bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial: Collaboration, training and funding for the professional development of teachers of EAL/D students
Authors: Grieve Averil , Yahalom Sharon , Wei Dai David
Published: March 2023

This issue of TESOL in Context contains four articles that complement each other in their focus and arguments concerning political ideologies, the commodification of English as an additional language/dialect (EAL/D) teaching and the professional training needs of both EAL/D and mainstream teachers in Australian education. The first two submissions are discussion papers, which set the scene for two articles reporting on results from empirical TESOL research. Four book reviews complete the volume with a focus on the work of EAL/D teachers and learners in a variety of contexts. The articles and book reviews in this issue highlight important issues in EAL/D policy, research and practice, with a particular emphasis on the imperative to prioritise teacher preparation and professional learning. Underpinning all submissions is a clear understanding of the need for authenticity, collaboration, specialisation and utilisation of all of the linguistic competencies EAL/D bring with them to classrooms. This has implications for TESOL within and beyond Australian borders and highlights the need for continued dialogue with government and funding bodies to ensure the teaching and learning of EAL/D students is comprehensively supported in a wide range of educational contexts.
Acknowledgement of Country
Authors: Journal Coordinator TESOL in Context
Published: March 2023

In the spirit of reconciliation the Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We acknowledge that the arrival of the English language to this continent impacted the traditional languages and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and celebrate the work to reclaim or maintain these languages. ACTA members teach English in addition to supporting the maintenance and development of First Languages, and encourage the acquisition and use of other languages – including First Nations Languages.
Notes for contributors
Authors: Journal Coordinator TESOL in Context
Published: March 2023

N/A
Virtual Multiphase Flowmeter Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Mercante Renata , Netto Theodoro Antoun
Published: March 2023

Petroleum wells produce a combination of oil, gas, and water in what is called a multiphase flow. This mixture is transported through flowlines to a tank separator that isolates and quantifies the volume of each fluid. However, this mechanical gravity separation process takes a long time, and the tank is often shared between many other wells in a field, making it difficult to allow an individual online measurement of the extracted fluids. Without this information, operators cannot effectively control production or estimate each well’s depletion rate, leading to losses or reduced profits. This paper aims to propose a low-cost, instantaneous model to perform this measure using artificial intelligence, commonly known as a virtual flowmeter (VFM). The idea behind it is to use data from pressure and temperature sensors already available on every well in addition to the state of the opening control valve to train a deep neural network with a convolutional layer to output each fluid’s volume rate. The proposed method is computationally simpler than recurrent neural networks and provides similar results. However, it still requires data to train the neural network. Adequate free databases of well production with telemetry are hard to find, so this paper proposes using the Schlumberger OLGA multiphase flow simulator software to provide the data, adjusting the simulator with fluid and operational information from actual wells. Tests have shown that the approximation with the proposed methods achieves up to 99.6% accuracy, making it possible to replace an expensive multiphase meter or use it as a redundant digital sensor for fault alerts of possible inaccurate readings.
Efficacy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy at Henan University People’s Hospital: a review of 199 cases
Authors: Shen Hong-zhe , Yang Hao , He Ming , Xin Shao-Bo , Dong Ya-Dong , Qin Xing-Lei
Published: March 2023

Background: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is a difficult and complex surgical operation. Here, we review and analyze 199 cases of LPD performed at Henan University People’s Hospital and summarize the hospital team's experience.
Methods: Data related to 199 cases of LPD performed from January 1, 2017 to May 30, 2022 at the Henan University People's Hospital were collected and analyzed to define possible challenges and then used to propose potential solutions. The patients underwent operation using the “Kocher’s incision, caudal approach, and uncinate process first” approach for specimen removal followed by pancreaticojejunostomy using “Zhongyuan three-stitch method”.
Results: Our analysis showed that the average age of the patients was 58.4±11.1 years. The data showed that the operative time was 476.2 ± 95.9 minutes, intraoperative bleeding was 200 (200, 400) ml while intraoperative blood transfusion was 0 (0, 1200) ml. Further analysis showed that vascular resection and reconstruction was performed in 1 case (0.5%) for portal vein resection with end-to-end anastomosis. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was 17 (13, 24) days. A total of 71 (35.7%) cases had complications after surgery, 47 (23.6%) had pancreatic fistulas, including 19 (9.5%) grade A, 18 (9.0%) grade B, and 10 (5.0%) grade C fistulas while 30 (15.1%) were lost to follow-up. Ten (6.0%) cases experienced perioperative deaths, where a 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 85.3%, 61.0% and 58.1%, respectively. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that the older the patient, the shorter the postoperative survival time (HR=1.049,95%CI 1.016~1.082，P=0.003) and the higher the CA199, the shorter the survival time (HR=1.000162,95%CI 1.000034~1.000290，P=0.013). Patients who underwent revascularization had a better survival rate (HR=0.117, 95%CI 0.015~0.866，P=0.038); adenocarcinoma of duodenum (74,37.2%), holangiocarcinoma (43,21.6%) and pancreatic cancer (29,14.6%) had significantly different long-term survival rates (c2=6.567,P=0.038).
Conclusions: Taken together, our analysis showed that although LPD is a complex and challenging technique, it is an effective and safe procedure as long as the operator solves the challenges during the procedure (such as the " Kocher’s incision, caudal approach, and uncinate process first " approach and the " Zhongyuan three-stitch method").
Acceptability and feasibility of a peer-support, ‘Mentor Mother’ program in Gaza, Mozambique
Authors: Katirayi Leila , Ndima Sozinho , Farah Amgad , Ludwig Whitney , Mabote Atanásio , Chiposse Ismail , Muteerwa Ana , Cowan Jessica Greenberg , Meque Ivete
Published: March 2023

