bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Body Stature with Ocular Biometrics and Refraction among Chinese Preschoolers
Authors: Li Linling , Liao Chimei , Zhang Xiaojuan , Lu Juan , Zeng Yangfa , Fu Min , Wang Decai
Published: July 2022

PurposeTo evaluate the association of body stature with ocular biometrics and refraction in preschool children. MethodsA cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted in Shenzhen, China. Preschool children aged 3 to 6 from 10 randomly-selected kindergartens were recruited. Ocular biometric parameters were measured using non-contact partial-coherence laser interferometry. Cycloplegic refractions were obtained by a desktop autorefractor. Body height and weight were measured using standard procedures.ResultsA total of 373 preschoolers were included. Only the right eyes were analyzed. Ocular biometrics, including axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), corneal radius curvature (CR), and axial length to corneal radius ratio (AL-to-CR ratio), were positively associated with height and weight (p<0.05), whereas lens thickness (LT) was negatively associated with height and weight (p<0.01). No association was observed between stature and central cornea thickness and refraction. After adjusted for age and gender in a multivariable regression model, AL had positive associations with height (p<0.01) and weight (p<0.01). However, refraction had no significant association with stature parameters.ConclusionTaller and heavier preschoolers had eyes with longer AL, deeper vitreous chamber, and flatter cornea. The significant associations between body stature and ocular biometric parameters reveal the driving influence of body development on the growth of eyeballs in preschoolers.
Training for coordinating professionals as part of Dutch integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity – a mixed-methods evaluation
Authors: Koetsier MSc Leandra , Boutalab MSc Lamyae , Seidell Prof. dr. ir. J.C. , Baan Prof. dr. C.A. , Halberstadt Jutka
Published: July 2022

IntroductionHealthcare professionals (HCPs) play an important role in childhood overweight and obesity care, yet they often feel ill-equipped to manage this complex and sensitive health problem. As part of Dutch integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity, a training for coordinating professionals (CPs) was designed and carried out. This study evaluates the training based on the four levels of Kirkpatrick’s model of training evaluation: (1) reaction, (2) learning, (3) behaviour, and (4) results.MethodEleven CPs who completed the training participated in this mixed-methods study. First, completed questionnaires on the four levels were analysed with Qualtrics. Next, the transcripts of semi-structured interviews on levels 1, 3 and 4 were analysed in MAXQDA using thematic analysis. ResultsOn level 1, participants were satisfied with the training as it stimulated their professional and personal development, for instance awareness of prejudices about people with overweight and obesity. Barriers, improvements and needs from the training varied between participants based on their background. On level 2, CPs improved knowledge about integrated care and its practice, skills for providing overweight and obesity care, coaching attitudes, and trust and commitment towards local integrated care. On level 3, the extent to which the learnings were practised depended on the experience and local context of the CP. Last, on level 4 CPs mentioned noticing post-training practical results for themselves, the child and the family, integrated care partners, and the participants’ organisation.Conclusion This study evaluated a training for CPs for the support and care they provide to children with overweight and obesity and their families as part of Dutch integrated care. The training contributed to improve knowledge, skills and attitudes of CPs. This study recommends sufficient implementation of local integrated care to optimally practise what was learned. More on-time evaluations of the training and taking the perspective of the organisation into account is needed. This would improve the training and give CPs confidence to adequately provide support and care to children with overweight and obesity and their families.
Endurance training and MitoQ supplementation increases PERM1 and SMYD1 gene expression and improves hemodynamic parameters in cardiac muscle of male Wistar rats
Authors: Tezarji Mahboube Salajeghe , Moflehi Darioush , Nikooie Rohollah , Aminizadeh Soheil
Published: July 2022

The histone methyltransferase (SMYD1) and the muscle-specific protein (PERM1) play an important role in maintaining cardiac energetics and function. The present study aimed to examine the effect of two types of endurance training (running and swimming) plus MitoQ supplementation on gene expression of PERM1 and SMYD1 plus hemodynamic parameters in the cardiac muscle of male Wistar rats. The animals underwent MitoQ supplementation or endurance training or endurance training + MitoQ supplementation for eight weeks. Gene expression of PERM1 and SMYD1, measured by Real Time-PCR and quantified by 2−∆∆CT method, and hemodynamic parameters were compared between groups using two-way multivariate analysis of variance. Cardiac gene expression of PERM1 and SMYD1 increased significantly through running (PERM1, P < 0.05; SMYD1, P < 0.01), swimming (PERM1, P < 0.05; SMYD1, P < 0.05). and MitoQ supplementation (PERM1, P < 0.001). The effects of MitoQ supplementation were additive to both running and swimming effects on cardiac gene expression of (PERM1, P < 0.001; SMYD1, P < 0.05). Swimming-induced enhancement in cardiac expression of PERM1 and SMYD1 was associated with a significant increase in ± dP/dt max (P < 0.05)). In conclusion, expression of genes involved in cardiac metabolism can be affected by endurance training and this effect could be improved through MitoQ supplementation.
Reduction of posterior dislocated hip prosthesis using a modified lateral position maneuver: a retrospective, clinical comparative, and follow-up study
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Haoyang , Yang Jing , Shen Bin , Zhou Zongke , Zeng Yi
Published: July 2022

