how such technology can be successfully deployed into existing clinical workflows, with consumer-grade smartphone or tablet devices, adding minimal equipment cost and time.
Quantitative assessment method of muzzle flash and smoke at high noise level on field environment
Authors: Yan Chenguang , Zhu Chenguang
Published: January 2023

It is quite a challenge to obtain the temperature and species concentration fields of muzzle flash at high noise level. In this numerical study, radiation intensity of muzzle flash received by the high-speed Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) camera was simulated based on the line-of-sight method in the direct radiative transfer problem. The inverse radiative transfer problem of reconstructing distributions of temperature and soot volume fraction from the knowledge of flame radiation intensity was transformed into a minimization optimization problem and a meta-heuristic algorithm was used to solve the problem. The effects of the number of detection lines, optical thickness and measurement errors on the reconstruction results were discussed in details. A method to estimate the noise level of radiation intensity was developed, experimental results showed that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of radiation intensity can be successfully inferred when the SNR is greater than 20 dB. Subsequently, prior knowledge of the noise level was introduced in the regularization to achieve a meaningful approximation of the exact value. The reconstruction of the soot volume fraction filed with SNR greater than 40 dB is considered successful with the inclusion of an appropriate regularization term in the objective function, and the reconstruction of the temperature field is feasible even with SNR as low as 15 dB. The high tolerance to the noise level of the radiation intensity gives the reconstruction algorithm the potential to be used in practical experiments of muzzle flash.
TLR4 and MD2 variation among horses with differential TNFα baseline concentrations and response to intravenous lipopolysaccharide infusion
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Abhijit , Cook Shawna R. , SanMiguel Phillip , Ekenstedt Kari J. , Taylor Sandra D.
Published: January 2023

Gram-negative bacterial septicemia is mediated through binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mammalian toll-like receptor protein 4 (TLR4). TLR4 and its cognate protein, myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) form a heterodimeric complex after binding LPS. This complex induces a cascade of reactions that results in increased proinflammatory cytokine gene expression, including TNFα, which leads to activation of innate immunity. In horses, the immune response to LPS varies widely. To determine if this variation is due to differences in TLR4 or MD2, DNA from 15 healthy adult horses with different TNFα dynamics after experimental intravenous LPS infusion was sequenced across exons ofTLR4andMD2. Haplotypes were constructed for both genes using all identified variants. Four haplotypes were observed for each gene. No significant associations were found between either TNFα baseline concentrations or response to LPS and haplotype; however, there was a significant association (Pvalue = 0.0460) between the baseline TNFα concentration and oneMD2missense variant. Three-dimensional structures of the equine TLR4-MD2-LPS complex were built according to haplotype combinations observed in the study horses, and the implications of missense variants on LPS binding were modeled. Although the sample size was small, there was no evidence that variation in TLR4 or MD2 explains the variability in TNFα response observed after LPS exposure in horses.
Inferring genetic structure when there is little: population genetics versus genomics of the threatened bat Miniopterus schreibersii across Europe
Authors: Dufresnes Christophe , Dutoit Ludovic , Brelsford Alan , Goldstein-Witsenburg Fardo , Clément Laura , López-Baucells Adria , Palmeirim Jorge , Pavlinić Igor , Scaravelli Dino , Ševčík Martin , Christe Philippe , Goudet Jérôme
Published: January 2023

Despite their paramount importance in molecular ecology and conservation, genetic diversity and structure remain challenging to quantify with traditional genotyping methods. Next-generation sequencing holds great promises, but this has not been properly tested in highly mobile species. In this article, we compared microsatellite and RAD-sequencing (RAD-seq) analyses to investigate population structure in the declining bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) across Europe. Both markers retrieved general patterns of weak range-wide differentiation, little sex-biased dispersal, and strong isolation by distance that associated with significant genetic structure between the three Mediterranean Peninsulas, which could have acted as glacial refugia. Microsatellites proved uninformative in individual-based analyses, but the resolution offered by genomic SNPs illuminated on regional substructures within several countries, with colonies sharing migrators of distinct ancestry without admixture. This finding is consistent with a marked philopatry and spatial partitioning between mating and rearing grounds in the species, which was suspected from marked-recaptured data. Our study advocates that genomic data are necessary to properly unveil the genetic footprints left by biogeographic processes and social organization in long-distant flyers, which are otherwise rapidly blurred by their high levels of gene flow.
Continuous intraoperative perfusion monitoring of free microvascular anastomosed fasciocutaneous flaps using remote photoplethysmography
Authors: Schraven Sebastian P. , Kossack Benjamin , Strüder Daniel , Jung Maximillian , Skopnik Lotte , Gross Justus , Hilsmann Anna , Eisert Peter , Mlynski Robert , Wisotzky Eric L.
Published: January 2023

