bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substance Abuse Poisoning Registry development: Based on lessons learned from a pilot implementation
Authors: Jebraeily Mohamad , Delirrad Mohammad , Boushehri Behzad , Pahlevanynejad Shahrbanoo , Badali Borhan
Published: February 2023

Background: Substance abuse has been recognized as a national problem in which poisoning with pharmaceutical drugs, opioids and alcohols is a common problem in Iran. Due to the lack of a comprehensive information system related to Substance abuse, despite the systematic information in health services, and to achieve this goal, the purpose of this research was to develop a registry system for substance abuse poisoning in - Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This research is a practical development study that was done in 4 phases. In the first phase, minimum data set (MDS) of the system were determined. In the second phase, the registration system was designed. The third phase includes the implementation of the system, and finally, the system was evaluated by QUIS questionnaire.
Results: A total of 58 data elements in 6 classes were recognized as essential for this system from the point of view of experts. The system was implemented on the ASP.NET platform using C# language and SQL Server database in the poisoning department of Taleghani Hospital in Urmia. The evaluation of usability of the system showed score obtained in the 6 main categories were in set of terms of the system 8.52, screen 8.36, ability to learn 8.8, overall functionality 8.04, user interface 7.98, and the overall interaction is 7.73 respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the capabilities of the system for registering poisonings caused by drug abuse, it seems necessary to implement this system in the form of a national network, in order to make the necessary interventions to control drug abuse while using resources efficiently.
Fast and accurate automated intestinal parasites egg detection and classification from images based on YOLOv5 deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Alotaibi Abdullah , Kumar Satish , Arif Tasleem
Published: February 2023

Computer vision based on deep learning has made great stride in resent time. Several deep convolutional neural network based architectures have been built since the first release of the Alexnet model. Meanwhile, very little research on parasitology, specifically intestinal parasites, is being conducted using modern deep learning architecture based on convolutional neural networks. The goal of this research is to evaluate the performance of YOLOv5's state-of-the-art deep-learning architecture for detecting and classifying intestinal parasite eggs from images. We would ensure that patients receive prompt treatment while also relieving experts of extra work if we used such an architecture. Here, in stage first, we applied image pre-processing and augmentation to the dataset, and in stage second, we utilized the YOLOv5 algorithms for detection and classification and then compared their performance based on different parameters. Our algorithms achieved a mean average precision of 97% and 8.5 ms detection time per sample for 2,393 intestinal parasite images. Thus, this approach may form a solid theoretical basis for real-time detection and classification in routine clinical examinations while accelerating the process to satisfy increasing demand.
Preliminary study on the expression of UHRF1 in early oral squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical prognostic value
Authors: Duan Xianjie , Weng Haiyan , Shen Guodong , Si Chengyun , Fei Anxing , Zhang Liyu , Zhou Yu
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To evaluate the expression of ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domain 1 (UHRF1) in early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and explore its clinical significance.
Methods: In total, 104 patients with early OSCC who had undergone surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China from 2008 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between UHRF1 and vimentin was assessed by evaluating their expression levels in OSCC tissue using immunofluorescence staining. The patients were divided into UHRF1/vimentin high and low expression groups on the basis of an immunoreactivity intensity distribution index value of 4. The relationships between the UHRF1 and vimentin expression levels and the clinic opathological characteristics of patients were analyzed. The influence of relevant risk factors on the patient survival rate was analyzed with the Kaplan– Meier method, whereas the relevant risk factors affecting the survival rate of patients with oral cancer were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model.
Results: High UHRF1 expression was observed in OSCC tissue. Likewise, vimentin was highly expressed in mesenchymal tumor tissue, and its expression level was positively correlated with that of UHRF1 (R2 = 0.2626, P < 0.001). UHRF1 expression was correlated with the patient gender; N stage; T, N stages of the 8th edition of TNM classification; tumor differentiation; occult lymph node metastasis; neck recurrence; and postoperative local recurrence (P < 0.05). Moreover, it was positively correlated with the depth of invasion (R2 = 0.2105, P < 0.001). The vimentin expression level was related to the patient gender, T stage, 8th edition T stage, occult lymph node metastasis, neck recurrence, and local recurrence (P < 0.05). According to the Cox regression model, the UHRF1 expression level of UHRF1 was an influencing factor affecting the survival rate of patients (HR: 2.64; 95 CI%: 1.35–5.15; P = 0.004).
Conclusion: UHRF1 is highly expressed in early OSCC and is closely related to epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the prognosis of patients.
Arsenic induced autophagy-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Yao , Liu Xudan , Zhang Qianhui , Wang Huanhuan , Zhang Ruo , Ge Yanhong , Liang Huning , Li Wanying , Fan Juanjun , Liu Huimin , Lv Zhengyang , Wang Yi , Li Xin
Published: February 2023

