bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-processing of a nine-axis and five-linkage turn-milling composite machine tool
Authors: Wei Wei , Tang Qingchun , Zhang Chenyang , Wang Taizi , Pan Yingguang , Wang Yutao
Published: November 2022

Post-processing is an important technology in transferring information between CAM software and CNC system. At present, the traditional five-axis machine tool cannot satisfy the requirements of high precision and efficiency in the manufacture of complex parts due to its single function. The auxiliary rotary spindle, auxiliary linear axis, and power tool rest are added on the basis of the traditional five-axis machine tool to solve the technical bottleneck problem. Thus, the machine tool with the composite function of turning and milling is established. The control of the motion chain and the numerical control system of the turn-milling composite machine tool is more complex than that of the traditional five-axis machine tool, and the development of the post-processing is also more difficult. This study investigates the development of post-processing of a nine-axis five-linkage turn-milling composite machine tool (PUMASMX2600ST). First, the kinematic chain and coordinate system of the turning and milling function are established, respectively, according to the function division of the machine tool, and the inverse kinematic model is solved by the kinematic coordinate transformation. Second, a special post-processing software with turning and milling functions is developed using Visual Basic language. Finally, a type of blade root milling tool is used as the specimen for simulation and actual cutting verification. Experiments show that the special processor is correct and reasonable, and it can satisfy the requirements of the machine tool.
Ginger essential oil and citral ameliorate atherosclerosis via modulating TMAO and gut microbiota in ApoE−/− mice fed on Gubra amylin NASH diet with ʟ-carnitine
Authors: Sheen Lee-Yan , Panyod Suraphan , Wu Wei-Kai , Peng Sin-Yi , Tseng Yea-Jing , Hsieh Ya-Chi , Chen Rou-An , Huang Huai-Syuan , Chen Yi-Hsun , Chuang Hsiao-Li , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Shen Ting-Chin David , Yang Kai-Chien , Ho Chi-Tang , Wu Ming-Shiang
Published: November 2022

Gut microbiota and its metabolites, along with host metabolism of ʟ-carnitine, play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, forming Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an atherosclerosis risk factor. TMAO promotes the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and platelet aggregation potential, causing thrombosis. A high-fat diet and carnitine administration can accelerate CVD progression. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) essential oil (GEO) and its bioactive compound citral have lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, which may prevent CVD; however, their ability to prevent atherosclerosis through gut microbiota modulation remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, the Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet is a palm oil-containing high-fat diet for inducing steatohepatitis; however, the study of the GAN diet in combination with ʟ-carnitine for inducing atherosclerosis in mouse model has not been investigated yet. We examined the CVD-protecting effect of GEO and citral against the formation of aortic atherosclerosis and linked them with changes in the gut microbiota and its metabolites in the ʟ-carnitine/GAN diet-treated apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mouse model. GEO and citral demonstrated CVD protective function by alleviating aortic atherosclerotic lesions. They reduced blood sugar, improved insulin resistance, decreased plasma TMAO levels, and inhibited serum inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukin-1β. Moreover, they demonstrated their ability to modulate gut microbiota diversity and composition into a favourable direction. Collectively, GEO and citral may serve as potential prebiotics for CVD prevention by improving dysbiosis.
In Situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Studies of Biologically Active Gases in Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Main Russell , Vornholt Simon , Rice Cameron , Elliott Caroline , Russell Samantha , Kerr Peter , Warren Mark , Morris Russell
Published: November 2022

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are well known for their ability to adsorb various gases. The use of MOFs for the storage and release of biologically active gases, particularly nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), has been a subject of interest. To elucidate the binding mechanisms and geometry of these gases, anin situsingle crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD) study using synchrotron radiation at Diamond Light Source has been performed on a set of MOFs that display promising gas adsorption properties. NO and CO, were introduced into dehydrated Ni-CPO-27 and the related Co-4,6-dihydroxyisophthalate (Co-4,6-dhip). Both MOFs show strong binding affinity towards CO and NO, however CO suffers more from competitive co-adsorption of water. Additionally, we show that morphology can play an important role in the ease of dehydration for these two systems.
Diabetes mellitus affects the treatment outcomes of drug-resistant tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Guisheng , Hu Xiaojiang , Lian Yanshu , Li Xiuting
Published: November 2022

