bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Area Positivity (TAP) score of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1): a novel visual estimation method for combined tumor cell and immune cell scoring
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Fang Fang , Kong Ying , ElGabry Ehab
Published: November 2022

Background
Determination of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression level in tumor cells and tumor-associated immune cells is critical for identifying patients eligible for immunotherapy. PD-L1 manual scoring algorithms can generally be divided into two categories: cell counting and visual estimation. Cell counting can be time-consuming and is not in sync with pathology practice, which classically uses a Gestalt approach based on pattern recognition and visual estimation. In this study, we introduce the Tumor Area Positivity (TAP) score, which is a novel, straightforward method for scoring tumor cells and immune cells together using visual estimation.
Methods
To demonstrate the reproducibility of TAP scoring among pathologists, between- and within-reader precision studies were performed both within (internal) and outside (external) of our organization. We also compared the TAP score to the Combined Positive Score (CPS), which is based on cell counting, for concordance and time efficacy.
Results
The average positive agreement, average negative agreement, and overall percent agreement between and within readers were all above 85% for both internal and combined external reader precision studies. TAP score had high concordance rate at 5% cutoff compared with CPS at cutoff 1: positive percent agreement, negative percent agreement, and overall percent agreement were all above 85%.
Conclusions
Our study showed the TAP scoring method to be straightforward, significantly less time-consuming, and highly reproducible with a high concordance rate between TAP score and CPS.
Machine Learning Based Low-Complexity Channel State Information Estimation
Authors: Meng Juan , Wei Ziping , Zhang Yang , Li Bin , Zhao Chenglin
Published: November 2022

In 5G communications, the acquisition of accurate channel state information (CSI) is of great importance to the hybrid beamforming of millimeter wave (mmWave) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. In classical mmWave MIMO channel estimation methods, the exploitation of inherent sparse or low-rank structures has demonstrated to improve the performance. However, most high-accurate CSI estimators incur a high computational complexity and require the prior channel information, which hence present the major challenges in the practical deployment. In this work, we leverage machine learning to design the low-complexity and high-performance channel estimator. To be specific, we first formulate the CSI estimation, in the case of sparse structure, as one classical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) problem. In order to reduce the time complexity of existing compressed sensing (CS) methods, we then approximate the original optimization problem to another one, by imposing the other low-rank constraint that was barely considered by CS. We thus solve this new approximated problem and attain the near-optimal solution of the original problem. One new method excludes any prior channel information, and greatly improves the estimation performance, which only incurs a low time complexity. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed method both in the estimation accuracy and time complexity.
Metal uptake from iron ore mine tailings by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is higher after wheat straw than wheat straw biochar amendment
Authors: Sarathchandra Sajeevee S. , Rengel Zed , Solaiman Zakaria M.
Published: November 2022

Mine tailings often contain high concentrations of metals that may lead to serious environmental concerns. Phytoremediation by suitable plant species, coupled with organic amendments, represents an intriguing way of improving the quality of mine tailings. We conducted a glasshouse pot study to assess the impact of biochar derived from wheat straw (BC) and wheat straw (WS) at different application rates (w/w: 0%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%) in enhancing physicochemical and biological attributes of iron ore mine tailings and promoting perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) growth and mediating uptake of metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb) and As. The pH of iron mine tailings (6.62 with 0% amendment) significantly increased pH to 8.01 in BC 10% but decreased to 5.33 in WS 10%. However, electrical conductivity, total carbon, total nitrogen and cation exchange capacity increased significantly with application of either amendment. Improvement in physicochemical parameters of tailings by amending with WS showed a significant increase in plant growth than BC amendment. Shoot accumulation of As and Pb by perennial ryegrass was low (below detection limit), whereas that of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr and Ni increased with an increase in both BC and WS application. Microbial biomass carbon and respiration were enhanced more in the WS than in BC treatments. This study suggests wheat straw behaved more efficiently than biochar for this iron ore mine tailings.
Bridge symptoms between parenting styles and proximal psychological risk factors associated with adolescent suicide: a network analysis
Authors: Ou Wenwen , Yang Yumeng , Chen Yafei , Li Yunjing , Yang Siqi , Lu Yimei , Li Liang , Huang Mei , Ma Mohan , Lv Guanyi , Zhao Xiaotian , Qing Yaqi , Ju Yumeng , Zhang Yan
Published: November 2022