Background
To increase retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs, Mozambique launched a peer-support program in 2018, where HIV-positive mothers provide support as mentor mothers (MMs) by conducting home visits for HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women and HIV-exposed and infected children.
Methods
A qualitative evaluation was conducted across nine facilities in Gaza Province to assess the barriers, facilitators, and acceptability of the mentor mother program (MMP) among those receiving services and those providing services. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with MMs, MM supervisors, health care workers (HCWs), HIV-positive mothers enrolled in the MMP, HIV-positive mothers who refused MMP enrollment, and key informants involved in the implementation of the program. Thematic content analysis identified emerging recurrent themes and patterns across the participants’ responses.
Results
The MMP was well received by HIV-positive women enrolled in the MMP, MMs providing services, and HCWs at the facilities. HIV-positive women reported that counseling from MMs improved their understanding of why anti-retroviral treatment (ART) adherence was important and how they should take their ART. HIV-positive mothers enrolled in the MMP reported having reduced guilt and shame about their HIV-status, feeling less alone, less isolated, and having more control over their health. MMs shared that their work made them feel valued and decreased their self-stigmatization. Additionally, MMs felt extremely satisfied having an impact on others’ lives. However, MMs also reported feeling that they had inadequate resources to perform job functions and listed inadequate transportation, insufficient stipends, and false address reports from HIV-positive mothers to the health facilities among their constraints. Overall, HCWs felt that their workload was significantly reduced with MM support and wanted more MMs in the community and health facility.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that the MMP provided substantive and highly valued support to HIV-positive women, resulting in increased client understanding of ART’s purpose and administration as well as improved self-reported well-being and sense of community and reduced feelings of isolation. Recommendations include strengthening MM training and provision of resources, additional information provided to newly enrolled mothers and support for the male partners.
Research on Data Collision Avoidance Algorithm to Solve the Problem of LoRa Channel Resource Conflict in Loom Data Monitoring System
Authors: Xiao Yanjun , Li Yingjia , Tian Yu , Liu Weiling
Published: March 2023

LoRa is the key technology of Internet of Things wireless communication, LoRaWAN used ALOHA algorithm in the data conflict does not use conflict decomposition algorithm, the channel utilization is not high, and in the loom industry site, the number of looms is more, multiple LoRa terminal nodes need to report data to LoRa gateway nodes at the same time, the transmission frequency is relatively high, there is a possibility of heavy channel load. In view of the above problems, a communication mechanism based on the combination of time division multiple access and binary tree conflict decomposition algorithm is proposed, which can ensure that there is no data collision in static time slot terminal node communication, reduce node power consumption, and ensure that the terminal node that does not receive the receiving response frame uses a competitive way to report the data again, so that the packets participating in the collision can be successfully transmitted and the data integrity can be guaranteed. In order to prove the feasibility of this solution, this paper proposes a multi-loom data monitoring system scheme based on LoRa, and the actual tests show that the terminal node and gateway node can achieve 100% no packet loss within 400 m in the weaving machine industrial field environment, and the designed end node has low power consumption, which has certain reference value in loom data monitoring.
The Effects of Ionotropic GABA Receptor Blockage on the Brain in Rats with Induced Sepsis
Authors: Ates Gulten , Ozkok Elif , Gundogan Gul Ipek , Tamer Sule
Published: March 2023

