bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How genes, schools, and residential areas shape achievement: A population-wide gene-environment interaction study
Authors: Cheesman Rosa , Borgen Nicolai , Lyngstad Torkild , Eilertsen Espen , Ayorech Ziada , Torvik Fartein , Andreassen Ole , Zachrisson Henrik , Ystrom Eivind
Published: June 2022

A child’s environment is thought to be composed of different levels that interact with individual genetic propensities, with less advantaged environments suppressing genetic effects on achievement. However, studies have not tested this theory comprehensively across multiple environmental levels. Here, we quantify the contributions of child, parent, school, neighbourhood, district, and municipality factors to achievement, and investigate interactions between polygenic scores for educational attainment (EA-PGS) and environmental levels. We link population-wide administrative data on children’s standardised test results, schools and residential identifiers to the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), which includes >23,000 genotyped parent-child trios. We test for gene-environment interactions using multilevel models with interactions between EA-PGS and random effects for school and residential environments (thus remaining agnostic to specific features of environments) and use parent EA-PGS to control for gene-environment correlation. Our within-family results suggest that students’ EA-PGS interact with schools but not residential environments (neighbourhoods, districts, and municipalities), which explain negligible variance. Students’ EA-PGS explain four times the variance in achievement in the 2.5% of schools where EA-PGS associations are strongest as in the 2.5% where effects are weakest. Contrary to theory, PGS effects are stronger in less advantaged environments (lower-performing schools). None of the school sociodemographic measures we tested could explain the interaction. Schools make a greater difference to the achievements of students with lower EA-PGS, explaining 4% of the variance for students 2SD below the mean PGS, but 2% for students 2SD above the mean. Policy to reduce social inequality in achievement in Norway should focus on tackling unequal support across schools for children with difficulties, and not on differences between residential areas.
Going green in China: How does digital finance affect environmental pollution? Mechanism discussion and empirical test
Authors: Du Mingyue , Hou Yifan , Zhou Qingjie , Ren Siyu
Published: June 2022

With the continuous advancement of the technological revolution and industrial transformation, environmental governance supported by digital finance has become an important engine for achieving carbon neutrality. Based on panel data from 30 provinces in China, this study discusses the spatial spillover effect and transmission mechanism between digital finance and environmental pollution. Our research results confirm that the inhibitory effect of digital finance on local environmental pollution gradually increases with the improvement of digital finance. Interestingly, digital finance has a significant positive spatial spillover effect on environmental pollution in surrounding areas. The mediating effect shows that digital finance can alleviate environmental pollution by improving technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and industrial structure rationalization. A higher degree of marketization and governmental support can increase the positive influences of digital finance on pollution reduction. This research proves the effectiveness of digital finance in improving environmental governance, and it encourages policy-makers around the world to rely on digital finance to promote ecological governance and achieve high-quality economic development.
Improved extended state observer-based global sliding-mode finite-time control for displacement tracking of a hydraulic roofbolter
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Guo Yinan , Gong Dunwei , Zhu Song
Published: June 2022

The dead-zone nonlinearity and uncertain dynamics inevitably weaken the tracking performance of the displacement system for a hydraulic roofbolter. To address the above problem, this paper proposes a global slidingmode controller based on a reduced-order PD-type extended state observer (GSMC-PDESO). Firstly, the displacement system model of a hydraulic roofbolter is built by using a compensation technique to suppress the effect of dead-zone nonlinearity on control performance. Following that, a novel extended state observer that has less dimensions and few gains than standard one, called reduced-order PD-type extended state observer, is designed, with the purpose of improving the estimation performance and suppressing noise amplification. Moreover, a global sliding mode unit mainly composed of a novel global integral sliding-mode surface (NGISMS) and a novel global sliding-mode control law (NGSMCL) is developed, which aims to improve global robustness, eliminate the chattering and adverse impact on estimation error of disturbances, as well as provide an effective and continuous control law. By comparing the proposed GSMC-PDESO with ten control methods, the comparative experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed GSMC-PDESO and strategies.
Tribotronic Control of Ionic Boundary Films
Authors: Reddy Akepati Bhaskar , Pilkington Georgia , Rutland Mark W. , Glavatskih Sergei
Published: June 2022

The effect of electric potential on the lubricating adsorbed ionic films has been studied for a non-halogenated phosphonium orthoborate ionic liquid used as an additive in a biodegradable oil. A tribotronic system, designed around a ball-on-disc film thickness measurement system, was developed and manufactured in-house. This setup allowed for applying an electric potential between the test ball and a set of counter electrodes. The lubricating film thickness clearly decreased at negative potentials and increased at positive potentials. The trends suggested that the anions, acting as anchors on the surface, are instrumental in the formation of thick and robust lubricating ionic boundary films. The application of high positive potential, outside the electrochemical window, resulted in an enormous boost to film thickness, suggesting the formation of ionic multi-layers. The complementary neutron reflectance experiment showed electroresponse in the form of a change in thickness and the ionic composition of the boundary films.
Cross-shelf transport of Barents Sea dense water as a sink for atmospheric CO2 in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Rogge Andreas , Janout Markus , Zakharova Nadezhda , Trudnowska Emilia , Hoerstmann Cora , Wekerle Claudia , Oziel Laurent , Schourup-Kristensen Vibe , Ruiz-Castillo Eugenio , Schulz Kirstin , Povazhnyy Vasily , Iversen Morten , Waite Anya
Published: June 2022

