bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culturally Adapted Motivational Interviewing with Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorder in Pakistan (CAMAIB): Protocol of a feasibility factorial randomised controlled trial
Authors: ASIF MUQADDAS , Khoso Ameer B , Husain M Ali , Shahzad Salman , Hout Marie-Claire Van , Rafiq Noor-ul-Zaman , Lane Steven , Chaudhry Imran Bashir , Husain Nusrat
Published: October 2022

Background
The use of psychoactive substances significantly impacts the health, social and economic aspects of families, communities and nations. There is a need to develop and test psychological interventions aimed for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMICS), such as in Pakistan. The aim of this exploratory trial is to test the feasibility and acceptability of two culturally adapted psychological interventions in a factorial Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).
Methods
The proposed project will be conducted in three phases. The first phase of the study will focus on cultural adaptation of the interventions through qualitative interviews with key stakeholders. The second phase will be to refine the intervention and to produce manual assisted intervention. Third and last stage would be to assess the feasibility of the culturally adapted interventions through a factorial RCT. The study will be carried out in Karachi, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Recruitment of participants will take place from primary care and volunteer organisations/drug rehabilitation centres. A total of 260 individuals diagnosed with SUD (n=65) in each of the four arms will be recruited. The intervention will be delivered weekly over a period of 12 weeks in both individual and group setting. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, at 12th week (after completion of intervention) and 24th week post-randomisation. The analysis will determine feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, retention and intervention delivery. Acceptability of intervention will be determined in terms of adherence to intervention i.e. the mean number of sessions attended, number of home assignments completed, attrition rates as well as through process evaluation to understand the implementation process, context, participants’ satisfaction, and impact of study intervention. The health resource use and impact on the quality of life will be established through health economic data.
Discussion
This study will provide evidence for feasibility and acceptability of culturally adapted manually assisted psychological interventions for people with SUD in the context of Pakistan. The study will have clinical implications if intervention is proven feasible and acceptable.
Trial registration
Name of the registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial registration number: NCT04885569
Date of registration: 25th April 2021, retrospectively registered
URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04885569
A structure-based gamma evaluation method for identifying clinically relevant dose differences in organs at risk
Authors: Yu Liting , Baker Anthony , Kairn Tanya , Livingstone Alexander , Trapp Jamie , Crowe Scott B
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Gamma evaluation is currently the most widely used dose comparison method for patient specific quality assurance (PSQA). However, existing methods for normalising the dose difference, using either the dose at the global maximum dose point or at each local point, can respectively lead to under- and over-sensitivity to dose differences in organ-at-risk structures. This may be of concern for plan evaluation from clinical perspectives. This study has explored and proposed a new method called structural gamma, which takes structural dose tolerances into consideration while performing gamma analysis for PSQA.
Methods
As a demonstration of the structural gamma method, a total of 78 retrospective plans on four treatment sites were re-calculated on an in-house Monte Carlo system and compared with doses calculated from the treatment planning system. Structural gamma evaluations were performed using both QUANTEC dose tolerances and radiation oncologist specified dose tolerances, then compared with conventional global and local gamma evaluations.
Results
Results demonstrated that structural gamma evaluation is especially sensitive to errors in structures with restrictive dose constraints. The structural gamma map provides both geometric and dosimetric information on PSQA results, allowing straightforward clinical interpretation.
Conclusion
The proposed structure-based gamma method accounts for dose tolerances for specific anatomical structures. This method can provide a clinically useful method to assess and communicate PSQA results, offering radiation oncologists a more intuitive way of examining agreement in surrounding critical normal structures.
Concealed penis in pediatric age group; A comparison between three surgical techniques
Authors: Elrouby Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Background: Comparison between three different surgical techniques in the management of concealed penis.
Methods: This prospective interventional non-randomized study included 150 pediatric patients with concealed penis. They were distributed equally into three groups; group A; patients treated by anchoring the penile skin dermis to Buck's fascia at the penile base at 3 & 9 o'clock points using PDS 5/0 (phallopexy), group B; patients treated by complete dissection and excision of dartos fascia & group C; patients treated by phallopexy as in group A after complete dissection and excision of dartos fascia. Follow-up at the end of the 1st post-operative week and then monthly for 6 months as regards penile skin congestion and/or necrosis, wound infection, edema, and/or re-retraction was carried out.
Results: Penile edema and re-retraction have a statistically significant difference among the studied groups (p< 0.001& p= 0.002 respectively). Penile re-retraction was lowest in patients of group C and penile edema was lowest in patients of group B.
Conclusions: Phallopexy after complete dissection and excision of dartos fascia have better results than doing either phallopexy or dartos excision alone in the treatment of concealed penis
Basilar Artery Diameter as Neuroimaging Biomarker in Chinese Fabry Disease Patients
Authors: Lam Yan Lok Tiffany , Sheng Bun , Kwok Hoi Ming , Yu Ellen Lok Man , Ma Ka Fai Johnny
Published: October 2022

