bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Westerly Wind Bursts on ENSO Diversity: an Oceanic Perspective
Authors: Shi Yunhao , Lin Yanluan
Published: June 2024

The relationship between westerly wind bursts (WWBs) and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diversity has drawn widespread attention. However, the effect of WWBs on the oceanic intraseasonal Kelvin waves in the context of ENSO diversity formation remains largely unexplored due to limited observational data and theoretical analysis. In this study, we employ a combination of 20-90-day bandpass filtering, the complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) analysis, and mechanism analysis to investigate the response of oceanic Kelvin wave to WWBs on the background of ENSO diversity. 117 downwelling and 96 upwelling Kelvin waves are identified from filtered sea level anomaly (η) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (150°E-100°W, 2°S-2°N) during the period of 1993–2017. The WWBs have further east active center, stronger intensity, a larger zonal extent and longer duration during eastern-Pacific (EP) El Niño years compared to central-Pacific (CP) El Niño years. Consistently, Kelvin waves have stronger intensity, broader extension, and continuous spatial distribution along the equator in EP El Niño years than in CP El Niño years. Through statistical analysis and mechanism analysis, comparison of the relationship between WWBs and oceanic response in CP and EP El Niño years implies that WWBs may be a precursor on the formation of ENSO diversity from an oceanic perspective, providing both theoretical significance and practical importance for enhancing the predictability of ENSO diversity.
Supply and demand of processed potato products in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda: variety requirements of processing companies and implications for trait prioritization for breeding
Authors: Naziri Diego , Devaux André , Hareau Guy , Wauters Pieter
Published: June 2024

The potato processing industry in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda is expanding rapidly. This study assesses the current situation and outlook of the local industrial potato processing sector and the alignment of the industry’s variety requirements with the priorities set by breeders. Currently, potato processing companies in the three countries use both varieties selected locally from public international germplasm and varieties introduced by Dutch seed companies, and their suitability for processing is discussed as well. Overall, the processing industry pays high attention to traits affecting processing efficiency and consumers’ acceptance while breeders, in spite of being aware of the characteristics required for processing varieties, are more focused on traits related to production and disease resistance. As the processing sector develops further, breeders will have to pay increased attention to the progressively stricter requirements of the industry, striking the right balance between farmers’ and processors’ variety requirements. While their opinions on the farmers’ acceptability of processing varieties diverge, breeders and industry agree about the challenges represented by the limited access to quality seed and poor business linkages between value chain actors in securing the supply of varieties suitable for processing. Based on these findings, it is recommended to pay more attention to both the development of dual-purpose varieties and the strengthening of the potato value chain through the improvement of business linkages between seed producers, farmers, and processing companies.
Annealing effect on the pyro-phototronic behaviour in Al/nanostructured PS-ML: p+-Si Schottky photovoltaic device
Authors: Rabha Jonmani , Das Mintu , Borah Saponjeet , Sarkar Deepali
Published: June 2024

In the present study, effect of annealing in Al/nanostructured PS-ML: p+-Si Schottky photovoltaic device is observed for the behavioural change in its pyro-phototronic and corresponding photovoltaic effect. Under UV (365nm) illumination condition, as prepared device shows maximum enhancement and increment factor of 31.16% and 186% at \(0.5V\) compared to the devices annealed at temperature \(\ge 50^\circ C\). However, the coupling between pyro-phototronic and photovoltaic effect remains effective only for the device annealed up to \(100^\circ C\). On further elevating the annealing temperature, the pyro-phototronic effect diminishes while photovoltaic effect remains. The device treated at \(150^\circ C\) shows enhancement in open circuit voltage (\({V}_{oc}\)) value of \(\pm 841 mV\) with large value of fill factor (FF) of \(27\%\) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of \(9.63\%\) and \(6.36\%\) for upward and downward poling respectively.
Carfilzomib Shows Therapeutic Potential for Reduction of Liver Fibrosis by Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation
Authors: Fujiwara Ayana , Takemura Keisuke , Tanaka Anna , Iwata Kazumi , Amagase Kikuko , Umemura Atsushi , Okanoue Takeshi , Yamaguchi Kanji , Itoh Yoshito , Katsuyama Masato , Matsumoto Misaki
Published: June 2024

Because hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a major role in fibrosis, we focused on HSCs as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, we attempted to identify drug candidates to inactivate HSCs and found that several proteasome inhibitors (PIs) reduced HSC viability. Our data showed that a second-generation PI, carfilzomib (CZM), suppressed the expression of fibrotic markers in primary murine HSCs at low concentrations of 5 or 10 nM. Since CZM was not toxic to HSCs up to a concentration of 12.5 nM, we examined its antifibrotic effects further. CZM achieved a clear reduction in liver fibrosis in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis without worsening of liver injury. Mechanistically, RNA sequence analysis of primary HSCs revealed that CZM inhibits mitosis in HSCs. In the CCl4-injured liver, amphiregulin, which is known to activate mitogenic signaling pathways and fibrogenic activity and is upregulated in murine and human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), was downregulated by CZM administration, leading to inhibition of mitosis in HSCs. Thus, CZM and next-generation PIs in development could be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of liver fibrosis via inactivation of HSCs without liver injury.
Moxibustion for Obesity Complicated with Climacteric Syndrome: A protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Yu Benlu , Huang Wei , Wang Jiajie , Chen Xia , Fu Chengwei , Hu Feng , Zhou Zhongyu
Published: June 2024