Export into the deep sea can store significant amounts of atmospheric carbon (C) on millennial time scales, buffering global warming1,2. The Barents Sea is one of the most biologically productive areas of the Arctic Ocean3,4 but C retention times there were thought to be short5. Here we show that dense bottom water formation and transport over the continental slope into the deep sea6–8 result in deep injection of substantial amounts of organic C with long retention times. Observational evidence complemented by numerical model simulations revealed a deep and widespread C injection driven by Barents Sea Bottom Water transport with daily lateral fluxes of ~2.2 kt C d-1 to ~1200 m in the Nansen Basin. With increasing distance from the outflow region, the plume expanded and penetrated into even deeper waters, and towards the sediment (retention time hundreds of millennia). Numerical model and genomic data suggest a seasonally fluctuating but continuous transport of C-rich phytoplankton and resuspended material from the Barents and Kara Sea shelves. This mechanism could sequester ~1/3 of total C burial across the whole Barents Sea9. Our findings combined with those from other export regions of C-rich dense waters in the Arctic10,11 and around Antarctica12–16 highlight the importance of lateral transport of bottom water as a C sink globally. Resolving uncertainties around negative feedbacks of global warming due to sea ice decline will necessitate observation of changes in bottom water formation17 and biological productivity3 at a resolution high enough to quantify future deep C injection.
Self-supervised machine learning pushes the sensitivity limit in label-free detection of single proteins below 10 kDa
Authors: Dahmardeh Mahyar , Dastjerdi Houman Mirzaalian , Mazal Hisham , Köstler Harald , Sandoghdar Vahid
Published: June 2022

Interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy is a label-free optical method capable of detecting single proteins, localizing their binding positions with nanometer precision, and measuring their mass. In the ideal case, iSCAT is limited by shot noise so that collection of more photons should allow its detection sensitivity to biomolecules of arbitrarily low mass. However, a number of technical noise sources combined with speckle-like background fluctuations have restricted the detection limit in iSCAT. Here, we show that an unsupervised machine learning isolation forest algorithm for anomaly detection pushes the mass sensitivity limit by a factor of four to below 10 kDa. We implement this scheme both with a user-defined feature matrix and a self-supervised FastDVDNet and validate our results with correlative fluorescence images recorded in total internal reflection mode. Our work opens the door to the optical detection of small traces of disease markers such as alpha-synuclein, chemokines, and cytokines.
Gut microbiota dysbiosis exaggerates ammonia-induced tracheal injury via TLR4 signaling pathway
Authors: zhou ying , Zhao Xin , zhang minhong , feng jinghai
Published: June 2022

Background: Ammonia is a toxic air pollutant that causes severe respiratory tract injury in animals and humans. Gut microbiota has found to be involved in the development of respiratory tract injury induced by air pollutants, however, the specific mechanism requires investigation. Results: Here, we found that, inhaled ammonia induced tracheal injury by reducing expression of claudin-1, increasing expression of muc5ac, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10), and also altering tracheal microbiota composition. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that gut microbiota dysbiosis positively correlated with TLR4 level in the trachea. Antibiotic depletion intestinal microbiota treatment reduced the severity of ammonia-induced tracheal injury via TLR4 signaling pathway. Microbiota transplantation induced the tracheal injury via TLR4 signaling pathway even without the ammonia exposure. Conclusions: These results indicate that gut microbiota dysbiosis exaggerates ammonia-induced tracheal injury via TLR4 signaling pathway. In addition, the [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, Faecalibacterium, unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae may be the core gut microbiota contributing to the alterations of tracheal microbiota composition.
Morphological and biometrical characterization of otoliths for three populations of the genus Pagellus in the western and eastern in Mediterranean Sea (Tunisia)
Authors: HOUETO M. F. A. , MEJRI M. , TAZARKI M. , BAKKARI W. , FALEH A. BEN , CHALH A. , QUIGANRD J. P. , TRABELSI M.
Published: June 2022

The shape of otoliths of three species of fishes of the genus Pagellus (Pagellus erythrinus, Pagellus acarne and Pagellus bogaraveo) sampled in the marine environment of the western Mediterranean (Kelibia Sea) and the eastern Mediterranean (Bizerte Sea) in Tunisia was studied in order to determine a differentiation by a discriminant factorial analysis and an analysis of biometric measurements. The different results showed an asymmetry within and between the otoliths of the different populations. Despite the difference between Pagellus erythrinus of the Western basin and Pagellus erythrinus of the Eastern basin, the observed intraspecific variation fades in front of the interspecific variation. The Pagellus erythrinus sampled in the basin (Western and Eastern) allowed us to highlight the polymorphism of the otoliths thanks to the highly significant differences obtained (p-value < 0.0001).
Novel biosynthesis of MnO NPs using Mycoendophyte: Industrial bioprocessing strategies, characterization, scaling-up production, and its evaluation as anti-phytopathogenic agents
Authors: EL-Moslamy Shahira H. , Yahia I. S. , Zahran H. Y. , Kamoun Elbadawy A.
Published: June 2022

