bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and Application of Frailty Assessment and Early Warning Platform for the Community Elderly: Based on a Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Li Jing , Peng Hua , Huang Jia , Yue Liqin , Gao Wuqiang , Liu Guanyu , Zeng Shumei , Li Fang , Huang Weihong , Hu Jianzhong
Published: September 2022

Background: Health management for elderly in the community is more difficult, especially under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to build a frailty assessment platform and form a frailty early warning model by Machine Learning (ML) methods that community health workers can use to carry out overall evaluation and health management of the elderly.
Methods:The intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to test the platform's reliability and conduct a user satisfaction survey. The frailty assessment results were taken as the dependent variable, and the comprehensive assessment results, the elderly capability assessment results, and the basic information of the elderly were taken as independent variables to train and develop a frailty risk model by ML methods. The model performance was evaluated by Precision, Recall, F1-score, Accuracy, area under the ROC curve (AUC value), Macro avg, Weighted avg and other indicators. The visual image SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was used to analyze the features of the effective model, the risk factors, and the population distribution of frailty, thus forming a frailty early warning model.
Results: The reliability test of frailty assessment and early warning platform showed high consistency with ICC of 0.966, and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of (0.888, 0.990), P<0.001. The user satisfaction survey showed the highest score for necessity. The cross-sectional survey showed that the frailty rate of the elderly reached 34.5%,and fitting support vector machine with RBF kernel function (SVM RBF) had the best performance in ML methods with AUC=0.862 in the Training set and AUC=0.865 in the Test set. The SHAP analysis showed that positive sarcopenia, high risk of falls, potential and above anxiety, and moderate and above impairment of daily living ability were more likely to cause frailty. The elderly with all four features accounted for 11.56% of the entire elderly population.
Conclusions: The frailty assessment and early warning platform constructed in this study have good reliability and high user satisfaction. By running the SVM RBF model in the platform background thread, the platform named “I can help”, was developed for community elderly and health workers.
DNA barcoding and nutritional profiling of some underutilized native indigenous plant species (NIPS) of Karnataka, India
Authors: KUMAR ROSHNI MOHAN , R Bharathi T , S Prakash H
Published: September 2022

Locally adapted native indigenous plant species (NIPS) could restore the crop diversity in sustainable agriculture. Here, we report the molecular identification and nutritional profiling of some five NIPS of Karnataka; Musa paradisiaca cv. Nanjangud rasabale, Piper betle L. cv. Mysore betel leaf, Jasminum grandiflorum cv Mysore mallige, Solanum melongena L. cv. Udupi Mattu Gulla and S. melongena L. cv. Erangere badane of which the first four are Geographical Indication (GI) tagged. The samples were procured, authenticated and sequenced using two standard DNA barcodes; nuclear ITS2 and plastid rbcl. The phylogenetic analysis using Neighborhood joining method revealed all the ITS2 tree topologies with higher genetic divergence than rbcl. All the rbcl tree topologies were monophyletic indicating sequence conservation. Though the concatenated ITS2 + rbcl trees had higher bootstrap support (> 98% except Solanum sp.) differences were observed because of the lack of available sequence deposition at species level. The proximate and nutritional profiling of the NIPS displayed superiority in terms of their nutritional profile and their potential application in phytopharmaceutical sector as nutritional supplements. We anticipate that if research towards the identification of NIPS species is accelerated, these nutritionally enhanced crops could be used as a safe and sustainable food in changing global climatic conditions.
Fabrication of regenerated cellulose fibers using phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide treated wheat straw in DMAc/LiCl solvent system
Authors: WANG QING , Zhao Heng , Zhao Li , Huang Mei , Tian Dong , Deng Shihuai , Hu Jinguang , Zhang Xinquan , Shen Fei
Published: September 2022

Regenerated cellulose fibers (RCFs) are widely used biodegradable and eco-friendly materials made from woody biomass to replace synthetic fibers. This work explored the feasibility of fabricating RCFs using phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide (PHP) treated wheat straw in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent system. The effect of upstream pretreatment conditions on the obtained cellulose-enriched fraction (CEF), the solubility of CEF in DMAc/LiCl, the RCFs’ mechanical properties, and the interfacial interaction of residual lignin were systematically studied. CEF could be completely dissolved in DMAc/LiCl, and its wet-spun RCFs own tensile strength of 184 MPa, the toughness of 25 MJ/m3, and it demonstrated remarkable wet-strength (84 MPa), wet-toughness (11 MJ/m3), and dyeing properties. The existence of residual lignin negatively affected its mechanical properties but would enhance its resistance to water infiltration. The present work provides a new approach for producing RCFs from woody biomass.
Ecological Impact and Human Health Risk Assessment of Pumpkin and Spinach Cultivated around Non- mining Axes of Asu River Group
Authors: Akpa Chibuike , Alu Matthew Okpani , Anih Chioma Benita , Obasi Philip Njoku
Published: September 2022