Arsenic contamination of groundwater remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity receives increasing attention, however, the mechanism remains unclear. Hippocampal neuronal death is regarded as the main event of arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction. Mitochondria lesion is closely related to cell death, however, the effects of arsenic on PGAM5-regulated mitochondrial dynamics has not been documented. Crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis is complicated and autophagy has a dual role in the apoptosis pathways in neuronal cells. In this study, arsenic exposure resulted in mitochondrial PGAM5 activation and subsequent activation of apoptosis and AMPK-mTOR dependent autophagy. Intervention by autophagy activator Rapamycin or inhibitor 3-MA, both targeting at mTOR, accordingly induced activation or inhibition of apoptosis. Intervention by MK-3903 or dorsomorphin, activator or inhibitor of AMPK, received similar results. Our findings suggested that arsenic-induced PGAM5 activation played a role in AMPK-mTOR dependent autophagy and arsenic induced autophagy-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Geochemical behavior of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in urban reservoirs: the case of Funil Reservoir, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Authors: Neves Joanna Maria da Cunha de Oliveira Santos , Patchineelam Sambasiva Rao , Araujo Daniel Ferreira , Godoy José Marcos Oliveira , Almeida Ana Cristina
Published: February 2023

Rare earth elements (REE) have unique chemical properties, which allow their use as geochemical tracers. In this context, the present study aims to assess the role of Funil Reservoir on REE biogeochemical behavior. We collected water samples upstream of the reservoir (P-01) in the city of Queluz, inside the reservoir (P-02) and downstream of Funil Reservoir (P-03) in the city of Itatiaia, RJ. In the field, physicochemical parameters were measured using a probe (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen). In the laboratory, water samples were filtered (0,45 µm) and properly packed until chemical analysis. Chlorophyll a concentrations were determined by a spectrophotometric method and suspended particulate matter (SPM) by a gravimetric method. Ionic concentrations were determined by ion chromatography technique and REE concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. Chlorophyll a concentrations were higher in Funil Reservoir. Ionic concentrations in Queluz (P-01) suggest anthropic contamination. The sum of REE in the dissolved fraction ranged from 2.12 to 12.22 µg L− 1. A positive anomaly of La in Queluz indicates anthropic contamination. The observed patterns indicate that Funil Reservoir acts as a biogeochemical barrier, modifying the fluvial transport of REE. Nonetheless, another factor that probably influences REE behavior is the algal bloom that occurs in reservoirs during the rainy season. The seasonal behavior of algae can influence REE biogeochemistry through the incorporation and release of trace metals.
Genetic Deletion of cyclooxygenase-1 ameliorates neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in 5×FAD mice
Authors: Wang Jie , Ni Hong , Wei luyao , Ding Hanqing , Guo Zhongzhao , Yu Ying , Luo Jia , Ke Zun-Ji
Published: February 2023

Background:Neuroinflammation is one of the most important contributing factors for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) is distinctly expressed in microglia and involved in microglia activation and neuroinflammation in the AD. However, the molecular mechanisms by which COX-1 regulated microglia activation and participated in AD progression remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying COX-1 regulation of neuroinflammation.Methods:C57BL/6J, 5×FAD and 5×FAD/COX-1 knockout (KO) mice of different ages (e.g. 3-month-old, 6-month-old, 9-month-old) were used. Motor function and cognitive ability were evaluated using the open field test, novel-object recognition test and Morris water maze tests. The deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) was examined by Thioflavin-S fluorescence, and neuroinflammation was investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.Results:Konock out (KO) of COX-1 improved cognitive impairment and motor deficits, and reduced the accumulation of Aβ plaques in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. COX-1 KO promoted microglia transition from M1 to M2 status, and reduced NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. This was mediated by the inhibition of prostaglandin E2(PGE2)/EP2 pathway and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA)-nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) p65 axis.Conclusions:COX-1 may contribute to the impairment of clearance Aβ and exacerbation of neuroinflammation which led to cognitive deficits in 5×FAD transgenic mice. The effects of COX-1 were mediated through PGE2/EP2 pathway which activated cAMP-PKA-NFκB p65 axis and NLRP3 inflammasome. The results suggest that the inhibition of COX-1 may be a potential pharmacological approach for the treatment of AD.
HAUS5 is a novel prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma that is associated with poor clinical outcomes
Authors: liu yonggang , Liang Jiyun , Li Xi , Huang Junyong , Huang Jiangyuan , Wang Jiale
Published: February 2023

Background
The Augmin Like Complex Subunit 5 (HAUS5) is involved in microtubule generation and centrosome assembly. Loss of HAUS5 function leads to loss of centrosome integrity, ultimately promoting tumor formation by causing functional defects and chromosome dislocation in the bipolar spindle. However, the role of HAUS5 in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.
Methods and results
This research dealt with investigating the role of HAUS5 in HCC and reported that HAUS5 is over-expressed in HCC tissues and cells. It was also found that its high expression levels were a crucial risk factor that affected HCC patients’ survival status. Correlation analysis depicted that HAUS5 expression was linked to immune infiltration in HCC. A nomogram model with good predictive capability with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.969 was constructed by integrating the clinical features of HCC and HAUS5 expression levels. HAUS5 knockdown remarkably attenuated the migration abilities and invasiveness of HCC cells.
Conclusion
HAUS5 is over-expressed in HCC tissues and could be used as a novel prognostic biomarker for patients with HCC.
Knowledge and Practices of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Rural Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: El-Gamel Noura Gomaa Fawzy , El-Nemer Amina Mohamed Rashad
Published: February 2023

