bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of anodic dissolution of 100Cr6 Steel during electrochemical machining in oxidizing and reducing electrolytic environments.
Authors: Upadhyay Ritesh Kumar , Chakraborty Ashis K. , Majhi Shyam S. , Yadav Narendra
Published: April 2023

Electrochemical machining (ECM) has been widely recognized as a promising technique that plays an important role in the fabrication of micro textured surfaces of engineering materials. The advantageous features of ECM, like high material removal rate (MRR) and surface finish, have been found effective to improve the efficiency of machining components compared to the other processes. However, the machining precision of ECM has still limited due to the formation of a passive adherent oxide layer over the specimen surface. These factors adversely affect the MRR and surface roughness (Ra). The high current density (20-150 A/cm2) can be used to enhance the MRR, but the process becomes vulnerable to energy consumption, resulting in poor surface finish. These limitations of ECM can be minimized by employing a suitable electrolytic environment. This paper shows the anodic dissolution characteristics of 100Cr6 Steel in oxidizing and reducing electrolytic solutions. The reducing electrolyte containing CuSO4 mixed NaCl that maintains the low valence state of substrate metal ion which, in turn, facilitates higher MRR and improves the surface finish quality. Similarly, the oxidizing electrolytic solution composed of K2Cr2O7 mixed with NaCl allows higher anodic dissolution but ensuing Cr2O7—ion form a passive layer on the metal surfaces. In two different electrolytic environments, transpassive anodic dissolution was found to occur. Comparable dissolution mechanisms have been studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique and UV-visible spectrophotometry. Micro-images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) emphasize that metal surfaces are exposed more in existing oxidizing environments and less in reducing environments.
Elderly and adult-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: 20 years report
Authors: Pirali Caterina , Zammarchi Irene , Lanzarotto Francesco , Ricci Chiara
Published: April 2023

Background
Cases of IBD diagnosed after the age of 65 are increasing, due to either an ageing population or a greater awareness of this condition in older patients. This study aims to compare natural history, therapeutical approach, disease and therapy-related complications in elderly and adult patients.
Methods
Patients referring to the IBD-outpatient clinic of the Gastroenterology Unit (Spedali Civili Brescia) that received a diagnosis of IBD after the age of 65 between January 2000 and August 2021 were enrolled and matched 1:1 by disease, sex and year of diagnosis with a patient who received diagnosis between 40 and 64 years of age.
Results
A total of 154 elderly patients (45 Crohn’s disease and 109 Ulcerative colitis) were matched with 154 adults.
In Crohn’s disease, abdominal pain and diarrhea were more frequent amongst adults; while symptoms at UC presentation were similar. Extraintestinal manifestations were more frequently reported amongst adults (p 0.03). Despite a similar number of relapses in both cohorts, the elderly were more frequently hospitalized.
In CD, the number of patients who faced a surgical approach was similar for both cohorts, but mean time to surgery was significantly lower in the elderly (4.7 vs 28.9 months, p0.03). On the contrary, UC elderly patients faced surgery more frequently (17% vs 8%, p0.07), but mean time from diagnosis was similar. Biological therapy was more common for adults (p<0.05), with a larger use of anti-integrin, despite anti-TNFalfa in elderly-UC patients (70% vs 7%). Intestinal complications and systemic infections were higher amongst the elderly.
Conclusions
Elderly and adult-onset IBD seem to have similar presentation and clinical behavior. However, the elderly present more IBD-related hospitalizations and complications.
Comparative performances of machine learning algorithms in radiomics and impacting factors
Authors: Decoux Antoine , Duron Loic , Habert Paul , Roblot Victoire , Arsovic Emina , Chassagnon Guillaume , Arnoux Armelle , Fournier Laure
Published: April 2023