Encephalopathy develops following sepsis, which is defined as life-threatening organ failure due to the irregular response of a host to infection. It has high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of inflammation on brain tissue, and the effects of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor antagonist bicuculline in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was experimentally generated in rats using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The rats were divided into four groups as control, LPS (10 mg/kg i.p.), bicuculline (1.5 mg/kg bicuculline methiodide s.c.), and LPS + bicuculline. Electrophysiologic recordings and body temperature measurements were completed at the 24th hour after injection, and blood samples were taken for measurements of biochemical parameters. TNF-α, IL-10, and GABA levels were measured using ELISA, and MDA levels were measured using the Bouge method. Tissue imaging was performed with S100-ß, NEUN, and synaptophysin antibodies using immunofluorescence staining. One-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used in statistical analysis. Inflammatory parameters significantly increased in brain tissue in the LPS group compared with the other groups. The immunofluorescence staining results in brain tissues were as follows: S-100ß involvement increased, and NeuN and synaptophysin involvement decreased in the LPS group. In electrophysiologic recordings, activity consistent with acute non-focal seizures was observed in the LPS group; however, resting status was seen in the other groups. We suggest that bicuculline methiodide may be a prophylactic agent in sepsis, which causes impaired neurotransmitter balance, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation, and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.
High abundances of microplastics in a tropical urban stream, negatively related to precipitation.
Authors: Ferreira Maria Gabriela Alves , Silva Jhonatan Barbosa da , Roche Kennedy Francis
Published: March 2023

Most studies on microplastic (MP) pollution in freshwaters consider large rivers and lakes, with streams relatively poorly studied. We analysed the temporal variation in abundance of MP particles in an urban stream draining commercial and residential areas, sampling on seven occasions during the course of nine months. We filtered samples through a nylon net of 68µm mesh size, carried out digestion with a novel method, namely WPO (H2O2 + Fe) followed by KOH, and analysed MP particles quantitatively and qualitatively by light microscopy. All samples contained MPs, with concentrations varying between 1.1 and 11.3 particles.L− 1. The most abundant forms were transparent filaments (found in 67% of the samples) and black fragments (found in 47% of the samples). MP concentrations were significantly positively related to the absence of rainfall. Mean transport was calculated to be 5.75x1011 items.year− 1. These abundances are equal or superior to those recorded in large rivers draining industrial areas, suggesting that small streams can be an important source of MP pollution.
Confidence Partitioning Sampling Filtering
Authors: Qiang Xingzi , XUE Rui , Zhu Yanbo
Published: March 2023

The confidence partitioning sampling filter (CPSF) method proposed in this paper is a novel approach for solving the generic nonlinear filtering problem. First, the confidence probability space (CPS) is defined, which restrict the state transition in a bounded and closed state space in the recursive Bayesian filtering. In the posterior CPS, the weighted grid samples, represented the posterior PDF, are obtained by using the partitioning sampling technique (PST). Each weighted grid sample is treated as an impulse function. The approximate expression of the posterior PDF, as key for the PST implementation, is obtained by using the properties of the impulse function in the integral operation. By executing the selection of the CPS and the PST step repeatedly, the CPSF framework is formed to achieve the approximation of the recursive Bayesian filtering. Second, the difficulty of the CPSF framework implementation lies in obtaining the real posterior CPS. Therefore, the space intersection (SI) method is suggested to obtain the approximate posterior CPS. On this basis, the SI_CPSF algorithm, as an executable algorithm, is formed to solve the generic nonlinear filtering problem. Third, the approximate error between the CPSF framework and the recursive Bayesian filter is analyzed theoretically. The consistency of the CPSF framework to the recursive Bayesian filter is proved. Finally, the performances of the SI_CPSF algorithm, including robustness, accuracy and efficiency, are evaluated using three representative simulation experiments. The simulation results showed that SI_CSPF requires far less samples than particle filter (PF) under the same accuracy. Its computation is on average one order of magnitude less than that of the PF. The robustness of the proposed algorithm is also evaluated in the simulations.
Thresholding Based Decision based Algorithm for the removal of Impulsive Artifacts in Images
Authors: kishorebabu vasanth , J Sridevi , Ch Raghava Prasad
Published: March 2023

A Novel modified trimmed Trimean filter method is suggested for the elimination of random and impulse noise as well as the clearing of various sorts of artefacts from the standard images. The suggested filter first divides the pixels into noisy and non-noisy categories before updating the noisy pixels with trimmed modified trimean and leaving the non-noisy pixels unmodified. On a Standard image database, exhaustive tests were run, and the performance of the suggested filter was assessed in terms of both quantitative and qualitative results using the current algorithm. The suggested method was discovered to have great noise suppression capabilities by maintaining the fine details of the image even at increasing noise densities.
Quality Monitoring for the Basic OxygenFurnace Steelmaking Process based on Nonlinear Filter
Authors: Song Dongying , Liu Chang , Song Xiangman
Published: March 2023

This paper addresses on the quality (the carbon content and the temperature of molten steel) monitoring problem for the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmaking process. It can be realized by designing the filter for the system of BOF steelmaking process, which can be attributed to a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems with time delay and persistent bounded disturbances. To solve the design problem of nonlinear filter, the conditions of one-sided Lipschitz and quadratic inner-boundedness are introduced. The purpose of design is to efficiently attenuate the peak of estimation error caused by the disturbances. In order to solve the state estimation problem of the general system (the state transition matrix is stable) and the BOF steelmaking-like system (the state transition matrix is an identity one), Schur Complements and Finsler’s Lemma are introduced in the theoretical analysis, respectively. The algorithm stability and the sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the given performance, and the parameters of the filter algorithms are the solutions of linear matrix inequality (LMI). And the validity of the developed methods are verified by numerical examples, one of which is the BOF steelmaking numerical example, and the related results also have reference value for the actual production.
Lunar cycle drives family-specific larval fish assemblages in the tropical nearshore ecosystem
Authors: Ye Ali Md. , Yu Fatimah Md. , Ikhsan Natrah Fatin Mohd , Hassan Zafri
Published: March 2023

