bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cysteine-modified copper oxide nanoparticle doped in polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane for protein removal and treatment of poultry wastewater
Authors: Hasbullah Hasrinah , Sabri Nurul Shahira Mohd , Hamdan Jasmine , Lau WJ , Sadikin Aziatul Niza , Ibrahim Norazana , Rahman Sunarti Abd
Published: September 2022

Discharge of wastewater with high organic materials demands a significant development of polymeric ultrafiltration membrane for efficient treatment. Among the various nanomaterials used as additives in the polymeric membrane, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were particularly notable. The nanoparticles are available at an inexpensive cost, with vast surface area and ease of surface functionalization. However, the nanoparticle tends to agglomerate in the polymeric membrane due to the high surface activity of particles with smaller sizes. Surface modification of CuO NPs using amino acid L-cysteine as a stabilizer can overcome this problem. In this work, the surface modification process undergoes ultrasonication to create covalent anchoring at different ratios of L-cysteine to CuO NPs. Preparation of dope solution involves the addition of 18.0 wt.% polysulfone (PSf) and 5 wt.% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Then, the fabrication of the flat sheet membranes employs an immersion precipitation process. The TEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of modified CuO NPs. Investigation using SEM, AFM, porosity, tensile strength, and zeta potential thoroughly characterized the membrane. Measurements of contact angle and water content uptake determined the membrane hydrophilicity. Evaluation of pure water flux (PWF), protein rejection, antifouling capability, and filtration performance of synthetic poultry wastewater propose the membrane separation performance. Data revealed that modified nanoparticles improved the ability of the membrane to resist fouling, and BSA rejection was above 95%. Accordingly, the PSf membrane with a 1:1 ratio of L-cysteine to CuO NPs showed the best UF performance.
Efficacy and Safety of Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction on Mild Allergic Asthma: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Single-Center Trial
Authors: Shao Dongmei , Lyu Mingsheng , Sun Pengcheng , Cui Hongsheng , Wang Ji , Wang Qi
Published: September 2022

Background: Allergic asthma (AA) is a common asthma phenotype. The variable and recurrent clinical symptoms cause a lot of pain to the patients, but there is no complete cure for the disease. It is worth noting that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has some advantages in the treatment of AA. Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction (TMDCD) is an effective prescription from Professor Wang Qi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and master of Chinese medicine. Our previous studies with animal experiment have proved the efficacy of decoct TMDCD. Therefore, we designed a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TMDCD in the treatment of mild AA. Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. 324 subjects will be recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio in the Intervention and control groups. The Intervention group and control group will be administered TMDCD granules and placebo granules, respectively. The primary outcome measures are the total dose of budesonide-formoterol and Total Asthma Symptom Score(TASS). The secondary outcome measures include times of AA exacerbation, Asthma Control Test(ACT), The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), total IgE and allergen specific IgE, lung function testing, Blood routine, Constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire(AQLQ) and the total dose of cetirizine hydrochloride. The study period will last for 60 weeks, including 12 weeks for treatment time and 48 weeks for follow-up period.
Discussion: We hypothesized that TMDCD might effectively relieve the symptoms of AA, reduce the number of relapses and the dosage of inhaled corticosteroids(ICS),and improve the quality of life of patients. Our hypothesis may be confirmed by the relevant data obtained in this study.
Trial registration: This trial has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2200056239. Registered 2 February 2022. http://www.chictr.org.cn.
Cold-atom sources for the Matter-wave laser Interferometric Gravitation Antenna (MIGA)
Authors: Beaufils Quentin , Sidorenkov Leonid A. , Lebegue Pierre , Venon Bertrand , Holleville David , Volodimer Laurent , Lours Michel , Junca Joseph , Zou Xinhao , Bertoldi Andrea , Prevedelli Marco , Sabulsky Dylan O. , Bouyer Philippe , Landragin Arnaud , Canuel Benjamin , Geiger Remi
Published: September 2022

The Matter-wave laser Interferometric Gravitation Antenna (MIGA) is an underground instrument using cold-atom interferometry to perform precision measurements of gravity gradients and strains. Following its installation at the low noise underground laboratory LSBB in the South-East of France, it will serve as a prototype for gravitational wave detectors with a horizontal baseline of 150 meters. Three spatially separated cold-atom interferometers will be driven by two common counter-propagating lasers to perform a measurement of the gravity gradient along this baseline. This article presents the cold-atom sources of MIGA, focusing on the design choices, the realization of the systems, the performances and the integration within the MIGA instrument.
Hemocompatibility and hemodynamic comparison of two centrifugal LVADs: HVAD and HeartMate3
Authors: Megías Antonio Gil , García Roberto Navarro , Igeño Pedro Quintero , Bou Andrea Mares
Published: September 2022