Background
Posterior dislocation (PD) is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and the Allis maneuver is the most widely used method for reduction. However, this classic maneuver has some disadvantages. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a modified lateral position (MLP) reduction maneuver provides an easier and safer method for PD reduction than the Allis maneuver.
Methods
Between August 2019 and September 2021, a series of 88 consecutive PD patients who underwent THA were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into the MLP reduction group and Allis reduction group according to the electronic health medical record. The success rate of closed reduction, Harris hip score (HHS), and radiographic outcomes were determined. Satisfaction scores, doctor safety events and complications were also determined and compared between the groups. The mean follow-up period was 1.66 ± 0.88 years.
Results
The MLP group had a significantly higher success rate of closed reduction than the Allis group. Periprosthetic fracture and implant loosening were retrospectively identified in 2 hips and 1 hip, which all occurred in the Allis group. The satisfaction scores in the MLP group were significantly higher than those in the Allis group. Four adverse events were reported in the Allis group, compared with 0 in the MLP group.
Conclusions
For PD after THA, the MLP reduction maneuver can effectively increase the reduction success rate, satisfaction, and doctor safety without increasing the risk of complications compared with the traditional Allis supine reduction maneuver.
Trial registration:
This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(ChiCTR2100054562) in December 19th 2021.
The association of serum total bile acid with new-onset hypertension during pregnancy
Authors: Deng Weinan , Zhang Lizi , Du Qiting , Li Yulian , Chen Jingsi , Du Lili , Chen Dunjin
Published: July 2022

Background: There has been considerable interest in the interrelationship between the liver and hypertension. The relationship between serum total bile acid (TBA) and hypertension has been reported. Moreover, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was correlated to gestation hypertension. However, the association between maternal serum TBA level in the normal range and new-onset hypertension disorders during pregnancy remains unclear. To evaluate the relationship between maternal serum TBA level in the normal range and the risk, disease severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes of new-onset hypertension during pregnancy.Method: Using the electronic medical records on all pregnant women from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, between 2014 and 2020, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2581 singleton pregnant women with maternal serum TBA levels in the normal range. Patients were grouped into the non-hypertension during pregnancy (1071), gestational hypertension (480) and preeclampsia (1030) groups. Result: We found that maternal serum TBA levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia and gestational hypertension groups than in the non-hypertension group (p<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that TBA level was independently and significantly associated with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-1.48, p=0.001, odds ratio: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-1.46, p=0.005, respectively). Moreover, elevated TBA level was positively associated with the risk of severe PE and negatively with mild PE (p<0.01). In addition, maternal serum TBA levels were negatively related to birth weight (p < 0.001).Conclusions: These results suggest that maternal serum TBA in the normal range also might be a valuable biomarker for disease severity in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Additionally, our results also indicate associations of serum total bile acid levels in the normal range with an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight among offspring. These results suggest that TBA could serve as a prognostic biomarker for new-onset hypertension during pregnancy.
Sevoflurane Exposure Induces Neuronal Injury and Disturbs Myelin development During the Susceptible Phase in Neonatal Mice
Authors: Fu Ningning , Wang Yangyang , Zhu Ruilou , Li Ningning , Zeng Shuang , Miao Mengrong , Yang Yitian , Sun Mingyang , Zhang Jiaqiang
Published: July 2022

Sevoflurane is one of the most commonly used general anesthetics for infants and young children, and previous basic research has reported that multiple or prolonged exposures with sevoflurane may affect brain development in infants and young children. However, the specific mechanism has not been well studied. We investigated whether sevoflurane would cause impaired myelin development and neuronal damage via the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAAR) and Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC1). On postnatal days 5–7, mice were each exposed to 3% sevoflurane for 2 h. Administration of the GABAAR inhibitor bicuculline and the NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide was performed 1 h before sevoflurane treatment. On postnatal day 14, we observed that multiple sevoflurane exposures resulted in decreased levels of neurofilament protein expression and increased neuronal apoptosis. The levels of myelin-associated protein and oligodendrocyte marker were significantly reduced. At the same time myelin thickness becomes thinner. Further studies showed that bicuculline and bumetanide enhanced remyelination by inhibiting GABAAR and NKCC1 and the number of apoptotic neurons was significantly reduced. Taken together, our results indicate that sevoflurane enhances GABAAR/NKCC1 signaling, leading to neuronal damage, disturbs myelin development, and a decrease in the amount of BDNF expressed.
Classification by Column and Type of the Generalized Distal Radius Die-Punch Fractures
Authors: Zhao Kai , Yin Qudong , Rui Yongjun , Tang Wen , Gu Sanjun , Zhang Zhihai
Published: July 2022

