bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADHD detection based on time frequency image and deep-learning CNN from event-related EEG
Authors: Jacob Liya Alice , S Biju K , U. Sangeetha , Ramachandran Sivakumar
Published: September 2023

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often begins at childhood and can persist into adulthood. Children with this disability often cannot sit still in a place and have to bear academic losses due to inattention and behavioral spontaneity, which inhibit them in executing demanding or repetitive tasks.
Time frequency image (TFI) of electroencephalogram (EEG) was used in a deep learning model to detect ADHD, and the effects of theta (4–8 Hz) and upper- beta and lower- gamma (13–40 Hz) waves in an ADHD patient were compared. Results were further supported with gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based machine learning approach and statistical analysis. A TFI feature extraction network for ADHD detection based on convolutional neural network (CNN) was designed and trained. The model achieved 95.36\% overall test accuracy on ADHD detection with test accuracy of 99.75\% and 91.25\% at the 4–8 Hz and 13–40 Hz bands, respectively. Textural features, including the GLCM features, were extracted from the TFIs and were learned by using a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier. An overall classification accuracy of 93.16\% was obtained by the KNN with 96.5\% and 90.00\% test accuracy at the 4–8 Hz and 13–40 Hz bands, respectively. The statistical analysis with ANOVA showed significant results of \<0.001 for all the 13 features studied. The TFI-based CNN model and GLCM-based KNN classifier supported higher ADHD-related information at the theta band compared with the upper- beta and lower- gamma bands.
GRSF1 antagonizes age-associated hypercoagulability via modulation of fibrinogen mRNA stability
Authors: Chen Jun , Liu Doudou , Xu Chenzhong , Gong Ze , Zhao Yijie , Fang Zhiqiang , Rao Xiaoli , Chen Qingyu , Li Guodong , Kong Wei
Published: September 2023

Age-associated hypercoagulability is accompanied with the increase of plasma levels of some coagulation factors including ﬁbrinogen which may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and thrombotic diseases in elderly people. However, the underlying mechanism of increased plasma ﬁbrinogen concentration during aging is still elusive. GRSF1 belongs to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins F/H (hnRNP F/H) subfamily. Here, we report GRSF1 attenuates hypercoagulability via negative modulation of fibrinogen expression. We demonstrated that GRSF1 negatively regulated fibrinogen expression at both mRNA and protein levels. GRSF1 directly interacted with coding region (CDS) of FGA, FGB, and FGG mRNAs, and decreased their stability thus mitigating fibrinogen expression. We further identified that only few G-tracts within Fib C domain of FGA, FGB, and FGG CDS and qRRM2 domain of GRSF1 were required for their interaction. Moreover, we confirmed hypercoagulability and the decrease of GRSF1 expression level during mice aging. Functionally, GRSF1 overexpression in old mice liver decreased fibrinogen plasma level, reduced hypercoagulability, and mitigated blood coagulation activity, whereas GRSF1 knockdown in young mice liver increased fibrinogen plasma level and promoted blood coagulation activity. Collectively, our findings unveil a novel posttranscriptional regulation of fibrinogen by GRSF1 and uncover a critical role of GRSF1 in regulating blood coagulation activity.
Cost-effective mitigation of urban congestion with adaptive traffic signal control
Authors: Gu Baojing , Wu Kan , Ding Jianrong , Lin Jingli , Zheng Guanjie , Huang Qian , Xu Tu , Zhu Yongdong
Published: September 2023

Urban congestion is a widespread issue with detrimental effects on urban efficiency, energy consumption, and pollution levels. Traditional approaches to mitigating congestion, such as increasing transport infrastructures or reducing travel demands, can be costly or inequitable for residents. Adaptive traffic signal control is a less understood method that may potentially improve intersection efficiency and reduce congestion without changing travel demands or transport infrastructures. By analyzing the top 100 congested cities in China, here we show that adaptive traffic signal control reduces trip time by 11% and 8% during peak and off-peak hours, respectively, compared to pretimed traffic signals. This reduction in congestion also results in a decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 12 million tonnes (Mt) and 40 Mt, respectively. Although implementing adaptive traffic signal control requires an annual cost of US$1.5 billion, the resulting societal benefits, mainly fuel savings and CO2 reduction, amount to US$40.4 billion per year for the 100 congested cities in China. To encourage the adoption of this method, a central system is necessary to facilitate traffic data sharing across sectors, which will require policy and technological innovation.
The amyloid precursor protein and its derived fragments concomitantly contribute to the alterations of mitochondrial transport machinery in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Vaillant-Beuchot Loan , Eysert Fanny , Duval Blandine , Kinoshita Paula , Pardossi-Piquard Raphaëlle , Bauer Charlotte , Eddarkaoui Sabiha , Buee Luc , Checler Frédéric , Chami Mounia
Published: September 2023