There are no current recommendations on which machine learning (ML) algorithms should be used in radiomics. The objective was to compare performances of ML algorithms in radiomics when applied to different clinical questions to determine whether some strategies could give the best and most stable performances regardless of datasets. This study compares the performances of nine feature selection algorithms combined with fourteen binary classification algorithms on ten datasets. These datasets included radiomics features and clinical diagnosis for binary clinical classifications including COVID-19 pneumonia or sarcopenia on CT, head and neck, orbital or uterine lesions on MRI. For each dataset, a train-test split was created. Each of the 126 (9 x 14) combinations of feature selection algorithms and classification algorithms was trained and tuned using a ten-fold cross validation, then AUC was computed. This procedure was repeated three times per dataset. Best overall performances were obtained with JMI and JMIM as feature selection algorithms and random forest and linear regression models as classification algorithms. The choice of the classification algorithm was the factor explaining most of the performance variation (10% of total variance). The choice of the feature selection algorithm explained only 2% of variation, while the train-test split explained 9%.
Altered gyrification in chemotherapy-treated older long-term breast cancer survivors
Authors: Daniel Ebenezer , Deng Frank , Patel Sunita K. , Sedrak Mina S. , Kim Heeyoung , Razavi Marianne , Sun Can-Lan , Root James C. , Ahles Tim A. , Dale William , Chen Bihong T.
Published: April 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to evaluate the changes in brain surface gyrification in older long-term breast cancer survivors 5 to 15 years after chemotherapy treatment.
Methods
Older breast cancer survivors aged ≥ 65 years treated with chemotherapy (C+) or without chemotherapy (C-) 5–15 years prior and age & sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited (time point 1 (TP1)) and followed up for 2 years (time point 2 (TP2)). Study assessments for both time points included neuropsychological (NP) testing with the NIH Toolbox cognition battery and cortical gyrification analysis based on brain MRI.
Results
The study cohort with data for both TP1 and TP2 consisted of the following: 10 participants for the C + group, 12 participants for the C- group, and 13 participants for the HC group. The C + group had increased gyrification in 6 local gyrus regions including the right fusiform, paracentral, precuneus, superior, middle temporal gyri and left pars opercularis gyrus, and it had decreased gyrification in 2 local gyrus regions from TP1 to TP2 (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). The C- and HC groups showed decreased gyrification only (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). In C + group, changes in right paracentral gyrification and crystalized composite scores were negatively correlated (R = -0.76, p = 0.01).
Conclusions
Altered gyrification could be the neural correlate of cognitive changes in older chemotherapy-treated long-term breast cancer survivors.
Developing and designing an internet-based support and education program for patients awaiting kidney transplantation with deceased donors. -A delphi study.
Authors: Nilsson Kristina , Andersson Gerhard , Johansson Peter , Lundgren Johan
Published: April 2023

Aims
The aim of this study was to develop and refine the content and design of an internet-based support and education program for patients awaiting kidney transplantation from deceased donors.
Design
A Delphi process was used.
Methods
A prototype internet-based intervention was drafted, based on previous research. The intervention included educational and psychological support to manage the uncertain waiting time and specific education enabling preparation for transplantation and adjustment to life after transplantation. In a two-round Delphi process, patients who had received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor within the last 2 years (n=27), significant others (n=6), health-care personnel with renal (n=20) or transplant (n=14) expertise, rated importance of content and design aspects of the prototype intervention on a 5-point scale using web questionnaires. A median of ≥3 was considered as consensus. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Free text answers were encouraged and analyzed using deductive content analysis. The STROBE-checklist was used.
Results
Consensus was reached for all suggested content and design items in round 1, with median ratings of 4 or 5. Qualitative analysis from round 1 suggested four new content and design items which were rated in round 2, on all which consensus was reached; information about life with young children as relatives, expansion of kidney transplantation specific information, program extension by one week and individualization by making information available based on individual needs.
Conclusion
There was consensus among heterogenous experts regarding suggested educational and psychological support content and design aspects, and additional content and design aspects were identified for an internet-based support and education program for patients awaiting kidney transplantation from deceased donors.
Relevance to clinical practice
The results can be used to inform content and design of support and education programs for patients awaiting kidney transplantation from deceased donors.
Patient or Public Contribution
Patients and significant others were included in the Delphi process.
Mean platelet volume, Immature platelet fraction and disease activity in Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis: a cross sectional study.
Authors: PICARELLI MARIA MERCEDES , Bodanese Luiz Carlos
Published: April 2023

Objective

To test correlation between mean platelet volume (MPV), immature platelet fraction (IPF) with disease activity in a group of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) defined by JADAS 71. Determinate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value.

Methods

A cross sectional study was performed in JIA patients with oligoarticular and polyarticular rheumatoid factor negative subtypes, classified with active or inactive disease activity by JADAS 71. Other subtypes and patients with acute infection, neoplastic diseases, macrophage activation syndrome, other thrombocytopenias, other inflammatory diseases, and use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications were excluded. All blood parameters were processed in a SYSMEX XN 1000 haematology analyser.

Results

Twenty-five active and 21 inactive JIA disease patients were included. Oligoarticular were76%, 73,9% were female sex and 95,6% were caucasian. The median age was 10,30 [4,77–14] years and the median disease duration was 57 months [ 24–90,7]. The median JADAS 71 was 1,35 [ 0–10,25] with active disease above 1. There was no correlation between MPV and JADAS 71(rho = 0,204 e p = 0,185). There was no correlation between IPF and JADAS 71 (rho = 0,192 e p = 207). Sensitivity was 13% and specificity was 4,80%. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 75% and negative predictive value (PNV) was 50%. Sensitivity was 4,22%, and specificity was 0,0%, PPV was 36,8% and PNV was 100%.