Background
Worldwide exclusive breastfeeding is still recommended as a successful strategy even during COVID − 19 pandemic to lower infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among rural women during COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted at EL-Morabeen Family Medicine Center, in rural Damietta, Egypt among 178 lactating women who were chosen by purposive sample. A developed structured questionnaire consisting of four parts was used for gathering data between March to May 2022 to assess knowledge and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Univariate analysis for descriptive data and bivariate analysis through the Chi-square test were performed.
Results
The current study revealed that 73% of the studied rural women didn’t receive any breastfeeding counselling during antenatal visits. Only 15.2% of them breastfeed their infant exclusively for 6 months while 88.2% of mothers delayed breastfeeding initiation after delivery and 48.3% administered the pre-lacteal feeds. 98.3% of rural women had never made skin to skin contact. Additionally, a statistically significant association between good knowledge, practices with highly educated women aged from 26–30 years, with family income of 4000–6000 L.E was found. Furthermore, only 26.4% and 26.1% respectively of rural women had good knowledge and practice score.
Conclusion
Suboptimal breastfeeding practices as delayed onset of breastfeeding, low percentages of exclusivity, early weaning, pre-lacteal feeding administration, and lack of skin-to-skin contact were prevalent among the studied rural mothers. Breastfeeding counselling for all pregnant women and implementation of evidence-based practices in health care system as early initiation of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact are recommended.
A pan-cancer analysis of Dyskeratosis congenita 1 (DKC1) as a prognostic biomarker
Authors: Liu Xin-ying , Tan Qing , li linxiao
Published: February 2023

Background
Dyskeratosis congenita 1 (DKC1), a critical component of telomerase complex, is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. However, the association of DKC1 with cancer occurrence and development stages is unclear, thus the pan-cancer analysis appears essential.
Methods
Though bioinformatic databases including TIMER, GEPIA, UALCAN and KM plotter Analysis, we studied the different expression of DKC1 in multiple tissues and the correlation of DKC1 expression with pathological stages. The DKC1-associated genes and signaling pathways were revealed though KEGG analysis, GO enrichment analysis and Venn analysis. Moreover, we preformed the CCK, wound healing assay, cell cycle arrest assay, transwell assay and Sa-β-gal staining in DKC1-deleted MDA-231 cells.
Results
Our study shows that DKC1 has relatively low expression specificity in different tissues. Moreover, in ACC, KICH, KIRP and LIHC, the DKC1 expression level is correlated with the pathological stages positively. In addition, in NHSC, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, MESO and SARC, a negative influence of DKC1 expression level on overall survival rate was detected. DKC1 expression and Tumor Mutational Burn were significantly positively correlated in 14 tumors. In the case of BRCA, a significantly negative influence of DKC1 DNA methylation on gene expression was found at the promoter region. We also found plenty of phosphorylation sites concentrated at the C-terminus of the DKC1 protein. With the GO analysis, DKC1 and ribosomal biosynthesis pathways are correlated, and the common element UTP14A is revealed. Moreover, decreased rates of cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were found in DKC1 knockout MDA-MB-231 cell lines. DKC1-knockout also arrested cell cycle and caused cell senescence.
Conclusions
The accurate expression of DKC1 is highly related with the pathological occurrence and development stages in multiple tissues. The depletion of DKC1 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of cancer cells by inhibiting cell cycle then causing cell senescense. This showed that DKC1 can serve as a prognostic biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in different tissues.
Facial Emotions Detection using an Efficient Neural Architecture Search Network
Authors: Islam Usman , Mahum Rabbia , AlSalman AbdulMalik
Published: February 2023

Facial emotion detection is a challenging task that deals with emotion recognition. It has applications in various domains, such as behavior analysis, surveillance systems and human-computer interaction (HCI). Numerous studies have been implemented to detect emotions, including classical machine learning algorithms and advanced deep learning algorithms. For the machine learning algorithm, the hand-crafted feature needs to be extracted, which is a tiring task and requires human effort. Whereas in deep learning models, automated feature extraction is employed from samples. Therefore, in this study, we have proposed a novel and efficient deep learning model based on Neural Architecture Search Network utilizing superior artificial networks such as RNN and child networks. We performed the training utilizing the FER 2013 dataset comprising seven classes: happy, angry, neutral, sad, surprise, fear, and disgust. Furthermore, we analyzed the robustness of the proposed model on CK + datasets and comparing with existing techniques. Due to the implication of reinforcement learning in the network, most representative features are extracted from the sample network. It extracts all key features without losing the key information. Our proposed model is based on one stage classifier and performs efficient classification. Our technique outperformed the existing models attaining an accuracy of 98.14%, recall of 97.57%, and precision of 97.84%.
Retrospective analysis of prognosis of tumor patients co-infected with COVID-19
Authors: ma xiao , Yang Bing , Ma Jie
Published: February 2023