Mitochondria dysfunctions and mitophagy failure have been associated with several Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related molecular actors including amyloid beta (Aβ) and recently the amyloid precursor protein-C terminal fragments (APP-CTFs). The efficacy of the mitophagy process in neurons relies on regulated mitochondrial transport along axons involving a complex molecular machinery. The contribution of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its derived fragments to the mitochondrial transport machinery alterations in AD have not been investigated before. We report herein a change of the expression of mitochondrial transport proteins (SNPH and Miro1), motor adaptors (TRANK1 and TRAK2) and components of the dynein and kinesin motors (i.e. IC1,2 and Kif5 (A, B, C) isoforms) by endogenous APP and by overexpression of APP carrying the familial Swedish mutation (APPswe). We show that APP-CTFs and Aβ concomitantly regulate the expression of a set of transport proteins in APPswe cells treated with β- and γ-secretase inhibitors and by using cells Knock-down for presenilin 1 and 2. We further reported the impact of APP-CTFs on the expression of transport proteins in AAV-injected C99 mice brains. Our data also indicate that both APP-CTFs and Aβ oligomers (Aβo) impair the localization of transport proteins in mitochondria as demonstrated in differentiated SH-SY5Y-APPswe cells treated with β- and γ-secretase inhibitors and in Aβo-treated differentiated SH-SY5Y naive cells. Importantly, we uncover that the expression of a set of transport proteins is modulated in a disease-dependent manner in 3xTgAD mice and in human sporadic AD brains. This study highlights molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial transport defect in AD that likely contribute to mitophagy failure and disease progression.
The Urban Nature Indexes (UNI): A New, Flexible Tool to Comprehensively Monitor Urban Ecological Performance
Authors: Pierce Jennifer , Costadone Laura , Manetti Lelani , Morpurgo Joeri , Green Charlyn , Halder Michael , Guijosa Pablo Lopez , Bogan Abner , Galt Russell , Hughes Jonathan
Published: September 2023

We present the Urban Nature Indexes (UNI), a comprehensive tool that measures urban ecological performance under one standard framework linked to global commitments. The UNI was developed by interdisciplinary experts and evaluated by practitioners from diverse cities to capture each city’s ecological footprint from local to global scale. The UNI comprises six themes (consumption drivers, human pressures, habitat status, species status, nature’s contributions to people, and governance responses) that encompass measurable impacts on climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem services, pollution, consumption, water management, and equity within one comprehensive system. Cities then adapt the UNI to their context and capacity by selecting among indicator topics within each theme. This adaptability and holistic approach position the UNI as an essential instrument for nature-positive transformations. With the institutional support of IUCN, the UNI offers an unprecedented opportunity for cities to assess and enhance their contributions towards a more sustainable and biodiverse future.
Thirty-years of genetic counselling education in Europe: a growing professional area.
Authors: Paneque Milena , O´Shea Rosie , Narravula Alekhya , Siglen Elen , Ciuca Andrada , Abulí Anna , Serra-Juhe Clara
Published: September 2023

Genetic counselling education and training in Europe spans a continuum of 30 years. More master programs are opening due to the demand for qualified genetic counsellors. This report describes the evolution of training in Europe and the current state of genetic counselling training programs. Directors of master programs in Europe were invited to complete an online survey describing their program, including; year of commencement, course duration, number of students, frequency of intake and number graduating. Results of the survey were presented at a closed meeting at the European Society of Human Genetics conference in 2022 along with a facilitated stakeholder engagement session in which 19 professionals participated to understand the challenges in delivering genetic counselling education in Europe. A total of 10 active programs exists in Europe with the first training program established in 1992. The majority of training programs have a 2-year duration, with just over half of programs having an annual intake of students. Up to May 2022, 710 students have graduated from genetic counselling training programs across Europe. Of these, 670 students graduated from European Board of Medical Genetics-registered programs. Arranging clinical placements, clinical and counselling supervision of students, research collaboration for MSc research projects and incorporating genomics into the curriculum were identified as current challenges for genetic counselling education. Genetic counselling is still a developing profession in Europe and this historical and current view of the European genetic counsellor pathways, allows for educational and professional standards to be examined as the profession evolves into the future.
Transcriptomic dynamics in the transition from ground to space are revealed by Virgin Galactic human-tended suborbital spaceflight
Authors: Ferl Robert , Zhou Mingqi , Strickland Hunter , Haveman Natasha , Callaham Jordan , Bandla Sirisha , Ambriz Daniel , Paul Anna-Lisa
Published: September 2023