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease resulting from mutations of α-galactosidase A gene, and has been emphasized as one of the etiologies of young stroke and leukoencephalopathy. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a highlighted finding in FD. We aim to examine the utility of VBD in Chinese FD by comparing the differences in basilar artery (BA) diameter of Chinese FD patients against age-matched controls with and without stroke.
Methods: This was a matched case-control study involving 37 Chinese FD patients. The BA diameters were evaluated on axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and compared to two age-and-gender matched control groups, one with stroke and one without. The association between BA diameter and stroke occurrences and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) were analyzed among all FD patients.
Results: Patients with FD had significantly increased BA diameter compared to controls with and without stroke (p<0.001). A BA diameter of 4.16mm could distinguish FD from controls in the stroke subgroup (ROC AUC 0.870, p=0.001, sensitivity 80% specificity 100%), and with a cut-off of 3.21mm in the non-stroke subgroup (ROC AUC 0.846, p<0.001, sensitivity 77.8% specificity 88.9%). Larger BA diameter had more stroke occurrences and was moderately associated with heavier WMH load in terms of higher total FAZEKAS scores. (Spearman’s rho=0.423, p=0.011).
Conclusion: VBD was also present in Chinese FD patients. BA diameter has high diagnostic utility in identifying FD from a mixed cohort of stroke and normal controls, and carried predictive value in evaluating neurological complications of FD.
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 3D Printing Special Interest Group (SIG) clinical situations for which 3D printing is considered an appropriate representation or extension of data contained in a medical imaging examination: Breast Conditions
Authors: Arribas Elsa M. , Kelil Tatiana , Santiago Lumarie , Ali Arafat , Chadalavada Seetharam C. , Chepelev Leonid , Ghodadra Anish , Ionita Ciprian N. , Lee Joonhyuk , Ravi Prashanth , Ryan Justin , Sheikh Adnan M. , Rybicki Frank J. , Ballard David H.
Published: October 2022

The use of medical 3D printing has expanded dramatically for breast diseases. A writing group composed of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Special Interest Group on 3D Printing (SIG) provides updated appropriateness criteria for breast 3D printing in various clinical scenarios. Evidence-based appropriateness criteria are provided for the following clinical scenarios: benign breast lesions and high-risk breast lesions, breast cancer, breast reconstruction, and breast radiation (treatment planning and radiation delivery).
Role of Social Determinants of Health in Differential Respiratory Exposure and Health Outcomes Among Children
Authors: Puvvula Jagadeesh , Poole Jill , Gwon Yeongjin , Rogan Eleanor , Bell Jesse
Published: October 2022

Background: Attributes defining the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are associated with disproportionate exposures to environmental hazards and differential health outcomes among communities. The dynamics between SDoH, disproportionate environmental exposures, and differential health outcomes are often specific to micro-geographic areas.
Methods: This study focused on children less than 20 years of age who lived in Douglas County, Nebraska, during 2016-2019. To assess the role of SDoH in differential exposures, we evaluated the association between SDoH metrics and criteria pollutant concentrations and the association between SDoH and pediatric asthma exacerbations to quantify the role of SDoH in differential pediatric asthma outcomes. The Bayesian Poisson regression model with spatial random effects.
Results: We identified significant positive associations between the annual mean concentration of criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, particulate matter 2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide) with race (Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino), financial stability, and literacy. Additionally, there were significant positive associations between higher rates of pediatric asthma emergency department visits and neighborhoods with more Non-Hispanic Black children, children without health insurance coverage, and households without access to a vehicle.
Conclusions: Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino children living in Douglas County, NE experience disproportionately higher exposure to criteria pollutant concentrations. Additionally, higher rates of asthma exacerbations among Non-Hispanic Black children could be due to reduced access to respiratory care that is potentially the result of financial instability and vehicle access. These results could inform city planners and health care providers to mitigate respiratory risks among these higher at-risk populations.
Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Implementing Industry 4.0 in Jordan: Public Shareholding Manufacturing Companies Perspective
Authors: Abu-Rumman Ayman , AlSha'ar Hamzeh , Alqhaiwi Laith , Shraah Ata Al
Published: October 2022

Industry 4.0 (the fourth industrial revolution) involves swift and ongoing technological changes affecting industries and societies because of advanced automation, communication and data exchange, and global connectivity. While its implementation is necessary for organizational success in the face of international competition, many challenges arise with its opportunities. This research is an investigation of the challenges (employee qualification, employee acceptance, organizational, and production fit) and opportunities (strategic, operational, environmental, and social) in the implementation of Industry 4.0 in public shareholding manufacturing companies in Jordan. A questionnaire-based approach for primary data collection with analysis via Smart-PLS was taken. The results revealed that organizational and production fit challenges, strategic opportunities, operational opportunities, and environmental and social opportunities are positively associated with Industry 4.0 implementation, while employee qualification and acceptance challenges are negatively associated. The study explained that there is not enough knowledge about Industry 4.0. This study offers guidance for establishing regulations related to Industry 4.0 implementation by removing challenges and adopting opportunities. Also, this study is an approach for further research about the development of communications in Jordan and global connectivity.
Comparative analysis of the chloroplast genomes of Rosa species and RNA editing analysis
Authors: Gao Chengwen , Wu Chuanhong , Zhang Qian , Zhao Xia , Zhao Xiangzhong , Wu Mingxuan , Lian Yihong , Li Zhiqiang
Published: October 2022