Mechanical Circulatory Support using Ventricular Assist Devices is a common technique for treating patients suffering from advanced heart failure. The latest generation of devices is characterized by centrifugal turbopumps which employ magnetic levitation bearings to ensure a gap clearance between moving and static parts. Despite the increasing use of these devices as a destination therapy, several long-term complications still exist regarding their hemocompatibility. The blood damage associated with different pump designs has been investigated profoundly in the literature, while the hemodynamic performance has been hardly considered. This work presents a novel comparison between the two main devices of the latest generation – HVAD and HM3 – from both perspectives, hemodynamic performance and blood damage. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations are performed to model the considered LVADs, and computational results are compared to experimental measurements of pressure head to validate the model. Enhanced performance and hemocompatibility is detected for HM3 owing to its design incorporating more conventional blades and larger gap clearances.
Hemispheric differences of 1Hz rTMS over motor and premotor cortex in modulation of neural processing and hand function
Authors: Veldema Jitka , Nowak Dennis Alexander , Bösl Kathrin , Gharabaghi Alireza
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Non-invasive brain stimulation can modulate both neural processing and behavioral performance. Its effects may by influenced by the stimulated area and hemisphere. In this study (EC no. 09083), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) or dorsal premotor cortex (dPMC) of either the right or left hemisphere, while evaluating cortical neurophysiology and hand function.
Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects participated in this placebo-controlled crossover study. Four sessions of real 1Hz rTMS (110% of rMT, 900 pulses) over (i) left M1, (ii) right M1, (iii) left dPMC, (iv) right dPMC, and one session of (v) placebo 1Hz rTMS (0% of rMT, 900 pulses) over the left M1 were applied in randomized order. Motor function of both hands(Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT)) and neural processing within both hemispheres (motor evoked potentials (MEPs), cortical silent period (CSP) and ipsilateral silent period (ISP)) were evaluated prior and after each intervention session.
Results: A lengthening of CSP and ISP durations within the right hemisphere were induced by 1Hz rTMS over both areas and hemispheres. No such intervention-induced neurophysiological changes were detected within the left hemisphere. Regarding JTHFT and MEP, no intervention-induced changes ensued. Changes of hand function correlated with neurophysiological changes within both hemispheres, more often for the left than the right hand.
Conclusions: Effects of 1Hz rTMS can be better captured by neurophysiological than behavioral measures. Hemispheric differences need to be considered for this intervention.
Cadmium induced mitochondria apoptosis via the reduction of Th2 cells in pig thyroids
Authors: Zhang Yilei , Liu Xiaojing , Zhang Wenyue , Lan Jing , Sun Gang
Published: September 2022

Cadmium, as an environmental pollution element, is considered as a strong toxic substance of organisms. High doses of cadmium have serious cytotoxicity and induces programmed cell necrosis, autophagy, and apoptosis. Th1/Th2 balance is involved in regulating the dynamic balance of cytokine networks and is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Th1/Th2 balance and cadmium-induced apoptosis of thyroid cells. Cadmium poisoning pig model was established in which healthy 6-week-old pigs were exposed to CdCl2 for 40 days (with a dietary cadmium content of 20mg/kg). First, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and Th1/Th2 equilibrium shift was detected by immunofluorescence. Secondly, the mRNA and protein expression of related proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The results showed that the Th1/Th2 balance shifted towards Th1 and Th2 cells decreased；and the expression levels of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway related proteins were inhibited in group Cd. In addition, Bax, CytC, Caspase9, and Caspase3 expression increased and Bcl2 expression decreased after cadmium exposure. In brief, our experiments suggested that the pro-apoptosis-related genes expression upregulates and apoptosis induces by activating the mitochondrial pathway signaling pathway in thyroid cells after Cadmium exposure. These negative effects are in connection with the Th1/Th2 imbalance and the reduction of Th2 cytokines.
Design of combination therapy for engineered bacterial therapeutics in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Deb Dhruba , Wu Yangfan , Coker Courtney , Harimoto Tetsuhiro , Huang Ruoqi , Danino Tal
Published: September 2022

Synthetic biology enables the engineering of bacteria to safely deliver potent payloads to tumors for effective anti-cancer therapies. However, a central challenge for translation is determining ideal bacterial therapy candidates for specific cancers and integrating them with other drug treatment strategies to maximize efficacy. To address this, we designed a screening and evaluation pipeline for characterization of bacterial therapies in lung cancer models. We screened 10 engineered bacterial toxins across 6 non-small cell lung cancer patient-derived cell lines and identified theta toxin as a promising therapeutic candidate. Using a bacteria-spheroid co-culture system (BSCC), analysis of differentially expressed transcripts and gene set enrichment revealed significant changes in at least 10 signaling pathways with bacteria-producing theta toxin. We assessed combinatorial treatment of small molecule pharmaceutical inhibitors targeting 5 signaling molecules and of 2 chemotherapy drugs along with bacterially-produced theta toxin and showed improved dose-dependent response. This combination strategy was further tested and confirmed, with AKT signaling as an example, in a mouse model of lung cancer. In summary, we developed a pipeline to rapidly characterize bacterial therapies and integrate them with current targeted therapies for lung cancer.
Impacts of soil nutrition on floral traits, pollinator attraction, and fitness in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Vaudo Anthony D. , Erickson Emily , Patch Harland M. , Grozinger Christina M. , Mu Junpeng
Published: September 2022