The Virgin Galactic Unity 22 mission conducted the first astronaut-manipulated suborbital spaceflight experiment. The experiment examined the operationalization of Kennedy Space Center Fixation Tubes (KFTs) as a generalizable approach to preserving biology at various phases of suborbital flight. The biology chosen for this experiment was Arabidopsis thaliana, ecotype Col-0, because of the plant’s history of spaceflight experimentation within KFTs and wealth of comparative data from orbital experiments. KFTs were deployed as a wearable device, a leg pouch attached to the astronaut, which proved to be operationally effective during the course of the flight. Data from the inflight samples indicated that the microgravity period of the flight elicited the strongest transcriptomic responses as measured by the number of genes showing differential expression. Genes related to reactive oxygen species and stress, as well as genes associated with orbital spaceflight, were highly represented among the suborbital gene expression profile. In addition, gene families largely unaffected in orbital spaceflight were diversely regulated in suborbital flight, including stress-responsive transcription factors. The human-tended suborbital experiment demonstrated the operational effectiveness of the KFTs in suborbital flight and suggests that rapid transcriptomic responses are a part of the temporal dynamics at the beginning of physiological adaptation to spaceflight.
The sound of Parkinson’s disease: a model of audible bradykinesia
Authors: de Graaf Debbie , Araújo Rui , Derksen Madou , Zwinderman Koos , de Vries Nienke M , Inthout Joanna , Bloem Bastiaan
Published: September 2023

Background: Evaluation of bradykinesia is based on four motor tasks from the MDS-UPDRS. Visually scoring these motor tasks is subjective, resulting in significant interrater variability. Recent observations suggest that it may be easier to hear the characteristic features of bradykinesia, such as the decrement in amplitude or force of repetitive movements.

Objectives: To evaluate whether audio signals derived during four MDS-UPDRS tasks can be used to detect and grade bradykinesia, using two machine learning models.

Methods: 54 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 28 healthy controls were filmed while executing the bradykinesia motor tasks. Several features were extracted from the audio signal, including number of taps, speed, amplitude, decrement and freezes. For each motor task, two supervised machine learning models were trained, Logistic Regression (LR) and Support Vector Machine (SVM).

Results: Both classifiers were able to separate patients from controls reasonably well for the leg agility task, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC): 0.92 (95%CI: 0.78-0.99) for LR and 0.93 (0.81-1.00) for SVM. Also, models were able to differentiate less severe bradykinesia from severe bradykinesia, particularly for the pronation-supination motor task, with AUC: 0.90 (0.62-1.00) for LR and 0.82 (0.45-0.97) for SVM.

Conclusions: This audio-based approach discriminates PD from healthy controls with moderate-high accuracy and separated individuals with less severe bradykinesia from those with severe bradykinesia. Sound analysis may contribute to the identification and monitoring of bradykinesia.
Tuberculous Meningitis Complicated With Deep Sylvian Cerebral Infarction: About an Immunocompetent Patient With HIV-AIDS
Authors: Tanoh Muriel Amon , Aka Arlette Désirée , Tanoh Christian Abel , Diakité Ismaïla , Ehounoud Constance Yapo- , Kadjo Cédric , de Souza Nancy Ahya Essoin , Aka-Diarra Evelyne , Assi Berthe
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION Neuromeningeal tuberculosis is the most common form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in developing countries. It is the most serious form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Vascular complications of tuberculous meningitis involve functional prognosis of patients.OBSERVATION In our daily practice, we frequently encounter cases of cerebral infarction associated with neuromeningeal tuberculosis in the infectious etiological balance. We report the case of an HIV immunocompetent patient hospitalized for neuromeningeal tuberculosis complicated with ischemic stroke. It was a 39-year-old patient, right-handed, admitted to the Neurology department of University Hospital of Cocody in whom the diagnosis of neuromeningeal tuberculosis was retained. She received treatment for tuberculosis in emergency. On the seventh day of hospitalization, she suddenly presented with a massive motor deficit of the left hemibody. The MRI performed was compatible with meningoencephalitis associated with recent deep right Sylvan ischemia foci. The evolution was marked by partial recovery of the left hemiplegia, right retro-bulbar neuritis, and iatrogenic hepatic cytolysis.COMMENTS Tuberculous meningitis remains today one of the most serious neurological conditions involving the vital and functional prognosis of patients. Association of cerebral infarction and tuberculous meningitis is of variable occurrence. There are reported cases in which cerebral infarction is a complication of tuberculous meningitis. On the other hand, the discovery of tuberculous meningitis can be observed in the assessment of a cerebral infarction in young subjects. Tuberculous meningovascularitis remains a rare condition in immunocompetent patients for HIV-AIDS. It results from arterial occlusion by thrombosing and obliterating endarteritis. It represents a medical emergency requiring starting anti-tuberculosis treatment. The evolution depends on the precocity of the diagnosis and the speed of treatment.CONCLUSION The sudden appearance of a neurological deficit in à patient with tuberculous meningitis even under specific treatment should suggest an ischemic stroke, especially if the symptomatology respects an anatomo-functional vascular systematization.
MIM-CyCIF: Masked Imaging Modeling for Enhancing Cyclic Immunofluorescence (CyCIF) with Panel Reduction and Imputation
Authors: Chang Young Hwan , Sims Zachary , Mills Gordon
Published: September 2023