Conclusions

MPV and IPF had no correlation with JADAS 71 in a group of JIA patients
Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women
Authors: Azhar Ameer Nor , Munteanu Shannon , Menz Hylton
Published: April 2023

Background

Footwear has been shown to influence balance and is an important consideration in relation to the prevention of falls. However, it remains unclear as to what type of footwear is most beneficial for balance in older people: sturdy, supportive footwear, or minimalist footwear to maximise plantar sensory input. The objectives of this study were therefore to compare standing balance and walking stability in older women wearing these two footwear styles, and to investigate participants’ perceptions in relation to comfort, ease of use and fit.

Methods

Older women (n = 20) aged 66 to 82 years (mean 73.4, SD 3.9) performed a series of laboratory tests of standing balance (eyes open and closed on floor and foam rubber mat, near tandem standing) and walking stability (treadmill, level and irregular surface) using a wearable sensor motion analysis system. Participants were tested wearing supportive footwear (incorporating design features to improve balance) and minimalist footwear. Perceptions of the footwear were documented using structured questionnaires.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in balance performance between the supportive and minimalist footwear. However, trends were observed which indicated that standing balance was better in the minimalist footwear, while walking stability was better in the supportive footwear. Participants perceived the supportive footwear to be significantly more attractive to self and others, easier to put on and off but heavier compared to the minimalist footwear. Overall comfort was similar between the footwear conditions, although the supportive footwear was reported to be significantly more comfortable in the heel, arch height, heel cup, heel width and forefoot width regions. Eighteen participants (90%) reported that they felt more stable in the supportive footwear and 17 (85%) reported that they would consider wearing them to reduce their risk of falling.

Conclusion

Balance performance and walking stability were similar in supportive footwear designed to reduce the risk of falling and minimalist footwear, although participants preferred the supportive footwear in relation to aesthetics, ease of use, comfort and perceived stability. Prospective studies are now required to ascertain the longer-term advantages and disadvantages of these footwear styles on comfort and stability in older people.
Trial registration: Australian New Zeland Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12622001257752p, 20/9/2022 (prospectively registered). https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384670&isReview=true
Interplay between Anomalous Metallic and Superconducting States Tuned by Disorder in Thin Flakes of Kagome Metal KV3Sb5
Authors: Mu Gang , Wang Teng , Yu Aobo , Mao Yuanlv , Fang Yuqiang , Zhang Han , Liu Yixin , Guo Wang , Li Wei , Peng Wei , Di Zengfeng , Huang Fuqiang , Jiang Da
Published: April 2023

Recently V-based Kagome metal attracted intense attention due to the coexistence of topological nontrivial electronic structure, charge density wave, and superconductivity. Here we report the fabrication and physical investigations of the single-crystalline thin flakes of the Kagome metal KV3Sb5. For the samples with the effective superconducting thickness of 7±2 nm, the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless type behavior is revealed by the temperature dependent resistance and voltage-current data, which indicates the presence of two-dimensional superconductivity. Meanwhile, the temperature-independent resistance is observed in a wide field region, supplying the hallmark of the anomalous metallic state. Importantly, by comparing the interplay between the superconducting and anomalous metallic states of two samples with different levels of disorder, a striking competitive evolution with the external field between these two states is uncovered.
Prenatal maternal inactivated COVID-19 vaccination: the maternal and neonatal outcomes, a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cai Yaoyao , Wu Shenghao , Zhang Sisi , Xu Xinxin , Xie Fengfeng , Gao Lijun , Xia Weiting
Published: April 2023

Background
There are very few data on the maternal and neonatal safety effects of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. Several studies have reported the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, with no adverse effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, data on the safety of prenatal vaccination are scarce. Therefore, more relevant data are needed to inform maternal, pregnancy, and infant outcomes.
Objective
To evaluate the prenatal maternal inactivated COVID-19 vaccination and the impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study among women who delivered between January and June 2022 at the first affiliated hospital of wenzhou medical university. Those who have completed at least one dose of inactivated vaccine before or during pregnancy were included in “vaccinated group”, and those who were not vaccinated were included in “unvaccinated group”, the maternal, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline parameters of the two groups.
Results
A total of 1926 women were enrolled in this study, 827 (42.94%) women were prenatally vaccinated, and 1099 (57.06%) unvaccinated. The gestational week of delivery were slightly smaller in the vaccinated group, 38.77 ± 1.83 weeks in the vaccinated group and 39.01 ± 1.45 weeks in the unvaccinated group. There was a higher rate of overall preterm delivery in the vaccinated group (aOR 1.638, 95% CI 1.108–2.422; p = 0.013; Table 3, Fig. 2), however, the probability of delivery before 34 weeks and before 32 weeks (early preterm delivery) were similar (p > 0.05). A total of 2009 infants were born, 851 in the vaccinated group and 1158 in the unvaccinated group. There were similar neonatal outcomes in the two groups.
Conclusions
Although we found a slightly smaller gestational week of delivery and a possible increased rate of late preterm birth in the vaccination group, there was no difference in mean neonatal weight, incidence of low birth weight infants and other neonatal adverse complications. Meanwhile, there was no difference in pregnancy and maternal outcomes between the two groups.
β-mannanase supplemented in diets saved 85 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg, supporting performance, improving nutrient digestibility and fecal microbiome in pigs
Authors: Genova Jansller Luiz , Azevedo Liliana Bury , Rupolo Paulo Evaristo , Cordeiro Flávia Beatriz Carvalho , Carvalho Silvana Teixeira , Kipper Marcos , Vilela Hellen Lazarino Oliveira , Careli Pedro Silva , Rennó Luciana Navajas , Carvalho Paulo Levi Oliveira , Faveri Juliana Canto
Published: April 2023

