bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiplanar knee kinematics-based test battery helpfully guide return-to-sports decision-making after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Zhou Lan , Xu Yihong , Zhang Jing , Guo Luqi , Zhou Tianping , Wang Shaobai , Xu Weidong
Published: September 2022

Background: There are currently no well-established criteria to guide return to sports (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In this study, a new test battery consisting of subjective and objective tests, especially multiplanar knee kinematics assessment, was developed to aid RTS decision making after ACLR.

Methods: This study was conducted with 30 patients who were assessed a mean of 9.2 ± 0.5 months after ACLR. All patients underwent complete evaluations of both lower limbs with four objective assessments [isokinetic, hop, knee laxity, and 6–degree of freedom (6DOF, angle: flexion-extension, varus-valgus, internal-external rotation; translation: anteroposterior, proximodistal, mediolateral) knee kinematics tests] and two subjective assessments [International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) questionnaires]. Limb symmetry indices (LSIs) of knee strength, hop distance, and range of motion (ROM) of knee kinematics were calculated. LSI ≥90%, IKDC scale score within the 15th percentile for healthy adults, and ACL-RSI score >56 were defined as RTS criteria.

Results: Significant differences between affected and contralateral knees were observed in the quadriceps strength (p < 0.001), hamstring strength (p = 0.001), single hop distance (p < 0.001), triple hop distance (p < 0.001), and rotational ROM (p = 0.01). Only four patients fulfilled the overall RTS criteria. The percentages of patients fulfilling individual criteria were: quadriceps strength, 40%; hamstring strength, 40%; single hop distance, 30%; triple hop distance, 36.7%; knee ligament laxity, 80%; flexion-extension, 23.3%; varus-valgus rotation, 20%; internal-external rotation, 66.7%; anteroposterior translation, 20%; proximodistal translation, 33.3%; mediolateral translation, 26.7%; IKDC scale score, 53.3%; and ACL-RSI score, 33.3%.

Conclusion: At an average of 9 months after ACLR, objectively and subjectively measured knee functional performance was generally unsatisfactory especially the recovery of knee kinematics, which is an important prerequisite for RTS.
Involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in promoting osteogenesis on titanium implant surfaces modified with novel non-thermal atmospheric plasma
Authors: Zheng Zheng , He Yanjin , Long Li , Gan Shuaiqi , Chen Shujiang , Zhang Min , Xu Jia , Fu Ruijie , Liao Yihan , Zhu Zhimin , Wang Hang , Chen Wenchuan
Published: September 2022

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) modification to induce a hydrophilic titanium (Ti) surface with less carbon contamination, has been demonstrated to boost the osteogenic responses. In this study, we investigated the underlying bone formation mechanism of NTAP-Ti, and the involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in regulating osteogenic activities on NTAP-Ti surfaces. NTAP was employed for Ti activation, and PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, was applied to the suppression of PI3K/Akt pathway. We systematically and quantitatively detected the cell morphology, attachment, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 mouse preosteoblasts, and molecular expressions involved in osteogenesis and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. A descent in osteoblast proliferation on Ti surfaces in relation to LY294002. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, as well as matrix mineralization, was mitigated by PI3K inhibitor in NTAP-Ti. Likewise, the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes [ALP, osteocalcin (Ocn), osteopontin (Opn) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2)] on NTAP-Ti were notably attenuated by LY294002, as confirmed by the results of osteogenesis-related proteins (ALP, and Runx2) expression analysis. In addition, the expression of PI3K/Akt signal pathway proteins further verified the inhibition of LY294002 on Ti surfaces modified by NTAP. Collectively, the PI3K/Akt signal pathway was involved in the amelioration of osteogenesis induced by NTAP modification. NTAP treatment for Ti activation is promising in augmented osteogenic potential through the activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway.
Precision control of polyurethane filament drafting and winding based on machine vision
Authors: Wu Shilin , Yang Huayu , Liu Xiangyan , Jia Rui
Published: September 2022

In the biomedical field, polyurethane (PU) is widely used in interventional catheters, artificial hearts, artificial blood vessels, orthopedic materials, medical adhesives, and other medical devices. In this paper, a method based on machine vision was proposed to control the drafting and winding accuracy of PU filament in order to solve the problem of centrifugal runout when the mold rotates. The centrifugal runout of the mold directly affected the preparation efficiency and quality of long artificial blood vessel by wet spinning. Through non-contact real-time detection of the filament diameter and the angle between the axis of filament and the axis of mold, the motion parameters of the two motors driving the moving platform and the drafting roller could be adjusted in real time to achieve the purpose of online real-time control of filament drafting and winding accuracy. The vision control method proposed in this paper was used to carry out the PU tube preparation experiment. The visual measurement results of the filament diameter and the included angle were compared with the manual measurement results. The average value of the diameter error is 0.0096mm, and the average value of winding angle is 0.4777°. The results proved the accuracy of the visual measuring method and testified it feasible to using machine vision instead of manual method to detect filament diameter and winding angle. Properties of the prepared PU tube were tested and analyzed. The filament diameter measured by the 3D microscope was about 0.87 mm and significantly smaller than the filament diameter before winding. This indicated that the winding was uniform, the extrusion was tight, and the adhesion was good.
Research progress of CRISPR-based biosensors and bioassays for molecular diagnosis
Authors: Chen Kun , Shen Ziyi , Wang Guanzhen , Gu Wei , Zhao Shengchao , Lin Zihan , Liu Wei , Cai Yi , Mushtaq Gohar , Jia Jia , Wan Chunpeng (Craig) , Yan Tingdong
Published: September 2022