Background
The genus Rosa (Rosaceae) contains approximately 200 species, most of which have high ecological and economic values. Chloroplast genome sequences are important for studying species differentiation, phylogeny, and RNA editing.
Results
In this study, the chloroplast genomes of three Rosa species, R. hybrida, R. acicularis, and R. rubiginosa, were assembled and compared with other reported Rosa chloroplast genomes. To investigate the RNA editing sites in R. hybrida (commercial rose cultivar), we mapped RNA-sequencing data to the chloroplast genome and analyzed their post-transcriptional features. Rosa chloroplast genomes presented a quadripartite structure and had highly conserved gene order and gene content. We identified four mutation hotspots (ycf3-trnS, trnT-trnL, psbE-petL, and ycf1) as candidate molecular markers for differentiation in the Rosa species. Additionally, 22 chloroplast genomic fragments with a total length of 6,192 bp and > 90% sequence similarity with their counterparts were identified in the mitochondrial genome, representing 3.96% of the chloroplast genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the earliest divergence in the chloroplast phylogeny roughly distinguished species of sections Pimpinellifoliae and Rosa and subgenera Hulthemia, Platyrhodon, and Hesperhodos from species of sections Synstyale, Laevigatae, Banksianae, Caninae, and Chinenses. Moreover, DNA- and RNA-sequencing data revealed 19 RNA editing sites, including three synonymous and 16 nonsynonymous, in the chloroplast genome of R. hybrida that were distributed among 13 genes.
Conclusions
The genome structure and gene content of Rosa chloroplast genomes are similar across various species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the Rosa chloroplast genomes has high resolution. Additionally, a total of 19 RNA editing sites were validated by RNA-Seq mapping in R. hybrida. The results provide valuable information for RNA editing and evolutionary studies of Rosa and a basis for further studies on genomic breeding of Rosa species.
A global panel dataset of COVID-19 vaccination policies
Authors: Cameron-Blake Emily , Tatlow Helen , de Mello Bernardo Andretti , Boby Thomas , Green Kaitlyn , Hale Thomas , Petherick Anna , Phillips Toby , Pott Annalena , Wade Adam , Zha Hao
Published: October 2022

We present a global panel dataset of COVID-19 vaccine policies, with data from 01 January 2020 for 185 countries and a number of sub-national jurisdictions, reporting on vaccination prioritisation plans, eligibility and availability, cost to the individual, and mandatory vaccination policies. For each of these indicators, we recorded who is targeted by a policy using 53 standardised categories. These indicators document a detailed picture of the unprecedented scale of global COVID-19 vaccination rollout and strategy, indicating which countries prioritised and vaccinated which groups, when, and in what order. We highlight key descriptive findings from these data, to demonstrate uses for the data and to encourage researchers and policy makers in future research and vaccination planning. Numerous patterns emerge. For example: some countries prioritised border workers and economic sectors (“eliminator” countries), while others prioritised the elderly and healthcare sectors for the first COVID-19 vaccinations (“mitigator” countries); High Income Countries (HICs) published prioritisation plans and began vaccinations earlier than Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Fifty-five countries were found to have implemented at least one policy of mandatory vaccination. We also demonstrate the value of combining this data with vaccination uptake rates, vaccine supply and demand data, and with further COVID-19 epidemiological data. (200 words).
Analyses of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome And Multifactorial Chylomicronemia In Colombia 2010-2020: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rodriguez Franklin Hanna , Alvarez Jorge Mario Estrada , Quintero Henry Mauricio Arenas , Nogueira Juan Patricio , Hurtado Gloria Liliana Porras
Published: October 2022

Background and aim

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in chylomicron metabolism. On the other hand, multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome (MCS) is a polygenic disorder and the most frequent cause of chylomicronemia, which results from the presence of multiple genetic variants related to chylomicron metabolism, in addition to secondary factors. However, their clinical, paraclinical, and molecular features are not well established in our country. The objective of this study was to describe the development and results of a screening program for severe hypertriglyceridemia in Colombia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed. All patients aged > 18 years with triglyceride levels ≥ 500 mg/dL from 2010 to 2020 were included. The program was developed in three stages: 1. Review of electronic records and identification of suspected cases, based on laboratory findings (triglyceride levels ≥ 500 mg/dL); 2. Identification of suspected cases, based on laboratory findings that had no relevant secondary factors; 3. Probable cases were identified as having an FCS score ≥ 8 and performing genetic tests in probable cases with available samples.

