bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Administration of Enfortumab Vedotin after an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor and the Prognosis in Japanese Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Large Database Study
Authors: Kawahara Takashi , Hasizume Akihito , Uemura Koichi , Yamaguchi Katsuya , Ito Hiroki , Takeshima Teppei , Hasumi Hisashi , Teranishi Jun-ichi , Ousaka Kimito , Makiyama Kazuhide , Uemura Hiroji
Published: July 2023

Background
Enfortumab vedotin shows promise as a targeted therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma, particularly in patients who previously received platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The EV-301 phase III trial demonstrated a significantly improved overall survival and response rates compared with standard chemotherapy. However, more data, especially from larger real-world studies, are needed to assess its effectiveness in Japanese patients.
Methods
A total of 6,007 urothelial cancer patients treated with pembrolizumab as second-line treatment were analyzed. Among them, 619 patients received enfortumab vedotin after pembrolizumab, while 394 received docetaxel or paclitaxel after pembrolizumab.
Results
The enfortumab vedotin group showed a longer overall survival than the paclitaxel/docetaxel group (p=0.013, hazard ratio: 0.71). In the multivariate analysis, enfortumab vedotin induction was an independent risk factor for the overall survival (p=0.013, hazard ratio: 0.70). There were no significant differences in the cancer-specific survival.
Conclusions
Enfortumab vedotin prolonged the overall survival in Japanese patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma compared with paclitaxel or docetaxel after pembrolizumab treatment.
Novel Risks of Unfavorable Corticosteroid Response in Patients with COVID-19 Identified by Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Analysis of Chest Radiographs
Authors: Kim Min Hyung , Shin Hyun Joo , Kim Jaewoong , Jo Sunhee , Kim Eun-Kyung , Park Yoon Soo , Kyong Taeyoung
Published: July 2023

The prediction of corticosteroid responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is crucial in clinical practice, and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis of chest radiographs (CXR) is warranted. This retrospective case-control study involving hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with corticosteroids was conducted from September 4th, 2021, to August 30th, 2022. The primary endpoint of the study was corticosteroid responsiveness, defined as the advancement of two or more of the eight-categories-ordinal scale. Serial abnormality scores for consolidation and pleural effusion on CXR were obtained using a commercial AI-based software based on days from onset of symptoms. Amongst the 258 participants included in the analysis, 147 (57%) were male. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that high pleural effusion score at 6–9 days from onset of symptoms (adjusted odds ratio of [aOR]: 1.022, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003-1.042, p=0.020) and consolidation scores up to 9 days from onset of symptoms (0-2 days: aOR: 1.025, 95% CI: 1.006-1.045, p=0.010; 3-5 days: aOR: 1.03 95% CI: 1.011-1.051, p=0.002; 6-9 days: aOR; 1.052, 95% CI: 1.015-1.089, p=0.005) were associated with an unfavorable corticosteroid response. AI-generated scores could help intervene in the use of corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients who would not benefit from them
Digital Grading the Color Fastness to Rubbing of Fabrics Based on Spectral Reconstruction and BP Neural Network
Authors: Liang Jinxing , Zhou Jing , Hu Xinrong , Luo Hang , Cao Genyang , Liu Liu , Xiao Kaida
Published: July 2023

To digital grade the color fastness of fabrics after rubbing, an automatic grading method based on spectral reconstruction technology and BP neural network was proposed. Firstly, the modeling samples are prepared by rubbing the fabrics according to the ISO standard of 105-X12. Then, to comply with visual rating standards for color fastness, the modeling samples are professionally graded to obtain the visual rating result. After that, a digital camera is used to capture digital images of the modeling samples inside a closed and uniform lighting box, and the color data values of the modeling samples are obtained through spectral reconstruction technology. Finally, the color fastness prediction model for rubbing was constructed using the modeling samples data and BP neural network. The color fastness level of the testing samples was predicted using the prediction model, and the prediction results were compared with the existing color difference conversion method and curve fitting method. Experimental show that the prediction model of fabric color fastness can be better constructed using the BP neural network, where the root-mean-square error of the prediction for the training sample is 0.30, and the root-mean-square error of the prediction for the test sample is 0.25. The overall performance of the method is slightly better than the color difference conversion method, and it is significantly outperforming the curve fitting method. It can be seen that the digital rating method of fabric color fastness to rubbing based on spectral reconstruction and BP neural network has a high consistency with the visual evaluation, which will help for the automatic color fastness grading.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Impact on Havighurst Developmental Tasks Achievement
Authors: Gomes Laura , Mendes Francisco , Martins Emília , Fernandes Rosina
Published: July 2023

