bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Formation of MXene-Oxidized Sono/Chemo-Dynamic Sonosensitizer/Nanocatalyst for Antibacteria and Bone-Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Yu Yang , Sun Houyi , Lu Qunshan , Sun Junyuan , Zhang Pengfei , Zeng Linran , Vasilev Krasimir , Zhao Yunpeng , Chen Yu , Liu Peilai
Published: March 2023

Prolonged and incurable bacterial infections in soft tissue and bone are currently causing large challenges in the clinic. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been designed to address these issues, but materials with satisfying therapeutic effects are still needed. Herein, CaO2-loaded 2D titanium carbide nanosheets (CaO2-TiOx@Ti3C2, C-T@Ti3C2) were developed. Surprisingly, this nanosheet exhibited sonodynamic ability, in which CaO2 caused the in situ oxidation of Ti3C2 MXene to produce acoustic sensitiser TiO2 on its surface. In addition, this nanosheet displayed chemodynamic features, which promoted a Fenton reaction triggered by self-supplied H2O2. We detected that C-T@Ti3C2 nanosheets increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to sonodynamic therapy, which displayed an ideal antibacterial effect. Furthermore, these nanoreactors facilitated the deposition of Ca2+, which promoted osteogenic transformation and enhanced bone quality in osteomyelitis models. Herein, a wound healing model and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) model were established, and the C-T@Ti3C2 nanosheets played a protective role in these models. Taken together, the results indicated that the C-T@Ti3C2 nanosheets function as a multifunctional instrument with sonodynamic features, which might reveal information regarding the treatment of bacterial infections during wound healing.
Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 promotes angiogenesis through the caveolin-1/VEGF pathway after cerebral ischemic injury.
Authors: Lin Yao , Pang Qiongyi , Shi Yuanxi , Hu Xuanbo , Zhu Anqi , Ge Changjun , Wu Kecheng , Chen Xiang , Tu Fengxia
Published: March 2023

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to potentially protect against cerebral ischemic injury. We investigated the role and underlying mechanism of MALAT1 in ischemic stroke. A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and a human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC) model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were established. The Zea Longa 5-point scale, VEGFR2/CD34 double immunofluorescence (IF), TUNEL staining, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, tube formation assay, Transwell assay, and qRT–PCR were used to evaluate neurological deficits, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell viability, in vitro angiogenesis, cell migration, and MALAT1 levels in mice, respectively. MALAT1 was found to promote cell migration and tube formation in vitro by affecting the caveolin-1/VEGF pathway. Downregulation of MALAT1 expression in vivo exacerbated cerebral ischemic injury as manifested by severe neurological deficits, elevation of apoptosis, and a decrease in the number of VEGFR2+/CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). These findings indicated that MALAT1 may promote angiogenesis after cerebral ischemic injury via the caveolin-1/VEGF pathway, thereby suggesting that MALAT1 is a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.
Lap-shear performance of weld-bonded Mg alloy and austenitic stainless steel in three-sheet stack-up
Authors: Manladan S.M. , Hamza Mukhtar , Ramesh S. , Luo Z.
Published: March 2023

To overcome the challenges encountered in conventional resistance spot welding (RSW) of three-sheet stack-up involving Mg alloy and austentic stainless steel (ASS), the feasibility of using weld-bonding was investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints (Mg alloy/ASS/ASS) were investigated. The Mg alloy and upper ASS were joined together by the combined effect of the cured adhesive and welding-brazing in the weld zone, while a metallurgical bond was formed at the ASS/ASS interface. The Mg nugget microstructure exhibited fine columar grains consisting of largely primary α-Mg grains and eutectic mixture of α-Mg and β-Mg17Al12. The nugget formed at the ASS/ASS interface consisted largely of columnar grains of austenite, with some equiaxed dendritic grains formed at the centerline of the joint. The weld-bonded joints exhibited an average peak load and energy absorption of about 8.5 kN and 17 J, respectively (the conventional RSW joints failed with little or no load application). As the welding current changed, two types of failure modes were observed: Interfacial failure via the Mg nugget/upper ASS interface and partial interfacial failure (part of the Mg nugget was pulled out of the Mg sheet). Both failure modes were accompanied by cohesive failure in the adhesive zone.
Research on Reliability of Sports Intelligent Training System Based on Hybrid Wolf Pack Algorithm and IoT
Authors: Chen Wenfeng , Huang Xinyan
Published: March 2023