Background
Parenting styles and the associated proximal psychological factors are suggested to increase suicidal risks in adolescents. However, how the two risky factors interact and confer risks on adolescent suicide remains unclear. Herein, we used a network approach to investigate their interrelationship and explore whether the network properties predict adolescent suicide.
Methods
Self-report questionnaires were completed by 1,171 students aged 12–16. Network analyses were performed by Gaussian graphical models estimating the adolescent psychosocial network structure of parenting styles and psychological variables including depression, anxiety, affective lability, rumination, and resilience. Furthermore, we re-examined the network by adding a variable of active suicidal thoughts. Moreover, we conducted linear regressions to examine the predictive utility of bridge symptoms for adolescent suicide.
Results
Resilience, Afraid, Rumination, Concentration, and affective lability (Anger) had the highest bridge strengths in the adolescent psychosocial network. Among the identified bridge symptoms, Resilience was negatively correlated with active suicidal thoughts (regularized edge weights = -0.181, bootstrapped 95% CIs: [-0.043, -0.155]), whereas affective lability (from Anxiety to Depression, Anger), Rumination, and Afraid were positively correlated with active suicidal thoughts, with edge weights (bootstrapped 95% CIs) ranging from 0.057 (0.001, 0.112) to 0.081(0.026, 0.136). Regression analysis showed that bridge strength was significantly correlated with active suicidal thoughts (R2 = 0.432, P = 0.001).
Conclusion
Negative parenting styles may drive and maintain active suicidal thoughts by modifying the key proximal psychological variables. Our findings highlight the important role of bridge symptoms, which may serve as potential prevention and intervention targets for adolescent suicide.
EBV-positive intravascular large B-cell lymphoma of the small intestine: a case report and literature review
Authors: Pan Chenglong , Yao Yanfei , Ma xiaoling , Wang Chunyan
Published: November 2022

Background: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma is a rare lymphoma that causes symptoms in the central nervous system, skin, and bone marrow.
Case presentation: We report a 75-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain for four hours. Physical examination revealed abdominal pain and mottled skin. Laboratory tests revealed thrombocytopenia and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase.Abdominal CT examination showed thickening, edema, and necrosis of the small intestine wall. Surgical excision of the necrotic small bowel revealed numerous small rounds, consistent, atypical lymphocytes in the mesenteric vein. These cells were positive for CD20, CD79a, CD10, and BCL-2, and were positive for Epstein Barr virus-encoded small RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization. The patient was diagnosed with IVLBCL and died of MODS after a week of hospitalization without chemotherapy.
Conclusions: IVLBCL that occurs in the small intestine and even in the gastrointestinal tract is an exceedingly rare disease with insidious onset, rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. Fully understanding its clinicopathological features is helpful to understand the disease, make an early diagnosis, and prevent the rapid deterioration of the disease.
Arctic sea ice loss drives increasing Arctic wind speeds with combined impact on surface roughness and boundary layer stability
Authors: DuVivier Alice K. , Holland Marika M. , Vavrus Stephen J. , Landrum Laura , Shields Christine A. , Thaker Rudradutt
Published: November 2022

The Arctic is undergoing a pronounced and rapid transformation in response to changing greenhouse gases, including reduction in both sea ice spatial extent and sea ice thickness and projected increase in near-surface winds. Other studies have suggested that the increasing winds may be driven by changing surface roughness and/or stability, but the coupled relationship between the changing winds and changing sea ice in different regions and seasons is not yet well understood. This study disentangles ways in which changing surface conditions affect the changing winds regionally and seasonally. We analyze 50 experiments from the Community Earth System Model version 2 Large Ensemble (CESM2-LE) as well as 5 experiments using CESM2 in which sea ice roughness has been decreased to be equivalent to what it would be over the smoother, open ocean (SMOOTH). We find that with a smoother surface there is a small reduction in the surface momentum flux, leading to faster mean wind speeds and slower mean ice speeds. In SMOOTH, the reduction in surface roughness due to ice loss is negligible, resulting in weaker increasing trends in near-surface winds, particularly in Autumn and Winter. There are no significant coupled impacts of surface roughness change on the sea ice mean state or loss trend. Because both the CESM2-LE and SMOOTH experience statistically indistinguishable sea ice loss trends that impact near-surface atmospheric temperatures, the experiments have very similar changes in atmospheric stability which also influences the near-surface winds. Therefore, in CESM2-LE, the near-surface increasing wind speed trends result from both decreases in surface roughness and reduction in near-surface atmospheric stability that are the result of sea ice loss.
Direct transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) decreases silent cerebral infarction when compared to routine balloon valvuloplasty
Authors: ARSLAN Uğur , Erdoğan Güney , Yenerçağ Mustafa , Aksan Gökhan , Uçar Melisa , Görgün Selim , Akpınar Çetin Kürşat , Öztürk Onur , Yontar Osman Can , Karagöz Ahmet
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Silent cerebral infarctions (SCI), as determined by neuron-specific enolase (NSE) elevations, may develop after the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure. Our aim in this study was to compare the SCI rates between patients who underwent routine pre-dilatation balloon aortic valvuloplasty (pre-BAV) and patients who underwent direct TAVI without pre-BAV.
Methods: A total of 139 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI in a single center using the self-expandable Evolut-R valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) were included in the study. The first 70 patients were included in the pre-BAV group, and the last 69 patients were included in the direct TAVI group. SCI was detected by serum NSE measurements performed at baseline and 12 h after the TAVI. New NSE elevations > 12 ng/mL after the procedure were counted as SCI. In addition, SCI was scanned by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in eligible patients.
Results: TAVI procedure was successful in all of the study population. Post-dilatation rates were higher in the direct TAVI group. Post-TAVI NSE positivity (SCI) was higher in the routine pre-BAV group (55(78.6%) vs. 43(62.3%) patients, p=0.036) and NSE levels were also higher in this group (26.8 ± 15.0 vs. 20.5 ± 14.8 ng/ml, p=0.015). SCI with MRI was found to be significantly higher in the pre-BAV group than direct TAVI group (39(55.1%) vs. 31(44.9%) patients). The presence of atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus (DM), total cusp calcification volume, calcification at arcus aorta, routine pre-BAV and failure at first try of the prosthetic valve implantation were significantly higher in SCI (+) group. In the multivariate analysis, presence of DM, total cusp calcification volume, calcification at arcus aorta, routine pre-BAV and failure at first try of the prosthetic valve implantation were significantly associated with new SCI development.
Conclusions: Direct TAVI procedure without pre-dilation seems to be an effective method and avoidance of pre-dilation decreases the risk of SCI development in patients undergoing TAVI with a self-expandable valve.
The Electrostatic and Non-Electrostatic Interaction Affect on Acidity Constants of Bromocresol Purple in Aqueous Ethanolic Media
Authors: Hemdan Sokaina Saad , Gebali Asma M. AL , Ali Fatma Khairallah
Published: November 2022