The study evaluated human health risks associated with the consumption of pumpkin and spinach cultivated around non-mining areas of the Asu River Group. Eighteen samples were collected and analyzed for As, Pb, and Cd, obtaining fifty-four results. The samples were washed with deionized water, air-dried and oven dries at 105°C for 48 hours and analyzed using Varian (USA) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of Pb, As, and Cd in the vegetable trend follows; Ebonyi south (ES) < Ebonyi central (EC) < Ebonyi north (EN); EN < ES < EC and ES < EC < EN respectively both for Pumpkin and Spinach vegetables. The Cd, As and Pb, content was below WHO/FAO, (2007) and EU, (2006) specific limits. The daily intake of metals, health risk index, and targeted health quotient were computed. The DIM of Pb, As and Cd were below their respective oral reference dose (RfD) of 0.004, 0.003, and 0.001mg/kg/day. Pb, As, and Cd HRI values for adults, teenagers, and children are in the following order Adult < Teenagers < Children for all samples across the study area. The Pb abundance follows ES < EN < EC in both pumpkin and spinach, and Cd follows EN < EC < EN and EN < ES < EC for pumpkin and spinach respectively. Arsenic HRI in order of EN < EC < EN and EN < ES < EC for pumpkin and spinach respectively. On average, HRI of Pb, As and Cd ranges from 0.00312 to 0.0663, 0.00411 to 0.238 and 0.009 to 0.331 mg/kg/bw/day for the vegetables. The HRI and THQ for adults and teenagers were all < 1 for As, and Pb while Cd THQ > 1 in pumpkin from ES.
Hydrological drought analysis in response to climate change based on a novel hybrid machine learning algorithm
Authors: Morshed-Bozorgdel Amirreza , Hosseini Khosrow , Farzin Saeed
Published: September 2022

For the first time, a combination of metaheuristic algorithms and machine learning is used for hydrological drought analysis under climate change conditions and applications. The new framework is used by a novel hybrid machine learning model named the least-squares support vector machine-African vulture optimization algorithm (LSSVM-AVOA). The performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm was compared with three algorithms, including artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and least squares support vector machines (LSSVM). Using the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) method showed that LSSVM-AVOA with a score of 0.98 could be employed to improve the LSSVM modeling results. Three global climate models (GCM), including ACCESS-ESM1-5 (A1), CanESM5 (C5), and MRI-ESM2-0 (M2) during the historical period 1985–2014 and four scenarios, including SSP126, SSP245, SSP245-cov-fossil (SCF), SSP585 in future from 2021 to 2050 was considered for predicting discharge at Karun basin (Sepid Dasht Sezar, Bakhtiari Tang Pang, Sezar Tang Pang, Taleh Zang and Gotvand stations). Using new hybrid algorithm, the prediction results showed that discharge in most scenarios and stations decreased between − 0.81% and − 7.83% (except Sezar Tang Pang and Gotvand station). The standardized runoff index (SRI) results of hydrological drought analysis showed by the SSP585 scenario it seems that for the next first 10 years, a mild drought period can occur in this basin. Also, in the future period for SSP126 scenario by the first five years in the next 30 years, none drought is predicted.
Association between nocturnal falls and hypnotic drug use in older patients at acute care hospitals
Authors: Oda Shinji , Takechi Kenshi , Hirai Satoru , Takatori Shingo , Otsuka Takashi
Published: September 2022

Purpose: Although hypnotic drug use is a known risk factor for falls, few reports have analyzed fall risk associated with individual hypnotic drugs after adjusting for confounding factors. Therefore, it remains unclear whether clinically prescribed benzodiazepine receptor agonist, melatonin receptor agonist, and/or orexin receptor antagonist use is safe in older patients. Here, we aim to assess the influence of various hypnotic drugs on fall risk in older patients admitted to acute care hospitals.
Methods: We investigated the relationship between nocturnal falls and sleeping pill use among 8,044 hospitalized patients aged > 65 years. We used a propensity score matching method to homogenize characteristics of patients with and without nocturnal falls (n = 145 patients in each group) using 24 extracted factors (excluding hypnotic drugs) as covariates.
Results: Our analysis of fall risk for each hypnotic drug revealed that benzodiazepine receptor agonists were the only drugs significantly associated with falls, suggesting that use of the drugs is a risk factor for falls in older adults (p = 0.003). In addition, a multivariate analysis of 24 selected factors, excluding hypnotic drugs, revealed that patients with advanced recurrent malignancies were at greatest risk of experiencing falls (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.23–5.60; p = 0.013).
Conclusion: Benzodiazepine receptor agonists should be avoided in older hospitalized patients since they increase fall risk, with melatonin and orexin receptor antagonists used instead. Particularly, fall risk associated with hypnotic drugs should be considered in patients with advanced recurrent malignancies.
Numerical simulation of Hongchun gully debris flow based on the coupling of LHT model and Pudasaini model
Authors: QIANG ZHANG
Published: September 2022