Results

In total, we categorized 2415 patients as suspected clinical cases with a mean age of 53 years, of which 68% corresponded to male patients. The mean triglyceride levels were 705.37 mg/dL (standard deviation [SD] 335.9 mg/dL). After applying the FCS score, 2.4% of patients met the probable case definition, of which only 18 accepted molecular test. Additionally, 7 patients had unique variants in the APOA5 gene (c.694T > C; p.Ser232Pro) or in the GPIHBP1 gene (c.523G > C; p.Gly175Arg), for an apparent prevalence of familial chylomicronemia in the consulting population of 1,2 per 100.000 patients with TG measurement. No previously reported pathogenic variants were detected.

Conclusion

This study describes a screening program for the detection of severe hypertriglyceridemia. Although we identified seven patients as carriers of a variant in the APOA5 gene, we diagnosed only one patient with FCS. We believe that more programs of these characteristics should be developed in our region, given the importance of early detection of this metabolic disorder.
Proton pump inhibitors/potassium-competitive acid blockers decrease pembrolizumab efficacy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Iida Keitaro , Naiki Taku , Etani Toshiki , Nagai Takashi , Sugiyama Yosuke , Isobe Teruki , Aoki Maria , Nozaki Satoshi , Noda Yusuke , Shimizu Nobuhiko , Tomiyama Nami , Gonda Masakazu , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Kubota Hiroki , Nakane Akihiro , Ando Ryosuke , Kawai Noriyasu , Yasui Takahiro
Published: October 2022

Background
We elucidated the efficacy of gut microbiome–altering drugs on pembrolizumab efficacy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).
Methods
Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively from 135 mUC patients who received second-line pembrolizumab therapy between January 2018 and January 2021, following failed platinum-based chemotherapy. We evaluated the effects of gut microbiome–altering drugs (proton pump inhibitors [PPI]/potassium-competitive acid blockers [P-CAB], H2 blockers, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], metformin, antipsychotics, steroids, and opioids), taken by patients within 30 days before/after pembrolizumab treatment, on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Results
Fifty-one patients received PPI/P-CAB (37/14, respectively); H2 blockers, 7; antibiotics, 35; NSAIDs, 22; antipsychotics, 8; metformin, 3; steroids, 11; and opioids, 29. Multivariate analysis excluded opioid and steroid use due to a significant correlation with previously reported predictive factors for disease progression or death. Multivariate analysis highlighted only PPI/P-CAB use as an independent prognostic factor for disease progression (hazards ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.45, p = 0.021) but not death (p = 0.123). Propensity score matching, including opioid and steroid use, revealed PPI/P-CAB users showed shorter PFS than non-PPI/P-CAB users (p = 0.006).
Conclusions
PPI/P-CAB may decrease the efficacy of pembrolizumab therapy for mUC, possibly via gut microbiome modulation.
Exploring the W chromosome: accumulation of retrotransposons contributes to sex chromosome differentiation in the willow beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
Authors: Hejníčková Martina , Dalíková Martina , Zrzavá Magda , Marec František , Lorite Pedro , Montiel Eugenia E.
Published: October 2022

The evolution and molecular differentiation of heteromorphic sex chromosomes involves the accumulation of different repetitive DNA sequences due to restricted recombination. This also applies to moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), which mostly have the WZ sex chromosome system. The female-specific W chromosome is typically rich in heterochromatin, harbours few or no genes and carries a large number of repetitive sequences. Molecular cytogenetic approaches such as comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have shown that the W chromosome has evolved rapidly and varies widely among species. However, our knowledge of the composition of the W chromosome is still very limited. Here we present the analysis of repeats on the W chromosome in the willow beauty, Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Geometridae). RepeatExplorer comparative analysis of male and female genomes identified 10 putative W chromosome-enriched repeats, most of them being LTR or LINE mobile elements. We analysed two repeats with the largest difference between sexes: PRW LINE-like and PRW Bel-Pao. The results of FISH mapping and bioinformatic analysis confirm their W chromosome enrichment, thus supporting the hypothesis that mobile elements are the driving force of W chromosome differentiation in Lepidoptera.
Development and Validation of a Simple-to-Use Nomogram for Self- Screening the Risk of Dyslipidemia
Authors: Lan Jinyan , Zhou Xueqing , Huang Qian , Zhao Li , Li Penghua , Xi Maomao , Luo Meng , Wu Qiong , Tang Lixu
Published: October 2022

Objectives
To develop a simple-to-use nomogram for self-reported healthy adults to self-screening the risk of dyslipidemia based on a logistic regression model.
Methods
The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was applied to select variables, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis and visual nomogram were performed to establish a prediction model. Discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of predictive models were assessed using the C-index, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis.
Results
Our proposed dyslipidemia nomogram showed good discriminative ability with a C-index of 0.737 (95% CI: 0.701–0.773). And there was still good calibration and discrimination in the interval validation with a C-index of 0.718. Moreover, the clinical application value of the dyslipidemia nomogram was confirmed by the DCA when intervention was decided at the dyslipidemia possibility threshold between 2% and 45%.
Conclusions
this nomogram may be useful for self-reported healthy adults in self-screening the risk of dyslipidemia.
Electro-Optical Characterization of Amorphous Germanium-Tin (Ge1-XSnx) Microbolometer
Authors: Bahaidra Esam , Al-Khalli Najeeb , Hezam Mahmoud , Alduraibi Mohammad , Ilahi Bouraoui , Debbar Nacer , Abdel-Rahman Mohamed Ramy
Published: October 2022