This work aimed to the study effect of ethanol ratios on the acidity constants of bromocresol purple. The acidity constants of BCP were determined in binary mixtures of water with ethanol containing 0, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70% (v/v) using spectrophotometric methods. The results indicate the dependence of acidity constants on the ratio of ethanol. The values of logKa1 and logKa2 were correlated with the macroscopic (relative permittivity, ε) and microscopic Kamlet-Taft parameters (α, β, and π*) of binary mixtures. The influence of solvent on the acidity constants was analyzed in terms of the KAT parameters in order to study the solvent-solute interaction. Multiple linear regression was used to find the contribution of the microscopic parameters containing α (acidity), π* (dipolarity/polarizability), and β (basicity). It was found that α and β were the most predominant descriptors. Also, a relationship with reciprocal relative permittivity was obtained based on Born’s model, showing the significance of specific solute-solvent interactions. Therefore, the hydrogen bonding interactions between solute and solvent components are mainly responsible for the change in acidity constants of bromocresol purple of binary mixtures.
Single versus double blastocyst transfer in first and second frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle in advance-aged women: a two-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhou Yuxi , Ji Hui , Zhang Mianqiu , Zhang Juanjuan , Li Xin , Zhang Junqiang , Ling Xiufeng , Chen Li , Zhao Chun
Published: November 2022

Background: The present evidence is deficient for the trade-offs between the pros and cons of single blastocyst transfer (SBT)versus double blastocyst transfer (DBT) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles for women in advanced reproductive age, especially in the second cycle. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of transferred blastocyst numbers on pregnancy outcomes in the first and second embryo transfer for women ≥ 35 years.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including 1284 frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT) cycles from two reproductive centers. We analyzed the pregnancy outcomes after SBT and DBT in the first and second FBT cycles. Moreover, stratified analysis was conducted by maternal age.
Results:In the first FBT cycle, the LBR was higher in DBT group than that in the SBT group [52.3% vs. 33.9%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26–2.15, P < 0.001]. However, the LBR of the DBT group showed no remarkable difference compared with that of the SBT group in the second cycle of FBT (44.3% vs. 33.3%; aOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.81–2.08; P = 0.271). Furthermore, stratified analysis by age showed a higher LBR for the DBT group than the SBT group in patients aged 38–42 years (43.1% vs. 33.9%; aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.05–4.90; P = 0.036).
Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the SBT regimen is the best choice for both, the first and second frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, for women aged 35–37 years. Additionally, the DBT regimen is still recommended to achieve a high LBR in women aged 38–42 years in the second FBT cycle. These findings may be beneficial for deciding the embryo transfer regimens in women of advanced reproductive age.
The finest particles in dust after sanding untreated and thermally modified spruce, oak and meranti wood
Authors: Sydor Maciej , Majka Jerzy , Hanincová Luďka , Kučerka Martin , Kminiak Richard , Krišťák Ľuboš , Pędzik Marta , Rogoziński Tomasz
Published: November 2022

Airborne wood dust causes health and safety hazards in the construction and furniture industry. The research verified whether the thermal modification affects the share of the finest dust particles, smaller than < 10 µm, in the wood dust. The experimental research included nine variants of materials (untreated and thermally modified – in 160°C by 3 h and in 220°C by 3 h – oak, spruce, and meranti wood). The dust was generated with a belt sander (P120 sandpaper, 14.5 m/s belt speed, and 0.65 N/cm2 pressure). The four fractions with particle sizes < 25, 25–80, 80–250, and > 250 µm, were assessed with sieves with aperture sizes of 25, 80, and 250 µm. The content and size distribution of the finest particles in the fractions were measured with laser particle sizer. The results suggest that: (1) both untreated and thermally modified oak wood dust show the higher share of the finest particles in comparison to spruce and meranti wood. (2) Dust from thermally modified oak and meranti has a lower content of harmful particle fractions than dust from untreated wood. The opposite was observed in the case with spruce wood because spruce dust has a low content of fine fractions and its particles have a more irregular elongated shape. (3) The study took into account the extreme temperatures used in the thermal modification of wood (160 and 220°C), then it can be assumed that the two statements mentioned above are valid in all intermediate temperatures.
TOP2A expression in pheochromocytoma and abdominal paraganglioma: a novel marker of poor clinical outcome?
Authors: Höse Karolina Solhusløkk , Stenman Adam , Svahn Fredrika , Larsson Catharina , Juhlin Carl Christofer
Published: November 2022

