bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary Closure or Secondary Wound Healing of Pin Sites After External Fixator Removal
Authors: Tillmann Franz , Hoepelman Ruben J. , Cagienard Flavio , Link Björn-Christian , Babst Reto , van de Wall Bryan J.M. , Beeres Frank J.P.
Published: January 2023

Background:

The aim of this single-center randomized controlled trial was to compare primary wound closure using a suture with secondary wound healing of pin sites after removal of temporary external fixation.

Methods:

This noninferiority trial included all patients who were treated with a temporary external fixator on an upper or lower extremity at 1 institution. The primary outcome was pin-site infection. Secondary outcomes were measured at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks and included all other complications, time to pin-site wound healing (in weeks), the most satisfactory pin site as rated by the patient, the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The most proximal pin site was randomly allocated (1:1) to either primary closure or secondary wound healing, and the other pin sites were treated alternately.

Results:

Seventy patients, providing 241 pin sites, were included between January 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020. A total of 123 pin sites were treated with primary closure and 118, with secondary wound healing. The median age was 55 years (interquartile range, 46 to 67 years), 44% were male, and the median duration of the external fixation was 6 days (interquartile range, 4 to 8 days). There were no pin-site infections in either group. Wound healing was significantly faster in the primary closure group (median of 2 versus 6 weeks, p = 0.013). The VSS and patient satisfaction showed no differences between groups. There was 1 case of fracture-related infection not related to any pin site.

Conclusions:

Primary closure of temporary external fixator pin sites did not result in higher infection rates compared with secondary wound healing, and pin sites healed significantly faster after primary closure. Primary closure should therefore be considered in patients treated with a temporary external fixator.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Influence of Leadership Style and Work Discipline on Employee Performance with Work Motivation as an Intervening Variable in MSMEs in Sidoarjo Regency
Authors: Anjaswangi Putri Oktaviana , Sumartik Sumartik
Published: January 2023

This study aims to describe and explain the influence of leadership style, work discipline on employee performance with work motivation as an intervening variable in MSMEs in the village of Sepande, Kec. District Temple. Sidoarjo.. In this study, we will examine the respondents, namely employees of SMEs in the village of Sepande. The method used is quantitative research with a sample of 90 employees. Data collection using a questionnaire using proportional random sampling technique. The data analysis used is the outer model test and the inner model test on the Smart PLS software application. The results of this study indicate that the Leadership Style, Work Discipline, Work Motivation on MSMEs in the village of Sepande, Kec. District Temple. Sidoarjo has a direct effect on employee performance.
Effect Nutrient "N" Dose on Growth and Protein Content of Napier Pakchong Grass and Zanzibar Napier Grass
Authors: Abror M , Fuadi Muhammad Tsamrotul
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the dose of nutrient N on the growth and protein content of napier pakchong grass and napier zanzibar grass. The experiment was arranged using a randomized block design (RAK) with a single factor, namely the dose of N fertilizer on two different types of napier grass, including (1) The dose of N fertilizer was 60 kg/ha on the type Napier Pakchong Grass (2) The dose of N fertilizer is 150 kg/ha on the type of Napier Pakchong Grass. (3) The dose of N fertilizer is 240 kg/ha on the type of Napier Pakchong Grass. (4) The dose of N fertilizer is 60 kg/ha on the type of Zanzibar Napier Grass (5) The dose of N fertilizer is 150 kg/ha on the type of Napier Zanzibar Grass (6) The dose of N fertilizer is 240 kg/ha on the type of Napier Zanzibar Grass. The results of this study showed that there was a very significant response to the variable height of the plant throughout the observation period, the observation of the number of tillers and the number of leaves showed a significant response at the age of 14, 28 and 70 days after planting. The stem diameter showed a significant response only at the age of 14 days after planting and also gave a very significant response to the wet weight observation variable but did not give an unsignificant response to the dry weight observation and protein content test.
Spit or Swab? The Diagnostic Accuracy of Saliva-Based Testing as a Sars-Cov-2 Surveillance Tool
Authors: Lo Raymundo , Santiago Farrah Kristine , Misiona Grig , Sionzon Melani , Gonong Danielle Anne , Jaime Jill , Ayco Jan Roman , Lira Aquiles Joseph , Rarugal Erik Francis , Crisostomo Jon Carlo , Bautista Jr. Manuel , Ibarra Kenneth Chrysostom , Ciriaco Eunice Jane , Zamora Arielle Trish , Abundo Kimberly , Tarnate Emmylou , Nario Jonathan , Hernandez Jan Joseph , Montes Kathleen Mae , Recio Ma. Anabella
Published: January 2023