To expand the application scope of the WCA algorithm in the actual process, this research has optimized the problems in the algorithm in two aspects: The first aspect further improves the operating mechanism of the WCA algorithm and improves the performance of optimization problem. In the second aspect, other optimization strategy mechanisms of the WCA algorithm are introduced to enable the algorithm to optimize multi-objective and multi-dimensional problems. This paper studies a physical test system and sports intelligent based on hybrid wolf pack algorithm and IoT. The system collects and sends data from the data collection terminal of the Web server, receives the data through the wireless module, and sends it to the Web server through the network. The web server processes and stores the data information to generate a database, and users can view their own sports information by logging in to the web service program with the account password. In addition, the teacher and administrator accounts have the ability to view all users' exercise information. The system adds three sports items, pull-ups, squats, and standing long jumps. At the same time, the system uses a general motion recognition algorithm, which can effectively reuse and add new sports items. According to the actual needs of intelligent sports training, this paper combines somatosensory technology, bone tracking technology and motion recognition algorithm to realize a high-precision, low-latency intelligent sports training system.
Detection of a novel gross deletion in the UNC13D gene ends the diagnostic odyssey for a family with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 3
Authors: Nagaraj Chinmayee B. , Brightman Diana S. , Rea Hannah , Wakefield Emily , Harkavy Nina V. G. , Dyer Lisa , Zhang Wenying
Published: March 2023

Background: Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is an immunological disorder characterized by overactivation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. This autosomal recessive condition has been characterized into multiple types depending on the genetic etiology. FHL type 3 is associated with bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the UNC13D gene.
Case presentation: We present a 12-year diagnostic odyssey for a family with FHL that signifies the advances of FHL genetic testing in a diagnostic genetics laboratory with expertise in heritable immunodeficiencies. We describe the first case of a large UNC13D gross deletion in transto a sequence variant in a family with FHL3, which may have been mediated by Alu elements within introns 12 and 25 of the UNC13D gene.
Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of reevaluating past genetic testing for a patient and family as test technology evolves in order to end a diagnostic odyssey.
Frailty Predicts 30-day Mortality in Spine Surgery Patients Classified as Obese and the Risk Analysis Index Exhibits Excellent Discrimination
Authors: Owodunni Oluwafemi , Courville Evan , Okakpu Uchenna , Ricks Christian , Schmidt Meic , Bowers Christian
Published: March 2023

Background/Objectives
Obesity is a global health challenge that affects > 1/3 adults worldwide. Obesity and frailty pose considerable health risks due to their potential to interact and amplify one another’s negative effects. Therefore, we sought to compare the discriminatory thresholds and independent relationship of the risk analysis index (RAI), 5-factor modified frailty index (m-FI-5) and greater patient age for the primary endpoint of 30-day postoperative mortality.
Subjects/Methods
We included spine surgery patients ≥ 18 years old, from the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement program database from 2012-2020, that were classified as obese. We performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to compare the discrimination threshold of RAI, mFI-5, and patient age for 30-day postoperative mortality. Risk-adjusted analyses were performed.
Results
Overall, there were 149 163 patients evaluated, and in the ROC analysis for 30-day postoperative mortality, RAI showed superior discrimination C-statistic 0.793 (95% CI: 0.773-0.813), compared to mFI-5 C-statistic 0.671 (95% CI 0.650-0.691), and patient age C-statistic 0.686 (95% CI 0.666-0.707). By subgroups for obesity class I-III, consistent results were observed (C-statistics range: RAI 0.767-0.808; mFI-5 0.642-0.693; patient age 0.665-0.706). In the risk-adjusted analyses, frailty had a dose-dependent relationship with 30-day postoperative mortality, and the RAI had a larger effect size (p<0.001). Additionally, obesity and frailty had a synergistic dose-dependent relationship across obesity class I-III (p<0.001).
Conclusion
In this study of 149 163 patients classified as obese and undergoing spine procedures in an international prospective surgical database, the RAI demonstrated superior discrimination compared to the mFI-5 and patient age in predicting 30-day postoperative mortality risk. The deleterious effects of frailty and obesity were synergistic as their combined effect predicted worse outcomes.
Water Can Copy and Reproduce the Size of Its Own Clusters and Other Molecules
Authors: Shevchenko Igor
Published: March 2023

Water dissolved in an organic solvent does not decompose into individual molecules, but forms clusters, the size of which can vary from a few water molecules to several hundreds. If bulk water is added to acetonitrile containing a small amount of water clusters, it will copy the size of these clusters and reproduce them in large numbers. Small clusters are much more reactive than large clusters because they contain more free hydroxyl groups. Therefore, depending on the size of the initial clusters in the solvent, the added water may turn into a large number of small active clusters, or a small number of large passive clusters. As a result, the rate of hydrolytic reactions with the same water added to acetonitrile can differ by a factor of 200. Water can also form clusters upon contact with organic molecules.
Effect of a nutritional intervention associated with different models of physical training on health parameters of adult and elderly women: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Prado Laís Sousa , Rodrigues Karine Pereira , Almeida Mariana Luciano , Rodrigues Guilherme Silva , Finzeto Larissa Chacon , Sobrinho Andressa C. S. , Santos Daniel , Bueno Carlos Roberto
Published: March 2023

