bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valley-coherent quantum anomalous Hall state in AB-stacked MoTe2/WSe2 bilayers
Authors: Mak Kin Fai , Tao Zui , Shen Bowen , Jiang Shengwei , Li Tingxin , Li Lizhong , Ma Liguo , Zhao Wenjin , Hu Jenny , Pistunova Kateryna , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Heinz Tony , Shan Jie
Published: October 2022

Moiré materials provide fertile ground for the correlated and topological quantum phenomena. Among them, the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect, in which the Hall resistance is quantized even under zero magnetic field, is a direct manifestation of the intrinsic topological properties of a material and an appealing attribute for low-power electronics applications. The QAH effect has been observed in both graphene and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) moiré materials. It is thought to arise from the interaction-driven valley polarization of the narrow moiré bands. Here, we show surprisingly that the newly discovered QAH state in AB-stacked MoTe2/WSe2 moiré bilayers is not valley-polarized but valley-coherent. The layer- and helicity-resolved optical spectroscopy measurement reveals that the QAH ground state possesses spontaneous spin (valley) polarization aligned (anti-aligned) in two TMD layers. In addition, saturation of the out-of-plane spin polarization in both layers occurs only under high magnetic fields, supporting a canted spin texture. Our results call for a new mechanism for the QAH effect and highlight the potential of TMD moiré materials with strong electronic correlations and spin-orbit interactions for exotic topological states.
Challenges in Brain Death Determination in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation – A Single Center Experience
Authors: Zhao David X , Caturegli Giorgio , Wilcox Christopher , Stephens R. Scott , Kim Bo Soo , Keller Steven , Geocadin Romergryko G , Whit Glenn JR , Cho Sung-Min
Published: October 2022

Background Conducting an apnea test (AT) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is challenging, leading to variable approaches for determining brain death (BD), also known as death by neurologic criteria (DNC). This study aims to describe the diagnostic criteria and barriers for DNC in a high-volume ECMO center with an emphasis on the role of AT. Methods A retrospective review of a prospective observational standardized neuromonitoring study was conducted in adult VA- and VV-ECMO patients at a tertiary center from June 2016-March 2022. Brain death was defined according to the 2010American Academy of Neurologyguidelines. AT for DNC in this study was performed in accordance with the 2020 Journal of the American Medical Association BD/DNC criteria recommendations for ECMO patients, including a period of pre-oxygenation, setting ECMO sweep to 0.5-1 L/min, and measuring serial blood gases. Results During the study period, 15 of 300 (5%) patients underwent testing for DNC. Eight (2.7%) ECMO patients (median age = 44 years, 75% male, and 50% VA-ECMO) were diagnosed with BD, six (75%) of whom were determined with AT. In the other two patients who did not undergo AT due to safety concerns, ancillary tests (TCD and EEG) were consistent with BD and the patients were declared BD on the basis of those findings. An additional seven (2.3%) patients (median age = 55 years, 71% male, and 86% VA ECMO) were noted to have absent brainstem reflexes but failed to complete determination of DNC as they underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment due to family wishes before a full evaluation was completed. Six (86%) of these patients with unconfirmed BD had at least one ancillary test performed that were not consistent with BD despite either neurological exam findings and/or AT results supporting a BD diagnosis. In the seventh patient, although absent brainstem reflexes were noted on the neurological exam with explanatory findings on imaging, there was no AT or ancillary testing done. Conclusion AT was used safely and successfully in 6 of the 8 ECMO patients diagnosed with BD, though providers were more confident using AT with ancillary tests. AT was always consistent with the neurological exam and imaging findings suggesting BD. However, there are limitations to ancillary tests for BD assessments when used without AT and we recommend performing at least two ancillary tests to confirm brain death if AT cannot be performed or is inconclusive in ECMO patients.
The Amount of intrapartum hemorrhage of different hemostasis methods after Placenta Accreta Spectrum
Authors: Wang Yuji , Han Junrui , Huang Yan
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different hemostasis methods on the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage with placenta accreta spectrum (placenta accreta, increta, and percreta).
METHODS: A population-based record linkage study of women who diagnosed placenta accreta spectrum in West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and Chengdu Women and Children Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2020. Data were obtained from hospital records. According to the different methods of hemostasis, they were divided into without any measure group, transcatheter arterial embolization group, balloon tamponade group, drug group and multiple combined methods group. And the differences in the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage under different hemostasis methods were compared.
RESULTS: A total of 735 PAS patients were included in this study. The results showed that drug group intrapartum hemorrhage was lower than without any measure group (400 [300,600] ml and 565 [485,600] ml; P<0.001). And it is same in multiple combined methods (400 [320,600] ml and 565 [485,600] ml; P<0.001). There was no difference between transcatheter arterial embolization group and without any measure group (400 [300,600] ml and 590 [508,600] ml; P=0.137). And balloon tamponade group intrapartum hemorrhage was higher than without any measure group (400 [300,600] ml and 765 [650,885] ml; P=0.001).
CONCLUSION: Drug and multiple combined methods can effectively control the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage. Transcatheter arterial embolization can’t effectively control the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage. Balloon tamponade could increase the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage. And when the amount of intrapartum hemorrhage reached 600 ml, no method could control bleeding.
Priority-Based Model for Rehabilitation of Water Networks Using FAHP
Authors: Karasneh Sura , Moqbel Shadi
Published: October 2022