Responses to lunar cycles vary amongst taxonomically distinct marine creatures. We calculated larval fish diversity and density over four successive lunar phases: new, first quarter, third quarter, and full. A bongo net with a mesh size of 300µm mesh size from a tropical nearshore water of the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia. We collected 5,305 fish larvae from 27 different families. Diversity indices for richness (Shannon-Wiener, H), dominance (Simpson, D) and evenness (Pielou, E) decreased from the full lunar phase onwards. Larval density, on the other hand, was much higher during the new lunar phase. We also determined that the larval fish family was either selectively present during each lunar phase or had a peak density during full and new moons. The larval fish assemblages revealed a preference for spawning events during the lunar phases. Human activities in the vicinity area are advised to be minimised during this period to mitigate harmful influence on larval fish recruitment in the nearshore area.
Anti-EGFR Bioengineered Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles as Targeted Immunotherapy Agents in Triple-Negative Breast Tumor Murine Model
Authors: Adriani Razieh Rezaei , Gargari Seyed Latif Mousavi , Bakherad Hamid
Published: March 2023

Cancer immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors is considered a promising approach in various cancers, however, around 55–87% of patients fail to respond to this treatment. Combinatorial therapy through targeted nano-size particles carrying various Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to the tumor site can enhance the therapeutic index by activation of intratumoral antigen-presenting cell (APC). Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) secreted by all gram-negative bacteria present various surface-exposed immune stimulators in their native conformation and Toll-like receptor activating components. In this study, OMVs were engineered to target highly overexpressing EGFR cancer cells in vitro. Affinity-based assays with both EGFR positive and negative cells were performed, and the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the designed scFv was calculated. Then, we employed the syngeneic model of a triple-negative mouse breast cancer, 4T1, to assess the function of bioengineered OMVs in vivo. Bioengineered OMVs were able to attach to EGFR high-expression cells in vitro. Analyzing the effectiveness of these nanovesicles in a triple-negative breast tumor mice model indicated that the administration route plays an important role in stimulating anti-tumor response. Both intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intratumoral (i.t.) injections of bioengineered OMVs stimulated innate immune response by activating natural killer cells and decreasing the rate of M2 macrophage in the tumor microenvironment. Contrary to the i.p. route with significant tumor size reduction, the in i.t. route only the growth of the tumor was inhibited. Considering both in vitro and in vivo results obtained in this study indicates the potential of OMVs as an effective anti-tumor strategy in future studies.
Web-based Approach for Detection of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia From Microscopic Blood Cell Images Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: M Menagadevi , M Nirmala , D Thiyagarajan , R Rajkumar
Published: March 2023

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a blood tumor that affects bone marrow and blood. Leukemia affects young people and adults worldwide. Early diagnosis of leukemia provides a patient with the right treatment option, especially for children. In medical image processing, computational tools play a major role in the field of research. The objective of this paper is to predict the ALL cells using image processing and a Computational Neural Network (CNN). 498 images were collected from the publicly available datasets and the analysis was performed. In the preprocessing stage, noise in the image is eliminated by median and weiner filters and the RGB color leukemia images are converted into lab color images as it enhances segmentation of the nucleus of the image. In this study, the k-means clustering algorithm was applied to segment the nucleus from microscopic blood cell images. Based on the characteristics of the nucleus in the leukemia image, the tumor is detected. CNN takes different features from the input blood sample image and assigns weights to the input image, which helps the network with classification. This model was evaluated with a sensitivity of 98.2%, a specificity of 97%, and an accuracy of 98%. Finally, a flask web page is developed using python to display the output.
RETRACTED: EGMM: Removal of specular reflection with cervical region segmentation using enhanced Gaussian mixture model in cervix images
Authors: Mukku Lalasa , Thomas Jyothi
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Synchronous and Metachronous presentation of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Núñez-Rocha Ricardo E. , Panqueva Rocío López , Ortiz-Pereira Mónica , Toscano-Madero María Camila , Pachón María Juliana Miranda , Andrade Rafael , Cadena Manuel , Herrera-Almario Gabriel E.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are uncommon mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. There is evidence reported of associated secondary neoplasms as synchronic and metachronous tumors. We aimed to describe the patients with synchronous and metachronous gastrointestinal stromal tumors in our reference center.
Methods: Review of dataset of a prospectively collected database of 207 patients who underwent surgery for GIST management from 2008 to 2018.
Results: 22 patients were included. Mean overall age was 69 (± 8,92) years. Male patients were 63.6%. Gastric was the most common location (68.1%, n=15), followed by small bowel (13.6%, n=3). Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse +CD117 in 100% of the cases. The synchronous tumors group included 11 cases and the most common type of tumor was gastric adenocarcinoma (n=2). For metachronous tumors, the primary localization was the prostate (45.5%, n=5). The most common type of metachronous tumor was prostatic adenocarcinoma (n=5).
Conclusion: The stomach was the most common location for synchronous tumors and the prostate for metachronous tumors both being adenocarcinomas. The appearance of these tumors is not as uncommon as reported.
Analysis and Prediction of Personality Traits Using a Self-Generated Database of Moroccan Instagram Users: Impact of Gender on Image Content and Quantity on Prediction Accuracy
Authors: BAHY Siham EL , ABOUTABIT Noureddine , HAFIDI Imad
Published: March 2023