Introduction:Pheochromocytoma and abdominal paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from chromaffin cells. Even though only 10-15% of the tumors metastasize, all PPGL are considered potentially malignant. Topoisomerase 2A (TOP2A) is a protein involved in cell proliferation and was recently found to be over-expressed in metastatic PPGL.
Aims: To provide support whether TOP2A could serve as a prognostic marker to distinguish metastatic tumors from non-metastatic ones.
Material and Methods: A retrospective study including histologically verified PPGL with adequate tissue content to allow molecular studies. The cohort included 88 PPGL and 10 normal adrenal gland samples. The expression of TOP2A was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry and compared to clinical parameters connected to metastatic behavior. The Cancer Genome Atlas was used for validation of the results.
Results: A significant association between high TOP2A mRNA expression in primary PPGL and subsequent metastatic events (p = 0.009) was found, as well as to specific histological features and clinical parameters connected to metastatic behavior. TOP2A immunoreactivity was calculated as an index of positive nuclei divided by the total amount of nuclei, and this index associated to TOP2A mRNA levels (p = 0.023).
Conclusions:TOP2A is a potential prognostic marker as it is frequently elevated in PPGL displaying subsequent metastatic disease, and future studies in larger cohorts are warranted to determine if a TOP2A index as assessed by immunohistochemistry could be a marker of poor outcome. Additionally, elevated levels of TOP2A could indicate a potential actionable event, and future studies with topoisomerase inhibitors would be of interest.
Easily separated and sustainable cellulose-based adsorbent using a facile two-steps modification for highly efficient methylene blue removal
Authors: Zhou Keming , Yan Lianpeng , Zhang Rui , Zhu Xuedong
Published: November 2022

Eco-friendly cellulose-based magnetic adsorbents have attracted great attention in the field of dye adsorption recently. Herein, we utilized the pith of biomass Juncus effusus (JE) to synthesize a novel type of magnetic adsorbents for the treatment of wastewater containing methylene blue (MB). After esterification and magnetization two-steps modification, the obtained magnetic citric acid-modified JE pith powders (M-CA/JEPP) showed outstanding adsorption properties. For 50 mg/L MB dye solution, the adsorption efficiency could reach 98.34% within 10 minutes under basic condition and the maximum adsorption capacity was 293.132 mg/g at 303 K. The adsorption efficiency could also keep a high level in five cycles. Moreover, magnetization overcomes the disadvantages of JE powders density being small which is very difficult to collect, and a 24.8 emu/g saturation magnetization was achieved. In the other words, this magnetic adsorbent has excellent reusability and it is easily to be separated from water, which provides new insights for development of cellulose-based adsorbents to remove dye in aqueous systems.
Impact of endoscopic metallic stent placement and emergency surgery on detection of viable circulating tumor cells for acute malignant left-sided colonic obstruction
Authors: Ni Zhizhan , Cao Yuepeng , Liu Liming , Huang Chenshen , Xie Huahao , Zhou Jinzhe , Ge Bujun , Huang Qi
Published: November 2022

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) served as a bridge to surgery (BTS). However, this method may be associated with worse long-term prognosis and relapse of CRC patients. Therefore, we attempted to clarify this in the angle of Circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
Methods: A multicenter study was performed from March 2018 to January 2021. 32 colorectal cancer patients with obstruction were selected, of which 21 patients were performed SEMS as a BTS while 11 patients were performed emergency surgery.Bloods samples were collected in two groups of patients for further detecting CTCs. In SEMS group, the samples were collected before and after stent insert and after radical surgery performed. In ES group, the samples were collected before stent insert and after emergency surgery performed.
Results: The number of CTCs did not show statistically significant differences before and after stent placement (34.90 vs 38.33, p=0.90), neither between the SEMS group and ES group in initial CTC levels (34.90 vs 58.09, p=0.394). No significant differences (38.33 vs 58.09, p=0.632) were observed after stent insert in SMES group and the initial CTC levels in ES group. Moreover, no major differences (24.17 vs 42.27, p=0.225) were observed after radical operation performed in both groups.
Conclusion: The treatment of SEMS does not cause an increase in the number of CTC after stent insertion. Furthermore, there aremay be other factors besides CTC to cause these poorer oncologic outcomes after SEMS placement.
Effect of Tungsten Oxide on Structure and Physical Properties for Germanium Boro-silicate glass
Authors: Mundher M. , Bendary A. A. , Farag M. A. , Bediwi Abu Bakr El- , Hassaan M. Y.
Published: November 2022