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different training models associated with a nutritional intervention program in physically active women aged 50 to 70 years.
Methods
Participants were randomly assigned to four training groups (CT with nutritional intervention, CT without nutritional intervention, MT with nutritional intervention, and MT without nutritional intervention) and evaluated before and after 14 weeks of training for anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure, metabolic parameters, blood analyses, physical capacities, level of physical activity, and quality of life.
Results
The CT group showed a reduction in body mass and improvement in lower limb endurance, agility, lower and upper limb strength, and cardiorespiratory capacity. In the MT group, a positive response was observed in lower limb muscle strength, waist circumference, and the mental domain related to quality of life.
Conclusion
The groups with nutritional intervention showed better performance in sodium, protein, and calcium consumption parameters, as well as improvement in quality of life and level of physical activity. No difference was found between nutritional intervention associated with the two different types of training. These results suggest that a nutritional intervention program associated with different physical training models can be beneficial for physically active women between 50 and 70 years of age.
Statistical machine and deep learning methods for forecasting of Covid-19
Authors: Juneja Mamta , Saini Sumindar Kaur , Kaur Harleen , Jindal Prashant
Published: March 2023

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19 has continuously spread across the globe briskly. Countries have undertaken different types of measures to blunt this spread varying from lockdowns to curfews to social distancing to compulsory wearing of protective kits, which has been sporadically fruitful. However, despite these stringent measures, which have their own pitfalls, scientists across the globe have been struggling to develop a suitable mathematical model that could depict the existing disease spreading pattern and also predict a trend of numbers in the forthcoming months or years. In this paper, popularly used mathematical models including Polynomial Regression, Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Deep learning techniques such as Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) have been explored for 5 countries badly affected by this virus. The models were tested from 16th May, 2020 till 22nd May, 2020 and used for predicting future cases and deaths from 23rd May, 2020 to 30th June, 2020. The current research primarily focuses on forecasting the behaviour of total confirmed cases and deaths in each country and further analysing the performance parameters such as Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). It has been observed that the polynomial regression model provides a best fit solution at par with actual numbers of confirmed and death cases for India by producing minimum RMSE and MAPE. For South Korea and Italy, the ARIMA and RNN models have shown fidelity with actual numbers. RNN model has shown conformity with US numbers while ARIMA model has found closeness to United Kingdom data. The purpose to perform data analysis is to measure the performance metrics by using different techniques and depict the pattern for each country. Furthermore, the paper also highlights the future predictions for every country to control the spread of disease, save lives, avoid health systems breakdowns and benefit the researchers in this field.
Transcription Factor GmERF105 Negatively Regulates Salt Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Lu , Guo Na , Xing Han , Zhao Jinming , Zhu Zhen , Liu Juan , Zhang Yu , Lu Yang
Published: March 2023

The Ethylene Response Factor (ERF) transcription factor is a subfamily of the AP2/ERF family that is instrumental in mediating plant responses to diverse abiotic stressors. Herein, we present the isolation and characterization of theGmERF105 gene from Williams 82 (W82), which is rapidly induced by salt, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments in soybean. The GmERF105 protein, which contains an AP2 domain, localizes to the nucleus and retains transcriptional activation activity. Furthermore, GmERF105 selectively binds to the GCC-box. Notably, overexpression of GmERF105 in Arabidopsis under salt stress resulted in reduced seed germination rate, fresh weight, and antioxidant enzyme activity; while sodium ion content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content were elevated in comparison to the wild type. Furthermore, the GmERF105 transgenic plants displayed suppressed expression of stress response marker genes, including KIN1, LEA14, NCED3, RD29A, and COR15A/B, under salt treatment. Our findings suggest that GmERF105 can act as a negative regulator in plant salt tolerance pathways by affecting ROS scavenging systems.
Triggering Gel-Sol Transition by Weak Magnetic Field
Authors: Stovbun Sergey , Zanin Anatoly , Skoblin Aleksey , Mikhaleva Mariya , Kuznetsov Dmitry , Zlenko Dmitry
Published: March 2023

The self-assembly of small molecules into fiber-like structures is a mysterious process as the physics underlying such self-assembly is not clear. The energy necessary for this process exceeds the one provided by common dispersion interactions and hydrogen bonding. The recent results obtained by the scientific group of Prof. Naaman for the Weizmann Institute of Science fed light on the nature of the forces providing for the self-assembly of chiral molecules and attributed these forces to the spin exchange interactions. Therefore, the self-assembly of chiral molecules should be magneto-sensitive. We found such sensitivity in solutions of trifluoroacetylated alpha-aminoalcohols, and the process was inhibited by the magnetic field when fibers grew on the surface of the substrate. On the contrary, in the bulk, the self-assembly was enhanced by the magnetic field and led to the formation of the dense gel, while no gelation was observed in the absence of the external magnetic field. The latter observations are the theme of this short report aimed to declare the effect itself but does not pretend to describe it in full.
Evaluating Change in a Degraded Healthcare System: A Cross-Sectional Study of Implementation Outcomes using Routine Data Indicators and Proxies.
Authors: Hanbury Andria , Mafirakureva Nyasha , Chicken Nicola , Bailey Liam
Published: March 2023