Background
Both tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major public health problems threatening global health. Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) and impaired immunity caused by DM make controlling TB more difficult.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Cochrance Library for literature published in English until July 2022. Papers were limited to those reporting the association between DM and treatment outcomes among DR-TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients. The strength of association was presented as odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the fixed-effects or random-effects models. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed for the analysis.
Results
A total of twenty-five studies involving 16,905 DR-TB patients were included in the meta-analysis, of which 10,124 (59.88%) participants were MDR-TB patients, and 1,952 (11.54%) had DM history. In DR-TB patients, the pooled OR was 1.56 (95% Cl: 1.24–1.96) for unsuccessful outcomes, 0.64 (95% Cl: 0.44–0.94) for cured treatment outcomes, 0.63 (95% Cl: 0.46–0.86) for completed treatment, and 1.28 (95% Cl: 1.03–1.58) for treatment failure. Among MDR-TB patients, the pooled OR was 1.57 (95% Cl: 1.20–2.04) for unsuccessful treatment outcomes, 0.55 (95% Cl: 0.35–0.87) for cured treatment outcomes, 0.66 (95% Cl: 0.46–0.93) for completed treatment and 1.37 (95% Cl: 1.08–1.75) for treatment failure.
Conclusion
DM is a risk factor for adverse outcomes of DR-TB or MDR-TB patients. Controlling hyperglycemia may contribute to the favourable prognosis of TB.
Maternal Satisfaction with Labor and Delivery Services and Associated Factors Among Post-Partum Women in East-Gojjam Zone Primary Hospitals, Amhara-Ethiopia: Cross- sectional study
Authors: Abate Enyew , Mengist Tilaye , Debalkie Desta
Published: November 2022

Background: Globally, approximately 810 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day. Mothers’ delivery care satisfaction is one of the indicators to monitor the quality of health care provision and secondary prevention of maternal mortality. However, there is only limited information in the study area. The objective of this study is to determine the level of maternal satisfaction and associated factors among women who came for labor and delivery services.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 mothers in the Maternity ward of the three primary Hospitals in East-Gojjam-Ethiopia from March to May, 2022. The data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were entered into Epi data v 3.1, transported and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to assess the statistical association between dependent and independent variables and variables having p-value less than or equal to 0.25 in binary logistic regression analysiwereas entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis for identifying determinants of maternal satisfaction on delivery services using a p value of 0.05 and 95 % confidence level.
Results: The overall maternal satisfaction level with the delivery services at the study hospitals was 85%. Having perceived cleanliness of the delivery room (AOR=13, 95% CI: 2.3, 59.8) and availability of drugs (AOR=3.659, 95%CI: 1.382, 9.69) were positively associated with maternal satisfaction on delivery service. Mothers who did not attend formal education were more likely satisfied with delivery service compared with those mothers whose educational status was diploma and above (AOR=0.056, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.431).
Conclusions: The overall level of client satisfaction with the delivery services was found to be suboptimal and could be improved. Cleanliness of the delivery room, availability of drugs and supplies, and educational status were significantly associated with predictors of maternal satisfaction. The health system should be devised to increase maternal satisfaction the health institutions and provide maternal-friendly services.
Experimental investigation of tool wear evolution during turning operation based on analysis of vibration and cutting forces signals
Authors: Babouri Mohamed Khemissi , Ouelaa Nouredine , Djamaa Mohamed Cherif , Ouelaa Zakarya , Chaabi Lilia , Djebala Abderrazek
Published: November 2022

Cutting tool wear is one of the major physical phenomena to be studied in order to optimize the production and to guarantee the quality of manufactured products. Indeed, the wear affects the quality of the machined surfaces, the durability of the cutting tool and the imposed geometric tolerances. Since uncontrolled wear can lead to premature tool breaking and therefore a drop in productivity, monitoring the machining process is a necessary important task. To evaluate the wear of a cutting insert while turning process, this paper aims to combine experimental results from vibration and cutting forces with numerical methodologies based on the application of several signal-processing techniques, especially the Optimized Wavelet Multi-Resolution Analysis (OWMRA) to analyze the measured cutting forces signals during the cutting process. The main objective is to find a correlation between the wear and several indicators established from these measured signals, allowing the prediction of the tool wear as early as possible. The results obtained after the application of the OWMRA allowed the denoising of the measured signals and revealed two peaks, which appear below and above the tool’s resonance frequency. The amplitude evolution of these two peaks is directly related to the effect of the tool wear on the natural frequency band.
Predicting Malicious Behavior of Employees using Game Theory
Authors: Sepehrzadeh Hamed
Published: November 2022

Information security is a crucial issue nowadays in organizations. Security flaws are serious threats to an organization. Every organization has sensitive information that may be threatened by malicious adversaries and even employees (insiders). In order to limit security incidents, each organization must concentrate on employee’s behavior. Indeed, employees of an organization act as a natural safeguard for information. Therefore, predicting the behavior of internal employees against the information assets of the organization is very important. To this end, this paper proposes a game-theoretic modelling approach to capture the interaction between employees and organization to predict malicious employees (insiders) and organizations behavior with incomplete information. The game parameters are some important elements of security culture including influencing and organizational behavior factors, and security related factors. By solving the game model, Nash equilibriums are computed and best-response strategies for the players are recognized. Quantitative evaluation of the information security of organization can be done according to the probability of performing unacceptable behavior by employees and the probability of organization investment in order to increase the organizational security culture.
The criterion for the existence of principal eigenvalues of time periodic some nonlocal reaction diffusion operators and applications
Authors: Zhang Dongwen
Published: November 2022