Objective: To evaluate the effect of inflammatory factors produced by COVID-19 on the prognosis of tumor patients, and the effect of tumors with high expression of such inflammatory factors on the prognosis of COVID-19.
Methods: Combining the GEPIA database with R language software, we analyzed the effects of IL6, TNF, IL2RA and IL10 on the survival of 33 tumors types in the TCGA database. Then we analyzed the effects of inflammatory factors secreted by tumors on the progression and prognosis of COVID-19 using the data published jointly by nine hospitals in Wuhan.
Results: 1, The inflammatory factors IL6, TNF, IL2RA and IL10 produced by COVID-19 have different effects on the prognosis of different types of tumors. IL6 is more sensitive than TNF, IL2RA and IL10 in the assessment of tumor prognosis. 2, Tumors with high expression of IL6 are more likely to progress to severe high-risk case when infected with COVID-19 (severe COVID-19 rates 68.22%, P=0.042), with multiple organ severe damage, high mortality rates(23.36%, P=0.013) and poor prognosis. Tumor patients with high expression of TNF and IL10 also have higher mortality rates after infection with COVID-19 ,which were 23.60% (P= 0.027) and 23.28% (P = 0.007) respectively.
Conclusion: There is a sophisticated interaction between tumor and COVID-19, which IL6, TNF, IL2RA and IL10 produced by COVID-19 will affect the prognosis of tumors, while tumors with high expression of these inflammatory factors will also interfere with the prognosis of COVID-19. IL6 plays a more sensitive role in the evaluation of tumor prognosis of with COVID-19 and the prognosis of COVID-19 with tumor. Active use of IL6 antagonist therapy provides a new treatment idea for tumor patients co-infected with COVID-19.
Implications for Practice: This article supports that IL6 produced by COVID-19 has an effect on the prognosis of various tumors. At the same time, tumors with high expression of IL6 are more likely to progress to severe high-risk case when infected with COVID-19. Active use of IL6 antagonist therapy provides a new treatment idea for tumor patients co-infected with COVID-19.
Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Streptococcus Pyogenes Bloodstream Infections in Children in Spain
Authors: Cobo-Vázquez Elvira , Aguilera-Alonso David , Carbayo Tania , Figueroa-Ospina Lucía , Sanz-Santaeufemia Francisco José , Baquero-Artigao Fernando , Vázquez-Ordoñez Carmen , Carrasco-Colom Jaime , Blázquez-Gamero Daniel , Jiménez-Montero Beatriz , Grasa-Lozano Carlos , Cilleruelo Maria José , Álvarez Ana , Comín-Cabrera Cristina , Penín María , Cercenado-Mansilla Emilia , Valle Rut Del , Roa Miguel Ángel , Diego Irene García-De , Calvo Cristina , Saavedra-Lozano Jesús
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Studies have shown increased invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease, including bloodstream infections (GAS-BSI). However, the epidemiological data of GAS-BSI are limited in children. We aimed to describe GAS-BSI in Spanish children over 13 years (2005-2017).
Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study from 16 Spanish hospitals. Epidemiology, symptomatology, laboratory, treatment, and outcome of GAS-BSI in children ≤16 years were analyzed.
Results: 109 cases of GAS-SBI were included, with incidence rate of 4.3 episodes/100,000 children attended at the emergency department/year. We compared incidence between two periods (P1:2005-June 2011 vs P2:July 2011-2017) and observed a non-significant increase along the study period (APC:+6.0% [95%CI:-2.7,+15.4]; p=0.163).
Median age was 24.1 months (IQR:14.0–53.7), peaking during the first four years of life (89/109 cases;81.6%). Primary BSI (46.8%), skin and soft tissue (21.1%), and osteoarticular infections (18.3%) were the most common syndromes. We compared children with primary BSI with those with a known source and observed that the former had shorter hospital stay (7vs.13 days; p=0.003) and received intravenous antibiotics less frequently (72.5%vs.94.8%; p=0.001) and for shorter periods (10vs.21 days; p=0.001). 22% of cases required PICU admission. Factors associated with severity were respiratory distress, pneumonia, thrombocytopenia, and surgery, but in multivariate analysis, only respiratory distress remained significant (adjusted OR:9.23 [95%CI:2.16-29.41]). Two children (1.8%) died.
Conclusion: We observed a trend in increased incidence of GAS-BSI within the study period. Younger children were more frequently involved, and primary BSI was the most common and less severe syndrome. PICU admission was frequent, being respiratory distress the main risk factor.
Enhanced machine learning method for classification of rocks and structures using outlier filter
Authors: NELSON N LEO BRIGHT TENNISSON , VANATHI B , PABITHA C
Published: February 2023