The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase were investigated on performance, fecal score, carcass attributes, blood profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, and fecal microbiome in grower pigs (n = 40, 26.09 ± 0.96 kg) randomly assigned within 4 treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100). Performance was supported. Pigs with CD100 had lower serum IL-1β concentration, and lower IL-10 was observed in pigs on CD0 than those fed β-mannanase. Greater ATTD was evidenced in animals fed CD85 or CD100. Pigs with CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness but lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio. Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae were more abundant in pigs fed CD0, but lower for Christensenellaceae NSJ-63 and NSJ-63 sp014384805. Pigs in CD85 showed higher abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Prevotella, and lower of Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus. In conclusion, supplementation of β-mannanase in diets containing xylanase-phytase saved 85 kcal of ME/kg by supporting performance, improving nutrient digestibility and fecal microbiome in grower pigs.
Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs in ambient air in Hanoi, Vietnam, between 2017 and 2021, and health risk assessment
Authors: Sau Trinh Khac
Published: April 2023

The concentrations and seasonal and temporal variations in polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in ambient air from November 2017 to September 2021 were investigated via passive air samplers containing polyurethane foam (PUF) discs in three residential areas, including the Cau Giay (CG) urban, Quang Minh (QM) industrial-suburban and Ba Vi (BV) rural areas, Hanoi, Vietnam. The average total toxic equivalent value of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs (∑TEQD/F&dl) in the QM area was the highest (506 fg/PUF/day) and ranged from 317 to 752 fg/PUF/day. Compared to that in the QM area, the average ∑TEQD/F&dl value was lower in the CG area (372 to 615 fg/PUF/day; average: 482 fg/PUF/day), and the lowest value occurred in the BV area, ranging from 121 to 414 fg/PUF/day with an average of 231 fg/PUF/day. Air pollution involving PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs increased during spring and winter. The highest seasonal average ∑TEQD/F&dl value in the CG area was 534 fg/PUF/day in winter. The highest average ∑TEQD/F&dl values in the QM and BV areas were 653 and 280 fg/PUF/day, respectively, in spring. The average daily dose (ADD) values of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs through inhalation for adults in the three areas were minimal (9.9 to 96.2 fg TEQ/kg body weight (BW)/day) and below the 10% threshold of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) value recommended by the World Health Organization (100 to 400 fg TEQ/kg BW/day). For children, the ADD values (15.1 to 243.6 fg TEQ/kg BW/day) were less than and within of 10% of the recommended TDI value.
Bird community effects on avian malaria infections: Dilution or amplification?
Authors: Tamayo-Quintero Juliana , Puente Josué Martínez de la , San-José Miriam , González-Quevedo Catalina , Rivera-Gutierrez Héctor F.
Published: April 2023

The human modification of the landscape and subsequent changes in biotic variables, such as community structure and composition, can alter host-parasite dynamics. In addition, a beneficial effect of wildlife diversity on zoonotic disease risk and transmission has been proposed. Here, we studied the effects of the bird community on the prevalence and richness of lineages of avian haemosporidian in the highly diverse area of Antioquia, Colombia. We sampled birds in three human-altered areas (dams) and molecularly determined the prevalence and identity of haemosporidia blood parasites infecting birds. We analyzed the relationships of the bird community on the prevalence and richness of lineages of avian haemosporidian through generalized linear models. According to our results, there were non-significant effects of dominance and richness of the bird community on the prevalence of avian parasites. However, we found evidence of an amplification effect given the associations between host dominance and the number of infections (logarithmic relationship) and expected Haemoproteus and Plasmodium richness (exponential relationships). Our results suggest a fundamental role of host community dominance on the dynamics of parasite infections. Parasite amplification patterns shown in this study could be explained by the abundance of competent hosts for haemosporidian infection. Our results largely contribute to the knowledge of blood parasite diversity infecting wild birds in a poorly studied area of South America.
The intention of utilization and experience toward traditional Chinese medicine among breast cancer patients in the early and late stages: A qualitative study
Authors: Chen Kai-wei , Chung Kuo-piao , Hsu Chung-hua
Published: April 2023