Background
Implementation evaluation should focus on implementation success, guided by theories and frameworks, rather than on intervention effectiveness. While implementation evaluations tend to rely on surveys or interviews, it is important to consider alternative methods to avoid adding to healthcare professionals’ burden. This paper presents a cross-sectional rapid evaluation of a handheld medical device designed for remote examinations, which was piloted in Northern England. By using downloaded device data and administrative records mapped to domains from the implementation outcomes framework, this evaluation offers a pragmatic example of assessing implementation success guided by a framework and using readily available data.
Methods
The pilot design was pragmatic: sites volunteered, decided which services to use the device in, and launched the device on a rolling basis. Evaluation lasted one year. Data was downloaded from the devices, and administrative records for the pilot accessed. Variables were mapped to the implementation outcomes framework and reviewed by the device manufacturer and pilot team.
Results
N = 352 care episodes were recorded using the device with 223 patients. Out of 19 sites ‘signed-up’ to the pilot, 5 launched and delivered 10 of 35 proposed projects: a site and project adoption rate of 26% and 29%, respectively. Twenty six of the 71 trained clinicians used the device: a penetration rate of 37%. Six sites signed-up to an extension period; three had launched and three had not during the original timelines, indicating some sustainability. Feasibility was high, with few device error messages. Fidelity of device usage as planned was low for two of the eight available device examinations. Device and staffing costs were high but potential cost savings were attributable to fewer in-person appointments.
Conclusions
Through using device and administrative data, this evaluation minimised burden on busy healthcare staff yet was still guided by an evaluation framework. Six out of the eight implementation outcomes were measured, including sustainability and costs. The findings give insight into implementation challenges, particularly around adoption and penetration. For future research, it is recommended to engage with staff to prioritise outcome measurements and to focus on the interpretation and robustness of indicators.
Molecular basis of TASL recruitment by PHT1
Authors: Custódio Tânia , Killer Maxime , Yu Dingquan , Puente Virginia , Teufel Daniel , Pautsch Alexander , Schnapp Gisela , Grundl Marc , Kosinski Jan , Loew Christian
Published: March 2023

PHT1 is a histidine /oligopeptide transporter with an essential role in Toll-like receptor innate immune response. It can act as a receptor by recruiting the adaptor protein TASL which leads to type I interferon production via IRF5. Persistent stimulation of this signalling pathway is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Understanding how PHT1 recruits TASL at the molecular level, is therefore clinically important for the development of therapeutics against SLE and other autoimmune diseases. Here we present the Cryo-EM structure of PHT1 stabilized in the outward-open conformation. By combining biochemical and structural modelling techniques we propose a model of the PHT1-TASL complex, in which the first 16 N-terminal TASL residues fold into a helical structure that bind in the central cavity of the inward-open conformation of PHT1. This work provides critical insights into the molecular basis of PHT1-TASL mediated type I interferon production.
Early-stage measurable residual disease dynamics and IGHV repertoire reconstitution during venetoclax and obinutuzumab treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Hengeveld Paul , Schilperoord-Vermeulen Joyce , Klift Michèle van der , Dubois Julie , Kolijn P. , Kavelaar François , Rijken Melissa , Dobber Johan , Nasserinejad Kazem , Kersting Sabina , Westerweel Peter , Kater Arnon , Langerak Anton , Levin Mark-David
Published: March 2023

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, measurable residual disease (MRD) depth following fixed-duration treatment is associated with progression-free survival. MRD is usually reported at the end of treatment as a static parameter, but successive MRD measurements allow more accurately characterization of MRD dynamics, which may reveal additional prognostic information. To study the value of MRD dynamics, we used the IGHV leader-based NGS assay to longitudinally measured MRD in 60 patients treated in the HOVON-139/GIVE trial, in which previously untreated patients received two cycles of pre-induction with obinutuzumab, followed by one year induction treatment with obinutuzumab and venetoclax, followed by randomization to consolidation treatment with venetoclax or MRD-conditional consolidation. Induction treatment resulted in undetectable MRD (uMRD) (<10-5) in 93% of assessed patients, with 85% and 74% of patients retaining uMRD at six and twelve months after randomization. High levels of early-stage MRD, assessed during venetoclax ramp up, were associated with failure of achieving uMRD after induction treatment, whereas low levels of early-stage MRD predicted a low probability of loss of uMRD and disease progression after randomization. Venetoclax consolidation treatment significantly impaired polyclonal IGHV repertoire reconstitution after induction treatment with venetoclax and obinituzumab. In conclusion, very early-stage MRD levels were associated with treatment outcomes.
Successful antibiotic management of Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis without ICL explantation or vitrectomy.
Authors: Zheng Ke , Zheng Xiaohong , Gan Dekang , Zhou Xingtao
Published: March 2023