Numerical simulation is an important means to reproduce debris flow disaster, and a reasonable model can completely reflect the risk and influence area of the whole process from startup to accumulation of debris flow. In this paper, LHT model and Pudasaini model are adopted to realize dynamic whole-process simulation of debris flow. LHT model can reflect the dynamic volume change of shallow landslides under rainfall conditions, and solve the problem of starting location and starting volume of debris flow. The Pudasaini model simulates the volume change of debris flow in the process of movement according to the start-up condition and boundary conditions. The simulation results showed that Hongchun gully was subjected to rainfall on August 12, 2010 solstice and August 14, 2010. The maximum change of landslide volume occurred near 3:00 on the 14th, which was consistent with the actual starting time of debris flow. At the same time, the accuracy of debris flow accumulation volume and area is verified, and the simulation results are excellent. Good simulation results show that the coupling of LHT model and Pudasaini model can completely reproduce the formation process of "8·14" Hongchun gully massive debris flow. It provides an effective simulation method for debris flow formation under rainfall conditions.
Seeing past the tip of your own nose? How outward and self-centred orientations could contribute to closing the green gap despite helplessness
Authors: Adamus Magdalena , Šrol Jakub , Čavojová Vladimíra , Mikušková Eva Ballová
Published: September 2022

The present study explored moderators of the relation between environmental concerns and pro-environmental behaviour that could help to close the green gap. A sample of 500 individuals (250 women) participated in the study. Apart from socio-demographic characteristics, participants answered questions about their environmental concerns and pro-environmental behaviour, collectivism and individualism, time orientation and emotional responses to climate change. Our results corroborate the view that collectivism, future orientation and prosocial tendencies may form a single component of outward orientation, while individualism and immediate orientation form self-centred orientation. Generally, outwardly oriented individuals and those less self-centred reported more pro-environmental behaviour. However, strongly self-centred individuals, even when reporting elevated helplessness, also showed increased involvement in pro-environmental behaviour once their concerns were high. The study contributes to the literature by pointing out that both outward and self-centred orientations have the potential to insulate individuals against the negative effect helplessness may have on pro-environmental behaviour. This could inform strategies that would both prompt individuals already concerned to act and arouse more concern among those who are not yet preoccupied with climate change.
High-Speed Maneuvering Target Detection And Motion Parameter Estimation Based On A Novel OMP Method
Authors: Zheng Shuyu , Yang Qingwei , Wang Yang , Jiang Libing , Zhang Xiaokuan , Wang Zhuang
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A nonlinear tunable piezoelectric resonant shunt using a bilinear component: theory and experiment
Authors: Shami Zein Alabidin , Thomas Olivier , Giraud-Audine Christophe
Published: September 2022

In this article, we propose a new concept for tuning a resonant piezoelectric shunt absorber thanks to the use of a nonsmooth electronic component. It consists in adding in the resonant shunt circuit a voltage source which is a bilinear function of the voltage across the piezoelectric patch. The main advantage is the ability to change the electrical resonance frequency with the bilinear component gain, enabling a tuning as well as a possible reduction of the required inductance value. Because of the intrinsic nonlinear nature of the bilinear component, a multi-harmonic response is at hand, leading to a nonlinear coupling between the mechanical and electrical modes. Two particular tunings between the electrical and the mechanical resonance frequencies are tested. The first one is one-to-one, for which the electrical resonance is tuned close to the mechanical one. It is proved to be similar to a classical linear resonant shunt, with the additional tuning ability. The second case consists in tuning the electrical circuit at half the mechanical resonance, leading to a two-to-one (2:1) internal resonance. The obtained response is also found to be similar to a classical resonant shunt near the main resonance. In either case, the shunt performances are analytically and numerically studied, leading to optimal values of the design parameters as well as an estimation of the amplitude reduction provided by the shunt. Finally, experimental validation is proposed, targeting the damping of the twisting mode of a hydrofoil structure, in which the bilinear component is realized with a diode.
Soil physicochemical properties change by age of the oil palm crop
Authors: Pérez-Sato Marcos , Gómez-Gutiérrez Ángel , López-Valdez Fernando , Ayala-Niño Fernando , Soni-Guillermo Eutiquio , González-Graillet Martín , Pérez-Hernández Hermes
Published: September 2022

Many controversies exist related to the changes generated by oil palm plantations in the physicochemical properties of the soil, soil biota, and their interactions. Consequently, the present study evaluated the changes in properties of the soil by the effect of the ages the oil palm on the physicochemical parameters of the soil in comparison with pasture plots (as a control) at a several ages of palm trees, the soil sampling was carried out around the oil palm (at 3, 5, and 15 years old) at distances of 1-, 2-, and 3-m from the trunk plant in a random sampling. The soil properties evaluated were soil pH, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, organic matter, total nitrogen, and minerals such as sulfur, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and boron as total minerals were measured. The results showed that both the diameter and the fresh and dry root biomass increased in 15-year-old plantations compared with 3- and 5-year-old. In addition, correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that the parameters evaluated are associated with the adult age of the oil palm. Also, the results of soil physicochemical showed that low soil fertility was associated with an increase in the age of the palm.
Multi-pilot implementation experiences of patient-centered pathology reports: Lessons learned for the advancement of patient-centered tools for cancer decision-making
Authors: Austin Elizabeth J. , Kilgore Mark R. , Ko Cynthia W. , Parker Elizabeth U. , Alvarez Rebeca , Koch Lisa K. , Donlan Amelia W. , Lee Janie M. , Flanagan Meghan R. , DeStefano Lauren M. , Javid Sara H. , Gore John L.
Published: September 2022