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, characterized by persistent deficits in communication/social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. It is usually identified in childhood, despite late diagnoses in cases of greater functionality. Havighurst proposes a set of fundamental tasks throughout the life cycle, whose achievement is probably compromised in the ASD, even though it lacks scientific evidence. This study innovates, as it is based on Havighurst's theoretical model for understanding the development process of three adults and one young person, diagnosed with ASD level I, at different life stages. Through the methodology of life histories, interviews were subject to content analysis. Results pointed out the early detection and interventions importance, minimizing adversities, above all by those who had late diagnoses. Self-perceived success, not expected, was found in some development tasks (e.g. conscience and morality development). Also were noticed expected limitations related to ASD (e.g. difficulties in relationships with peers and in the labor market inclusion). Probably, in cases of greater severity and less functionality/autonomy, there would be greater failure in development tasks. It is crucial to improve research on this developmental model and on the factors that delay the diagnosis, including cases of different levels of severity.
The Effect of Cluster Nursing in ICU on Treatment Compliance and Intestinal Barrier Function in Patients with Refractory Septic Shock
Authors: Chen Yun , Pan Yuefang , Xu Shunbo
Published: July 2023

Objective: To evaluate the effect of care bundles on treatment compliance and intestinal barrier function in patients with refractory septic shock in the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical data of 94 patients with refractory septic shock admitted to our hospital between June 2020 and April 2022 were collected. Patients with routine nursing were included in the routine group, and those with care bundles were assigned to the care bundles group, with 47 cases in each group. Outcome measures included nursing efficiency, treatment compliance, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score, intestinal barrier function, inflammation factor level, treatment outcome and complications. Results: Care bundles resulted in significantly higher nursing efficiency and treatment compliance versus routine care (P<0.05). Patients receiving care bundles showed significantly higher SOFA scores and APACHE II scores than those receiving routine care (P<0.05). Intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP), diamine oxidase (DAO), lactate, endotoxin, and intestinal dysfunction scores in the care bundles group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group after treatment (P<0.05). Care bundles were associated with significantly lower levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), shorter time to symptom relief, ICU treatment time, and duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower 28-d morbidity and mortality versus routine care (P<0.05). Patients in the care bundles group had a significantly lower incidence of complications than those in the routine group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Care bundles effectively enhance treatment compliance, improve intestinal barrier function and treatment outcomes, reduce the inflammatory response, and decrease the risk of SOFA score, APACHE II score, and complications in patients with refractory septic shock.
Quantum Knowledge in Phase Space
Authors: Geiger Davi
Published: July 2023

Quantum physics through the lenses of Bayesian statistics consider probabilities to be degree of believes or knowledge and subjective. A Bayesian derivation of the probability density function in phase space is presented. The entropy proposed by Geiger and Kedem \cite{GeiKed2022a,GeiKed2022b} in phase space is expanded to define quantitatively interference and entanglement. Comparisons between each of these two quantities and the entropy are made. A brief presentation of entanglement in phase space to the spin degree of freedom and to mixed states completes the work.
Las nuevas redes de centros de desarrollo tecnológico aplicado. Una aproximación al caso británico
Authors: Herrera Bartis Germán , Gutti Patricia
Published: July 2023

Este trabajo lleva a cabo un análisis de la experiencia de Catapult, un programa guberna­mental del Reino Unido surgido una década atrás consistente en la creación y sosteni­miento de una red de nuevos centros de desarrollo tecnológico aplicado destinados a atender las demandas y requerimientos de los actores productivos privados de dicho país. A través del análisis de numerosos documentos oficiales, auditorías del programa y entre­vistas a actores clave el artículo analiza las características centrales de la política en cues­tión, incluyendo los elementos que definen la gobernanza del sistema, el esquema de fi­nanciamiento vigente, el alcance de las actividades tecnológicas de los centros y su vínculo con las empresas privadas.
Manajemen Backlink Konteks Webometrics
Authors: Arief Ikhwan , Multazam Mochammad Tanzil
Published: July 2023

Buku ini dipersembahkan untuk pelajar, peneliti, dan praktisi dalam bidang Analisis Data dan Pemasaran Digital, serta bagi para pembuat kebijakan dan pengambil keputusan di perguruan tinggi. Buku ini dibentuk sebagai modul pelatihan dan pendukung perkuliahan yang akan membantu dalam mendorong peringkat Webometrics institusi menjadi lebih baik. Pada buku ini juga disertakan ilustrasi kasus sederhana dan soal-soal latihan pada setiap modul untuk mengukur pemahaman Anda mengenai topik yang sudah dibahas.Peringkat Webometrics bukan hanya menjadi tolok ukur prestisius, tetapi juga menjadi refleksi dari kualitas dan relevansi perguruan tinggi di kancah pendidikan dan penelitian global.
Accumulation of thick fluvial sediments in the Shinano River incised-valley fills: implications for sequence stratigraphy and alluvial architecture
Authors: Hori Kazuaki , Tanabe Susumu , Urabe Atsushi
Published: July 2023