Using several new notions of the generalized principal eigenvalue, we exhibit three distinct sufficient conditions for the existence of the principal eigenfunction of a nonlocal dispersal operator and apply the established theory to study the behavior of the solution of the corresponding nonlocal dispersal equations in the literature. Relations between these generalized principal eigenvalues, the dependence of their different parameters, and several properties of nonlocal operators are further explored. Our approach is to construct several new generalized principal eigenvalues and use new calculations techniques to overcome the fundamental difficulties caused by the unsuitable Harnack-type inequality for elliptic-type nonlocal dispersal equations [33] and the presence of the time dependence of the nonlinear function.
Mathematics Subject Classification: 35K57; 47G20; 92D25.
Reimagining tonne-year accounting to capture the climate benefit of temporary carbon storage
Authors: Matthews H. Damon , Zickfeld Kirsten , Koch Alexander , Luers Amy
Published: November 2022

Nature-based climate solutions have the potential to contribute to climate mitigation, but the vulnerability of land carbon to disturbances means that any efforts to slow or reverse land carbon losses will likely result in only temporary storage. Tonne-year accounting, which integrates the amount of carbon over the time that it remains stored, has been proposed as a method to measure the value of temporary relative to permanent carbon storage. Here we show that using tonne-year accounting to establish an equivalency of temporary with permanent storage is not grounded in climate science. However, a reimagined approach to tonne-year accounting could be effectively used as a metric to track the contribution of temporary carbon storage towards climate mitigation goals. We show that in a scenario where the total number of tonne-years accumulates at a constant or increasing rate, this results in a sustained or increasing climate benefit. However, as the rate of accumulation of tonne-years slows, this temperature benefit is eroded, and is lost completely when tonne-years stop increasing. This implies that if the world is able to sustain an increasing number of tonne-years alongside achieving net-zero fossil fuel CO2 emissions, then the resulting carbon storage (even if only temporary) would contribute to lowering peak temperature. Tonne-years of temporary carbon storage therefore have considerable climate value, not if treated interchangeably with permanent storage or fossil fuel emissions, but rather if quantified as an independent contribution to lowering the global temperature peak.
Application and limitation of a biological clock-based method for estimating time of death in forensic practices
Authors: Kimura Akihiko , Ishida Yuko , Nosaka Mizuho , Ishigami Akiko , Yamamoto Hiroki , Kuninaka Yumi , Hata Satoshi , Ozaki Mitsunori , Kondo Toshikazu
Published: November 2022

Estimating time of death is one of the most important issues in forensic practice. Here, we assessed the applicability, limitation and reliability of a biological clock-based method developed by us. We analyzed the expression of clock genes, BMAL1 and NR1D1, in the heart of the deceased in 318 cases with a defined time of death by real-time RT-PCR. For estimating time of death, we selected two parameters, the NR1D1/ BMAL1 ratio and BMAL1/NR1D1 ratio for death in the morning and evening, respectively. The NR1D1/ BMAL1 ratio was significantly higher in the cases of morning death, while the BMAL1/NR1D1 ratio was significantly higher in the cases of evening death. Gender, age, postmortem interval and most causes of death did not significantly affect the two parameters, except in infant and elderly cases as well as those with severe brain injury. We examined the effects of water intoxication-induced cerebral edema on clock gene expression in mouse hearts and found that cerebral edema alters clock gene expression in this tissue. Based on our findings, we concluded that our method can be applied to forensic practice. However, the method should be applied with caution in infant and elderly cases as well as those with severe brain injury.
Effect of sonification types in upper-limb movement: a quantitative and qualitative study in hemiparetic and healthy participants
Authors: Peyre Iseline , Roby-Brami Agnès , Segalen Maël , Giron Alain , Caramiaux Baptiste , Marchand-Pauvert Véronique , Pradat-Diehl Pascale , Bevilacqua Frédéric
Published: November 2022