This research was studied the effect of adding tungsten oxide (WO3) on the structural and physical properties of the germanium boro-silicate (Na2B4O7-SiO2-Ge2O3) glass. The role of tungsten oxide in a glass matrix was studied by using infrared spectra, optical absorption and density. The optical band gap and Urbach energy were determined based on the absorption spectra. The infrared spectra and UV–vis spectroscopy results show that, the used glasses have glassy or amorphously structure and its increase with increasing WO3 content. The density of Na2B4O7-SiO2-(Ge2O3)15−x-(WO3)x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt. %) glasses increased in the range of 2.574 to 2.683 g/cm3 with the increasing tungsten oxide content. The optical band gap value decreased, from 3.34 to 2.81 eV, but Urbach energy increased with increasing WO3 concentration.
Artificial Intelligence Systems for Value Added Tax Collection via Self Organizing Map (SOM)
Authors: Bankole Felix , Vara Zama
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Corporates and private businesses, primarily uses Artificial Intelligence to influence business models, sales processes, customer segmentation, strategy formation and as well as to understand customer behaviours, thus increase revenue. There is substantial research on the influence of Artificial Intelligence on business strategies with the objectives of increasing revenue (Stallkamp & Schotter, 2021). However, there is limited research on the use of AI in information systems research to assist in the efforts of revenue collection and VAT fraud detection. Subsequently, the present study explores the use of Artificial Intelligence in VAT fraud detection. The main purpose of the study is to determine how corporate VAT fraud could be detected in real time (Alshantti and Rasheed, 2021). The research question poses to identify what type of AI technique or framework could be applied to determine VAT fraud?
Problem Statement: VAT fraud is a major problem for tax administrations across the world. Tax fraud detection is likely to become even more important with recent developments in Artificial Intelligence. Auditing VAT declarations is a slow and costly process that is very prone to errors. Conducting VAT audits for example, involves costs to the tax administration as well as to the taxpayer. Furthermore, the field of fraud detection is characterised by unlabelled historical datasets. In this study the use of unsupervised machine learning algorithm is put forward. Unsupervised algorithms are well suited to unlabelled historical datasets, common in the fraud detection or classification arena. The authors conduct experiments using an unsupervised Neural Network algorithm to classify suspicious Value Added Tax declarations. Thus, assist in the efforts of tax audits by tax administrations. Consequently, it is envisaged that the chances of detecting fraudulent VAT declarations will be enhanced using AI techniques as proposed in this research.
Methods: Neural Network Self-Organizing Map (SOM) methodology based on VAT fraud detection.
Results: Using SOM methodology, the results shows that VAT fraud or suspicious behaviour can be detected or differentiated by observing VAT declarations from attributes such as VAT liability, exempt supplies, refund, and input VAT on capital goods purchased.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the value added tax credit (VAT) and refund mechanism offers unique opportunities for abuse, and thus has recently become a crucial concern for revenue services (e.g., Internal Revenue Service, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and HM Revenue and Customs). Consequently, this study presented artificial intelligenceframework that detects VAT fraud in real-time.
Some new refinements of the Young, H ̈older and Minkowski inequalities
Authors: Nikolova Ludmila , Persson Lars-Erik , Varošanec Sanja
Published: November 2022

We prove and discuss some new refined Hölder’s inequalities for any p > 1 and also a reversed version for 0 < p < 1. The key is to use the concept of superquadraticity, strong convexity and to first prove the corresponding refinements of the Young and reversed Young inequalities. Refinement of the Minkowski and reversed Minkowski inequalities are also given.
Nerve growth factor- and non-stimulated PC12 cells as models for sympathetic ganglion neurons and adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Harada Keita , Matsuoka Hidetada , Inoue Masumi
Published: November 2022

PC12 cells are an immortalized cell line originating from rat adrenal medullary chromaffin (AMC) cells and extend a neurite-like structure in response to nerve growth factor (NGF). Thus, non-stimulated and NGF-stimulated PC12 cells are used as model cells for AMC cells and sympathetic ganglion cells, respectively. However, how closely non-stimulated and stimulated PC12 cells resemble AMC cells and sympathetic neurons, respectively, has not sufficiently been elucidated. In addition, how the properties of PC12 cells are affected by NGF remains unclear. These issues were explored by using biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. AMC cells and PC12 cells selectively expressed UCP3 and UCP4, respectively, key proteins which are involved in energy metabolism in a cell-specific manner, and glucocorticoid activity exerted an inhibitory effect on UCP4 expression in PC12 cells. The expression levels of chromaffin granule-associated proteins in PC12 cells were extremely small, whereas the amount of synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle-associated protein, was much larger than that in the adrenal medulla. As found in AMC cells, the muscarinic receptor subtype 1 (M1R) were located at the cell periphery in basal PC12 cells, as was markedly enhanced by NGF. Furthermore, the proteins involved in GABA auto/paracrine function in AMC cells were expressed in non-stimulated PC12 cells, but not in NGF-stimulated cells. The results suggest that the properties of basal PC12 cells are between those of AMC cells and sympathetic ganglion cells, and glucocorticoid activity and NGF induce differentiation into AMC cells and sympathetic neurons, respectively, and GABA functions as an auto/paracrine factor in AMC cells.
Neuroprotective Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis in Parkinson’s disease and Multi-Target Mechanisms Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Chand Jagdish , Subramanian Gomathy , Jupudi Srikanth , Duyu Taaza , Baba Mohammad Zubair , Wahedi Umair
Published: November 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Examining the Importance of Existing Relationships for Co-offending: a Temporal Network Analysis in Bogota, Colombia (2005-2018)
Authors: Nieto Alberto , Davies Toby , Borrion Hervé
Published: November 2022