Introduction Obesity complicated with climacteric syndrome (OCCS) is a disease in which estrogen levels are reduced, resulting in an imbalance between lipid metabolism, energy intake and consumption, and weight gain. Moxibustion, as non-interventional external treatment that prevents and treats diseases through thermal stimulation of relevant acupoints, has a certain advantage in the treatment of OCCS because of its affordability, convenience, efficacy, simplicity and high compliance.Consequently, we intend to carry out a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for OCCS in order to contribute evidence for clinical trials.
Methods and analysis From conception to December 2023, electronic searches will be conducted without language restrictions in the databases of CBM, VIP, CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center, and Clinical studies will all be searched for continuing experiments.The eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moxibustion in treating OCCS should be included. The process of selecting studies, extracting data, and evaluating risk bias will be carried out separately by two reviewers. The meta-analysis of the included articles will be carried out via RevMan V.5.3 software. Meanwhile, the evidence's quality will be assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation application.
Ethics and dissemination Since this is a systematic review and meta-analysis of already published studies that excludes patient information or privacy, ethics approval is not necessary.
Trial registration number INPLASY202220087.
Acetylcysteine synergizes PD-1 blockers against colorectal cancer progression by promoting TCF1+PD1+CD8+T cell differentiation
Authors: Zhou Wenchang , Yue Ying , Zhong Ziwen , Nan Ke , Sun Xingfeng , Wu Qichao , Zhang Jie , Chen Wankun , Miao Changhong
Published: June 2024

PD-1 blockade is essential in treating progressive colorectal cancer (CRC). However, some CRC patients do not respond well to immunotherapy, possibly due to the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Acetylcysteine (NAC) can reduce CD8+ T cell exhaustion in vitro and induce their differentiation into long-lasting phenotypes, thus enhancing the anti-tumor effect of adoptive T cell transfer. However, whether NAC can be combined with PD-1 blockade in CRC treatment and how NAC regulates CD8+ T cell differentiation remains unclear. We demonstrated that NAC synergized PD-1 antibodies to inhibit CRC progression in a mouse CRC model mediated by CD8+ T cells. We further found that NAC can induce TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T cell differentiation and reduce the formation of exhausted T cells (Tex) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, NAC enhanced the expression of Glut4 in CD8+ T cells, promoting the differentiation of TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T cells. Our study provides a novel idea for immunotherapy of clinically progressive CRC and suggests that Glut4 may be a new immunometabolic molecular target for regulating CD8+ T cell differentiation.
Opportunities to narrow potato yield gaps and increase resource use efficiency in West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Pronk Annette , Gunadi Nikardi , Hermelink Marleen I. , Hengsdijk Huib , Jindo Keiji , Silva João Vasco
Published: June 2024

Consumer demand for potato in Indonesia increases while production stagnates. Government policy recognized this discrepancy and prioritized efforts to increase potato yields through farmer support programs with moderate effects to date. This study aimed to decompose potato yield gaps and identify agronomic yield constraints in West Java. Actual yield and management practices of 178 farm registrations over five consecutive growing seasons were analyzed with stochastic frontier analysis. The potential yield (Yp) for each registration was simulated with the LINTUL-POTATO-DSS crop model. The overall yield gap was decomposed into its efficiency, resource, and technology components. The potato yield gap was 21.5 t ha -1, corresponding to 54% of Yp. The efficiency and technology yield gaps were both ca. 10 t ha -1, corresponding to 26% of Yp, and the resource yield gap was negligible. All fields received sufficient inputs for potential production but most inputs were used inefficiently. An early first fungicide spray after emergence and frequently spraying to control late blight increased yields significantly. The seed generation planted was critical to potato yield gaps as yield decreased significantly with older generations. Some high yielding fields, however, were also planted with older generations, so other production factors contributed to the yield gap as well. Improving potato yield will require well performed late blight control, the use of high-quality seed, and improved management practices, which include reduced input rates, to reduce current yield gaps sustainably.
The Effects of the Portfolio Low-Carbohydrate Diet versus the Ketogenic Diet on Anthropometric Indices, Metabolic Status, and Hormonal Levels in Overweight or Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sharifi Maryam , Moludi Jalal , Salimi Yahya , Jahan-Mihan Alireza , Saber Amir
Published: June 2024