Background: Movement sonification, the use of real-time auditory feedback linked to movement parameters, have been proposed to support rehabilitation. Nevertheless, if promising results have been reported, the effect of the type of sound used has not been studied systematically, and mechanisms involved during movement execution with sonification remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate in a single session the effect of different types of sonification both quantitatively and qualitatively on patients with acquired brain lesions and healthy participants. This experiment should be considered as a first step before establishing a longitudinal clinical rehabilitation study.
Methods: An experimental setup enabling arm sonification was developed using three different categories of sonification (direct sound modulation, musical interaction, and soundscape). Simple moving forward movements performed while sliding on a table with both arms were investigated with all participants. Quantitative analysis on the movement timing were performed, and different comparisons were processed (sound / no sound, affected arm / less affected arm, category and type of sonification). Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews were also conducted, as well as neuropsychological evaluation of music perception.
Results: For both the patient and healthy groups (15 participants each), average duration for performing the arm movement is significantly longer with sonification compared to the no-sound condition (p<10-3). Differences were also observed between the sound categories in the case of the paretic arms of patients and the dominant arms of healthy participants (p<0.05). Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed the motivational and affective aspects of each type of sonification. Most participants of both groups preferred to complete the task with sound, and more precisely with one that uses sound of nature environment (soundscape).
Conclusion: Overall, our results confirm that the sonification has an effect on the temporal execution of the movement during a single-session. This effect is variable among participants, which requires further studies to better understand. Globally, sonification is welcomed by the participants, and we found convergent and differentiated appreciations of the different sonification types. This enables us to provide researchers with recommendations for clinical studies for personalized music-guided rehabilitation.
Successful engraftment of bladder organoids in de-epithelialized mouse colon.
Authors: Suda Kazuto , Matsumoto Yuka , Ochi Takanori , Koga Hiroyuki , Lane Geoffrey J. , Hattori Nobutaka , Nakamura Tetsuya , Yamataka Atsuyuki
Published: November 2022

Purpose
To engraft bladder organoids (BO) on de-epithelialized mouse colon using an epithelial replacement technique.
Methods
BO cultured using bladder specimens from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mice were engrafted to replace proximal colon epithelium stripped from an approximately 1cm long target site in syngeneic wild-type recipient mice (n = 9) by exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid by infusion and flushing with phosphate buffered saline. Target sites were harvested on postoperative days 2, 7, and 28 for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence.
Results
Histology on postoperative days 7 and 28 showed BO derived EGFP + cells forming multiple layers on the luminal surface of the colon. Immunohistochemistry showed that EGFP + areas were positive for CK5 and CK14, markers for basal and immature subtype urothelium, respectively, but negative for CA2, a marker for colonic epithelium. Ki67 was detected predominantly in the basal parts of EGFP + areas on post-operative day 7 and day 28.
Conclusions
This is the first report of successful engraftment of BO in de-epithelialized colon with urothelial tissue reconstituted by actively-proliferating cells. This technique could be developed for augmentation cystoplasty to prevent bladder calculi formation and malignant transformation.
Stability in the Outdoors: Winter conditions elicit modified stepping behaviour but no additional compensation from the ankle or trunk strategies
Authors: Best Aaron N. , Wu Amy R.
Published: November 2022

Healthy humans are proficient at maintaining stability when faced with diverse walking conditions, however, the control strategies that lead to this proficiency are unclear. Previous laboratory-based research has predominantly concluded that corrective stepping is the main strategy, but whether this finding holds when facing everyday obstacles outside of the laboratory is uncertain. We investigated changes in gait stability behaviour when walking outdoors in the summer and winter, hypothesizing that as ground conditions worsened in the winter, the stepping strategy would be hindered. Stability would then be maintained through compensatory strategies such as with ankle torques and trunk rotation. Data was collected in the summer and winter using inertial sensors to collect kinematics and instrumented insoles to collect vertical ground reaction forces. Using the goodness of fit for a multivariate regression between the centre of mass state and foot placement we found that, counter to our hypothesis, stepping was not hindered by winter conditions. Instead, the stepping strategy was modified to increase the anterior-posterior margin of stability, increasing the resistance to a forward loss of stability. With stepping being unhindered, we did not observe any additional compensation from the ankle or trunk strategies.
Changes of serum IgG glycosylation patterns in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Deng Xiaoyue , Liu Xiaomin , Zhang Yan , Ke Dan , Yan Rui , Wang Qian , Tian Xinping , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng , Hu Chaojun
Published: November 2022