Background. Nasopharyngeal swab/oropharyngeal swab (NPS/OPS) qRT-PCR is the gold standard for detecting SARS-CoV-2. However, it has its own limitations including cost and invasiveness. As an alternative, individual qRT-PCR testing of saliva samples was validated and shown to be comparable in sensitivity and specificity with NP-OP qRT-PCR. To further maximize its utility, the researchers wish to explore antigen and pooled testing methods.
Objective. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection using saliva-based pooled qRT-PCR and rapid antigen test compared with individual saliva qRT-PCR.
Methodology. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, saliva specimen from individuals aged 18 years old and above from the outpatient specimen collection station at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center were tested individually using qRT-PCR (Mag-bind RNA Extraction Kit/MACURA, Allsheng Extraction Machine, Sansure PCR kit, and MA-600 Sansure Biotech). Non-probability convenience sampling was utilized. Based on the individual results, pools of five (5) individual specimens, which includes one (1) positive sample were tested with qRT-PCR for sensitivity. DNK-2150-1S Dynamiker SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test (Dynamiker Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China) was also used to test individual saliva specimens.
. Out of 196 individual saliva specimens, 73 were detected to have SARS-COV-2 by qRT-PCR, while the remaining 123 were negative. Compared with the individual saliva qRT-PCR, rapid antigen tests done showed sensitivity of 46.58% (95% CI 35.13%, 58.02%), specificity of 86.18% (95% CI 80.08%, 92.28%), positive and negative predictive value of 66.67% (95% CI 53.71%, 79.60%) and 73.10% (95% CI 65.89%, 80.32%) respectively. Based on the results of individual saliva-based qRT-PCR, 62 pools were tested and showed sensitivity of 98.39% (95% CI 91.34%, 99.96%).
Conclusion and Recommendation. Pooled saliva-based testing for SARS-CoV-2 is comparable with individual saliva-based rapid antigen testing. The use of rapid antigen testing is less sensitive and less specific compared with qRT-PCR consistent with prior reports. Additional studies are recommended to determine optimal conditions for testing.
Dynamic Network Curvature Analysis of Gene Expression Reveals Novel Potential Therapeutic Targets in Sarcoma
Authors: Elkin Rena , Oh Jung Hun , Cruz Filemon Dela , Norton Larry , Deasy Joseph , Kung Andrew , Tannenbaum Allen
Published: January 2023

To identify molecular targets that would be missed by more conventional methods of analysis, we applied a novel unsupervised method to cluster gene interactomes represented as networks in pediatric sarcoma. RNA-Seq data were mapped to protein-level interactomes to construct weighted networks that were then subjected to a non-Euclidean, multi-scale geometric approach centered on a discrete notion of curvature. This provides a measure of the functional association between genes in the context of their connectivity. In confirmation of the validity of this method, hierarchical clustering revealed the characteristic EWSR1-FLI1 fusion in Ewing sarcoma. Furthermore, assessing the effects of in silico edge perturbations and simulated gene knockouts as quantified by changes in curvature, we found non-trivial gene associations not previously identified.
Parametric Optimization of Bentonite-fly-ash Composite Core for Earthen Embankment using Taguchi Coupled Sunflower Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Subhadarsini Swarnima , Giri Debabrata , Das Sudhanshu Sekhar
Published: January 2023

A typical earthen embankment is a raised compacted wall-like structure basically consisting of an outer shell to permit seepage of minimum piping, a centrally located core, and a base drainage filter to check the flow of water through it. The earthen embankment needs a centrally stabilized clay core made off locally available puddle clay composite with coarse soil in order to store and divert storm water. In the current work, a compression moulding technique was used employed to build a low-cost composite for clay core using readily available bentonite reinforced with fly-ash. The experimental work initiated with the characterization of the locally collected soil, bentonite and fly-ash along with the micro structural investigation utilizing Scan Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). Proctor test has been employed to stabilize clay core composite using different percentage ratios of bentonite and fly-ash according to the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. The obtained maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) were arranged in the design of the experiment (DOE) to examine the best possible results. The experimental findings from the Taguchi optimization approach determine the optimum values of OMC and MDD. The Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the primary factor influencing the strength of the clay core using signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. A meta-heuristic method named as Sunflower optimization technique was employed to validate the generated optimum OMC and MDD. Verified OMC and MDD results were corroborated with the impervious core properties of the existing structures.
Longitudinal evolution of meaning in life and its relationship with coping strategies in Spanish patients with a breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Marco Jose H. , Castejón Jessica , Isern Carmen , Grau Lola , Rodríguez Sandra Pérez
Published: January 2023

Changes in Meaning in life (MIL) have been shown to be particularly important when people face very stressful events such as receiving a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Active coping strategies have been related to higher levels of MIL in people with a diagnosis of cancer.
Objective: To explore the evolution of MIL in a sample of cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and identify the association between coping strategies three months after diagnosis (T2) and levels of MIL at the different moments in the cancer process (T1-T4).
Methods: We assessed MIL at diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and coping strategies (fighting spirit, anxious preoccupation, hopelessness, fatalism, and cognitive avoidance) three months after surgery, in 115 women with a diagnosis of Stage I-III breast cancer.
Results: We found higher levels of MIL nine months after surgery, compared to previous stages. MIL correlated significantly and positively with a fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance, and negatively with hopelessness and anxious preoccupation.
Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of coping in relation to meaning-making processes in cancer. Meaning-centred interventions could help patients who are in the process of coping with the cancer experience.
Practical Knowledge and Attitudes of Caregivers Faced With COVID-19 at Sikasso Hospital - Mali
Authors: Sidi Haidara Dadé Ben , M.KANTE  , CISSOUMA A. , TRAORE M. , TRAORE O. , Dolo A. , TRAORE A. K , DENOU M.
Published: January 2023