Artificial Intelligence provide effective solution to many real time problems and challenges in the world. Real Time Analysis of rocks and structures is one of such challenges. Many situations require gaining the knowledge of rocks or building or structures. Examples where such analysis required are mining, rescue operations, sailing of ships and many more. Structure of rocks or debris or icebergs is got through advanced imaging system and sensors. If other parameter regarding the object under study is available those parameters is also used for classification along with the image. This paper introduces application of Artificial Intelligence algorithm for analyzing and predicting the structure of earth or rock.
Hsa_circ_0002198 mediated by EIF4A3 promotes the proliferation and cell cycle progression of keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Xu Zidi , Li Chang , Liu Xueyi , Zhou Yongting , Zhang Yingbo , Wang Jie , Wu Hao , Peng Yixuan , Xiao Zhibo
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives Emerging evidence suggests that Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important biological role in keloid diseases, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of hsa_circ_0002198 in keloid formation. Methods Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect circ_0002198 expression in keloid tissues, normal skin tissues, keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and normal skin fibroblasts(NFs). To study the function of circ_0002198 in kelkelite, we used cell transfection technology to knock down circ_0002198. Cell counting kit-8༈CCK-8༉, 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine༈EdU༉, Transwell, wound healing assay, flow cytometry and other experiments were used to study the potential mechanism of circ_0002198 expression. The RNA-binding protein Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A,isoform 3༈EIF4A3༉bound to circ_0002198 was identified and confirmed using bioinformatics database prediction and RNA immunoprecipitation ༈RIP༉assay. The expression of EIF4A3 was detected and interfered to verify the correlation between EIF4A3 and circ_0002198. Results The expression levels of circ_0002198 and EIF4A3 in keloid and KFs were significantly higher than in normal skin and NFs. Decreasing circ_0002198 expression in KFs significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of KFs, block the cell cycle process and expression of related proteins, and promote apoptosis in KFs. EIF4A3 can bind to the flanks of circ_0002198 and mediate the occurrence of circ_0002198, jointly regulating KF function. Conclusion Circ_0002198 regulates the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of KFs and blocks their cell cycle process. EIF4A3 is mediated by targeted binding to circ_0002198, thus affecting the biological functions of KFs.
Transition Metal-N2P2 Embedded Graphene (TM-NPC) as Single Atoms Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction: A Computational Study
Authors: Kancharlapalli Srinivasu
Published: February 2023

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the major hurdle for the development of efficient fuel cells. Since the conventional Pt based catalysts are very expensive, development of noble metal free catalysts for accelerating the kinetics of oxygen reduction reactions is highly important. Here, we explored transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) decorated over the nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped graphene as single atoms catalyst. Among the four metal decorated systems considered, oxygen molecule is found to bind with only Fe and Co systems. Both the Fe and Co decorated systems were systematically investigated for their activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction through the four-electron reduction path. From the free energies calculated for all the intermediate reactions of ORR, Fe-decorated system was found to have lower overpotential as compared to the Co-decorated system indicating the former one as superior catalyst for ORR.
A Participatory Scenario and Spatially Explicit Approach for Envisioning the Future scenarios of Land-Use/Land-cover Change on Ecosystem Service Provisioning to Inform Sustainable Landscape Management: The Case of Coastal Southwestern Ghana
Authors: Asante-Yeboah Evelyn , Koo HongMi , Sieber Stefan , Furst Christine
Published: February 2023

Land-use changes such as settlement and commercial agricultural land expansion heavily influence the sustainability of landscapes and ecosystem service (ES) provisioning. Land managers and decision-makers are becoming increasingly concerned about the consequences of land-use change and advocate for integrated approaches to landscape sustainability. Integrated landscape approaches, which incorporate stakeholder views and opinions, are less explored. Especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where most of the population relies on natural resources and agricultural land-use products, integrating stakeholder knowledge in evaluating ES and landscape sustainability remain less studied. This study applied a participatory scenario-building approach combined with a spatially explicit simulation to unravel the impact of potential future scenarios based on a business-as-usual (BAU) trajectory of the coastal landscapes in southwestern Ghana. Through workshops, the perceptions of the land-use actors on locally relevant ES, ES indicator values, and the specific simulation conditions of the major land-use change, which is the expansions in rubber plantations (out-grower scheme) and settlements, were identified. The collected local knowledge was integrated into a spatially explicit modeling platform, allowing the visualization and comparison of different scenario impacts, such as synergies or trade-offs between ES. The results presented how land-use actors' perceptions could influence the landscape capacity of ES provisioning. The results indicated risk in ES delivery and landscape sustainability challenges, hence calling for effective land-use policies to control socio-economic activities and increase diversity in land-use under sustainable landscape development.
Oxygen Evolution Behavior of La1−xSrxFeO3−δ Electrodes in LiCl−KCl Melt
Authors: Kimura Shunichi , Fukumoto Takashi , Suzuki Yuta , Goto Takuya
Published: February 2023