Background
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. It is believed that excessive androgen production is primarily caused by hyperinsulinemia, making it the main factor in the development of PCOS. The portfolio low-carbohydrate diet (PLCD) is a plant-based diet with a carbohydrate content of 40% and incorporates five cholesterol-lowering foods. While, the ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet that 70% of its calories come from fat, promoting a ketosis state. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study compared the therapeutic effects of these two diets in PCOS patients. Thus, this study aimed to compare the impact of PLCD and KD on anthropometric indices, metabolic status, and hormonal levels in overweight or obese women with PCOS.
Methods
This randomized clinical trial was conducted on forty-six overweight or obese women diagnosed with PCOS. Participants were randomly allocated into either the PLCD or the KD group for 8 weeks. The anthropometric indices including body mass index (BMI), fat body mass (FBM), and waist circumference (WC), as well as metabolic markers including fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and plasma lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), were measured. Reproductive hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone, as well as Ferriman Gallwey score were assessed at the baseline and after the intervention.
Results
After 8 weeks, both diets demonstrated enhancements in anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive hormonal status. However, the mean difference in weight reduction, BMI, WC, FBG, HOMA-IR, LH, and FSH was significantly greater in the KD group than in the PLCD group (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, plasma lipid profiles including TC, LDL, and HDL indicated more improvement in the PLCD compared to the KD group. There were no significant changes in the Ferriman-Gallwey score within or between the two groups.
Conclusions
The study findings revealed that both the PLCD and the KD diets were effective in improving PCOS manifestations. However, the KD exhibited greater effectiveness in enhancing body measurements, metabolic factors, and hormone levels compared to the PLCD in women with PCOS.
Registration number of Clinical Trial:
IRCT20200912048693N3, Trial registered 2022–12–14. https://www.irct.ir/trial/67548
Single-cell dissection of multifocal bladder cancer reveals variations between primary and relapsed tumor lesions
Authors: Wang Chenfei , Liu Shenghua , Feng Chenchen , Tan Linyi , Zhang Dengwei , Li Yongxin , Han Ya
Published: June 2024

Bladder cancer is characterized by a high rate of post-surgery relapse and multifocality, with multifocal tumors carrying a higher risk of recurrence and mortality. However, understanding inter or intraregional malignant heterogeneity within the tumor microenvironment remains a significant challenge. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing of 121,554 cells to analyze separate tumor lesions from three primary and two relapsed multifocal bladder cancer patients. Our findings revealed that relapsed malignant cells exhibited higher interregional similarity and consistent cellular communication compared to primary tumors. Furthermore, we uncovered that relapsed malignant cells show suppressed cytokine responses and NK cell activity by elevated GATA3 and TGFB1 levels. Additionally, STAT1 enhances the expression of CD74 in relapsed malignant cells and activates PI3K/AKT to promote tumor progression. Notably, we identified IL4I1 and SPP1 double-positive macrophages enriched in relapsed tumors. Functional analyses revealed that IL4I1 could drive tumor progression by promoting aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of primary and relapsed multifocal bladder tumors, offering valuable resources for analyzing the relapse mechanism of bladder cancer.
Negative association of C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index (CALLY index) with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with cancer: results from NHANES 1999-2018
Authors: Zhu Di , Lin Ye-Ding , Yao Yan-Zhu , Qi Xiang-Jun , Qian Kai , Lin Li-Zhu
Published: June 2024

Background
The CALLY index, which is derived from C-reactive protein (CRP) content, serum albumin level, and total lymphocyte count, reflects the immune, nutritional, and inflammatory status of the body. Lack of sufficient evidence on the correlation between the CALLY index and the prognosis of cancer patients with various cancer forms. This study seeks to elucidate the association between the CALLY index and mortality from all causes as well as specific causes in cancer patients.
Methods
This investigation encompassed 3511 cancer-afflicted adults from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) spanning 1999 to 2018. The relationship between the CALLY index and mortality from both all causes and cancer specifically was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. Additionally, restricted cubic spline, piecewise linear regression, and various subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed.
Results
Over a median follow-up of 103 months, 1,355 deaths occurred, and the incidence of all-cause mortality for these participants was 38.34%. Our findings indicate that an elevated CALLY index correlates with a diminished risk of all-cause mortality. Upon applying a natural logarithmic transformation to the CALLY index, the comprehensively adjusted model revealed that each one-unit increment in ln CALLY corresponded to a 16% decrease in all-cause mortality risk among cancer patients. Analyses of mortality due to cardiac and cancer-related causes yielded consistent results, which were robust across various subgroup and sensitivity analyses.
Conclusion
The CALLY index demonstrated a linear and negative association with all-cause mortality, as well as mortality caused by cancer and cardiac conditions, supporting its independent prognostic value in patients with oncological conditions.
Improving the Final Atmospheric Seal of Conserved Archaeological Iron from Marine Sites
Authors: Dostal Christopher
Published: June 2024