CRISPR/Cas technology originated from the immune mechanism of archaea and bacteria and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 for its success in gene editing. Molecular diagnostics is highly valued globally for its development as a new generation of diagnostic technology. An increasing number of studies have shown that CRISPR/Cas technology can be integrated with biosensors and bioassays for molecular diagnostics. CRISPR-based detection has attracted much attention as highly specific and sensitive sensors with easily programmable and device-independent capabilities. The nucleic acid-based detection approach is one of the most sensitive and specific diagnostic methods. With further research, it holds promise for detecting other biomarkers such as small molecules and proteins. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore the prospects of CRISPR technology in biosensing and summarize its application strategies in molecular diagnostics. This review provides a synopsis of CRISPR biosensing strategies and recent advances from nucleic acids to other non-nucleic small molecules or analytes such as proteins and presents the challenges and perspectives of CRISPR biosensors and bioassays.
Reciprocal signaling between adipose tissue depots and the central nervous system
Authors: Puente-Ruiz Stephanie C. , Jais Alexander
Published: September 2022

In humans, various dietary and social factors led to the development of increased brain sizes alongside large adipose tissue stores. Complex reciprocal signaling mechanisms allow for a fine-tuned interaction between the two organs to regulate energy homeostasis of the organism. As an endocrine organ, adipose tissue secretes various hormones, cytokines, and metabolites that signal energy availability to the central nervous system (CNS). Vice versa, the CNS is a critical regulator of adipose tissue function through neural networks that integrate information from the periphery and regulate sympathetic nerve outflow. This review discusses the various reciprocal signaling mechanisms in the CNS and adipose tissue to maintain organismal energy homeostasis. We are focusing on the integration of afferent signals from the periphery in neuronal populations of the mediobasal hypothalamus as well as the efferent signals from the CNS to adipose tissue and its implications for adipose tissue function. Furthermore, we are discussing central mechanisms that fine-tune the immune system in adipose tissue depots and contribute to organ homeostasis. Elucidating this complex signaling network that integrates peripheral signals to generate physiological outputs to maintain the optimal energy balance of the organism is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
New insights into the interplay between autophagy and oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in neuronal cell death and survival
Authors: Gao Yahao , Wang Changshui , Jiang Di , An Gang , Jin Feng , Zhang Junchen , Han Guangkui , Cui Changmeng , Jiang Pei
Published: September 2022

Autophagy is a dynamic process that maintains the normal homeostasis of cells by digesting and degrading aging proteins and damaged organelles. The effect of autophagy on neural tissue is still a matter of debate. Some authors suggest that autophagy has a protective effect on nerve cells, whereas others suggest that autophagy also induces the death of nerve cells and aggravates nerve injury. In mammals, oxidative stress, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) constitute important defense mechanisms to help cells adapt to and survive the stress conditions caused by physiological and pathological stimuli. Under many pathophysiological conditions, oxidative stress, autophagy and ERS are integrated and amplified in cells to promote the progress of diseases. Over the past few decades, oxidative stress, autophagy and ERS and their interactions have been a hot topic in biomedical research. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the interactions between oxidative stress, autophagy and ERS in neuronal cell death and survival.
Dry powder coating in additive manufacturing
Authors: Schmidt Jochen , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

Dry powder coating is used in many industries to tailor the bulk solid characteristics of cohesive powders. Within this paper, the state of the art of dry coating of feedstock materials for powder based additive manufacturing (AM) processes will be reviewed. The focus is on feedstock materials for powder bed fusion AM processes, such as powder bed fusion of polymers with a laser beam and powder bed fusion of metals with lasers or an electron beam. Powders of several microns to several ten microns in size are used and the feedstock’s bulk solid properties, especially the flowability and packing density are of immanent importance in different process steps in particular for powder dosing and spreading of powder layers onto the building area. All these properties can be tuned by dry particle coating. Moreover, possibilities to improve AM processability and to manipulate the resulting microstructure (c.f. grain refinement, dispersion strengthening) by adhering nanoparticles on the powders will be discussed. The effect of dry coating on the obtained powder properties along the whole AM process chain and the resulting part properties is assessed. Moreover, appropriate characterization methods for bulk solid properties of dry-coated AM powders are critically discussed.
SARS-CoV-2 induced hepatic injuries and liver complications
Authors: Saeed Umar , Piracha Zahra Zahid , Uppal Sara Rizwan , Waheed Yasir , Uppal Rizwan
Published: September 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is resilient, highly pathogenic, and rapidly transmissible. COVID-19 patients have been reported to have underlying chronic liver abnormalities linked to hepatic dysfunction.