Purpose
New federal legislation in the United States grants patients expanded access to their medical records, making it critical that medical records information is understandable to patients. Provision of informational summaries significantly increase patient perceptions of patient-centered care and reduce feelings of uncertainty, yet their use for cancer pathology is limited.
Methods
Our team developed and piloted patient-centered versions of pathology reports (PCPRs) for four cancer organ sites: prostate, bladder, breast, and colorectal polyp. The objective of this analysis was to identify common barriers and facilitators to support dissemination of PCPRs in care delivery settings. We analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from pilot PCPR implementations, guided by the RE-AIM framework to explore constructs of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.
Results
We present two case studies of PCPR implementation – breast cancer and colorectal polyps — that showcase diverse workflows for pathology reporting. Cross-pilot learnings emphasize the potential for PCPRs to improve patient satisfaction, knowledge, quality of shared decision-making activities, yet several barriers to dissemination exist.
Conclusion
While there is promise in expanding patient-centered cancer communication tools, more work is needed to expand the technological capacity for PCPRs and connect PCPRs to opportunities to reduce costs, improve quality, and reduce waste in care delivery systems.
Terahertz Vibrational Modes of Sodium Magnesium Chlorophyllin and Chlorophyll in Plant Leaves
Authors: Coquillat Dominique , O’Connor Emma , Brouillet Etienne V. , Meriguet Yoann , Bray Cédric , Nelson David J. , Faulds Karen , Torres Jeremie , Dyakonova Nina
Published: September 2022

The low-frequency (terahertz) vibrational spectroscopy of two chlorophyll species, Chl-𝑎 and one of its magnesium derivatives (Chl-Mg-Na), has been investigated experimentally. The combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has enabled a broad frequency range to be covered (0.2 to 18 THz). For Chl-Mg-Na, the terahertz spectra show clear and well-marked features at 1.44, 1.64, and 1.83 THz dominated by intermolecular interactions. The frequency dependent refractive index and absorption coefficient of Chl-Mg-Na were determined using the Fit@TDS software. Below 1.0 THz, a refractive index of 2.09 was measured. In order to acquire further understanding of the observed vibrational modes, a detailed study of the temperature dependence of the line positions of the lowest modes in Chl-Mg-Na was performed. As the temperature is increased from 88 K to 298 K, the feature at 1.83 THz experiences a notable red shift of frequency and line shape broadening, whereas the feature at 1.44 THz shows little change. These results suggest that the 1.83 THz feature is dominated by intermolecular motions occurring over the crystalline unit cell of the Chl-Mg-Na molecular crystal. Finally, terahertz time-domain was used to acquire the spectra of an ornamental plant bearing yellow-green variegated leaves (ivy, Aureomarginata variety), the yellow sectors having lower chlorophyll content compared to green sectors. In dehydrated green tissue, the chlorophyll molecules showed well-marked intermolecular vibrational modes at 1.85 THz, indicating that chlorophyll molecules are prone to pack with an ordered molecular arrangement. These results demonstrate the potential application of THz spectroscopy in agricultural sciences.
Motivators and Influencers of Adolescent Girls’ Decision-making regarding Contraceptive Use in Four Districts of Zambia
Authors: Chola Mumbi , Hlongwana Khumbulani , Ginindza Themba
Published: September 2022

Background
Pregnancy complications and unsafe abortions are the leading causes of death among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years globally. Contraceptives have been proven to help prevent unwanted pregnancies, early pregnancies, as well as unsafe abortions. However, contraceptive use remains low, particularly in the least developed countries, including sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia specifically, thereby undermining the potential benefits of contraceptive use. This study sought to explore and understand the motivators and influencers of adolescent girls’ decision-making regarding contraceptive use.
Methods
We used thematic analysis to analyse qualitative data from 7 focus group discussions and 3 key informant interviews aged between 15-19 years in Chongwe, Lusaka, Kasama and Luwingu districts located in Lusaka and Northern provinces, respectively. NVivo version 12 pro (QSR International) was used to manage and organise the data.
Results
Fear of pregnancy, fear of diseases, fear of having more children, and spacing of children (especially among married adolescents), were key motivators for adolescents’ contraceptive use. Friends and peers also motivated them to use contraceptives. None-use was motivated by fear of side effects, and fear of infertility. Peer pressure and fear of mocking by their friends were important deterrents to contraceptive use. Parents, peers and friends, family members, partners, churches, and religious groups influenced adolescent girls’ contraceptive decisions.
Conclusion
Mixed messages from friends, family members, partners, churches and religious groups, some in favour and others against contraceptives, make adolescents’ decisions to use contraceptives complex. Therefore, it is vital to take an all-inclusive approach in developing interventions by incorporating the various influencers, including at institutional and policy levels, even as we seek to empower adolescents and give them autonomy to make contraceptive decisions.
Study on multi-roller flow forming process of aluminum alloy cylinder with cross ribs
Authors: Yu Zhongqi , Meng Yehui , Zhou Yu , Zhao Yixi
Published: September 2022

