bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Participation in Mid-term Course Evaluation on End of Term Course Evaluation: Effectiveness of Participation in Mid-term Course Evaluation
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Choi Myeongsik , Jeon Yohan
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of participating in mid-term course evaluation on end of term course evaluation. Its purpose is to provide basic data to encourage participation in mid-course evaluation. Data were collected by students attending S University in 2021 for mid-term course evaluation and end of term course evaluation. The results of the study showed that first, participation in the mid-term course evaluation had a positive effect on the end of term course evaluation. Second, it was found that participating in the mid-term course evaluation had a positive effect on the end of term course evaluation in the major curriculum, theory classes, and experiment and practice classes method. Finally, in the liberal art curriculum, participation in the mid-term course evaluation did not have an effect on the end of the course evaluation. These results suggest that it is necessary to encourage participation in mid-term course evaluation in order to provide high-quality lectures to students.
A Study on the Case of Making the Oral Myth Princess Bari into Popular Music Content: Music Album 《Bari abandoned》
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Lee Sang Eu , Kim Jung Woo
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cases of popular music contents of Princess Bari mythology that have been passed down through oral tradition, and through this, to examine the aspects of effective processing and modern implementation of cultural archetypes. To this end, this study analyzed the narrative of the 《Bari abandoned》 from the perspective of the transformation and reinterpretation of mythology and the musical arrangement. Through this, it was found that 《Bari abandoned》 is a work that captures the meaning of the present era and provides sympathy to the public while undergoing a modern transformation of oral myths, and allows access to new sounds created through collaboration between traditional music and Western pop music. All 11 tracks in the album are composed according to the order of the narrative of the myth of Princess Bari, realistically depicting and quoting episodes of the myth, or suggesting new interpretations by looking deeply into the inner world of the heroine in the myth. In addition, Pansori and Western pop music were harmonized well according to the taste of the present age.
Effect of Female College Students' Protean Career Attitude on Major Satisfaction
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Kim Eunbee , Roh Kyungran
Published: August 2023

This study is aimed to analyze the effect of protean career attitude on major satisfaction for students going to college. Accordingly, the regulation effect of career resilience in the relation between protean career attitude and major satisfaction were identified. For this purpose, the investigators utilized tools from previous empirical studies conducted by Baruch(2014), and Cho A mi etc(2019), respectively, to conduct a regression analysis on the relationship between perception of lifelong learning and protean career attitude among four-year college students. To identify the regulation effect, an analysis using PROCESS Macro for SPSS program was carried out. The following presents the results. First, the college students’ protean career attitude was significantly related to major satisfaction. Second, when the career resilience were moderator variables, the higher the career resilience, the more strengthened the effect of protean career attitude on major satisfaction.
A Study on the Mediating Effect of Customer Orientation on the Relationship between Internal Marketing and Employee Competency and Management Performance in the Second Financial Sector
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Lee Sang-Hee , Kim Jin-su
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between internal marketing, customer orientation, employee competence, and management performance of employees in the second financial sector in order to find ways to enhance competitiveness in the fierce competition.,As a result of the study, it was found that strengthening internal marketing has a significant effect on customer orientation, employee capacity, and management performance, and strengthening customer orientation has a significant effect on employee capacity but does not directly affect management performance.,The results of this study are meaningful in that it revealed that customer orientation is important to strengthen the competence of employees in the second financial sector.,In order for the second financial sector to survive in the fierce competition, it is important to introduce a satisfactory personnel system, compensation system, education and training system for employees.
The Effect of Adolescents' Self-esteem on Adaptation to School Life: The Mediating Effect of Peer Attachment
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Zhou He , Kim SungBong , Ko HeeSuk
Published: August 2023

In this study, we tried to find out the relationship between self-esteem, school life adaptation, and peer attachment perceived by teenagers, and to verify the mediating effect of peer attachment in the relationship between self-esteem and school life adaptation. Through this, the purpose is to provide positive support resources to teenagers and to help them adapt to school life by increasing peer attachment, thereby improving their ability to cope with school adaptation and improving the quality of life. Taken together, it was confirmed that peer attachment acts as an important variable in the relationship between self-esteem and school life adaptation, and peer attachment acts as a medium between these two variables. Therefore, efforts are required to provide positive support resources around students so that they can highly perceive self-esteem, and above all, it suggests that programs to improve peer attachment and apply them to school sites.
Macrofinance as a new trend in finance research
Authors:   SHEE “Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman”, OPARIN Valerij , PAIENTKO Tetiana ,   Berlin University of Applied Sciences of Economics and Techniques (HTW)
Published: August 2023