Background
In Taiwan, breast cancer patients usually take conventional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine simultaneously. The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine among breast cancer patients at various stages has not been examined. This study aims to compare the intention of utilization and experience toward traditional Chinese medicine among early- and late-stage breast cancer patients.
Method
This qualitative research collected data from breast cancer patients through focus groups interview by convenience sampling. Conducted in 2 branches of Taipei City Hospital, a public hospital managed by the Taipei City government. Breast cancer patients > 20 years old and had used TCM for breast cancer therapy for at least three months were included in the interview. A semi-structured interview guide was adopted in each focus group interview. In the following data analysis, stages I and II were considered early-stage, and stages III and IV were late-stage. For analyzing the data and reporting the results, we used qualitative content analysis as the approach for data analysis, assisted by NVivo 12. Categories and subcategories were identified through content analysis.
Results
12 and 7 early- and late-stage breast cancer patients were included in this study, respectively. The side effects were the main intention of utilizing traditional Chinese medicine. Improving side effects and constitution was the main benefit for patients in both stages. Early-stage breast cancer patients used traditional Chinese medicine to prevent recurrence or metastasis. Late-stage breast cancer patients responded more frequently to using traditional Chinese medicine due to the side effects of western medicine. However, some of their symptoms were not fully relieved.
Conclusions
Breast cancer staging may influence the intention and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine. Health policymakers should consider the results of this research and the evidence-based illustrations to establish guidelines for integrating traditional Chinese medicine among various stages of breast cancer to improve the outcome and quality of care for cancer patients.
Secular trends in mental health problems among young people in Norway: A review and meta-analysis
Authors: Potrebny Thomas , Nilsen Sondre Aasen , Bakken Anders , Soest Tilmann , Kvaløy Kirsti , Samdal Oddrun , Sivertsen Børge , Aase Heidi , Bang Lasse
Published: April 2023

There is a growing concern that the mental health of recent generations of youth is deteriorating, yet the etiology of these secular changes is not fully understood. We aimed to review the evidence on trends in mental health problems among young people in Norway. Seven large-scale repeated cross-sectional studies were included in this study, comprising of 35 cross-sectional data collections between 1992 and 2019, with a total sample of 776,606 young people. Our study found a clear increase in mental health problems among young females in Norway over the past few decades, while the trends were less marked for males. The proportion of individuals scoring above the problematic symptom score threshold increased on average by 11.2% (range 2.2–21.9%) for females and 5.2% (range − 0.9–11.1%) for males, based on data from the individual studies. The results from a meta-regression analysis showed that across all surveys, mean symptom scores increased by 17% (95% CI 12 to 21%) among females and 5% (95% CI 1 to 9%) among males from 1992 to 2019. Overall, mental health problems have increased continually since the early 1990s among young people, especially among young females. The cause of these secular changes remain unknown but likely reflect the interplay of several factors at the individual and societal level. Protocol registration: Open science framework, November 8, 2021 (https://osf.io/g7w3v).
Associated factors and macular vascular perfusion change for diabetic macular edema at early stage: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Shen Han , Gu Qinyuan , Cheng Ruiwen , Cheng Peng , Liu Qinghuai
Published: April 2023

Background

Associated factors and microvasculature change of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were fully studied. This study was intended to investigate the associated factors and macular vascular perfusion change for diabetic macular edema (DME) at the early stage.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of 255 eyes of 128 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled and underwent a serious of ophthalmological and systemic evaluation. Early DME was characterized by central subfoveal thickness (CST) value between 250µm and 325µm, detectable inner retinal layers, intact ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane. While non-DME was characterized by CST <250µm with normal retinal morphology and structure.

Results

Treatment method, age, body mass index, diabetic duration, HbA1c level, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea, blood pressure, proteinuria, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were not associated with early DME development. Male, HbA1c level ≤ 8% and cumulative insulin dosage ≥ 30000U were significantly associated with higher risk of early DME. Vessel density, microaneurysms number and hyperreflective foci number were not significantly different between non-DME and early DME patients. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area ≤ 0.3mm2 was significantly associated with higher risk of early DME. Correlation analysis results showed that FAZ area was not correlated with cumulative insulin dosage, age, or diabetes duration.

Conclusions

Higher cumulative insulin dosage, lower HbA1c level and male could be risk factors for early DME development. Compared to non-DME, early DME showed a significant FAZ area reduction. Our results highlighted the important role of insulin in early DME development, indicated an early worsen of DME with tight blood glucose control and suggested an intervention of insulin-related retinal impairment.
Construction and validation of a differentiation scoring system for Spotted fever and Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Yang Hui , Hu Cheng-Yang , Sun Jie , Zhang Dan , Zhang Xia-Qing , Shao Miao-Hui , Hu Jie-Ying , Lyu Yong , Shen Yong , Xu Peng-Peng
Published: April 2023