Annual plants allocate soil nutrients to floral display and pollinator rewards to ensure pollination success in a single season. Nitrogen and phosphorus are critical soil nutrients whose levels are altered by intensive land use that may affect plants’ fitness via pollinator attractiveness through floral display and rewards. We studied in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) how changes in soil nitrogen and phosphorus influence floral traits, including nectar and pollen reward composition. We evaluated how these traits affect bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) visitation and ultimately fruit yield. While increasing nitrogen and phosphorus increased growth and floral display, excess nitrogen created an asymptotic or negative effect, which was mitigated by increasing phosphorus. Male floral traits exhibited higher plasticity in responses to changes in soil nutrients than female flowers. At 4:1 nitrogen:phosphorus ratios, male flowers presented increased nectar volume and pollen number resulting in increased bumble bee visitation. Interestingly, other pollinator rewards remained consistent across all soil treatments: male and female nectar sugar composition, female nectar volume, and pollen protein and lipid concentrations. Therefore, although cucumber pollination success was buffered in conditions of nutrient stress, highly skewed nitrogen:phosphorus soil ratios reduced plant fitness via reduced numbers of flowers and reward quantity, pollinator attraction, and ultimately yield.
PA Applicant US Citizenship Status and Likelihood of Program Matriculation
Authors: Showstark Mary , Bessette Michael , Barry Carey , Najmabadi Shahpar , Rolls Joanne , Hamilton Catherine , Valentin Virginia L. , Quella Alicia , Honda Trenton
Published: September 2022

Background: Barriers to matriculation into Physician Assistant (PA) programs and entry into the PA profession have disproportionate impact on historically marginalized groups. This study evaluates if U.S. citizenship status is associated with likelihood of matriculation in PA Programs.
Methods: Data from five Centralized Applicant Services for Physician Assistants (CASPA) admissions cycles (2012-2021) was evaluated cross-sectionally for the primary outcome of binary matriculation status (yes/no). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was utilized to investigate associations between self-identified U.S. citizenship status and likelihood of PA program matriculation. Models controlled for important potential confounders, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, non-native English speaker, patient care experience hours, total undergraduate grade point average (GPA), and number of applications submitted to various programs.
Results: Non-U.S. citizen status was statistically associated with persistent lower likelihood of PA program matriculation compared to U.S. citizenship. Odds of matriculation were 41% [OR 0.59 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.68; p <.001)] to 51% [OR 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.58; p <.001)] lower in unadjusted models. Odds were 32% [OR 0.68 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.83; p <.001)] to 42% OR 0.58 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.71; p <.001) lower when adjusting for important covariates. The lowest likelihood occurred in 2012-2013 with 51% lower odds of matriculation and in 2016-2017 with 42% lower odds when accounting for important covariates.
Discussion: PA programs are charged with improving diversity of clinically practicing PAs to improve health outcomes and better reflect patient populations. This analysis shows that non-U.S. citizenship may be a barrier to PA school acceptance. PA schools should raise awareness and create means and accessibility for admissions for this underrepresented group.
Dynamic nearest neighbor resources classification algorithm for multiple cloud data center based on natural clustering rule
Authors: Liang Bin , Wu Di , Wu Pengfei
Published: September 2022

Cloud service providers need to reduce the operating costs and energy consumption of cloud data center (CDC) by optimizing scheduling algorithms, and ultimately reduce the cost of cloud users. However, the existing scheduling algorithms are less effective in dealing with the scheduling problems of multi-cloud data center (MDC). This paper systematically analyzes the MDC model and physical machine (PM) utilization. Secondly, using the idea of K-means clustering algorithm in machine learning, natural clustering rules are proposed to complete automatic clustering of PMs. Then, the supervised learning KNN classification algorithm is extended and the dynamic KNN classification rules are established accordingly. Finally, a dynamic nearest neighbor resources classification algorithm for multiple CDC based on natural clustering rule (DNSC) is proposed. Comparing the algorithm with the comparison algorithm shows that the algorithm comprehensively considers the resource parameters of the MDC and ultimately reduces the energy consumption of the MDC.
Simulating Compressor Oil Oxidative Performance Using Laboratory Oxidation Test Methodology for Development of Long Life Compressor Oil
Authors: Bolisetty M N K Prasad , Tripathi Chanakya , Mondal Sujit , Rai Kavita , Harinarain Ajay Kumar , Saxena Deepak , Ramakumar S S V
Published: September 2022