The relationship between fluvial systems and base-level changes, controlled mainly by sea-level fluctuations and tectonic activity, on time scales of 103–104 years, is important for evaluating and improving nonmarine sequence stratigraphy and numerical and physical alluvial architecture models. However, there are not enough quantitative data available from field studies, especially for periods of rapid base-level rise. The Echigo Plain, Japan, is a fluvial–coastal lowland where the tidal range is very small and where a very deep valley was incised by the Shinano River during the latest Pleistocene. The depth of the incised valley near the shoreline, 160 m below mean sea level, is greater than the amount of sea-level fall during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) because of tectonic subsidence. We studied an approximately 100-m-long borehole sediment core obtained from the landward part of the plain, where thick fluvial deposits have accumulated since the LGM. Sediment facies, diatom assemblages, sulfur content, carbon to sulfur ratios, and radiocarbon age dates indicate that most of the core sediments were deposited in a fluvial environment during the past 12 kyr. Sediment accumulation rates were 10–15 m/kyr between 12 and 8 cal kyr BP, and relatively low (less than 5 m/kyr) subsequently, mainly because of glacio-eustatic sea-level rise. The timing of the reduction in the accumulation rate is one possible indicator of the position of the maximum-flooding surface in a sequence composed only of fluvial sediments. The presence of many thin layers of very fine to fine-grained sand (20–80 cm thick), interpreted as crevasse-splay deposits, that formed between 11 and 8 cal kyr BP, when the base level was rising rapidly, implies that crevasse-splay deposits are characteristic of aggrading fluvial sediments and the transgressive systems tract in nonmarine sequence stratigraphy. Tectonic subsidence at approximately 2 m/kyr has contributed markedly to the larger accumulation rate of fluvial sediments of the highstand systems tract on the Echigo Plain, compared with rates in other fluvial–coastal lowlands, since 5–6 cal kyr BP, when the eustatic sea-level rise had mostly ceased.
HUBUNGAN ANTARA KEMAMPUAN REPRESENTASI MATEMATIS DENGAN HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA KELAS X SMK NEGERI 3 PACITAN
Authors: Hidayat Taufik , Dwi Istiyani Lia
Published: July 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara kemampuan representasi matematis dengan hasil belajar matematika siswa kelas X SMK. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian korelasi dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas X SMK Negeri 3 Pacitan. Sampel yang digunakan pada penelitian ini sebanyak 73 siswa. Teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah simple random sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan metode tes dan dokumentasi. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah tes kemampuan representasi matematis. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah  uji normalitas, uji linearitas, dan pengujian hipotesis menggunakan analisis korelasi sederhana dengan bantuan SPSS versi 16.0. Hasil dari analisis data diperoleh nilai pearson correlation sebesar 0,362. Sedangkan, nilai sig. (2-tailed) diperoleh nilai  Kesimpuan penelitian ini adalah kemampuan representasi matematis dengan hasil belajar matematika siswa kelas X SMK Negeri 3 Pacitan memiliki hubungan yang positif pada level rendah.
Aplicação da Teoria de Chebyshev no estudo da ciclicidade de uma classe de sistemas lineares por partes
Authors: Gusson Vitor Henrique Lopes , Pessoa Claudio Gomes
Published: July 2023

Temos como objetivo apresentar uma aplicação da chamada Teoria de Chebyshev na Teoria Qualitativa das EDOs. Vamos estudar a ciclicidade de uma classe particular de sistemas lineares por partes separados por uma reta. A classe de sistemas aqui considerada é uma classe mais abrangente quando comparada com um artigo encontrado na literatura. Para isto, realizamos uma perturbação linear na classe de sistemas lineares e, a partir da função deslocamento construída com semi-aplicações de Poincaré, utilizamos a teoria de sistemas de Chebyshev para obter o número de ciclos limites. Por fim, aplicando os sistemas de Chebyshev com acurácia em um dos resultados de ciclicidade, mostramos como eles podem ser úteis para melhorar cotas do número máximo de ciclos limites. Este trabalho faz parte da dissertação de mestrado do primeiro autor, orientado pelo segundo autor.
Modelos de Malthus e Verhulst e suas extensões: uma aplicação no crescimento populacional de lobos-guará
Authors: Mei Camila , Santo Pedro Simões Francielle
Published: July 2023

Neste artigo, vamos explorar modelos populacionais gerados a partir dos modelos clássicos de Malthus e Verhulst. Estes modelos são geralmente modelados por equações diferenciais ordinárias e a taxa de crescimento populacional depende da densidade populacional. O intuito do trabalho é estudar como pequenas alterações na taxa de crescimento dos modelos clássicos de Malthus e Verhulst geram novos modelos. Como modelos muito complexos de equações diferencias não tem solução analítica, vamos fazer um estudo qualitativo das soluções e observar semelhanças e principais características. Por fim, modelamos o crescimento populacional de lobos-guará.
Impact of Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) on Energy Security as the Country Transition to Low Carbon or Net-Zero Energy Systems
Authors: Kabeer Abdulfatah Hajara , Ayodele Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