Introduction. Financial science like any other social activity area is constantly evolving. This is manifested in a deeper study of theoretical concepts and the use of innovative financial instruments and technologies and in identifying new research areas on financial phenomena. In recent years, Ukrainian financial science has focused on the problems of public finance and the development of the financial infrastructure of society. At the same time, Western financial thought is actively developing research in the field of macrofinance, positioning macrofinance as a new direction not only in theory but also in practice. Problem Statement. This research is driven by the need to identify and quantify the relationships and interdependencies between individual macro-level components, to assess risks and their impact on the macro environment, and prevent crisis phenomena on this basis. Purpose. The aim is to characterize macrofinance as a new trend in financial research. Methods. The research is based on the exploratory methodology. Results. The article characterizes three main trends in the development of macrofinance as an independent direction in financial science and practice: the emergence and development of a new direction in research, the growth of educational programs in foreign universities with the keyword “macrofinance” and the creation of project groups and departments in leading research universities; the allocation of the macrofinancial aspect in the practice of financial management. Conclusions. The need for practice explains the popularity of macrofinanceas a separate area of research. In Ukraine, it is already necessary to build a theoretical basis for macrofinance as a separate research area, which is necessary to integrate Ukrainian financial science into the world community. The experience of developing the practical foundations of macrofinance in Western Europe should signal to Ukraine that it is necessary to gradually create a regulatory framework for equal cooperation with Western countries in macrofinance. Ukrainian higher education institutions should study the proposals of leading Western universities regarding educational programs and courses, which will ensure the modernization of domestic educational programs in finance and increase the opportunities for academic mobility of students and professors.
Defending the Constitutional Order
Authors: Landy Marc
Published: August 2023

This paper defends the constitutional order because it is endangered. It speaks of a ‘constitutional order’ because decent political life requires the stability that order brings. To stay free, a people must know what to expect from government and what the rules of the game are. But a constitution is not merely a rulebook; it is a regimen. It teaches us how to live well politically and what government can and must do and what it should refrain from doing. The Constitutional order did not become endangered overnight. Its erosion has a history, dating back at least as far as the early 20th Century. The paper places this erosion in historical context because to understand where we are now we need to understand the critical choices that got us here and the rationales behind them. It concludes by offering a principle for reviving contemporary constitutionalism..
Dual functionalized hyaluronic acid micelles loading paclitaxel for the therapy of breast cancer
Authors: Liu Zhanbiao , Chen Xuejun , Jin Qian , Li Min , Zhu Siqing , Zhang Yi , Zhi Defu , Zhao Yinan , Li Liqin , Zhang Shubiao
Published: August 2023

Although many carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs have been investigated, the disadvantages of passive targeting and uncontrolled drug release limit their utility. Herein, hyaluronic acid (HA) was hydrophobically modified to serve as a carrier for binding to cluster determinant 44 (CD44) overexpressed on tumor cell surfaces. Specifically, after deacetylation, HA was grafted to dodecylamine or tetradecylamine to afford amphiphilic zwitterionic polymer micelles, designated dHAD and dHAT, respectively, for the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX). The micelles were negatively charged at pH 7.4 and positively charged at pH 5.6, and this pH sensitivity facilitated PTX release under acidic conditions. The cell uptake efficiencies of the dHAD-PTX and dHAT-PTX micelles by MCF-7 cells after 4 h of incubation were 96.9% and 95.4%, respectively, and their affinities for CD44 were twice that of HA. Furthermore, the micelles markedly inhibited tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, with IC50 values of 1.943 μg/mL for dHAD-PTX and 1.874 μg/mL for dHAT-PTX for MCF-7 cells; the tumor inhibition rate of dHAD-PTX (92.96%) was higher than that of dHAT-PTX (78.65%). Importantly, dHAD and dHAT micelles showed negligible systemic toxicity. Our findings suggest that these micelles are promising delivery vehicles for antitumor drugs.
Research progress and future prospects of antimicrobial modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for the treatment of bone infections
Authors: Zhang Ziyi , Shao Junxing , Gao Yu , Li Yuhuan , Liu Te , Yang Modi
Published: August 2023

Infection of the bone is a difficult problem in orthopedic diseases. The key and basis of the treatment of bone infection is the effective control of local infection, as well as the elimination of infection focus and dead cavities. The most commonly used approach utilized for the prevention and management of bone infection is the application of antibiotic bone cement. However, the incorporation of antibiotics into the cement matrix has been found to considerably compromise the mechanical characteristics of bone cement. Moreover, some investigations have indicated that the antibiotic release rate of antibiotic bone cement is relatively low. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its composites have been considered to perfectly address the challenges above, according to its favorable biomechanical characteristics and diverse surface functionalizations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in the antimicrobial modification of PEEK composites in the field of antibacterial therapy of bone infection. Furthermore, the potential application of PEEK-modified materials in clinical treatment was discussed and predicted.
Outcomes among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with very low baseline gradients
Authors: Rahman Faisal , Mehta Hetal H. , Resar Jon R. , Hasan Rani K. , Marconi Wendy , Aziz Hamza , Czarny Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Background

While there is evidence that patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS) benefit from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), data are lacking regarding outcomes of patients with a very low gradient (VLG).