Discussion

Viral RNAs are detectable in fecal samples by RT-PCR even after negative respiratory samples, which suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can affect the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. The case fatality rates are higher among the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, liver abnormality, and heart disease. There is insufficient research on signaling pathways. Identification of molecular mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2-induced damages to hepatocytes is challenging. Herein, we demonstrated the multifactorial effects of SARS-CoV-2 on liver injury such as psychological stress, immunopathogenesis, systemic inflammation, ischemia and hypoxia, drug toxicity, antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection, and several others which can significantly damage the liver.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary for clinicians across the globe to pay attention to SARS-CoV-2-mediated liver injury to manage the rising burden of hepatocellular carcinoma. To face the challenges during the resumption of clinical services for patients with pre-existing liver abnormalities and HCC, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on hepatocytes should be investigated both in vitro and in vivo.
In vitro investigation on lactic acid bacteria isolatedfrom Yak faeces for potential probiotics
Authors: Zhang Qingli , Wang Meng , Ma Xin , Li Zhijie , Jiang Chenghui , Pan Yangyang , Zeng Qiaoying
Published: September 2022

In order to evaluate the potential and safety of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from faeces samples of Ganan yak as probiotic for prevention and/or treatment of yak diarrhea, four strains of LAB including Latilactobacillus curvatus (FY1), Weissella cibaria (FY2), Limosilactobacillus mucosae (FY3), and Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (FY4) were isolated and identified in this study. Cell surface characteristics (hydrophobicity and cell aggregation), acid resistance and bile tolerance, compatibility, antibacterial activity and in vitro cell adhesion tests were also carried out to evaluate the probiotic potential of LAB. The results showed that the four isolates had certain acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, hydrophobicity and cell aggregation, all of which contribute to the survival and colonization of LAB in the gastrointestinal tract. There is no compatibility between the four strains, so they can be combined into a mixed probiotic formula. Antimicrobial tests showed that the four strains were antagonistic to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, the in vitro safety of the four isolates were determined through hemolytic analysis, gelatinase activity, and antibacterial susceptibility experiments. The results suggest that all the four strains were considered as safe because they had no hemolytic activity, no gelatinase activity and were sensitive to most antibacterial agents. Moreover, the acute oral toxicity test of LAB had no adverse effect on body weight gain, food utilization and organ indices in Kunming mice. In conclusion, the four LAB isolated from yak feces have considerable potential to prevent and/or treat yak bacterial disease-related diarrhea.
Assessing the impact of the recent warming in the East China Sea on a torrential rain event in northern Kyushu (Japan) in early July 2017
Authors: Manda Atsuyoshi , Iizuka Satoshi , Nakamura Hisashi , Miyasaka Takafumi
Published: September 2022

Sea surface temperature (SST) in the East China Sea (ECS) has undergone a rapid rise in recent decades, but the associated impact on extreme weather remains under debate. Here, using a cloud-permitting model, we assess the impact of the ECS warming observed since the 1980s on a torrential rain event that caused devastating floods and landslides in the Kyushu Island, western Japan, in July 2017. Without the increasing trends of SST and air temperature, the model cannot reproduce the observed extremely high amount of precipitation during the event, i.e., >700 mm/12-h. The SST increase is found more influential in determining the precipitation amount. Without the ocean warming, increases in precipitable water and horizontal moisture transport due to the atmospheric warming would not lead to precipitation increase during this event. The change in the amount of precipitation can be largely explained by the change in the updraft intensity of the convective system. Higher SST suppresses downward surface sensible heat flux and enhances upward latent heat flux along the paths of air parcels flowing into the convective system in this case. This increases the equivalent potential temperature in the lower troposphere, which enhances the convective available potential energy in the lower troposphere, leading to intensification of the convective system and thereby the increase of precipitation. The findings of this case study suggest an important role of the warming ECS in the intensification of torrential rain events around Japan and the necessity of further assessment of the role of the ocean warming in the torrential rains.
Design recommendations for active games
Authors: Martinez Pamela N.
Published: September 2022

Active gaming is a form of video gaming that requires full body motion or varying degrees of physical activity to play a game. While active gaming has regained momentum, the design and specific components of active games that make them engaging are limited. This study identifies, analyzes, and categorizes specific design mechanics and features used in active games. It answers the question: Which, if any, game mechanics and features can a panel of experts in the academic, health, and game industry agree on as valuable and impactful to the construction of successful and engaging active games? Using a Delphi study, nine experts answered questions related to active gaming. They reached an agreement on 20 of the 21 inquiries regarding game design focused on motivation, social influence, and flow. Their feedback offers recommendations on the design of future active games and identifies emerging trends. This study shares their notes and translates the findings into specific recommendations for developers on the design of active games. The field of active gaming has matured; there are pockets of experts in design, research, and implementation. Active gaming has maintained continuity; however, player enthusiasm and engagement in these types of games are consistently an issue. Through better game design and newer types of active games, players’ interest will persist. These guidelines can inform developers working with newer technologies, such as mobile devices, enhanced game consoles, and virtual and augmented reality platforms, to create active games that inspire gamers to play.
New regulation on medical devices made of substances: Opportunities and challenges for pharmacological and toxicological research
Authors: Fimognari Carmela , Barrajón-Catalán Enrique , Luceri Cristina , Turrini Eleonora , Raschi Emanuel , Bigagli Elisabetta
Published: September 2022