Prioritizing water distribution networks rehabilitation is a challenge for decision-makers due to the various and complicated elements that are involved in the decision process and mainly the high cost of such projects. Using a multicriteria approach for prioritization of water network rehabilitation will strengthen the decision-making process and provide a base for a cost-effective solution. Although network rehabilitation is crucial to water management in Jordan due to being under water scarcity, refugee waves and frequent failure in old networks, current practices in giving preferences are based on the personal experience of certain stakeholders. This study develops a priority-based model using fuzzy logic to facilitate decision-making. The weights of contributing factors were calculated using the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) after judging by stakeholders and water distribution projects' experts in the Jordanian water sector. Then, a priority model was built using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that produced a priority ranked list. The study results showed that the physical factors have the highest weight, followed by the operational, quality of service, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Finally, the model was tested on five water networks in the Amman Governorate.
Factors associated with barriers to healthcare access among ever-married women of reproductive age in Bangladesh: analysis from the 2017-2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Hinata Hitomi , Lwin Kaung Suu , Eguchi Akifumi , Ghaznavi Cyrus , Hashizume Masahiro , Nomura Shuhei
Published: October 2022

Background:
Globally, women suffer more from healthcare inequalities, which might be the factor causing excess mortality in all periods of life. Though Bangladesh has achieved excellent progress in providing health care, the country still has some critical challenges that need immediate attention. The objective of this study is to examine the association between social determinants and barriers in accessing healthcare among ever-married women aged 15–49 in Bangladesh.
Methods:
The study was conducted among 20,127 women aged 15–49, using data from the 2017–2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The barriers to healthcare, which were created from four questions about whether a woman faced problems in permission, obtaining money, distance, or companionship, were the outcome variable. The independent variable included age, marital status, education level, employment, religion, health insurance status, frequency of exposure to mass media, the sex of the household head, owning a mobile phone, household wealth status. Descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. The associations were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results:
More than two-thirds (66.3%) of women reported having at least one perceived barrier in accessing healthcare. Women with a higher level of education (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41–0.57), reading newspapers or magazines at least once a week (AOR = 0.65 CI: 0.53–0.79), watching television at least once a week (AOR = 0.88 CI: 0.80–0.96), owning a mobile telephone (AOR = 0.78 CI: 0.73–0.84) and those in the richest wealth quintile (AOR = 0.45, CI: 0.38–0.52) had lower odds of having barriers in accessing healthcare. In addition, widowed (AOR = 1.53 CI: 1.26–1.84), divorced (AOR = 1.91 CI:1.47–2.48), or separated (AOR = 1.98 CI: 1.46–2.69) women and those engaged in household and domestic services (AOR = 2.07 CI: 1.59–2.69) had higher odds of having a financial barrier in accessing healthcare.
Conclusions:
This study shows the association between individual, household, and community level factors and the barriers in accessing healthcare in Bangladesh. The factors identified include age, marital status, educational level, occupation, exposure to mass media, owning a mobile telephone, wealth quantile, and region of residence. These findings highlight the need to pay critical attention to these factors to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 3.7, and 3.8. The findings of this study could help healthcare policymakers improve women's healthcare through service redistribution to achieve equity in healthcare.
Single cell RNA sequencing reveals the cytological characteristics and related immune microenvironment of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma
Authors: Chai Jie , Zhao Weizhu , Jia Yanfei , Sun Guangyu , Yang Haiying , Liu Luguang , Qu Xianlin , Ding Jishuang , Yu Hang , Xu Botao , Zhao Siwei , Xing Ligang
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND
Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRC) is a special pathological type of gastric cancer (GC), which has the biological characteristics of high invasiveness, metastasis and poor prognosis, and has always been a major problem in clinical diagnosis and treatment. The current research on GSRC is stagnant at the tissue level of exome and mRNA sequencing, and lacks precision. We tried to use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)to reveal the biological characteristics of GSRC at the cellular level to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment, which has important theoretical and practical significance.
METHODS
We analyzed 32456 single cells from para-cancerous tissues of 5 patients and 117326 single cells from the cancer tissues of 13 patients by scRNA-seq. Results of the analysis were validated by immunohistochemistry, cell line cultures and bioinformatics.
RESULTS
The single-cell plot of GSRC was successfully constructed for the first time. There is also significant heterogeneity among Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) sub-clusters. Microseminoprotein Beta (MSMB) as a marker can guide the identification of SRCC and moderate/poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (M/PDA) cells. The up-regulated genes in SRCC were mainly enriched in abnormally active cancer-related signaling pathways and immune response signaling pathways. SRCC can be also significantly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and estrogen signaling pathway, and they can interact and promote each other, and continue to amplify the effect. SRCC has lower cell adhesion and higher immune evasion ability, they also have an immunosuppressive microenvironment, these may be closely related to the relatively poor prognosis of GSRC.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to M/PDA, GSRC has unique cytological characteristics and immune microenvironment, which will provide assistance for precision diagnosis and treatment.
Characterization analysis of 532 nm laser drilling of silicon-based glass heterogeneous integration composites
Authors: Lin Che-Shu , Tai Chih-Ho , Chen Rou-Jhen , Li Kuan-Ming , Young Hong-Tsu , Hsiao Wen-Tse
Published: October 2022