Aims: The study aims at improving our understanding of how co-offending networks evolve - i.e., networks connecting those who co-executed crimes. To this end, we tested four growth mechanisms that explain how social networks evolved on three co-offending networks observed in Bogotá (Colombia) between 2005 and 2018. These mechanisms are popularity (i.e., offenders decide to commit a crime with individuals that have previously co-offended with numerous accomplices); reciprocity (i.e., offenders recruit former recruiters to commit new crimes); reinforcement (i.e., offenders re-select former accomplices); and triadic closure (i.e., offenders commit new crimes with the accomplices of their accomplices). Data and
Methods: We identified co-offending networks using records of closed and ongoing criminal investigations (N = 286,591) of adult offenders (N = 274,689) in Bogotá between 2005 and 2018. Three connected components with 4,286, 227, and 211 offenders were observed at the end of the study period. The evolution of these components was examined using temporal information in tandem with discrete choice models and simulations to understand the mechanisms that could explain how these components evolved.
Results: The results show that the three co-offending networks evolved differently during the period of interest. Popularity yielded negative statistically significant coefficients for the largest network, suggesting that having more connections reduced the odds of connecting with incoming offenders in this network. Reciprocity and reinforcement yielded mixed results as we observed negative statistically significant coefficients in the network with 211 offenders and positive statistically significant coefficients in the one with 4,286 offenders. Triadic closure produced positive, statistically significant coefficients in all the networks.
Conclusions: The results suggest that a combination of growth mechanisms might explain how co-offending networks grow, highlighting the importance of considering offenders' network-related characteristics when studying accomplice selection. They also show that popular co-offenders (i.e., those with multiple connections to other offenders) can not explain how co-offending networks evolve, reducing the importance attributed to frequent offenders when explaining how co-offending networks grow. Moreover, it appears that offenders' accomplices play an essential role in the evolution of co-offending networks. Besides adding evidence about triadic closure as a universal property of social networks, this result indicates that further analyses are needed to understand better how accomplices shape criminal careers.
Selinexor demonstrates anti-tumor efficacy in paired patient-derived xenograft models and hydrogel-embedded histoculture drug sensitivity test of penile cancer
Authors: He Yuanqiao , Mei Jiaqi , Hao Hua , Liu Fanrong , Yi Yun , Hu Chao , Zhou Fangxin , Lu Xiongbin
Published: November 2022

Background:
Penile cancer is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis, even with various treatment options. Considering the little progress in the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of penile cancer because of the lack of models that mimic the biological properties of the tumor, we have developed a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model and paired hydrogel-embedded histoculture drug sensitivity test (HDST) to screen for drugs that can inhibit tumors. The increased expression of XPO1, as a key nuclear export protein involved in the transport of various tumor suppressors and cell cycle regulatory proteins, is associated with the prognosis of a variety of tumors(MC et al., 2009). Selinexor is an inhibitor of XPO1, which can treat cancers such as multiple myeloma, gastric cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and non-small cell carcinoma(A & TA, 2017) (P, I, M, & E, 2020). However, whether XPO1 inhibition has a role in penile cancer remains unknown. Therefore, this article used the PDX and HDST models to investigate whether the inhibition of XPO1 has an effect on penile cancer and its underlying mechanism.
Methods:
We used penile cancer tumor tissues to construct a PDX model of penile cancer and paired PDXE model and confirmed the consistency of PDX tumor tissues in source patients. Then, we assessed the ability of Selinexor to inhibit penile cancer tissues in vivo by using a PDX model and in vitro by HDST. We also examined the potential mechanism of XPO1 action on penile cancer by IHC and TUNEL. Finally, we assessed the safety of the drug treatment by H&E and biochemical blood analysis.
Results:
Result showed that the penile cancer PDX model and patient penile cancer tissues were clinically consistent in morphological characteristics and protein expression. In addition, Selinexor could inhibit tumor growth in PDX models and HDST. We found that P53, P21 expression was upregulated; Cyclin D1 expression was downregulated, and apoptosis of tumor cells was increased in the Selinexor-treated PDX model. Moreover, it had no significant effect on liver, kidney, and cardiac function.
Conclusion:
The PDX model of penile cancer was a powerful tool for penile cancer research and new drug development. It showed that Selinexor can effectively inhibit penile cancer in vitro and in vivo. In addition, XPO1 may affect P53, P21, and Cyclin D1 expression to regulate the growth and apoptosis of penile carcinoma.
Live donor nephrectomy side: Is it implicated in urologic complications among lady donors during their post-donation pregnancies?
Authors: Donia Ahmed Farouk , Elrefaie Eman , Refaie Ayman Fathi , Ghoneim Moatasem Elsayed , Osman Yasser , Ali-El-Dein Bedeir
Published: November 2022