Objectives: This is the first time in literature to the biosynthesis of rod-shaped myco-synthesized MnO NPs in average diameter ~35nm using extracellular bioactive metabolites of endophytic Trichoderma virens strain EG92 as capping/reducing agents and MnCl2.4H2O as a parent component. Methods: The wheat bran medium was chosen to grow endophytic strain EG92, which produced a variety of bioactive metabolites in extracellular fraction, which increases the yield of MnO NPs to 9.53 g/l. The whole medium and fungal growth conditions that influenced biomass generation were optimized as successive statistical optimization approaches (Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs). Results: The production improvements were achieved at pH 5.5, WBE (35%), and inoculum size (10%), which increased Xmax to twelve-folds (89.63 g/l); thereby, Pmax increased to eight-folds (82.93 g/l). After 162 hours, Xmax (145.63 g/l) and Pmax (99.52 g/l) on the side of µmax and YX/S were determined as 0.084 and 7.65, respectively. Via Taguchi experimental design, fungus-fabricated MnO NPs reaction was improved by adding 0.25M of MnCl2.4H2O to 100% of fungal extract (reducing/capping agents) and adjusting the reaction pH adjusted to ~5. This reaction was incubated at 60°C for 5h before adding 20% fungal extract (stabilizing agent). Also, Pmax was raised 40-fold (395.36g/l) over the BC. Conclusions: Our myco-synthesized MnO NPs exhibit faster and more precise antagonistic actions against phytopathogenic bacteria than fungi; they could be employed as an alternative and promised nano-bio-pesticide to manage a variety of different types of disease-pathogens in the future.
No concerns for post-stroke seizure or epilepsy with rTPA; A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad Hossein , Esmaeili Sara , Tabatabaee Seyedehnarges , Sheibani Fatemeh , Pirouz Mahdi Saberi , Joghataei Mohammad Taghi , Mokhtari Mahisa , Alavi Seyedeh Niloufar Rafiei , Mostafavi Keihan , khotbehsara Samaneh Tanhapour , Siahpoosh Fateme , Soleimani Sevim , Hatam Jaber , Mirzaasgari Zahra
Published: June 2022

Background:
Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) is the gold standard therapy for ischemic stroke patients within the appropriate time interval. In addition to its undoubtedly benefits, recognizing its possible adverse effects is of utmost importance. This study aims to investigate the possible correlation between rTPA administration and the risk of post-stroke epilepsy.
Methods:
In a retrospective cohort study, we enrolled subjects identified to have an ischemic stroke event without prior history of epilepsy based on their medical records. Then, followed them retrospectively regarding any subsequent seizure or epilepsy syndromes.
Results:
rTPA therapy showed no correlations with seizures during the first week after stroke or with the epilepsy syndromes. Positive history of prior ischemic stroke, cortical localization of stroke, cardio embolic source of the stroke, and positive hemorrhagic complication were predictors of post-stroke seizure during the first week following the stroke event. Higher final Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and cortical localization of stroke were predictors of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE).
Conclusion
rTPA is a safe therapeutic measure for patients with ischemic stroke with no concerns of subsequent development of post-stroke seizure or epilepsy.
Antibacterial activity of carboxymethyl chitosan dialdehyde starch Schiff base and its metal complex
Authors: Ouyang Jinyu , Li Zhenbiao , Miao Jincheng , Wang Yongtao , Hu Langrong , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: June 2022

Carboxymethyl chitosan dialdehyde starch Schiff base (CMCDAS) and its metal complexes were synthesized by corn starch (St), sodium periodate, carboxymethyl chitosan and metal ions (copper, zinc, nickel, silver), and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The antibacterial activities of CMCDAS against E. coli and S. aureus increased according with its increasing nitrogen content, and the best minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to E. coli and S. aureus were 30 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the metal Complexes (copper, nickel, silver, and zinc) against S. aureus were 7.50 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, and 1.88 mg/mL, respectively; and against E. coli were 7.50 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, 15 mg/mL, and 0.94 mg/mL, respectively.
D-Tagatose protects against oleic acid-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats by activating PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Huang Jian , Wang Bingjie , Tao Shaoyi , Hu Yuexia , Wang Ning , Zhang Li , Cheng Gao , Zhang Qiaoyun , Wang Chunhui , Chen Chen , Cheng Xingdong
Published: June 2022