Data shared on social networks can reflect numerous information about users, such as personality traits, inclinations, and interests. Consequently, research on predicting user personality from social network data has become increasingly focused. This study focuses on the Instagram application and is the first, to our knowledge, to examine Moroccan Instagram users. To study the effect of personality traits and gender on photo content, we predict and analyze the personalities of female and male Instagram users separately, based on characteristics extracted from the photos they share. This study is the first to predict the personality of both genders separately, given differences in the nature and preferences of genders. Additionally, we examine the effect of the number of images on prediction accuracy. Furthermore, three categories of features have been extracted from the images: visual, emotional, and content. Moreover, the Big Five model is used to represent users' personalities. Additionally, we collected a database of 316 Instagram users; it is the largest compared to previous works and includes users from different regions and social classes, which makes the results more generalizable. A root mean square error (RMSE) related to the [1,5] score scale was used to indicate prediction accuracy. In general, good results were obtained for all traits, with outperforming results in predicting consciousness for females (RMSE=0.59) and openness for males(RMSE=0.59), compared to previous studies.
Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensors Composed of Nanoflower Shaped CuO/Ag/SiNPs Based Composite Material with High Performance
Authors: Naikoo Gowhar A. , Bano Mustri , BaOmar Fatima , Hassan Israr U.
Published: March 2023

Diabetes management is a challenging task and accurate glucose sensing remains a crucial yet elusive goal. Herein, we demonstrated the capacity of electrochemically-active non-enzymatic glucose sensing of nanoporous CuO/Ag and nanoflower shaped CuO/Ag/SiNPs in an alkaline environment. The crystalline structure and the surface morphology of nanoporous CuO/Ag, and nanoflower shaped CuO/Ag/SiNPs-based composite materials were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron spectra (XPS), Raman Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The electro-catalytic characteristics of the fabricated electrode materials for glucose electro-oxidation in alkaline circumstances were examined using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry methods. The FGGS (Fourth Generation Glucose Sensors) from the composite materials exhibited a remarkable performance for glucose sensing with a wide linear range of 0.001 to 10 mM and 0.1 to 2.5 µM, an ultrahigh sensitivity of 4877.6 μA mM−1 cm−2, and a low detection limit (0.1μM). The designed electrode responded positively to the addition of glucose electro-oxidation and reached steady-state within 0.4 seconds with reproducibility (above 3000 cycles) and the diffusion rate constant for this electrochemical Nanoflower shaped CuO/Ag/SiNPs-based sensor is 0.6 cm/s. The nanoporous composite materials are cost-effective and possess improved sensitivity, selectivity, and response time, thus making them suitable for the fabrication of glucometers. The use of such materials will be beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperglycemia, as well as for the development of implantable glucose sensors and wearable sensors.
HMGA2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of clear cell renal cell carcinoma via transforming growth TGF-β/Smad2 signal pathways
Authors: Liu XuJie , Li Tie , Su JiaHao , Fu Qizhong , Chen Qian , Liu Ying
Published: March 2023

Purpose
To investigate the role of high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of kidney cancer.
Methods
The renal carcinoma cell line ACHN were transfected using RNA interference technology (siRNA) to develop a cell line with low HMGA2 expression. The expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and zinc finger protein (Snail) was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot at the mRNA and protein levels.
Results
The results show that the mechanism of HMGA2 action on kidney cancer cells is related to EMT, and this action is achieved by influencing the EMT marker proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin. The mechanism where HMGA2 exerts its biological function is related to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, where HMGA2 is able to interact with Smad2 and Smad3. In the TGF-β signaling pathway, HMGA2 can bind and form a complex with Smad2 and Smad3 to induce the expression of the target gene, Snail, promote the production of Snail protein, and induce EMT in kidney cancer cells, thereby promoting the occurrence and development and metastasis of kidney cancer cells.
Conclusion
HMGA2 is closely related to the migration and invasive ability of kidney cancer cells and can promote EMT of kidney cancer cells by activating the intracellular TGF-β signaling pathway. In kidney cancer cells, the intracellular TGF-signaling pathway promotes EMT.
The influence of judging experience on the decision-making of race-walking referees : Evidence from eye tracking
Authors: zhi huijing , Yang Liu
Published: March 2023