Background: Since the introduction of coronavirus in Mali in March 2020, Sikasso Hospital has beendesignated a management center. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and practical attitudes of health care providers regarding COVID-19.
Method/Results: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study conducted from December 10 to 12, 2020. Our sample was nonrandomizedfor convenience, with 42 caregivers. Direct observationand questionnaire interview techniques were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and Excel 2017 software.
The average age was 42.3 ± 8.1 years; 85.7% of respondents were male versus 14.3% female. This population consisted of 31% physicians/pharmacists, 47.6% nurses and 21.4% support staff.
The majority (69%) had a level of education that allowed them to make appropriate judgments about a health problem. All agents were informed about COVID-19 through the media, the department, their families or friends. The screening rate was 2.56 ‰. The majority of patients were also health workers (16.5%). The change in the status of the hospital as a center for the management of the disease caused "fear, stress, panic" among the caregivers.
Conclusion: This study allowed us to determine the level of WTP of caregivers in the face of this disease at the hospital level.
A Case Matched Comparison between Endoscopic Intragastric Botulinum Toxin-A Injection and Conventional Weight Loss Program
Authors: Tayyem Raed , Qandeel Haitham , Al-Balas Hamzeh , Tayyem Rand , Zahran Rima
Published: January 2023

Introduction
Mild obesity can progress to more extreme forms of obesity if untreated, thus deserves early intervention. A new revolutionary treatment for mild obesity utilizes injecting the stomach with Botulinum Toxin-A. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic intragastric Botulinum Toxin-A injection for weight loss in patients with mild obesity compared to diet and exercise alone.
Methods
Patients with mild obesity were recruited into a prospective case-matched study. The therapeutic group received Botulinum Toxin-A gastric injections in addition to dietary advice and regular exercise. The control group only received dietary advice and regular exercise. The measured outcomes were weight loss, quality of life, early satiety, procedure cost, and procedure complications.
Results
A total of 250 patients (matched for age, sex, weight, and comorbidities) were equally divided. Patients were followed up for a mean of six months. Mean Weight loss was better in the BTA group compared to the control group (10.8 versus 4.3 kg, P<0.001). Both groups enjoyed a comparable improvement in quality of life. No significant complications were observed in the series. The average cost per procedure was $1037 US dollars.
Conclusions
Endoscopic intragastric Botulinum Toxin-A injection can be beneficial in treating mild obesity. It is minimally invasive, cost-effective, and without serious side effects.
Comparison Omicron in renal transplant recipients and general population: a case-control study
Authors: Baziboroun Mana , Shafiekhani Mojtaba , Asgharpour Masoumeh , Zare Zahra , Nikoupour Hamed , Roozbeh Jamshid , Chalmiani Elmira Mahmoudi , Oliaie Farshid , Akbari Roghayeh , Abolghasemi Sara
Published: January 2023

Background Omicron was introduced as one of the variants of concern covid-19. Due to their immunosuppressed condition, renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are a vulnerable group. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare RTRs and non-RTRs infected with Omicron, with a special focus on clinical symptoms, imaging characteristics, disease severity, and outcomes. Methods The case group included 62 RTRs infected with the Omicron strain and the control group included 60 patients non-RTRs infected with the Omicron strain were hospitalized from December 22, 2021, to March 20, 2022 at the peak of Omicron in Tehran, Shiraz and Babol, Iran. RTRs with Omicron were compared to healthy controls in terms of their clinical symptoms, laboratory results, patterns of lung involvement on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and unfavorable outcomes, including rates of ICU hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV) use, and mortality. Results Among the clinical symptoms, significantly more people in the case group experienced diarrhea (P = 0.045). The most common symptoms were the same in both groups, but the order in the case group was fever (58%), chills (54.8%), dry cough (46.7%), and dyspnea (43.5%) and in the control group was dry cough (58.3%), fever (45%), chills (40%), and dyspnea (40%). Overall, the prevalence of pulmonary involvement was greater in the control group. It was shown that RTRs had a reduced absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and platelet count. As a result, RTRs' creatinine levels rose more than those of non-RTRs. There was a statistically significant difference between the RTRs and control groups in terms of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation (MV), length of hospital stay, and mortality as unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion In conclusion, clinical symptoms were not significantly different except diarrhea. The severity based on CDC criteria and risk of adverse outcomes, such as MV, ICU admission, and mortality, were significantly different between RTRs under prolonged immunosuppression and the control group.
Real world clinical experience of Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment in SSA
Authors: Bane Abate , Sultan Amir , Tibebu Zebeaman , Ahmed Rabia
Published: January 2023