The utilization of amorphous germanium-tin (Ge1 − xSnx) semiconducting thin films as temperature sensing layers in microbolometers was recently presented and patented. The work in this paper started by extending the latest study to acquire better characteristics of the Sn concentrations % for microbolometer applications. In this work, Ge1-xSnx thin films with various Sn concentrations %, x, where 0.31 ≤ x ≤ 0.48 we sputter deposited. Elemental composition was evaluated using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Surface morphology was evaluated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealing average roughness values between ~ 0.2–0.8 nm. Sheet resistance versus temperature measurements was performed and analyzed revealing temperature coefficients of resistances, TCRs, ranging from − 3.11%/K to -2.52%/K for x ranging from 0.31 to 0.40. The Ge1-xSnx thin film was found to depart the semiconducting behavior at 0.40 < x ≤ 0.48. Empirical relationships are derived relating resistivity, TCR, and Sn concentration % for amorphous Ge1-xSnx thin films. One of the films with 31% Sn concentration (Ge0.69Sn0.31) was used to fabricate 10×10 µm2 microbolometer prototypes using electron-beam lithography and liftoff techniques and the microbolometer is fabricated on top of oxidized silicon substrates with no air gap between them. The noise behavior and the maximum detected signal of the fabricated microbolometer were measured. The signal-to-noise ratio, voltage responsivity, and noise equivalent power values of the prototypes were calculated. Finally, the expected performance of the microbolometer when fabricated in an air bridge is calculated.
Tungstic acid: a simple and effective solid catalyst in terpene alcohol oxidation reactions with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Silva Márcio José , Andrade Pedro Henrique da Silva
Published: October 2022

In this work, we report for the first time, the tungstic acid-catalyzed oxidation of terpene alcohols with hydrogen peroxide. This simple, solid, and commercially available catalyst efficiently promoted the conversion of borneol, geraniol and nerol to camphor and epoxide products, respectively. Effects of main reaction parameters, such as catalyst load, the molar ratio of oxidant to the substrate, time, and reaction temperature were investigate. Conversions and selectivity greater than 90% were achieved using 1.0 mol % of H2WO4 after 2 h of reaction at 90°C. The activation energy was equal to 66 kJmol-1. We propose a reaction mechanism based on the experimental results. This solid catalyst was easily recovered and reused without loss of activity. As far as we know, it is the first time that tungstic acid was used as the catalyst in the oxidation reactions of terpene alcohols.
Salts containing different amino acids: four types of salts with the sulfate anion
Authors: Petrosyan A. M. , Giester G. , Tonoyan G. S.
Published: October 2022

In the present paper we report crystal structures of four types ([A(1)H][A(2)H]Y, [A(1)H]3[A(2)H]Y2, A(1)H[A(2)H···A(2)]Y and A(1)H[A(1)H···A(2)]Y) of mixed salts containing the sulfate anion (Y = SO42−) and amino acids A, i.e. sarcosine (Sar), dimethylglycine (DMG), betaine (Bet), β-alanine (β-Ala) and l-proline (l-Pro): (β-AlaH)(DMGH)SO4·2H2O (I), (β-AlaH)(BetH)SO4 (II), (β-AlaH)(l-ProH)SO4 (III), (BetH)(l-ProH)SO4 (IV), (SarH)3(l-ProH)(SO4)2 (V), (β-AlaH)(l-ProH···l-Pro)SO4 (VI), and (β-AlaH)(β-AlaH···DMG)SO4 (VII). The O⋅⋅⋅O distances in dimeric cations (l-ProH···l-Pro) and (β-AlaH···DMG) are 2.450(3) and 2.5295(12) Å in (VI) and (VII), respectively. Crystal structure determinations of (β-AlaH)(BetH)SO4 (II) at 100K (P21/n), 200K (Pnma), 250K (Pnma) and room temperature (Pnma) revealed a structural phase transition in the interval between 100K and 200K.
Evolution and lessons from an integrated service delivery network in North West Syria
Authors: Witter Sophie , Diaconu Karin , Bou-Orm Ibrahim , Jamal Zeina , Shroff Zubin Cyrus , Mahmoud Abdulbaki , Daher Mahmoud , Varma Vinod
Published: October 2022