Flap loss through limited perfusion remains a major complication in reconstructive surgery. Continuous monitoring of perfusion will facilitate early detection of insufficient perfusion. Remote or imaging photoplethysmography (rPPG/iPPG) as a non-contact, non-ionizing, and non-invasive monitoring technique provides objective and reproducible information on physiological parameters. The aim of this study is to establish rPPG for intra- and postoperative monitoring of flap perfusion in patients undergoing reconstruction with free fasciocutaneous flaps (FFCF). We developed a monitoring algorithm for flap perfusion, which was evaluated in 15 patients. For 14 patients, ischemia of the FFCF in the forearm and successful reperfusion of the implanted FFCF was quantified based on the local signal. One FFCF showed no perfusion after reperfusion and devitalized in the course. Intraoperative monitoring of perfusion with rPPG provides objective and reproducible results. Therefore, rPPG is a promising technology for standard flap perfusion monitoring on low costs without the need for additional monitoring devices.
Synthesis and characterization of linear/nonlinear optical properties of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide-based zinc oxide nanocomposite
Authors: Ebrahimi Naghani Mohsen , Neghabi Mina , Zadsar Mehdi , Abbastabar Ahangar Hossein
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we aimed to investigate the linear and nonlinear optical properties of GO-ZnO and RGO-ZnO nanocomposites in comparison with pure GO and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). For this purpose, GO, RGO, GO-ZnO, and RGO-ZnO were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). XRD and EDX analysis indicated the reduction of GO as well as the successful synthesis of GO-ZnO and RGO-ZnO nanocomposites. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed that absorption bands were at 3340 cm−1, 1630 cm−1, 1730 cm−1 and 480 cm−1 related to OH, C=C, C=O, and Zn–O stretching vibrations, respectively. The direct band gaps of GO, RGO, GO-ZnO and RGO-ZnO from UV–Vis spectra were at 3.36, 3.18, 3.63 and 3.25 eV, sequentially. Moreover, the third-order nonlinear optical properties were investigated using a z-scan technique with Nd: YAG laser (532 nm, 70 mW). It can be seen that the nonlinear absorption coefficient value $$(\upbeta )$$

(
β
)

increased from 5.3 × 10–4 (GO) to 8.4 × 10–3 cm/W (RGO-ZnO). In addition, nonlinear refractive index (n2) of the GO, RGO, GO-ZnO, and RGO-ZnO was obtained as 10.9 × 10–10, 14.3 × 10–10, 22.9 × 10–10, and 31.9 × 10–10 cm2/W respectively.
The impact of pregnancy and childbirth on pelvic sensation: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Mahoney Charlotte K. , Reid Fiona M. , Smith Anthony R. B. , Myers Jenny E.
Published: January 2023

Pelvic organ prolapse, urinary, bowel and sexual dysfunction, collectively called pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) affects 1 in 3 women and has a significant public health impact. The causes of PFD are not fully understood but involve injury to connective tissue and motor nerve during childbirth. Women with PFD also have sensory nerve impairment, and it is likely this occurs during childbirth, but this has never been investigated. In the current study 150 women underwent quantitative sensory testing for vibration sensation at the vagina and clitoris, and stretch sensation at the vagina and introitus, in the third trimester, 3 and 6 months postnatal. Antenatally vibration sensation was reduced but stretch sensation was normal. Postnatally vibration sensation deteriorated whilst stretch sensation initially deteriorated but recovered by 6 months postnatal to antenatal levels (all p < 0.001). Mode of birth had a significant impact on sensation, with caesarean section appearing neuroprotective, normal vaginal birth resulted in a transient deterioration in sensation that recovered by 6 months, whilst assisted vaginal delivery was prolonged suggesting persistent neurological impairment (all p < 0.015). Further research is required to study the clinical effect of these changes on pelvic floor dysfunction in the medium and long-term.
Denoising method of machine tool vibration signal based on variational mode decomposition and Whale-Tabu optimization algorithm
Authors: Fang Chengzhi , Chen Yushen , Deng Xiaolei , Lin Xiaoliang , Han Yue , Zheng Junjian
Published: January 2023