Compressor Oils are being used for the lubrication of compressor systems. Different compressor oils are being formulated based upon their end application. In rotary screw air compressors, the lubricating oil serves as a coolant besides providing lubrication to fast moving rotors engaged in the compression of the air. During this compression process, air -oil mixture experiences temperatures exceeding 100°C causing severe high oxidative stress on the oil. This in turn may lead to filter clogging and the consequent pressure drop. Therefore, oxidation stability is an important parameter for ensuring compressor oil performance. This study details and compares the various oxidation test methods and how they simulate actual field conditions in the laboratory. In this study, the various candidate oils are subjected to various oxidative stability tests and based on the combined performance in tests and post test NMR analysis, a field validation on the compressor oils with the best oxidative performance was carried out in a compressor in a steel plant to validate these findings.
Deamidation-related blood biomarkers show promise for early diagnostics of neurodegeneration
Authors: WANG Jijing , Zhang Ya-Ru , Shen Xue-Ning , Han Jinming , Cui Mei , Tan Lan , Dong Qiang , Zubarev Roman A. , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: September 2022

Background
The strongest risk factor of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is aging. Spontaneous asparaginyl deamidation leading to formation of isoaspartate (isoAsp) has been correlated with protein aggregation in NDDs. This study aimed at testing the role of deamidation in other neurodegenerative diseases and early stages of neurodegeneration.
Methods
Two cohorts consisting of 140 subjects were studied. Cohort 1 contained patients with AD and healthy controls, while Cohort 2 recruited subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), vascular dementia (VaD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy controls. The levels of isoAsp in plasma human albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, as well as the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific against aged HSA (aHSA) were measured in two cohorts. Apart from the memory tests, plasma biomarkers for NDDs reported in literature were quantified as well, including amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides Aβ40 and Aβ42, neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and phosphorylated Tau-181 (pTau181) protein.
Results
Deamidation products of blood albumin were significantly elevated in vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia (P < 0.05), but less so in Parkinson’s disease. Intriguingly, the deamidation levels were significantly (P < 0.01) associated with the memory test scores for all tested subjects. Deamidation biomarkers performed superiorly (accuracy up to 92%) compared with blood biomarkers Aß40, Aß42, Aß40/Aß42, NfL, GFAP and pTau181 in separating mild cognitive impairment from healthy controls.
Conclusion
We demonstrated the diagnostic capacity of deamidation-related biomarkers in predicting NDDs at the early stage of disease, and the biomarker levels significantly correlated with cognitive decline, strongly supporting the role of deamidation in triggering neurodegeneration and early stages of disease development. Prospective longitudinal studies with a longer observation period and larger cohorts should provide a more detailed picture of the deamidation role in NDD progression.
Goat Cheese: a Model for Studying the Functional Microbiota in a One-health Context
Authors: Tilocca Bruno , Soggiu Alessio , Iavarone Federica , Greco Viviana , Putignani Lorenza , Ristori Maria Vittoria , Macari Gabriele , Spina Anna Antonella , Moritttu Valeria Maria , Ceniti Carlotta , Piras Cristian , Bonizzi Luigi , Britti Domenico , Urbani Andrea , Figeys Daniel , Roncada Paola
Published: September 2022

Background
Goat cheese is an important element of the Mediterranean diet, appreciated for its health-promoting features and the typical gustatory essences. A pivotal role in the development of these characteristics is attributed to the hosted microbiota and its continuous remodeling over the space and time. Nevertheless, a thorough study of the cheese-associated microbiota by two meta-omics approaches is still missing. Also, the study of these model systems is important in the One Health context as they enable the development of systems for monitoring environmental micro-organisms and their biological variability. In this study we employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metaproteomics to explore the microbiota of a typical raw goat milk cheese at diverse ripening timepoints and depths of the cheese wheel.
Results
findings from 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metaproteomics described a stable microbiota ecology across the selected ripening timepoints, providing evidence on the microbiologically driven fermentation of the goat milk products. On the other hand, important modeling of the microbiota harbored in the surface and core of the cheese mass are highlighted both in compositional and functional terms.
Conclusion
observed outcomes portrait the rind microbiota struggling for the maintenance of the cheese biosafety through competition mechanisms and/or preventing the cheese colonization by pathobionts of animal or environmental origin. Efforts in microbial competition are also accomplished in the core microbiota, although its further focusing on other biochemical routes supports the role of this microbiota in the development of both the health beneficial effects and the pleasant gustatory nuances of the goat cheeses.
The ApoB/A-1 ratio is independently associated with subclinical arteriosclerosis and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Tang Meng-jie , Xu Tian-li , Shen Li-min , Sha Yi-feng , Cao Xiao-jun , Sun Ye-zi
Published: September 2022