The Medical Device (MD) Regulation EU 2017/745 (MDR) has provided a completely new and more robust regulatory framework at guarantee of the safety and efficacy of therapeutic options accessing the market. At the same time, the MDR poses several challenges for stakeholders, among which, the most significant lying on MDs made of substances (MDMS) whose mechanism of action should be non-pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic.

Moving from single active substances to very complex mixtures, such as the case of natural products, the demonstration of the non-targeted, non-pharmacological mechanism, is even much more challenging since it is very hard to specifically identify and characterize all the interactions each constituent can have within the body.

New scientific paradigms to investigate these multiple interactions and delineate the principal mechanism of action through which the effect is achieved are necessary for the correct regulatory classification and placement in the market of MDMS.

This article will discuss the difficulties in delineating the boundaries between pharmacological and non-pharmacological mechanisms, practical approaches to the study of complex mixtures and the challenges on the application of current experimental paradigms to the study of the mechanism of action of MDMS.
Study on flow model of multi-stage fracturing horizontal well in stress-denpendent dual medium reservoir
Authors: Jiaming Zhang , Zongxiao Ren , Guiyi Zhang , Zhenhua Peng , Minjing Chen , Liang Wang , Erbiao Lou , Xinggang Meng
Published: September 2022

Often with abundant of natural fracture, Carbonate reservoirs are characterized with the stress sensitive and dual media. Mostly, its flow model solved by numerical method. In this paper, the semi-analytical solution for this problem is presented: firstly, the point source function considering stress sensitivity in infinite dual medium reservoir is obtained in Laplace space by Perturbation Transformation and Laplace Transformation; Secondly, the Laplace space solution of multi-stage fracturing horizontal well in infinite plate reservoir is obtained by Image Principle and Superposition Principle; Finally, the spacial solution of multi-stage fracturing horizontal well is obtained by Stehfest numerical inversion and perturbation inverse transformation. The calculation results show that the flow regime of multi-stage fracturing horizontal well can be divided into six stages: Ⅰ- linear flow, Ⅱ-first radial flow, Ⅲ-double radial flow, Ⅳ-radial flow of natural fracture system, Ⅴ-channeling flow regime and Ⅵ-radial flow of the whole system. The impact of stress sensitivity of formation permeability on linear flow is lower, and mainly affecting the last five flow regimes, and the dimensionless pressure drop derivative curve tends to rise in the later stage of development, showing the characteristics of closed boundary. In this paper, when the reservoir stress sensitivity is not considered, the calculation results will produce a large error, and the wrong well test interpretation will be obtained.
Tracking the impacts of precipitation phase changes through the hydrologic cycle in snowy regions: From precipitation to reservoir storage
Authors: Wrzesien Melissa L. , Pavelsky Tamlin M. , Sobolowski Stefan P. , Huning Laurie S. , Cohen Jonathan S. , Herman Jonathan D.
Published: September 2022

Cool season precipitation plays a critical role in regional water resource management in the western United States. Throughout the twenty-first century, regional precipitation will be impacted by rising temperatures and changing circulation patterns. Changes to precipitation magnitude remain challenging to project; however, precipitation phase is largely dependent on temperature, and temperature predictions from global climate models are generally in agreement. To understand the implications of this dependence, we investigate projected patterns in changing precipitation phase for mountain areas of the western United States over the twenty-first century and how shifts from snow to rain may impact runoff. We downscale two bias-corrected global climate models for historical and end-century decades with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) regional climate model to estimate precipitation phase and spatial patterns at high spatial resolution (9 km). For future decades, we use the RCP 8.5 scenario, which may be considered a very high baseline emissions scenario to quantify snow season differences over major mountain chains in the western U.S. Under this scenario, the average annual snowfall fraction over the Sierra Nevada decreases by >45% by the end of the century. In contrast, for the colder Rocky Mountains, the snowfall fraction decreases by 29%. Streamflow peaks in basins draining the Sierra Nevada are projected to arrive nearly a month earlier by the end of the century. By coupling WRF with a water resources model, we estimate that California reservoirs will shift towards earlier maximum storage by 1–2 months, suggesting that water management strategies will need to adapt to changes in streamflow magnitude and timing.
Associations of lipid parameters with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetic patients according to obesity status and metabolic goal achievement
Authors: Zhu Zengzhe , Yang Ningning , Fu Hongmei , Yuan Gang , Chen Yong , Du Tingting , Zhou Xinrong
Published: September 2022

Aims

Non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) phenotype has sparked interest and frequently occurred in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Information on associations between lipid parameters and NAFLD in non-obese patients with diabetes has been lacking. We aimed to investigate the relationships between lipid parameters and NAFLD according to obesity status and metabolic goal achievement in T2DM patients.