Purpose: We report a case of successful medical management of subacute endophthalmitis post implantable collamer lens (ICL) culture-positive of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Observations: A 18-year-old female presented with decreased visual acuity in the left eye 20 days after ICL implantation. A diagnosis of postoperative endophthalmitis was made based on examination and ultrasonography. A vitreous tap was taken, and intravitreal antibiotics (vancomycin 1mg/0.1ml and ceftazidime 2 mg/0.1 mL) were administered twice (q72h), and para bulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide on day 8. The vitreous culture was confirmed for Staphylococcus epidermidis. The endophthalmitis was resolved, and BCVA improved from 6/20 to 12/20 on day 7 and 22/20 on day 38. This is the first successful medical resolution of Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis without ICL explantation and vitrectomy in the V4c model.
Conclusions and importance: In antibiotic therapy, the excellent compliance and close follow-up of this endophthalmitis patient enabled careful postoperative surveillance on the effect of antibiotic therapy, avoiding the removal of the ICL or the loss of the integrity of the eye. The risk of potential infectious endophthalmitis post-ICL surgery should be fully emphasized during preoperative counseling.
Relapse/refractory paediatric B-ALL case with CD19 - phenotype switching indicating the importance of appropriate diagnostics approach and targeted treatment adjustment – case report
Authors: Prażmo Anna , Jawoszek Patryk , Styka Borys , Lejman Monika , Zaucha-Prażmo Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

Background:
The case reported presents a rare CD19− phenotype shift of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia clone during the course of relapse/refractory ALL in a paediatric patient. We explore possible reasons promoting CD19 negative cell selection, including discrete mutations and anti-CD19 treatment, which is gaining importance as targeted therapies such as blinatumomab enter standard treatment protocols.
Case presentation:
A 9-year-old male patient was admitted to the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland with fatigue, anaemia and hepatosplenomegaly, and was subsequently diagnosed with B lymphocyte acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Initial standard genetic analysis did not show significant chromosomal aberrations, and the patient underwent chemotherapy in line with the intermediate-risk protocol. After initially achieving remission, the disease relapsed, and the patient required hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In-depth retrospective microarray analysis performed at this point revealed additional risk factors including hyperdiploidy. After staying in remission for several months, a second recurrence was diagnosed which prompted targeted treatment application (Blinatumomab) and subsequent HSCT. The third leukemic relapse diagnosed shortly after second HSCT limited treatment options to last-resort CAR T cell therapy in Germany. Subsequent immunophenotyping revealed lack of CD19 expression by ALL clones and disqualified the patient from treatment. The patient died in October 2019 from disease progression.
Conclusions:
The case we report highlights the importance of in-depth molecular diagnostics and monitoring of relapse/recurrent ALL cases in order to identify and manage as many potential risk factors as possible during treatment. This gain importance as selective targeted treatments use increases, as antigenic phenotype and its changes directly influence the efficacy of such treatments, and therefore patients’ prognosis.
Impacts of Pit latrines on Groundwater Quality in Squatter Settlements in Zanzibar
Authors: Bakari Said Suleiman , Suleiman Zeyana Nassor , Ali Hassan Rashid , Kai Kombo Hamad
Published: March 2023

Impacts of Pit latrines on Groundwater Quality in Squatter Settlements in Zanzibar
Said Suleiman Bakari1*, Zeyana Nassor Suleiman1; Hassan Rashid Ali1 and Kombo Hamad Kai2
1School of Social and Natural Science, State University of Zanzibar, P. O. Box 146, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Zeyyuna2@gmail.com
2Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) Zanzibar office, P. O. Box 340
E mail kombokai68@gmail.com
*E-mail of the corresponding author: sayeed.bakari@gmail.com
Abstract
Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in Zanzibar. Most of the people in squatter settlement rely on shallow groundwater due to insufficient supply of treated water. In these areas, shallow wells are located close to pit latrines, the condition which increasing the risk of contamination. This study aimed to assess the impact of pit latrines on groundwater quality in five sub-urban areas of squatter settlements in Unguja Island. Water samples were collected from twenty shallow wells and analyzed for the microbiological and physio-chemical parameters. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model was used to assess the influence of distance from pit latrine to the groundwater sources. The data revealed that nitrate and chloride concentrations increases when the distance between the shallow wells and the nearest pit latrine decreases. In contrary, faecal coliform counts shows that for every unit increase in the distance from pit latrine to the shallow wells the counts decreased by 42 CFU/100 ml. However, OLS regression model did not show significant relationship of total coliform and distance from the well. This study suggests that there are other factors that may accelerate the total coliform bacteria in water wells. These results illustrate that public health risks associated with waterborne diseases could be ranked high at densely populated squatter settlement. Thus, the study recommends that routine monitoring of shallow wells is required as well as application of low-cost technologies such as raised and lined pit latrines in order to minimize potential risk of groundwater pollution.
Key words: Groundwater quality; squatter settlement; pit latrines; water wells; Zanzibar
Changes in bladder emptying during inpatient rehabilitation after spinal cord injury and predicting factors: data from the Dutch Spinal Cord Injury Database
Authors: Poublon Claire , Scholten Eline , Wyndaele Michel , Post Marcel , Stolwijk-Swüste Janneke
Published: March 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Long-term behavioral adaptation of Oldowan toolmakers to resource-constrained environments at 2.3 Ma in the Lower Omo Valley (Ethiopia)
Authors: Delagnes Anne , Galland Aline , Gravina Brad , Bertran Pascal , Corbé Marion , Brenet Michel , Hailu Haregwin Belete , Sissay Fikeru Mekonenn , Araya Bisrat Gebreegziabher , Woldetsadik Misganaw Gebremichael , Boisserie Jean-Renaud
Published: March 2023