Background
The ApoB/ApoA-1 (ApoB/A1) ratio is a predictor of atherosclerotic vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to explore whether ApoB/A1 ratio is related to arteriosclerosis parameters, including subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, in type 2 diabetic patients.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 256 type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients, including 152 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, were recruited. Traditional fasting lipid profiles and ApoB and ApoA-1 levels were measured. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and subclinical arteriosclerosis was assessed by ankle brachial index (ABI) and carotid atherosclerosis.
Results
The ApoB/A1 ratio in T2D patients with no carotid atherosclerosis was significantly higher than that in T2D patients with carotid atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). The arterial stiffness parameters baPWV and ABI were significantly lower among T2D patients with no carotid atherosclerosis (all p < 0.05). Moreover, the baPWV and ABI were significantly decreased across the ApoB/A1 ratioquartiles (all p for trend < 0.05). Additionally, baPWV and ABI were both inversely related to ApoB/A1 ratio (r = –0.223 and –0.224, respectively, p < 0.001). Using univariate logistic regression analyses, ApoB/A1 ratio, sex, age, duration, baPWV, HbA1c, and statin use were found to be independent contributors to carotid atherosclerosis, and the corresponding odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.242 (0.090–0.646), 0.326 (0.178–0.599), 2.730 (1.619–4.603), 6.833 (3.024–15.44), 1.204 (1.103-1.314), 0.842 (0.745-0.953),and 2.704 (1.228, 5.954), respectively. After adjusting for clinical covariates by multiple logistic regression analyses, the corresponding odds ratio (OR) for the ApoB/A1 ratio of carotid atherosclerosis was 0.216 (0.062-0.759).
Conclusions
The ApoB/A1 ratio was independently and inversely associated with baPWV and ABI and independently contributed to carotid atherosclerosis.
Abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise is associated with exercise capacity in COPD
Authors: Sassmann Teresa , Douschan Philipp , Foris Vasile , Tröster Natascha , Zeder Katarina , Brcic Luka , Tornyos Adrienn , Bachmaier Gerhard , Fuchsjäger Michael , Olschewski Horst , Kovacs Gabor
Published: September 2022

Background
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent complication in COPD and it is associated with decreased exercise capacity and poor prognosis. We hypothesized that even in COPD patients without significant PH at rest, abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise affect exercise capacity.
Methods
Consecutive COPD patients with clinically indicated right heart catheterization and resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) < 25mmHg and age- and sex-matched controls without chronic lung disease who underwent clinical work-up including invasive hemodynamic assessment during exercise were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences between groups for categorical data and Fisher’s exact test or Mann-Whitney-U-tests for continuous variables. Associations were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation tests.
Results
We included n=26 COPD patients (female/male: 16/10, 66±11yr, FEV1: 56±25 %predicted) and n=26 matched controls (FEV1: 96±22 %predicted). At rest, COPD patients presented with slightly increased mPAP (21 (18-23) vs. 17 (14-20) mmHg, p=0.022), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (2.5 (1.9-3.0) vs. 1.9 (1.5-2.4) WU, p=0.020) as compared to controls. During exercise, COPD patients reached significantly higher mPAP (47 (40-52) vs. 38 (32-44) mmHg, p=0.015) and PVR (3.1 (2.2-3.7) vs. 1.7 (1.1-2.9) WU, p=0.028) values despite lower peak exercise level (50 (50-75) vs. 100 (75-125) Watt, p=0.002). The mPAP/cardiac output slope was increased in COPD vs. controls (6.9 (5.5-10.9) vs. 3.7 (2.4-7.4) mmHg/L/min, p=0.007) and negatively correlated with both peak oxygen uptake (r=-0.46, p=0.007) and 6-minute walk distance (r=-0.46, p=0.001).
Conclusion
Even in the absence of significant PH at rest, COPD patients reveal characteristic abnormalities in pulmonary hemodynamics during exercise, which may represent an important exercise-limiting factor.
Taming the Animal Spirits: Predicting Psychologically Based Stock Price Movements
Authors: East Robert , Wright Malcolm
Published: September 2022

This paper is concerned with the psychological and social factors that may be used in the prediction of stock prices using artificial intelligence (AI). Examples of price movements that appear to be affected by such factors are drawn from market behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic. A review of the main effects attributable to psychological mechanisms follows: the disposition effect, momentum, and the response to information. These effects are explained by reference to regression to the mean, negativity bias, the availability mechanism, and information diffusion. Drawing on the consumer behaviour literature, we identify factors that are likely to indicate psychologically based price effects and suggest two new measures: changes in the proportion of new investors and the volume of publicity/word of mouth in relation to a firm’s capitalization.
Development of a Polystyrene Phantom for Quality Assurance of a Gamma Knife®
Authors: Choi Yona , Kim Eun San , Bahng Jungbae , Choi Sang Hyoun , Cho Gyu Seok , Kim Tae Hoon , Yang Hye Jeong , Seo Yeong Chan , Chun Kook Jin , Chung Hyun-Tai
Published: September 2022