This study aims to study the visual search strategy of experienced race-walking referees in the decision-making process. This study selected 20 novices and 13 experienced race-walking referees and divided them into expert and novice groups according to their ruling experience. The eye movement experiment material was a race walking video taken on the spot. The participants were asked to watch the video and respond to the athletes ' fouls or not. Tobbi X3-120 eye tracker recorded the behavioral data and eye movement data. The results show that experienced race-walking referees show superior decision-making performance, high accuracy, and short response time. In addition, we also observed the differences in gaze behavior between the two groups of subjects. The experienced race-walking referees gazed more, longer, and earlier on the knee and ankle regions. The visual images also showed that the expert's gaze trajectory was clear, targeted, and focused on critical areas. In general, experienced race-walking referees have expert advantages in penalty decision-making, manifested in higher behavioral performance and concise, efficient, and goal-oriented visual search features.
The Effects of Processing Conditions on Mechanical Properties of Inconel 718 Super-alloys Manufactured by Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Güler Ebru Saraloğlu , Semiz Mehmet
Published: March 2023

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing and rapid prototyping, is the technology of making solid objects by adding material layer by layer based on computer-aided design (CAD). Electron Beam Melting (EBM) technology, which is one of the AM technologies, is based on the principle of melting metal powders by a focused electron beam that provides high energy and temperature and is based on the formation of layers by the repetitive welding technique, which is made by joining one on top of the other. Inconel 718 is the most widely used nickel-based superalloy due to its excellent high temperature strength and good oxidation corrosion resistance up to high temperatures. The main areas of use are discs, shafts, cases, stators, blades, gaskets, supports, pipes and fasteners. The main subject of this thesis study is to investigate the effects of hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment by revealing the mechanical and physical properties of Inconel 718 with experiments to be applied. In this context, tensile test and density values ​​of commercial Inconel 718 samples produced by additive manufacturing, additive manufacturing + heat treatment, additive manufacturing + hot isostatic press + heat treatment were compared.
A Library of High-Entropy-Alloy Nanocrystals with Controlled Surface Atomic Arrangements for Catalysis
Authors: Yang Tung-Han , Hsiao Yueh-Chun , Wu Cheng-Yu , Huang Wen-Yang , Thang Ho Viet , Chi Chong-Chi , Zeng Wen-Jing , Gao Jia-Qi , Lin Chih-Yi , Lin Jui-Tai , Lee Chih-Heng , Mekhemer Islam M. A. , Lu Ming-Yen , Lu Ying-Rui , Chou Ho-Hsiu , Zhou Shan , Chen Hsin-Yi Tiffany , Cowan Alexander , Hung Sung-Fu , Yeh Jien-Wei
Published: March 2023

High-entropy-alloy (HEA) nanocrystals consisting of a minimum of five elements have recently emerged as a versatile family of catalysts due to immense chemical space and tunability1-3. However, there are no effective strategies for synthesizing libraries of HEA nanocrystals with controlled surface atomic structures of exposed facets for boosting catalytic performance4-19. Due to the distinct nucleation and growth kinetics of constituent metals and their distinctive crystal structures, it is incredibly challenging to confine five or more different metal species situated on the nanocrystal surface with a specific arrangement but also in a high-entropy random mixing state. Here we present a straightforward strategy to craft a library of facet-controlled HEA nanocrystals with up to ten dissimilar metallic elements (Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, Os, Au, Fe, Co, and Ni) by solution-phase layer-by-layer epitaxial growth, enabling the design of 638 distinct catalysts with 5 to 10 elements in equimolar ratios. The subnanometer-thick solid-solution HEA atomic layers can be deposited epitaxially on nanocrystal seeds with {100} and {111} facets, thus achieving HEA shells with square and hexagonal atomic arrangements, respectively. The hollow HEA nanocages with ultrathin walls along a specific direction can be further fabricated via post-synthetic chemical etching. Three facet-dependent catalytic actives of HEA nanocrystals are discovered in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, and their catalytic facets with real active sites are also identified by in situ synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations. Our work enables facet engineering in the multi-elemental space and unveils the critical needs for their future development toward catalysis.
In-silico studies on hydration in EcoRI-cognate DNA complex
Authors: Mandal Sasthi Charan , Chakrabarti Jaydeb
Published: March 2023