Background:  There was no three-column classification for generalized distal radius die-punch fractures (GDP) which can involve three-columns. The aim of this study was to investigate the classification by three-column and type of GDP. Methods：613 patients with GDP accrued from January 2013 to December 2021 were classified by column and fracture type. First, the GDP were separated into single-, double-, or three-column fractures. Second, the intermediate column fractures were categorized into volar, dorsal, split, collapse or mixed type, the radial column fractures were categorized into metaphyseal, articular or mixed type, and the ulnar column fractures were categorized into styloid process or metaphyseal type. Observing the classification results. The intra‑ and inter‑observer consistency between two assessors was analyzed with kappa statistics.Results：There were significant differences in the incidence (12.7%, 68.5% and 18.8%, respectively) and age (39.8, 46.6 and 47.1 years, respectively) for single-, double- and three-column fractures but no significant difference in terms of gender among the three (P>0.05). The mixed, collapse, split, dorsal and volar types were 28.7%, 27.7%,21.9%, 15.5% and 4.5%, respectively. The metaphyseal, articular surface and mixed types were 35.9%, 33.1% and 31.0%, respectively. The styloid process and metaphyseal types were 81.7% and 18.3%, respectively. Among the cases of volar and dorsal types, the missed diagnosis rate of X-ray was 28.5%. To the last follow-up of 12.2 months (range, 6 to 24 months), the wrist function was evaluated according to the Sarmiento modified Gartland-Werley method, the excellent plus good rate of the single column fractures was 96.2%, significantly higher than that of double- and three- column fractures (80.0% and 83.5%, respectively) (P<0.05). All patients that had poor wrist function were collapse or mixed type intermediate column fractures. The intra‑observer kappa coefficient was between 0.810 and 0.861 and the inter‑observer kappa coefficient was between 0.830 and 0.876.Conclusion：Different types of GDP have significant differences in terms of injury mechanism, incidence, age and prognosis. Classification by column and type of GDP reflects the features and has important reference value for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Classical-Quantum Hybrid Transfer Learning for COVID-19 Classification
Authors: Zhao Haorong , Deng Xing , Patrick Zhai , Jiang Yingtao , Shao Haijian
Published: July 2022

The coronavirus has been affecting people's everyday life since 2019. To stop the further spread of the virus, early detection of carriers of the virus and isolation are needed. Due to the limitations of nuclear accounting amplification assay (NAAT), CT imaging, which has the high sensitivity to the new corona virus, is used as a diagnostic method. In this study, a classical-quantum hybrid model using a variational quantum circuit as a classifier was designed. A pre-trained VGG16 was used for feature extraction, and the extracted features were passed to a variational quantum classifier for classification. Experiments show that using variational quantum circuits to linearly vary the classical data can improve the accuracy of the model prediction. Hybrid Model achieves good results with values of 98.78%, 97.65%, 100.00%, and 98.81% for Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-score metrics, respectively. The comparison between Hybrid Model and the classical model shows that the overall performance of Hybrid Model is better than that of the classical model. Hybrid Model provides a reliable, flexible and scalable classical-quantum deep learning approach for the prediction task of COVID-19.
Method for site selection of relief supply warehouses in earthquakes with Ms≥7– A case study of western Yunnan, China
Authors: Ju Xing , Fan Yunxiao , Li Tianqi , Niu Yi , Liang Hongkun , Wang Ying , Hao Chenyu , Jiao Liguo , Xu Xi
Published: July 2022

Relief supply warehouses provide necessities of life for victims in disaster relief. The science behind site selection for large relief supply warehouses determines whether victims in earthquakes with Ms ≥ 7 can receive timely and effective relief. This study proposed a method of site selection for relief supply warehouses based on the prediction of earthquake disasters and the quantification of site selection criteria. This method considered four factors, i.e., the prediction of earthquake-prone areas, the identification of building distribution, the mode of post-earthquake transport of relief supplies, and the construction standards of relief supply warehouses. Taking western Yunnan Province for a case study, this study first identified seven disaster-affected areas, then determined the helicopter's most extensive safe flight range in post-earthquake transport of relief supplies. Next, it quantified and classified the site selection criteria of relief supply warehouses in China and selected the top ten candidate sites meeting the necessary conditions. Finally, it obtained the ideal site using reference conditions.
A Simulation Study of Quantum Dot Solar Cells Using Two Distinct ETL of WO3 and WS2
Authors: Naureen  , Sadanand  , Rai Shambhavi , Yadav R. K. , Lohia Pooja , Dwivedi Prof. D. K.
Published: July 2022

Quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) have recently attracted a lot of interest since the materials used in them are eco-friendly, good light harvesters, and cheap. Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-1 dimensional software (SCAPS-1D) is used to carry out this numerical analysis. In the present work, the optimization of two different device architectures is investigated having WO3 and WS2 two different electron transport layer(ETL). In the proposed device structure, Sb2Se3 is used as an absorber layer and PbS is used as HTL and CdS is used as a buffer layer. The main objective of this effort is to determine how changing from the WO3 ETL to the WS2 ETL affects the photovoltaic parameters. Initially, the solar photovoltaic device is optimized, and then the effect of doping concentrations is investigated. In addition, the effect of series and shunt resistance on the solar device’s performance is examined to illustrate the impact of series and shunt resistance on the device's performance. The effect of increasing temperature on the PV parameters is also studied and it is observed that the solar device is temperature-sensitive. Finally, the optimized performance with WS2 ETL with PCE of 20.60% is achieved.
Evaluation of Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) for the Measurement of Nanoplastics in Drinking Water
Authors: Peters Ruud J.B. , Relou Emma , Sijtsma Eelco L.E. , Undas Anna K.
Published: July 2022

In the last few years, microplastics have been detected in fresh- and seawater, atmosphere, sediments, soils, sewage sludge, biota and food. However, these microplastics can degrade to even smaller plastic particles in the sub-micron range, the nanoplastics. Only a few studies so far confirmed the presence of NP in environmental samples and their release during the use of personal care products, the boiling of plastic teabags and the use of plastic infant bottles. Due to their smaller dimensions and colloidal properties, nanoplastics could pose an increased hazard to the environment, biota and humans. While there are methods for detecting microplastics, the reliable detection and quantification of size and particle number concentrations of plastic particles less than a micrometre in size are still difficult. In this study, the performance characteristics of nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) for detecting nanoplastics using an NS300 instrument were determined after optimisation. The NS300 proved to be accurate and precise for a 102 nm Nanospheres suspension, showing favourable results for accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility at high and low particle number concentrations. While the concentration range was linear from 5.0x106 to 2.0x109 particles/mL, the particle size range of the NS300 instrument was linear from 46 to >350 nm. From the measurements of mixtures of particles, it is clear that NTA has difficulties with polydisperse mixtures resulting in an underestimation of the smaller particle sizes. Finally, eight brands of bottled mineral water were analysed. The particle number concentrations ranged from 1.0x106 to 2.2x107 particles/mL, with mean particle sizes in the range of 110 to 170 nm and mode particle sizes <100 nm for all samples. Particle size distributions showed a particle size range of 50 to 500 nm.
Study of the Modeling of a Photonic Crystal Structure using COMSOL for the Design of a Temperature Sensor
Authors: Ghoumazi Mehdi
Published: July 2022

in this paper, we present a design of a two-dimensional photonic crystal-based temperature sensor (PhCs_2D). It is designed to detect temperature based on the effective modulation of the refractive index of silicon (n_Si). This temperature is monitored by the sensor for values ranging from T = 0°C to °T = 68°C. To analyze the detection principle, this two-dimensional square lattice structure is based on a Photonic Crystal Ring Resonator with a Swiss Cross in the middle (PCRR). The resonator is wedged between two parallel waveguides in a square lattice based on silicon rods immersed in the air, hence the refractive index equal to 3.46. This resonator has been studied as a promising solution due to the deformation, the extreme sensitivity as well as the variation of the position of the rods or cavities within the PhC resonators. It plays a relevant role in the detection of different temperature levels (T) over a wide dynamic range. We investigate the propagation and transmission of this structure that opens an optical channel drop filter (CDF) and the study is extended for tuning the channel filter (CDF) wavelength with temperature. The band diagram is analyzed and the transmission characteristics are obtained using plane wave expansion (PWE) and finite element method (F.E.M) respectively. This method evaluates the functional parameters of the sensor such as: resonance wavelength (λ_res), quality factor (Q), dynamic range, transmission efficiency and sensitivity (S). Our results show a resonance wavelength shift of the PCRR that increases linearly with increasing temperature. In this work, shift is used for sensor application. By F.E.M simulation under COMSOL software, we were able to obtain a resonance wavelength at 1640nm, a quality factor at 410 and a sensitivity of 370.6 pm/℃. The exceptional sensing capability makes PhC resonators a promising opto-mechanical sensing element to be integrated into various transducers for temperature sensing applications.
Mental health and psychosocial status in mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): differences by maternal ADHD tendencies
Authors: Marumoto Tatsuro , Monma Takafumi , Sawae Yukinori , Takeda Fumi
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to clarify differences in mental health, psychosocial status, and mental health-related factors among mothers of ADHD children between those with and without ADHD tendencies of their own. The data from 149 mothers of children with ADHD, collected through an online survey, were analyzed. Mothers with ADHD tendencies had poorer mental health, more ADHD children, and felt a lack of understanding of their surroundings than mothers without ADHD tendencies. There were differences in mental health-related factors depending on the mother's ADHD tendencies. Therefore, individualized interventions based on the presence or absence of the mother's ADHD tendencies may be important to maintain mental health in mothers of ADHD children.
Plantorgan hunter: a deep learning-based framework for quantitative profiling plant subcellular morphology
Authors: Feng Xuping , Yu Zeyu , Fang Hui , Jiang Hangjin , Yang Guofeng , Chen Liting , Zhou Xinran , Hu Bing , Qin Chun , Hu Gang , Xing Guipei , Zhao Boxi , Shi Yongqiang , He Yong , Liu Feng , Liu Feng , Han Bo
Published: July 2022