Objective Logistic regression model combined with receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) was used to construct a clinical differential score model between spotted fever (SF) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). To provide a reference for clinical preliminary identification.
Methods Patients with SF and SFTS from May 2017 to may 2021 in Lu'an secondary hospitals and above were selected, and all patients were confirmed by laboratory. The basic data, epidemic history, clinical data and laboratory data of patients with the two diseases were collected for comparative analysis, logistic regression analysis was conducted to find out the independent influencing factors, and Logistic regression model and scoring system were established. At the same time, the Roc curve was drawn to determine the optimal cut-off value and the area under the ROC curve.
Results Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of rash (OR=153.294,,95%CI:7.800-3012.492), elevated C-reactive protein (>10 mg/L) (OR=47.095,95%CI: 3.161-701.735), and normal platelets (>100×109/L ) (OR=37.727, 95% CI: 2.492-571.185) were risk factors for the development of spotted fever, and a score of 1 was assigned to each of these three factors, resulting in a total score of 3 for this scoring system. When the cutoff value was 1, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the modeling group was 0.985, the sensitivity was 90.7%, the specificity was 98.8%, the P value in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.881, and the Kappa value in the consistency test was 0.910. The AUC of validation group was 0.985, the sensitivity was 94.7%, the specificity was 97.1%, the P value of Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.977, and the Kappa value of consistency test was 0.918.
Conclusion The differential scoring system constructed based on the presence of rash, elevated C-reactive protein, and normal platelets can provide a reference basis for the differentiation of SF from SFTS and has some application value.
Numerical simulation study on drifts and salt deposition in the huge salt water cooling tower group
Authors: LIANG Ziqi , LI Lujun , YANG Jie , ZHU Qing
Published: April 2023

A three-dimensional salt water cooling tower numerical simulation model was established to study the characteristics of drifts and salt deposition in nuclear power project. In the model, site meteorological data, design parameters of cooling tower, general layout, environmental characteristics, are considered. The results show that when the natural wind direction is parallel to the tower row, two hot air streams are superimposed on each other as one, which is beneficial to reducing the influence of drifts and salt deposition on the environment. The drifts with particle size greater than 550µm cannot escape from the outlet of cooling towers. In normal operation of 6 nuclear power units, the salt deposition will not cause serious damage to plants.
Biocrusts significantly affect the bioavailability and ecological risk of heavy metals in gold mine tailings
Authors: Fan Jin , Bu Chongfeng , Qi Yangzhou , Zhou Wenjuan , Wang Chun , Wei Yingxin , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: April 2023

Aims Biocrust is an important living cover in ecologically fragile regions and an indicator of multiple heavy metal contamination. Could it be a new pathway for remediating heavy metal pollution in mine, and what are the possible repair effects and mechanisms? This study investigated the role of biocrusts in enriching or degrading heavy metals in gold mine tailings and analysed the migration, transformation mechanisms and potential toxic effects of heavy metals in underlying biocrusts.
Methods The speciation of heavy metals in the underlying layer of biocrusts (moss crusts, mixed crusts (moss + algal) and algal crusts) were analysed using the BCR sequential extraction procedure. The risk assessment code (RAC) and potential ecological risk index (Er) were used to evaluate the effects of biocrusts on the ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in soil.
Results Our results showed that 1) well-developed biocrusts had a strong ability to enrich heavy metals and heavy metals accumulate on the surface; 2) biocrust growth promoted the transfer of heavy metal speciation from an inert to an active form in the underlying layer, improving their bioavailability; 3) Spearman correlation and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the total amount of heavy metals was the driving factor of soil heavy metal translocation, with varying influences of soil pH, cationic exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter content (SOM); 4) the comprehensive potential ecological risk index suggested that the heavy metals in gold tailings at the strong risk levels, mainly As seriously exceeded the standard (about seven times of the background value), and biocrusts could reduce the Er of heavy metals in the underlying layer. The RAC results indicated low mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals, associated with low ecological risk.
ConclusionsAs the ‘skin’ of soil, biocrusts could protect soil from heavy metal contamination. However, biocrust development enhanced the bioavailability of heavy metals and increased ecological risk. With low risk levels in gold tailings as the heavy metals were mainly found in the residual fraction, were stable and not easily transported. Further exploration of the influencing mechanism of biocrusts on heavy metals will help validate their use in mine restoration processes.
Identification and Validation of m7G-Related Prognostic Signatures and Associated Regulatory Axis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Juan , Jiang Yangyang , Shi Xianfeng , Sheng Xiaoan , Xu Hui , Wang Xuewei , Dong Juanjuan , Xiao Xin , Wang Chao
Published: April 2023