Objective
RA is a prevalent systemic autoimmune disease, whose diagnosis is based significantly on autoantibody detection. This study aims to investigate the glycosylation profile of serum IgG in RA patients using high-throughput lectin microarray technology.
Method
Lectin microarray containing 56 lectins was applied to detect and analyze the expression profile of serum IgG glycosylation in 214 RA patients, 150 disease controls (DC), and 100 healthy controls (HC). Significant differential glycan profiles between the groups of RA and DC/HC as well as RA subgroups were explored and verified by lectin blot technique. The predicted models were created to evaluate the feasibility of those candidate biomarkers.
Results
As a comprehensive analysis of lectin microarray and lectin blotting, results showed that compare to HC and DC groups, serum IgG from RA patients had a higher affinity to the SBA lectin (recognizing glycan GalNAc). For RA subgroups, RA-seropositive group had higher affinities to the lectins of MNA-M (recognizing glycan mannose) and AAL (recognizing glycan fucose), and RA-ILD group had higher affinities to the lections of ConA (recognizing glycan mannose) and MNA-M while a lower affinity to the PHA-E (recognizing glycan Galβ4GlcNAc) lectin. The predicted models indicated corresponding feasibility of those biomarkers.
Conclusion
Lectin microarray is an effective and reliable technique for analyzing glycan structure. RA, RA-seropositive, and RA-ILD patients exhibit distinct glycan profiles, respectively. Altered levels of glycosylation may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease, which could provide a direction for new biomarkers identification.
Adherence to Glucose Monitoring with intermittently scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring in patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Sousa Carolina , Neves João Sérgio , Dias Cláudia Camila , Sampaio Rute
Published: November 2022

Purpose: This study aims to predict the Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) adherence behavior of patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
Methods: Patients with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus using FreeStyle Libre™ System (FL), a isCGM device, that attended the “Insulin Infusion Pump clinic” at Centro Hospitalar de São João were enrolled and evaluated for sociodemographic and clinical characterization, beliefs and concerns about Diabetes Mellitus, as well as isCGM’s perceptions. Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring data were collected to characterize monitoring patterns and to measure isCGM’s adherence - FL average of scans/day.
Results: Seventy-two patients with a mean of 30.36 years (sd=11.35) participate in this study. A median of 7 scans/day was performed. The adherence predictors found was Age (β=0.191, p=0.006), Time in target (β= 0.530, p=0.002), isCGM Necessity (β=2.631, p=0.048), Body Mass Index (β=-0.549, p=0.017) and Sex (β=-3.996; p=0.011).
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the relevance of glucose monitoring adherence in disease control and shows that males of younger ages, presenting with higher body mass index levels, lower time in target, and reporting lower isCGM necessity are less adherent to isCGM. Therefore, these patients should be closely followed and object of personalized strategies to promote treatment adherence.
Application of SWOT and AHP analysis on aquaculture farms (South-western of Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Maouel Djamila , Fellah Houda , Difallah Fatma Zohra , Milla Toufik
Published: November 2022

In Algeria, aquaculture is in full development; aquaculture farm projects for both marine and freshwater species designed to meet the needs of the fish market and to increase in fish production. However, the contributions from these activities remain weak and insufficient. Thus, and in order to understand the dysfunctions at the origin of this problem, in the present study, aquaculture farms, in particular marine fish farming, have been analyzed using a management tool, in this case SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), combined with the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). Surveys have been carried out among investors of aquaculture farms, order to gather the data necessary for the analysis. It emerges from the priority threats and weaknesses affecting the global environment of these enterprises, such as the absence of a structured market for aquaculture products, the climate change and the health crisis which blocked imports of raw materials (fingerlings, fish feed…) and reduced the workforce at farm level (containment). The impact of the latter covers that of factors of forces and opportunities, in this case, the quality of the juvenile fish and the food, which remains low for the development of fish production. Thus, in order to hope for a balanced environment and therefore a better performance of aquaculture farms in question, it is recommended a strategy based on the improvement of strengths and opportunities of these companies and the reduction of their weaknesses and threats that affect them.
Anisotropic strange stars in Einstein Gauss-Bonnet Gravity
Authors: Dey Sagar , Paul Bikash Chandra
Published: November 2022