The conservation of iron artifacts from marine archaeological sites faces the persistent challenge of electrochemical corrosion post-recovery. Traditional conservation methods, such as electrolytic reduction and chemical stabilization, have been very successful in stabilizing these artifacts, but post-treatment, can do little to provide durable long-term protection when exposed to atmospheric conditions. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel conservation treatment that combines microcrystalline wax with a paint overlay, aimed at improving the final atmospheric seal of conserved iron artifacts. Conducted at the Conservation Research Laboratory (CRL) at Texas A&M University, the experiment involved treating two historically significant cannons with this dual-layer method. The cannons were subjected to rigorous environmental conditions to test the durability and protective quality of the treatment. Results indicate that the combined use of microcrystalline wax and paint not only enhances the corrosion resistance of iron artifacts but also maintains aesthetic and structural integrity under variable climatic exposures. This paper discusses the experimental procedures, findings, and the practical implications of this treatment, advocating for its application in both museum settings and outdoor displays. The study contributes a significant advancement to conservation practices, offering a reversible, effective solution that upholds the artifact's historical value while extending its lifespan.
An approach for Parkinson's disease detection based on Artificial Inteligence techniques
Authors: Figueredo Marcos Batista , Monteiro Roberto Luiz Souza , Silva Alexandre do Nascimento , Santos Leandro Brito , Fontoura José Roberto de Araújo , Murari Thiago Barros
Published: June 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a lack of dopamine secretion, resulting in motor dysfunction that affects speech production. The literature indicates that PD can be identified by observing changes in speech signals over time. Early detection of PD is essential to slow its progression and enable patients to access disease-modifying therapies. In this context, an adapted Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for this task appears promising. In this paper, we propose a CNN classifier to efficiently detect PD with an accuracy above 95\%. We employed advanced machine learning techniques to identify PD early through voice analysis using the Parkinson’s Disease Voice Recording Data Set, which includes the vocal characteristics of 147 PD patients and 48 healthy individuals. The primary objective is to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of PD using a CNN tailored for this task. The preprocessing steps involved cleaning and normalizing the data, followed by the application of Bayesian hyperparameter optimization to improve model performance. The CNN model achieved an average accuracy of 96.8451\% in PD detection, demonstrating high precision, sensitivity, and a balanced F1 score. This result underscores the model’s effectiveness in identifying individuals with PD and highlights the potential of using a single CNN topology, as opposed to more complex hybrid models, to achieve satisfactory diagnostic rates.To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, we used simulated data generated from the original dataset. The results indicate that the proposed approach is suitable for the automatic identification of PD in practical scenarios.
AGPAT Family in Cervical Cancer: A Multi-Omics Perspective on Prognosis and Function
Authors: liang Yuexiu , Chen Yuzhen , Qin Hongtao , Wei Wenting , Dong Mingyou , Wang Junli
Published: June 2024

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) are the primary histological subtypes of cervical cancer. The AGPAT gene family has been implicated in disease processes across different cancer types, but its specific role and prognostic relevance in cervical cancer remain unclear. This study emphasizes the AGPAT family as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cervical cancer due to its significant impact on the disease's development and outcomes. Gene expression data from the AGPAT family and clinical information from 306 CESC cases and 3 control cases were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. These data were analyzed for mRNA expression, prognostic and diagnostic value, clinical correlations, function enrichment, and ESTIMATE score. The study revealed that AGPAT2, AGPAT3, and AGPAT5 mRNA expression was elevated, while AGPAT1 and AGPAT4 expression was reduced in cervical cancer tissues. Particularly, increased levels of AGPAT3 and AGPAT4 expression were associated with a poorer prognosis in cervical cancer patients. Additionally, higher DNA methyl-ation levels of AGPAT3 were observed in CESC tissues compared to normal samples, and specific CpGs within AGPAT3 showed a strong correlation with prognosis. Moreover, AGPAT3 expression was linked to the presence of various tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Experimental evidence demonstrated that inhibiting the AGPAT3 gene led to a significant decrease in the proliferation and migration abilities of the Hela cervical cancer cell line. These results suggest that AGPAT3 could be a valuable biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for predicting the prognosis of individuals with cervical cancer.
Gut microbiota, circulating cytokines and gastro-duodenal ulcer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Du Tong-Yue , Jin Wen-fang , Chen Hui , Huang Li-Li
Published: June 2024