CyCIF can quantify multiple biomarkers, but panel capacity is limited by technical challenges. We propose a computational panel reduction approach that can impute the information content from 25 markers using only 9 markers, learning co-expression and morphological patterns while concurrently increasing speed and panel content and decreasing cost. We demonstrate strong correlations in predictions and generalizability across breast and colorectal cancer, illustrating applicability of our approach to diverse tissue types.
Balancing Resistor-based Online Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy: Opportunities and Limitations
Authors: Blömeke Alexander , Zappen Hendrik , Ringbeck Florian , Wasylowski David , Sauer Dirk Uwe
Published: September 2023

Active dissipative balancing systems are widely used in battery systems. A lower boundary for the necessary balancing current is the difference in the leakage current of batteries in the system. The use of balancing resistors for the excitation of lithium-ion battery cells to determine their impedance has been discussed for almost decades. The value of impedance spectroscopy for in-depth battery cell diagnostics, such as temperature or aging, is currently being demonstrated and recognized by vehicle manufacturers, chip producers, and academia. This work systematically and quantitatively investigates how and under which circumstances the excitation can be performed via the balancing resistors already used in the battery management system and where limitations may lie. If individual cells or modules are to be replaceable, the balancing current must be so high that it can also be used for online electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
A prognostic matrix code defines functional glioblastoma phenotypes and niches
Authors: Korkut Anil , Vishnoi Monika , Dereli Zeynep , Yin Zheng , Kong Elisabeth , Kinali Meric , Thapa Kisan , Babur Ozgun , Yun Kyuson , Abdelfattah Nourhan , Li Xubin , Bozorgui Behnaz , Rostomily Robert
Published: September 2023

Interactions among tumor, immune and vascular niches play major roles in driving glioblastoma (GBM) malignancy and treatment responses. The composition, heterogeneity, and localization of extracellular core matrix proteins (CMPs) that mediate such interactions, however, are not well understood. Here, we characterize functional and clinical relevance of genes encoding CMPs in GBM at bulk, single cell, and spatial anatomical resolution. We identify a “matrix code” for genes encoding CMPs whose expression levels categorize GBM tumors into matrisome-high and matrisome-low groups that correlate with worse and better patient survival, respectively. The matrisome enrichment is associated with specific driver oncogenic alterations, mesenchymal state, infiltration of pro-tumor immune cells and immune checkpoint gene expression. Anatomical and single cell transcriptome analyses indicate that matrisome gene expression is enriched in vascular and leading edge/infiltrative anatomic structures that are known to harbor glioma stem cells driving GBM progression. Finally, we identified a 17-gene matrisome signature that retains and further refines the prognostic value of genes encoding CMPs and, importantly, potentially predicts responses to PD1 blockade in clinical trials for GBM. The matrisome gene expression profiles provide potential biomarkers of functionally relevant GBM niches that contribute to mesenchymal-immune cross talk and patient stratification which could be applied to optimize treatment responses.
Absorbent Hygiene Products Disposal Behaviour in Informal Settlements: Identifying Determinants and Underlying Mechanisms in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Slekiene Jurgita , Swan Nick , Kalina Marc
Published: September 2023

Background: Within South Africa, many low-income communities lack reliable waste management services. Within these contexts, absorbent hygiene waste (AHP) waste, including nappies (diapers), are not recycled, and are often dumped, ending up in watercourses and polluting the local environment. The structural barriers to collection which have been well explored, however the behavioural determinants of safe disposal for AHPs remains poorly understood, in South Africa, and in low-income contexts. The purpose of this study is to determine the psycho-social factors driving AHP disposal behaviour for mothers and caregivers, while identifying potential underlying mechanisms (such as mental health), which may be influencing disposal behaviour, with the intention of informing a future, contextually appropriate and sustainable, collection system.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted within three purposively selected low-income communities (Johanna Road, Blackburn, and Mzinyathi), located within eThekwini Municipality (Durban), South Africa. The study included a qualitative pre-study (N=30) and a quantitative survey of 452 mothers and caregivers, utilise the RANAS approach of behaviour change. The quantitative questionnaire was based on the RANAS model to measure psycho-social factors underlying sanitary disposal of AHPs. Mental health was assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Results: Our findings suggest that one third of caregivers do not dispose of nappies sanitarily, despite intent (86.9%). Regression analysis revealed ten psycho-social factors which significantly predict the desired behavioural outcome, the sanitary disposal of AHPs. Moreover, caregivers with poor mental health were less likely to dispose of AHP sanitarily, which reflects previous research linking poor mental health and the impairment of health-related daily activities, particularly within vulnerable groups. Specifically, several psychosocial factors underlying were moderated by poor mental health, the prevalence of sanitary disposal of AHPs depended on mental condition of caregiver.
Conclusions: Our findings confirmed the link between poor mental health and unsanitary AHP’s disposal. This is especially relevant because poor mental health is common within South Africa. Addressing mental health problems within these communities is an essential step to providing sustainable waste management services. The findings should inform an intervention strategy to implement a future collection system for these communities, and similar low-income or informal contexts within South Africa.
Obtaining auxetic and isotropic metamaterial in counterintuitive
design spaces: An automated optimization approach and experimental characterization
Authors: Grigoropoulos Costas , Meier Timon , Li Runxuan , Mavrikos Stefanos , Blankenship Brian , Vangelatos Zacharias , Yildizdag M. Erden
Published: September 2023