Multi-roller flow forming has the characteristics of multi-directional loading, which can improve the quality and accuracy of spun products. Roller number and parameter arrangement in a roller set will affect the material flow and rib filling in multi-roller flow forming of cylinder with inner ribs. Therefore, in this paper, a finite element model of multi-roller flow forming was established to explore the effects of roller number and parameter arrangement on the material flow and saturation degree of inner ribs of aluminium cylinder with oblique cross ribs. The results show that increasing roller number can promote the material radial flow, leading to improve the saturation degree of inner rib; and that, in a roller set, applying large radius for the front roller and small radius for the subsequent roller is beneficial to rib filling, and the more radial offset amount of the first roller has, the more sufficient material flow into the inner ribs is under constant total thickness reduction. In addition, an aluminum cylinder with cross ribs had been spun successfully, which had good dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties. The approaches can provide process guidance for manufacturing on flow forming of aluminum cylinder with inner ribs.
Oxidative stress and behavioral deficits in 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in male mice: Neuroprotective effects of silymarin
Authors: Eyvari-Brooshghalan Shahla , Makhdoomi Sajjad , fadaiie Ahmad , Daneshvar Afsoon , Komaki Alireza , Haddadi Rasool
Published: September 2022

Background 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is strongly believed to be a mitochondrial complex II irreversible inhibitor, leading to neural damages. Silymarin has been reported to exert various pharmacological manifestations including hepatoprotection, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cardioprotection. This study aimed to investigate neuroprotective features of silymarin against 3-Nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in male mice. Methods Six-week-old mice were received sub-chronic doses of 3-NP, intraperitoneally for 17 days. A group of mice were pretreated with silymarin (70 mg/kg/day, P.O.) for two weeks before 3-NP administration. Treatment group was received 3-NP for 17 days and then silymarin (70 mg/kg/day, P.O.) for 4weeks. At the end of the treatment schedule, animals were evaluated for behavioral alterations. Afterward, mice were sacrificed, neuronal damages in the hippocampus region of the brain tissues were performed by H&E staining, and the homogenates brain was used for evaluating the oxidative stress related parameters (Lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-1β) levels. Results Our results indicated that 3-NP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) tends to reduce the motor coordination, memory, and neuronal antioxidant status while increased the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. However, silymarin in both treatment and pretreatment protocols markedly (p < 0.05) attenuated the behavioral deficits, oxidative stress status, and neuroinflammation. Conclusion Results of the current study suggested that neuroprotective effect of silymarin against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity might be due to mitigating oxidative stress status and provide insight into the therapeutic potential of silymarin.
Adjuvant action of needle shaped BC micro fibrils
Authors: SÜER Özge , Gül Aytül , HAMEŞ Elif Esin
Published: September 2022

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an unbranched biopolymer produced by microorganisms, composed of glucopyranose units linked by β-1,4 bonds. In this study, the adjuvant action of needle shaped BC micro fibrils (BCmfs) has been investigated in vitro using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model antigen. BC produced by the static culture of Komagataibacter xylinus was then microparticleated (1–5 µm) by acid hydrolysis and characterized using Zetasizer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, cytotoxicity, TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor alpha) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) cytokine secretion, and cellular uptake of BCmfs-BSA conjugate on the human monocyte cell line (U937) differentiated into macrophages were performed. In the cytotoxicity assay, BCmfs-BSA in macrophage cells showed high viability (over 70%). The highest TNF-α cytokine level (113 ng/ml) was obtained with BCmfs-BSA (Bovine serum albumin) conjugate (500µg/ml) and was statistically significant (p = 0.0001) compared to the positive control group (BSA-aluminum hydroxide), IL-6 cytokine levels were not statistically different from those in the control group as desired. It has been shown in macrophage-differentiated U937 cells that microbial synthesized BC in the form of needle-shaped micro fibrils (BCmfs) has high cellular uptake capacity and increases the immunogenicity of the antigen. These results demonstrate for the first time that BC micro fibrils have the potential to serve as a vaccine adjuvant.
Preoperative Prediction of Malignancy and Surgical Treatment Strategy for Appendiceal Tumors: Multicenter Review of 51 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Tamura Koji , Ueki Takashi , Nakayama Hiromichi , Watanabe Yusuke , Sada Masafumi , Nagayoshi Kinuko , Mizuuchi Yusuke , Ohuchida Kenoki , Ichimiya Hitoshi , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: September 2022