Background
About three hundred fifty to four hundred million people are infected chronically with hepatitis B worldwide and about 780,000 people die annually of its complications. Ethiopia is located in the region of hepatitis B hyper-endemicity ranging from, 8–12%. However, up to 17% of HBV, infected patients present for care late with liver cirrhosis in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Fortunately, antiviral therapy of CHB has shown to be effective in preventing complications and improving survival even at stage of early cirrhosis. The goal of therapy is to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with CHB. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is among the oral antiviral approved for the treatment of CHB. TDF treatment has shown to be effective in a wider pool of the CHB populations. Literatures indicate long-term TDF treatment was associated with sustained virologic, biochemical, and serologic responses.
Objectives
To assess the outcome of TDF treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B patients at Adera Medical center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods
Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed. Hundred forty-four CHB patients on TDF treatment were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS (SPSS, Version 23).
Results
The mean age of the participants is 35.52 ± 10.34. Three fourth of the patients (76.4%) are male. Fifteen patients have progressed to decompensation at the end of the study period. 93.1% of the participants are HBeAg negative, while 5.6% have attained loss of HBsAg on TDF A significant association (p < 0.01) between APRI improvement, with the duration of treatment, and baseline viral load was found. Paired sample t-test showed an improvement in the mean APRI score of 0.2 (CI: 0.07–0.367; p < 0.01).
Conclusion
TDF is safe and effective in reducing viral load and complications among our patients. Not only did it show benefits in improving liver parameters and suppression of viral load, but also it has attained a functional cure in some patients.
Impaired B cell recall memory and reduced antibody avidity but robust T cell response in CVID patients after COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Steiner Sophie , Schwarz Tatjana , Corman Victor M , Jeworowski Lara Maria , Bauer Sandra , Drosten Christian , Scheibenbogen Carmen , Hanitsch Leif Gunnar
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Humoral and cellular immune responses were described after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID). This study aimed to investigate SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody quality and memory function of B cell immunity as well as T cell responses after COVID-19 vaccination in seroresponding and non-responding CVID patients.
Methods: We evaluated antibody avidity and applied a memory B cell ELSPOT assay for functional B cell recall memory response to SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 vaccination in CVID seroresponders. We comparatively analyzed SARS-CoV-2 spike reactive polyfunctional T cell response and reactive peripheral follicular T helper cells (pTFH) by flow cytometry in seroresponding and non-seroresponding CVID patients. All CVID patients had previously failed to mount a humoral response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Results: SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody avidity of seroresponding CVID patients was significantly lower than in healthy controls. Only 30% of seroresponding CVID patients showed a minimal memory B cell recall response in ELISPOT assay. 100% of CVID seroresponders and 83% of non-seroresponders had a detectable polyfunctional T cell response. Induction of antigen specific CD4+CD154+CD137+CXCR5+ pTFH cells by the COVID-19 vaccine was higher in CVID seroresponder than in non-seroresponder. Levels of pTFH did not correlate with antibody response or avidity.
Conclusion: Reduced avidity and significantly impaired recall memory formation after COVID-19 vaccination in seroresponding CVID patients stress the importance of a more differentiated analysis of humoral immune response in CVID patients. Our observations challenge the clinical implications that follow the binary categorization into seroresponder and non-seroresponder.
Basin-wide erosion and segmentation of the Plio-Pleistocene forearc basin in central Japan revealed by tephro- and biostratigraphy
Authors: Utsunomiya Masayuki , Tamura Itoko , Nozaki Atsushi , Nakajima Terumasa
Published: January 2023

The basement of the Tokyo metropolitan area consists of the Miocene–Pleistocene forearc basin fills that are well exposed around Tokyo Bay, especially on the Miura and Boso peninsulas. The forearc basin fills on these two peninsulas are called the Miura and Kazusa groups, and they were deposited during the late Miocene–Pliocene and Pliocene–middle Pleistocene, respectively. Because many biostratigraphic datum planes, paleomagnetic reversal events, and other chronostratigraphic tools are available for these deposits, they provide the “type stratigraphy” of other equivalent sedimentary sequences on the Japanese islands and in the northwest Pacific. However, the use of such stratigraphic markers has not been fully applied to understand the architecture of a basin-wide unconformity between the Miura and Kazusa groups called the Kurotaki unconformity. For our study, we made correlations among the Pliocene vitric tephra beds based on their stratigraphic levels, lithologic characteristics, the chemical compositions of glass shards, and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. As a result, we were able to correlate tephra beds Ng-Ky25 just above the C3n.3n normal subchronozone (4.7 Ma), IkT16-An157.5 and IkT19-An158.5 near the top of the Mammoth reverse polarity subchronozone (3.21 Ma), and Ahn-Onr (2.6–2.7 Ma) across Tokyo Bay on the Miura and Boso peninsulas. We were able to recognize erosional surfaces and coeval mass-transport deposits immediately below the top of the Mammoth reverse polarity subchronozone, which suggests that submarine landslide(s) may have produced the lack of stratigraphic horizons (4.5–3.2 Ma) in the Miura and eastern Boso regions. Basal pebbly sandstone beds pervasively cover the erosional surfaces, and they show lateral variations into the thick (up to 60 m) mass-transport deposits and overlying turbidite sandstones. The lateral variations in sediment thickness of the post-failure deposits suggest that the basin-wide erosion was associated with the initial growth of a basin-bounding structural high that separates two distinct sub-basins in the forearc basin, which resulted in the subsequent onlapping deposition in the earliest stage of the Kazusa forearc basin. The basin-wide erosion marks the initiation of tectonic reconfigurations that led to segmentation of the forearc basin around the Tokyo Bay region.
Analysis of the Life Cycle Environmental Impact Reductions of Remanufactured Turbochargers
Authors: Lee Jong-Hyo , Kang Hong-Yoon , Kim Young-Woon , Hwang Yong Woo , Kwon Soon-Gil , Park Hee-Won , Choi Ji-Woo , Choi Hwan-Ho
Published: January 2023