The transition to low-carbon systems in Nigeria raises questions about energy security based on the 4As. Energy security not having a universal definition but being defined based on location and situation becomes imperative to analyze as Nigeria plans to achieve her NDC goals of carbon emission and journey towards net zero. This research looks at publicly available literature to analyze the energy security of Nigeria based on availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability, presenting the Nigeria energy security of both PRE-NDC and POST-NDC, the literature on related energy securities of other developing countries, the methodology was centered around key indicators for each of the 4A's putting into consideration the NDC target and how it affects the 4A's to improve energy security. The results consider the deviation from business-as-usual to NDC targets by 2030 and net-zero by 2060, looking at subsidy policies, import dependency, energy mix diversity, CO2e, oil price, and energy access statistics as key indicators. The trade-offs that Nigeria would experience in the low-carbon system journey and recommendations on ending the subsidy regime to pave the way for clean energy technology were also recommended. This work is limited to publicly available data in this research study.
Empirical Mode Decomposition With Imf Using Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: R ANGELIN PREETHI , G ANANDHARAJ , G BHARATHI
Published: July 2023

The serial remote sensing images allow us to view how a certain area has changed and grown across period. Even though these raw images have fewer opportunities to generate information and additional insight, serial remote sensing images (SRSI) offer a significant opportunity to generate clusters and patterns. The implementation of SRSI aggregation is supported by the developments of patterns in a variety of circumstances, which include urbanization, the spread of native vegetation, and farming. We propose a novel outlook to mining sequence patterns that makes use of Ant Colony Optimization and Empirical Mode Decomposition. The newly created Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) approach is integrated to extract the most important characteristics features of significantly accurate performance from serial remote sensing images based on distinct criteria. The outcomes demonstrate that the accuracy of projected sequence patterns can be greatly improved by combining a new hybrid method with EMD and ACO feature selection. Because of this, the method is appealing for employing a farmland dataset based on serial remote sensing images to create ground-based stream-flow for strategically extracting spatially sequential patterns despite requesting less computational mining time and cost.
Integration of Cloud, F-DEMATEL and A-Kano Model to Evaluate Customer Requirements Importance in PPS Design
Authors: Lyu Feng , Liu Fen , Feng Zhuangzhuang , Li Fengjun , Su Jianxin
Published: July 2023

The identification of customer requirements (CRs) priority is the beginning of Product-service system (PSS) design, which identifies the direction of enterprise resource allocation. In order to accurately reflect customer’s intrinsic requirements in PSS design, a hierarchical model based on the means-end chain theory is constructed to capture CRs from the perspective of customer expectations in this paper, and then a method combining cloud model, fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) with improved analytical Kano (A-Kano) model is proposed to identify importance priority. Cloud model and Relative Preference Relation of the triangular fuzzy number are applied to identify the basic importance with solving the problem of fuzziness and randomness in expert evaluation information. Considering the directional influence relationship among CRs, the fuzzy DEMATEL method is introduced to modify the basic importance. Based on the category criterion of CRs, an improved A-Kano model is constructed, and the importance index and satisfaction index based on customer satisfaction are introduced to identify the final importance. A case study is carried out to verify the scientificity and feasibility of the proposed method.
The relationship between pulse pressure index and telomere length in hypertension:A study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Authors: Gong Huping , Wang Yuge , Xu Jiachen , Wang Jiang
Published: July 2023

Background:
Telomere shortening is associated with various diseases and several studies have reported that many factors affect telomere length. However, little attention have been paid to the relationship between pulse pressure index (PPI) and telomere length. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between PPI and telomere length.
Methods：
A total of 2019 hypertensive patients aged ≥ 18 years participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2002). The participants was divided into two groups according to age: ≤ 45years and > 45years. Stratified analysis, interaction test, multiple regression equations (expressed as β and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) and trend tests, were used to estimate the possible association between PPI and telomere length.
Results：
We recruited 2019 participants with hypertension and assessed their PPI and telomere length. 415 participants were aged ≤ 45years, 1064 participants were aged > 45 years, and 943 (46.71%) were male. Age is a factor that interacts between PPI and telomere length. We found that a one-unit increase in PPI in hypertensive patients was significantly associated with shorter telomere length (base pair [bp] ) (β =-409.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]:-614.60, -204.00 ), after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), race,education, physical activity； smoking; alcohol; diabetes; CKD; take medicine for hypertension. In the age group >45 years , we found that a one-unit increase PPI in hypertensive patients was associated with shorter telomere length (β =-443.73, 95% CI: -664.50, -222.96).Age was the interaction factor between PPI and telomere length.
Conclusions ：
This study revealed that PPI was negatively associated with telomere length in hypertensive patients, indicating that more attention should be paid to patients with higher PPI in order to prevent cardiovascular events.
Combined MECP2 duplication syndrome and ADNP syndrome in a Chinese boy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Fan Yun-Xiu , Yang Wu , Zhang Hongwen
Published: July 2023