Methods

In this retrospective, single-center study of patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR, three groups were defined using baseline mean aortic valve gradient: VLG (≤25 mmHg), low gradient (LG, 26–39 mmHg), and high gradient (HG, ≥40 mmHg). The primary outcome was the composite of Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-12 of <45, decrease in KCCQ-12 of ≥10 compared with baseline, or death at 1 year.

Results

One-thousand six patients were included: 571 HG, 353 LG, and 82 VLG. The median age was 82.1 years [interquartile range (IQR) 76.3–86.9]; VLG patients had more baseline comorbidities compared with the other groups. The primary outcome was highest at 1 year in the VLG group (VLG, 46.7%; LG, 29.9%; HG, 23.1%; p = 0.002), with no difference between groups after adjustment for baseline characteristics. At baseline, <30% of VLG patients had an excellent or good (50–100) KCCQ-12, whereas more than 75% and 50% had an excellent or good KCCQ-12 at 30-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively.

Conclusion

Although patients with VLG undergoing TAVR have a higher rate of poor outcomes at 1 year compared with patients with LG and HG severe AS, this difference is largely attributable to baseline comorbidities. Patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR have significant improvement in health status outcomes regardless of resting mean gradient.
Development and validation of a deep learning pipeline to measure pericardial effusion in echocardiography
Authors: Cheng Chi-Yung , Wu Cheng-Ching , Chen Huang-Chung , Hung Chun-Hui , Chen Tien-Yu , Lin Chun-Hung Richard , Chiu I-Min
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a deep-learning pipeline for the measurement of pericardial effusion (PE) based on raw echocardiography clips, as current methods for PE measurement can be operator-dependent and present challenges in certain situations.

Methods

The proposed pipeline consisted of three distinct steps: moving window view selection (MWVS), automated segmentation, and width calculation from a segmented mask. The MWVS model utilized the ResNet architecture to classify each frame of the extracted raw echocardiography files into selected view types. The automated segmentation step then generated a mask for the PE area from the extracted echocardiography clip, and a computer vision technique was used to calculate the largest width of the PE from the segmented mask. The pipeline was applied to a total of 995 echocardiographic examinations.

Results

The proposed deep-learning pipeline exhibited high performance, as evidenced by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values of 0.867 for internal validation and 0.801 for external validation. The pipeline demonstrated a high level of accuracy in detecting PE, with an area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.926 (95% CI: 0.902–0.951) for internal validation and 0.842 (95% CI: 0.794–0.889) for external validation.

Conclusion

The machine-learning pipeline developed in this study can automatically calculate the width of PE from raw ultrasound clips. The novel concepts of moving window view selection for image quality control and computer vision techniques for maximal PE width calculation seem useful in the field of ultrasound. This pipeline could potentially provide a standardized and objective approach to the measurement of PE, reducing operator-dependency and improving accuracy.
Arrival times by Recurrent Neural Network for induced seismic events from a permanent network
Authors: Kolar Petr , Waheed Umair bin , Eisner Leo , Matousek Petr
Published: August 2023

We have developed a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)-based phase picker for data obtained from a local seismic monitoring array specifically designated for induced seismicity analysis. The proposed algorithm was rigorously tested using real-world data from a network encompassing nine three-component stations. The algorithm is designed for multiple monitoring of repeated injection within the permanent array. For such an array, the RNN is initially trained on a foundational dataset, enabling the trained algorithm to accurately identify other induced events even if they occur in different regions of the array. Our RNN-based phase picker achieved an accuracy exceeding 80% for arrival time picking when compared to precise manual picking techniques. However, the event locations (based on the arrival picking) had to be further constrained to avoid false arrival picks. By utilizing these refined arrival times, we were able to locate seismic events and assess their magnitudes. The magnitudes of events processed automatically exhibited a discrepancy of up to 0.3 when juxtaposed with those derived from manual processing. Importantly, the efficacy of our results remains consistent irrespective of the specific training dataset employed, provided that the dataset originates from within the network.
Kernel-wise difference minimization for convolutional neural network compression in metaverse
Authors: Chang Yi-Ting
Published: August 2023