Recent advancements in manufacturing, finite element analysis (FEA), and optimization techniques have expanded the design possibilities for metamaterials, including isotropic and auxetic structures, known for applications like energy absorption due to their unique deformation mechanism and consistent behavior under varying loads. However, achieving simultaneous control of multiple properties, such as optimal isotropic and auxetic characteristics, remains challenging. This paper introduces a systematic design approach that combines modeling, FEA, neural networks, and optimization to create targeted mechanical behavior in metamaterials. Through strategically arranging 8 distinct neither isotropic nor auxetic unit cell states, the stiffness tensor in a 5 × 5 × 5 cubic symmetric lattice structure is controlled. Employing the NSGA-II genetic algorithm and automated modeling, we yield metamaterial lattice structures possessing both, desired isotropic and auxetic properties. Multiphoton lithography fabrication and experimental characterization of the optimized metamaterial highlights a practical real-world use and confirms close correlation between theoretical and experimental data.
The Optimization of Mixed Physical Education Teaching Mode in High-order Complex Network Environment
Authors: Zhang Chaonan
Published: September 2023

This paper aims to improve the utilization rate of educational resources and optimize the learning effect through the mixed Physical Education (PE) mode in the high-order Complex Network (CN) environment. In the high-order CN environment, the design scheme of mixed teaching mode is proposed based on various PE teaching modes. Additionally, the dynamic structure of the network topology is further established by formulating the research plan and determining the type weights of boundary points. To optimize the complex interaction between micro and macro behaviors, Sparse Code Multiple Access and Low Density Signature are selected to optimize the transmission and processing efficiency of teaching resources and expand the channel data transmission capacity. Meanwhile, the Convolutional Neural Network model combining the Internet of Things and machine learning is used to comprehensively analyze and simulate the high-order CN environment. Finally, a teaching evaluation and feedback mechanism is established. The actual situation of PE teaching of college students is used as the research data source. The teaching effect and learner satisfaction are monitored and feedback by setting up the experimental group and control group of the teaching mode of the research object. Through the evaluation results, teaching strategies and methods are timely adjusted, and teaching mode is optimized and improved. The results show that the mixed PE mode can improve learners' learning interest and effect compared with traditional teaching and online teaching. Compared with the traditional teaching mode, students' participation in classroom activities can be increased by 15.2%, and the utilization efficiency of educational resources can be increased by 7.8%. In addition, the establishment of teaching evaluation and feedback mechanisms is very important to optimize the mixed PE teaching model. Therefore, the establishment of teaching evaluation and feedback mechanism can help teachers adjust teaching strategies and methods timely to improve teaching effectiveness and learner satisfaction. This paper provides a useful reference for in-depth discussion on education and teaching optimization.
Sound-based diagnosis of failure in a vertical roller mill.
Authors: Daniel Lamartine Lincoln Neves , Leite Diego Fernandes Queiroga , Gomes Amanda Caroline Alves , Mishina Koje Daniel Vasconcelos , Rodrigues Marcelo Cavalcanti
Published: September 2023

The vertical roller mill used in the cement industry is a large piece of equipment that works without interruption and is essential in production. Due to the occurrence of several breakdowns of its components, mainly the roller ends that caused several production stops, the idea of analyzing the vibrations of the mill to identify a possible defect pattern arose. Sound analysis was performed during a period of terminal failures. The application of signal processing techniques such as FFT, multiresolution analysis, and SAC-DM (chaos theory) allowed the observation of a pattern of equipment behavior that preceded the appearance of failure in the vertical mill's roller terminals. It was observed that the multiresolution analysis and the SAC-DM were sensitive to these patterns, allowing the company's maintenance sector to prepare for repairs.
Divergence of variant binding/neutralizing antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccines in myeloma: Impact of hybrid immunity
Authors: Suthar Mehul , Moreno Alberto , Manning Kelly , Azeem Maryam , Nooka Ajay , Ellis Madison , Manalo Renee , Switchenko Jeffrey , Wali Bushra , Kaufman Jonathan , Hofmeister Craig , Joseph Nisha , Lonial Sagar , Dhodapkar Kavita , Dhodapkar Madhav
Published: September 2023

We characterized virus-neutralization and spike-binding antibody profiles in myeloma patients following monovalent or bivalent-SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination. Vaccination improves the breadth of binding antibodies but not neutralization activity against current variants. Hybrid immunity and immune imprinting impact vaccine-elicited immunity.
Enhancing the forensic sexual assault investigations with LAMP- based male DNA detection
Authors: Chunkul Sunita , Sathirapatya Tikumphorn , Vongpaisarnsin Kornkiat , Dangklao Piyawan , Kawicha Praphat , Tammachote Rachaneekorn
Published: September 2023