In the era of the Internet of Things, the demand for sensors—including those used in wearable devices, those used in smart machinery, electronic sensors for vehicles, and gas sensors—is steadily increasing. To improve the performance of sensing components, stacking circuits and packaging materials can be used as the heterogeneous chips in manufacturing processes. For example, owing to its composition of multiple materials, a sensing component cannot be returned to a semiconductor production line for a second round of the through-hole process. Because the laser is an excellent tool for via processes, the diffraction limit of a laser-focused spot should be considered. Thus, for holes with large diameters (i.e., 100 µm), composited laser machining should be considered. This study used 532-nm laser milling technology to fabricate holes with large diameters (300 µm) on a silicon-based glass heterogeneous integration composite material used in sensing components. Single-layer and multilayer milling removal rates, depth of focus formula, and experimental analysis results were recorded. The effect parameters were laser power, galvanometric scanning speed, and number of laser milling processes. The fabrication via characteristics were systematically analyzed using a field-emission scanning electron microscope, a confocal laser scanning microscope, and a four-point probe instrument. Moreover, to analyze the via performance after laser milling, a filled metal contact deposition process based on the resistance value measurement was employed. The experimental results revealed that (1) the diameters of the perforated holes increased with the number of laser milling processes, (2) the galvanometer scanning speed increased as the via diameter decreased, (3) the oxygen concentration distribution around the hole decreased farther away from the hole, (4) the inside of the hole contained high concentrations of carbon and oxygen because of the laser processing process, and (5) more laser residues were observed closer to the bottom of the hole, causing more material to adhere to the wall closer to the bottom. Finally, the side view revealed that as the number of laser milling processes increased, the hole could be dug deeper, and the sidewall of the hole became more vertical, resulting in the measurement angle decreasing relatively.
Transmission Characteristics of Flexible Low-Loss Solid Circular Polymer Dielectric Waveguides for Sub-THz Applications
Authors: Li Yue , Liao Shaowei , Xue Quan , Che Wenquan
Published: October 2022

This work investigates transmission characteristics of flexible solid circular polymer dielectric waveguides (SCPDWs) in the sub-THz band, especially those important for practical applications, including transmission loss, energy confinement and bending loss. In addition, the expanded polyethylene (EPE) cladding and interconnector are introduced to ensure good working conditions and quickly extend transmission length, respectively. The 1.5-mm-diameter SCPDW made of properly selected polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is considered, which is flexible and low-loss. The simulation shows that more than 99% power can be confined in the 9-mm-diameter circular area when the frequency is over 90 GHz. The prototypes are fabricated and measured within 88-140 GHz. The measurement shows that the PTFE SCPDW has 0.5-4.8 dB/m loss, much lower than most reported solid polymer dielectric waveguides (SPDWs). A 30-mm-radius 90° bending is generally lossless in frequencies over 120 GHz, and adopting the polarization orthogonal to the bending direction can improve the bending loss. A 9-mm-diameter EPE cladding brings about 1 dB/m attenuation, which, however, dramatically reduces external interference on the PTFE SCPDW. The designed interconnector can easily extend the SCPDW transmission length with an acceptable ≤2 dB loss. The above results prove that the PTFE SCPDW and its corresponding cladding and interconnector can achieve good sub-THz high-speed wired interconnects. Though only a specific diameter is considered, the performances of SCPDWs with different diameters can also be deduced. The investigated features are expected to be beneficial for future SPDWs applications.
The theory and application of information transfer and causality based on symbolic recurrence
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Lin Aijing
Published: October 2022

Recurrence quantification is a powerful tool to investigate the behavior of dynamic systems. Symbolic recurrence plots (SRPs) offer a richer representation of recurrences by overcoming the arbitrariness of distance threshold selection in phase space. We introduce transfer entropy on symbolic recurrences as an approach to examine causal interactions between dynamical systems from their time series. The approach combines recurrence plots, information theory, and symbolic dynamics, which empowers researchers to visualize and quantify coupling in dynamic systems effectively. Here, by analyzing the causal relationship of EEG signals in different brain regions of healthy people and epilepsy patients, we attempt to demonstrate the research value of transfer entropy on symbolic recurrences in the field of real-word research.
Explainable and Interactive Simulated Annealing Strategy Ranking
Authors: Ibrahim Osman Ali Sadek
Published: October 2022

