bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gigaton Commercial-Scale Carbon Storage and Mineralization Potential in Stacked Columbia River Basalt Reservoirs
Authors: Cao Ruoshi , Miller Quin , Davidson Casie , Gallin William , Reidel Stephen , Jiao Zunsheng , McLaughlin Fred , Schaef Herbert
Published: October 2023

We present a detailed supercritical CO2 storage resource estimation for the stacked interflow reservoirs in the Grande Ronde Basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group. This study aims to parametrize subsurface, economic, and regulatory analyses needed to derisk and commercialize geologic carbon storage in continental flood basalts while leveraging rapid mineralization trapping of injected CO2 in basalt. The structural closures provide excellent physical traps to accommodate injected supercritical CO2 and allow for injection at supercritical conditions. We analyzed deep borehole well logs, structural maps, hydrologic test results, and numerical simulations to calculate carbon storage resource for our study area of SE Washington and NE Oregon. Hydrologic testing, well log, and reactive transport simulations from the Wallula Basalt Pilot #1 well provided data for 17 permeable injection zones separated by impermeable aquitards in the Grande Ronde Basalt. This investigation highlights a highly secure pathway to permanent geological CO2 storage for up to 181, 304, or 351 gigatons (P90, P50, and P10, respectively) in only a ~88,000 km2 study area, equivalent to more than 34 years of net U.S. carbon emission. We also discuss these results in the context of carbon mineralization in reactive basalt formations, permitting, commercialization, and storage security.
Association between Auricularia auricula-judae consumption and sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Niu Kaijun , Li Jiaoyang , Wang Xuena , Meng Ge , Wu Hongmei , Gu Yeqing , Huang Jian , Huo Junsheng , Zhang Bing , Ding Gangqiang
Published: October 2023

Background: Several studies have shown that Auricularia auricula-judae (AAJ) can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Although these factors are closely involved in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia, limited research has focused on the association between AAJconsumption and sarcopenia in the general population. We aimed to investigate the potential association between AAJ consumption and sarcopenia in the elderly general population.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) study, which included 4,034 participants aged 60 years or older. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria. AAJ consumption was assessed using a validated self-administered 100-item food frequency questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression model and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to examine the effect of AAJ consumption on sarcopenia.
Results: There were 548 (15.1%) sarcopenia cases. In males, after adjusting for confounding factors, the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for sarcopenia decreased with increasing frequency of AAJ intake: 1.00 (reference) for almost never, 0.79 (0.53, 1.18) for ≤1 time/week, 0.62 (0.41, 0.93) for ≥2-3 times/week (P for trend=0.02). However, in females, no significant association between AAJ consumption and sarcopenia was identified. Similar results were also found in sarcopenia components.
Conclusions: Our findings suggested that AAJ consumption was inversely associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese elderly males but not in elderly females. The exact mechanism underlying this association warrants further investigations.
Research on the Trends and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Reduction Efficiency in Cities Along the Yellow River in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Zhang Peng-Cheng , Zhang Yu-Tan
Published: October 2023

Improving the efficiency of carbon emission reduction is an important means to promote high quality economic growth of cities in Shandong Province along the Yellow River. Taking Shandong Coastal City as the research focus, the DEA-Malmquist carbon emission reduction efficiency evaluation model and index system were established to empirically analyze the dynamic characteristics of carbon emission reduction efficiency of Shandong Coastal City. Based on the statistical data of input-output index of carbon emission reduction efficiency of Shandong Coastal City from 2011 to 2020, Tobit model was used to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emission reduction efficiency from the aspects of economic development level, industrial structure, foreign direct investment, government influence and scientific and technological innovation input, and to dig out the social and economic behaviors supporting carbon emission reduction efficiency. The results show that: (1) the average Malmquist Index of carbon release reduction efficiency is 0.992 from 2011 to 2020, and the carbon release reduction efficiency shows a downward trend; From 2016 to 2020, the average Malmquist index of the cities along the Yellow River is 1.047, showing an upward trend. The Malmquist Index of Jining, Tai'an and Dezhou have an average value of less than 1, so there is a lack of carbon reduction efficiency. Binzhou, Zibo and Dongying all have an average Malmquist index of more than one, which is more efficient at reducing carbon releases. (2) the secondary sector of the economy output value and general public budget expenditure have a positive and significant impact on the carbon release reduction efficiency of the cities along the Yellow River, while the per capita GDP and the actual use of foreign capital have a significant and negative impact. In view of this, it is suggested that the cities along the Yellow River should formulate appropriate regional differentiated release reduction strategies according to their specific conditions, so as to promote the coordinated development of economic development and environmental protection, it is proposed to increase general public budget expenditure, promote structural adjustment and upgrading of the secondary sector of the economy, and give full play to inter-city interaction and coordination functions, so as to provide intellectual support for environmental governance and economic growth in the Yellow River basin.
Adjuvant-dependent effects on the safety and efficacy of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines during heterologous infection by a SARS-related coronavirus
Authors: Heise Mark , Dillard Jacob , Taft-Benz Sharon , Knight Audrey , Anderson Elizabeth , Pressey Katia , Parotti Breantié , Martinez Sabian , Diaz Jennifer , Sarkar Sanjay , Madden Emily , Cruz Gabriela De la , Adams Lily , III Kenneth Dinnon , Leist Sarah , Martinez David , Schaefer Alexandra , Powers John , Yount Boyd , Castillo Izabella , Morales Noah , Burdick Jane , Evangelista Mia Katrina , Ralph Lauren , Pankow Nicholas , Linnertz Colton , Lakshmanane Prem , Montgomery Stephanie , Ferris Martin , Baric Ralph , Baxter Victoria
Published: October 2023