Background
Emerging evidence suggests a correlation between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal disease, however the causality of gut microbiota in gastro-duodenal ulcer and whether cytokines act as mediators have yet to be fully established.
Methods
Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were utilized to obtain data on gut microbiota, cytokines, and gastro-duodenal ulcers (including gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer). Bi-directional Mendelian randomisation (MR) was employed to establish causal associations between the gut microbiota and gastro-duodenal ulcers, as well as determine the direction of these causal relationships. Cytokines and gastric-duodenal ulcer disease were analyzed separately as outcome and exposure factors using MR. Finally, we explored the potential mediating role of cytokines in the pathway from the gut microbiota to gastro-duodenal ulcers.
Results
The relationship between genetic liability in the gut microbiota and gastro-duodenal ulcer was characterized by three positive and five negative causal effects. Additionally, there were three positive and two negative causal effects observed between cytokines and gastro-duodenal ulcer. CXCL5 act as mediating factor linkin genus.Enterorhabdus.id.820 to duodenal ulcer.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest the potential causal effects of specific microbial and circulating cytokines on gastro-duodenal ulcer, with CXCL5 potentially serving as a mediating factor between the gut genus Enterorhabdus.id.820 and duodenal ulcer.
Unique region of 16S rRNA gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex sequences isolated from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Sari Nastiti Intan Permata , Lestari Christina Safira Whinie , Yarimizu Kyoko , Fujiyoshi So , Maruyama Fumito
Published: June 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotype distribution is different depending on the geographic regions, but the data from Surabaya City in East Java, Indonesia, not reported yet. This study aimed tuberculosis patients in the city for the predominant M. tuberculosis genotypes that can be responsible for tuberculosis in the region. Sputum from 121 tuberculosis patients were collected at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital (Surabaya, Indonesia) in two years starting from September 2016. These samples were tested using the previously developed 16S rRNA sequencing method. A high degree of genetic diversity was observed among isolates based on their 16S rRNA sequences. Further, this study can used for good information in molecular epidemiology, especially in Indonesia.
Multi-omics analyses reveal a distinct tumor microenvironment in microvascular invasion positive hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hu Junwen , Yang Chenglei , Pan Lixin , Li Zhijian , Wang Xi , Tao Yuting , Wang Yaobang , Hu Xiaoyin , Zhao Jingfei , Wang Zhenxing , Wang Qiuyan , Xiang Bangde
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a risk factor for the recurrence and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying MVI-mediated progression of HCC remain unclear. This study aimed to discuss the background of MVI-positive HCC through multiple approaches.
Patients and methods:
The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database analysis, next-generation sequencing (NGS), time-of-flight mass-cytometry (CyTOF), imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and lipidomics were used to analyze the molecular characteristics of MVI-positive HCC.
Results
Pathway enrichment analysis of TCGA database and NGS showed that the enriched pathways in MVI-positive HCC were significantly involved in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling; moreover, single-sample gene set enrichment (ssGSEA) and xCell analysis indicated that the TME of MVI-positive HCC might be in low immune state. In-depth interrogation of the immune landscapes using CyTOF showed that the ratio of Tregs to CD4 + T cells in MVI-positive HCC was higher than that in MVI-negative HCC. CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) express higher levels of immune exhaustion-related markers in MVI-positive HCC. IMC further showed that in MVI-positive HCC the distance between T cells and CAFs was significantly shortened, and the expression of PD-L1 in T cells was higher. The lipidomics results showed the cholesterol which may cause T cells to be in immune exhaustion was significantly elevated in MVI-positive HCC.
Conclusion
Through high-dimensional analysis, we found that there was immunosuppression of TME in MVI-positive HCC, which may be the cause of worse prognosis.
The Profiles and The Characteristics of Post-COVID-19 Patients with Hair Loss and its Correlation with Trichoscopic Features, Vitamin D Levels, and Quality of Life
Authors: Legiawati Lili , Suseno Lis Surachmiati , Sitohang Irma Bernadette S , Yusharyahya Shannaz Nadia , Uli Regina Elaine , Gliselda Keneyzia Carla , Iriyanty Septiana , Effendy Isaak
Published: June 2024

Hair disorders are often found in patients post-COVID-19 infection, with telogen effluvium (TE) as its most common type. Hair disorders have a major socio-psychological impact on society. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency may trigger hair loss in post-COVID-19 patients. This study aims to describe the profiles and characteristics of post-COVID-19 patients with hair loss and to assess its association with vitamin D-25-OH levels and quality of life. Our study is an observational cross-sectional study that include 40 subjects aged 19–59 years with hair loss post-COVID-19 infection and have stopped taking anti-androgen or minoxidil for at least one month (from July to August 2022). The Sinclair Hair Shedding Scale was used to measure hair loss severity on hair-washing and non-hair-washing days. Trichoscopic features was also used to portray the clinical picture of hair loss. The serum level of Vitamin D-25-OH was used to determine vitamin D levels. Vitamin D The subjects’ quality of life was assessed using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. The results show that all subjects observed in this study were clinically diagnosed with TE and 90% being female. Onset and duration of hair loss, hair loss severity, degree of reduced quality of life, and vitamin D levels varied among subjects. There was no association between post-COVID-19 hair loss with vitamin D levels and quality of life. This study indicated an association between the presence of canities and hair loss severity. Further studies are required to confirm the theory.
A Novel Method for Damage Prediction in BCF/PEEK Drilling Using an Innovative Drill Tool
Authors: Liu Yong , Zhu Shenao , Xu Guangyao , Zhu Meng , Pan Zitao
Published: June 2024