Restriction endonucleases (REs) cleave DNA at specific site in presence of Mg2+ ion. Experiments further emphasize the role of hydration in metal ion specificity and sequence specificity of DNA cleavage. However, the relation between hydration and specificity has not been understood till date. This leads us to study via all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations how the hydration around the scissile phosphate group changes in presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+ and depend on the DNA sequence. We observe the least number of hydrogen bonds around the scissile phosphate group in presence of Mg2+ ion. We further find that the hydrogen bonds decrease at the scissile phosphate on mutating one base pair in the cleavage region of the DNA in Mg2+ loaded EcoRI-DNA complex which makes the scissile phosphate group more accessible for the non-hydrogen bonded water molecules. We also perform steered MD simulations and observe that the rate of decrease of hydrogen bonds is slower in the mutated complex than the unmutated complex.
Three-dimensional measurement of the uterus on magnetic resonance images: development and performance analysis of an automated deep learning tool
Authors: Mulliez Daphné , Poncelet Edouard , Ferret Laurie , Hoeffel Christine , Hamet Blandine , Dang Lan Anh , Laurent Nicolas , Ramette Guillaume
Published: March 2023

Background
The aim of our study was to develop, validate, and test a deep learning (DL) tool for fully automated measurement of the three-dimensional size of the uterus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare it to manual reference measurement.
Materials and Methods
In this single-centre retrospective study, 845 cases were included for training and validation. The ground truth was a manual measurement of the uterus on magnetic resonance (MR) images. A deep learning tool using a convolutional neural network (CNN) with VGG-16/VGG-11 architecture was developed. The performance of the model was evaluated using the objective keypoint similarity (OKS), mean difference in millimetres, and coefficient of determination R² on a new set of 100 patients.
Results
The OKS of our artificial intelligence (AI) model was 0.92 (validation) and 0.96 (test). These performances show a strong correspondence of the positioning of the measurement points between the algorithm and radiologists. The average deviation and R² coefficient between the AI measurements and the manual ones were respectively 3.9 mm and 0.93 for two-points length, 3.7 mm and 0.94 for three-points length, 2.6 mm and 0.93 for width, 4.2 mm and 0.75 for thickness. Inter-radiologist variability was 1.4 mm. A three-dimensional automated measurement was obtained in 1.6 s.
Conclusion
Our deep learning model can locate the uterus on MR images and place measurement points on it to obtain its three-dimensional measurement with a very good correlation with manual measurements.
Prevalence and Predictors of Depression among Patients Taking Antiretroviral Drugs in Adama Hospital Medical College, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebru Tessema , Ejara Daba , Yalew Aster , Deyassa Negussie
Published: March 2023

Background:Depression is the most frequently detected and avertible mental illness among people with human immunodeficiency syndrome, with two to four times higher rates than general populations. Currently, depression is measured to disturb 350 million people in the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of depression among patients receiving Antiretroviral drugs.Objective:To assess the prevalence and predictors of depression among people taking Antiretroviral drugs at Adama Hospital Medical College.Methods:Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed from April 01 to September 30, 2021, at Adama Hospital Medical College, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 420 individuals were selected via a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview, observation, and document review, then entered into EPI-info Version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the relationship between independent variables on the outcome variable. The variable with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis was further entered into the multivariable analysis to control for potential confounders. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to measure association, and the variable with a p-value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 52.4% (95% CI= 47.6-57.1). Employment status [AOR=0.22(95% CI= 0.13-0.36)], the patient’s most recent CD4 count [AOR=6.99 (95% CI=2.81-17.38)], months on ART [AOR=5.05 (95% CI =2.38-10.74)] and chronic non-communicable diseases [AOR=7.90 (95% CI = 4.21-14.85)] were the factors significantly associated with depression among HIV positive patientsConclusion:highest proportion of HIV-positive patients taking ART drugs had depressive symptoms. Employment was found to be preventive while low CD4 count, starting ART therapy recently, and presence of chronic non-communicable diseases were found with increased odds of depression among HIV-positive patients taking ART.
Multi-slice CT features predict pathological risk classification in gastric stromal tumors larger than 2 cm: a retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Wang Sikai , Dai Ping , Si Guangyan , Zeng Mengsu , Wang Mingliang
Published: March 2023