Background Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) acts as a transcriptional repressor or activator regulating the genes associated with nerve system development. The increased copy number of MECP2 can cause a new X‑linked intellectual disability syndrome named MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), which is characterized by a broad range of neurodevelopmental abnormalities, as well as hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infections, and facial dysmorphism. ADNP syndrome is caused by heterozygous de novo mutations in the Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP) gene, which is characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, language impairment, autism spectrum, and variable extraneurologic features. We reported here the first infant case combined MDS and ADNP syndrome. Case presentation A 6-month boy was hospitalized with a complaint of cough and fever for 7 days. He was born at 40 weeks of gestation with intrauterine growth retardation. He had pneumonia twice since birth, at 1-month and 4-month, respectively. He showed obviously weight and height growth retardation since birth. His motor developmental milestone was obviously delayed. Physical examination revealed no obviously abnormal dysmorphic features. Except for hypotonia, no other neurodevelopmental or ophthalmologic deficits were observed. Genetic analysis revealed that the boy carried a chromosome g.151283637_154348425dup, this area contains Xq28 region (includes MECP2). The boy also carried a de novo ADNP variant heterozygously, c.2194_2197del (p.Leu732MetfsTer20), in exon 5. He fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of MDS and ADNP syndrome. Conclusion We identified a de novo X chromosome g.151283637_154348425dup and a de novo c.2194_2197del (p.Leu732MetfsTer20) in ADNP gene, in a 6-month boy with clinical features of recurrent respiratory infections, growth retardation and hypotonia in China. We reported here the first infant case combined MDS and ADNP syndrome.
Research on the healthy life expectancy of elderly individuals in China based on intrinsic capacity health standards and social stratification analysis
Authors: Liu Mengya , Zhang Meng , Zhou Jinglei , Song Nannan , Zhang Li
Published: July 2023

Background
Based on the health standard of intrinsic capacity, this paper conducts an empirical study on the healthy life expectancy of elderly individuals aged 60 and older in China and analyzes the health inequities associated with different social characteristics to provide a reference for improving care for the elderly population in China.
Methods
Data from the China Health and Pension Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2013 were used to evaluate the intrinsic capacity level of elderly individuals, and the multistate life table method was used to measure the healthy life expectancy of elderly individuals in China with the help of IMaCH software. Based on the theory of social stratification, the health inequality between elderly individuals in different social classes was analyzed from three dimensions: residence, income and education level.
Results
Healthy life expectancy measured by intrinsic capacity was higher than that measured by the standard but significantly lower than that measured by disability, ADL, IADL and self-rated health. The calculation results show that the average life expectancy of the elderly in China at age 60 is 13.76 more years, the healthy life expectancy is 11.21 more years, and the healthy life expectancy accounts for 81.4% of the average life expectancy. The healthy life expectancy of the elderly with different social characteristics in China shows significant differences, and the healthy life expectancy of the elderly individuals who are male, live in urban environments and have middle-high income levels is significantly better than that of the elderly individuals who are female, live in rural areas and have low incomes, but the healthy life expectancy of elderly individuals with low levels of education is higher than that of elderly individuals with high levels of education.
Conclusion
Healthy life expectancy measured by intrinsic capacity as the health standard has a certain reference value, which reflects the overall intrinsic capacity level of elderly individuals in China and expands the transformation and multidimensional understanding of the healthy thinking of elderly individuals in China. The analysis by social stratification reflects the large health inequities that exist in the elderly population in China.
MethNet: a robust approach to identify regulatory hubs and their distal targets in cancer
Authors: Skok Jane , Sakellaropoulos Theodore , Do Catherine , Jiang Guimei , Cova Giulia , Meyn Peter , Dimartino Dacia , Ramaswami Sitharam , Heguy Adriana , Tsirigos Aristotelis
Published: July 2023

Aberrations in the capacity of DNA/chromatin modifiers and transcription factors to bind non-coding regions can lead to changes in gene regulation and impact disease phenotypes. However, identifying distal regulatory elements and connecting them with their target genes remains challenging. Here, we present MethNet, a pipeline that integrates large-scale DNA methylation and gene expression data across multiple cancers, to uncover novel cis regulatory elements (CREs) in a 1Mb region around every promoter in the genome. MethNet identifies clusters of highly ranked CREs, referred to as ‘hubs’, which contribute to the regulation of multiple genes and significantly affect patient survival. Promoter-capture Hi-C confirmed that highly ranked associations involve physical interactions between CREs and their gene targets, and CRISPRi based scRNA Perturb-seq validated the functional impact of CREs. Thus, MethNet-identified CREs represent a valuable resource for unraveling complex mechanisms underlying gene expression, and for prioritizing the verification of predicted non-coding disease hotspots.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Female Sterilization in Rwanda: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey Data (2019-2020)
Authors: Ndayishimye Samuel , Olorunfemi Gbenga , Nahayo Bonfils
Published: July 2023