The effective design of tool geometry and optimization of process parameters play a pivotal role in mitigating damages such as tearing, burrs, and delamination during the drilling process of braided carbon fiber reinforced poly ether ether ketone (BCF/PEEK). This study introduces a novel method for selecting optimal drilling tools and damage prediction analysis in BCF/PEEK drilling. Firstly, a scale-span drilling finite element (FE) model is established based on the analysis of twist bit geometry and BCF/PEEK composition. Simulation and experimental validation identify damage causes in prefabricated holes. Subsequently, three innovative types of designed drilling tools are evaluated based on factors like hole morphology, thrust force, and delamination. Finally, Regression models are established to correlate damage factors, thrust force, and process parameters. The research findings indicate that the use of twist drill bits results in higher thrust forces, leading to delamination defects at hole exits. Conversely, employing a tapered drill-reamer could enhance the exit quality of prefabricated holes, consistently maintaining damage factors below 1.14 under identical process parameters. The proposed method effectively predicts the exceptional process parameters, with a maximum error of only 0.276% in the drilling of BCF/PEEK.
Level of leadership effectiveness and associated factors among managers in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023. A mixed-methods study
Authors: Ayenew Surafel , Liyew Woldehawariate , Azale Yenew , Fejo Edao
Published: June 2024

Background: The capacity to shape workers' attitudes, convictions, and skills in order to accomplish company objectives is known as leadership. It is essential to whether organizational performance is successful or unsuccessful. To successfully and efficiently manage health service delivery improvements, healthcare institutions require strong leadership. On the other hand, insufficient data exists on the present state of healthcare leaders to support evidence-based decision-making. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate healthcare leadership effectiveness and associated factors among managers employed by Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from 01 August to 01 September/2023. Six key informant interviews (KIIs) and 80 healthcare managers in total were undertaken. A complete census was used for quantitative data and purposive sampling for the qualitative approach. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the factors associated with healthcare leadership effectiveness. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value less than 0.05 during multivariable logistic regression was used to declare the factors associated with the outcome variable.
Results: In this study, 30% (95% CI: 20 -40) of the participants had effective healthcare leadership practices. Responsibility and accountability (AOR = 8.022; 95% CI; 7.582, 9.923), resolving problems and conflicts (AOR = 5.813; 95% CI; 4.240, 13.679), use resources in the right way (AOR = 2.968, 95% CI; 1.623, 4.145) were positively associated with effective healthcare leadership.
Conclusions: The prevalence of effective leadership among managers in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital was low. Responsibility and accountability, using resources in the right way, and resolving problems and conflict were the factors affecting healthcare leadership effectiveness. It is recommended that the topic should be investigated further, including the perspectives of the workforce on successful leadership.
Fabrication of TiN-doped Ti nanocomposites with high strength and ductility by plasma-assisted ball milling and selective laser melting
Authors: Zang Chuanjun , Yin Jianhua , Hong Shaofeng , Zeng Meiqin , Lu Zhongchen
Published: June 2024

An efficient method to fabricate titanium nitride (TiN)-doped titanium (Ti) nanocomposites through a combination of plasma milling, plasma spheroidization, and selective laser melting (SLM) was developed to obtain Ti-based materials with high strength and ductility from commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). Nitrogen plasma milling and plasma spheroidization were used to fabricate Ti-TiN nanocomposites, which were mixed with CP-Ti powder at a 1:9 ratio and printed by SLM forming. The resulting materials possessed a dual-scale morphology with both coarse lath-like and fine acicular-like grains. The Ti-TiN nanocomposites possessed higher hardness and tensile strength and lower ductility than those of the control sample without TiN. The mechanical properties of the SLM-printed Ti-TiN nanocomposites were improved compared with those of SLM-printed CP-Ti because of the TiN particles and resulting dual-scale structure. Nitrogen plasma milling provides a simple route to fabricate TiN nanophase-reinforced Ti-based nanocomposites suitable for SLM printing.
Quantum-inspired clustering with light
Authors: Varga Miguel , Bermejo Pablo , Pellicer-Guridi Rubén , Orús Román , Molina-Terriza Gabriel
Published: June 2024

This article introduces a novel approach to perform the simulation of a single qubit quantum algorithm using laser beams. Leveraging the polarization states of photonic qubits, and inspired by variational quantum eigensolvers, we develop a variational quantum algorithm implementing a clustering procedure following the approach proposed by some of us in SciRep 13, 13284 (2023). A key aspect of our research involves the utilization of non-orthogonal states within the photonic domain, harnessing the potential of polarization schemes to reproduce unitary circuits. By mapping these non-orthogonal states into polarization states, we achieve an efficient and versatile quantum information processing unit which serves as a clustering device for a diverse set of datasets.
A Fuzzy Based Aproach for Battery Controller for Microgrid
Authors: MITKARI MOHIT , BAWAGE ANKITA , PATE PAWAN , tawani lata
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a fuzzy-based approach for designing a charging-discharging controller for lithium-ion batteries in microgrid applications. The goal is to enhance the efficiency and performance of battery systems within microgrids. The proposed controller utilizes fuzzy logic techniques to handle uncertainties and imprecise information, providing robust and adaptive control in real-time scenarios. The controller's fuzzy rules consider factors such as battery state of charge, load demand, and renewable energy availability to determine optimal charging and discharging strategies. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the fuzzy-based controller in improving battery utilization, ensuring stable microgrid operation, and enhancing overall system performance. This research contributes to the advancement of battery control strategies in microgrids, promoting more efficient and sustainable energy management systems.
Use of Real-World Data and Machine Learning to Screen for Maternal and Paternal Characteristics Associated with Cardiac Malformations
Authors: Brown Jeremy , Huybrechts Krista , Straub Loreen , Heider Dominik , Bateman Brian , Hernandez-Diaz Sonia
Published: June 2024