Background: A polystyrene phantom was developed following the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) for gamma knife (GK) quality assurance. Its performance was assessed by measuring the absorbed dose rate to water and dose distributions.
Methods: The phantom was made of polystyrene, which has an electron density (1.0156) similar to that of water. The phantom included one outer phantom and four inner phantoms. Two inner phantoms held PTW T31010 and Exradin A16 ion chambers. One inner phantom held a film in the XY plane of the Leksell coordinate system, and another inner phantom held a film in the YZ or ZX planes. The absorbed dose rate to water and beam profiles of the machine-specific reference (msr) field, namely, the 16 mm collimator field of a GK PerfexionTM or IconTM, were measured at seven GK sites. The measured results were compared to those of an IAEA-recommended solid water (SW) phantom.
Results: The radius of the polystyrene phantom was determined to be 7.88 cm by converting the electron density of the plastic, considering a water depth of 8 g/cm2. The absorbed dose rates to water measured in both phantoms differed from the treatment planning program by less than 1.1%. Before msr correction, the PTW T31010 dose rates (PTW Freiberg GmbH, New York, NY, USA) in the polystyrene phantom were 0.70 (0.29)% higher on average than those in the SW phantom. The Exradin A16 (Standard Imaging, Middleton, WI, USA) dose rates were 0.76 (0.32)% higher in the polystyrene phantom. After msr correction factors were applied, there were no statistically significant differences in the A16 dose rates measured in the two phantoms; however, the T31010 dose rates were 0.72 (0.29)% higher in the polystyrene phantom. When the full widths at half maximum and penumbras of the msr field were compared, no significant differences between the two phantoms were observed, except for the penumbra in the Y-axis. However, the difference in the penumbra was smaller than variations among different sites.
Conclusion: A polystyrene phantom developed for gamma knife dosimetry showed dosimetric performance comparable to that of a commercial SW phantom. In addition to its cost effectiveness, the polystyrene phantom removes air space around the detector. Additional simulations of the msr correction factors of the polystyrene phantom should be performed.
Establishing a prognostic model of chromatin modulators and identifying potential drug candidates in renal clear cell patients Introduction
Authors: Liu Puyu , Luo Jihang , Xu Jieyu , Tan Na , Li Chengfang , Yang Xiaorong
Published: September 2022

Background: Renal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. Advanced renal carcinoma has a low 5-year survival rate and a poor prognosis. More and more studies have confirmed that chromatin regulators(CRs) can regulate the occurrence and development of cancer. This article aims to investigate the functional and prognostic value of CRs in renal carcinoma patients.
Methods: mRNA expression and clinical information were obtained from the TCGA(The Cancer Genome Atlas)database. Univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis were used to select prognostic chromatin-regulated genes and use them to construct a risk model for predicting the prognosis of renal cancer. Differences in prognosis between high-risk and low-risk groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between chromatin regulators and tumor immune infiltration, and explored differences in drug sensitivity between different risk groups.
Results: We constructed a model consisting of 11 CRs to predict the prognosis of renal cancer patients, and not only successfully validated its feasibility, but we also found that the 11 CR-based model was an independent prognostic factor. Functional analysis showed that CRs were mainly enriched in cancer development-related signaling pathways. We also found through the TIMER database that CR-based models were also associated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints.At the same time, the GDSC(The Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database)database was used to analyze the commonly used drugs of KIRC(Renal clear cell carcinoma) patients. It was found that patients in the low-risk group were sensitive to drugs such as axitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, and gemcitabine, while those in the high-risk group may be sensitive to sunitinib.
Conclusion: The chromatin regulator-related prognostic model we constructed can be used to assess the prognostic risk of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The results of this study can bring new ideas for targeted therapy of clear cell renal carcinoma, helping doctors to take corresponding measures in advance for patients with different risks.
Financial issues in times of a COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital in Mali
Authors: Ridde Valéry , Coulibaly Abdou , Touré Laurence , Ba Faly , Zinszer Kate , Bonnet Emmanuel , Honda Ayako
Published: September 2022