BackgroundFemale sterilization is a safe and effective surgical procedure of achieving contraception. There is disparity in the prevalence of female sterilization globally, with high income countries having higher rates than low- and middle-income countries. However, current evidence of the uptake of female sterilization in Rwanda is not known. We therefore evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with female sterilization among women of reproductive age in Rwanda.MethodologyThis was a secondary data analysis of 14,634 women of reproductive age (15-49) in Rwanda. The data utilized was from the Rwanda Demographic Health and Survey (RDHS) 2019/2020. The predictors of female sterilization were determined using multivariable binary logistic regression.ResultsWe found that the prevalence of female sterilization was 1.1% among women of reproductive age in Rwanda. Women older than 35 years had about 8 times higher chance of being sterilized as compared to younger women (aOR: 7.87, 95% CI: 4.77-12.99). Women living with their partners had higher odds of being sterilized as compared to never married women(aOR: 19.23, 95% CI: 4.57-80.82), while women from minority religion are more likely to be sterilized as compared to those of the catholic religion(aOR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.03- 4.37).Women from rich household had higher chance to be sterilized as compared to their counterparts from poor household (aOR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.94-5.03). Women from western region were more likely to accept sterilization compared to women from Kigali (aOR: 2.025, 95% CI: 1.17-3.49) and women who had more than 5 children had higher odds as compared to women who had 5 or less children (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.06-2.10).ConclusionThe overall prevalence of sterilization among Rwandan women of reproductive age was 1.1%, which was very low as compared to India (29%), China (14.1%) and United States of America (13.7 %). The age, marital status, religion, household wealth quintile, region and children ever born were associated with the uptake of female sterilization among Rwandan women. Public enlightenment campaign on the advantages of female sterilization should be done to improve uptake.
School-Based Aerobic Exercise Promotes Physical Fitness and Cognition in Children with Overweight
Authors: Hao Lei , Fan Yongzhao , Zhang Mingyang , Sun Youping
Published: July 2023

Background
Being overweight negatively influences physical fitness and cognitive function. Furthermore, aerobic exercise for children promotes physical fitness and cognition function.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of long-term school-based aerobic exercise intervention on the physical fitness and cognitive function of children with overweight.
Methods
Sixty-five 6-year-old children were divided into a normal group (children with normal weight) and an aerobic exercise group (children with overweight). Children in the aerobic exercise group received 16 weeks aerobic exercise intervention (three times a week for 60 min per session), whereas those in the normal group continued their usual routines. All the children underwent three tests before and after the 16-week study period.
Results
All body composition variables, except height were higher in the aerobic exercise group than in the normal group (p < 0.05). Physical fitness and executive function were significantly lower in the aerobic exercise group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Physical fitness and executive function parameters significantly improved in aerobic exercise group after the intervention compared with that observed in the control group (p < 0.05). The within-group comparison results demonstrated that 16 weeks of school-based aerobic exercise interventions significantly improved the physical fitness and cognition of the children with overweight (p < 0.05). Aerobic exercise significantly improved physical fitness and executive function parameters in the control group after the 16-week intervention (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Sixteen weeks of school-based aerobic exercise interventions remarkably promoted physical fitness and cognition in the children with overweight.
The emergence of eukaryotes as an evolutionary algorithmic phase transition
Authors: Muro Enrique , Ballesteros Fernando , Luque Bartolo , Bascompte Jordi
Published: July 2023

The origin of eukaryotes represents one of the most significant events in evolution, since it allowed the posterior emergence of multicellular organisms1,2. Evolutionary biologists have tried to unveil the mechanism leading to eukaryotes, most likely the symbiosis between two previously unrelated organisms3. Yet, it remains unclear how the genetic architecture of life was transformed to allow this increase in complexity. Here, we try to fill this gap by studying the size distributions of genes and their corresponding proteins in 6,519 species across the tree of life. We find a scale-invariant relationship between gene mean length and variance, with clades appearing in evolutionary order. Our analysis unveils a common multiplicative process of gene growth along evolution, but reveals a phase transition corresponding with the emergence of the eukaryotic cell. Proteins and genes grow in parallel in prokaryotes. However, the number of constraints in order to have a protein with the right three-dimensional structure increases very fast with its length. This increasing computational difficulty eventually gave way to a new phase as happens in the phase transitions of certain search algorithms4-6. This new regulatory phase is characterized by the incorporation of gene non-coding sequences7-9, in agreement with the introns-late model8. Our approach allows us to predict not only the macroscopic details underlying the emergence of eukaryotes (e.g., the rate and shape of this evolutionary innovation), but the timing of this event.
Conflicting Rationalities: Collision of hydro-power dam construction and water availability
Authors: Kantanka Samuel Nana Safo , Addaney Michael , Cobbinah Patrick Brandful , Akudugu Jonas Ayaribilla
Published: July 2023