Convolutional neural networks have achieved remarkable success in computer vision research. However, to further improve their performance, network models have become increasingly complex and require more memory and computational resources. As a result, model compression has become an essential area of research in recent years. In this study, we focus on the best-case scenario for Huffman coding, which involves data with lower entropy. Building on this concept, we formulate a compression with a filter-wise difference minimization problem and propose a novel algorithm to solve it. Our approach involves filter-level pruning, followed by minimizing the difference between filters. Additionally, we perform filter permutation to further enhance compression. Our proposed algorithm achieves a compression rate of 94× on Lenet-5 and 50× on VGG16. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in significantly reducing the size of deep neural networks while maintaining a high level of accuracy. We believe that our approach holds great promise in advancing the field of model compression and can benefit various applications that require efficient neural network models. Overall, this study provides important insights and contributions toward addressing the challenges of model compression in deep neural networks.
Determination method of rock characteristic stresses based on the energy growth rate
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Gui Xin , Qiu Xue , Wang You , Xue Yang , Zheng Yu
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Precisely determining the characteristic stress value of a rock progressive failure process has important theoretical and practical significance for reasonably defining the rock deformation and failure stage, mechanical mechanism, and design parameters.

Methods: Based on the energy characteristics in the process of rock deformation and failure, this paper proposes a new method of rock characteristic stress (EGR) around the index of elastic energy storage capacity, elastic energy growth rate, and dissipative energy growth rate. First, the rationality of the new method is verified by the indoor uniaxial and triaxial loading test data of coal and marble. Second, five different determination methods, namely, lateral strain method, lateral strain difference method, crack strain method, energy dissipation rate method, and volumetric strain method, are compared to further verify the scientific nature of the new method. Finally, the method is applied to the conventional triaxial unloading confining pressure test and true triaxial loading and unloading test of marble, and the new method is fully extended to verify its universality.

Results: The results show that the theoretical basis of the EGR characteristic stress determination method is rigorous and sufficient, and the value process is objective and reasonable. Compared with different methods, the EGR method can accurately define the process of rock asymptotic failure, and its corresponding characteristic stress level is well-consistent and in a reasonable range.

Discussion: The EGR method is applicable to the conventional triaxial unloading confining pressure test and true triaxial loading and unloading test and has good universality.
Voltage sag source location based on multi-layer perceptron and transfer learning
Authors: Li Tianchu , Wu Zhipeng , Liu Yuanhuang , Jia Rong
Published: August 2023

The existing voltage sag source localization only utilizes one simulation type or measurement data based on sampled waveform data. Moreover, it requires more storage space and transmission channels and cannot combine the advantages of simulated and measurement data, resulting in poor applicability of the model. Hence, this paper proposes a voltage sag source locating method based on transfer learning from the sag information in the sag event list combined with the grid structure data. Firstly, the location features of the sag source are extracted from the degree of sag impact, network structure, and sag-type information based on the characteristics of simulated and measurement data that characterize the position of the sag source, and they are collectively used as inputs to the model. Then, the simulated data is used to build a multi-classification model based on the multi-layer perceptron with the line number as the classification number, and the measurement data is employed to fine-tune the model parameters to achieve transfer learning. Finally, voltage sag source localization is achieved based on the trained multi-classification model. The correctness of the proposed method in this paper is verified through simulation and actual measurement in a specific area of East China.
Vegetation composition, soil properties, and carbon stock of montane forests along a disturbance in the Garhwal Himalaya, India
Authors: Tiwari Avadhesh , Khanduri Vinod Prasad , Rawat Deepa , Singh Bhupendra , Riyal Manoj Kumar , Mishra Gaurav , Kumar Munesh
Published: August 2023

The management of forests is essential for the conservation of biodiversity and climate change. Studies on the variation in forest tree diversity and carbon sequestration by the forests along altitudinal gradients are limited for most parts of the Garhwal Himalaya. The present study was carried out in montane forests in a part of district Tehri of the Garhwal Himalaya, India at four different sites between altitudinal ranges of 850 to 2,200 masl (i.e., 850–1,500 masl under sub-tropical region and 1,800–2,200 masl under temperate region) for vegetation, soil, and carbon stock analysis using different parameters including the existing pressure on the sites for fuel, fodder, timber, grazing, and browsing. All the standard methods were used for vegetation and soil analysis. The highest value of tree diversity (H = 0.48) and concentration of dominance (CD = 0.95) was recorded at 850–1,100 masl altitude under sub-tropical forests. The aboveground biomass density (AGBD) and belowground biomass density (BGBD) ranged from 271 to 703.20 and 83.21 to 163.92 Mg ha–1, respectively. The pH value ranged from 5.63 to 6.86 (0–15 cm) and 6.17 to 7.21 (15–30 cm). Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) was reported to range from 1.86 to 2.57% and 1.78 to 2.44% at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths, respectively. Available nitrogen (N) under temperate forests was reported to be significantly higher than at other altitudes. Among the studied parameters, a significant positive correlation was reported between the pH of the soil and the Shannon–Wiener and Margalef diversity indices. The study revealed that the sub-tropical region was more diversified in terms of tree species whereas soil properties were reported to be better in the temperate region. Among the species in the study region, Pinus roxburghii, Boswellia serrata, Quercus leucotrichophora, and Cedrus deodara have shown good potential for carbon storage. Thus, based on the dominant and associated species present in the area, forest management activities may be followed for the survival and regeneration of species with the potential of being the next dominant species in the future.
IFN-α induced systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zeng Zhipeng , Tu Wei , Ji Bai , Liu Jie , Huang Kecheng , Nie Daan , Yang Liu
Published: August 2023