Effective prevention of cardiac malformations, a leading cause of infant morbidity, is constrained by limited understanding of etiology. The study objective was to screen for associations between maternal and paternal characteristics and cardiac malformations. We selected 720,381 pregnancies linked to live-born infants (n=9,076 cardiac malformations) in 2011-2021 MarketScan US insurance claims data. Odds ratios were estimated with clinical diagnostic and medication codes using logistic regression. Screening of 2,000 associations selected 81 associated codes at the 5% false discovery rate. Grouping of selected codes, using latent semantic analysis and the Apriori-SD algorithm, identified elevated risk with known risk factors, including maternal diabetes and chronic hypertension. Less recognized potential signals included maternal fingolimod or azathioprine use. Signals identified might be explained by confounding, measurement error, and selection bias and warrant further investigation. The screening methods employed identified known risk factors, suggesting potential utility for identifying novel risk factors for other pregnancy outcomes.
Predicting Drug-Drug Interactions Using Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Farrugia Lizzy , Debattista Jeremy , Azzopardi Lilian M. , Abela Charlie
Published: June 2024

In the last decades, people have been consuming and combining more drugsthan before, increasing the number of Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs). To pre-dict unknown DDIs, recently, studies started incorporating Knowledge Graphs(KGs) since they are able to capture the relationships among entities provid-ing better drug representations than using a single drug property. In this paper,we propose an end-to-end framework that integrates several drug features frompublic drug repositories into a KG and embeds the nodes in the graph using var-ious translation, factorisation and Neural Network (NN) based KG Embedding(KGE) methods. Ultimately, we use a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm thatpredicts unknown DDIs. Among the different translation and factorisation-basedKGE models, we found that the best performing combination was the ComplExembedding method with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network, whichobtained an F 1-score of 95.19% on a dataset based on the DDIs found in Drug-Bank version 5.1.8. This score is 5.61% better than the state-of-the-art modelDeepDDI. Additionally, we also developed a graph auto-encoder model that usesa Graph Neural Network (GNN), which achieved an F 1-score of 91.94%. Con-sequently, GNNs have demonstrated a stronger ability to mine the underlyingsemantics of the KG than the ComplEx model, and thus using higher dimensionembeddings within the GNN can lead to state-of-the-art performance.
Economic dispatch of multi-microgrids considering flexible load based on distributed consensus algorithm
Authors: Wu Xiaopeng , Li Shiwang , He Ping , Zhao Chen , Liu Mingyang
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the economic dispatch (ED) problem of multi-microgrids considering the flexible loads based on distributed consensus algorithm. Firstly, the structure topology diagram of distributed generator nodes is designed based on the global interconnection of multi-microgrids, then the flexible load is considered as adjustable load and be added into the fixed loads. Next, a multi-microgrids economic dispatch (MMED) model which contained fixed and flexible loads is constructed with the goal of minimizes the operating cost of the entire system. The proposed MMED model is a two-layer coordinated optimization model. The power transmission cost between each microgrid is used as the multi-microgrids layer framework, and the internal operating costs of a single microgrid is the sub-microgrid layer framework. The distributed consensus algorithm is designed to solve the MMED problem with the considering of constraint condition of distributed generators in each microgrid. Finally, some examples illustrate that the proposed method can not only optimize the operation of each single microgrid, but also maintains the stability of multi-microgrids through the adjustment of flexible load, and reduces the total operating cost of the whole multi-microgrids system.
Design and testing of a microwave Doppler-based yield estimation system for machine-picked seed cotton
Authors: Li Yuhang , Feng Jingan , Zhang Feng , Diao Shengang , Chen Jing
Published: June 2024

Accurately obtaining crop yields is an important part of the precision agriculture technology system; with the increased mechanisation of cotton planting and harvesting, it has become particularly important to accurately obtain seed cotton yield data. In order to achieve accurate estimation of machine-picked seed cotton yield, this paper designs a machine-picked seed cotton yield estimation system based on microwave Doppler principle. Based on LabVIEW software, the signal acquisition circuit is designed; the power spectrum of the echo signal is estimated; the signal echo power is obtained; the relationship model between echo power and seed cotton mass is established by using multiple regression equations; and the reliability of the model is verified by using statistical methods. By adjusting the rotational speed of the fan, the wind speed at the inlet of the cotton pipeline was 10 m/s, 15 m/s and 20 m/s, and the yield estimation tests were carried out at the three wind speeds, and the data showed that the average absolute percentage errors of the estimation at the three wind speeds were 7.36%, 7.72% and 8.17%, and the mean squared errors were 2.699, 4.938 and 4.026, respectively. The test results show that the accuracy of seed cotton mass estimation under the three wind speeds basically meets the needs of the yield measurement system, and the systematic error of seed cotton yield estimation is the smallest when the wind speed is 10 m/s.
Social Outcomes of the Housing Market under Climate Change
Authors: Moshfegh Peyman Habibi , Naderpajouh Nader , Morshedi Mohamadali , Fallah-Fini Saeideh , Wong Woon-Weng
Published: June 2024