Inactivated whole virus SARS-CoV-2 vaccines adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide (Alum) are among the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines globally and have been critical to the COVID-19 pandemic response. Although these vaccines are protective against homologous virus infection in healthy recipients, the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and the presence of large zoonotic reservoirs provide significant opportunities for vaccine breakthrough, which raises the risk of adverse outcomes including vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD). To evaluate this possibility, we tested the performance of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (iCoV2) in combination with Alum against either homologous or heterologous coronavirus challenge in a mouse model of coronavirus-induced pulmonary disease. Consistent with human results, iCoV2 + Alum protected against homologous challenge. However, challenge with a heterologous SARS-related coronavirus, Rs-SHC014-CoV (SHC014), up to at least 10 months post-vaccination, resulted in VAERD in iCoV2 + Alum-vaccinated animals, characterized by pulmonary eosinophilic infiltrates, enhanced pulmonary pathology, delayed viral clearance, and decreased pulmonary function. In contrast, vaccination with iCoV2 in combination with an alternative adjuvant (RIBI) did not induce VAERD and promoted enhanced SHC014 clearance. Further characterization of iCoV2 + Alum-induced immunity suggested that CD4+ T cells were a major driver of VAERD, and these responses were partially reversed by re-boosting with recombinant Spike protein + RIBI adjuvant. These results highlight potential risks associated with vaccine breakthrough in recipients of Alum-adjuvanted inactivated vaccines and provide important insights into factors affecting both the safety and efficacy of coronavirus vaccines in the face of heterologous virus infections.
Stability Analysis of Linear Time-Varying System via Adjustable Parameter-Based Functions
Authors: Xue Wenlong , Gao Yanfang
Published: October 2023

In recent years, researchers have focused on investigating the slack matrices-based function using appropriate polynomials. This approach has proven to be valuable in deriving tractable stability conditions expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. However, an open problem remains in addressing the inherent complexity of slack matrices, which has not been adequately considered thus far. To address this issue, a new approach is proposed in this paper, which involves the use of adjustable parameter-based functions (APFs) constructed using flexible polynomials. The introduction of APFs allows for the relaxation of not only the complex dimensions of slack matrices but also higher order time delays and zero components that exist in previous works. By leveraging APFs, two representative stability criteria are derived for linear delay systems. These stability conditions offer flexibility in selecting various permutations and combinations of flexible vectors within the APFs. The paper provides two illustrative examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Clinical profile ,socio-demographic features, and treatment outcome of native Kashmiri patients with HIV/AIDS : A 12-year study.
Authors: Hassan Amir , Siraj Farhana , A.Koul Parvaiz , Mehfooz Nazia , Qadri Syed Mudasir , Koul Aijaz Nabi , Mantoo Suhail
Published: October 2023

Introduction
Profile of HIV/AIDS differs considerably through different regions of the world depending upon various factors. Jammu and Kashmir in north India is considered the low HIV/AIDS prevalence area. There is very scant data about the HIV/AIDS amongst the native Kashmiri population. In this study we present the clinical and demographic profile and treatment outcomes of native Kashmiri patients seen at Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) center in our hospital over a period of twelve years.
Material & Method
All native Kashmiri HIV positive patients referred to the integrated counseling and testing centre (ICTC/ART) center of our hospital for evaluation and initiation of treatment from January 2007 to December 2019 were enrolled.
Results
Among 346 native Kashmiri patients with mean age of 34 ± SD 11.35 years (ranging from 11–56 years) seen over the study period, there were 226 (65.3%) males and 120 females (34.7%). Majority of our patients belonged to rural areas (n = 276; 79.8%) More than 2/3rd of the patients were in the age-group of 15–49 years (n = 269; 77.7%).Among the studied population majority of male patients had a history of working outside Kashmir valley as labourers and majority of females were house wives. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had studied upto primary level and 30.3% were illiterate. Fever was the commonest presenting symptom followed by diarrhoea and weight loss. Tuberculosis and candidiasis were the predominant opportunistic infections. WHO stage 1 disease was seen in 50.9% (n = 176) of patients. The mean CD4 count was 271 ± 236.75 /µL at presentation. Nearly 74.6% (n = 258) patients were alive after 12years of diagnosis and 25.4% patients (n = 88) had died. Age > 50years, less educated, poor compliance to treatment, TB co-infection and lower base line CD4 counts were associated with increased mortality.
Conclusion
The majority of our patients were form rural areas, had low education level and belonged to the productive age group of 15–49 years which had a negative impact on the economic and overall development of family, community and country. The data presented should help healthcare planners and policymakers for introducing the interventions for implementing preventive strategies and early and effective treatment for affected individuals.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids May Not Be Helpful for People with Osteoarthritis: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Xu Chunlei , Shi Wei , Xu Qian , Zhang Huafeng , Li Zhijun , Li Hui
Published: October 2023