Purpose: A diagnostic and treatment strategy for appendiceal tumors (ATs) has not been established. We aimed to evaluate our treatment strategy for ATs including laparoscopic surgery (LS) and to identify preoperative malignancy predictors.
Methods: A total of 51 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Data including tumor markers and imaging findings were compared between carcinoma and non-carcinoma patients. Validity of planned operation was evaluated based on pathological diagnosis.
Results: Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with carcinoma, 13 with low-grade mucinous neoplasm, and 13 with other diseases. Symptoms were more commonly present in carcinoma patients than in non-carcinoma patients (68.0% vs. 23.1%, p=0.001). Elevated CEA and CA19-9 were more frequently observed in carcinoma patients than in non-carcinoma patients (p<0.01 and p=0.04, respectively). Five carcinoma patients had malignancy on biopsy, compared with zero non-carcinoma patients. Significant differences were noted in the percentages of carcinoma and non-carcinoma patients with solid enhanced mass (41.7% vs. 0%, p<0.001) and tumor wall irregularity (16.7% vs. 0%, p=0.03) on imaging. Although the sensitivity was not high, the specificity and positive predictive value of these findings were 100%. Forty-two patients (82.4%) underwent LS as minimally invasive exploratory tool and/or radical operation, of whom 2 were converted to open surgery for invasion of adjacent organ. None of the patients had intraoperative complications or postoperative mortality.
Conclusion: Clinical symptoms, elevated tumor markers, and worrisome features of solid enhanced mass and tumor wall irregularity on imaging can be malignancy predictors. For management of AT patients, LS is feasible and useful for diagnosis and treatment.
Monocyte subsets and monocyte-related chemokines in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Aguiar Mariana Freitas , Torquato Heron , Salu Bruno Ramos , Oliveira Ana Cecília Diniz , Oliva Maria Luiza Vilela , Paredes-Gamero Edgar Julian , Abdulahad Wayel H. , Brouwer Elisabeth , Souza Alexandre W. S.
Published: September 2022

Background: The pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is poorly understood. Although a macrophage-rich vessel wall granulomatous inflammation is a hallmark of TAK pathology, no previous studies have analyzed the monocytes’ role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of monocyte subsets and the monocyte-related chemokines profile in the peripheral blood of TAK patients and age & sex matched healthy controls (HC).
Methods: TAK patients were evaluated for current disease activity and current therapy. Monocyte subsets were identified by flow cytometry according to the surface expression of CD14 and CD16 as classical (CD14+CD16-), intermediate (CD14+CD16dim), and non-classical (CD14dimCD16high) in the peripheral blood. Multiplex Luminex assay was used to measure serum monocytes-related chemokines including CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CXCL10 and CX3CL1.
Results: Thirty-two consecutive TA patients and 30 HC were evaluated. TAK patients had a higher number of circulating intermediate monocytes compared to HC [25.01 cells x 106/L (16.7-52.0) vs. 17.2 cells x 106/L (9.2-25.3); p = 0.014]. Active disease was associated with monocytosis (p = 0.004) along with the increase of the classical (p = 0.003) and intermediate (p < 0.001) subsets compared to HC. No significant differences were found in the distribution of monocyte subsets between active disease and the remission state. Prednisone use reduced the percentage of non-classical monocytes (p = 0.011). TAK patients had lower CCL3 (p = 0.033) and CCL4 (p = 0.023) levels than HC, whereas CCL22 levels were higher in active TAK compared to the remission state (p = 0.008). Therapy with immunosuppressive agents or biologics did not impact serum chemokines, but glucocorticoids were associated with lower CXCL10 levels (p = 0.012). In TAK patients, CCL4 concentration correlated with the number of total monocytes (Rho = 0.489; p = 0.005) and classical and intermediate monocytes (Rho = 0.448; p = 0.010 and Rho = 0.412; p = 0.019) in the peripheral blood.
Conclusions: TAK is associated with altered counts of monocyte subsets in the peripheral blood compared to HC and CCL22 is the chemokine with the strongest association with active disease in TAK.
Defining incidence and complications of fibrolamellar liver cancer through tiered computational analysis of multiple clinical data types.
Authors: Gordan John D. , Zack Travis , Venook Alan , Wild Jennifer , Butte Atul , Maisel Samantha , Yaqubie Amin , Abou-Alfa Ghassan , Knox Jennifer J , Mayer Robert , O’Neill Allison
Published: September 2022

Importance: The incidence and biochemical consequences of rare tumor subtypes are often hard to study. Fibrolamellar liver cancer (FLC) is one such rare malignancy affecting adolescents and young adults. To better characterize the incidence and biochemical consequences of this disease, we combined a comprehensive analysis of electronic medical record and national payee data and find that FLC incidence is likely 6–8 times higher than previous estimates. By deploying unsupervised learning modes on clinical laboratory data on patients with hyperammonemia, we find that FLC-associated hyperammonemia mirrors metabolic dysregulation in Urea Cycle Disorders. We demonstrate that advanced computational analysis of rich clinical datasets can provide key clinical and biochemical insights into rare cancers.
Montane Grassland Resources Drive Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla) Nesting Behaviours in the Ebo Forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon
Authors: Mfossa Daniel Mbouombouo , Gazagne Eva , Gray Russell J. , Ketchen Marcel Eyong. , Abwe Ekwoge Enang , Beudels-Jamar Roseline C. , Tchouamo Roger Isaac , Brotcorne Fany
Published: September 2022