Climate change results in unequal social outcomes within housing markets. Here we use the Australian housing market data to examine the disparate social outcomes of the housing market under climate scenarios presented by the shared socio-economic pathways. Our results suggest that even sustainable pathways with expected societal benefits exacerbate social inequalities by disproportionately imposing financial burdens on low-income households and tenants. Specifically, we demonstrate how intervention mechanisms, including insurance premiums, taxes, and mortgage rates, can counterproductively deepen social inequalities by increasing unaffordability and homelessness. These results call for contextually defined housing policies that support targeted intervention mechanisms for just housing outcomes in the face of climate change.
iDIA-QC: AI-empowered Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry-based Quality Control
Authors: Guo Tiannan , Gao Huanhuan , Zhu Yi , Wang Dongxue , Wang Guibin , Nie Zongxiang , Liang Shuang , Xie Yuting , Sun Yingying , Jiang Wenhao , Dong Zhen , Qian Liqin , Wang Xufei , Liang Mengdi , Chen Ming , Fang Houqi , Zeng Qiufang , Tian Jiao , Sun Zeyu , Xue Juan , Li Shan , Chen Chen , Liu Xiang , Lyu Xiaolei , Guo Zhenchang , Qi Yingzi , Wu Ruoyu , Du Xiaoxian , Tong Tingde , Kong Fengchun , Han Liming , Wang Minghui , He Fuchu , Wang He
Published: June 2024

Quality control (QC) in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics is mainly based on data-dependent acquisition (DDA) analysis of standard samples. Here, we collected 2638 files acquired by data independent acquisition (DIA) and paired DDA files from mouse liver digests using 21 mass spectrometers across nine laboratories over 31 months. Our data demonstrated that DIA-based LC-MS/MS-related consensus QC metrics exhibit higher sensitivity compared to DDA-based QC metrics in detecting changes in LC-MS status. We then optimized 15 metrics and invited 21 experts to manually assess the quality of 2638 DIA files based on those metrics. Based on the annotation results, we developed an AI model for DIA-based QC in the training set of 2110 DIA files. This model predicted the liquid chromatography (LC) performance with an AUC of 0.91 and the MS performance with an AUC of 0.97 in an independent validation dataset (n = 528). Finally, we developed an offline software called iDIA-QC for convenient adoption of this methodology for LC-MS QC.
From practice to theory and back again?
Authors: Arantes Lydia
Published: June 2024

Having been socialised at a crossroads of peasant, working and (ascending to) middle class, resulted in frictions between theory and practice (also described by Willis 1977), mind and body or science and ‘real life’ building themselves into the way I think and work to this day. Engaging in an internal dialogue and refraining from delivering my insights on a silver platter, I take the reader on the journey of trying to understand my class (non-)belonging. This also entails tracing back my fear of corrupting real life with social theory and might irritate the reader at times. By re-reading and re-framing field notes from my PhD research on knitting, I ultimately carve out how the frictions mentioned managed to reinsert themselves into my ethnographic research practice. I ponder how these frictions and their effects become intelligible through a reflection of my class (non-)belonging.
Water quality assessment of Loktak Lake, Manipur using Landsat 9 imagery
Authors: Singh Rajkumar Birendrakumar , Yurembam Ghanashyam Singh , Jhajharia Deepak , Kusre B. C.
Published: June 2024

The role of freshwater lakes in providing water resources and supporting ecosystems is essential. Monitoring water quality using remote sensing (RS) technologies is crucial for sustainable management practices. A study on Loktak Lake was done using RS algorithms to predict post-monsoon water quality. The multiplication band model (B1 × B6) demonstrated a moderate correlation with dissolved oxygen (DO) values (mg/l) with (coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.47, root mean square error, RMSE = 0.23, and standard error of estimation, SEE = 0.23). The band combination (B2/B4) was strongly correlated with electrical conductivity (EC) values (μs/cm) (R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 9.44, and SEE = 9.69). For total dissolved solids (TDS) (mg/l), with an R2 = 0.61, RMSE = 5.95, and SEE = 6.09, Band 2 demonstrated a strong correlation between field values and satellite imagery. The post-monsoon water quality map of the lake indicates lower concentrations of DO, EC, and TDS on the western side and elevated values on the eastern side. The research concluded that RS algorithms can be effectively used to predict water quality parameters in Loktak Lake, specifically DO, EC, and TDS. The findings suggest that effective pollution management is needed on the western side of the lake.