Background
In recent years, researchers have examined the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or a low omega-6/3 ratio to protect the knee joint. The current study is based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis and uses the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to evaluate the effect of total PUFA, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-6/3 ratios on osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
First, we downloaded the latest PUFA and OA GWAS data. The PUFA data were divided into four groups: total PUFA, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-6/3 ratios. The OA data were split into nine groups: hip OA (total, males, and females), knee OA (total, males, and females), and hand OA (total, males, and females). Then, qualified SNPs were selected as instrumental variables. Inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, and the MR‒Egger method were used for MR analysis. Finally, MR‒Egger, MR-Presso, and Cochran's Q statistical methods were used to evaluate the heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
Results
Thirty-six IVW results showed that total PUFA, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-6/3 ratios did not significantly increase or decrease the risk of knee, hip, and hand OA. There was no obvious horizontal polytropy in all the analyses, and there was heterogeneity in some analyses.
Conclusions
Our study does not indicate that total PUFA, mega-3, and low omega-6/3 ratios are helpful for people with OA, nor does it indicate that omega-6 increases the risk of OA. The dietary management of PUFA in OA patients needs to be performed cautiously.
Intersectional gender analysis for inclusive health system in Nepal: taking Tuberculosis as a case example
Authors: Parajuli Ayuska , Kakchapati Sampurna , Arjyal Abriti , Joshi Deepak , Kharel Chandani , Barrio Mariam Otmani del , Baral Sushil C
Published: October 2023

Background: Nepal is multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural state with diverse geography, in its early stage of federalization, where Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem. TB is a disease, which is high among settings with common practice of gender and social inequities. This study aimed to a) explore inclusiveness of gender and other social stratifiers in the key health related national policies and Health Management Information System (HMIS) of National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) b) to conduct intersectional analysis with available social stratifiers of TB cases enrolled in the NTP.
Methods: Desk review of key policies and HMIS of NTP was conducted. Intersectional analysis was carried out from two secondary sources i.e. annual report data of NTP (2017 - 2021) and 628 recorded TB cases via HMIS 6.5 from two TB centres (2017/18-2018/19). Statistical analysis was carried out to assess association between social stratifers and types of TB, registration category and treatment outcome.
Results: Gender, social inclusion and concept of intersectionality are well incorporated into the different health policies and strategies while lacking in its implementation. NTP has initiated collecting age, sex, ethnicity and location data since 2014/15 through the HMIS. However, only age and sex disaggregated data is routinely reported. Hence, recorded social stratifiers of TB patients have remained static as they were not analyzed and disseminated. Furthermore, some of the key findings from the intersectional analysis conducted by using TB secondary data, gave significant highlights on sex and age wise variation among TB patients. However, ethnicity was not significantly associated with TB treatment outcome.
Conclusion: The study findings illustrated that the biological and the social construct of gender differences are important determinants of TB and treatment outcome. The inadequacy in the availability of social stratifiers in the routine HMIS, limits the NTP’s ability to conduct intersectional analyses, which are essential for unveiling the roles of other social determinants of TB. Such limitation underscores the need for more disaggregated data in routine NTP to better inform policies and plans towards building a more responsive and equitable TB programme and address disparities effectively.
Trial registration: Not Applicable
Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm; Endovascular treatment of an Ominous Finding
Authors: Fish Adam , Sailer Anne , Pollak Jeffrey , Schlachter Todd
Published: October 2023

The technique and outcomes of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm embolization was retrospectively evaluated in 13 patients undergoing pulmonary PSA embolization between January 2014 and September 2023. The etiology of the PSA was iatrogenic (4/13), tumor (3/13), chronic lung (2/13), idiopathic (2/13) and mycotic (2/13). Clinical presentation was massive hemorrhage (6/13), incidental (4/13), and non-massive hemoptysis (3/13). The average PSA size was 13.5mm. Coil embolization of the PSA sac was performed in all but two extenuating cases (11/13). Follow-up of 12 patients over an average 5.3-months showed persistent occlusion in all cases. There were no major adverse events attributed to the embolization. 5/10 patients with procedures performed at least one year before this study were noted to be deceased after an average 7-month time. Pulmonary artery PSAs of various etiologies may be safely and effectively treated by embolizing the PSA sac.
A Comparative Analysis of Quantum Computing Variational Quantum Eigensolver Algorithm and Molecular Dynamics Simulations for Peptide Folding
Authors: Uttarkar Akshay , Niranjan Vidya
Published: October 2023