Background
Accurate risk stratification for gastric stromal tumors (GSTs) has become increasingly important. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) had higher accuracy and reliability in prognostic assessment and treatment strategies for patients with GSTs. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of multi-slice CT (MSCT) features of GSTs in predicting AFIP risk classification.
Methods
Clinical data and MSCT features of 424 patients with solitary GSTs were retrospectively reviewed. According to pathological AFIP risk criteria, 424 GSTs were divided into low-risk group (n = 282), moderate-risk group (n = 72) and high-risk group (n = 70). Clinical data and MSCT features of GSTs were compared among the three groups.
Results
We found significant differences in tumor location, morphology, necrosis, ulceration, growth pattern, feeding artery, vascular-like enhancement, fat positive sign around GSTs, CT value in venous phase, CT value increment in venous phase, longest diameter, and maximum short diameter (p < 0.05). Two nomogram model were successfully constructed to predict the risk of GSTs. Low- vs high-risk group, the independent risk factors of high-risk GSTs included location, ulceration, longest diameter; The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of prediction model was 0.911 (95% CI: 0.872–0.951 ), the sensitivity and the specificity were 80.0% and 89.0%, respectively. Moderate- vs high-risk group, morphology, necrosis and feeding artery were independent risk factors of high-risk of GSTs, with an AUC value of 0.826 (95% CI: 0.759–0.893), the sensitivity and the specificity were 85.7% and 70.8%, respectively.
Conclusion
MSCT features of GSTs and nomogram model have great practical value in predicting pathological AFIP risk classification between high risk and non-high risk groups before surgery. There is limitations for differentiating the low- and moderate-risk groups.
Enhanced Soil Liquefaction Potential Estimation using Machine Learning and Web-Based Platform
Authors: Vasegh Maleki , Dehghanbanadaki Ali , Motamedi Shervin
Published: March 2023

In this study, a new web-based platform was developed for fast estimation of soil liquefaction potential (SLP). The geotechnical results from 47 boreholes in the north of Iran were collected over three years to create an estimator model. The dataset included information on SPT, soil type, strength parameters, and water content. Python libraries Pycaret and Gradio were used to develop the model for SLP. A set of pipeline codes were applied to base classifiers, including 13 different machine learning models such as the Ada boost classifier (ad), decision tree classifier (dt), gradient boosting classifier (gb), the k-neighbors classifier (knn), light gradient boosting machine (lightgbm) and random forest classifier (rf). The results show that the lightgbm model outperformed the other applied machine learning classifiers with accuracy = 0.946, AUC = 0.982, and F1-score = 0.9. The proposed model was then used as the primary element of the web-based application, providing a helpful tool for geotechnical engineers to determine SLP.
I Thought I Saw a Retrocaval Ureter; Don’t Bite The Fish-hook Sign So Easily
Authors: Yağız Beytullah , Yağmur İsmail , Hancıoğlu Sertaç , Demirel Berat Dilek , Şahap Seda Kaynak
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the children who were suspected to have a retrocaval ureter during management for urinary tract dilation. Retrocaval ureter may be missed or misdiagnosed due to rare incidence. Fish-hook sign is a particular radiological sign that may indicate retrocaval ureter but sensitivity and specificity are not discussed previously. Materials And Methods: The children (n=12) in whom retrocaval ureter was considered in the differential diagnosis between 2016 and 2022 are enrolled in the study. The demographics of the patients, findings suggesting retrocaval ureter, evaluation process, management, and final diagnosis are retrospectively evaluated.
Results: The final diagnosis was retrocaval ureter (n=3), ureteropelvic junction obstruction (n=7), and duplicated collecting system (n=2). A retrocaval ureter was confirmed or excluded by ultrasonography while there was a stent in the ureter in 6 patients and by laparoscopic exploration in the rest 6 patients. Three underwent surgery for RCU, 8 for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction, 1 for reflux and 1 ureterocele puncture.
Discussion and Conclusion: Fish-hook sign is a rare conflicting finding that can be encountered on imaging studies. This uncommon finding needs confirmation or exclusion of a possible retrocaval ureter. Radiological evaluation (by ultrasonography or cross sectional studies) while there is a stent in the ureter is the most satisfactory way to confirm or exclude a retrocaval ureter. Alternatively, being aware of a possible retrocaval ureter and performing a little more extensive dissection may be necessary during surgery to confirm or exclude it. If available, laparoscopy may provide this goal in a minimal invasive manner with superior visualization .
Soil moisture influences the root characteristics of a herbaceous riparian plant along a regulated river
Authors: DENG XIAO , Greet Joe , Jones Christopher S.
Published: March 2023

River ecosystems of regulated rivers are threatened by water extraction and flow regime alteration in the context of climate change and increasing human populations. Riparian plant root growth is important to sustain plant health and provide functions including bank stabilization. The root systems of riparian plants on regulated rivers may suffer from lower soil moisture due to lack of natural flow variability. This study aimed to evaluate how soil moisture influences the root system of a herbaceous riparian plant. Plants of Juncus amabilis were dug out along a soil moisture gradient, corresponding with positions close to or distant from the water margin and low or high relative bank elevation. Root depth, belowground space occupation, root mass fraction and mean fractal dimension were used to evaluate root structural dynamics in relation to bank position and soil moisture. The ratio between root and aboveground dry weights of sampled plants was constant over the elevation range sampled. Plant root systems tended to grow deeper, occupy more belowground space, and have fewer branches as soil moisture declined. These findings indicate that lower soil moisture levels and reduced river flows may significantly influence herbaceous riparian plant growth and survival. Riparian plant health and function will likely be promoted by flow regimes that provide adequate and timely water delivery.
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square
Authors: Yuan Yachen , Li Ying , Pan Yun , Gao Bo
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.