This short paper is about the first Explainable and Interactive Learning to Rank (LTR) Package in Information Retrieval (IR). This application is based on Combining the Simulated Annealing Strategy with (1+1) Evolutionary Strategy (SAS-Rank) which was introduced before as a learning algorithm for ranking in previous studies. In this application, ranking models of the offspring and parent chromosomes were shown during run time for each iteration. Furthermore, there are three options for changing the SAS-Rank parameters and seeing the evaluation results obtained. This application is the first application introducing interactive learning in the ranking problem domain for IR.
Methotrexate regimen and periodontal therapy change the oral-gut microbiota composition in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Oliveira Sicília Rezende , de Arruda José Alcides Almeida , Corrêa Jôice Dias , Carvalho Valessa Florindo , Medeiros Julliane Dutra , Schneider Ayda Henriques , Machado Caio Cavalcante , Duffles Letícia Fernanda , Fernandes Gabriel R. , Calderaro Débora Cerqueira , J Mario Taba , Abreu Lucas Guimarães , Fukada Sandra Yasuyo , Oliveira Renê Donizeti Ribeiro , Louzada-Júnior Paulo , Cunha Fernando Queiroz , Silva Tarcília Aparecida
Published: October 2022

Objectives
This study evaluated the influence of methotrexate (MTX) and periodontal therapy on the composition of the oral-gut microbiota of individuals with RA.
Methods
Thirty-seven individuals with RA were evaluated at three time points. The composition of the oral and gut microbiota was assessed by amplifying the V4 region of the 16S gene from subgingival plaques and stools.
Results
MTX tended to reduce the alpha diversity of the oral and gut microbiota, an effect that was partially reversed in the oral microbiota after periodontal treatment. The relative abundance of the oral microbiota was directly influenced by periodontal status. Conversely, periodontitis did not influence the gut microbiota. MTX treatment did not affect the periodontal condition; however, it modified the interactions between clinical parameters and the oral-gut microbiota, with the emergence of novel and simplified correlations. Porphyromonas gingivalis was linked to increased production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) regardless of periodontal status and this periodontopathogenic bacterium induced significant production of NET in vitro, particularly in individuals with RA.
Conclusion
MTX and periodontal treatment directly affected the composition and richness of the oral-gut microbiota, with the emergence of different microbial groups. P. gingivalis and NET typify the microbial-host interaction in RA and periodontitis.
Comorbid Parental Psychopathology Interactions: Associations with Emerging Adult Psychological Problems
Authors: Fowler Camille , Stanhope Lydia , McKinney Cliff
Published: October 2022

Research has investigated the effects of parental psychopathology in young children, but few studies have examined the role that comorbid parental psychopathology within and between parents has on emerging adults. These effects can differ depending on the gender of the emerging adult and parent. The current study examined how maternal and paternal psychopathology predicted emerging adult psychopathology from the emerging adults’ perspectives by gender. To increase parsimony, the study focused on depressive, anxious, and antisocial problems. Results demonstrated that parental psychopathology was a strong predictor of the same psychopathology in emerging adults. Women and men reported moderate depressive problems when indicating high scores for both maternal antisocial and paternal anxiety problems, whereas being high in one parental problem and low in the other resulted in higher depressive problems. The findings indicated that comorbid psychopathology within and between parents may increase psychopathology in emerging adults, but some combinations may moderate effects.
Predictors of herbal medicine use among cancer patients
Authors: Aboufaras Mohamed , Selmaoui Karima , Raja Najib , lakhdissi asmaa , ouzennou nadia
Published: October 2022

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, the determinants and the predictors of this use. Methods At the regional oncology center of Beni Mellal, we conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with 530 adult cancer patients chosen by quota sampling. A 54-item questionnaire was used to perform the face-to-face survey. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and a CAM healthcare model were used to create this instrument. Using SPSS software, we performed bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses as well as logistic regression. Results The prevalence of traditional herbal medicine use was 36.6%. Several variables of the conceptual model were associated with the use of herbal medicine (gender, attitude and belief towards T&CM, financial resources, clinical characteristics of patients) (p < 0.05). Predictors of traditional herbal medicine use were female gender (OR = 4.687; p < 0.000), social impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0.05), emotional impact of cancer (OR = 2.314; p < 0. 05), expected benefits of TM/CAM use (OR = 3.453; p < 0.000), perceived scientific barriers (OR = 0.580; p < 0.000), perceived socioeconomic barriers (OR = 0.657; p < 0.005), and the use and social norms of relatives (OR = 3.238; p < 0). Conclusion Because of the high prevalence of herbal medicine, health care providers should focus on specialized and multidisciplinary therapeutic education that focuses on the psychosocial factors and representations that underpin this use.
Experimental and Finite Element Analysis of Plastic Domain Evolution of Rough Surfaces during Contact
Authors: Huang Jiaxin , Zhang Xiaoyue , Sun Chen , Chen Jubing
Published: October 2022