Accurate delineation of plant cell organelles from electron microscope images is essential to understand subcellular behaviors and functions. Here, we develop a deep learning pipeline, organelle segmentation network (OrgSegNet) for pixel-wise segmentation to identify chloroplasts, mitochondria, nuclei, and vacuoles. OrgSegNet was evaluated on a large manually-annotated dataset of 6371 organelles collected from 13 plant species, and achieved a state-of-the-art segmentation performance of these organelles. To generalize the morphological characteristics of plant organelles, we defined three morphological metrics (shape-complexity, electron-density, and area), and released an open-source web tool “Plantorgan Hunter” allowing quantitative profiling of subcellular morphology. The functionalities of Plantorgan Hunter can be easily operated, and we believe that it will increase the efficiency and productivity of plant subcellular morphological characteristics for the plant science community.
Characterization of a novel victorivirus isolated from the plant-pathogenic fungus Nigrospora chinensis
Authors: Zhong Jie , Sui Wen Wen , Li Ping , Tang Qian Jun , Liu Tian Bo , Xiao Yan Song
Published: July 2022

Here, we characterized a new mycovirus from the Nigrospora chinensis fungus, that was named Nigrospora chinensis victorivirus 1 (NcV1). NcV1 genome was 5, 283 bp in length, containing two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs), ORF1 and ORF2. ORF1 and ORF2 were predicted to encode a putative coat protein and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively. The stop codon of ORF1 was overlapped with the start codon of ORF2 by tetranucleotide sequence ATGAG. Phylogenetic analysis based on aa sequences of RdRp indicated that NcRV1 was clustered with members of the genus Victorivirus in the family Totiviridae. To our knowledge, this was the first report of mycovirus infecting N. chinensis.
Designing a Conventional Two-dose mRNA Vaccine for Tuberculosis Comprised of Dormancy-associated Proteins, ESAT6 and a Vault- liposome Vector System
Authors: KOVAČIĆ Dženan , SOFTIĆ Adna , SALIHOVIĆ Adna , JOTANOVIĆ Jovana , HOTIĆ Sarah Maris
Published: July 2022

Human pulmonary tuberculosis represents an unfortunately placed and persistent thorn in global health; asymptomatically infecting nearly a third of the global population, with roughly 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths annually. It continues to hold a place among the top ten causes of death in the world and remains the leading infectious cause of death by a single pathogen. Among the numerous reasons for such statistics is the relatively poor efficacy of the near-century-old BCG vaccine. In spite of it being the only approved vaccine for TB, its benefit is predominantly observed in preventing paediatric miliary TB and TB meningitis, whilst it offers considerably limited protection against infection in adults. The advent of mRNA vaccine technologies has passed the critical tribulations for current demand of Coronavirus disease 2019, and in so validating the argument on employing the technology as an effective response to TB as it suggests fulfilment of the necessary criteria: induction of robust, determined innate response with a favourable safety profile across a wider population. To this end, the novel mRNA vaccines were proven to elicit immune responses against bacterial pathogens; by virtue, the technology may be applied in bacterial infection treatment. Meanwhile, no approved mRNA prophylactics for bacterial infections exist yet. Within this work, we propose a novel vaccine design for TB that harvests the potential of mRNA vaccine technology. This was achieved by using a barrage of in silico tools for epitope identification, construct design and rigorous physicochemical evaluation and immune response predictions. The vaccine itself was design for the purpose of immunizing previously unexposed patients, along with individuals that have asymptomatic TB. Additionally, immune response simulations have predicted an immune response relatively in agreement with the natural, beneficial, response to M.tb infection, rather than the detrimental variety.
Identification of Immune and Hypoxia Risk Classifier to Estimate Immune Microenvironment and Prognosis in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Shi Yujing , Chen Hui , Liu Zeyuan , Shen Gefenqiang , Sun Xinchen , Di Xiaoke
Published: July 2022

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynecologic neoplasms. Hypoxia is an essential trigger for activating immunosuppressive activity and initiating malignant tumors. However, the determination of the role of immunity and hypoxia on the clinical outcome of CC patients remains unclear.Methods: The CC independent cohort were collected from TCGA database. Consensus cluster analysis was employed to determine a molecular subtype based on immune and hypoxia gene sets. Cox relevant analyses were utilized to set up a risk classifier for prognosis assessment. The underlying pathways of classifier genes were detected by GSEA. Moreover, we conducted CIBERSORT algorithm to mirror the immune status of CC samples.Results: We observed two cluster related to immune and hypoxia status and found the significant difference in outcome of patients between the two clusters. A total of 251 candidate genes were extracted from the two clusters and enrolled into Cox relevant analyses. Then, seven hub genes (CCL20, CXCL2, ITGA5, PLOD2, PTGS2, TGFBI and VEGFA) were selected to create an immune and hypoxia-based risk classifier (IHBRC). The IHBRC can precisely distinguish patient risk and estimate clinical outcomes. In addition, IHBRC was closely bound up with tumor associated pathways such as hypoxia, P53 signaling and TGF β signaling. IHBRC was also tightly associated with numerous types of immunocytes.Conclusion: This academic research revealed that IHBRC can be served as predictor for prognosis assessment and cancer treatment estimation in CC.
Assessment of Earthquake ground motion and Design Response Spectra in Site Response analysis using DEEPSOIL
Authors: Akter Sonia
Published: July 2022