The noise from other sources is inevitably mixed in the vibration information of CNC machine tools obtained using the sensors. In this work, a de-noising method based on joint analysis is proposed. The variational mode decomposition (VMD), correlation analysis (CA), and wavelet threshold (WT) denoising are used to denoise the original signal. First, VMD decomposes noisy signals into multiple intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The penalty factor and decomposition level of VMD parameters are selected by the optimization algorithm by combining the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and tabu search (TS). The minimum permutation entropy of IMF is used as the fitness function of the proposed fusion algorithm. Then, the IMF is divided into three categories by using the cross-correlation number. They include the pure components, signals containing noise, and complete noise components. Then, the WT method is used to further denoise the signals, and signal reconstruction is performed with the pure component to obtain the denoised signal. This joint analysis denoising method is named TS-WOA-VMD-CA-WT. The simulation results show that the fusion optimization algorithm proposed in this work has better performance as compared to the single optimization algorithm. It performs effectively when applied to the actual machine tool vibration signal denoising. Therefore, the proposed TS-WOA-VMD-CA-WT method is superior to other existing denoising techniques and has good generality, which is expected to be popularized and applied more widely.
Resistin-like beta reduction is associated to low survival rate and is downregulated by adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Di Rosa Michelino , Di Cataldo Antonio , Broggi Giuseppe , Caltabiano Rosario , Tibullo Daniele , Castrogiovanni Paola , Imbesi Rosa , Lanteri Raffaele , Salomone Federico , Raciti Giuseppina , Li Volti Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers accounting for 1.8 million new cases worldwide every year. Therefore, the identification of new potential therapeutic targets represents a continuous challenge to improve survival and quality of CRC patient’s life. We performed a microarray analysis dataset consisting of colon biopsies of healthy subjects (HS) and CRC patients. These results were further confirmed in a clinical setting evaluating a series of CRC patients to assess the expression of Resistin-Like Beta (RETNLB) and to correlate it with their clinical data. Our results showed a significant reduction of RETNLB expression in CRC biopsies compared to the HS mucosa. Furthermore, such reduction was significantly associated with the TNM grade and patients’ age. Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found within mutated subjects for KRAS, TP53, and BRAF. In particular, patients with poor prognosis at 5 years exhibited RETNLB lower levels. In-silico analysis data were confirmed by histochemical analysis in a series of CRC patients recruited by our group. The results obtained provided that RETNLB low levels are associated with an unfavorable prognosis in CRC patients and its expression is also dependent on adjuvant therapy. Further studies are warranted in order to evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of RETNLB in CRC progression.
Raman spectroscopy and convolutional neural networks for monitoring biochemical radiation response in breast tumour xenografts
Authors: Fuentes Alejandra M. , Narayan Apurva , Milligan Kirsty , Lum Julian J. , Brolo Alex G. , Andrews Jeffrey L. , Jirasek Andrew
Published: January 2023

Tumour cells exhibit altered metabolic pathways that lead to radiation resistance and disease progression. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a label-free optical modality that can monitor post-irradiation biomolecular signatures in tumour cells and tissues. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) perform automated feature extraction directly from data, with classification accuracy exceeding that of traditional machine learning, in cases where data is abundant and feature extraction is challenging. We are interested in developing a CNN-based predictive model to characterize clinical tumour response to radiation therapy based on their degree of radiosensitivity or radioresistance. In this work, a CNN architecture is built for identifying post-irradiation spectral changes in Raman spectra of tumour tissue. The model was trained to classify irradiated versus non-irradiated tissue using Raman spectra of breast tumour xenografts. The CNN effectively classified the tissue spectra, with accuracies exceeding 92.1% for data collected 3 days post-irradiation, and 85.0% at day 1 post-irradiation. Furthermore, the CNN was evaluated using a leave-one-out- (mouse, section or Raman map) validation approach to investigate its generalization to new test subjects. The CNN retained good predictive accuracy (average accuracies 83.7%, 91.4%, and 92.7%, respectively) when little to no information for a specific subject was given during training. Finally, the classification performance of the CNN was compared to that of a previously developed model based on group and basis restricted non-negative matrix factorization and random forest (GBR-NMF-RF) classification. We found that CNN yielded higher classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in mice assessed 3 days post-irradiation, as compared with the GBR-NMF-RF approach. Overall, the CNN can detect biochemical spectral changes in tumour tissue at an early time point following irradiation, without the need for previous manual feature extraction. This study lays the foundation for developing a predictive framework for patient radiation response monitoring.
Carbon responsibility allocation method based on complex structure carbon emission flow theory
Authors: Wang Wenyong , Huo Qunhai , Deng Huawei , Yin Jingyuan , Wei Tongzhen
Published: January 2023

A carbon responsibility allocation method based on the complex structure carbon emission flow theory is proposed to address the problem posed by the unclear carbon responsibility allocation of each link in the low-carbon development of electric power. First, the calculation method, distribution characteristics, and mechanism of carbon emission flow were analyzed. The “carbon potential of complex structure” concept was introduced to track “carbon trajectory” and “green trajectory” by harnessing the ability of complex structures to retain two-dimensional information. Subsequently, the carbon responsibility allocation methods for network loss and users’ electricity consumption behavior were developed to realize the accurate carbon responsibility allocation of each system link. Finally, the effectiveness and advancement of the proposed carbon responsibility allocation method were verified using the improved IEEE 6-bus and 30-bus test systems. The application of the proposed complex structure carbon potential in the carbon emission flow theory expands the research dimension of electric power carbon emission for low-carbon development from the “carbon perspective,” provides a novel optimization space for the operation of the distribution network and realizes the carbon emission flow theory, which serves as a bridge from calculation evaluation to optimization decision.