Methods

A total of 1,913 T2DM patients who were hospitalized between June 2018 and May 2021 were cross-sectionally assessed. We used logistic regression models to estimate the associations of lipid parameters with NAFLD risk according to obesity and metabolic goal achievement status.

Results

Higher triglycerides, non-HDL-cholesterol, and all lipid ratios including (total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol), and lower HDL-cholesterol were associated with NAFLD risk in both non-obese and obese patients. The associations were stronger in non-obese patients than in obese patients. Further, the inverse associations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with NAFLD risk were only detected in non-obese patients. Triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and all lipid ratios studied were significantly associated with NAFLD risk, irrespective of whether the patients achieved their HbA1c, blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol goal. The presence of poor lipids and lipid ratios were more strongly associated with NAFLD in patients who attained the HbA1c, blood pressure, and/or LDL-cholesterol goal than in those who did not achieve the goal attainment.

Conclusions

The associations of lipids and lipid ratios with NAFLD risk were stronger in T2DM patients who were non-obese and achieved the HbA1c, blood pressure, and/or LDL-cholesterol goal attainment.
Elevated pulse pressure correlated with reduced retinal peripapillary capillary in thyroid-associated ophthalmology with visual field defect
Authors: Ye Jie , Liu Weijie , Hu Xiaozhou , Jiang Hongxiao , Xu Mingna , Jin Haochen , Wang Mengting , Liu Zihui , Chen Qi , Wu Wencan , Tu Yunhai
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To quantify the retinal vessel density in thyroid-associated ophthalmology (TAO) patients with visual field (VF) defect and examine its associations with mechanical and system vascular risk factors for underlying pathogenesis of VF defect in TAO.

Methods

The cohort was composed of 62 TAO eyes (39 with VF defect and 23 without VF defect). The pulse pressure (PP), intraocular pressure (IOP), ophthalmic rectus muscular index (MI), superficial retinal capillary plexus (SRCP), radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density, and other related parameters were measured. The associations among these factors and VF mean deviation (MD) were analyzed.

Results

In TAO patients with VF defect, reduced RPC density, higher PP, and larger horizontal and vertical MI were found (all P < 0.03) when compared to TAO patients without VF defect. The RPC density was correlated with VF MD value (r = 0.242, P = 0.029), while SRCP density was not (P = 0.419). In univariable general estimating equation (GEE) analysis with RPC density as the outcome, PP and its fluctuation showed a significant association (both P < 0.04). In the final RPC model with multivariable GEE analysis, only PP (β = -0.082, P = 0.029) showed significance while PP fluctuation (P = 0.080) did not.

Conclusions

The elevated PP was correlated with reduced retinal peripapillary perfusion in TAO resulting in VF defect. These data suggested that the system vascular factor may be important in the pathogenesis of reduced retinal perfusion resulting in visual impairment in TAO.
Identification of potential biomarkers and pathways associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaques in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A transcriptomics study
Authors: Yu Tian , Xu Baofeng , Bao Meihua , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Qiujuan , Zhang Xuejiao , Liu Rui
Published: September 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) and patients are prone to plaque instability. It is crucial to clarify transcriptomics profiles and identify biomarkers related to the progression of T2DM complicated by CAPs. Ten human CAP samples were obtained, and whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed. Samples were divided into two groups: diabetes mellitus (DM) versus non-DM groups and unstable versus stable groups. The Limma package in R was used to identify lncRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network creation, and module generation were performed for differentially expressed mRNAs. Cytoscape was used to create a transcription factor (TF)-mRNA regulatory network, lncRNA/circRNA-mRNA co-expression network, and a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. The GSE118481 dataset and RT-qPCR were used to verify potential mRNAs.The regulatory network was constructed based on the verified core genes and the relationships were extracted from the above network. In total, 180 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 343 circRNAs, and 1092 mRNAs were identified in the DM versus non-DM group; 240 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 390 circRNAs, and 677 mRNAs were identified in the unstable versus stable group. Five circRNAs, 14 lncRNAs, and 171 mRNAs that were common among all four groups changed in the same direction. GO/KEGG functional enrichment analysis showed that 171 mRNAs were mainly related to biological processes, such as immune responses, inflammatory responses, and cell adhesion. Five circRNAs, 14 lncRNAs, 46 miRNAs, and 54 mRNAs in the ceRNA network formed a regulatory relationship. C22orf34—hsa-miR-6785-5p—RAB37, hsacirc_013887—hsa-miR-6785-5p/hsa-miR-4763-5p/hsa-miR-30b-3p—RAB37, MIR4435-1HG—hsa-miR-30b-3p—RAB37, and GAS5—hsa-miR-30b-3p—RAB37 may be potential RNA regulatory pathways. Seven upregulated mRNAs were verified using the GSE118481 dataset and RT-qPCR. The regulatory network included seven mRNAs, five circRNAs, six lncRNAs, and 14 TFs. We propose five circRNAs (hsacirc_028744, hsacirc_037219, hsacirc_006308, hsacirc_013887, and hsacirc_045622), six lncRNAs (EPB41L4A-AS1, LINC00969, GAS5, MIR4435-1HG, MIR503HG, and SNHG16), and seven mRNAs (RAB37, CCR7, CD3D, TRAT1, VWF, ICAM2, and TMEM244) as potential biomarkers related to the progression of T2DM complicated with CAP. The constructed ceRNA network has important implications for potential RNA regulatory pathways.
Volatility research of nickel futures and spot prices based on copula-GARCH model
Authors: Hong Shuifeng , Luo Yimin , Li Mengya , Qin Dajian
Published: September 2022