The long stratigraphic sequence of the Shungura Formation in the Lower Omo Valley documents 3 million years of hominin evolution, which, when combined with detailed paleo-depositional environmental data, provide a unique window onto the complex interactions between hominin landscape use and the development of stone tool mediated behaviors. It remains to be seen whether this behavior was related to a unique brief occupation event or the expression of an emerging long-term tradition. The hominins, Paranthropus aethiopicus and/or early member of the genus Homo, who occupied the Lower Omo Valley developed tool assisted behaviors from ~ 2.3 Ma in the stable riverine environments of the ancestral Omo River. This new technological behavior is concomitant in the Shungura Formation with the emergent ability of the toolmakers to deal with an environment poor in lithic resources. Here we report on the newly investigated site complex of OMO 79, which produced the first evidence for multiple phases of hominin settlement dedicated to non-ephemeral mixed activities. The development of this long-lasting techno-economic tradition could relate to a more generalized cognitive tipping point around 2.3 Ma marked by hominin increased capacities in resource processing.
Sequence-based prediction of the solubility of peptides containing non-natural amino acids
Authors: Oeller Marc , Kang Ryan , Bolt Hannah , Santos Ana Gomes dos , Weinmann Annika , Nikitidis Antonios , Zlatoidsky Pavol , Su Wu , Czechtizky Werngard , De Maria Leonardo , Sormanni Pietro , Vendruscolo Michele
Published: March 2023

Non-natural amino acids are increasingly used as building blocks in the development of peptide-based drugs, as they expand the available chemical space to tailor function, half-life and other key properties. However, while the chemical space of modified amino acids (mAAs) is potentially vast, experimental methods for measuring the developability properties of mAA-containing peptides are expensive and time consuming. To facilitate developability programs through computational methods, we present CamSol-PTM, a method that enables the fast and reliable sequence-based prediction of the solubility of mAA-containing peptides. From a computational screening of 50,000 mAA-containing variants of three peptides, we selected five different mAAs for a total number of 30 peptide variants for experimental validation. We demonstrate the accuracy of the predictions by comparing the calculated and experimental solubility values. Our results indicate that the computational screening of mAA-containing peptides can extend by over four orders of magnitude the ability to explore the chemical space of to increase the solubility of peptides. This method is available as a web server at https://www-cohsoftware.ch.cam.ac.uk/index.php/camsolptm.
Integrative Blood-Based Characterization of Oxidative Mitochondrial DNA Damage Variants Implicates Mexican Americans' Metabolic Risk for Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Reid Danielle Marie , Barber Robert C. , Jones Harlan P. , Thorpe Roland J. , Sun Jie , Zhou Zhengyang , Phillips Nicole R.
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) continues to be a leading cause of death in the US. As the US aging population (ages 65+) expands, the impact will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, e.g., Hispanic/Latinx population, due to their AD-related health disparities. Age-related regression in mitochondrial activity and ethnic-specific differences in metabolic burden could potentially explain in part the racial/ethnic distinctions in etiology that exist for AD. Oxidation of guanine (G) to 8-oxo-guanine (8oxoG) is a prevalent lesion and an indicator of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Damaged mtDNA (8oxoG) can serve as an important marker of age-related systemic metabolic dysfunction and upon release into peripheral circulation may exacerbate pathophysiology contributing to AD development and/or progression. Analyzing blood samples from Mexican American (MA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants enrolled in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research & Care Consortium, we used blood-based measurements of 8oxoG from both buffy coat PBMCs and plasma to determine associations with population, sex, type-2 diabetes, and AD risk. Our results show that 8oxoG levels in both buffy coat and plasma were significantly associated with population, sex, years of education, and reveal a potential association with AD. Furthermore, MAs are significantly burdened by mtDNA oxidative damage in both blood fractions, which may contribute to their metabolic vulnerability to developing AD.
Quality of healthcare services among adult outpatients at two Public Hospitals in East Ethiopia: Using service quality (SERVQUAL) assessment model
Authors: Tofik Shamshudin , Yitayal Mezgebu , Negash Wubshet , Debie Ayal
Published: March 2023