Recently, remanufacturing approach/technology, which includes a series of the processes of disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing/reconditioning, reassembling components for resale, is becoming more popular as companies look for a way to combat the current climate crisis, and as it allows companies to reduce environmental impacts and to save energy and resources. This study analyzed the reduction effect of six environmental impacts and the savings effect of energy and resources by turbocharger remanufacturing compared to its newly manufacturing using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that the most significant benefit of the turbocharger remanufacturing related to environmental impacts was the global warming potential (GWP), which could be reduced by 52.18%, followed by the abiotic depletion potential (ADP), terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (TETP), human toxicity potential (HTP), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity potential (FAETP) and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) which could be reduced by 51.93%, 44.76%, 44.23%, 42.59%, and 36.74%, respectively. Also, its resource saving could be obtained from 21.74–73.47% depending on the type of resources. Furthermore, turbocharger remanufacturing offered a significant energy saving of 83.93%. The results obtained from this study could be used for national policy-making to a net-zero carbon transition.
An experimental comparison of meter calibration used in a photovoltaic water pumping system installed in an arid environment
Authors: Bekraoui A. , Yaichi M. , Mammeri A. , Roummani K. , Hadidi A.
Published: January 2023

Energy and water are crucial for humans in all their activities. In rural areas, irrigation is a surviving key where sustainable approaches like solar water pumping systems are required to meet this demand. One of the crucial challenges in the hydraulic field is the flow rate measurement with high accuracy. The exact estimation of the water flow rate pumped using a solar photovoltaic water pumping system is essential to evaluate the system's performance. This paper presents an analytical method to study a comparative analysis of the results of the system measurement errors. The experimental data are collected from our pumping system located in Adrar city (Algeria). The performance is analyzed using the measured water flow rate data using three different meters, one ultrasonic and two turbine meters, where a turbine meter is used as a standard meter. The test was done in May 2019. Keys words: PV pumping system, meter measurement, measurement accuracy, error calibration, ultrasonic flow meter, turbine flow meter.
Earlier hukou conversion on the current depression level of older adults: The mediating role of social status and social relationship
Authors: He Li , Yang Tianyi , Yang Wenjie , Zhang Zixian , Zhao Jinxu , Jiang Liu
Published: January 2023

Background
With the development of urbanization in China and the liberalization of the hukou conversion policy, more and more people have converted from agricultural hukou to non-agricultural hukou. Based on this, the present study intends to examine whether there is an association between earlier hukou conversion and current depression level in the group of older adults, and the underlying mechanisms of this association.
Method
The present study used data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to explore the relationship between earlier hukou conversion and current depression level in older adults, using 10,213 older adults who had a hukou conversion as the study population. This study used ordinary least squares (OLS) and ordered logit models for regression analysis to explore the association between earlier hukou conversion and current depression level. Meanwhile, we further analyzed whether social status and social relationships play a mediating role between earlier hukou conversion and depression level of the older adults.
Results
The study led to the following conclusions: (1) Older adults who had a hukou conversion had lower levels of depression compared to those who had an agricultural hukou. (2) Compared to older adults who had an agricultural hukou, they had lower level of depression for both active and passive hukou conversions. (3) Older adults who had received lower education and lived in the eastern region exhibited lower level of depression in both actively and passively changing hukou. (4) Changes in social status and social relationship are the mediating mechanisms between hukou conversion and depression level of older adults.
Conclusion
This study found that there was some association between earlier hukou conversion and current depression level of the group of older adults. There is a significant reduction in depression level of the older adults after they have achieved hukou conversion to obtain a non-agricultural hukou. The government can learn from the formation mechanism of lower depression level of the older adults who had achieved hukou conversion to promote the reform and the development of the hukou system.
Optically Triggered AlGaN/GaN Semiconductor Power Transistor with Bi-layer Anti-reflecting Structure
Authors: Pandey Suresh Kumar , Rajput Swati , Kaushik Vishal , Babu Prem , Mishra Rahul Dev , Kumar Mukesh
Published: January 2023