The processing method has an effect on the morphology and yield strength of the rough surface. In this paper, experiments and finite element methods are used to analyze the contact behavior of asperities on the rough surface. And the effects of the distribution, height, surface noise, and yield strength of the asperities on the rough surface on the plastic expansion of the asperities are discussed. For the rough surface of the aluminum alloy machined by the three processing methods, the plastic evolution of the surface asperities is directly observed in the experiment. The results show that when the surface roughness is lower, the plastic growth of various asperities on the surface is more uniform. We consider that the morphology of the asperities consists of the periodic morphology and the noise of this morphology. The plastic deformations of rough surfaces with different morphologies are analyzed by finite element method. The results show that the higher the frequency of the asperity distribution, the smaller the plastic deformation under the same load. And the plastic deformation of asperities increases with height. In addition, the mean value of the noise has a limited effect on the plastic change of the rough surface. However, when the noise variance gradually increases, the plastic area of the asperities shows a slow upward trend.
Comparison of Obstetric Emergency Clinical Readiness: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Hospitals in Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Dougherty Kylie , Gobezayehu Abebe Gebremariam , Lijalem Mulusew , Endalamaw Lamesgin Alamineh , Cranmer John N.
Published: October 2022

Background
Measuring facility readiness to manage basic obstetric emergencies is a critical step toward reducing persistently elevated maternal mortality ratios (MMR). Currently, the Signal Functions (SF) is the gold standard for measuring facility readiness globally and endorsed by the WHO. The presence of tracer items classifies facilities’ readiness to manage basic emergencies. However, research suggests the signal functions may be an incomplete indicator. The Clinical Cascades (CC) have emerged as a clinically-oriented alternative to measuring readiness. The purpose of this study is to determine Amhara's clinical readiness and quantify the relationship between SF and cascade estimates of readiness.
Methods
Data were collected in May 2021via Open Data Kit (ODK) and KoBo Toolbox. We surveyed 20 hospitals across three levels of the health system. Commodities were used to create measures of SF-readiness (e.g., % tracers) and cascade-readiness. We calculated differences in SF and cascade estimates and calculated readiness loss across five emergencies and 3 stages of care in the cascades.
Results
The overall Signal Function estimate for all 6 obstetric emergencies was 17.5% greater than the estimates using the cascades. Consistent with global patterns, hospitals were more prepared to provide medical management (70.0% ready) compared to manual procedures (56.7% ready). The SF overestimate was greater for manual procedures (26.7% overall for retained placenta and incomplete abortion) and less for medical treatments (8.3%). Hospitals were least prepared to manage retained placentas (30.0% of facilities were ready at treatment and 0.0% were ready at monitor and modify) and most able to manage hypertensive emergencies (85.0% of facilities were ready at the treatment stage). When including protocols in the analysis, no facilities were ready to monitor and modify the initial therapy when clinically indicated for 3 common emergencies—sepsis, post-partum hemorrhage and retained placentas.
Conclusions
We identified a significant discrepancy between SF and CC readiness classifications. Those facilities that fall within this discrepancy are unprepared to manage common obstetric emergencies, but regional health planners are unable to identify the need. Future research should explore the possibility of modifying the SF or replacing it with a new readiness measurement.
Simultaneous detection of dopamine and ascorbic acid by a thread-based microfluidic device and multiple pulse amperometry
Authors: Santos Vanessa W. dos , Martins Gustavo , Gogola Jeferson L. , Kalinke Cristiane , Agustini Deonir , Bergamini Márcio F. , Marcolino-Junior Luiz H.
Published: October 2022

In this work, the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) was proposed using a simple and inexpensive microfluidic device. Microfluidic devices are totally suitable to couple with electrochemical detectors such as screen-printed electrodes (SPE) and offer many advantages: portability, high sample throughput and low reagent consumption. Here, a 3D-printed microfluidic device (µTED) was developed using textile threads as microfluidic channels and an unmodified SPE as amperometric detector. By using the multiple pulse amperometry (MPA), two potential values (0.65 V and − 0.10 V) were chosen. The current signals generated in the reduction of dopamine o-quinone were used to calculate a correction factor for the ascorbic acid oxidation signals, allowing the simultaneous quantification. The proposed microfluidic device provided a stable flowrate of carrier solution and low consumption of samples and reagents (volume of injection of 2.0 µL). Using the best set of experimental conditions, a linear dynamic range (LDR) between 50 and 900 µmol L− 1 for DA and AA were achieved. Sensitivities of 2.24 µA L µmol− 1 and 5.09 µA L µmol− 1 as well as limits of detection (LOD) of 2.60 µmol L− 1 and 1.54 µmol L− 1 were calculated for AA and DA, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of AA and DA in commercial blood serum sample spiked at three concentration levels. In addition, MPA showed to be a very simple way to perform simultaneous determination of AA and DA without the need of previous separations or the use of chemically modified electrodes.
Performance of a novel Convolutional Neural Network with the incorporation of automatic segmentation of peritumoral region in shear-wave elastography for predicting breast cancer
Authors: Xie Li , Liu Zhen , Pei Chong , Liu Xiao , Cui Ya-yun , Wang Yunqiu , Yang Lin , He Nian-an , Hu Lei
Published: October 2022