Introduction:
Our center policy is to promote right nephrectomy for pre-menopausal live donor ladies. This is based on the traditional belief that urologic complications of post-donation pregnancies would be more frequent among lady donors with a solitary right (compared to left) kidney. Studies that support or dismiss our policy are lacking. Therefore, we conducted this study.
Methods:
100 ladies who had post-donation pregnancy were included. They underwent an updated clinical, laboratory and ultrasound assessment. They were classified into two groups: right and left nephrectomy groups. Both groups were compared relative to pre- and post-donation data as well as urologic complications during or after post-donation pregnancies and current kidney function.
Results:
Right nephrectomy was carried-out for 60 donors (60%). Post-donation acute pyelonephritis was not reported in either group. Unexpectedly, lower urinary tract infection during post-donation pregnancy occurred among 16.7% of ladies of the right nephrectomy group compared to 12.5% in the left nephrectomy group (p: non-significant).
Conclusion:
Despite that the endeavor to retrieve the right rather than the left kidney among lady donors could give them the benefit of doubt in regard to possible urological complications during their subsequent pregnancies, this policy is likely an overdoing practice. Larger-scale studies are needed.
Identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes of early-stage lung squamous cell carcinoma for mRNA vaccine development
Authors: Zeng Longjin , Li Lingchen , Liao Xingyun , Zhang Lincheng , Yin Chenrui , Sun Jianguo
Published: November 2022

In lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), current mRNA vaccines show promising effect, despite lack of benefit for a large number of patients. We categorized the ideal population for mRNA vaccines and explored available targets. Leucine-rich repeat LGI family member 2 (LGI2), amine oxidase copper containing 1 (AOC1), periostin (POSTN), and collagen type V alpha 2 (COL5A2) were discovered using mutation, survival and differential expression gene analyses. These four genes were over-expressed, mutant, and prognostic of survival in the TCGA-LUSC cohort. According to complete analyses, LUSC had immune exclusion and immune dysfunction. Lung squamous 1 (LSQ1) type exhibited a higher mutational load and copy number but no immune infiltration, whereas lung squamous 2 (LSQ2) tumors had a higher global methylation level and more fibroblasts but had less stemness, according to subtype analysis. Meanwhile, trajectory analysis revealed that the evolution of tumor microenvironment (TME) influenced prognosis. Consensus network was used to identify the molecular traits most relevant to disease development. Finally, we show that although LSQ1 is linked to immune exclusion and might be utilized for vaccination, LSQ2 is linked to immune dysfunction and could be used for immunotherapy. Our findings establish a theoretical basis for applying mRNA vaccines to LUSC.
The association between genetic variation and preprandial and postprandial digestive responses in healthy young men: A pilot study
Authors: Brown Julie. E. , Burden Hannah , Pham Toan , Braakhuis Andrea. J.
Published: November 2022

Background
An elevated postprandial glycaemic and related physiological response is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. Several factors, including genetics, may influence interpersonal differences in preprandial baseline markers and postprandial meal responses. This study examined the association between genetic variation and physiological outcomes during the preprandial and postprandial digestive responses in thirty healthy young men.
Methods
In this experimental study, thirty healthy men aged 20–34 consumed a standardised breakfast meal. Blood samples were collected before the meal and hourly for 4 hours after the meal to assess lipids and fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated fat, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides), nutrients (vitamin D, iron and zinc), glucose and insulin. Participants’ weight and height were collected to determine their body mass index (BMI). An online visual analogue 100-point scale was used to assess appetite changes upon arrival, immediately following meal consumption, 30 minutes after and hourly for 4 hours. Buccal swabs were collected and assessed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis.
Results
The insulin-receptor substrate 1 gene (IRS1) polymorphism rs2943641 significantly predicted elevated fasting insulin levels (R2 = 0.639, F (3,26) = 15.34, β = 6.376, P = < 0.0001). The mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 gene (UCP1) polymorphism rs1800592 and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 gene (PPARγ2) polymorphism rs1801282 significantly predicted participants’ BMI (R2 = 0.261, F (2,27) = 4.759, β = -2.764, P = 0.007 and R2 = 0.200, F (2,27) = 3.371, β = 3.291, P = 0.024 respectively). The remaining SNPs did not appear to associate with our cohort’s related physiological or nutrient outcome.
Conclusions
According to the finding of this exploratory study, three SNPs significantly predicted participants’ fasting insulin levels and BMI.
Photosynthesis sequesters more carbon than growth does
Authors: Buesa René J.
Published: November 2022