Background: N7-methylguanosine (m7G) methylation is a widespread modification in RNA, which is very important for various biological functions and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the expression of m7G methylation-related genes (m7GRGs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its correlation with prognosis remain unclear.
Methods: In this study, the expression pattern and prognosis of m7GRGs in TCGA-HNSCC was discussed through a public database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low expression groups of m7GRGs were identified, and their functional enrichment was analyzed. The prognostic m7GRG expression in HNSCC was verified by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). LASSO-Cox regression analysis was performed to construct a prognostic model and predictive nomogram. In addition, the relationship between the expression of prognostic m7GRGs in HNSCC and clinicopathological features, copy number variation (CNV), tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), ESTIMATE, mRNA stemness index (mRNAsi), and drug sensitivity was evaluated. Finally, the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed based on the expression level of prognostic m7GRGs.
Results: m7GRGs were closely related to cell cycle, DNA replication and repair, and focal adhesion, among other factors. The gene mutation map of m7GRGs in HNSCC was summarized. Further, an HNSCC-related prognostic model including four prognostic biomarkers (EIF3D, EIF1, LARP1, and METTL1) was constructed. The verification of RT-qPCR data further confirmed the upregulated expression of prognostic m7GRGs in HNSCC. Prognostic m7GRGs were significantly correlated with tumor stage, grade, TMB, MSI, immune infiltration, mRNAsi, and drug sensitivity. Finally, the LINC00707/hsa-miR-30b-5p/LARP1 and SNHG16/hsa-miR-30b-5p/LARP1 regulatory axes of HNSCC were constructed.
Conclusion: We found a significant correlation between the abnormal expression of m7GRGs and the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. We identified four m7GRGs prognostic models that can effectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with HNSCC, and these provide a basis for individualized treatment and immunotherapy decision-making in HNSCC patients.
Analysis of drug use in young-onset and late-onset patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in southwestern China based on the YiduCloud database.
Authors: Wu Guangjie , Hu Yanqi , Lei Xun , Wang Qiaofeng , Huang Lijuan , Chen Chunquan , Tang Xiaojun
Published: April 2023

Aims
We aim to compare the clinical features and drug use between young-onset diabetics (YOD)and late-onset diabetics (LOD) to provide the lack of information in the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in southwestern China.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, data of T2DM patients in the YiduCloud database of Chongqing from January ,2019 to December was involved. The comparative analysis of drug use between YOD and LOD included single, dual and triple drug treatments. Logistic regression was used to explore the related factors of combined drug use.
Results
A total of 5552 cases of T2DM were identified. The proportion of drug use was: single drug:1390 (25.0%); dual drugs:1480 (26.6%); triple drugs:1406 (25.3%) four or more drugs:1276 (23.0%). The mostly used drugs were insulin (64.1%), metformin (47.5%), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (34.9%), sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 inhibitors (19.3%) and sulfonylureas (18.0%). Dual use of drugs accounted for the largest proportion of combined drugs (16.6%), in which insulin with metformin took the greatest part (21.1%), followed by metformin with sulfonylureas (12.0%). Among the triple drugs, most (19.6%) were metformin with insulin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors followed by metformin with insulin and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (14.9%). There were significant differences in single and combined drug use between YOD and LOD (P < 0.001) especially in triple drugs(P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that gender, nationality, type of diabetes (YOD and LOD), number of complications and abnormal glycosylated hemoglobin at admission were significant related factors of combined drug use (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
There is a significant difference in clinical features and drug use between YOD and LOD. Our study is of significance for providing more scientific diagnosis and treatment for patients by identifying the characteristics of high-risk groups with YOD.
Mask CPAP Increases Diaphragm Thickening Fraction in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Lindner Simon , Teichert Jan , Hoermann Clara , Duerschmied Daniel , Britsch Simone
Published: April 2023

Purpose
This is a physiological study to determine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure and inspiratory support pressure on respiratory effort measured by diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) during non-invasive respiratory support in healthy volunteers.
Materials and Methods
DTF was measured in spontaneously breathing, healthy volunteers during 4 phases: (I) Without connection to a ventilator, (II) on a ventilator without any applied pressures, (III) with continuous positive airway pressure of 5 cmH2O and (IV) with additional inspiratory support pressure of 5 cmH2O.
Results
29 individuals agreed to participate. DTF was similar during the first two phases (32 ± 13% and 35 ± 22%). A considerable increase in DTF to 51 ± 21% was noted in phase III. The introduction of inspiratory support pressure during phase IV led to a reduction in DTF back to 36 ± 23% (p < 0.001). Tidal volume and minute ventilation were both slightly higher in phase IV compared to phase III.
Conclusion
Continuous positive airway pressure without inspiratory support pressure increases respiratory effort measured by DTF in healthy subjects. Further research is required to investigate this phenomenon in patients with acute respiratory failure.
Application of Android Voice Assistant based on Parallel Storage in Multimedia English Teaching Platform
Authors: Tieying Zhang
Published: April 2023