We obtain a class of new anisotropic relativistic solution in Einstein Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity with Finch-Skea metric in hydrostatic equilibrium. The relativistic solutions are employed to construct anisotropic stellar models for strange star with MIT Bag equation of state pr= ⅓ ( ρ - 4 Bg), where Bg is the Bag constants. Considering the mass and radius of a known star PSR J0348+0432 we construct stellar models in the framework of D- dimensions. We also predict the mass and radius of stars for different model parameters. The Gauss-Bonnet coupling term (α) plays an important role in determining the density, pressure, anisotropy profiles and other features. The stability of the stellar models are probed analyzing the different energy conditions, variation of sound speed and adiabatic stability conditions inside the star. The central density and pressure of a star in EGB gravity are found to have higher values compared to that one obtains in Einstein gravity (α =0). We also explore the effect of extra dimensions for the physical features of a compact object. For this we consider D=5 and D=6 to obtain a realistic stellar model and found that in the formal case both positive and negative values of α are allowed. But in the later case, only α < 0 permits compact object in the Finch-Skea metric. We determine the best fit values of the model parameters for a number of observed stars for acceptable stellar models.
Macular microvasculature in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy compared to healthy individuals, foveal avascular zone area as a biomarker for disease activity
Authors: Abrishami Mojtaba , Sabermoghaddam Aliakbar , Salahi Zeinab , Bakhtiary Elham , Shariati Mehrdad Motamed
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate macular blood flow in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) compare to healthy subjects.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with the convenience sampling method. Macular flow density was assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compared between patients with TAO and healthy individuals. We also compared macular flow density in two subgroups of patients based on clinical activity score (CAS).
Results: Eighty–five cases, including 30 healthy individuals and 55 patients with TAO, participated. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control. A comparison of flow data between the two subgroups of patients showed a significant difference in the FAZ area (p=0.041).
Conclusion: We showed that the FAZ area has an increasing trend from healthy individuals to active TAO patients and can be considered a possible candidate for monitoring the disease activity and thyroid-associated vasculopathy.
Expression of STAT family and its potency to prognosis in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Li Luyi , Li Sihui , Zhou Hongdi
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Signal Transducer and Activators of Transcription (STAT) family is a full set of transcription factors, acting a pivotal role in normal physiological and pathological process. Evidence manifests these transcription factors are involved in tumorigenesis of various cancers including uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Whereas, the differential expression pattern and prognostic value of individual STAT remain to be elucidated in UCEC.
Methods and results
In this study, the data of expression (HTSeq-FPKM) and data of clinical pathology of UCEC patients and normal samples of endometrium were downloaded via the data portal of TCGA.Based on TCGA database, STAT1 was increased, conversely STAT3/5A/5B/6 were decreased in UCEC patients. Furthermore, expressions of STAT1 and STAT6 were markedly associated with TNM stage and tumor grade. Multivariate analysis adjusted for histological type, patient age, tumor grade and TMN stage revealed that STAT4 and STAT6 were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that pathways of endometrial cancer, JAK-STAT, WNT, mTOR and p53 were differentially enriched in STAT1 high expression phenotype. And STAT1 was co-expressed with pik3ca, β-catenin(CTNNB1), wnt3a, wnt7a genes, as well, could co-mutated with pik3ca,TP53, APC, which were all key factors in PI3K-AKT-mTOR and WNT signaling pathway.
Conclusion
Thus, results supported that STAT1 might be used as a potential therapeutic target meanwhile STAT4 and STAT6 might act as prognostic molecular markers of improved survival for UCEC.
Constitutive formulations for active anisotropy in soft electroelastic materials
Authors: Goulbourne Nakhiah C. , Li Yali
Published: November 2022

Inspired by biology and engineered soft active material systems, we explore constitutive formulations for a soft material consisting of soft contractile fibers embedded in a soft matrix. The mathematical implementation of the model is based on a multi-field invariant formulation within a nonlinear continuum mechanics framework. The model demonstrates an interesting interplay between life-like contractility of the bioinspired fibers and matrix activation. The model could be used to design and inspire the development of new soft material systems that seek to replicate three dimensional biological motion.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of elderly patients with anal cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaogan , Xiang Nengjun , Xu Xuemei , Chen Hongjin
Published: November 2022

Purpose. The clinical characteristicsand prognosis of anal cancer in the elderly have not received sufficient attention. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and prognostic factors of elderly patients with anal cancer.
Method. The characteristics of anal cancer patients (aged <65 and ≥65) diagnosed during 2004-2017 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to correct age bias caused by assessed confounders. The chi-squared (χ2) test was used to assess differences in categorical variables of characteristics between two age groups., The Kaplan-Meier survival technique, Log-rank test, Cox regression, and nomogram were used for survival analysis.
Results.The receipt of adjuvant age increases the risk of overall survival by 86% after propensity-score matching (HR=1.86, 95%CI=1.70-2.03,P<0.001). The proportion of unmarried status and adenocarcinoma tissue was significantly higher in the elderly than in the younger group. COX regression analysis shows older age, non-squamous cell carcinoma, unmarried status, and advanced AJCC stage as independent risk prognostic factors for anal cancer in the elderly. The effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery all improved the prognosis of the elderly. Besides, senior score and survival probability could be accomplished by our nomogram with a c-index of 0.7179.
Conclusion. Relatively low rates of chemoradiation and relatively conservative therapy regimens are associated with a poorer prognosis in elderly anal cancer. At the same time, surgery has a potential role in improving the prognosis of elderly anal cancer patients.
Comparison of Integrin αvβ3 Expression with 68 Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT and Glucose Metabolism with 18F-FDG PET/CT in Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers
Authors: Matthieu Dietz , Vincent Dunet , Mantziari Styliani , Pomoni Anastasia , Correia Ricardo Dias , Dardel Nathalie Testart , Boughdad Sarah , Lalonde Marie Nicod , Treglia Giorgio , Schaefer Markus , Schaefer Niklaus , Prior John
Published: November 2022