Quantum computing in biology is one of the most rapidly evolving field of technology. Protein folding is one of the key challenges which requires accurate and efficient algorithms with a quick computational time. Structural conformations of proteins with disordered regions need colossal amount of computational resource to map its least energy conformation state. In this regard, quantum algorithms like Variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) are applied in the current research work to predict the lowest energy value of 50 peptides of 7 amino acids each. VQE is initially used to calculate the energy values over which Variational Quantum Optimization is applied via Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) over 100 iterations of 500000 shots each to obtain least ground state energy value. This is compared to the molecular dynamics-based simulations of 50 nanoseconds each to calculate the energy values along with the folding pattern. The results suggest efficient folding outcomes from CvaR-VQE compared to MD based simulations. With the ever-expanding quantum hardware and improving algorithms the problem of protein folding can be resolved to obtain in depth insights on the biological process and drug design.
Government Shutdown and SNAP Disbursements: Effects on Household Expenditures
Authors: Marks Mindy , Prina Silvia , Gernhardt Roy
Published: October 2023

We test the ability of SNAP eligible households to respond to a temporary change in benefit timing. We exploit the 2018-19 US government shutdown in which all states were federally mandated to pay February SNAP benefits in January. This created a short-term windfall (two payments very close to each other) followed by a longer than normal gap during which no SNAP disbursements were received. Using a triple differences approach, we show that expenditures are lower in February (relative to other months) 2019 (relative to 2018) for SNAP recipients (relative to near-eligible households). We complement this finding by exploiting preexisting state-level differences in disbursement schedules that drove some states to temporarily alter the timing of the 2019 March and April SNAP disbursements. Diff-in-diff estimates show that SNAP eligible households in those states reduced spending. Our findings are inconsistent with the permanent income hypothesis and suggest that the timing of benefits matters for household consumption.
JEL Codes: D12, I3, I38
High-level expression of sucrose isomerase in Bacillus subtilis through expression element optimization and fermentation optimization
Authors: Zhang Kang , Zhao Wenchong , Chen Sheng , Su Lingqia , Wu Jing
Published: October 2023

Sucrose isomerase is an important food enzyme that catalyze the isomerization of sucrose into isomaltulose, a functional sugar widely used in food industrial, while the production level of sucrose isomerase in food safe host strains was much low than industrial requirement. Bacillus subtilis is an excellent host strain for recombinant protein expression, which own the characteristics of powerful secretory capability and generally recognized as safe state. In this study, the expression of sucrose isomerase in B. subtilis was improved through expression element optimization and fermentation optimization. Firstly, the extracellular chaperone PrsA was overexpressed to enhance extracellular folding of sucrose isomerase, which improved the recombinant expression level by 80.02%. Then, the protein synthesize level was optimized through promoter screening, improving the recombinant expression level by 60.40%. On the basis of strain modification, the fermentation conditions including nitrogen source, carbon source, metal ion, pH and temperature were optimized successively in shake-flask. Finally, the 3 L bioreactor cultivation condition was optimized and yielding a sucrose isomerase activity of 862.86 U/mL, the highest level reported to date. This study provides an effective strategy to improve the expression level of food enzymes in B. subtilis.
Placental RNA sequencing implicates IGFBP1 in insulin sensitivity during pregnancy and in gestational diabetes
Authors: Hivert Marie-France , White Frederique , Allard Catherine , James Kaitlyn , Majid Sana , Aguet François , Ardlie Kristin , Edlow Andrea , Florez Jose , Bouchard Luigi , Jacques Pierre-Etienne , Karumanchi S. , Powe Camille
Published: October 2023

Reduced insulin sensitivity (or greater insulin resistance) is a hallmark of normal physiology in late pregnancy and also underlies gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathophysiology. We conducted transcriptomic profiling of 434 human placentas and identified a strong positive association between insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 gene (IGFBP1) expression in the placenta and insulin sensitivity at ~ 26 weeks’ gestation. Circulating IGFBP1 protein levels rose over the course of pregnancy and declined postpartum, which together with high placental gene expression levels, suggests a placental source. Higher circulating IGFBP1 levels were strongly associated with greater insulin sensitivity (lesser insulin resistance) at ~ 26 weeks’ gestation in the same cohort and two additional pregnancy cohorts. In addition, low circulating IGFBP1 levels in early pregnancy predicted subsequent GDM diagnosis in two cohorts. These results implicate IGFBP1 in the glycemic physiology of pregnancy and suggest a role for placental IGFBP1 deficiency in GDM pathogenesis.
A negative feedback loop underlies the Warburg effect
Authors: Singh Raghvendra , Jaiswal Alok
Published: October 2023