Background
Quality of healthcare has a paramount importance for efficacious, effective and efficient healthcare services as per clinical guidelines and standards to meet or exceed patients’ expectations. The available limited evidences indicated that the quality of healthcare services in public healthcare institutions is currently questionable. Thus, this study aims to determine the expected and perceived quality of services, and identify the factors associated with perceived quality of health care services at Public Hospitals in East Ethiopia.
Methods
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult outpatients in Public Hospitals from 01 March to 01 April 2021. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants about perceived and expected quality of health care services. Binary logistic regression model was also fitted to identify factors associated with the perceived quality of healthcare services. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and P value < 0.05 were used to identify the factors associated with perceived quality of health services.
Results
Overall, 80% (95% CI: 77.4–85.1) adult outpatients were received good quality of healthcare services whereas, weighted service quality gap score was 86.61%. The scores for tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy were 11.60, 22.61, 21.78, 10.08 and 20.34%, respectively. Waiting time (AOR = 5.27; 95% CI: 2.45–11.31), received all laboratory tests (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.41–4.86), ultrasound service order (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.08–3.75), advise on drugs’; dose (AOR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.29–16.68), contraindication (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.08–4.05), side effects (AOR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.13–6.89) were the factors significantly associated with perceived quality of healthcare services.
Conclusion
In this study, the overall weighted SERVQUAL gap score was high with low perceived quality of healthcare services compared with patient’s expectation. Weighted SERVQUAL score was also significantly high for reliability and low for assurance dimensions. As part of improving patients' perceptions of quality health care, it is important to have, reducing waiting time, good patient-physician communication when prescribing drugs. Moreover, it could be important to have regular feedback from patients, either to the hospital or to the health professionals.
Classification and analysis of common simplifications in part-scale thermal modelling of metal additive manufacturing processes
Authors: Ranjan Rajit , Langelaar Matthijs , Keulen Fred Van , Ayas Can
Published: March 2023

Computational process modelling of metal additive manufacturing has gained significant research attention in recent past. The cornerstone of many process models is the transient thermal response during the AM process. Since modelling the thermal response is computationally expensive, spatial and temporal simplifications, such as simulating deposition of an entire layer or multiple layers, and extending the laser exposure times, are commonly employed in the literature. Although beneficial in reducing computational costs, the influence of these simplifications on the accuracy of temperature history is reported on a case-by-case basis. In this paper, the simplifications from the existing literature are first classified in a normalised simplification space based on assumptions made in spatial and temporal domains. Subsequently, all types of simplifications are investigated with numerical examples and compared with a high-fidelity reference model. The required numerical discretisation for each simplification is established, leading to a fair comparison of computational times. The holistic approach to the suitability of different modelling simplifications for capturing thermal history provides guidelines for the suitability of simplifications while setting up a thermal AM model.
Three-dimensional multi-parameter brain mapping using MR fingerprinting
Authors: Menon Rajiv G. , Sharafi Azadeh , Muccio Marco , Smith Tyler , Kister Ilya , Ge Yulin , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a 3D multi-parameter MR fingerprinting (MRF) method for brain imaging applications. The subject cohort included 5 healthy volunteers, repeatability tests done on 2 healthy volunteers and tested on two multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. A 3D-MRF imaging technique capable of quantifying T1, T2 and T1ρ was used. The imaging sequence was tested in standardized phantoms and 3D-MRF brain imaging with multiple shots (1, 2 and 4) in healthy human volunteers and MS patients. Quantitative parametric maps for T1, T2, T1ρ, were generated. Mean gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) ROIs were compared for each mapping technique, Bland-Altman plots and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess repeatability and Student T-tests were used to compare results in MS patients. Standardized phantom studies demonstrated excellent agreement with reference T1/T2/T1ρ mapping techniques. This study demonstrates that the 3D-MRF technique is able to simultaneously quantify T1, T2 and T1ρ for tissue property characterization in a clinically feasible scan time. This multi-parametric approach offers increased potential to detect and differentiate brain lesions and to better test imaging biomarker hypotheses for several neurological diseases, including MS.
An ethogram analysis of cutaneous thermal pain sensitivity and oxycodone reward-related behaviors in rats
Authors: Murphy Niall P. , Montgomery Darrice S. , Brice-Tutt Ariana C. , Kramer Cassidy M. , Novotny Peter M. , Malphurs Wendi , Caudle Robert M. , Bruijnzeel Adriaan W. , Sharma Abhisheak , Setlow Barry , Neubert John K.
Published: March 2023

Inter-relationships between pain sensitivity, drug reward, and drug misuse are of considerable interest given that many analgesics exhibit misuse potential. Here we studied rats as they underwent a series of pain- and reward-related tests: cutaneous thermal reflex pain, induction and extinction of conditioned place preference to oxycodone (0.56 mg/kg), and finally the impact of neuropathic pain on reflex pain and reinstatement of conditioned place preference. Oxycodone induced a significant conditioned place preference that was extinguished throughout repeated testing. Correlations identified of particular interest included an association between reflex pain and oxycodone-induced behavioral sensitization, and between rates of behavioral sensitization and extinction of conditioned place preference. Multidimensional scaling analysis followed by k-clustering identified three clusters: (1) reflex pain and the rate of change in reflex pain response throughout repeated testing, (2) basal locomotion, locomotor habituation, and acute oxycodone-stimulated locomotion, and (3) behavioral sensitization, strength of conditioned place preference, and rate of extinction. Nerve constriction injury markedly enhanced reflex pain but did not reinstate conditioned place preference. These results support the notion that behavioral sensitization relates to the acquisition and extinction of oxycodone seeking/reward, but suggest that generally cutaneous thermal reflex pain poorly predicts oxycodone reward-related behaviors except for behavioral sensitization.
Identification of Host Gene-Microbiome Associations in colorectal cancer patients Using Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Xiang yaoxian , Zhang Chan , Wang Jing , Cheng Yurong , Wang Li , Tong Yingying , Yan Dong
Published: March 2023