An optical controlled AlGaN/GaN semiconductor power transistor with low on-resistance normally-off high electron mobility 2DEG channel is numerically proposed. The device consists of p-GaN region sandwiched between undoped GaN over which n-AlGaN (Al 20%) is formed. Two-Dimensional Electron Gas (2-DEG) channel is formed at n-AlGaN/GaN heterojunction due to photogenerated electron jumps from valance band to conduction band, when a beam of light having (energy greater than the band gap (3.4 eV) of GaN) wavelength 350 nm falls on SiO2 and TiO2 Bi-layers antireflecting structure and light penetrates deeper into p-GaN region and generate e-h pairs. Device current can be optically controlled by varying the power intensity of incident beam of light, this device exhibits very low (less than 1 ohm) on-resistance which yields very low conduction loss. The switching characteristics of the device is also investigated, and device attain low rise and fall time.
How Do Firms View Climate Change Risks?
Authors: Dong Huijian , Dong Huijian , Guo Xiaomin , Patterson Gary , Gough-Major Aidan
Published: January 2023

We filter the risk disclosure statements that include climate change discussions from the recent 10 years of 10-K forms filed by all the public companies in the U.S. With this novel data, we conduct the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) analysis to identify the firms’ views of climate change at the industry and the economy level. We find that the clustered topics are material adverse financial condition, compliance costs of efficiency standards, physical effects of global climate, changing legislation regulations, cap and trade of greenhouse gasses, weather conditions and natural disasters, Clean Power Plan, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Most firms do not cover climate change topics except those from the polluting industries, those subject to significant environmental regulation, and those vulnerable to climate change. Most of the firms regard the climate change risk as a set of sustainability risks, though 23% of disclosures view it as a set of regulatory risks.
POLE3 is a transcriptional repressor of unintegrated linear HIV-1 DNA required for efficient virus integration and escape from innate immune sensing.
Authors: Benkirane Monsef , Thenin-Houssier Suzie , Jahan Cyprien , Machida Shinichi Machida , Bonnet-Madin Lucie , Abbou Scarlette , Chen Heng-Chang , Tesfaye Robel , Cuvier Olivier
Published: January 2023

Unintegrated retroviral DNA are transcriptionally silent by mechanisms involving host chromatin silencing factors1–3. Here, we applied the proteomics of isolated chromatin segments approach (PICh)4 to reveal the proteomic of the linear unintegrated HIV-1 DNA (uniHIV-1 DNA) with the aim of identifying viral and host factors involved in its chromatin-mediated silencing 1–3 . Gene invalidation using siRNAs targeting the 456 candidates selected for their specific binding to HIV-1 DNA identified 46 factors as potential repressors of uniHIV-1 DNA. Knockdown (KD) and Knockout (KO) experiments revealed POLE3, the non-essential subunit of the polymerase epsilon (POLE), as a transcriptional repressor of the linear uniHIV-1 DNA in different cell types including primary CD4 T cells. POLE3 functions by maintaining the uniHIV-1 DNA in chromatin repressed state, preventing RNAPII recruitment to the viral LTR. We found that POLE3 and the recently identified host factors silencing uniHIV-1 DNA (CAF1 and SMC5/SMC6/SLF2) show specificity towards different forms of uniHIV-1 DNA. Unexpectedly, loss of POLE3 impaired HIV-1 replication, suggesting that derepression of unintegrated linear HIV-1 DNA is detrimental to the virus. Loss of POLE3 reduces HIV-1 integration efficiency without affecting viral DNA synthesis. Remarkably, we found that POLE3, by maintaining a repressive chromatin structure of uniHIV-1 DNA, ensures HIV-1 escape from innate immune sensing in primary CD4 T cell.
Characterization of Non-Human Primate cortical development with prenatal insights.
Authors: Ramirez Julian , Hermosillo Robert , Thomas Elina , Zhu Jennifer , Sturgeon Darrick , Schifsky Emma , Galassi Anthony , Thompson Jacqueline , Bagley Jennifer , Carpenter Samuel , Milham Michael , Miranda-Dominguez Oscar , Papadakis Samantha , Bah Muhammed , Mitchell AJ , Xu Ting , Graham Alice , Feczko Eric , Sullivan Elinor , Fair Damien
Published: January 2023

Characterizing the complexities of early cortical thickness development has been an ongoing undertaking. Longitudinal studies of Non-Human Primates (NHP) offer unique advantages to identifying cortical growth trajectories. Here, we used latent growth models to characterize the trajectories of typical cortical thickness development in Japanese macaques at each cortical surface vertex (i.e., grayordinate). Cortical thickness from 4-to-36 months showed regional-specific linear and non-linear trajectories and distinct maturation timing across the cortex. We revealed an “accumulation/ablation phenomenon” where the most profound development changes occur in zones surrounding focal points of local maxima in cortical thickness or thinness throughout the brain. We further examined maternal diet and inflammation in the context of typical brain trajectories and known network architecture. A well-controlled NHP model of a maternal “Western-style” diet was used alongside measures of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in the mothers during gestation. We observed that accumulation and ablation zones might be most susceptible to environmental effects. The maternal factors, diet, and inflammation during pregnancy were distinctively associated with different aspects of offspring cortical development reflected in regions related to distinctive functional networks. Our findings characterize the intricacies of typical cortical thickness development and highlight how the maternal environment plays a role in cortical development.
CMIP6 captures the satellite-era jet slowdown and Arctic amplification - yet projects future jet speedup and tropical amplification
Authors: Robinson Rachel M. , Scheff Jacob , Golden Nicholas
Published: January 2023