Nickel, an essential strategic emerging mineral in China, plays a vital role in promoting the development of the new energy vehicle industry and protecting the security of energy resources. However, the linkage between international and domestic nickel futures markets and the spot market is increasing. It is necessary to analyze and study the correlation characteristics and influence mechanisms to help investors avoid risks and judge the market situation which will improve the risk control ability and promote the steady development of the domestic market. Therefore, from the perspective of international and domestic markets and based on the yield sequence of the nickel futures prices and the spot prices, the study first discusses the characteristics of the volatility aggregation effect and asymmetries of the nickel futures and spot prices. Second, select an appropriate GARCH model to fit the marginal distribution sequence of the yields. Third, use the Copula function to connect the financial time series to find the correlation. The results indicate that the Copula-GARCH model can better fit the tail correlation between nickel futures market and spot market. Finally, we put forward policy recommendations for strengthening and improving the domestic nickel futures market, actively participating in the international competition mechanism, and preventing and controlling the risk of market price fluctuations.
Deep-learning-based surrogate model for fast and accurate simulation in pipeline transport
Authors: Qin Feng , Yan Zhenghe , Yang Peng , Tang Shenglai , Huang Hu
Published: September 2022

A new deep-learning-based surrogate model is developed and applied for predicting dynamic temperature, pressure, gas rate, oil rate, and water rate with different boundary conditions in pipeline flow. The surrogate model is based on the multilayer perceptron (MLP), batch normalization and Parametric Rectified Linear Unit techniques. In training, the loss function for data mismatch is considered to optimize the model parameters with means absolute error (MAE). In addition, we also use the dynamic weights, calculated by the input data value, to increase the contribution of smaller inputs and avoid errors caused by large values eating small values in total loss. Finally, the surrogate model is applied to simulate a complex pipeline flow in the eastern part of the South China Sea. We use flow and pressure boundary as the input data in the numerical experiment. A total of 215690 high-fidelity training simulations are performed in the offline stage with commercial software LeadFlow, in which 172552 simulation runs are used for training the surrogate model, which takes about 240 min on an RTX2060 graphics processing unit. Then the trained model is used to provide pipeline flow forecasts under various boundary conduction. As a result, it is consistent with those obtained from the high-fidelity simulations (e.g., the media of relative error for temperature is 0.56%, pressure is 0.79%, the gas rate is 1.02%, and oil rate is 1.85%, and water is 0.80%, respectively). The online computations from our surrogate model, about 0.008 s per run, achieve speedups of over 1,250 relative to the high-fidelity simulations, about 10 s per run. Overall, this model provides reliable and fast predictions of the dynamic flow along the pipeline.
Combing mechanical side-deep fertilization and controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer to increase nitrogen use efficiency by reducing ammonia volatilization in a double rice cropping system
Authors: Chen Zhaoming , Wang Qiang , Ma Jinchuan , Zhao Jun , Huai Yan , Ma Junwei , Ye Jing , Yu Qiaogang , Zou Ping , Sun Wanchun , Zhang Gengmiao , Zhao Yujie
Published: September 2022