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe and life-threatening hyperinflammatory condition characterized by excessive activation of macrophages and T cells and resulted in multi-organ dysfunction. HLH can be a primary disease or secondary to infections, malignancy, and some autoimmune diseases, including adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it is rare for HLH to occur as a secondary condition to drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE). In this report, we present a case of HLH as an unusual complication during SLE treatment in a 31-year-old male patient. The patient initially suffered from active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and was treated with pegylated INFα-2b (Peg-INFα-2b), tenofovir disoproxil and lamivudine. After 19 months, CHB obtained biochemical and virological response with HBsAg positive to HBsAb. The patient developed fever, headache, and cytopenia after Peg-INFα-2b treatment for 33 months, and laboratory studies revealed that ANA and anti dsDNA were positive. He displayed 5 features meeting the HLH-2004 criteria for diagnosis including fever, pancytopenia, hyperferritinemia, high levels of soluble CD25, and hemophagocytosis on bone marrow biopsy. The patient was initiated with a combination treatment of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy, oral cyclosporine, and etoposide (VP-16), which was followed by a course of oral prednisolone, intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, and entecavir with complete response. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IFN-α induced SLE complicating with HLH. Physicians should consider the potential autoimmune side effects of IFN-α therapy and be alert to insidious HLH in patients diagnosed with SLE.
Using convective mixing in mesocosms to study climate-driven shifts in phytoplankton community distributions
Authors: Cherif Mehdi , Arnott Russell N. , Wain Danielle J. , Bryant Lee D. , Larsson Henrik , Slavin Emily I.
Published: August 2023

With climate change predicted to alter water column stability and mixing across the world’s oceans, a mesocosm experiment was designed to ascertain how a natural phytoplankton community would respond to these changes. As a departure from other mesocosm experiments, we used heating and cooling to produce four different climate-inspired mixing scenarios ranging from well-mixed water columns representative of typical open turbulence (ϵ = 3 x 10-8 m2/s3) through to a quiescent water column with stable stratification (ϵ = 5 x 10-10 m2/s3). This method of turbulence generation is an improvement on previous techniques (e.g., grid, shaker, and aeration) which tend to produce excessive dissipation rates inconsistent with oceanic turbulence observations. Profiles of classical physical parameters used to describe turbulence and mixing (turbulent dissipation rate, buoyancy frequency, turbulent eddy diffusivity, Ozmidov scale) were representative of the profiles found in natural waters under similar mixing conditions. Chlorophyll-a profiles and cell enumeration showed a clear biological response to the different turbulence scenarios. However, the responses of specific phytoplankton groups (diatoms and dinoflagellates) did not conform to the usual expectations: diatoms are generally expected to thrive under convective, turbulent regimes, while dinoflagellates are expected to thrive in converse conditions, i.e., in stable, stratified conditions. Our results suggest that responses to mixing regimes are taxon-specific, with no overwhelming physical effect of the turbulence regime. Rather, each taxon seemed to very quickly reach a given vertical distribution that it managed to hold, whether actively or passively, with a high degree of success. Future studies on the effects of climate change on phytoplankton vertical distribution should thus focus on the factors and mechanisms that combine to determine the specific distribution of species within taxa. Our convection-based mesocosm approach, because it uses a primary physical force that generates turbulence in open waters, should prove a valuable tool in this endeavor.
Three-dimensional laser scanning and numerical investigation on the influence of freeze-thaw and hang-wall mining on the instability of an open-pit slope
Authors: Zhang Yanfei , Wu Jihuan , Tang Pufeng , Wang Yu
Published: August 2023

The instability of the open-pit slope and associated disasters of complex orebodies such as hanging-wall mining are the key problems to be solved urgently in the development of western resources. In this work, taking the hanging-wall mining in the open-pit mine of Hejing iron mine, for example, the disaster mechanism influenced by the coupling freeze-thaw and hanging-wall mining is systematically studied by 3D laser scanning and numerical simulation. Firstly, the rock mass structure information such as dip, dip angle, spacing, and equivalent trace length characteristics was obtained using 3D intelligent recognition technology. Then, numerical simulation is employed to reveal the influence of freeze-thaw and excavation sequences on the overall stability of the open-pit slope. The stress, displacement, plasticity zone, and maximum shear strain patterns are revealed in detail. The results show that the excavation engineering will lead to frequent increase and unloading of the internal stress of the rock mass, and the gradual increase of the goaf area will cause great damage to the rock mass. The slope failure mode is strongly impacted by freeze-thaw weathering and orebody excavation.
Glymphatic transport is reduced in rats with spontaneous pituitary tumor
Authors: Li Lian , Ding Guangliang , Zhang Li , Luo Hao , Davoodi-Bojd Esmaeil , Li Qingjiang , Chopp Michael , Zhang Zheng Gang , Jiang Quan
Published: August 2023