Sexual assault is a terrible crime that necessitates a thorough and qualified investigation to collect the perpetrator's biological material. Forensic investigation is required as soon as possible to gather all possible physical and biological evidence. The primary focus of such investigations is the detection of male-specific materials, particularly sperm in semen stains. Advances in DNA-based testing now allow for on-site analysis at crime scenes. In this study, we developed an assay using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique to detect male DNA. The assay underwent validation following the SWGDAM guidelines and was subsequently tested on 92 casework samples from sexual assault cases. To evaluate its performance, we compared the results of three different tests: acid phosphatase, microscopic examination, and the LAMP assay, against the Y-STR profiling results. Findings from this study demonstrate the high efficiency of the LAMP assay when compared to Y-STR profiling. These results highlight the potential of the LAMP technique as a valuable tool for male DNA detection in forensic casework. Further research and validation studies are necessary to fully explore its practical applications and enhance its utility in criminal investigations.
What works in radiology education for medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wade Stuart W.T. , Velan Gary M. , Tedla Nicodemus , Briggs Nancy , Moscova Michelle
Published: September 2023

Background: Medical imaging related knowledge and skills are widely used in clinical practice. However, radiology teaching methods and resultant knowledge among medical students and junior doctors is variable. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the impact of different components of radiology teaching methods (active versus passive teaching, eLearning versus traditional face to face teaching) on radiology knowledge / skills of medical students.
Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for articles published in English over a 15-year period ending in June 2021 quantitatively comparing the effectiveness of undergraduate medical radiology education programs regarding acquisition of knowledge and/or skills. Study quality was appraised by the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) scoring and analyses performed to assess for risk of bias. A random effects meta-analysis was performed to pool weighted effect sizes across studies and I2 statistics quantified heterogeneity. A meta-regression analysis was performed to assess for sources of heterogeneity.
Results: From 3,052 articles, 40 articles involving 6,242 medical students met inclusion criteria. Median MERSQI score of the included articles was 13 out of 18 possible with moderate degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 93.42%). Thematic analysis suggests trends toward synergisms between radiology and anatomy teaching, active learning producing superior knowledge gains compared with passive learning and eLearning producing equivalent learning gains to face-to-face teaching. No significant differences were detected in the effectiveness of methods of radiology education.
Conclusions: Studies of educational interventions are inherently heterogeneous and contextual, typically tailored to specific groups of students. Thus, we could not draw definitive conclusion about effectiveness of the various radiology education interventions based on the currently available data. More consistent approaches to design and implementation of educational interventions in radiology are needed to understand aspects of educational design and delivery that are optimal for learning.
Trial registration: Prospero registration number CRD42022298607.
The microenvironment resulting from the co-culture of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells differs between type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Hoseini Seyed Mehdi , Moghimi Farnoosh , Hosseini Elham Sadat , Miresmaeili Seyed Mohsen , Mehrjardi Mohammad Yahya Vahidi , Dehghani Mohammad Reza , Sheikhha Mohammad Hasan , Montazeri Fateme
Published: September 2023

IFNγ is one of the main factors involved in type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis and has also been used to license mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for displaying immunosuppressive properties in a process termed preconditioning/priming. Our study aimed to investigate the interaction of amniotic fluid-derived MSCs (AF-MSCs) in two preconditioned (IFNγ⁺) and non-preconditioned (IFNγ⁻) conditions, with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the sources of healthy control (HC) and T1D. Accordingly, the interactions were assessed through anti-inflammatory genes, chemokines and their receptors, plus the induction of T regulatory (Treg) cells. Our results demonstrated that MSC/IFNγ⁺ and MSC/IFNγ⁻ treatments respond conversely to HC and T1D PBMCs regarding the expression of anti-inflammatory genes (IDO1, IDO2, ICAM-1), chemokine ligands (CCL3, CXCL9, CXCL10) and receptors involved in immune cell trafficking (CXCR3, CXCR6, TLR4). Our findings also confirmed the same opposite effects of HC and T1D PBMCs when interacting with IFNγ⁺ and IFNγ⁻ MSCs regarding the expression of target genes, including CXCR3 and its ligands (CXCL9 and CXCL10), CXCR6, CCR5 and its ligands (CCL3 and CCL4). These differences were also reflected in the proportion of Treg cells in HC and T1D samples, depending on whether it was assessed through paracrine or cell contact approaches. Our research indicates that the interaction between IFNγ⁺ and IFNγ⁻ MSCs and T1D PBMCs creates distinct microenvironments compared to those in HC PBMCs. This implies that the intravenous administration of MSCs into T1D patients may result in different outcomes than in healthy individuals that can be manipulated by the preconditioning of MSCs.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Axial Compression Electromagnetic Bulging of Aluminum Alloy Tube
Authors: Wang Dahao , Zhu Zhenyu , Pan Fei , Sun Xiaoming , Cui Xiaohui , Fang Jinxiu
Published: September 2023