Background
Health systems in many West African countries have suffered due to low public spending on health. Further, the requirement for high out-of-pocket payments by healthcare users accessing care has raised concerns about equitable access to COVID-19-related services. This study examines how the functioning of healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic was affected by the government financing response to the pandemic, which itself is underpinned by existing healthcare financing systems. The analysis focuses on the key actor groups in healthcare service delivery, both providers and recipients of healthcare services at a tertiary hospital in Mali.
Methods
The study applied a single case study design. The case study was undertaken at a tertiary hospital in the Malian capital, Bamako, during the 1st and 2nd waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered through a total of 51 in-depth interviews with hospital staff, participatory observation, and the review of media articles and hospital financial records. Thematic analysis using pre-coded themes was applied. The study results were presented to hospital management to confirm the validity of the data analysis.
Results
The study highlighted the disruptions experienced by hospital managers, human resources for health and patients in Mali during the early stages of the pandemic. While the government aimed to support universal access to COVID-19-related services, efforts were undermined by issues associated with complex public financing procedures and the hospital experienced long delays in the government transfer of funds. Additionally, the hospital suffered a decrease in revenue during the early stages of the pandemic. The challenges faced by the hospitals led to the delays in promised bonuses and payment of salaries to individual hospital staff members, which created potential for unfair treatment of patients.
Conclusions
Preexistent issues in healthcare financing and governance constrained the effective management of COVID-19 related services and created confusion at the front-line of healthcare service delivery. There is a need to reflect on hospital operations and human resource management in Mali and learn from the experience of COVID-19 to create an environment in which hospitals and their staff can deliver quality services and where patients can access healthcare services in times of need.
Association of aging with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and treatment by cyclophosphamide combined with methylprednisolone Running title: Role of MP and CTX combination in the aging of pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Xu Qingjie , Zhang Manka , Tang Ming , Li Zhouping , Liu Yin , Rao Zhiguo , Yang Keyu , He Xiaoxu , Ma Runlin , Xue Xiaoyan
Published: September 2022

Background:Aging is a natural process characterized by a progressive functional impairment and reduced capacity to respond adaptively to environmental stimuli.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)has been found to increase considerably with age.Immunosenescence,oxidative stress,abnormal shortening of telomeres, apoptosis, and epigenetic changes affecting gene expression have been proposed to contribute to the aging process,and aging-associated diseases.We used oxidative stress and immune senescence to identify the relationship between aging and pulmonary fibrosis(PF).In clinical studies,the combination of methylprednisolone(MP) and cyclophosphamide(CTX) has great benefits for patients with IPF,but the mechanisms involved in aging are not well understood.
Methods:PF rat models were induced by bleomycin(BLM) and treated with MP or MP/CTX combination.Transmission electron microscope, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining were used to measure the morphology of PF.Malondialdehyde(MDA),myeloperoxidase(MPO),lutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels were determined using commercial kits.T cells were analyzed with flow cytometry.
Results: We found that the combined use of MP and CTX can reduce collagen deposition,decreased the level of MDA,while increased the level of MPO and the activities of SOD and GSH-PX.Further,MP and CTX combination inhibited T cell senescence in lung tissues, such as decreasing CD4+CD27-CD28-cells.
Conclusions: Aging was associated with PF.The combination of MP and CTX improved the degree of PF by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting T cell senescence.These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which MP and CTX combination affects PF.
Distribution Dynamics and Descriptive Statistical Analysis of Radionuclides in the Farmland Soils Near Mining Areas in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Njinga Raymond L. , Tunde Ogundele L. , Adebiyi Adebayo S. , Olatunji Michael A. , Ayodele Olufemi P. , Christopher Olowookere J. , Kehinde Aladeniyi , Pereira Alcides , Muyiwa Arogunjo A. , Tshivhase Victor M.
Published: September 2022

Human exposure to ionizing radiation in the environment is mainly due to naturally occurring radionuclides in the soils, building materials and rocks, but the level may vary depending on the anthropogenic activities prevalent in each location. Presently, in Nigeria, there are concerns due to environmental health implications of all sorts of mineral mining and processing spreading across the southwestern states of the country. As a result, a total of 200 composite soil samples were taken in five states in the southwest of Nigeria, close to active mining sites at the rooting (0.2 m) and at deep planting zones (0.5 m) for analysis by gamma-ray spectrometry using NaI(Tl) detector. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in the composite soil samples were determined to vary in the order of 40K > 232Th > 226Ra/238U for all locations. In contrast to the other locations, Olode and Igbokoda had average radium equivalent activities (Raeq) to be 1.6 and 1.8 times higher than the reference limit of 370 Bqkg− 1. The estimated excess life cancer risk values were lower than the 0.29 x 10− 3 global average value for soil by UNSCEAR and ICRP. A negative and low skewness value of 0.16 and 1.20 for 40K and 232Th were obtained in Olode and Sagamu. The kurtosis analysis of the activity concentrations was low and negative for soil at Itagunmodi for 40K and 226Ra/238U; Olode for 40K and 232Th; and Igbokoda for 226Ra/238U and232Th where mining activities are common. The variation in the obtained results has been attributed to different agriculture practices and artisanal mining operations in each location.
Real Time Textile Fabric Flaw inspection system using Grouped Sparse Dictionary
Authors: Wang Xiaohu , Yan Benchao , Pan Ruru , Zhou Jian
Published: September 2022