Aerobic glycolysis, or the Warburg effect, is used by cancer cells for proliferation while producing lactate. Although lactate production has wide implications for cancer progression, it is not known how this effect increases cell proliferation and relates to oxidative phosphorylation. Here, we elucidate that a negative feedback loop (NFL) is responsible for the Warburg effect. Further, we show that aerobic glycolysis works as an amplifier of oxidative phosphorylation. On the other hand, quiescence is an important property of cancer stem cells. Based on the NFL, we show that both aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, playing a synergistic role, are required to achieve cell quiescence. Further, our results suggest that the cells in their hypoxic niche are highly proliferative yet close to attaining quiescence by increasing their NADH/NAD + ratio through the severity of hypoxia. The findings of this study can help in a better understanding of the link among metabolism, cell cycle, carcinogenesis, and stemness.
Comparative Assessment of Transmission and Reflection Vis/NIR Spectroscopy for Non-Destructive Evaluation of Multiple Quality Attributes in Tomatoes
Authors: Li Long , Su Qian , Yang Huihui , Fan Bei , Sun Jing , Bai Yajuan , Liu Lei , Wang Qingwei , Wang Yutang , Wang Fengzhong
Published: October 2023

Non-destructive evaluation of internal and external quality attributes is imperative for effectively grading and sorting tomatoes. This study compared visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) diffuse reflectance and transmission spectroscopy for rapid, non-invasive measurement of key indicators, including color, hardness, total sugar (TS), and total acidity (TA). A sample set of 110 tomatoes across multiple ripeness levels was divided into calibration (n = 82) and prediction (n = 28) subsets. Vis/NIR spectra were obtained using reflectance and transmission systems and pre-processed before multivariate analysis. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed, relating the spectra to reference measurements using competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS-PLS). For internal parameters of TS and TA, transmission PLS models demonstrated superior performance over reflectance, with prediction R values of 0.9511 and 0.9818. In contrast, for external attributes of color and hardness, reflectance PLS models performed better given consistent bulk fruit maturity, with prediction R values of 0.9595 and 0.9713. This study demonstrates the potential of Vis/NIR diffuse transmission spectroscopy for non-invasive analysis of internal and external tomato quality attributes. The findings provide a basis for developing handheld devices and inline online systems for sorting tomatoes based on comprehensive ripeness assessment.
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Authors: Nelwan Martin
Published: October 2023

Purpose: In this research, I report the relationship between S. ovuncatum, S. sinensium, S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis. In addition, I also report the kinship relationship between five Oncomelania species, with Neotricula aperta, Robertsiella spp, and Tricula spp. Furthermore, I describe the formation of the genus Oncomelania from its precursor forms.
Principal Results: Results of nucleotide BLAST showed S. ovuncatum shared a 99.69% identity similar to S. sinensium, 98.68% with S. mekongi, 97.98% with S. malayensis, and 97.85% with S. japonicum. The tree-view slanted cladogram showed that S. sinensium is a sister to S. ovuncatum. It split into S. japonicum. Schistosoma japonicum splits into S. mekongi and S. malayensis. Results also showed Oncomelania robertsoni shared an 86.12% identity similar to Neotricula aperta, 85.88% with Robertsiella spp., and then 85.28% with Tricula bollingi. The tree-view slanted cladogram showed that Tricula spp. split into N. aperta and Robertsiella spp. This study suggested that Oncomelania rose from its antecedent forms.
Conclusions: Nucleotide BLAST results showed that S. ovuncatum is close to S. sinensium. Schistosoma sinensium split into S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis. Oncomelania robertsoni was close to N. aperta, Robertsiella spp., and then to Tricula spp (Tricula bollingi). Oncomelania species rose from their antecedent forms.
Survival Benefit of Sequential Curative Treatment for TACE Suitable BCLC Stage B HCC Patients
Authors: Ding Yuan-Jie , Chang Te-Sheng , Shen Chien-Heng , Kuo Liang-Mou , Hsu Sheng-Lung , Chen Yi-Hsing , Huang Hui-Ling , Lu Sheng-Nan
Published: October 2023