Background
The primary aims of this study were to compare in patients with esophageal or esophagogastric junction cancers the potential of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/ CT with that of 18F-FDG PET/CT regarding tumoral uptake and distribution, as well as histopathologic examination.
Methods
Ten 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD and ten 18F-FDG PET/CT were performed in nine prospectively included participants (1 woman; aged 58±8.4 y, range 40–69 y). Maximum SUV (SUVmax) and metabolic tumor volumes (MTV) were calculated. The Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation analysis (ρ) were used.
Results
68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT detected positive uptake in 10 primary sites (8 for primary tumors and 2 for local relapse suspicion), 6 lymph nodes and 3 skeletal sites. 18F-FDG PET/CT detected positive uptake in the same sites but also in 16 additional lymph nodes and 1 adrenal gland. On a lesion-based analysis, SUVmax of 18F-FDG were significantly higher than those of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD (4.9 [3.7–11.3] vs. 3.2 [2.6–4.2] g/mL, p = 0.014). Only 1 participant showed a higher SUVmax in an osseous metastasis with 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD as compared to 18F-FDG (6.6 vs. 3.9 g/mL). Correlation analysis showed positive correlation between 18F-FDG and 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET parameters (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.012 for SUVmax, ρ = 0.78, p < 0.001 for lesion-to-background ratios and ρ = 0.58, p = 0.024 for MTV). We observed that 18F-FDG uptake was homogenous inside all the confirmed primary sites (n = 9). In contrast, 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET showed more heterogenous uptake in 6 out of the 9 confirmed primary sites (67%), seen mostly in the periphery of the tumor in 5 out of the 9 confirmed primary sites (56%), and showed slight extensions into perilesional structures in 5 out of the 9 confirmed primary sites (56%).
Conclusions
In conclusion, 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD has lower potential in the detection of esophageal or esophagogastric junction malignancies compared to 18F-FDG. However, the results suggest that PET imaging of integrin αvβ3 expression may provide complementary information and could aid in tumor diversity and delineation.
Trial registration: Trial registration: NCT02666547. Registered January 28, 2016 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02666547
SNP+ to predict dropout rates in SNP arrays
Authors: Sastre Natalia , Mercadé Anna , Casellas Joaquim
Published: November 2022

Genotyping individuals using forensic or non-invasive samples such as hair or fecal samples increases the risk of allelic amplification failure (dropout) due to the low quality and quantity of DNA. One way to decrease genotyping errors is to increase the number of replicates per sample. Here, we have developed the software SNP+ to estimate the dropout probability and the subsequent required number of replicates to obtain the reliable genotype with probability 95%. Moreover, the software predicts the minor allele frequency and compares two competing models assuming equal or allele-specific dropout probabilities by a Bayes factor. The software handles data from one SNP to high density arrays (e.g., 100,000 SNPs).
A multi-species evaluation of digital wildlife monitoring using the Sigfox IoT network
Authors: Wild Timm A. , Schalkwyk Louis van , Viljoen Pauli , Heine Georg , Richter Nina , Vorneweg Bernd , Koblitz Jens C. , Dechmann Dina K. N. , Rogers Will , Partecke Jesko , Linek Nils , Volkmer Tamara , Gregersen Troels , Havmøller Rasmus W. , Morelle Kevin , Daim Andreas , Wiesner Miriam , Wolter Kerri , Fiedler Wolfgang , Kays Roland , Ezenwa Vanessa O. , Meboldt Mirko , Wikelski Martin
Published: November 2022

Bio-telemetry from small tags attached to animals is one of the principal methods for studying the ecology and behaviour of wildlife. The field has constantly evolved over the last 80 years as technological improvement enabled a diversity of sensors to be integrated into the tags (e.g., GPS, accelerometers, etc.). However, retrieving data from tags on free-ranging animals remains a challenge since satellite and GSM networks are relatively expensive and or power hungry. Recently a new class of low-power communication networks have been developed and deployed worldwide to connect the internet of things (IoT). Here, we evaluated one of these, the Sigfox IoT network, for the potential as a real-time multi-sensor data retrieval and tag commanding system for studying fauna across a diversity of species and ecosystems. We tracked 312 individuals across 30 species (from 25 g bats to 3 t elephants) with seven different device concepts, resulting in more than 177,742 successful transmissions. We found a maximum line of sight communication distance of 280 km (on a flying cape vulture [Gyps coprotheres]), which sets a new documented record for animal-borne digital data transmission using terrestrial infrastructure. The average transmission success rate amounted to 68.3% (SD 22.1) on flying species and 54.1% (SD 27.4) on terrestrial species. In addition to GPS data, we also collected and transmitted data products from accelerometers, barometers, and thermometers. Further, we assessed the performance of Sigfox Atlas Native, a low-power method for positional estimates based on radio signal strengths and found a median accuracy of 12.89 km (MAD 5.17) on animals. We found that robust real-time communication (median message delay of 1.49 s), the extremely small size of the tags (starting at 1.28 g without GPS), and the low power demands (as low as 5.8 µAh per transmitted byte) unlock new possibilities for ecological data collection and global animal observation.
Relevance of financial development and fiscal stability in dealing with disasters in Emerging Economies
Authors: Terrones Valeria , Tol Richard S.J.
Published: November 2022