Fabric surface flaw inspection is essential for textile quality control, and it is demanding to replace human inspectors with the automatic machine vision-based flaw inspection system. To alleviate the time-consuming problem of sparse coding in detecting phase, this work presents a real time fabric flaw inspection method by using grouped sparse dictionary. Firstly, the over-complete sparse dictionary is learned from normal fabric images; Secondly, the learned sparse dictionary is grouped into several sub-dictionaries by evaluating reconstruction error. Finally, the grouped dictionary is used to represent image and identify flaw regions as they cannot be represented well, leading to large reconstruction error. In addition, a non-maximum suppression algorithm is also proposed to reduce false inspection further. Experiments on various fabric flaws and real-time implementation on the proposed vision-based hardware system are conducted to evaluate the performance of proposed method. In comparison with other dictionary learning methods, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can reduce the running time significantly and achieve a decent performance, which is capable of meeting the real-time inspection requirement without compromising inspection accuracy.
Academic Vocabulary in Applied Linguistics Research Articles: A Corpus-based Replication Study
Authors: Matinparsa Hoda , Xodabande Ismail , Ghafouri Mohammad , Atai Mahmoodreza
Published: September 2022

With the global spread of English as the lingua franca for academic publishing, non-native researchers and university students are constantly facing linguistic barriers including insufficient vocabulary knowledge in writing for publication. This persistent need motivated the development of a good number of corpus-based word lists for frequently used academic and technical words in research articles across disciplines. Nevertheless, despite its importance in corpus-based study of language for word list development, replication research has received far less attention in this line of inquiry. The current study aimed to address this gap and replicated two published studies that investigated the use of academic vocabulary in applied linguistics research articles. To this end, research articles published from 2010 to 2020 in 20 well-known journals in the field were collected, and a corpus with around 48 million words was compiled and analyzed. The findings indicated that academic vocabulary accounted for 11.46% of the corpus, which is similar and close to the reported coverage of the AWL in replicated studies. However, regarding the frequently occurring academic and non-academic content words, the findings showed considerable variation with respect to the results reported earlier. In light of these findings, the study highlighted the importance of replication research to test the reliability of corpus-based vocabulary studies that developed field-specific academic word lists. Finally, the study developed an updated version for applied linguistics academic word list, that might be regarded as a resource and guide for the vocabulary learning component of the relevant EAP programs in the field.
“Reasons for living” in patients with schizophrenia.
Authors: Flores-Medina Yvonne , Padilla Lorena Ortuño , Rosel-Vales Mauricio , Borja Cesar Celada , Saracco-Alvarez Ricardo , Mondragón-Maya Alejandra , Seubert-Ravelo Ana Natalia , Lozano Ruth Alcalá , Santana Erick Morelos
Published: September 2022

Reasons for Living (RFL) are a construct allows identifying the reasons for not committing suicide. These reasons are based on significant aspects of life, on the commitment to some ideals which may inhibit the impulse of committing suicide. The present study aims to describe the RFL in a sample of chronic schizophrenia patients. Explore if RFLs are different among male and female patients and the possible relation with clinical the variables: duration of illness, suicide attempts and hospitalizations.
Method: Seventy patients with schizophrenia were assessed. The application of Reasons for Living Inventory (RFLI) and the structured interview for clinical and socio-demographic data was performed by a Psychology master’s degree research assistants and the lead investigator.
Results: The sample mean score was 3.8/ 3.8 cut-off point under which the presence of suicide risk is significant. Patients indicated as most important RFLs those included in the Survival and coping beliefs and Responsibility to family domains. Non-significant differences between groups were observed. No association was found between clinical data and RFLI scores.
Conclusion: Considering that the sample of the present study obtained high scores in Survival and coping beliefs and low scores in Fear of suicide as RFLs, thus reflecting an opposite response pattern to other high suicidal risk populations. We suggest that this construct could represent a protective factor for schizophrenia patients, including chronic patients with previous suicide attempts and high hospitalization rates, which were common variables, observed in clinical sample.
The Study of trade, investment, and global value chain on the fisheries gross domestic product in Indonesia: panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model approach
Authors: Sulistijowati Rieny , Yuliati Lilis , Komariyah Siti
Published: September 2022

This study aims to analyze the indicators that play a role in the Indonesian marine and fisheries sector in its development towards GVC. The condition of the fisheries sector in Indonesia has not become a key sector even though it is a producer of capture fisheries, in addition to other threats in the form of communication, technology, and regulations that specifically hamper productivity. The research method used to achieve the research objectives is the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) method. The variables involved in the research are GDP Fishery, Fish Production, Trade Openness, Export and Import of Fishery, GVC participation, Foreign Direct Investment, and Domestic Investment. The results of the PVAR estimation at lag 1 show that the variables that have a significant influence on Fishery's GDP are Fishery's GDP, Fish Production, GVC participation, and Domestic Investment. Thus, there is a need for an effective maritime policy to reduce the environmental impact of the development of coastal resources and preserve the diversity of fish production to face future threats. This is due to the constraints of international trade in the form of information or communication, technology and regulations.
JEL Classification: Q22, O47, P25, C33