The polar-to-subtropical temperature gradient in the free troposphere is a key driver of the mid-latitude jet stream response to climate change. Climate models tend to steepen this gradient in response to large greenhouse gas increases, due to very strong subtropical upper-level warming. This strengthens the simulated jets. However, multiple lines of observational evidence point to a slowing northern jet over the satellite era, driven by enhanced Arctic free-tropospheric warming and weakening of the gradient. Here, we reconcile these seemingly contradictory results by showing that the CMIP6 ensemble successfully simulates both the observed satellite-era slowdown/weakening, and the speedup/strengthening with strong global warming. Specifically, the observed gradient weakening from 1980–1997 to 1997–2014 appears inconsistent (p < 0.05) with the simulated gradient changes for just 6 of 45 models using Microwave Satellite Unit observations, and for just 5 of 45 models using reanalysis estimates. The observed jet slowdown appears inconsistent with the simulated jet changes for just 1 of 45 models. Yet a strong majority of the models reverse course under a high-emissions future-type scenario, simulating gradient strengthening and jet speedup. Future work will seek to clarify the cause(s) of this unexpected difference between past and future atmospheric responses.
A new semiautomated three-dimensional sizing software product can reliably measure the length and diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Xiao Yao , Lei Ziqiao , Yang Ming , Qi Xiaoyu , Yang Chao
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Inaccurate preoperative assessment of aortic–iliac dimensions before endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) may result in incorrect stent graft sizing and other problems. We aimed to determine whether the sizing method performed using Dongmai is as precise and reproducible as that performed by an experienced radiologist who provides manual measurements of the length and diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).
Methods
In this retrospective study, the EVAR preoperative parameters were compared using intra-observer, interobserver, and Dongmai/radiological workstation comparison tests. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean differences, agreement limits, and absolute differences (≤ 2 mm and ≤ 5mm) were used to analyze the data.
Results
We enrolled 31 patients (24 men, 7 women; mean age: 69 ± 2.9 years) with AAA who were treated with EVAR. To determine intra-observer reliability, various parameters were repeatedly measured using Dongmai by a single user; all ICCs were > 0.9, indicating excellent reliability. The percentages of diameters and length that met the conditions were at least 91% and 77% with absolute differences of ≤ 2 mm, respectively, and 96% (both diameter and length) with absolute difference of ≤ 5 mm. Interobserver reliability assesses measurement agreement between two Dongmai users; the results were similar with those of intra-observer analysis. For the Dongmai/radiological workstation, ICC, mean differences, and agreement limits were similar between intra- and interobserver analyses. No statistically significant difference was observed among the results of the three analyses.
Conclusion
We determined the reliability of length and diameter measurements using Dongmai during preoperative assessments for EVAR.
Establishing a prediction model of severe acute mountain sickness using deep learning of support vector machine recursive feature elimination
Authors: Yang Min , Wu Yang , Yang Xing-biao , Tao Jie , Liu Tao , Li Wan , Yan Jiao , Zhang Ya , Zhuo Yue , Luo Yong , Guo Ming-yang
Published: January 2023

Background Severe acute mountain sickness (sAMS) can be life-threatening, but little is known about its genetic basis. Using microarray genotype data and phenotype data for deep learning, we aimed to explore the genetic susceptibility of sAMS for the purpose of prediction. Methods The study was based on microarray data from 112 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples of 21 subjects, who were exposed to very high altitude (5260 m), low barometric pressure (406 mmHg), and hypobaric hypoxia (VLH) at various timepoints. Subjects were investigated for the interplay effects between multiple phenotypic risk factors, and the underlying risk genes were identified to establish the prediction model of sAMS using the support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) method. Results Exposure to VLH activated the gene expression in leukocytes, resulting in inverted CD4/CD8 ratio which interplayed with other phenotypic risk factors at the genetic level (P < 0.001). 2291 underlying risk genes were input to SVM-RFE system for deep learning, and a prediction model was established with satisfactory predictive accuracy (C-index = 1), and clinical applicability for sAMS using ten featured genes with significant predictive power (P < 0.05). Five featured genes (EPHB3,DIP2B,RHEBL1,GALNT13, andSLC8A2) were identified as the upstream of hypoxia and/ or inflammation-related pathways mediated by micorRNAs as potential biomarkers for sAMS. Conclusions The established prediction model of sAMS holds promise to be clinically applied as a genetic screening tool for sAMS. More studies are needed to establish the role of the featured genes as biomarker for sAMS.
Collision tumors of the sella: co-existence of pituitary adenoma with craniopharyngioma, and review of the literature
Authors: Meng Xiao , Xue Fenglin , Wang Yijie , Huang Xiangjin , Du Jiani , Fu Jingyun
Published: January 2023