Background
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by disruption of the alveolar–capillary barrier, resulting in severe alveolar edema and inflammation. D-tagatose (TAG) is a low-calorie fructose isomer with diverse biological activities whose role in ARDS has never been explored. We found that TAG protects lung tissues from injury in the oleic acid-induced rat model of ARDS.
Methods
Seventeen male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Sham (n = 5), ARDS (n = 6), and TAG + ARDS (n = 6). The treatment groups were injected with oleic acid to induce ARDS, and the TAG + ARDS group was given TAG 3 days before the induction. After the treatments, the effect of TAG was evaluated by blood gas analysis and observing the gross and histological structure of the lung.
Results
The results showed that TAG significantly improved the oxygenation function, reduced the respiratory acidosis and the inflammatory response. TAG also improved the vascular permeability in ARDS rats and promoted the differentiation of alveolar type II cells, maintaining the stability of the alveolar structure. This protective effect of TAG on the lung may be achieved by activating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Conclusions
TAG protects against oleic acid-induced ARDS in rats, suggesting a new clinical strategy for treating the condition.
Tuning mechanical, thermal, morphological, barrier, and biodegradation properties of edible pectin-alginate/orange peel biocomposite films
Authors: Uncu Sinan Barış , Mocan Merve
Published: June 2022

Plastic and organic waste pollution create serious consequences on the environment and the welfare of living organisms. More sustainable solutions should be pursued and applied as fast as possible to prevent further worsening of this global problem. The problem of packaging waste, the major part of the plastic pollution, could be solved using biodegradable plastics where mechanical recycling is not possible, such as in case of food-contaminated packages. However, biodegradable plastics made from bio-based materials are typically low in strength, exhibit poor thermal and barrier properties, and are high in cost. In this study, we propose to produce fully biodegradable, edible, pectin-alginate biocomposite films prepared with a food residue, orange peel powder (OPP), which is an abundant and inexpensive natural resource. The mechanical, thermal, and morphological biocomposite films were characterized by using Universal Testing Machine, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetric Analyzer and Scanning Electron Microscope. Biodegradability was measured by using soil burial method and water vapor permeability test was performed according to the ASTM E96 standard. These properties were tuned by changing the type, amount of the components and the size of OPP in the film formulation in a systematic manner. The biocomposite films containing 2% CaCl2, 0.7 g/g glycerol, and 30% fine OPP as a filler displayed mechanical properties comparable to those of commercially available packaging films while also exhibiting biodegradability and rather high thermal stability. The biocomposite films, prepared only from natural, edible, and vegan materials, offer promising environmentally friendly alternatives to non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics to produce fully biodegradable packaging films with tuned properties according to food packaging requirements. While the valorization of OPP improved the properties of the biocomposite edible films, it also proposes a sustainable solution to the organic waste problem.
Prevalence of Surgical Site infections among Surgical operated patients in Zewditu Memorial Hospital. Addis Ababa Ethiopia December 2020
Authors: Abdissa Girma , Bekele shiferaw , Abraham Eyakem
Published: June 2022

Background: Surgical site infections are the most common kinds of hospital-acquired infections. It's a common complication that can cause serious morbidity and mortality after surgery. It is also the major cause of extended hospital stays, accounting for up to 20% of hospital expenses. Methods and materials. A random sample of 144 surgical patients was analyzed utilizing a hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study technique from January 1 to December 31, 2019. The information was acquired using a World Health Organization-developed modified standardized checklist for surgery safety and the national surveillance network for nosocomial infections. A rigorous random sampling strategy was used to choose study participants. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to describe the data. Result:-A total of 13 of the 144 patients who were operated on had surgical site infections (9.02 percent). Elective surgical cases made up 102 (71%) of the total, while emergency surgical cases comprised 42 (29%). Preventive antibiotics were administered to the remaining 99 (69%) research participants, with 73 (73%) receiving ceftriaxone, 3% receiving ampicillin, and 23 (24%) receiving a combination of ceftriaxone and metronidazole. There were 13 cases of surgical site infections in all (9.02 percent). Six (46%) were superficial surgical site infections, four (31%) were deep surgical site infections, and three (23%) were organ space surgical site infections. 11 (84%) patients were treated with IV antibiotics and wound treatment, 1 (8%) cases with wound debridement, and the remaining 1 (8%) cases with laparotomy, antibiotics, and wound management. Conclusion:-In this study area, surgical site infection is infrequent. The bulk of the population is made up of women. The use of prophylactic antibiotics and the age of the patients were both variables in the development of surgical site infections.
Effects of Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame) on postprandial glycaemia: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Mitamura Rieko , Yoshinaga Keiko
Published: June 2022