Background and objective

Pituitary tumor in patients induces adverse alterations in the brain, accompanied by cognitive deficits. Dysfunction of glymphatic waste clearance results in accumulation of neurotoxic products within the brain, leading to cognitive impairment. However, the status of glymphatic function in the brain with pituitary tumor is unknown. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an advanced mathematical modeling, we investigated the changes of glymphatic transport in the rats carrying spontaneous pituitary tumor.

Methods

Rats (22–24 months, female, Wistar) with and without pituitary tumor (n = 7/per group) underwent the identical experimental protocol. MRI measurements, including T2-weighted imaging and dynamic 3D T1-weighted imaging with intracisternal administration of contrast agent, were performed on each animal. The contrast-induced enhancement in the circle of Willis and in the glymphatic influx nodes were observed on the dynamic images and verified with time-signal-curves (TSCs). Model-derived parameters of infusion rate and clearance rate that characterize the kinetics of glymphatic tracer transport were evaluated in multiple representative brain regions.

Results

Our imaging data demonstrated a higher incidence of partially enhanced circle of Willis (86 vs. 14%; p < 0.033) and a lower incidence of enhancement in glymphatic influx nodes of pituitary (71 vs. 100%) and pineal (57 vs. 86%) recesses in the rats with pituitary tumor than in the rats with normal appearance of pituitary gland, indicating an intensification of impaired peri-vascular pathway and impeded glymphatic transport due to the presence of pituitary tumor. Consistently, our kinetic modeling and regional cerebral tissue quantification revealed significantly lower infusion and clearance rates in all examined regions in rats with spontaneous pituitary tumor than in non-tumor rats, representing a suppressed glymphatic transport in the brain with pituitary tumor.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the compromised glymphatic transport in the rat brain with spontaneous pituitary tumor. The reduced efficiency in cerebral waste clearance increases the risk for neurodegeneration in the brain that may underlie the cognitive impairment commonly seen in patients with pituitary tumors.
Trade-off between local replication and long-distance dissemination during experimental evolution of a satellite RNA
Authors: Lee Shu-Chuan , Liou Ming-Ru , Hsu Yau-Heiu , Wang Ing-Nang , Lin Na-Sheng
Published: August 2023

Satellite RNAs (satRNAs) are molecular parasites that depend on their non-homologous helper viruses (HVs) for essential biological functions. While there are multiple molecular and phylogenetic studies on satRNAs, there is no experimental evolution study on how satRNAs may evolve in common infection conditions. In this study, we serially passaged the Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) associated-satRNA (satBaMV) under conditions in which satBaMV either coinfects an uninfected host plant, Nicotiana benthamiana, with BaMV or superinfects a transgenic N. benthamiana expressing the full-length BaMV genome. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of satBaMV populations were analyzed by deep sequencing. Forty-eight SNPs were identified across four different experimental treatments. Most SNPs are treatment-specific, and some are also ephemeral. However, mutations at positions 30, 34, 63, and 82, all located at the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), are universal in all treatments. These universal SNPs are configured into several haplotypes and follow different population dynamics. We constructed isogenic satBaMV strains only differing at positions 30 and 82 and conducted competition experiments in protoplasts and host plants. We found that the haplotype that reached high frequency in protoplasts and inoculation leaves also exhibited poor dissemination to systemic leaves and vice versa, thus suggesting an apparent trade-off between local replication and long-distance dissemination. We posit that the trade-off is likely caused by antagonistic pleiotropy at the 5′ UTR. Our findings revealed a hitherto under-explored connection between satRNA genome replication and movement within a host plant. The significance of such a connection during satRNA evolution warrants a more thorough investigation.
Molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus in children in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Ocloo Remous , Newton-Foot Mae , Ziebuhr Wilma , Whitelaw Andrew Christopher
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) have emerged as significant pathogens in healthcare settings, particularly among patients with indwelling devices and immunocompromised individuals. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus hominis are the most common commensal SOSA species and are implicated in infections such as endocarditis and bacteremia. SOSA infections in neonates and children have been reported globally. Recent increases in antibiotic resistance and virulence among SOSA strains in clinical settings have highlighted the need to describe the reservoirs of SOSA to enable monitoring of these emerging pathogens.