The collision of pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma has rarely been reported. This study describes a 50-year-old woman who presenting with symptoms of extremely fatigue and blurred vision. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large enhancing sellar mass with suprasellar extension that was 14×15×16 mm in size and compressing the optic chiasm. This patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery with gross total resection and the pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations showed pituitary adenoma with craniopharyngioma. During a follow-up period of two years, MRIs identified the recurrence of the lesion and the patient requires reoperation.
Development and validation of nomograms to predict overall survival and cancer specific survival of patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ming , zeng Li , Meng Muzi , Lowe Scott , Liu Xiaozhu , Hu Pengcheng , Liu Mengnan , Zeng Yuxue , Liu Ling , Mao Xiguang , Yin Chengliang , Sun Chenyu , Sun Xingyu
Published: January 2023

Background
Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare neoplasm. The purpose of this study is to identify which factors and markers contribute to affect the clinical prognosis of patients with PFTC, and to inform treatment and preventive strategies.
Methods
Patients were selected from those with confirmed PFTC registered in 2010 till 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Independent prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. These factors were used to construct a nomogram model, a survival prognostication tool for3-and 5-year overall survival (OS) and tumor-specific survival (CSS) among patients with PFTC. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to assess differences in survival time between groups.
Results
A total of 1241 patients were randomly assigned to the training group (n = 869) and the test group (n = 372). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a similar 3-year/5-year OS and CSS in patients with PFTC (70.1%/55.4% and 71.7%/57.2%, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, age (22–56, 57–71 and 72–92), race (white, black and other), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging (I, II, III, and IV) and laterality (lateral and bilateral) were independent prognostic factors for patients with PFTC. Finally, a nomogram consisting of age, race, FIGO stage, type of surgery and lymphadenectomy were constructed. The area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve values of 3-/5-year OS were 0.730/0.750 in the training group and 0.726/0.803 in the test group.
Conclusions
Nomograms constructed using various clinical indicators could help identify patients with high-risk PFTC. We have identified prognostic factors associated with OS and CSS. These factors can be examined and included further in large clinical trials involving this rare carcinoma.
Does Economic Complexity matter for the Mobilisation of Tax Revenues?
Authors: MONDJELI Mwa Ndjokou , NOMO-BEYALA Bernard Clery
Published: January 2023

Despite their importance and policies to improve their collection, tax revenues in some economies, especially developing ones, are low compared to the financing needs for economic development and growth. Whereas the literature has identified a wide range of tax mobilisation drivers, this paper stands out from previous contributions by emphasising the role of economic complexity, especially as is a robust predictor of economic development, improves human capital and mitigates income inequality which are the key determinants of tax revenue. Using a sample of 124 developed and developing countries, this paper postulate that the differences in economic complexity explain the difference in tax collection and therefore investigates the effect of economic complexity on tax revenue. Our key finding is that the more complex an economy is, the more taxes it mobilises. This finding survives several robustness analyses that use an alternative measure of economic complexity, and endogeneity issues resulting from the reverse causality between economic complexity and tax revenue. Our result is supported by the view that economic complexity improves economic development and human capital and reduces income inequality which therefore ameliorates tax collection. However, when dealing with the type of taxes this finding holds only in developing countries since in developed ones’ economic complexity hampers the mobilisation of trade and indirect taxes. In sum, these results call for measures aimed at improving diversification through industrialisation and encouraging innovation.
JEL: O14, O33, H20, H21
The roles EpCAM plays to enhance the malignancy of gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Xuewei , Zhao Ruixia , Feng Yang , Qiu Zuchun , Liu Niu , Zhou Yujuan , Bai Xue , Zhang Danying , Chen Lirong , Jia Chenshuang , Yuan Yue , Li Xinyao , Duan Wei , Nie Guochao , Hou Yingchun
Published: January 2023

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a global challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality rates especially in Asia as well as poor response to treatment. As a member of the adhesion protein family and transmembrane glycoprotein, EpCAM expressed excessively in cancer cells including GC cells. The database assay showed that EpCAM is excessively expressed and easily mutated in cancers, especially in early stage of GC.
Methods
To explore the roles EpCAM plays in oncogenesis and progression of GC, the expression of EpCAM was deleted in GC cells with CRISPR/Cas9 method, and then the changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility and motility associated microstructures in EpCAM deleted GC cells (EpCAM-/-SGC7901) were detected to evaluate the rules EpCAM played.
Results
The results showed that EpCAM deletion caused cell proliferation, motility and the development of motility relevant microstructures inhibited significantly, apoptotic trend and contact inhibition enhanced in EpCAM deleted GC cells. The results of western blot suggested that EpCAM modulates the expression of epithelial/endothelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) correlated genes. All results as above indicated that EpCAM plays important roles to enhance the oncogenesis, malignancy and progression as a GC enhancer.
Conclusions
Combining our results and published data together, the interaction of EpCAM with other proteins was also discussed and concluded in the discussion. Our results support that EpCAM can be considered as a novel target for the diagnosis and therapy of GC in future.