Brown seaweeds, such as Undaria pinnatifida (wakame), contain sodium alginate, which can affect postprandial blood glucose levels. We previously reported the effects of wakame on postprandial glycaemia in humans; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the influence of ingested wakame on postprandial blood glucose levels. We conducted in vitro studies to determine the inhibitory activity of wakame on the glucose release rate and in vivo studies to determine the acute effects of wakame on postprandial blood glucose levels. The in vitro study was used to assess low-sodium wakame powder, low-sodium and low-fat wakame powder, soluble and insoluble fractions obtained from dried wakame, and commercially available sodium alginate. Glucose release rate was measured using an in vitro digestion model. The in vivo study was conducted using a crossover method, wherein healthy young adult participants were given 150 g of rice with or without wakame (2 g or 4 g dried wakame). The glucose release rates of all wakame extracts and sodium alginate were significantly lower than that of the control. The soluble fraction significantly inhibited the release of glucose. In the in vivo study, blood glucose levels 15 min after ingestion were significantly lower after consuming rice with 2 g of wakame than when consuming rice alone. Moreover, the ingestion of 4 g of wakame resulted in significantly lower blood glucose levels after meal consumption. These results suggest that the highly viscous soluble fraction of wakame, which contains sodium alginate, increases the viscosity of the gastrointestinal contents and delays glucose absorption. (UMIN000047854)
Analgesic efficacy of suprascapular nerve block versus combined suprascapular and axillary nerve block in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy: A prospective, randomized, comparative study
Authors: Ray Subrata , Mitra Anuradha , Sanyal Ramapati , Hussain Tabish , Naz Anjum
Published: June 2022

Background and aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of combined suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and axillary nerve block (ANB) with SSNB alone for analgesia after shoulder arthroscopy in terms of level of pain scores, total analgesic consumption and patient satisfaction in 24 hours. Methods: Forty one patients posted for shoulder arthroscopy were randomly allocated into two groups, group S (n=20), receiving SSNB and group C (n=21) receiving combined SSNB and ANB. Visual analogue scale (VAS) both at rest and during movement at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours and at the time of first demand, total consumption of analgesics in 24 hours and patient satisfaction score at 12 and 24 hours were noted. Results: The VAS scores both at rest and during movement were significantly less in group C at 1, 6, 12 hours and at the time of first demand of analgesic (p < 0.05). Compared to group S, group C had a longer pain free duration (154.3 ± 11.41 min vs 36.60 ± 6.553 min; p < 0.001) and lesser cumulative consumption of pethidine (300.0 ± 8.894 mg vs 336.8 ± 13.27 mg; p = 0.0256). The satisfaction level was better in group C at 12 hours (p = 0.002) but comparable to the group S at 24 hours (p= 0.0673). Conclusion: Combined SSNB and ANB provided better pain relief in first 12 hours, better patient satisfaction in the first 12 hours and decreased overall consumption of analgesics in the first 24 hours compared to SSNB alone.
Piloting an Automated Clinical Trial Eligibility Surveillance and Provider Alert System based on Artificial Intelligence and Standard Data Models
Authors: Meystre Stéphane M. , Heider Paul M. , Cates Andrew , Bastian Grace , Pittman Tara , Gentilin Stephanie , Kelechi Teresa J.
Published: June 2022

Background: To advance new therapies into clinical care, clinical trials must recruit enough participants. Yet, many trials fail to do so, leading to delays, early trial termination, and wasted resources. Under-enrolling trials make it impossible to draw conclusions about the efficacy of new therapies. An oft-cited reason for insufficient enrollment is lack of study team and provider awareness about patient eligibility. Automating clinical trial eligibility surveillance and study team and provider notification could offer a solution. Methods: To address this need for an automated solution, we conducted an observational pilot study of our TAES (TriAl Eligibility Surveillance) system. We tested the hypothesis that an automated system based on natural language processing and machine learning algorithms could detect patients eligible for specific clinical trials by linking the information extracted from trial descriptions to the corresponding clinical information in the electronic health record (EHR). To evaluate the TAES information extraction and matching prototype (i.e., TAES prototype), we selected five open cardiovascular and cancer trials at the Medical University of South Carolina and created a new reference standard of 21,974 clinical text notes from a random selection of 400 patients (including at least 100 enrolled in the selected trials), with a small subset of 20 notes annotated in detail. We also developed a simple web interface for a new database that stores all trial eligibility criteria, corresponding clinical information, and trial-patient match characteristics using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) common data model. Finally, we investigated options for integrating an automated clinical trial eligibility system into the EHR and for notifying health care providers promptly of potential patient eligibility without interrupting their clinical workflow.Results: Although the rapidly implemented TAES prototype achieved only moderate accuracy (recall: 0.000-0.778; precision: 0.000-1.000), it enabled us to assess options for integrating an automated system successfully into the clinical workflow at a healthcare system.Conclusions: Once optimized, the TAES system could exponentially enhance identification of patients potentially eligible for clinical trials, while simultaneously decreasing the burden on research teams of manual EHR review. Through timely notifications, it could also raise physician awareness of patient eligibility for clinical trials.
Circulating cytokines reflect the etiology-specific immune environment in cirrhosis and HCC
Authors: Beudeker Boris J.B. , Groothuismink Zwier M.A. , Eijk Annemiek A. , Debes Jose D. , Boonstra Andre
Published: June 2022