Background: There are many studies indicating that alterations in the abundance of certain gut microbiota are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a causal relationship has not been identified due to confounding factors such as lifestyle, environmental, and possible reverse causal associations between the two. Furthermore, certain host gene mutations can also contribute to the development of CRC. However, the association between genes and gut microbes in patients with CRC has not been extensively studied.
Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to reveal the causal relationship between gut microbiota and CRC. We obtained SNPs associated with gut microbiome abundance as instrumental variables (IVs) from a large-scale, multi-ethnic GWAS study, and extracted CRC-related datasets from an East Asian Population genetic consortia GWAS(AGWAS) study and FinnGen consortium, respectively. We analyzed a total of 166 bacterial features at four taxonomic levels, including order, family, genus, and species. The inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger, and simple median methods were applied to the MR analysis, and the robustness of the results were tested using a series of sensitivity analyses. We extracted IVs of gut microbiota with direct causal association with CRC for SNP annotation to identify the genes in which these genetic variants were located to reveal the possible host gene-microbiome associations in CRC patients.
Results: The findings from our MR analysis based on CRC-associated GWAS datasets from AGWAS revealed causal relationships between 6 bacterial taxa and CRC at a locus-wide significance level (P < 1 × 10-5). The IVW method found that family Porphyromonadaceae, genera Anaerotruncus, Intestinibacter, Slackia, and Ruminococcaceae UCG004, and species Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group were positively associated with CRC risk, which was generally consistent with the results of other complementary analyses. The results of a meta-analysis of the MR estimates from the AGWAS and the FinnGen datasets showed that family Porphyromonadaceae and genera Slackia, Anaerotruncus, and Intestinibacter replicated the same causal association. Sensitivity analysis of all causal associations did not indicate significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, or reverse causal associations. We annotated the SNPs at a locus-wide significance level of the above intestinal flora and identified 24 host genes that may be related to pathogenic intestinal microflora in CRC patients.
Conclusion: This study supported the causal relationship of gut microbiota on CRC and revealed a possible correlation between genes and pathogenic microbiota in CRC. These findings suggested that the study of the gut microbiome and its further multi-omics analysis was important for the prevention and treatment of CRC.
Video Quality Assessment System using Deep Optical Flow and Fourier Property
Authors: Kang Donggoo , Ki Yeongjoon , Kwon Sunkyu , Kim Hyunchol , Kim Jinah , Paik Joonki
Published: March 2023

Providing high-quality video content is critical in various fields such as VFX film, media facade, digital signage, product promotion, and interactive content, as it enhances the viewer's visual experience. Quantifying the visual quality of videos is crucial in determining their pricing. Subjective quality is the most crucial feature in video quality assessment, although other factors also play a significant role. While fully automated video assessment is convenient, there are instances where engaging with an editorial specialist is necessary to assess subjective quality. Our focus was on the most common scenarios that affect video quality, namely irregular camera movements and incomplete focusing. To quantify irregular camera movement, we employed a deep learning-based optical flow estimation method, and to measure incomplete focusing, we used a blur detection algorithm based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). We also proposed an adaptive threshold that utilizes statistical techniques to classify good and bad scenes. In our experiments, we applied this system to videos from various domains, and it successfully quantified video quality using a reasonable threshold.
WITHDRAWN: Twofold ion effect to develop PANI@MgCoO2 nanocomposites for magnesium batteries
Authors: Missaoui Kahla , Ferchichi Karima , Amdouni Noureddine , Cosano Daniel , Liu Rui , Pan Siyuan , Zhanning He , Yang Yong , Ortiz Gregorio F.
Published: March 2023

A cost-effective method for obtaining polyaniline coated magnesium cobalt oxide nanocomposites (PANI@MgCoO2) as potential cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMB) is reported. Structural characterizations confirm the presence of a thin layer of conducting polymer on the particles of the cubic oxide that enhanced the cycling life of the battery as compared to the pristine material. To develop the electrochemical performance a twofold combination of sodium and magnesium ion is employed. The 1­5%PANI@MgCoO2 nanocomposites exhibited enhanced reversible capacity (103.4 – 153 mA h g-1) at ~ 1 V vs. Mg2+/Mg as compared to pristine material. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed a single-phase insertion/extraction reaction mechanism into/from the cubic structure. These results establish a useful methodology for employing PANI coating on other oxides with applicability in batteries.