Carbon sequestration by marine plants has traditionally been measured based on biomass from growth rates. However, our work hypothesis is that photosynthesis based sequestration should yield larger values. In the Northwestern Cuban shelf, our study area, the combined photosynthesis of six seaweeds genera Halimeda thalli, and turtle grass leaves resulted in an estimated 350 t CO2 km-2 y-1 sequestered, 3.4 times the 102 t C km-2 y-1 from growth, validating the hypothesis. Other existing CO2 sequestration estimates are at least threefold smaller meaning that the world growth average of 119 t C km-2 y-1 should be increased to 357 t C km-2 y-1, similar to sequestration in the study area. Because high salinity and water transparency benefit the studied species’ growth, they can be qualified as oceanic. Biomass growth rates are expressed as “t C km-2 y-1” to facilitate comparisons with that in other areas. Sequestration values in this study are based on turn-over-rates of species’ dry biomasses collected 50 years ago, so they can be used as a baseline for present and future studies.
A Cyber Resilience Analysis Case Study of an Industrial Operational Technology Environment
Authors: Perrett Kirsty , Wilson Ian David
Published: November 2022

Cyber resilience is an active research area offering a novel approach to Cyber Security. The term appeared due to the concerning number of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed a framework to assist organisations with techniques and approaches to improving cyber resilience. However, there is a sparsity of case studies that speak to the adoption or measurement of these novel approaches within a complex industrial control environment. This paper presents a case study analysis of a manufacturing plant assessment drawing on key themes from the NIST literature.
The paper presents how well NIST constructs can be adopted to find cyber resilient enhancement opportunities and to decide if an evaluation of the results could supply a quantitative baseline measure of an organisation’s overall resilience. Conclusions drawn show that although the framework did partially aid with the analysis process, the frameworks ease of adoption assumes an organisation has a conventional cyber security foundation; NIST should make this clear within their guidance. Furthermore, the accompanying evaluation process was not sufficient to quantitatively measure the overall cyber resilience maturity for this case study.
A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Precipitation Anomalies Using Rainfall Gini Index Between 1980 and 2022
Authors: Sahbeni Ghada , Jarocki Konrad , Pleynet Jean-Baptiste
Published: November 2022

As a reaction to the expanding challenges associated with social susceptibility and their interconnection to diverse environmental threats, parametric insurance plays a key role as an innovation tool in the insurance sector to enhance social resilience to natural disasters and extreme climatic conditions, which can tremendously impact several economic sectors, including agriculture and as a result food security. In this context, this study investigates the association between rainfall Gini index and drought events in Northern Europe. For this purpose, we acquired ERA5 data for daily precipitation for five locations from 1980 to 2022. Gini Index (GI) values were calculated and analyzed for each location with the Mann–Kendall test at a 5% significance level. As expected, a minimal decreasing trend has been observed for daily precipitation, while an increasing trend was recorded for Gini Index. In addition, data on the Soil Moisture Index (SMI) and top drought events were extracted from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) to explore their potential association with the Gini index over time and space. Although a moderately low to negligible correlation, ranging between -0.27 and 0.02, was found between SMI and GI, a qualitative comparison between major drought episodes and Gini index anomaly showed that similar spatiotemporal patterns are present across the region, particularly for extreme drought events in 1996-1997 and 2003. The current study elucidates the rainfall Gini Index’s efficiency as a drought indicator for qualitative analysis, yet more work must be conducted to quantitatively evaluate its association with drought magnitude.
Online-Feedback als Dialog
Authors: Czauderna André
Published: November 2022

Im Sinne der Theorie des situierten Lernens kann Lernen nur dann verstanden werden, wenn es als sozialer Prozess beobachtet wird. Dies gilt es auch in der Hochschul- und Mediendidaktik zu berücksichtigen, z. B. im Zusammenhang mit den Kommunikationsmöglichkeiten von Online-Plattformen, die in der Hochschulbildung häufig für die schriftliche, asynchrone Feedback-Kommunikation genutzt werden. Vor diesem Hintergrund widmet sich der vorliegende Beitrag der sozialen Dimension des Feedbackgebens und -nehmens in einem Diskussionsforum eines Studiengangs der Spieleentwicklung auf Grundlage einer sequenziellen Analyse eines einzelnen Diskussions-Threads. Damit wird Feedback nicht nur als Input, sondern Prozess und Dialog untersucht. Im Verlauf der Analyse wird herausgearbeitet, wie die Mitglieder einer studentischen Projektgruppe von ihren Lehrenden und Peers – mit denen sie eine «Community of Practice» bilden – durch gemeinsames Feedback dabei geholfen wird, ihr Spielkonzept zu verbessern. Darüber hinaus kann gezeigt werden, wie die Empfänger des Feedbacks selbst aktiv zum Gelingen der Feedbackprozesse beitragen, indem sie das Feedback gezielt nachfragen, kommentieren und wertschätzen. Für den hochschuldidaktischen Diskurs verweisen die Ergebnisse auf das Potenzial von Peer-Feedback im Zusammenspiel mit Feedback der Lehrenden – in der Tradition der «Design Critique», wie sie in Gestaltungsstudiengängen üblich ist – als Elemente einer Hochschuldidaktik, welche die Theorie des situierten Lernens berücksichtigt.