Background and AimsChronic liver disease -from any etiology- can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression of liver cirrhosis to the end stages of disease is influenced by a variety of factors, including inflammatory cytokines (soluble inflammatory mediators of cell communication). We pursued a study of cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses in hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsImmune profiles were determined through serum multiplex profiling of >100 cytokines in a 188 cirrhotic patients, 35 healthy controls and 198 early-stage HCC patients.ResultsPatients with liver cirrhosis exhibited vast upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (p<0.0001), including those with pro-oncogenic features, when compared to healthy individuals. In contrast to prevailing assumptions, each etiological cause of cirrhosis exhibited a unique cytokine profile in blood. Regardless of antiviral therapy, HBV cirrhosis patients had the largest number of upregulated proinflammatory mediators, compared to HCV, ALD and NAFLD (p<0.0001). To further evaluate the etiology-dependent modulation of cytokine response in relation to liver cancer, we studied cytokine profiles in early-stage HCC patients strictly stratified by underlying liver disease. We observed unique sets of differentially expressed cytokines in each cohort of early-stage HCC patients of different cirrhosis etiologies. ConclusionsOur findings, therefore, underscore the importance of stratification by etiological cause of liver cirrhosis in immune-based studies.
A blood DNA methylation biomarker for predicting short-term risk of cardiovascular events
Authors: Cappozzo Andrea , McCrory Cathal , Robinson Oliver , Sterrantino Anna Freni , Sacerdote Carlotta , Krogh Vittorio , Panico Salvatore , Tumino Rosario , Iacoviello Licia , Ricceri Fulvio , Sieri Sabina , Chiodini Paolo , Kenny Rose Anne , O’Halloran Aisling , Polidoro Silvia , Solinas Giuliana , Vineis Paolo , Ieva Francesca , Fiorito Giovanni
Published: June 2022

Background: Recent evidence highlights the epidemiological value of blood DNA methylation (DNAm) as surrogate biomarker for exposures to risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). DNAm surrogate of exposures predict diseases and longevity better than self-reported or measured exposures in many cases. Consequently, disease prediction models based on blood DNAm surrogates may outperform current state-of-art prediction models. This study aims to develop novel DNAm surrogates for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors and develop a composite biomarker predictive of CVD risk. We compared the prediction performance of our newly developed risk score with the state-of-art DNAm risk scores for cardiovascular diseases, the ‘next-generation’ epigenetic clock DNAmGrimAge, and the prediction model based on traditional risk factors SCORE2.Results: Using data from the EPIC Italy cohort, we derived novel DNAm surrogates for BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and coagulation biomarkers. We validated them in four independent datasets from Europe and the US. Further, we derived a DNAmCVDscore predictive of the time-to-CVD event as a combination of several DNAm surrogates. ROC curve analyses show that DNAmCVDscore outperforms previously developed DNAm scores for CVD risk and SCORE2 for short-term CVD risk. Interestingly, the performance of DNAmGrimAge and DNAmCVDscore was comparable (slightly lower for DNAmGrimAge, although the differences were not statistically significant).Conclusions: We described novel DNAm surrogates for CVD risk factors useful for future molecular epidemiology research, and we described a blood DNAm-based composite biomarker, DNAmCVDscore, predictive of short-term cardiovascular events. Our results highlight the usefulness of DNAm surrogate biomarkers of risk factors in epigenetic epidemiology to identify high-risk populations. In addition, we provide further evidence on the effectiveness of prediction models based on DNAm surrogates and discuss methodological aspects for further improvements. Finally, our results encourage testing this approach for other NCD diseases by training and developing DNAm surrogates for disease-specific risk factors and exposures.
Different treatments of pearl millet for cellulose recovery: effects on lignocellulosic composition
Authors: Dresch Aline Perin , Cavali Matheus , Santos David F. , Fogolari Odinei Odinei , Tironi Siumar Pedro , Pinto Vânia Z. , Mibielli Guilherme Martinez , Bender João Paulo
Published: June 2022

Pretreatment is the main step that must be performed in order to isolate the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contained in the lignocellulosic biomass. The objective of this study was to recover cellulose from pearl millet biomass through chemical (alkali and acid), physical (vapor explosion and size reduction) and combined treatments. The cellulosic fraction was characterized by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The cellulose-rich fraction presented 100% and 99.86% of lignin and hemicellulose removal, respectively, and a high crystallinity index of 82.43% after two 4-hour alkaline extractions with 4% NaOH followed by 2 hours extraction with C2H2O4 5% in autoclave at a temperature of 125.6°C and 1.4 bar. Based on the analysis of FTIR-ATR, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, it was possible to confirm the removal of hemicellulose and lignin from pearl millet biomass, highlighting the efficiency of the treatments evaluated in the process of solubilization of these compounds. The results presented in this study should contribute to improve the efficiency of the fractionation processes of lignocellulosic biomasses.
RNA polymerase inaccuracy underlies SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine heterogeneity
Authors: Herman Christophe , Bradley Catherine , Gordon Alasdair , Wang Chen , Cooke Matthew , Kohrn Brendan , Kennedy Scott , Lichtarge Olivier , Ronca Shannon
Published: June 2022