Using the Bui basin of Ghana as a case study, this study analyses the impact of hydro-electric dam construction on water health and yielding capacity of aquatic ecosystems. The study utilised remote sensing and GIS techniques as well as the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-Offs (InVEST) water yield model and Indicator of Hydrologic Alterations (IHA) analysis. Land use land cover maps and climate variables such as precipitation were integrated into InVEST to assess water yield levels. The daily river flow collected from the Bui Gauging Station were used to define streamflow characteristics along pre- and post-dam periods. The results shows that the construction of the dam significantly decreased water yields by 34,000 m3 and has negatively impacted the ecological integrity of riverine ecosystems within enclave as most hydrologic parameters of timing, magnitude and frequency recorded high alterations. The paper concludes by reflecting on the consequences of inadequate planning of hydro dams and possible pathways for addressing ecological, societal and environmental impacts of dam constructions.
Genetic proxies for clinical traits are associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19
Authors: Chaddock NJM , Crossfield SSR , Pujades-Rodriguez M , Iles MM , Morgan AW
Published: July 2023

Routine use of genetic data in healthcare is much-discussed, yet little is known about its performance in epidemiological models including traditional risk factors. Using severe COVID-19 as an exemplar, we explore the integration of polygenic risk scores (PRS) into disease models alongside sociodemographic and clinical variables. PRS were optimized for 23 clinical variables and related traits previously-associated with severe COVID-19 in up to 450,449 UK Biobank participants, and tested in 9,560 individuals diagnosed in the pre-vaccination era. Associations were further adjusted for i) sociodemographic and ii) clinical variables. Pathway analyses of PRS were performed to improve biological understanding of disease. In univariate analyses, 17 PRS were associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 and, of these, four remained associated with COVID-19 outcomes following adjustment for sociodemographic/clinical variables: hypertension PRS (OR=1.39, 95%CI:1.13-1.73), atrial fibrillation PRS (OR=1.57, 95%CI:1.17-2.1), peripheral vascular disease PRS (OR=0.65, 95%CI:0.48-0.89), and Alzheimer’s disease PRS (OR=1.54, 95%CI:1.17-2.03) for the highest versus the lowest PRS quintile. Pathway analyses revealed enrichment of genetic variants in pathways for cardiac muscle contraction (genes N=5; beta[SE]= 3.48[0.60]; adjusted-P=1.86 x 10-5). These findings underscore the potential for integrating genetic data into epidemiological models and highlight the advantages of utilizing multiple trait PRS rather than a single PRS for a specific outcome of interest.
Application of Gridded Precipitation Datasets for Simulating Discharge along with Hybrid Machine Learning Methods: An Operational Approach for Poorly Gauged Basins
Authors: Morovati Reza
Published: July 2023

In many regions, there is no long-term discharge data which do not include any gaps. In this work, we have tried to overcome these limitations with the use of gridded precipitation datasets and data-driven modeling. To this end, the Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN), as a Rainfall-Runoff (R-R) model was taken into account to simulate the discharge of the Karkheh basin in Iran. Precipitation data was extracted from Asian Precipitation-Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Toward Evaluation (APHRODITE), Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC) and Climatic Research Unit (CRU) datasets. MLPNN training was implemented using the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm and the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) were used to pre-process input data for the MLPNN as well. Two scenarios were considered for R-R modeling. In Scenario1 (S1), the model was calibrated via in situ data and the dataset data was used in the testing phase. In Scenario 2 (S2), the model was calibrated and examined separately based on each dataset. The results showed that in S1, APHRODITE outperformed the other two datasets. All dataset functions were improved in S2. To sum up, the best performance of APHRODITE, GPCC, and CRU is related to hybrid applications of S2-PCA-NSGA-II, S2-SVD-NSGA-II, and S2-SVD-NSGA-II, respectively. Our results indicate that, the main error found in the gridded precipitation dataset is related to bias error which will be disappeared automatically when the model is calibrated using gridded precipitation datasets, suggesting that the bias correction or re-calibration of existing models are required. The results illustrate high potential of gridded precipitation dataset and data-driven models in runoff simulation or filling the gaps existed in observed data.
The value of five scoring systems in predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis associated-acute respiratory failure
Authors: Fan Shiqin , Ma Jing
Published: July 2023

This study aims to find the optimal scoring system to predict the prognosis of patients with sepsis associated-acute respiratory failure (SA-ARF). All data were taken from the fourth version of the Markets in Intensive Care Medicine (MIMIC-IV) database. Independent risk factors for death in hospital were confirmed by regression analysis. The predictive value of five scoring systems was evaluated by Receiving Operating Characteristic Curves (ROC). Kaplan-Meier curves elucidated the impact of APSIII scores on patient survival and prognosis. Decision curve analysis (DCA) identified a scoring system with the highest net clinical benefit. ROC curve analysis showed that APSIII (AUC: 0.755, 95%Cl: 0.714–0.768) and LODS (AUC: 0.731, 95%Cl: 0.717–0.7745) were better than SAPS II (AUC: 0.727, 95% CI: 0.713–0.741), OASIS (AUC: 0.706, 95% CI: 0.691–0.720) and SOFA (AUC: 0.606, 95% CI: 0.590–0.621) in assessing in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the high APS III score group had a considerably poorer median survival day. DCA curve showed that APS III has the greatest net clinical net benefit. APS III is a better predictor of in-hospital mortality than SAPS II, LODS, OASIS, and SOFA. APS III is the excellent one for predicting death in hospital for patients with SA-ARF.
Awareness, treatment, and control among adults living with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus in two rural districts in Lesotho
Authors: Fernández Lucia González , Firima Emmanuel , Gupta Ravi , Sematle Mamoronts’ane , Khomolishoele Makhebe , Molulela Manthabiseng , Bane Matumaole , Tlahali Mosa , McCrosky Stephen , Lee Tristan , Chammartin Frédérique , Seelig Eleonora , Gerber Felix , Lejone Thabo Ishmael , Ayakaka Irene , Labhardt Niklaus Daniel , Amstutz Alain
Published: July 2023