To clarify the survival benefit of sequential curative treatment post transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we retrospectively analyzed HCC patients at a hospital. From July 2017 to July 2020, 787 treatment-naïve HCC patients underwent initial treatment; 77 (9.8%) meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled. Their initial treatments were TACE only (n=68, 88.3%) or TACE with other treatments (n=9, 11.7%). Median survival of the TACE-only group was 30 months. Treatment response was evaluated after 2 or 3 consecutive TACEs for patients (54/68, 79.4%) with available pre-/post-TACE computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment responses was divided into 4 groups: complete (n=14, 26%, group (Gr) 1), incomplete without new tumor growth (n=28, 52.0%, Gr2), incomplete with new growth (n=6, 11%, Gr3), and progression (n=6, 11%, Gr4). Of Gr2, further treatment after TACE were had radiofrequency ablation (n=13, Gr2a), TACE (n=9, Gr2b), other modalities (n=6, Gr2c). Gr2a's median survival was longer than Gr2b's (>60 vs. 20 months, p=0.007). Nine patients in Gr2a (69%, 9/13) achieved a complete response, but none in Gr2b (p=0.001). Conclusively, in TACE-suitable BCLC stage B HCC patients, a partial response without new tumor growth can serve as an indicator of treatment effectiveness following initial TACE treatment. This can facilitate the selection of appropriate candidates to receive RFA, potentially resulting in improved patient survival.
KINtaro – protein kinase-like database
Authors: Baranowski Bartosz , Krysińska Marianna , Gradowski Marcin
Published: October 2023

Objective
The superfamily of protein kinases features a common Protein Kinase-like (PKL) three-dimensional fold. Proteins with PKL structure can also possess enzymatic activities other than protein phosphorylation, such as AMPylation or glutamylation. PKL proteins play a vital role in the world of living organisms, contributing to the survival of pathogenic bacteria inside host cells, as well as being involved in carcinogenesis and neurological diseases in humans. The superfamily of PKL proteins is constantly growing. Therefore, it is crucial to gather new information about PKL families.
Results
To this end, the KINtaro database (http://bioinfo.sggw.edu.pl/kintaro/) has been created as a resource for collecting and sharing such information. KINtaro combines protein sequence information and additional annotations for more than 70 PKL families, including 32 families not associated with PKL superfamily in established protein domain databases. KINtaro is searchable by keywords and by protein sequence and provides family descriptions, sequences, sequence alignments, HMM models, 3D structure models, experimental structures with PKL domain annotations and sequence logos with catalytic residue annotations.
Quality Improvement Project: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Score Implementation for Targeted Management of PDA in Preterm Infants
Authors: Noureldein Mona , Rajaraman Nikitha , Yousif Marianne , Madawala Priyankara , Mupanemunda Richard , Gowda Harsha
Published: October 2023

Due to the variation of practice in managing Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants, we have performed a quality improvement project to standardise PDA management using a PDA Score (PDAsc). PDAsc consisted of clinical and echocardiographic parameters that reflected systemic hypoperfusion and pulmonary overcirculation. An echocardiogram was performed at 48–120 hours of life. The model for improvement was followed, and five PDSA cycles were completed. Process measures included the percentage of infants having an echocardiogram at 48–120 hours of life and the rate of PDA treatment. Outcome measures included PDA closure and treatment rates. Implementing PDAsc increased the percentage of early echocardiograms from 58% (36/45) to 79% (30/38). There was a reduction in the PDA treatment rate from 54–44%. The rate of PDA closure stayed the same at 41% (16/39) and 42% (15/36) before and after PDAsc, respectively. In conclusion, PDAsc is an objective tool that facilitates decision-making and standardisation of PDA management. It helps provide early targeted treatment of haemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) while avoiding unnecessary treatment of non-hsPDA.
Ultrasound-assisted digestion using choline chloride-oxalic acid deep eutectic solvent for macro and microelements determination in rice by ICP-OES
Authors: Zhao Wenzhi , Xie Xu , He Tian , Zhang Jintao , Liu Jiufen
Published: October 2023

A rapid, straightforward, and environmentally friendly method was developed for the extraction of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and P from rice samples using ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The investigation focused on deep eutectic solvents derived from choline chloride and oxalic acid. The response surface methodology, based on the Box-Behnken design, was employed to determine the optimal conditions of the significant parameters. The determination results of the reference samples revealed a relative error ranging from -8.3% to 3.8%, while the relative standard deviation remained below 5.5%. F-test and t-test results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference observed between the accuracy and precision of the method proposed in this study and the microwave digestion method for determining actual rice samples. The proposed method exhibits advantages over classical microwave-assisted digestion procedures based on concentrated acids, considering critical parameters such as cost, green chemistry, and analyst safety.
Strongly different adhesion reduction for 1D or 2D random fractal roughness
Authors: ciavarella michele
Published: October 2023