Aiming at the problem of a small area at the end of the tube and the asynchronous rate of traditional mechanical forming and electromagnetic forming, a new technology of axial compression electromagnetic bulging is proposed with 5052 aluminum alloy tube. In this study, multiple sets of electromagnetic coils are arranged. At the moment of discharge, the radial electromagnetic force generated by the bulging coil bulges the tube, and meanwhile, the booster coil generates axial magnetic force at the end of the tube, which axial feeding the material in time. Based on multi-physical field element simulation and experimental study, the influence of main process parameters on uniform tube bulging is analyzed, and it is revealed that the axial magnetic force produced by the booster coil at the end of the tube is the main factor to improve the plastic deformation ability of the tube in the process of axial compression electromagnetic bulging, the principal stress of typical point changes from biaxial tensile stress state to one tension one compression state, and the proportion of compressive stress is increased, thus the forming limit is increased.
Sensitivity evolution in Venturia inaequalis towards SDHIs in comparison to other modes of action
Authors: Hoffmeister Mascha , Scheu Patrycja , Huf) Anna Glaab (forml. , Zito Raffaello , Stammler Gerd
Published: September 2023

Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) are an important group of fungicides (FRAC Group 7) for the control of Venturia inaequalis. Mechanisms which lead to reduced SDHI sensitivity in fungi are based on mutations in the SDH-subunits B, C, or D of the target gene. Monitoring studies have shown that most of the European population is still sensitive to SDHIs. Single cases of SDHI resistance have been detected shortly after market introduction although mainly at trial sites. The underlying resistance mechanisms have been identified as target site mutations (B-T258I, C-N85S and C-H151R). However, these were single findings which did not increase in frequency or even disappeared when the same field was analyzed one or more seasons later. This is in contrast to findings on other resistance cases which are stable over several seasons even without selection pressure, such as QoI and benzimidazole resistance. High frequencies of target site mutations for QoIs and benzimidazoles (G143A and E198A, respectively) have been detected in a 2022 survey, whereas no SDHI target site mutation exceeded the detection limit of our molecular detection assay in any sample.
Z-scheme MIL-125 (Ti)@Graphene Oxide composite photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability for Tetracycline degradation
Authors: Tang Jijun , Gao Guicheng , Luo Weiqi , Dai Qiuyang , Wang Yuchen , Elzilal Hala A. , Abo-Dief Hala M. , Algadi Hassan , Zhang Jiaoxia
Published: September 2023

Domestic wastewater contains trace amounts of organic pollutants that are difficult to remove, such as antibiotics and dyes, so effective degradation technologies need to be found. Therefore, we report the fabrication of a novel Z-scheme MIL-125(Ti)/GO photocatalyst by an in-situ growing method. The photodegradation experiment showed that MIL-125(Ti)/GO degraded TC by 81.1% at 5% GO addition, which is 1.7 and 3.8 times higher than MIL-125(Ti) and GO, respectively. The degradation rate reached 0.0201 min-1, 3.3 times and 8.1 times higher than MIL-125(Ti) and GO, respectively. The study shows that GO and MIL-125(Ti), as electron donor and electron acceptor, respectively, form a Z-scheme heterojunction structure, which effectively improves the photocatalytic performance of MIL-125(Ti). MIL-125(Ti)/GO has excellent structural stability and reusable availability, and the main reactive radical are ·O-2 and h+. This study provides new insights into the design and fabrication of MIL-125(Ti) derivatives as photodegrading organic pollutants.
ChatGPT-4 and Wearable Device Assisted Intelligent Exercise Therapy for Co-existing Sarcopenia and Osteoarthritis (GAISO): A feasibility study and design for a randomized controlled PROBE non-inferiority trial
Authors: Li Jian , You Mingke , Chen Xi , Li Pengcheng , Deng Qian , Wang Kexin , Wang Li , Xu Yang , Liu Di , Ye Lin , Chen Gang , Liu Weizhi
Published: September 2023

Background
Sarcopenia and osteoarthritis are prevalent age-related diseases that mutually exacerbate each other, creating a vicious cycle that worsens both conditions. Exercise is key to breaking this detrimental cycle. Facing increasing demand for rehabilitation services within this patient demographic, ChatGPT-4 and wearable device may increase the availability, efficiency and personalization of such health care.
Aim
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a rehabilitation system implemented on mobile platforms, utilizing the integration of ChatGPT-4 and wearable devices.
Methods
The study design is a prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) non-inferiority trial. 278 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and sarcopenia will be recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group and the control group. In the intervention group patients receive mobile phone-based rehabilitation service where ChatGPT-4 generates personalized exercise therapy, and wearable device guides and monitor the patient to implement the exercise therapy. Traditional clinic based face-to-face exercise therapy will be prescribed and implemented in the control group. All patients will receive three-months exercise therapies following the FITT-VP principle. The patients will be assessed at baseline, one month, three months, and six months after initiation. Outcome measures will include ROM, gait patterns, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for functional assessment, Short-Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12) for quality of life, Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID), Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), and Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB) for clinically significant measures.
Discussion
A rehabilitation system combining the capabilities of ChatGPT-4 and wearable devices potentially enhance the availability and efficiency of professional rehabilitation services, thus enhancing the therapeutic outcomes for a substantial population concurrently afflicted with sarcopenia and osteoarthritis.
Trial registration
This study has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Registration number: ChiCTR2300069515.
Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale among Health Professionals
Authors: Arkan Burcu , Bostanlı Aylin , Bektaş Murat
Published: September 2023