Background
North west Syria is a complex and extremely fragile operating environment, with more than 2.8 million people needing humanitarian assistance. To support a common standard of care delivery and enable coordination among the multiple providers in NW Syria, WHO developed an Essential Health Services package (EHSP) in 2016-17 and subsequently supported a facility network model to deliver the EHSP. This article provides an evaluation of the network to date, aiming to inform further development of the network and draw wider lessons for application of similar approaches in complex emergency settings.
Methods
This mixed method study included document review, participatory, qualitative and quantitative data, gathered in the first half of 2021. Participatory data came from two group model building workshops with 21 funders and implementers. Semi-structured interviews with 81 funders, health professionals and community members were also conducted. Analyses of the workshops and interviews was inductive, however a deductive approach was used for synthesising insights across this and the document review. The final component was a survey of health providers (59 health care professionals) and service users (233 pregnant women and 214 persons living with NCDs) across network and other comparable facilities, analysed using routine descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings across all methods were triangulated.
Results
The study finds that the network and its accompanying essential service package were relevant to the dynamic and challenging context, with high but shifting population needs and multiple uncoordinated providers. Judged in relation to its original goals of comprehensive, coordinated services, equitable access and efficient service delivery, the data indicate that gains have been made in all three areas through the network, although assessing attribution is challenging, given the complex environment. The context remained challenging, with shifting boundaries and populations displaced by conflict, difficulties in retaining staff, the need to import medicines and supplies across borders, and governance gaps.
Conclusion
This study adds to a very limited literature on coordinated network approaches used to raise care quality and improve referrals and efficiency in a complex emergency setting. Although areas of ongoing challenge, including for sustainability, are noted, the network demonstrated some resilience strategies and can provide lessons for other similar contexts.
A Bidirectional DNN Partition Mechanism for Efficient Pipeline Parallel Training in Cloud
Authors: Cui Lingyun , Qu Zhihao , Zhang Guomin , Tang Bin , Ye Baoliu
Published: October 2022

Recently, deep neural networks (DNNs) have shown great promise in many fields while their parameter sizes are rapidly expanding. To break through the computation and memory limitation of a single machine, pipeline model parallelism is proposed for large-scale DNN training by fully utilizing the computation and storage power of the distributed cluster. Cloud data centers can also provide sufficient computing, storage and bandwidth resources. However, most existing approaches apply layer-wise partitioning, which is difficult to obtain an even model partition result because of the large computational overhead discrepancy between DNN layers, resulting in degraded efficiency. To tackle this issue, we propose "Bi-Partition", a novel partitioning method based on bidirectional partitioning for forward propagation (FP) and backward propagation (BP), which improves the efficiency of the pipeline model parallelism system. By deliberated designing distinct cut positions for FP and BP of DNN training, workers in the pipeline get nearly equal computational loads, and the balanced pipeline fully utilizes the computing resources. Experiments on various DNN models and datasets validate the efficiency of our mechanism, e.g., the training efficiency achieving up to 1.9x faster than the state-of-the-art method PipeDream.
Correlation analysis of neutrophil/albumin ratio and leukocyte count/albumin ratio with ischemic stroke severity
Authors: Mao Sanying , Hu Yuanhong , Zheng Xingwu , Yang Chengmin , Li Xianghong , Shang Jingwei , Abe Koji
Published: October 2022

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a common neurological disease in the elderly, but the relationship between neutrophil/albumin ratio (NAR) and leukocyte count/albumin ratio (LAR) and the severity of neurological function injury and early neurological deterioration (END)occurrence remain elusive in acute IS.
Methods: A total of 299 patients with acute IS and 56 healthy controls were enrolled. According to the NIHSS score at admission, the disease group was divided into three groups (mild, moderate and severe IS), and the differences in five indexes NAR, LAR, neutrophil count, leukocyte count and albumin among the four groups were analyzed. Furthermore, explore the correlation between the above indicators and the severity of IS and END occurrence.
Results: The results showed that higher NAR, LAR, neutrophil count, leukocyte count levels and lower albuminlevels were associated with acute IS, and the levels of NAR and LAR increased gradually in three groups of IS. NAR and LAR were positively and albumin was negatively correlated with the severity of IS. Meanwhile, NAR and LAR showed a good predictive value in identifying patients with END after acute IS.
Conclusions: NAR and LAR may be predictors of the severity of IS and END occurrence after acute IS.
Quantifying the processes of accelerated wintertime Tibetan Plateau warming: External forcing versus local feedbacks
Authors: Zhao Mengchu , Yang Xiu-Qun , Tao Lingfeng
Published: October 2022