Afferrante Violano & Dini ("How does roughness kill adhesion?" J Mech Phys Solids 2023 105465) have recently studied by a finite element-based model how roughness kills adhesion in 1D self-affine fractal profiles. Their results confirm that for low fractal dimension (D<1.5), adhesion is influenced by long wavelength roughness only, but with high fractal dimensions, adhesion is found to be more sensitive to the magnification (the broadness of the power spectrum). The seem to conclude that this is in agreement with Persson-Tosatti's criterion, and not with Ciavarella's BAM criterion. However, by comparing their results with the Persson-Tosatti criterion (which we show is identical in 1D or 2D for a typical power law PSD if written in terms of rms roughness and magnification), we find that adhesion persists in their 1D case for rms roughness one or more orders of magnitude higher than expected for 2D isotropic roughness, showing both criteria are not really appropriate to 1D roughness. This suggests the mechanism of load amplification along contact lines and the associated elastic instabilities, excited by the pure 1D roughness, is at play. Finally, we show that unfortunately their dependences on magnification is not really conclusive to the debate of the Persson-Tosatti vs the Ciavarella's BAM criteria, because both can show a sensible dependence on magnification in appropriate range, for all fractal dimensions.
Providing education from adolescence to promote exclusive breastfeeding: a retrospective study
Authors: Mertasari Luh , Ani Luh Seri , Sumiati Luh Nyoman , Ds Ni Kadek Ayu dwi Utami
Published: October 2023

Although providing education regarding exclusive breastfeeding can increase the exclusive breastfeeding coverage in infants aged 0-6 months, studies investigating this association are limited. This study aimed to prove that providing education from adolescence could increase exclusive breastfeeding in infants aged 0-6 months. This retrospective study included mothers of toddlers aged 6-24 months. In total, 144 mothers from five regions were selected in two stages. First, primary healthcare centers were selected using purposive sampling, and then mothers of toddlers were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected via interviews. Exclusive breastfeeding data were based on the history of breastfeeding of the mothers when the babies were 0-6 months old. A logistic progression test was performed to determine the role of providing education from adolescence and other variables in increasing the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding. The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 47.2%. Mothers who received education as adolescents and who underwent cesarean section showed a low tendency for exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.004 and p=0.036, respectively). Meanwhile, mothers receiving breastfeeding education during pregnancy were 5.2 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those not receiving it (p=0.001). Mothers who received family support were 6.6 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who did not receive it (p=0.002). The provision of education from adolescence has not been proven to increase the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in 0-6-month-old infants. However, this study suggests providing education from adolescence and support from the family and social environment to perform exclusive breastfeeding successfully.
Methodical Development of data driven quantitative Design Rules in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Stachg David , Telgkamp Jens
Published: October 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) and its industrial application are growing steadily.However, despite many research efforts, there are challenges in the practical implementation.In addition to methodological challenges within the design process, the detailed design of AM components, which is suited for manufacturing as well as economically beneficial, poses difficulties.As an improvement of the situation, a methodical framework is presented, through which design rules for a practice-oriented design of AM geometries can be developed.The design rules developed based on this framework are of qualitative as well as quantitative nature.The qualitative perspective is concerned with the question of whether the geometries can be manufactured depending on their features.The quantitative perspective is concerned with the quality of the manufactured geometries depending on their features.Within this framework, the potential influence of process parameters on part quality is addressed.The method is based on applied statistics on the one hand and uses methods of explorative data analysis on the other hand.A case study is conducted to demonstrate the framework.This study consists of the development of a quantitative design rule for a geometry element (hollow cylinder) with reference to a material extrusion process.The results of the case study are statistical models for various quality characteristics (diameter deviations and cylindricity).The terms of the models are obtained by regression and are then statistically tested for significance.The models set up also allow an assessment of the achievable tolerance grades for geometric features investigated and their respective quality characteristics.
Impact of Ataxia Type on Self-Reported Mental Health, Fatigue, Cognition and Ataxia Symptom Severity
Authors: Jenkins Emma , Dunger Warren
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION:
It has been increasingly recognised that the impact of Ataxia extends beyond physical and motor symptomology. However, it is less known whether self-reported psychological symptoms and ataxia symptom severity differs across ataxia types of differing aetiology, which would have important implications for providing more targeted treatment.
AIM
This study aimed to investigate the impact of ataxia type (hereditary, acquired, idiopathic) on self-reported depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive deficits, and ataxia symptom severity. Comparisons were also made between the ataxia sample as a whole and a neurologically healthy control group.
METHOD
Responses were collected using a cross-sectional online survey to recruit a national UK sample of people with ataxia.
RESULTS
The study recruited 110 participants with ataxia (hereditary = 51, acquired = 16, idiopathic = 43) and 32 healthy controls. No significant differences were found across study variables for ataxia type. However, participants with ataxia did report significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive deficits, and ataxia symptom severity compared to healthy controls.
CONCLUSION
This study found that participants with ataxia self-reported increased psychological symptoms compared to healthy controls, which was a generally homogenous experience across different types of ataxia regardless of aetiology. There was also considerable overlap of these symptoms which requires further exploration. This further highlights the need for early assessment and interventions to address these symptoms in ataxia populations.
Adverse Childhood Events, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and Substance Dependence: Gene x Environment Effects and Moderated Mediation
Authors: Kranzler Henry , Davis Christal , Feinn Richard , Jinwala Zeal , Khan Yousef , Oikonomou Ariadni , Silva-Lopez Damaris , Burton Isabel , Dixon Morgan , Milone Jackson , Ramirez Sarah , Shifman Naomi , Levey Daniel , Gelernter Joel , Hartwell Emily , Kember Rachel
Published: October 2023