Objective: Peritumoral stiffness of lesions measured by shear-wave elastography (SWE) can improve the diagnostic specificity of the conventional ultrasound(US) in breast cancer. Our aim was to develop dual-modal CNN models based on combining US images and SWE of peritumoral region to improve prediction of breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected US images and SWE data of 1271 BI-RADS-4 breast lesions from 1116 female patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 45.40 ± 9.65 years). The lesions were divided into three subgroups based on the maximum diameter (MD): ≤15 mm; >15 mm and ≤25 mm; >25 mm. We recorded lesion stiffness (SWV1) and 5-point average stiffness of the peritumoral tissue (SWV5). Based on the segmentation of different widths of peritumoral tissue (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm) and internal SWE image of the lesions, CNN models were built using PP-LiteSeg and EfficientNet-B0 architecture. All single-parameter CNN models, dual-modal CNN models, and quantitative SWE parameters inthe training cohort (971 lesions) and the validation cohort (300 lesions) were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results: The dual-modal CNN models based on the combination of US and SWE segmentation images had better diagnostic performance than the quantitative SWE parameters, US CNN model, and SWE CNN models in predicting breast cancer (P < 0.001 for all). The US + 1.0 mm SWE model achieved the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) in the subgroup of lesions with MD ≤15 mm in both the training (0.94) and the validation cohorts (0.91). In the subgroups with MD between 15 and 25 mm and above 25 mm, the US + 2.0 mm SWE model achieved the highest AUCs in both the training cohort (0.96 and 0.95, respectively) and the validation cohort (0.93 and 0.91, respectively).
Conclusion: The dual-modal CNN models based on the combination of US images and peritumoral region SWE images allow accurate prediction of breast cancer.
Docking, ADME toxicity analysis of Alprazolam derivatives as potent anxiolytic drug
Authors: Praveen Mallari , Paramanik Vijay
Published: October 2022

GABAergic, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid A (GABAA) receptors are permeable to the chloride ion gated channel, on hyperexcitability alters the ions gradients and leads to anxiety-related diseases. The study aims to elucidate the potent inhibitory ligands of alprazolam and their analogues, those retrieved from the PubChem database as ligands against the GABAA receptor as a target to reduce the daily dose administration. In-silico methods like molecular docking were performed using docking tool, Autodock and Autodock vina version 4.2, Absorption Digestion Metabolism Excretion toxicity through Swiss ADME and OSIRIS online tools to find potent lead ligand and predicting drug-likeness. Molecular docking showed that three compounds A3, A8, and A9 had significant binding affinities (-8.0 to -8.2 kcal/mol) to the target. The ADME toxicity study showed three ligands (PubChem ID: 1032832, 12632256, and 12632257) with good binding affinity, obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five. A8 chemical compound can cross the blood-brain barrier out of three ligands, A3 and A9 ligands remained in the gastrointestinal region, which is represented in the BOILED-Egg model. The study revealed one potent antagonist of GABAA receptors, namely 8-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-6-phenyl-4H- [1,2,4] triazolo [4,3-a] [1,4] benzodiazepine, these can be further exploited for upon molecular dynamics study followed by wet-lab studies perhaps used for the therapeutics as an anxiolytic drug.
Study on the Cognitive Characteristics Induced by Changes in the Intensity, Frequency, and Duration of Vibratory Stimuli
Authors: Choi Mi-Hyun , Kim Kyu-Beom , Kim Ye-Jin , Kim Ji-Su , Kim Hyung-Sik , Chung Soon-Cheol
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cognitive characteristics that can be induced through vibration stimuli of two intensities, three frequencies, and five presentation periods. The experiment was conducted on 20 right-handed adult males and a subjective evaluation was performed using a questionnaire. Regression analysis was performed to observe the parameters affecting cognitive characteristics according to changes in intensity, frequency, and stimulation duration. The regression analysis results showed that the cognitive characteristics affected by changes in intensity, frequency, and stimulation duration were 'heavy', 'bold’, 'thick', and 'light'. The cognitive characteristics affected by two-variable combinations were 'deep', 'clear', ‘vibrating’, 'dense', 'numb', 'blunt', 'shallow', 'fuzzy', and 'soft'. Cognitive characteristics affected by one of intensity, frequency, and stimulation duration were 'fast', 'pungent', ' skinny', 'thin', 'slow', 'ticklish', 'tingling', 'prickling', ‘tap', and 'rugged'. In this study, by observing the cognitive characteristics that can be induced through a combination of intensity, frequency, and stimulation duration, we confirmed that, in addition to intensity and frequency, the stimulation duration is an important factor that influences the induction of various cognitive characteristics. The results presented in the study can be used to enhance the utility of a hepatic surface for extended reality applications.
Intermittent Control in Human Balancing on an Unstable and Unrestrained Platform
Authors: Rao Aishwarya , Palanthandalam-Madapusi Harish
Published: October 2022