Great apes show strong attachment to their nesting sites which provides them with substantial survival elements. Their nesting behaviors are influenced by geographical and ecological variables including habitat type, slope, elevation gradients, and sometimes anthropogenic pressures. This study aimed to assess environmental variables that influenced the Ebo gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) nesting behavior in relation to nesting site selection, nest types, and nesting materials. We collected data from January 2013 to November 2017 along reconnaissance tracks (recce, hereafter) using the marked nest counting method. We recorded 0.16 nesting sites per km as an encounter rate, with an average number of four nests per gorilla group. The mean nest diameter was 90.33 ± 23.92 cm (n = 640, range 25–199 cm). Ebo gorillas preferred nesting sites at high altitude located in the grassland areas with open canopy, ligneous undergrowth composition and very closed visibility. Ebo gorillas used more than 281 plant species as materials for nesting with Marantaceae and Zingiberaceae species being the most common material used. Terrestrial herbaceous nests were the most common nest type (55%). During the dry season, gorillas visited more often the mature forest habitat and mostly constructed arboreal nests. Finally, reuse of nesting sites by Ebo gorillas was minimal (16%), and visitation period occurred from 3 days to 33 months. Our study provides the first systematic investigation of gorilla nesting behavior within the Ebo forest constituting therefore an essential starting point for the long-term conservation planning of this little-known population.
Validation of a Thai semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (semi-FFQ) for people at risk of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Nirdnoy Nattvara , Sranacharoenp Kitti , Surawit Apinya , Pinsawas Bonggochpass , Mongkolsucharitkul Pichanun , Pongkunakorn Tanyaporn , Manosan Thamonwan , Ophakas Suphawan , Suta Sophida , Pumeiam Sureeporn , Mayurasakorn Korapat , Group Siriraj Health Study
Published: September 2022

Background
Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are a useful dietary assessment tool to determine relationships between diet and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Our purpose was to validate a semiquantitative FFQ (semi-FFQ) for Thais at risk of metabolic syndrome (MS).
Methods
The study identified 345 men and women aged 30 to 65 years were enrolled and invited to participate in data collection for 4 weeks. They were asked to maintain a 4-day food record and partook in a semi-FFQ interview during week 4. Urine samples and biochemical results related to MS were collected. Validation results were associated with 3 primary nutrients for MS (sugar, fat, and sodium) and biochemical results (blood glucose, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and 24-hour urine sodium).
Results
Ninety-four participants were enrolled (54 in a “urine-collection not-required” group and 40 in a “urine collection” group). The level of each key MS nutrient significantly increased commensurate with rises in semi- FFQ estimated intakes. Correlation coefficients (r) were as follows: fasting blood glucose, r = 0.293 (fruits) and r = 0.285 (desserts); triglycerides, r = 0.252 (a la carte-dishes); LDL-cholesterol, r = 0.205 (rice-with-topping dishes); systolic blood pressure, r = 0.272 (snacks) and r = 0.190 (a la carte dishes).
Conclusions
The semi-FFQ helps assess dietary patterns of Thai populations at risk of NCDs.
Air pollution, residential greenness and medical expenditure in older adults
Authors: Zhou Wensu , Li Rui , Wang Wenjuan , Zhou Fenfen , Ling Li
Published: September 2022

Background: Environmental factors have been thought of as potential determinants for human health and would plausibly affect health expenditures. However, little is known about the association between air pollution, greenness, and their combined effect on medical expenditures, let alone, related evidence in older adults is rarely.
Method: We used data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Medical expenditures were defined as out-of-pocket medical expenditures in the 12 months preceding the survey. A two-year average of PM2.5 concentrations prior to medical expenditures was collected as PM2.5 exposures. Greenness exposure was contemporaneous with PM2.5 and evaluated by residential units’ NDVI value in 250 m buffer. The two-part models were performed to assess the independent influences of PM2.5, greenness, and its combined influence. The first model was a logistic regression model based on the whole sample, called the participation models. Then a log-transformed linear regression model was fitted using samples with nonzero medical expenditures, named intensity models.
Result: We found that each 10-µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 increased the odds of incurring any costs (coefficient=0.80, P <0.001) according to the participation models. PM2.5 was associated with an increase in expenditure based on intensity models (coefficient=0.08, P <0.001). Each 0.1-unit increase in greenness decreased the odds of incurring any costs in the participation models (coefficient=-0.77, P <0.05). The risk of increasing medical expenditures attributed to PM2.5was higher in areas with a low level of greenness (coefficient=0.16, P <0.001). While greenness did not present a protective effect for increasing costs in the low level of PM2.5 (coefficient=0.21, P <0.05), increasing greenness could reduce costs in the high and medium level of PM2.5. Uneducated participants and others without pensions were vulnerable to the combined effect.
Conclusion: Air pollution is a potential source of medical expenditures; in comparison, expanding greenspace is associated with these societal costs saved. Suppose the combined impact of greenness and PM2.5 was to be replicated in a future study, which would improve the utility of current evidence.
Variations of water use efficiency, C, N concentration in Chinese fir under climate change based on carbon stable isotope analysis
Authors: You Ren , Liu Yang , Deng Xiangwen , Hu Yanting , Ouyang Shuai , Chen Liang , Xiang Wenhua
Published: September 2022