Both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its mRNA vaccines depend on RNA polymerases (RNAP)1,2; however, these enzymes are inherently error-prone and can introduce variants into the RNA3. To understand SARS-CoV-2 evolution and vaccine efficacy, it is critical to identify the extent and distribution of errors introduced by the RNAPs involved in each process. Current methods lack the sensitivity and specificity to measure de novo RNA variants in low input samples like viral isolates3. Here, we determine the frequency and nature of RNA errors in both SARS-CoV-2 and its vaccine using a targeted Accurate RNA Consensus sequencing method (tARC-seq). We found that the viral RNA-dependent RNAP (RdRp) makes ~1 error every 10,000 nucleotides – higher than previous estimates4. We also observed that RNA variants are not randomly distributed across the genome but are associated with certain genomic features and genes, such as S (Spike). tARC-seq captured a number of large insertions, deletions and complex mutations that can be modeled through non-programmed RdRp template switching. This template switching feature of RdRp explains many key genetic changes observed during the evolution of different lineages worldwide, including Omicron. Further sequencing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine revealed an RNA variant frequency of ~1 in 5,000, meaning most of the vaccine transcripts produced in vitro by T7 phage RNAP harbor a variant. These results demonstrate the extraordinary genetic diversity of viral populations and the heterogeneous nature of an mRNA vaccine fueled by RNAP inaccuracy. Along with functional studies and pandemic data, tARC-seq variant spectra can inform models to predict how SARS-CoV-2 may evolve. Finally, our results may help improve future vaccine development and study design as mRNA therapies continue to gain traction.
Addition of the nuclear export inhibitor selinexor to standard intensive treatment for elderly patients with AML and high risk MDS
Authors: Janssen Jeroen , Löwenberg Bob , Manz Markus , Biemond Bart , Westerweel Peter , Klein Saskia , Fehr Martin , Sinnige Harm , Efthymiou Anna , Legdeur M , Pabst Thomas , Gregor Michael , Poel Marjolein van der , Deeren Dries , Tick Lidwine , Jongen-Lavrencic Mojca , Obbergh Florence , Boersma Rinske , de Weerdt Okke , Chalandon Yves , Heim Dominik , spertini Olivier , Sluis Geerte van , Graux Carlos , Stuessi Georg. , Norden Yvette van , Ossenkoppele Gert
Published: June 2022

Treatment results of AML in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. In an open label randomized phase II study, we investigated whether addition of the XPO1 inhibitor selinexor to intensive chemotherapy would improve outcome in this population. 102 AML patients > 65 years of age (median 69 (65–80)) were randomly assigned to standard chemotherapy (3 + 7) with or without oral selinexor 60 mg twice weekly (both arms n = 51), days 1–24. In the second cycle, cytarabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1–6 with or without selinexor was given. CR/CRi rates were significantly higher in the control arm than in the investigational arm (80% (95% C.I. 69–91%) vs. 59% (45–72%; p = 0.018), respectively). At 18 months, event-free survival was 45% for the control arm versus 26% for the investigational arm (Cox-p = 0.012) and overall survival 58% vs. 33%, respectively (p = 0.009). AML and infectious complications accounted for an increased death rate in the investigational arm. Irrespective of treatment, MRD status after two cycles appeared to be correlated with survival. We conclude that the addition of selinexor to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly AML patients. (Netherlands Trial Registry number NL5748 (NTR5902), www.trialregister.nl).
Association between lignan intake from different types of plant-based foods and obesity indicators in the Netherlands
Authors: Zaki Umi Kalsum Hussain , Trijsburg Laura , Feskens Edith J.M.
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to assess whether lignan intake is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in a Dutch population. Data on lignan content of foods was extracted from a lignan database of Dutch plant-based foods and complemented with three other references to estimate lignan intake in 1012 Dutch men and women participating in the NQ-plus prospective cohort study. The association between lignan intake and BMI and waist circumference was assessed using linear regression analysis. Three multivariate models were used to investigate the association of BMI and waist circumference with total lignan intake. Model 1 included adjustments for lifestyle variables, in model 2 adjustments were made for energy intake and nutrients, and in model 3 these adjustment were combined. The median lignan intake was 3226 µg/day (mean 4763 µg/day, SD 5386 µg/day). Lignan intake was strongly skewed towards higher values, ranging from 40-50500 µg/day. The major sources of lignans were bread, which contributed 52%, nuts, seeds, and snacks (21%), and vegetables (12%) to the lignan intake. After adjustments lignan intake was associated with a lower waist circumference (-0.93 cm, 95% CI: -0.88; -1.00). No association between BMI and lignan intake was observed. A higher lignan intake is significantly associated with a smaller waist circumference in Dutch adults. To what extent a high lignan intake can reduce waist circumference in obese patients or can prevent onset of abdominal obesity remains to be tested in future intervention studies.
Social Reception and Inclusion of Refugees From Ukraine
Authors: Isański Jakub , Marek Nowak , Michalski Michał A. , Sereda Victoria , Vakhitova Hanna
Published: June 2022

Our research aimed to study the ongoing phenomena of cross-border displacement of the Ukrainian population resulting from the Russian aggression that started on the 24th of February 2022. In the first stage of this research, we managed to get the opinions of over 500 refugees with a focus on their needs, concerns, plans, and expectations. Collected data also allowed a reconstruction of social-demographic profiles of fleeing Ukrainian refugees. The preliminary outcomes are presented in the report.
Clinical Effect of Post-rewarming Fever after Targeted Temperature Management in Cardiac Arrest Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guo Guangqi , Ma Yannan , Xu Shuang , Zhang Hongrong , Sun Peng
Published: June 2022