Electrochemical reduction processes of oxides in molten salt have been proposed as the carbon free technology in order to achieve carbon neutral. The anodic behavior of La1−xSrxFeO3−δ as an oxygen-evolution anode in LiCl−KCl at 723 K is investigated. Data suggests that at 723 K, the electrical conductivity of La1−xSrxFeO3−δ tends to increase as the extent of Sr doping. The anodic reactions of La1−xSrxFeO3−δ electrodes are characterized by electrochemical measurements in LiCl−KCl + Li2O at 723 K. Based on the cyclic voltammograms of the La0.7Sr0.3FeO3−δ electrode, oxygen evolution has proceeded between 2.7 V and 3.6 V. The potential of La0.7Sr0.3FeO3−δ electrode during galvanostatic electrolysis has conducted at 39 mA cm-2 for 15 h has remained stable at 2.8 V, indicating that the stable evolution of oxygen gas is monitored. The corrosion rate is estimated to have the low value of 8.6 × 10−4 g cm−2 h−1. Electrode surface data collect after electrolysis indicate that La0.7Sr0.3FeO3−δ electrode has excellent chemical and physical stability in LiCl−KCl at 723 K. Evidence thus indicates that La0.7Sr0.3FeO3−δ electrode is a promising candidate material as inert anodes for oxides decomposition. As one of application of the La0.7Sr0.3FeO3−δ electrode, the electrolysis reduction of CO2 was also successfully achieved.
A genomic perspective of the aging human and mouse lung with a focus on immune response and cellular senescence
Authors: He Meng , Borlak Jürgen
Published: February 2023

Background The aging lung is a complex process and influenced by various stressors, especially airborne pathogens and xenobiotics. Additionally, a lifetime exposure to antigens results in structural and functional changes of the lung; yet, an understanding of the cell type specific responses remains elusive. To gain insight into age-related changes in lung function and inflammaging, we evaluated genes mechanistically linked to extracellular matrix (ECM), cellular senescence, immune response and pulmonary surfactant and interrogated single cell RNAseq data to fingerprint cell type specific changes. Results We identified 139 and 52 mouse and human genes linked to ECM remodeling which accounted for 54% and 20%, respectively of ECM coding genes. Furthermore, we identified 64 and 13 mouse and human genes linked to cellular senescence, and the majority code for the senescence associated secretory phenotype. These cytokines, chemokines and growth factors are primarily secreted by macrophages and fibroblasts. Single-cell RNAseq data confirmed age-related induced expression of marker genes of macrophages, neutrophil, eosinophil, dendritic, NK-, CD4+, CD8+-T and B cells in the lung of aged mice. This included the highly significant regulation of 20 genes coding for the CD3-T-cell receptor complex. Conversely, for the human lung we observed primarily macrophage marker genes that changed with age. Additionally, we observed an age-related induced expression of marker genes for mouse AT1, AT2, ciliated, club, goblet and endothelial cells while for the human lung, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts marker genes increased with age. We therefore infer a change in cellular activity of these cell types with age. Furthermore, we identified predominantly repressed expression of surfactant coding genes, especially the surfactant transporter Abca3, thus highlighting remodeling of surfactant lipids with implications for the production of inflammatory lipids and immune response. Conclusion We report the genomic landscape of the aging lung and provide a rationale for its growing stiffness and age related inflammation. By comparing the mouse and human pulmonary genome, we identified important differences between the two species and highlight the complex interplay of inflammaging, senescence and its links to ECM remodeling in healthy but aged individuals.
Clinical outcomes for pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma patients: an institutional experience
Authors: Sullivan Jared , Chandler James , Lesniak Maciej , Tate Matthew , Sonabend Adam , Kalapurakal John , Horbinski Craig , Lukas Rimas , Kumthekar Priya , Sachdev Sean
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Report our institutional experience with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) to contribute to limited data on optimal management.
Methods
Patients with pathologically confirmed PXA treated at our institution between 1990 and 2019 were identified. Demographic information, tumor grade, treatment variables, and clinical outcomes were collected from patient charts. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to summarize two primary outcome measurements: progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Outcomes were stratified by tumor grade and extent of resection. Cox regression and log-rank testing were performed.
Results
We identified 17 patients with pathologically confirmed PXA. Two patients were excluded due to incomplete treatment information or < 6m of follow-up; 15 patients were analyzed (median follow-up 4.4y). Six patients had grade 2 PXA and 9 had grade 3 anaplastic PXA. The 2-year and 5-year PFS for the cohort was 57% and 33%, respectively; 2-year and 5-year OS was 93% and 75%, respectively. Patients with grade 2 tumors exhibited superior PFS compared to those with grade 3 tumors (2-year PFS: 100% vs. 28%, 5-year PFS: 60% vs. 14%), hazard ratio, 5.09 (95% CI:1.06–24.50), p = 0.02. Undergoing a GTR also yielded improved outcomes (hazard ratio: 0.38, p = 0.15). All but one (89%) of the grade 3 patients underwent RT.
Conclusion
The poor survival of the cohort, especially with grade 3 tumors, suggests the need for more aggressive treatment, including maximal resection followed by intensive adjuvant therapy. Better prognostics of tumor recurrence are needed to guide the use of adjuvant therapy.
Simulating one-way electric carsharing systems with a multi-agent model
Authors: WANG Daoge , Ye Jianhong , YU Bin , JING Peng , GAO Lei
Published: February 2023