In recent years, supercomputing technology has become more and more important in scientific research and economic construction, and its application fields have become more and more extensive. Supercomputers and data storage are entering the E-class era, the computing power of supercomputer systems is rapidly increasing, and the amount of data is also growing rapidly. The contradictory relationship between parallel storage and computing has become more and more obvious, which poses a major challenge to the processing capabilities of supercomputer systems. Android speech recognition technology has great theoretical value and broad application prospects. In recent years, it has received widespread attention and achieved great success. The research of artificial neural networks (especially deep neural networks) has greatly improved the accuracy and speed of speech recognition, and has shifted speech recognition technology from laboratories to commercial systems, gradually affecting and improving people's work and life. The network teaching platform based on computer technology is not only a tool that can help teachers share knowledge, but also a tool that encourages students to learn independently, emotional stimulation tools, and a rich teaching environment. These tools have been organically integrated into the classroom environment and become traditional teaching methods have brought fundamental changes. The multimedia English course combines a variety of functions, such as text, graphics, images, sound, animation, and video. It has multimedia presentations, personalized teaching methods, diversified teaching methods and autonomous learning environments.
Towards a Framework for Flood Vulnerability Assessment for Urban and Rural Areas in Malawi
Authors: Mwalwimba Isaac Kadono , Manda Mtafu Zeleza , Ngongondo Cosmo
Published: April 2023

Flood vulnerability assessment (FVA) is significant for application to address flood risks in both rural and urban areas in Malawi. Nevertheless, there is lack of FVA framework for application in urban and rural areas. The main purpose of this study was to develop flood vulnerability assessment framework through a comparative study of Lilongwe City and Karonga District in Malawi. Vulnerability was explored through a combination of underlying vulnerability factors (UVFs)-physical-social-economic-environmental and cultural with vulnerability components (VCs)-exposure-susceptibility and resilience. The UVFs and VCs were agglomerated using binomial multiple logit regression model, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). The results reveals that except cultural-susceptibility factors (CSFs), all the agglomerated factors contribute to flood vulnerability in Karonga district (KD) and Lilongwe city (LC). The results further show that all the indicator variables in LC have a inertia value at the expected rate of less than 10% while in KD lack of credit unions (0.103), lack of markets (0.499) poverty (0.123) and (0.203); display values that deviate from the expected score of <10%. The study concludes that there are various causes of household flood vulnerability. The study recommends that a FVA framework is required that can promote resilience of communities to mitigate flood risks and support planning and decision making process in flood risk management.
Disturbance tolerance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: trait-based characterization along a disturbance gradient in a coastal dune ecosystem
Authors: Cahyaningtyas Anjar , Ezawa Tatsuhiro
Published: April 2023

Purpose
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that regenerate rapidly after disturbance play a significant role in resilience of vegetation after disturbance. We experimentally characterized disturbance-tolerance traits of the fungi that inhabit a coastal dune ecosystem.
Methods
Root-zone soils, including root fragments, were collected from the seaward and landward slopes that differ in disturbance severity. The native grass Miscanthus sinensis (donor plants) were grown in the soils for two months, and from a half of the plants, disturbance-tolerant fungi that regenerate from spores and extraradical hyphae (soil propagule-mediated regenerators, SP) and those that regenerate from the colonized roots (root-direct regenerators, RD) were trapped separately with new seedlings (assessment plants). The other half of the donor plants were further grown for four months together with assessment plants, during which the fungi trapped by the assessment plants were categorized as disturbance-sensitive slow regenerators (SL). DNA was extracted from the assessment plants, and fungal taxa were identified based on LSU rDNA sequences.
Results
All fungi occurred in the seaward soil samples showed the SP and/or RD traits, whereas those occurred in the landward samples showed not only SP and/or RD traits but also SL traits. The seaward fungal communities were nested within the landward communities, implying that they were selected from the landward communities.
Conclusion
These observations suggest that rapid regeneration from soil-borne propagules and colonized roots are key traits of the fungi for survival in dune ecosystems, providing a new insight into the life-history strategies of AM fungi in frequently and severely disturbed ecosystems.
Effect of Cymothoa eremita (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) infection in Oreochromis mossambicus: Immune gene expression and innate immune responses
Authors: Ponsrinivasan Alagukanthasami , Uma Arumugam
Published: April 2023

The host immune response of Oreochromis mossambicus during natural infection with the isopod Cymothoa eremita was investigated. The naturally infected fishes were examined for enzyme profile (Respiratory burst and Myeloperoxidase activity) and expression of immune-related genes viz., TLR 22, C3, TNF, TNF, IL-1B, CXCA and B-actin in tissues of various organs (buccal cavity, gills and anterior kidney). A significant reduction (P < 0.05) in Respiratory burst and Myeloperoxidase activity was observed in the parasite-infected fishes when compared to the uninfected control fishes. In the buccal cavity, the expression of the immune-related genes was significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated. Whereas, all the genes except IL-B were significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated in the anterior kidney. In the case of gill tissue, the expressed genes showed a fluctuating type of regulation. The immunological responses in O. mossambicus to an isopod infection have not been investigated in detail so far and this is the first study unveiling such insights. Hence this study will help to improve our molecular understanding of the host immune response to parasitic isopod infection.