The presence of an intermittent control strategy in human quiet standing and various balancing tasks is established in the literature. In intermittent control, the variables of interest are monitored continuously but corrective action is only taken intermittently when the variables exceed certain threshold criteria. It is however unclear whether an intermittent control strategy is employed in other balancing tasks such as standing (and balancing) on an unrestrained, unstable platform. In this paper, we study a simple, unrestrained anterior-posterior rocker balancing task using both experimental investigation with human subjects and numerical simulations, to evaluate the presence of an intermittent strategy. For experimental data, we conducted a pilot study with 5 human subjects undertaking both a quiet standing task and a rocker balancing task. For numerical simulations, we employ a Rolling Disk coupled with an Inverted Pendulum (RDIP) model with continuous and intermittent control representing the rocker balancing task and a Simple Inverted Pendulum (SIP) model to represent the quiet standing task. The data and analysis from the experimental study and numerical simulations provide evidence for the presence of an intermittent control strategy in rocker balancing with reduced intermittency and higher postural fluctuations compared to quiet standing.
Plant traits and soil properties involved in nutrient and carbon exchange predict arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities under nature ambient precipitation gradients
Authors: Zhang Shihu , Ma Xiaoyu , Ma Qun , Wang Yidi , Yang Xuechun , Yang Zhengying , Wang Jingyuan , Ma Miaojun , Zheng Zhi
Published: October 2022

Aims
Despite several studies demonstrating that plant traits determine plant community response to precipitation changes and that precipitation indirectly affects arbuscular mycorhizal (AM) fungal communities by changes in plant community attributes. Yet the impacts of plant traits on AM fungal communities are still unknown under precipitation change.
Methods
We selected three sites extremely ideal to examine the effects of plant community functional traits and soil properties on AM fungal communities due to similar plant species and precipitation differences in an alpine meadow of Tibetan Plateau.
Results
We observed that high precipitation markedly enhanced AM fungal diversities, plant community functional diversities and soil nutrients. Total soil nitrogen and soil available phosphorus predicted variation in AM fungal diversities, while AM fungal biomass was predicted by plant community-weighed means of nitrogen and phosphorus ratio (CWM-N:P). Members of Glomus preferred to inhabit in the sites with low precipitation. A distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) demonstrated that AM fungal community structure was predicted by CWM-N:P, plant community-weighed means of photosynthetic rate (CWM-Pn), total soil carbon and plant community functional dispersion (FDis).
Conclusions
We conclude that plant traits and soil properties, which are involved in nutrient-carbon (C) exchange in AM fungal symbionts, shape AM fungal communities under ambient precipitation gradients. Our finding provided a novel insight into AM fungal community assembly from the perspective of nutrient-carbon exchange.
Asthma or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case-based review
Authors: Wang Pu , Liu Ying , Shao MeiQi , Chen Da
Published: October 2022

Background: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a small-vessel necrotizing vasculitis. Its most common clinical manifestations are asthma; ear, nose, and throat involvement; and lung involvement. As EGPA has similar features to asthma, most patients with this disease seek medical treatment for the first time with wheezing symptoms and, thus, may be regarded as having asthma.
Case presentation: This report discusses an EGPA case regarded as recurrent asthma for 3 years. The patient underwent thoracic computed tomography (CT) 6 times in recent years, which recorded dynamic changes in an EGPA patient’s lungs for the first time. We initiated treatment with methylprednisolone and amethopterin. The patient’s symptoms rapidly improved, and some abnormal imaging manifestations on chest CT disappeared one month after the treatment.
Conclusions: Consequently, early diagnosis and treatment are needed because the progression of the disease may be prohibited, and imaging manifestations on chest CT of EGPA may be reversible. Furthermore, to diagnose patients with asthma more reliably and precisely, we discuss the differential diagnosis between EGPA and asthma. Thirdly, imaging manifestations on chest CT could be regarded as an evaluation index to evaluate the therapeutic effect in patients with EGPA. Finally, low-dose CS can alleviate the symptoms of EGPA.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Patients with Glycogen Storage Disease in a Single Center
Authors: Seol Jae Hee , Jung Se Yong , Koh Hong , Won Jung Jo , Kang Yun Koo
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a hereditary metabolic disorder caused by enzyme deficiency resulting in glycogen accumulation in the liver, muscle, heart, or kidney. GSD types II, III, IV, and IX are associated with cardiac involvement. However, cardiac manifestation of other GSD types is unclear. This study aimed to describe whether energy deprivation and the toxic effects of accumulated glycogen affect the heart of patients with GSD.
Methods
We evaluated LV wall mass, LV systolic and diastolic function and myocardial strain in 64 patients with GSD type I, III, VI and IX who visited Wonju Severance Hospital in 2021, by conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D STE). Among the GSD patients, the echocardiographic parameters of 55 pediatrics were converted into z-scores and analyzed.
Results
Of the patients, 43(62.3%), 7(11.3%) and 12(19.4%) were diagnosed with GSD type 1, type 3 and type 9, respectively. The median age was 9 years (range, 1–36years), 55 children under 18 years old and 7 adults over 18 years old. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI z-score (p = 0.022) and CK (p = 0.020) predicted increased LV mass z-score, regardless of GSD type. There was no difference in the diastolic and systolic functions according to myocardial thickness, but 2D STE shows a negative correlation with LV mass (r=-0.28, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
Given that GSD patients tend to be overweight. As well as laboratory tests and abdomen ultrasounds of the liver and muscles in patients with GSD are needed, but it is also thought that serial heart evaluation with echocardiography is required.
Intraoocyte cAMP elevation induces Metaphase-I arrest in rat oocytes
Authors: Sharma Alka , Dubey Pawan K. , Tripathi Anima
Published: October 2022