The behavior of soil like linear in low strain and non-linear in high strain has a significance in the ground motion due to earthquake or volcanic eruption. Ground motion is formed by the propagation of waves that are produced by a sudden movement of earth and long its surface. In seismic hazard study, the appropriate selection of elastic response spectra based on soil classification and earthquake magnitude is the simplest way to account for local site effects. In this research, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman hall at KUET campus is selected for detailed ground motion analysis. The impact of soil characteristics is evaluated by seismic site response nonlinear analysis using “DEEPSOIL”. The main scheme of this research study is to determine the design response spectra and amplification factor based on shear wave velocity at 30-meter depth. From the SPT value, the average shear wave velocity is found varying 107 (m/s) to 205 (m/s) and the bedrock shear wave velocity increases up to 800 m/s. Four input earthquake motions have been used in this analysis which is scaled based on the zone coefficient. From the analysis, it is evident that with the increase of bedrock properties, the PSA at the surface, the amplification factor of ground motion, and maximum PGA, maximum strain, and maximum stress ratio is increased. The Normalized design response spectrum is compared with the BNBC and EC8 seismic code so that these results could be used for determining seismic hazard assessment or future probable event.
Risk factors for early enteral nutrition feeding intolerance in neurocritical patients: A prospective case-control study
Authors: Sun Panpan , Fan Xiaoning , Jin Yuping , Tang Rui , Chen Xia
Published: July 2022

Background: Determining the factors associated with ENFI in neurocritical patients could be important for better identification of the patients at risk of feeding intolerance.Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors for ENFI in neurocritical patients.Methods: Patients hospitalized in the neurological intensive care unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China between January 2021 and December 2021 were enrolled in this prospective case-control study.Result: Finally, 250 participants were enrolled. There were 183 patients in the early enteral nutrition feeding tolerance (ENFT) group and 67 patients in the ENFI group respectively. In the multivariable analysis, hypothermia treatment (OR = 2.331, 95% CI: 1.176-4.618, P = 0.015), severity of illness (OR = 2.176, 95% CI: 1.100-4.303, P = 0.025), the levels of sedation (OR = 2.478, 95% CI: 1.182-5.194, P = 0.016) and prealbumin (OR = 1.945, 95% CI: 1.073-3.525, P = 0.028) were independent risk factors of ENFI.Conclusion: Hypothermia treatment, severity of illness, levels of sedation and prealbumin were independent risk factors for ENFI.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100044644
Identification of stable housekeeping genes for induced pluripotent stem cells and -derived endothelial cells for drug testing
Authors: Ong Sheena L. M. , Baelde Hans J. , IJzendoorn David G.P. , Bovée Judith V.M.G. , Szuhai Karoly
Published: July 2022

There are no validated housekeeping genes in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and derived endothelial iPSC (iPSC-EC). This makes comparison of gene expression levels less reliable especially during drug treatments. Here, we utilized transcriptome sequencing data of iPSC and iPSC-EC with or without CRISPR-Cas9 induced translocation to identify a panel of 15 candidate housekeeping genes. For comparison, five commonly used housekeeping genes (B2M, GAPDH, GUSB, HMBS, and HPRT1) were included in the study. The panel of 20 candidate genes were investigated for their stability as reference genes. This panel was analyzed and ranked based on stability using five algorithms, delta Ct, bestkeeper, geNorm, Normfinder, and Reffinder. Based on the comprehensive ranking of Reffinder, the stability of the top, RPL36AL and TMBIM6, and bottom two genes, UBA1 and B2M, was further studied in iPSC-EC with or without genetic manipulation, and after treatment with telatinib. Using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), it was shown that gene expression of the top two housekeeping genes, RPL36AL and TMBIM6, remained stable during drug treatment. We identified a panel of housekeeping genes that could be utilized in various conditions using iPSC and iPSC derived endothelial cells as well as genetically modified iPSC for drug treatment.
Structural Aspects of the Attached Turbulent Boundary Layer Flow Over a Hill
Authors: Duetsch-Patel Julie E , Gargiulo Aldo , Borgoltz Aurelien , Devenport William J , Lowe K Todd
Published: July 2022