Aim: To characterize and summarize the studies regarding the influence of post-rewarming fever on neurological outcome and mortality in cardiac arrest patients. Methods: Two investigators separately screened relevant articles in EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Central databases. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that evaluated the influence of post-rewarming fever (PRF) and normothermia in cardiac arrest patients were included. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model or a fixed effects model to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was the unfavorable neurological outcome and the secondary outcome was the mortality. Results: The meta-analysis included 12 studies involving 2,991 patients. Results of quantitative analysis suggested that PRF (body temperature >37.5°C) did not affect the unfavorable neurological outcome of patients with cardiac arrest (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.54-1.25; I2, 81%). Also, PRF (body temperature >37.8°C) was not related to higher mortality of patients with cardiac arrest (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.55-1.34; I2, 74%). However, PRF with higher body temperature (>38.5℃) was associated with higher mortality (OR, 2.22; 95%CI, 1.40- 3.35; I2, 0%). Conclusions: This study suggests that PRF (body temperature >37.5°C) is not related to neurological outcome. And no significant association is found between PRF (body temperature >37.8°C) and mortality. However, PRF is associated with higher mortality when PRF was defined as >38.5℃.
Research on Perception and Control Technology for Robot Dexterous Operation
Authors: Zhang Tengteng , Mo Hongwei
Published: June 2022

In an unstructured environment, multiple objects are closely arranged, which leads to the complexity of robot grasping. Deep reinforcement learning(DRL) can take long-term reasoning, and make better and more robust decisions in a series of decisions, allowing the robot to continuously learn from its own experience. In this paper, we demonstrate that a new deep reinforcement learning algorithm based on Q-learning and attention mechanisms can effectively solve the robot grasping problem. In addition, we present a grasp and move strategy that reduces complexity by replacing hand-designed features with data-driven ones. The robot is used to move the objects to create a larger grasping space when the objects are densely distributed to improve the grasping success rate. The application of the proposed model on a simulated UR5 robot manipulator demonstrates the effectiveness and stability of the model. The results show that our proposed method outperforms the baseline framework in terms of grasping accuracy and efficiency.
Design and Implementation of Power-Efficient Cryptography Scheme Using a Novel Multiplication Technique
Authors: Srik B. , Ravindra JVR. , Ramakrishna P. , Ajitha D.
Published: June 2022

The threat application has been increased a lot in the digital application; hence, protecting the data and the digital application is very important. Several crypto algorithms were already implemented with different sub-module to secure the data from the malicious event. However, the harmfulness of the malicious events has broken the security in many cases. This has resulted in high data theft, less confidential range and data loss So, the present article has designed a novel Bernoulli Data-encryption-standard (B-DES) for securing the digital communication in the wireless environment. Here, the Bernoulli function has been performed after the XOR process, and then during the decryption process, the function of the novel B-DES has been reversed. Moreover, the designed encryption approach is checked with the brute force attack. Here, the gained power usage by the designed scheme is 193 mW, compared to other models; it has diminished the power usage by 7%. Moreover, the earned memory utilization is 0.6 kB, compared to other compared models, it has reduced the memory utilization is 3%. The delay rated recorded by the designed model is 3.43 ns, compared to other models it has minimized the delay score by 3%.
Ranking of suitable concrete mix parameter based on splitting tensile strength of partially set concrete subjected to delays in casting using Multi-criteria decision making approach
Authors: Gayake Sudhir Bhaskarrao , Desai Atul K. , Kute Sunil Y.
Published: June 2022

Delays in casting of freshly prepared concrete mix is always uncertain and cannot be predicted in the initial time. The interval of time t between the preparation of dry mix including the water addition i.e. t = 0 and casting of the same concrete where required at some elapsed time t is called as time lag. In this paper, attempt is made to correlate the experimental splitting tensile strength variation of partially set concrete (PSC) with the analytical model developed earlier for selfing and the correlation factors are estimated. Also as the success of any task is always contingent on the ability to make decisions and recognize to select the best feasible option from a variety of options. Therefore a multi criteria decision making (MCDM) tool is implemented for ascertaining the suitable concrete mix of PSC. Three different types of concrete mix were tried and compared to the normal mix to check the variation in splitting strength. The experimental and analytical values of tensile strength are validated and the average correlation factor is observed 0.998. Furthermore, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for ranking, normal PSC (Type-1) and PSC with 1% synthetic fibers (Type-4) showed maximum splitting tensile strength at 75 minutes time lag, whereas PSC with 20% fly ash (Type-2) and PSC with 25% fly ash (Type-3) showed maximum splitting tensile strength at 100 minutes time lag, indicating that the addition of fly ash retarded setting time and kept PSC more workable.The AHP model also suggested 1% synthetic fibers (Type-4) as the most suitable concrete mix parameter among four alternatives experimented.