Meiotic cell cycle progression from metaphase-I (M-I) to metaphase-II (M-II) is crucial since oocyte prepares to release first polar body (PB-I) and get converted into mature female gamete. Any disturbance or abnormality during this period could affect formation and extrusion of PB-I and thereby oocyte quality after ovulation. The adenosine 3’-5’-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is one of the major signal molecules that regulate the meiotic cell cycle in mammalian oocytes. However, its role during spontaneous exit from metaphase-I (M-I) remains obscure. Therefore, we aimed to find out whether the cell permeable analogue of cAMP that is dibutyryl cAMP could inhibit spontaneous exit from M-I in rat oocytes cultured in vitro. Female rates were exposed to 20 IU pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) for 48 hr followed by 20 IU hCG for 10 hr and then cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovary by puncturing follicles with 26 gauze needles in pre-warmed M-199 culture media. The COCs were cultured in a fresh medium containing various concentrations of db-cAMP (0.0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mM) for 5 hrs in vitro. Our data suggest that db-cAMP prevented oocytes from undergoing spontaneous meiotic resumption from M-I stage in a concentration-dependent manner. The 1.0 mM db-cAMP was sufficient to maintain cell cycle arrest at M-I stage during in vitro culturesuggest that 1.0 mM db-cAMP could be used to prevent spontaneous resumption as well as oocyte aging during in vitrohandling of oocyte in various assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.
Introducing the 3MT_French Dataset to Investigate the Timing of Public Speaking Judgements
Authors: Biancardi Beatrice , Chollet Mathieu , Clavel Chloé
Published: October 2022

In most public speaking datasets, judgements are given after watching the entire performance, or on thin slices randomly selected from the presentations, without focusing on the temporal location of these slices. This does not allow to investigate how people's judgements develop over time during presentations. This contrasts with primacy and recency theories, which suggest that some moments of the speech could be more salient than others and contribute disproportionately to the perception of the speaker's performance.To provide novel insights on this phenomenon, we present the 3MT_French dataset. It contains a set of public speaking annotations collected on a crowd-sourcing platform through a novel annotation scheme and protocol. Global evaluation, persuasiveness, perceived self-confidence of the speaker and audience engagement were annotated on different time windows (i.e., the beginning, middle or end of the presentation, or the full video). This new resource will be useful to researchers working on public speaking assessment and training. It will allow to fine-tune the analysis of presentations under a novel perspective relying on socio-cognitive theories rarely studied before in this context, such as first impressions and primacy and recency theories. An exploratory correlation analysis on the annotations provided in the dataset suggests that the early moments of a presentation have a stronger impact on the judgements.
Lithium carbonate in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 in UNC13A; protocol for a confirmatory, randomized, group-sequential, event-driven, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Authors: Willemse Sean William , Roes Kit CB , Damme Philip Van , Hardiman Orla , Ingre Caroline , Povedano Monica , Wray Naomi R , Gijzen Marleen , de Pagter Mirjam S , Demaegd Koen C , Janse Annemarie FC , Vink Roel C , Sleutjes Boudewijn THM , Chiò Adriano , Corcia Philippe , Reviers Evy , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Kiernan Matthew C , Berg Leonard H van den , Es Michael A van , Eijk Ruben PA van
Published: October 2022

Background

Given the large genetic heterogeneity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), it seems likely that genetic subgroups may benefit differently from treatment. An exploratory meta-analysis identified that patients homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene UNC13A, had a statistically significant survival benefit when treated with lithium carbonate. We aim to confirm the efficacy of lithium carbonate on the time to death or respiratory insufficiency in patients with ALS homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 in UNC13A.

Methods

A randomised, group-sequential, event-driven, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted in 15 sites across Europe and Australia. Patients will be genotyped for UNC13A; those homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 will be eligible. Patients must have a diagnosis of ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria, and a TRICALS risk-profile score between − 6.0 and − 2.0. An expected number of 1,200 patients will be screened in order to enrol a target sample size of 171 patients. Patients will be randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to lithium carbonate or matching placebo, and treated for a maximum duration of 24 months. The primary endpoint is the time to death or respiratory insufficiency, whichever occurs first. Key secondary endpoints include functional decline, respiratory function, quality of life, tolerability, and safety. An interim analysis for futility and efficacy will be conducted after the occurrence of 41 events.

Discussion

Lithium carbonate has been proven to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with ALS. Given the favorable safety profile, the potential benefits are considered to outweigh the burden and risks associated with study participation. This study may provide conclusive evidence about the life-prolonging potential of lithium carbonate in a genetic ALS subgroup.

Trial registration

EudraCT number 2020-000579-19, registered on 29-03-2021. https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2020-000579-19/NL