With improved technology and supported public policy, electric vehicles (EVs) are coming back in one-way carsharing from the 2010s. Although the addition of EVs offers a way to achieve carbon neutrality, the shorter vehicle range and longer charging time of EVs pose a greater challenge to the operation of one-way carsharing than fuel vehicles. Common methods (e.g., mathematical model) are difficult to deal with such a complex system composed of "user-station-parking space-vehicle-energy", where supply and demand are restricted by mutual feedback. Therefore, this paper builds a one-way electric carsharing model and integrates it into an open-source multi-agent transport simulation platform (MATSim) to study its supply and demand relationship. A Shanghai baseline scenario was built to validate the model and test the impacts of vehicle range, charging rate, and power supply mode on carsharing demand. The results show that: (1) Vehicle range expansion and charging rate improvement have less impact on carsharing demand. The current vehicle range and charging rate can meet the daily use in Shanghai. (2) When the power supply mode changes from charging piles to battery swapping, the carsharing usage decreases slightly (-3%), while the carsharing trip characteristics remain almost the same. This means that operators could use battery swapping for power supply. This study provides suggestions for electric carsharing operators in Shanghai, as well as a simulation tool for more operators to test the supply and demand relationship of electric carsharing.
Double intensification centers of summer marine heatwaves in the South China Sea associated with global warming
Authors: Dong Tianyun , Liu Fei , Dong Wenjie , Zhu Xian , Hu Shijian , Yao Yulong , Shi Hui
Published: February 2023

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) in the South China Sea (SCS) have prolonged impacts on local ecosystems and economies, and accurate projection of MHWs under future global warming is important for high-quality local social development. The future change in the spatial pattern of MHWs, however, is not clear against the well-known MHW overall intensification. Here we find that Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models can well capture the main distribution of observed SCS MHWs, showing uniform distribution of frequency, “north high-south low” distribution of mean intensity and cumulative intensity, except that the simulated center of long MHW duration center is shifted to the southern SCS compared to the central SCS in observations. Under the Shared Socioeconomic Path-way 1-2.6 (SSP126) scenario, the increase of MHW cumulative intensity shows a double-center structure in the northern coastal region and southern SCS, which is mainly caused by the large increase of frequency and mean intensity in the north and increase of duration in the south. Both SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios project similar patterns of MHW intensification, but with larger magnitudes. The climatological distribution of mixed layer depth, which is deeper in the south and shallower in the north, contributes to this spatial distribution of SCS MHW change. Strong seasonal-mean sea surface temperature warming in the northern SCS caused by enhanced solar radiation also contributes to the northern center of intensification in MHW frequency and mean intensity.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aicardi–Goutières Syndrome Induced by Novel Compound Heterozygous Mutations of TREX1: an unaffected Live Birth
Authors: Xu Huiling , Pu JiaJie , Lin SuiLing , Hu Rui , Yao JiLong , Li XueMei
Published: February 2023

Background: Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare, autosomal recessive, hereditary neurodegenerative disorder. Which is characterized mainly by early onset progressive encephalopathy, concomitant with an increase in interferon-α levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a procedure that could choose unaffected embryos to transferr after analysis of biopsied cells, which allows at-risk couples without facing the risk of pregnancy termination.
Methods: Trio-WES, Karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were used for determining the family’s pathogenic mutations. To blocked the inheritance of the disease, multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycles (MALBAC) was used for whole genome amplification of biopsied trophectoderm(TE) cells. Sanger sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotyping were used to detect the state of gene mutations. Copy number variations (CNV) analysis was also carried out to prevent embryonic chromosomal abnormalities. Prenatal diagnosis was preformed to verify the PGT outcomes.
Results: A total of 3 blastocysts formed after intracytoplasmic sperm injection were biopsied. After genetic analysis, an embyro identified heterozygous mutation in TREX1 without CNVs was transferred. The couple finally got a healthy baby through PGT with haplotype linkage analysis.
Conclusions: In this study, we first identified two noval pathogenic mutations in TREX1, which has not been previously reported. Our study provided valuable knowledge of the molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling for AGS and extends the mutation spectrum of TREX1 gene.
Deep Learning LSTM-based MPPT Control of 100kW Dual Stage Grid Tied Solar PV System
Authors: Younas Umair , Kulaksiz Ahmet Afsin
Published: February 2023