Ammonia (NH3) volatilization losses result in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and various environmental impacts in agroecosystems. Machine-transplanted rice with side-deep fertilization (MRSF) has been recommended as an effective alternative to traditional transplantation with manual broadcasting of fertilizer. Controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF) can enhance rice yield and NUE in paddy fields. However, there is scarce information about combined effects of MRSF and CRF on NH3 volatilization loss and rice grain yield, NUE, net economic benefit (NEB) in a double rice cropping system. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of MRSF with CRF on grain yields, NUE and economic returns of early rice and late rice from 2019 to 2021, as well as NH3 emissions in two rice seasons (2019 and 2021). Six treatments were designed as no N fertilizer (N0), compound fertilizer broadcasting (CFB), compound fertilizer side-deep placement (CFD), CRF broadcasting (CRFB), CRF side-deep placement (CRFD1), and single side-deep placement of CRF (CRFD2). The results showed that the CFD and CRFB treatments decreased NH3 volatilization while enhancing or maintaining rice yield and NUE compared to the CFB treatment. MRSF with CRF (CRFD1 and CRFD2) significantly reduced NH3 emissions of early and late rice by 57.6–67.9% and 62.2–80.9% by decreasing the NH4+–N concentrations in the surface water compared to the CFB treatment, respectively. Rice grain yields in the MRSF with CRF treatments increased by 3.9–17.3% in early rice and 5.4–21.6% in late rice relative to the CFB treatment. In addition, MRSF with CRF treatments improved NUE for early and late rice from 32.1 to 36.2% and 21.3–28.4% in the CFB treatment to 48.4–61.2% and 39.7–62.3%, respectively. The yield-scale NH3 volatilization losses were reduced under the MRSF with CRF treatments by 61.2–71.5% in early rice and 67.4–84.3% in late rice. Furthermore, MRSF with single basal application of CRF reduced time-consuming and labor-intensive while increasing rice yields and net economic benefits. Overall, co-application of MRSF and CRF can reduce NH3 emissions, and improve rice yield, NUE and profitability in double rice cropping systems.
Spatiotemporal reconstruction and drivers of tourism-oriented towns: A case study of Jinshitan
Authors: Song Chunrui , Yang Jun , Wang Ling-en , Li Yutong , Zhi Yin , Xia Jianhong (Cecilia)
Published: September 2022

Reconstruction of settlement spaces is the process of optimizing and reorganizing the internal resources of a settlement, which is of great significance to settlement development. In this study, we used the land-use transfer matrix, land-use dynamics, building density, mean building height, and plot ratio in four time series to explore Jinshitan 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space, production space reconstruction and its drivers. The conclusions were as follows: 1) 82.288% of cultivated land that was lost during the study period was transformed as construction land, which was concentrated in patches; 2) showed a high degree of consistency in terms of building density, mean building height, and floor area ratio; 3) domestic tourists accounted for the majority of tourism, and the population structure exhibited a non-agricultural transformation; and 4) the spatial reconstruction of Jinshitan has benefited from natural resource endowment, government policy guidance, market orientation, and participation of social subjects. This study suggests that Jinshitan should focus on protecting the natural environment and strengthening humanistic care in the future, and hopes to provide reference for the urbanization development of other tourism-oriented settlements.
Comparative analysis of machine learning and multi-criteria decision making techniques for landslide susceptibility mapping of Muzaffarabad district
Authors: Khalil Umer , Imtiaz Iqra , Aslam Bilal , Ullah Israr , Tariq Aqil , Qin Shujing
Published: September 2022

Landslides are natural disasters deliberated as the most destructive among the others considered. Using the Muzaffarabad as a case study, this work compares the performance of three conventional Machine Learning (ML) techniques, namely Logistic Regression (LGR), Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and two Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques, namely Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for the susceptibility mapping of landslides. Most of these techniques have been used in the region of Northern Pakistan before for the same purpose. However, this study for landslide susceptibility assessment compares the performance of various techniques and provides additional insights into the factors used by adopting multicollinearity analysis. Landslide-inducing factors considered in this research are lithology, slope, flow direction, fault lines, aspect, elevation, curvature, earthquakes, plan curvature, precipitation, profile curvature, Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), roads, and waterways. Results show that SVM performs better than LGR and LR among ML models. On the other hand, the performance of AHP was better than TOPSIS. All the models rank slope, precipitation, elevation, lithology, NDWI, and flow direction as the top three most imperative landslide-inducing factors. Results show 80% accuracy in Landslide Susceptibility Maps (LSMs) from ML techniques. The accuracy of the produced map from the AHP model is 80%, but for TOPSIS, it is less (78%). In disaster planning, the produced LSMs can significantly help the decision-makers, town planners, and local management take necessary measures to decrease the loss of life and assets.
A study on the mechanism of the influence of short science video features on people’s environmental willingness in social media—Based on the SOR model
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Yue Xiaoguang
Published: September 2022

Based on the SOR (Stimulus–Organism–Response) model, the influence of short science videos on people’s environmental willingness is explored from the perspective of stimulus response, and their intrinsic mechanisms of action are explored. The study finds that the content features of short videos (usefulness, ease of use, and entertainment) can positively influence people’s environmental willingness through two paths: emotional evocation and perceptual fit. In addition, we should focus on the emotional resonance of people’s hearts and bring into play the advantages of sound and picture so as to enhance and optimize the persuasive effect of short science videos on people.
Identification of differentially expressed genes at the single-cell level and prognosis prediction through bulk RNA sequencing data in breast cancer
Authors: Chen Hanghang , Tian Tian , Luo Haihua , Jiang Yong
Published: September 2022

Background: The invention and development of single-cell technologies have contributed a lot to the understanding of tumor heterogeneity. The objective of this research was to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and tumor cells at the single-cell level and explore the clinical application of these genes with bulk RNA-sequencing data in breast cancer.