Background: COVID-19 negatively affected people's lives in many ways. The aim of this study was to adapt the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS), used as reference to take measures against anxiety, worry, perceived threat and stressors, into Turkish and to test its reliability and validity on healthcare workers.
Methods: The sample of the methodological-descriptive-cross-sectional study consisted of 223 health care workers aged 18 years and above. "Sociodemographic Data Collection Form" and "COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale (C-19ASS) were used to obtain the data. Healthcare workers working in different cities and hospitals answered the questionnaires online using a link.
Results: The fit index of the scale was above 0.80 on both I-CVI and S-CVI basis. The results of the content validity analysis showed that the scale provided both content and language validity for the Turkish sample as well as measuring the subject matter as adequately as its original version with respect to the Turkish sample.
Conclusions: These findings support by showing that the Anxiety Syndrome Scale will be useful with mental status assessment and mental health services planning.
Formulation and optimization of pH-sensitive nanocrystals for improved oral delivery.
Authors: Lucía Lopez-Vidal , Pedro Parodi , Romanela Actis Maribel , Nahuel Camacho , Real Daniel Andrés , Fernando Irazoqui , Pablo Real Juan , Palma Santiago Daniel
Published: September 2023

The challenge of low water solubility in pharmaceutical science profoundly impacts drug absorption and therapeutic effectiveness. Nanocrystals (NC), consisting of drug molecules and stabilizing agents, offer a promising solution to enhance solubility and control release rates. In the pharmaceutical industry, top-down techniques are favored for their flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, increased solubility can lead to premature drug dissolution in the stomach, which is problematic due to the acidic pH or enzymes. Researchers are exploring encapsulating agents that facilitate drug release at customized pH levels as a valuable strategy to address this. This study employed wet milling and spray drying techniques to create encapsulated NC for delivering the drug to the intestinal tract using the model drug ivermectin. Nanosuspensions (NS) were efficiently produced within two hours using NanoDisp®, with a particle size of 198.4 ± 0.6 nm and a low polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.184, ensuring uniformity. Stability tests over 100 days at 4°C and 25°C demonstrated practical viability, with no precipitation or significant changes observed. Cytotoxicity evaluations indicated less harm to Caco-2 cells compared to the pure drug. Furthermore, the solubility of the NC increased by 47-fold in water and 4.8-fold in simulated intestinal fluid compared to the pure active compound. Finally, dissolution tests showed less than 10% release in acidic conditions and significant improvement in simulated intestinal conditions, promising enhanced drug solubility and bioavailability. This addresses a long-standing pharmaceutical challenge in a cost-effective and scalable manner.
Cryopreservation of rat embryos at all developmental stages by small-volume vitrification procedure and rapid warming in cryotubes
Authors: Seki Shinsuke , Kawabe Toshiaki , Yamazaki Wataru , Matsumura Kazuaki , Oikawa Takanori , Obata Takahiro , Higashiya Misako , Yano Megumi , Eto Tomoo
Published: September 2023

Intracellular ice formation during cryopreservation is lethal to the cell, including during warming. Here, we examined the effect of sample volume and warming rate on the cryopreservation success of 1-cell rat embryos based on successful development into blastocysts in vitro and to term in vivo following embryo transfer. Embryos were equilibrated in 5% propylene glycol solution for 10 min, held for 40 s at 0°C in cryopreservation solution, and cooled by immersion in liquid nitrogen. When 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a volume of 30–100 uL at a cooling rate of 5,830–7,160°C/min and warmed at 35,480–49,400°C/min in 0.3 M sucrose at 50°C, 17.3%–28.8% developed into blastocysts, compared with 57.0% of untreated embryos. However, when 1-cell embryos were cryopreserved in a smaller volume of 15 ul at 7,950°C/min and warmed at 68,850°C/min, 58.8±10.6% developed into blastocysts and 50.0±7.4% developed to term, comparable to that of non-treated embryos (57.0±5.4% and 51.4±3.1%, respectively). Cryopreserved embryos at other developmental stages also showed high in vitro culture potential similar to that of the control. Using a conventional cryotube and a small-volume vitrification procedure with rapid warming, we achieved high levels of subsequent rat embryonic development at all developmental stages.