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) has experienced an accelerated wintertime warming in recent decades under global warming, but consensus on its causes has not yet been reached. This study quantifies the processes of the warming through analyzing surface temperature budget and surface energy balance. It is found that increased diabatic heating (71%) and warm advection (29%) by an anomalous anticyclone southeast of TP are two primary processes determining the surface air warming. The former is caused by a significant increase of the TP skin temperature which warms the near surface atmosphere through increasing upward surface sensible heat flux. The land surface warming is attributed to increased absorbed radiation fluxes in which three processes are identified to be major contributors. While external forcing which is primarily due to increased anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases contributes to the warming by 24% through increasing downward longwave radiation, two types of local positive feedbacks which are triggered by the land surface warming are found to contribute to most of the warming. One is the snow-albedo feedback which accounts for 47% of the surface warming by increasing surface absorption of incident solar radiation. The other is the moisture process feedback which accounts for 29% of the surface warming. The surface warming which works with increased soil moisture due to increased precipitation in the preceding seasons tends to promote surface evaporation and moisten the atmosphere aloft over the eastern TP, which, in turn, tends to increase downward longwave radiation and cause a further surface warming.
Recognizing pathology of renal tumor from macroscopic cross-section image by deep learning
Authors: Lin Zefang , Yang Weihong , Zhang Wenqiang , Jiang Chao , Chu Jing , Yang Jing , Yuan Xiaoxu
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate the deep learning-based classification model for recognizing the pathology of renal tumor from macroscopic cross-section image.
Methods: A total of 467 pathology-confirmed patients who received radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy were retrospectively enrolled. The experiment of distinguishing malignant and benign renal tumor are conducted followed by performing the multi-subtypes classification models for recognizing four subtypes of benign tumor and four subtypes of malignant tumorsrespectively. The classification models used the same backbone networks which are based on the convolutional neural network (CNN), including EfficientNet-B4, ResNet-18 and VGG-16. The performance of the classification models was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC),sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Besides, we performed the quantitative comparison among these CNN models.
Results: For the model to differentiate the malignant tumor from the benign tumor, three CNN models all obtained relatively satisfactory performance and the highest AUC was achieved by the ResNet-18 model (AUC=0.9226). There is not statistically significance between EfficientNet-B4 and ResNet-18 architectures and both of them are significantly statistically better than the VGG-16 model. The micro-averaged AUC, macro-averaged sensitivity, macro-averaged specificity and micro-averaged accuracy for the VGG-16 model to distinguish the malignant tumor subtypes achieved 0.9398, 0.5774, 0.8660 and 0.7917 respectively. The performance of the EfficientNet-B4 is not better than that of VGG-16 in terms of micro-averaged AUC except for other metrics. For the models to recognize the benign tumor subtypes, the EfficientNet-B4 ranked the best performance but had not significantly statistical difference with other two models with respect to micro-averaged AUC.
Conclusions: The classification results were relatively satisfactory, which showed the potential for clinical application when analyzing the renal tumor macroscopic cross-section images. Automatically distinguishing the malignant tumor from benign tumor and identifying the subtypes pathology of renal tumor could make the patient-management process more efficient.
Influence of ecological traits on spatio-temporal dynamics of an elasmobranch community in a heavily exploited basin
Authors: Maioli Federico , Weigel Bejamin , Chiarabelli Elettra , Manfredi Chiara , Anibaldi Alessandra , Isailović Igor , Vrgoč Nedo , Casini Michele
Published: October 2022

Elasmobranchs, which include sharks and batoids, play critical roles in maintaining the integrity and stability of marine food webs. However, these cartilaginous fish are among the most threatened vertebrate lineages due to their widespread depletion. Consequently, understanding dynamics and predicting changes of elasmobranch communities are major research topics in conservation ecology. Here, we leverage long-term catch data from a standardized bottom trawl survey conducted from 1996 to 2019, to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of the elasmobranch community in the Adriatic Sea. We use joint species distribution modeling to quantify the responses of the species to environmental variation while also including species life-history traits, trophic level, and phylogenetic constraints. We present spatio-temporal changes in the species community and associated modification of the trait composition, highlighting strong spatial and depth-mediated patterning. Overall, we found an increase in species abundance during the past decades. However, our results show that the present community displays lower age at first maturity and a smaller fraction of viviparous species compared to the earlier observed community due to changes in species' relative abundance. The selected traits contributed considerably to explaining community patterns, suggesting that the integration of trait-based approaches in elasmobranch community analyses can aid efforts to conserve this important lineage of fish.
A Low-overhead M_TRNG for Cryptographic Protection using Multiphase Sampling
Authors: Yao Liang , Liang Huaguo , Lu Yingchun
Published: October 2022

True Random Number Generator (TRNG) is built on hardware-based non-deterministic noise for generating keys, initialization vectors, and random numbers, and it plays an important role in various applications that require encryption protection.In this paper, a true random number generator based on MUX unit multi-phase sampling is proposed by studying the frequency jitter mechanism. The scheme is based on the "soft macro" design of the MUX unit, which replaces the traditional look-up table entropy scheme. It completes high-precision jitter sampling on the basis of ensuring the fairness of the TRNG entropy source, and can be well transplanted to a series of FPGAs. The proposed TRNG is verified on three FPGAs of Xilinx Virtex-6, Artix-7 and Virtex-7. The experimental results show that the generated random sequences are of good quality, passing the NIST SP800- 22 tests with higher p-value and NIST SP 800-90B tests with higher minimum entropy, while achieving 100Mbps throughput. It is worth mentioning that the resource overhead consumed by the proposed TRNG is small and unitary, only consuming 4 MUX units, 4 DFFs and 1 LUT unit, which has a good application prospect.
An Algebraic Approach to Symmetric Linear Layers in Cryptographic Primitives
Authors: Subroto Robert Christian
Published: October 2022