Note: Please see pdf for full abstract with equations.Three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers under strong pressure gradients and curvature are the rule in real-world flow applications but are typically not well predicted by turbulence models due to isotropic eddy viscosity or equilibrium assumptions. Validation-quality data in complex 3D flows is necessary for continued efforts to improve simulation accuracy. The BeVERLI (Benchmark Validation Experiments for RANS/LES Investigations) Hill bump model, designed specifically for validation experiments, was tested in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel to collect validation experiment data on the three-dimensional (3D) boundary layer flow over a 3D hill. Laser Doppler velocimetry measurements on the bump model were used to study the mean flow and turbulence structure and evaluate the impact of pressure gradient and curvature upon the total shear stress in the boundary layer and evaluate the impact of pressure gradient and curvature upon the total shear stress behavior in the near-wall region. From analysis of the BeVERLI Hill flow, including the boundary layer just upstream of the hill, and comparison with the 3D flow around a wing-body junction of Olcmen et al. (2001), it is shown that none of the stations studied exhibit a constant shear stress region over any significant region of the boundary layer. One station on the hill, located in a region with strong spanwise and streamwise pressure gradients, experiences an apparent return to an equilibrium shear stress for x2+<30 due to significantly increased production of u1'u2' and u2'^2 at this station.
Can additional intravertebral anesthesia improve the intraoperative tolerance to percutaneous kyphoplasty for acute osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures?
Authors: Wu Xu-Cai , Zou Peng , Yao Ying , Chai Xin , Yang Jun-Song , Wang Ting , Liu Tuan-Jiang , Liu Peng , Liao Bo , Hao Ding-Jun , Zhao Yuan-Ting
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different types of anesthesia (LA, LA with IVA, and GA) used during PKP.Patients and methods: A total of 150 patients of single-level OTLF were prospectively included in this study from February 2019 to February 2020. They were randomly divided into three groups of 50 patients each and treated with GA, LA, or LA with IVA. Severity of back pain was measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and 1 h, 1 day, 1 month, and 1 year postoperatively using VAS scores. The ODI was administered and the AHVB on lateral thoracolumbar radiographs was measured preoperatively and at 1 month and 1 year postoperatively. The MMSE was administered at 1 and 7 days postoperatively to monitor for the development of POCD.Results: 131 patients completed the full postoperative follow-up schedule. The average duration of surgery in the LA group was slightly longer than the other two groups. The intraoperative VAS score of the LA+IVA group was significantly lower than that of the LA group. The MMSE scores at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively were significantly decreased only in the GA group. The incidence of POCD was 45% (18/40) at 1 day and 5% (2/40) and at 1 week postoperatively in the GA group, whereas POCD was not observed in the other two groups. The GA group had the highest incidence of anesthesia-related adverse reactions.Conclusion: IVA with ropivacaine can effectively reduce intraoperative and early postoperative pain, shorten the duration of surgery, reduce surgery-related complications.
Arctic Fe-Mn deposits from the Kara Sea: fast-growing refuges for cosmopolitan marine microorganisms under sharp changes of redox conditions
Authors: Shulga Natalia , Abramov Sergey , Klyukina Alexandra , Ryazantsev Konstantin , Gavrilov Sergey
Published: July 2022

The impact of biomineralization and redox processes on the formation and growth of ferromanganese deposits in the World Ocean remains understudied. This problem is particularly relevant for the Arctic marine environment where sharp seasonal variations of temperature, redox conditions and organics inflow significantly impact the biogenic and abiotic pathways of ferromanganese deposits formation. The microbial communities of the fast-growing Arctic Fe-Mn deposits have not been reported so far. Here, we describe the microbial diversity, structure and chemical composition of nodules, crust and their underlying sediments collected from three different sites of the Kara Sea. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a high abundance of microfossils and biofilm-like structures within the nodules. Phylogenetic profiling together with redundancy and correlation analyses revealed a positive selection for putative metal-reducers (Desulfobacterota), iron oxidizers (Hyphomicrobiaceae and Scalinduaceae), and Fe-scavenging Nitrosopumilaceae or Magnetospiraceae in the microenvironments of the Fe-Mn deposits from their surrounding benthic microbial populations. We hypothesize that in the Kara Sea, the nodules provide unique redox-stable microniches for cosmopolitan benthic marine metal-cycling microorganisms in an unsteady environment, thus focusing the overall geochemical activity of nodule-associated microbial communities and accelerating processes of ferromanganese deposits formation to uniquely high rates.
Correlation between Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT- A) findings at three to six weeks and functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale – mRS) at three months of onset of acute ischemic stroke due to Extracranial Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Disease (ECAD)
Authors: Mishra Biswamohan , Pandit Awadh Kishor , Chawla Rohan , Aalok Swati Phuljhele , Srivast M Vasantha Padma , Nayak Manoj Kumar , PM Yogeesh , Salunkhe Manish , Garg Ajay , Srivast Achal Kumar , Vishnu Venugopalan Y , Bhatia Rohit , Misra Shubham , Upadhyay Ashish Datt , Molla Kabiruddin
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) images retinal vasculature without the need of contrast injection. In the present study we aim to determine whether OCTA findings can predict functional outcomes (mRS, modified Rankin Score) in patients with ECAD -stroke.Material and Methods This Exploratory study enrolled was performed on adults with acute ischemic stroke due to ECAD at 3-6 weeks of stroke onset and risk factors matched controls without carotid artery stenosis. Results: Twenty-three ECAD stroke patients (cases) and twenty-three risk factor matched controls were enrolled. There was a significant difference between cases and controls in the Deep Vessel Density (DVD) at macula (p = 0.0007). Statistically significant difference was noted in the total superficial vessel density (SVD) at macula [SVD within 1 standard deviation (SD) of control data vs SVD beyond 1 SD of control data) in the ipsilateral eye and functional outcome at 3 months (Poor vs very good outcome, mRS 0-1 vs mRS 2-6, respectively ( p= 0.0361). There was statistically insignificant correlation between the RPCPD at ONH and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, mRS at discharge, and functional outcome (mRS) at 3 months of stroke onset (r =0.33, r=0.35, r=0.39; p=0.11, p=0.09, p=0.06, respectively).Conclusions: The findings of this exploratory study led us to hypothesize that OCTA findings may predict three-month outcomes in cases of ECAD associated stroke and this could be useful in decision making in intervention studies as to whether intervene or not in patients having critical or non-critical ECAD for preventing future stroke.
Humic substances from composted fennel residues control the inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in AGS cells
Authors: Verrillo Mariavittoria , Cuomo Paola , Montone Angela Michela Immacolata , Savy Davide , Spaccini Riccardo , Capparelli Rosanna , Piccolo Alessandro
Published: July 2022