Methods: We collected single-cell, bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microarray data from two public databases. Through single-cell analysis of 23,909 mammary gland cells from seven healthy donors and 33,138 tumor cells from seven breast cancer patients, cell type-specific DEGs between normal and tumor cells were identified. With these genes and the bulk RNA-seq data, we developed a prognostic signature and validated the efficacy in two independent cohorts. We also explored the differences of immune infiltration and tumor mutational burden (TMB) between the different risk groups.

Results: A total of 6,175 cell-type-specific DEGs were obtained through the single-cell analysis between normal and tumor cells in breast cancer, of which 1,768 genes intersected with the bulk RNA-seq data. An 18-gene signature was constructed to assess the outcomes in breast cancer patients. The efficacy of the signature was notably prominent in two independent cohorts. The low-risk group showed higher immune infiltration and lower TMB. Among the 18 genes in the signature, 16 were also differentially expressed in the bulk RNA-seq dataset.

Conclusion: Cell-type-specific DEGs between normal and tumor cells were identified through single-cell transcriptome data. The signature constructed with these DEGs could stratify patients efficiently. The signature was also closely correlated with immune infiltration and TMB. Nearly all the genes in the signature were also differentially expressed at the bulk RNA-seq level.
Role of 5-methylcytosine in determining the prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and applicability of precision medicine in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Luan Mingyuan , Zhao Min , Wang Haiying , Xu Rongjian , Cai Jinzhen
Published: September 2022

Background: 5-methylcytosine has a profound impact on the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of 5-methylcytosine in determining the prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and applicability of precision medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: We collected data of seven hepatocellular carcinoma cohorts (The Cancer Genome Atlas, International Cancer Genome Consortium, GSE14520, GSE6764, GSE9843, GSE63898, GSE76427). An unsupervised clustering method was used to identify novel subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the expression 5-methylcytosine gene signatures. The 5-methylcytosine score was determined using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method based on the differential expression of genes in the identified subtypes. Subsequently, we investigated the association between 5-methylcytosine-based clusters (according to the 5-methylcytosine score) and clinical outcomes, immunophenotypes, classical molecular subtypes, and therapeutic opportunities in hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, we examined the sensitivity of patients with high 5-methylcytosine score to drugs.

Results: We identified two hepatocellular carcinoma-specific, 5-methylcytosine-based subtypes (clusters 1 and 2). Cluster 1 exhibited significantly higher 5-methylcytosine scores versus cluster 2. The 5-methylcytosine-based subtypes accurately predicted classical molecular subtypes, immunophenotypes, prognosis, and therapeutic opportunities for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cluster 1 (high 5-methylcytosine score) was characterized by lower anticancer immunity and worse prognosis versus cluster 2 (low 5-methylcytosine score). Moreover, cluster 1 (high 5-methylcytosine score) exhibited low sensitivity to cancer immunotherapy, but high sensitivity to radiotherapy and targeted therapy with lenvatinib.

Conclusion: The novel 5-methylcytosine-based subtypes (according to the 5-methylcytosine score) may reflect the prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and applicability of precision medicine in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Tuning Rex rules HTLV-1 pathogenesis
Authors: Nakano Kazumi , Watanabe Toshiki
Published: September 2022

HTLV-1 is an oncovirus causing ATL and other inflammatory diseases such as HAM/TSP and HU in about 5% of infected individuals. It is also known that HTLV-1-infected cells maintain a disease-free, immortalized, latent state throughout the lifetimes of about 95% of infected individuals. We believe that the stable maintenance of disease-free infected cells in the carrier is an intrinsic characteristic of HTLV-1 that has been acquired during its evolution in the human life cycle. We speculate that the pathogenesis of the virus is ruled by the orchestrated functions of viral proteins. In particular, the regulation of Rex, the conductor of viral replication rate, is expected to be closely related to the viral program in the early active viral replication followed by the stable latency in HTLV-1 infected T cells. HTLV-1 and HIV-1 belong to the family Retroviridae and share the same tropism, e.g., human CD4+ T cells. These viruses show significant similarities in the viral genomic structure and the molecular mechanism of the replication cycle. However, HTLV-1 and HIV-1 infected T cells show different phenotypes, especially in the level of virion production. We speculate that how the activity of HTLV-1 Rex and its counterpart HIV-1 Rev are regulated may be closely related to the properties of respective infected T cells. In this review, we compare various pathological aspects of HTLV-1 and HIV-1. In particular, we investigated the presence or absence of a virally encoded “regulatory valve” for HTLV-1 Rex or HIV-1 Rev to explore its importance in the regulation of viral particle production in infected T cells. Finally, wereaffirm Rex as the key conductor for viral replication and viral pathogenesis based on our recent study on the novel functional aspects of Rex. Since the activity of Rex is closely related to the viral replication rate, we hypothesize that the “regulatory valve” on the Rex activity may have been selectively evolved to achieve the “scenario” with early viral particle production and the subsequent long, stable deep latency in HTLV-1 infected cells.