Water use efficiency (WUEi) can strongly influence the growth of individual tree diameter, and drought caused by increasing temperatures can profoundly affect the water use strategy of red-heart Chinese fir. The differences in WUE of red-heart Chinese fir juveniles under different ages and meteorological conditions have not been studied yet. Here, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was calculated to determine the extent of drought and studied the relationship between WUEi and other ecological factors through path analysis. Compared with 1981–2020, the mean monthly temperature and annual total precipitation in 2015–2020 increased by 0.7 ° C and 177mm, respectively. Significant differences in WUEi at different leaf and branch ages. WUEi and N concentration decreased with the age increase, but C concentration increased. Carbon isotope increased with the increase of relative tree height. N concentration and C/N did not change significantly with the increase in relative tree height. There were significant differences in WUEi under different SPEI. In 2020 (SPEI = 0.12), the WUEi of branches and leaves was the highest, which were 92.7% and 88.4%, respectively. WUEi and C concentration have a significant negative relationship (-0.516). Tree basic area increment (BAI) was significantly negatively correlated with precipitation (-0.777) and relative humidity (-0.488) and significantly positively correlated with temperature (0.871). Our results show that red-heart Chinese fir has a high demand for water and nutrients in the juvenile stage, which could further provide a theoretical basis for the directed cultivation and sustainable management of red-heart Chinese fir.
Brown bear skin-borne secretions display evidence of individuality and age-sex variation
Authors: Clapham Melanie , Wilson Abbey E. , Williams Candace L. , Sergiel Agnieszka
Published: September 2022

Scent originates from excretions and secretions, and its chemical complexity in mammals translates into a diverse mode of signalling. Identifying how information is encoded can help to establish the mechanisms of olfactory communication and explore the use of odours as chemical signals. Building upon existing behavioural and histological literature, we sought to examine the chemical profile of secretions used for scent marking by a solitary, non-territorial carnivore, the brown bear (Ursus arctos). We investigated the incidence, abundance, and uniqueness of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cutaneous glandular secretions of 12 wild brown bears, and assessed whether age-sex class, body site, and individual identity explained profile variation. The average number of compounds varied by age, but not solely by sex or body site. VOC profiles varied in composition and structure by age and individual identity (when individuals were grouped by sex), but not solely by sex or body site. Individual compound uniqueness varied by body site and age for both males and females and across individuals. Our results indicate that brown bear skin-borne secretions may facilitate age-sex class and individual recognition, which can contribute towards further understanding of mating systems and social behaviour.
Algorithms for team formation based on the degree distribution of the social networks
Authors: Addanki Bobby Ramesh , S Durga Bhavani
Published: September 2022

The problem of choosing a team for a given project/task with minimum communication cost is known as team formation problem for which many algorithms have been proposed in the literature. The skill-centric algorithms in the literature start by searching for suitable experts for each skill. These algorithms are very slow as the search requires shortest path calculations. We propose that by considering the topology of the underlying social network, the algorithms can be made more efficient. We contribute two algorithms in this paper for team formation, namely, TPLRandom and TPLClosest which exploit the power law of the degree distribution of the social network to form a team. The proposed algorithm is based on the idea that is generally adopted while a team is being formed for the real world challenges. A team leader is identified first who then sets about choosing the team members possessing the necessary skills required for the task. The algorithms choose high degree nodes from the heavy tail of the degree distribution to act as leaders. The leaders form teams from their own neighbourhoods and the one with the lowest communication cost is chosen as the best team. This is an entirely novel approach to team formation problem. We show that these high degree experts and their neighbours cover a large number of skills required for the task, reducing the expensive computations and thus yielding a fast and scalable algorithm. The experimentation is carried out on the well-known DBLP data set. We build a much larger benchmark data set from DBLP for experimentation. Our algorithms TPLClosest and TPLRandom provide teams with significantly lower communication costs. They also surpass the other conventional algorithms such as MinLD and MinSD in terms of the execution time.
An exhaustive evaluation of modeling ecological niches above species level to predict marine biological invasions
Authors: Reyes Kevin Alejandro Lopez , Olvera Luis Osorio , Soto Octavio Rojas , Chiappa-Carrara Xavier , Rivero Carlos Patrón , Arenas Carlos Yáñez
Published: September 2022

Identifying the areas of the world with suitable environmental conditions for the establishment of invasive species represents a fundamental basis for preventing their impacts. One of the most widely used tools for this is ecological niche modeling. Nonetheless, this approach may underestimate the specie’s physiological tolerances since wildlife populations of species usually do not occupy their entire environmental tolerance. Recently, it has been suggested that incorporating occurrences of phylogenetically related species improves the prediction of biological invasions. However, the reproducibility of this technique is unclear. Here, we evaluated the generality of this protocol by assessing whether the construction of modeling units above species level improves the capacity of niche models to predict the distribution of 26 target marine invasive species. For each, we constructed supraspecific modeling units based on published phylogenies by grouping the native occurrence records of each invasive species with the records of its phylogenetically closest relative. We also considered units at the species level, including only the presence of records in the native areas of the target species. We generated ecological niche models for each unit with two methods (minimum volume ellipsoids – MVE and machine learning algorithms – Maxent). In addition, we grouped the 26 target species based on whether or not their niches are unfilled. Our results suggest that the construction of supraspecific units improves the predictive capacity of correlative models to estimate the invasion area of our target species. However, this modeling approach consistently generated models with the higher predictive ability for species with unfilled niches.