The simultaneous rise in energy demand brought on by urbanization, industrialization, population growth, and the significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions from conventional energy sources pushes the energy market to divert towards sustainable energy. Among renewables, Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been identified as an abundant, clean, environmentally friendly, noiseless, and economically sustainable energy source to fulfill the future energy demand. However, the output power of a solar PV panel is unpredictable due to temperature (T) and irradiance (G) fluctuations, as well as the relatively low efficiency of solar cells (15 to 25%) limits its applications in grid-connected mode. To work for the PV panel at its maximum power, this paper presents the deep learning associated with Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller for a 100 kW grid-connected PV array. The performance of the proposed LSTM-based MPPT is contrasted with that of the Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and the traditional Perturb and Optimization (P&O) MPPT controller using the Simulink MATLAB environment. Over one million datasets, the LSTM and FFNN are trained for two inputs (T, G) and a single output (Vmp). The Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Average Error (MAE), and Prediction error between the actual power and the extracted power by the respective MPPT are used as performance indices in the comparison of LSTM and FFNN. The trained models are exported to Simulink, where an MPPT comparison is accomplished among the LSTM, FFNN, and P&O controllers. LSTM-based MPPT controller extracted more power in kilo watt (99.14) from the PV panel than FFNN (96.75) and P&O (95.11) controllers. The LSTM comprised of least RMSE value (0.20) than FFNN (2.62), and P&O (4.22) respectively. Hence, the proposed LSTM MPPT controller proceeded to establish the control of active power between the PV array and grid, Direct Current (DC) bus voltage control, and grid-tied inverter control
Development of a data visualization platform that uses evidence-based recommendations of short-term guidelines for ambient air levels of benzene during disaster response
Authors: Danforth Cloelle , Portier Christopher , Ensor Kathrine , Hopkins Loren , Evans Bryan , McGraw Katlyn , Quist Arbor , Craft Elena
Published: February 2023

Background
Industrial disasters have led to hazardous air pollution and public health impacts. Response officials have limited exposure guidelines to consult during the event; often, guidelines are outdated and may not represent relevant elevated-exposure periods. During the 2019 Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire in Houston, large-scale releases of benzene—a hazardous chemical and known carcinogen—presented a public health threat. This incident, among others, highlight the need for effective response and nimble, rapid public health communication.
Method
We developed a data-driven visualization tool to store, display, and interpret ambient benzene concentration information to assist health officials during environmental emergencies. Guidance values to interpret risk from acute exposure to benzene were updated using recent literature and regulatory guidance, which additionally consider exposure periodicity. The visualization platform can process data from several types of sampling instruments and air monitors automatically and publicly display information in real-time, along with the associated risk information, and action recommendations. The protocol was validated by retrospectively applying it to the ITC event.
Results
The new guidance values are 6- to 30-times lower than those derived by the Texas regulatory agency. Fixed-site monitoring data assessed using the protocol and revised thresholds, indicated an additional 8 shelter-in-place and 17 air quality alerts would have occurred. At least one of these shelter-in-place alerts corresponded to prolonged, elevated benzene concentrations (~ 1000 ppb).
Conclusion
This new tool addresses essential gaps in timely communication of air pollution measurements, provides context to understand potential health risks from exposure to benzene, and provides a clear protocol for local officials in responding to industrial air releases of benzene. This type of protocol has been identified as a critical need by several community groups in the Houston region who have expressed concerns about disparities in air quality attributable, in part, to industry air emission exceedances.
Isolation and characterization of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) bacterial pathogens from diverse environmental niches of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Bharti  , Bali Parul , Minhas Naveen
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerged as a major challenge to public health and significantly impacting the global economy. Infections due to multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria are difficult to treat and cause financial burden on patients. Environment may serve as a genetic pool of several drug resistant genes and help bacteria to emerge as notorious superbugs. This study aims to characterize MDR bacterial isolates from environmental samples and comparative analysis of MDR and multi-drug sensitive (MDS) strains for the expression of virulence factors. Twenty six (n = 26) different environmental samples (water, soil, air and surface) were collected for the purpose. Thirty (n = 30) bacterial isolates belong to 13 different genera (Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia spp., Bacillus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Shigella spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., Streptobacillus spp. and Proteus spp.) were identified. All recovered isolates were susceptible to aminoglycosides class of antibiotics tested. The most frequently isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus (23.33%) and recovered from all environmental sources except water. Overall 63.33% (19/30) bacterial isolates were MDR, of which, 73.68% (14/19) were extensively drug resistant (XDR). Incidence of MDR and XDR phenotype was higher among isolates recovered from water samples and least among surface samples. Biofilm production was observed in all the isolates as weak (53.34%) and moderate (46.66%). MDR plus XDR phenotype was observed among 42.85% (6/14) of the moderate biofilm producers. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between MDR and MDS isolates for the expression of virulence traits (p > 0.05 for calculated χ2 of 8.496).