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogen causing inflammation. Recent studies have suggested a sophisticated interplay between mitochondria, innate immunity and inflammatory response, thus proposing mitochondrial disfunction as the hallmark of severe inflammatory disorders. In this study, humic substances isolated from composted fennel residues (HS-FEN) were tested as potential therapeutical strategy to restore the mitochondrial physiology and control the inflammation associated with H. pylori infection. The molecular features of HS-FEN were characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermochemolysis-GC/MS, NMR spectroscopy, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), which revealed the presence of aromatic polyphenolic components arranged in a rather stable conformation. In vitro results showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HS-FEN, that was found to increase the expression level of OPA-1 and SOD-2 genes in AGS cells stimulated with H. pylori culture filtrate (Hpcf) and concomitantly decrease the expression of IL-12, IL-17 and G-CSF. The hydrophobic features of HS, their conformational arrangement and large content of bioactive molecules may explain the beneficial effects of HS-FEN, that may potentially become an interesting source of anti-inflammatory agents capable to counteract or prevent the H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders.
A machine learning model for improving virtual machine migration in cloud computing
Authors: Belgacem Ali , Mahmoudi Said , Ferrag Mohamed Amine
Published: July 2022

Cloud Computing is a paradigm allowing access to physical and application resources online via the Internet. These resources are virtualized using virtualization software to make them available to users as a service. In this environment, the migration of virtual machines (VMs) is a significant concern these days. This technique provided by virtualization technology impacts the performance of the cloud. When allocating resources, the distribution of VMs is unbalanced, and their migration from one server to another can increase energy consumption and network overhead, necessitating an improvement in VM migrations. This paper presents a machine learning model for migrating virtual machines. The goal is to improve the selection of virtual machines and migration processes by reducing energy consumption and the number of VMs migrations. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed solution can significantly enhance the goals addressed.
Assessment of recent methods for determination of soil final settlement using field data
Authors: Dali Mohamed Aymen , Benamghar Ahcène
Published: July 2022

The problem of soil consolidation was first studied by Terzaghi who formulated the well-known one-dimensional consolidation theory. However, this widely used method was found to provide poorly accurate estimations, since Terzaghi considered the assumption of constant permeability and consolidation coefficient. The poor accuracy is also due to the low resemblance between laboratory results and field actual measurements. In order to overcome this issue, many researchers proposed new approaches to estimate and predict soil settlement more accurately. Among these approaches, field-based methods are particularly promising. For instance, the Asaoka method (1978), Sridharan (1987) method, Tan (1995) method, Chunlin’s method (2014), and recent methods of Guo et al. (2017, 2018b) and Guo et al. 2018(a). This paper aims to assess and discuss the results of some recent methods using a field consolidation monitoring data set.
L-arginine application triggered soil hydrolytic activity for protein hydrolysis
Authors: Khosrozade Sajedeh , Nourbakhsh Farshid
Published: July 2022

Application of amino acids to soils is reportedly associated with controversial responses in soil enzyme activities. After a lag time, protease and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis increased in L-arginine-amended soils. After 30 days, the ratio of protease and FDA hydrolysis in L-arginine-amended soil samples to those in the control reached 3.7 and 2.0, respectively. It was concluded that L-arginine was able to stimulate protease and FDA hydrolysis, thereby making the soil hydrolytic system capable of facing more complicated substrates.