Previous studies show that natural disasters decelerate economic growth, and more so in countries with lower financial development. We confirm these results with more recent data. We are the first to show that fiscal stability reduces the negative economic impact of natural disasters in poorer countries, and that catastrophe bonds have the same effect in richer countries.
JEL Classification E17, E62, G00, G20, H30, Q54
To Scope or not to Scope; Value of Routine Colonoscopy after Uncomplicated Diverticulitis in Switzerland. A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hess Gabriel Fridolin , Gnägi Cornelia Regula , Seppey Romain Luca , Viehl Carsten Thomas
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Diverticular disease is common in the western world. Due to the risk of undetected underlying colorectal cancer, most guidelines recommend a follow-up colonoscopy after an episode of diverticulitis. With the increased accuracy of computer tomography scans, there is an increased challenge to these guidelines in cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the compliance to the recommended follow-up colonoscopies and to report the incidence of detection of advanced neoplasms.
Methods
In this single-center retrospective cohort study, all patients > 18 years that were admitted to the Hospital Center Biel with an episode of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis between 01.01.2013 and 31.12.2017 were identified. The incidence of advanced neoplasia was calculated by analyzing the follow-up colonoscopies performed and reviewing the histological findings.
Results
257 Patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 63 (range 22–96) years, and 54.5% were female. In 197 (77%) patients we recommended a follow-up colonoscopy. However, only 144 (73%) of these patients underwent the procedure. In the histological analysis, 2 (1.2%) carcinomas, one high-grade adenoma (0.6%) and 20 low-grade adenomas (12%) were detected.
Conclusion
The compliance to the recommendation of follow-up colonoscopies after uncomplicated diverticulitis is poor and has to be improved. A follow-up colonoscopy has its justification because of relevant findings in almost 14% of patients, more so in patients above screening age with 20% pathological findings, including 2 (5%) carcinomas.
Production of an interleukin-10 blocking antibody by genetically engineered macrophages increases cancer cell death in human gastrointestinal tumor slice cultures
Authors: Pillarisetty Venu , Labadie Kevin , Kreuser Shannon , Brempelis Katherine , Daniel Sara , Jiang Xiuyun , Sullivan Kevin , Utria Alan , Kenerson Heidi , Kim Teresa , Crane Courtney
Published: November 2022

Although it can promote effector T cell function, the summative effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) appears to be suppressive; therefore, blocking this critical regulatory cytokine has therapeutic potential to enhance antitumor immune function. As macrophages efficiently localize to the TME, we hypothesized that they could be used as a delivery vehicle for drugs designed to block this pathway. To test our hypothesis, we created and evaluated genetically engineered macrophages (GEMs) that produce an IL-10-blocking antibody (aIL-10). Healthy donor human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were differentiated and transduced with a novel lentivirus (LV) encoding BT-063, a humanized aIL-10 antibody. The efficacy of aIL-10 GEMs was assessed in human gastrointestinal tumor slice culture models developed from resected specimens of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma primary tumors and colorectal cancer liver metastases. LV transduction led to sustained production of BT-063 by aIL-10 GEMs for at least 21 days. Transduction did not alter GEM phenotype as evaluated by flow cytometry, but ⍺IL-10 GEMs produced measurable quantities of BT-063 in the TME that was associated with an approximately 5-fold higher rate of tumor cell apoptosis than control.
Checking Reachability Property in Complex Concurrent Software Systems with a Knowledge Discovery Approach
Authors: partabian jaafar , Rafe Vahid
Published: November 2022

The model checking technique is a formal and effectual way in verification of software systems. By generation and verification of all model states, it analyses the software systems. The main issue in the model checking of the complicated systems having wide or infinite state space is the lack of memory in generation of all states which is referred to as "state space explosion". The Random Forest algorithm which is capable of knowledge discovery faces the above-cited problem by selecting a few promising paths. In our suggested method, first a small model of the system is developed by the formal language of graph transformation system (GTS). A training data set is created from the small state space. The generated training data set is made available to the Random Forest algorithm to detect and discover the logical relationships existent in it. Then, the knowledge acquired in this way is used in the smart and incomplete exploration of the large state space. The proposed approach is run in GROOVE which is an open source tool for designing and studying the model of graph transformation systems. The results indicate that the suggested method in accordance with the two criteria (average running time and the number of explored states) performs better compared with the other approaches.