Methods

Stool samples were collected from 150 healthy children from Cape Town communities between 2017 and 2020. Staphylococci were isolated, identified using mass-spectrometry, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing and Illumina whole genome sequencing were performed.

Results

Among the participants, 50 (33.3%) were colonized by SOSA, with S. haemolyticus (n = 38; 25.3%) being the most common, followed by S. hominis (n = 5; 3.3%) and Mammalicoccus sciuri (n = 5; 3.3%). Out of the 77 initially isolated S. haemolyticus strains, 23 were identified as Staphylococcus borealis through whole genome sequencing. All S. haemolyticus isolates (n = 49) were methicillin resistant, with 65.3% (n = 32) harbouring mecA. In S. haemolyticus, SCCmec type VIII(4A) was detected in 42.0% of ST9 isolates while non-mecA methicillin resistant S. haemolyticus isolates were mostly ST49 (41.1%). Additionally, 16 (50.0%) S. haemolyticus strains contained non-typeable SCCmec elements.

Discussion

High rates of methicillin resistance were identified among colonizing SOSA in Cape Town, increasing the risk of transmission to clinical settings. This study also identified a new species, S. borealis, for the first time in Africa.
Semantic intrusion errors are associated with plasma Ptau-181 among persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who are amyloid positive
Authors: Curiel Cid Rosie E. , Ortega Alexandra , Crocco Elizabeth A. , Hincapie Diana , McFarland Karen N. , Duara Ranjan , Vaillancourt David , DeKosky Steven T. , Smith Glenn , Sfakianaki Efrosyni , Rosselli Monica , Barker Warren W. , Adjouadi Malek , Barreto Yarlenis , Feito Yuleidys , Loewenstein David A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Semantic intrusion errors (SI) have distinguished between those with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) who are amyloid positive (A+) versus negative (A−) on positron emission tomography (PET).

Method

This study examines the association between SI and plasma – based biomarkers. One hundred and twenty-eight participants received SiMoA derived measures of plasma pTau-181, ratio of two amyloid-β peptide fragments (Aβ42/Aβ40), Neurofilament Light protein (NfL), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), ApoE genotyping, and amyloid PET imaging.

Results

The aMCI A+ (n = 42) group had a higher percentage of ApoE ɛ4 carriers, and greater levels of pTau-181 and SI, than Cognitively Unimpaired (CU) A− participants (n = 25). CU controls did not differ from aMCI A− (n = 61) on plasma biomarkers or ApoE genotype. Logistic regression indicated that ApoE ɛ4 positivity, pTau-181, and SI were independent differentiating predictors (Correct classification = 82.0%; Sensitivity = 71.4%; Specificity = 90.2%) in identifying A+ from A− aMCI cases.

Discussion

A combination of plasma biomarkers, ApoE positivity and SI had high specificity in identifying A+ from A− aMCI cases.
The influence of a maternal vegan diet on carnitine and vitamin B2 concentrations in human milk
Authors: Juncker Hannah G. , van den Akker Chris H. P. , Meerdink Pauline L. , Korosi Aniko , Vaz Frédéric M. , van Goudoever Johannes B. , van Keulen Britt J.
Published: August 2023

Background

The maternal diet greatly influences the nutritional composition of human milk. With the rise of vegan diets by lactating mothers, there are concerns about the nutritional adequacy of their milk. Two important nutrients, vitamin B2 and carnitine, are mostly ingested via animal products.

Objective

We investigated the influence of a vegan diet on the vitamin B2 and carnitine concentrations in milk and serum of lactating women.

Methods

In this case–control study, 25 lactating mothers following an exclusive vegan diet were comparted to 25 healthy lactating mothers with an omnivorous diet without use of supplements. High-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were used to measure vitamin B2 and carnitine concentrations, respectively. A linear regression model was used to determine differences in human milk and serum concentrations between study groups.

Results

Vitamin B2 concentrations in human milk and serum did not differ between study groups. While the human milk free carnitine (C0) and acetyl carnitine (C2) concentrations did not differ between study groups, serum carnitine concentrations were lower in participants following a vegan diet than in omnivorous women (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

A maternal vegan diet did not affect human milk concentration of vitamin B2 and carnitine. Breastfed infants of mothers following an exclusive vegan diet therefore are likely not at increased risk of developing a vitamin B2 or carnitine deficiency.
The muscle nutritional components analysis of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) in different mariculture area, growth stages, and genders
Authors: Shi Liping , Song Feibiao , Xing Shuiyao , Zhang Weiwei , Liang Yesong , Zhang Kaixi , Sun Junlong , Luo Jian
Published: August 2023

Golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) is an economically important fish which exhibits sexual size dimorphism and is widely cultivated in the southern seas of China. To evaluate the nutritional composition of T. blochii of different mariculture areas, growth stages, and genders, the moisture, ash, amino acids, and fatty acids in the muscle were measured using national standard biochemical assay. The analysis found 16 kinds of amino acids in the muscle of T. blochii. The EAA contents of fish from Guangdong (GD) and Guangxi (GX) were significantly lower than those of Hainan (HN) and Fujian (FJ) (p < 0.05). The unsaturated fatty acids were higher in T. blochii cultured in HN and FJ (p < 0.05). Within the same sea area, the contents of TAA, EAA, DAA, and PUFA increased with growth in T. blochii, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). EAA/TAA and EAA/NEAA conformed to the ideal FAO/WHO model. The AAS, CS, and EAAI scores of amino acids within groups gradually increased with growth. The TAA, EAA and PUFA contents in females were higher than in males (p > 0.05). The slightly higher amounts of amino acids and fatty acids in female T. blochii indicated females had higher nutritional value. In conclusion, the HN and FJ groups, the later growth stages, and the female T. blochii had generally higher nutritional values than their respective counterparts. These results provide fundamental data supporting all-female T. blochii breeding and culture, and optimized marketing body size.
Machine learning models-based on integration of next-generation sequencing testing and tumor cell sizes improve subtype classification of mature B-cell neoplasms
Authors: Mu Yafei , Chen Yuxin , Meng Yuhuan , Chen Tao , Fan Xijie , Yuan Jiecheng , Lin Junwei , Pan Jianhua , Li Guibin , Feng Jinghua , Diao Kaiyuan , Li Yinghua , Yu Shihui , Liu Lingling
Published: August 2023

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels for mature B-cell neoplasms (MBNs) are widely applied clinically but have yet to be routinely used in a manner that is suitable for subtype differential diagnosis. This study retrospectively investigated newly diagnosed cases of MBNs from our laboratory to investigate mutation landscapes in Chinese patients with MBNs and to combine mutational information and machine learning (ML) into clinical applications for MBNs, especially for subtype classification.

Methods

Samples from the Catalogue Of Somatic Mutations In Cancer (COSMIC) database were collected for ML model construction and cases from our laboratory were used for ML model validation. Five repeats of 10-fold cross-validation Random Forest algorithm was used for ML model construction. Mutation detection was performed by NGS and tumor cell size was confirmed by cell morphology and/or flow cytometry in our laboratory.

Results

Totally 849 newly diagnosed MBN cases from our laboratory were retrospectively identified and included in mutational landscape analyses. Patterns of gene mutations in a variety of MBN subtypes were found, important to investigate tumorigenesis in MBNs. A long list of novel mutations was revealed, valuable to both functional studies and clinical applications. By combining gene mutation information revealed by NGS and ML, we established ML models that provide valuable information for MBN subtype classification. In total, 8895 cases of 8 subtypes of MBNs in the COSMIC database were collected and utilized for ML model construction, and the models were validated on the 849 MBN cases from our laboratory. A series of ML models was constructed in this study, and the most efficient model, with an accuracy of 0.87, was based on integration of NGS testing and tumor cell sizes.

Conclusions

The ML models were of great significance in the differential diagnosis of all cases and different MBN subtypes. Additionally, using NGS results to assist in subtype classification of MBNs by method of ML has positive clinical potential.
Efficacy of lung cancer screening at the American University of Beirut Medical Center
Authors: Harb Tarek , Alhafi Anas , Tfayli Arafat H.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In Lebanon, a dedicated screening program for lung cancer is absent. Screening is largely based on the recommendation of an informed physician or the initiative of a patient. To better understand the situation, it is important to look at the available data on patients currently being screened for lung cancer in this country. Our aim in this study is to review the data and compare it with that in the literature as well as to assess the efficacy of the screening process followed.

Methods

Our study accessed the electronic medical records of patients at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), a tertiary care center in Lebanon. We collected information on patients who underwent screening low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan between June 2019 and June 2021 inclusive. Records of all patients who underwent a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan at AUBMC during this period were collected and analyzed.

Results

On average, our population had a 52.6 pack-year smoking history. Moreover, 47% of our population had an accurate pack-year reported, while 12% did not have enough information to even estimate their pack-year history. When looking at the accurate and estimated data, 5% of our population did not even meet the ≥20 pack-year smoking history. Eight patients had positive findings on the screening LDCT, which we defined as suspicious findings that require further workup (e.g., PET/CT or biopsy) or other significant incidental findings.

Conclusion

A well-organized program for lung cancer screening in Lebanon is absent. Screening largely depends on the initiative of the physician or the patient. We were able to uncover multiple flaws in the screening method used, including poor documentation and follow-up. Although the screening method adopted retained some benefits in terms of detecting early malignancy, it lacked proper organization and was not ideal. A better, systematized screening program is needed to have optimal outcomes.