In Lesotho, the hypertension and diabetes care cascades are unknown. We measured awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and diabetes and identified factors associated with each step of the cascade, based on data from a population-based, cross-sectional survey among adults ≥ 18 years in 120 randomly sampled clusters in the districts of Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong from 1st November 2021 to 31st August 2022. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations. Among participants with hypertension, 69.7% (95%CI, 67.2–72.2%, 909/1305) were aware of their condition, 67.3% (95%CI 64.8–69.9%, 878/1305) took treatment, and 49.0% (95%CI 46.3–51.7%, 640/1305) were controlled. Among participants with diabetes, 48.4% (95%CI 42.0–55.0%, 111/229) were aware of their condition, 55.8% (95%CI 49.5–62.3%, 128/229) took treatment, and 41.5% (95%CI 35.1–47.9%, 95/229) were controlled. For hypertension, women had higher odds of being on treatment (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.54, 95% CI 1.78–3.61) and controlled (aOR 2.44, 95%CI 1.76–3.37) than men. Participants from urban areas had lower odds of being on treatment (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44–0.90) or being controlled (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46–0.85). Considerable gaps along the hypertension and diabetes care cascades in Lesotho indicate that access and quality of care for these conditions are insufficient to ensure adequate health outcomes.
Research on Spatial Carving Method of Glutenite Reservoir Based on Opacity Voxel Imaging
Authors: Hu ZHAO , ZHANG Zhong-wei , YANG Hong-wei , Guo-hua WEI
Published: July 2023

With the deepening of the exploration of complex hidden oil and gas reservoirs, the spatial characterization of complex reservoir bodies determines the deployment of development wells, and seismic data contains the three-dimensional spatial characteristics of geological bodies and plays an important role in the spatial characterization of reservoirs, among which designing appropriate transfer functions to express the nonlinear relationship between seismic data and reservoirs is the key to solving the problem. At present, the transfer functions are concentrated in low-dimensional functions or high-dimensional functions of fixed mathematical models, which cannot accurately depict the nonlinear mapping relationship between seismic data and complex reservoirs, resulting in low spatial description accuracy of reservoirs. In this paper, the hybrid nonlinear transfer function is established to convert the seismic volume fusion attribute into the light blockers attribute, and then the emission model and light projection method are used to render the reservoir volume, so as to achieve the purpose of illuminating the reservoir and shielding the non-reservoir, and improve the depiction accuracy of the three-dimensional spatial characteristics of the reservoir.
Phylogenetic structure of plant community, and its relationship with environmental components
Authors: Nosrati Houshang , Mirtajadini Seied Mansoor , Jahanshahi Mahmoudreza
Published: July 2023

The processes shaping the biological communities are ongoing debates. Two theories of Niche and Neutral are the most accepted ones, emphasizing on interspecific competition/environmental filtering, and stochastic processes, respectively. Recently the subject is investigated by incorporating phylogeny into ecological approaches. We investigated plant communities structure in Kerman, Iran, by constructing phylogenetic tree for the species pool using megatree of vascular plants in R Package V.PhyloMaker2, and subsequently calculated communities’ phylogenetic diversity indecis (PDI) of Faith, Net Relatedness index (NRI) and Nearest Taxon index (NTI). Relationship of the indecis with environmental components and species abundance was studied using R Packages Picante and Vegan, respectively. The communities' compositions were calculated based on both abundance-weighted and phylogeny-weighted species compositions, and their correlation was investigated by Mental test. Similarity among the communities was evaluated by ordination analyses of Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and Principal Coordinates of Phylogenetic Structure (PCPS), respectively. The communities’ NRI and NTI values were positive and smaller than threshold value of 1.96, indicating clustered structure of the communities, highlighting environmental filtering role. Soil pH and moisture were significantly correlated with NTI, but only soil moisture affected on NRI. However, soil EC, altitude, slope degree and aspects did not affect on NRI and NTI. None of the six environmental components affected the communities’ species abundance. NMDS- and PCPS-wieghted communities' compositions was not correlated. The results showed that the species assemblage was determined by only environmental filtering, highlighting importance of environmental factors rether than interspecific competition in distribution of species in the region.