Subterranean 2.0 is a permutation-based cipher suite which works with a 257 bit-state. It is designed for lightweight cryptography, and it scores very well with respect to energy consumption. Its security has been investigated by the designers against well known attack vectors. A possible point of concern is the relatively low order of its linear layer, which equals 256. In the past, such properties have been exploited by invariant subspace attacks.
In this work, we explore finding linear mappings with a similar structure as the linear layer of Subterranean, but with a higher order. We rely on concepts from abstract algebra and number theory to understand the relation between the order and the bit-states of these linear maps. Using a 257 bit-state as done in Subterranean is an unfortunate choice for designing such linear mappings with a high order. We present three examples with different bit-states, each having a significantly higher order than 256.
Identification of two female cypress bark beetle pheromone components and evaluation of their activity in the laboratory and the field
Authors: Bozsik Gábor , Molnár Béla Péter , Hegedüs Kristóf , Soós Tibor , Schulz Stefan , Tröger Armin , Francke Wittko , Szőcs Gábor
Published: October 2022

The cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei Perris (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), is of increased concern in the market of scale-leafed conifers (Cupressaceae), across a wide range of its expansion area in Europe. Surprisingly, its pheromonal communication has only scarcely been studied no specific trap-based monitoring system is available for detection of the adults flight. In order to reveal the pheromonal communication channel, hindgut extracts of unmated females were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD), using male antennae. Structure elucidation of antennally active components were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Synthetic samples of identified components were tested separately by EAG. Attraction to selected mixtures were compared by a 4-arm olfactometer, followed by field trapping tests. α-Pinene and myrtenol, as antennaly active components were identified from gut extracts. Each of these compounds, as well as their mixture attracted both males and females in significant numbers, in olfactometer tests. A 5:1 mixture of these compounds caught significantly more adults (both males and females), than unbaited control, in multifunnel traps. Preliminary experiences of stimulating pheromone production by injecting juvenile hormone (JHIII), and possible involvement of acoustic communication are discussed.
Manipulating Free Will Beliefs using online video games
Authors: Tavernier Nel , Wisniewski David , Brass Marcel
Published: October 2022

Research in social psychology and experimental philosophy has investigated lay people’s free will beliefs (FWB). Using different approaches (i.e. experimental manipulations and vignette studies), they investigated how FWB relate to other concepts, and whether changing FWB has an impact on downstream processes such as social behavior. However, both approaches have shortcomings. While experimental manipulations used in social psychology suffer from demand effects, vignettes used in experimental philosophy are often highly abstract. Across two pre-registered studies, we developed a new approach by merging them in an online video game setting. Using this novel, experience-based FWB manipulation, we found that decreasing FWB impacted variables such as perceived control and responsibility in both studies. While the experience-based manipulation influenced participants’ belief in free will within the context of the experience (“Within the context of the scenario, would the agent believe in free will?”) in the first study, this manipulation effect did not transfer to participants’ general FWB (“Do you believe in free will?”) in the second study. Overall, our findings suggest a way forward in studying laypeople’s belief in free will.
Elective nodal irradiation versus involved-field irradiation for stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective propensity study with eight-year survival outcomes
Authors: Wang Jianing , Wu Yajing , Zhang Wei , Chen Yujia , Liu Qing , Jing Shaowu , Zhang Jiandong , Wu Fengpeng , Wang Jun , Qiao Xueying
Published: October 2022

Background
Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) is suggested as the standard treatment for cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CESCC). This retrospective propensity study compared the eight-year survival outcomes and acute treatment toxicities of these patients treated with elective nodal irradiation (ENI) versus involved-field irradiation (IFI).
Materials and Methods
Patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ CESCC treated with dCCRT at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2020 were enrolled in the study. All the patients were restaged according to the American Joint Commission (AJCC) 8th edition criteria. The propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize the effects of treatment selection bias and potential confounding factors including sex, age, ECOG score, clinical T stage (cT), clinical N stage (cN), clinical TNM stage (cTNM) and radiation dose between the ENI group and IFI group. Survival and the prognostic factors were evaluated.
Results
The 131 eligible patients underwent ENI (60 patients, 45.8%) or IFI (71 patients, 54.2%). The median follow-up time was 91.1 months (range, 23.8–182.0 months) for all the patients. The median OS, 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS rates were 44.4 months, 87.8%, 55.1%, 38.3%, and 27.2%, respectively. After PSM, there were 49 patients in each group. The median OS, 1-, 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS rates for ENI and IFI group were 32.0 months, 83.7%, 48.5%, 38.5% and 31.1% versus 45.2 months, 89.8%, 52.5%, 37.5%, 26.1%, respectively (P = 0.966; HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.61–1.61). Similar locoregional control was obtained in both groups. The tendency of leukocytopenia and neutropenia was higher in ENI than in IFI (59.2% versus 38.8%; P = 0.068 and 30.6% versus 14.3%; P = 0.089) at the end of dCCRT.
Conclusion
Cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy has a satisfactory prognosis with organ conservation. The involved-field irradiation might be a better alternative owing to similar overall survival outcomes and local control with less toxicity of myelosuppression.