Background
Adverse childhood events (ACEs) contribute to the development of mood and anxiety disorders and substance dependence. However, the extent to which these effects are direct or indirect and whether genetic risk moderates them is unclear.
Methods
We examined associations among ACEs, mood/anxiety disorders, and substance dependence in 12,668 individuals (44.9% female, 42.5% African American/Black, 42.1% European American/White). We generated latent variables for each phenotype and modeled direct and indirect effects of ACEs on substance dependence, mediated by mood/anxiety disorders (forward or “self-medication” model) and of ACEs on mood/anxiety disorders, mediated by substance dependence (reverse or “substance-induced” model). In a sub-sample, we also generated polygenic scores for substance dependence and mood/anxiety disorder factors, which we tested as moderators in the mediation models.
Results
Although there were significant indirect effects in both directions, mediation by mood/anxiety disorders (forward model) was greater than by substance dependence (reverse model). Greater genetic risk for substance dependence was associated with a weaker direct effect of ACEs on substance dependence in both the African- and European-ancestry groups (i.e., gene-environment interaction) and a weaker indirect effect in European-ancestry individuals (i.e., moderated mediation).
Conclusion
We found greater evidence that substance dependence results from self-medication of mood/anxiety disorders than that mood/anxiety disorders are substance induced. Among individuals at higher genetic risk for substance dependence who are more likely to develop a dependence diagnosis, ACEs exert less of an effect in promoting that outcome. Following exposure to ACEs, multiple pathways lead to mood/anxiety disorders and substance dependence. Specification of these pathways could inform individually targeted prevention and treatment approaches.
Distribution structure of the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus Licht, 1823) in the western part of the Betpakdala desert of Kazakhstan: biotransformation of arid lands
Authors: Abdel Ziyat Zh. , Meka-Mechenko Tatyana V. , Zhumadilova Zauresh B. , Shakiev Nurbol N. , Yessimseit Duman T. , Abdeliyev Beck Z. , Mussagaliyeva Raikhan S. , Abdirassilova Aigul A. , ISSAEVA Svetlana B. , Sadovskaya Veronika P. , Sayakova Zaure Z. , Kulemin Maxim V.
Published: October 2023

It is well known that the earth's climate changes that occur as a result of global climate change are making changes in the biosphere of our planet as a whole. As a result, many animal species change their geographical ranges, seasonal activity, migration patterns, abundance and interaction with other species, including microorganisms, the facts of which are observed in the deserts of Kazakhstan. The main carrier of the causative agent of the plague in the desert natural focus of the Betpakdala plague of Kazakhstan is great gerbil (Rhombonus opimus), where the plague epizootic was first discovered in 1959, the area of which was then 30.0 thousand. km2 until 1990. Due to the rapid industrial development of the Betpakdala desert, the impact of global climate change on earth and other factors over the past 30 years, the area of this natural plague outbreak has increased by 50.12% (60.14 thousand km2) in the northern direction, due to the biological transformation of the area of the main carrier, which led to the expansion of plague epizootics among rodents. At the same time, the plague microbe was also involved in the transformation process, increasing its natural area of the pistil (the area of distribution of the microbe), which increased the risk of infection of people with plague infection. The paper presents our results of epizootological monitoring for the period 2009–2022 (50.0 thousand km2) and laboratory studies of 522376 samples of field material for plague. The structure of the focus was shown and the reason for the expansion of the settlement area of the rodent population was revealed, the number of sectors with different levels of epidemic danger and epizootic activity were determined, and the main phenotypic and genotypic properties of Yersinia pestis strains circulating in this natural plague focus were also given.
Development and Reliability of the Parents Body Posture Literacy Questionnaire (PBPLQ)
Authors: Labecka Marta Kinga , Jankowicz-Szymanska Agnieszka , Olszewska Elzbieta , Plandowska Magalena , Tabor Piotr , Rajabi Reza
Published: October 2023

The questionnaire development process consisted of the following steps: content and face validation, and reliability analysis. The questionnaire contains items assessing parents' literacy of body posture and was conducted on 55 Polish parents of school-age children and adolescents. Initial results (first test-retest) of 37 participants revealed substantial reliability (0.61 to 1.00) however, it was revealed that modifications were needed for some specific questions. After revisions and retesting (second test-retest of 18 participants), the updated questionnaire demonstrated significantly improved reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficient ranged from 0.85 to 1.00). The developed questionnaire is valid -in terms of face validity, content validity, and reliability for assessing parents' literacy of body posture, and can potentially be used in clinical trials and practical settings.