bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preservation of Conditioned Behavior Based on UV Light Sensitivity in Dissected Tail Halves of Planarians- a Proof by DNN
Authors: Shimojo Kensuke , Shimojo Eiko , Katsuragi Reiya , Akashi Takuya , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: November 2022

Planarians are aquatic worms with powerful regenerative and memory retention abilities. This paper examines whether a dissected tail half of a Planarian (Dugesia Dorotocephala) can retain and exhibit a previously-conditioned response, possibly before the regeneration of the head and the ganglia. We conditioned intact Planarians in a Pavlovian procedure with an electric shock (ES) as the unconditioned stimulus and weak ultraviolet (UV) light as the conditioned stimulus. Then, we dissected their bodies into halves, keeping the dissected tail halves. Starting from the 2nd day after dissection, we presented the same UV light 3 times daily while video-recording the responses. The recorded responses were then classified by a DNN: a VGG16 model was pre-trained by ImageNet for extracting features from images and additionally trained with 211 responses to ES and 118 to UV light before conditioning/dissection to categorize planarians’ reactions into “UV-induced” or “ES-induced” reactions. The cross-validated accuracy in categorization was 83.6%. We then let the DNN analyze 99 recorded responses to UV from 20 individual conditioned tail halves. 96.8% of their reactions were classified as “ES-induced” (against 22.0% wrongly classified as “ES-induced” for unconditioned samples under UV), indicating they have shown the “Conditioned Response” (p < 3.06E-30). This provides evidence that planarians can conserve and reveal a learned response even without the head/ganglia, as it takes approximately 7 days for the head/ganglia to regenerate versus the given 2–3 days. Although similar findings have been reported repeatedly in the literature, this is the first positive evidence with automated procedures and DNN classification. The result implies the presence of a decentralized nervous structure outside of its head/ganglia that allows a tail half to retain memory and execute motion accordingly, despite their cephalization.
Evaluation of pitting corrosion by dynamic speckle pattern analysis
Authors: Pedram Omid , Jamali Ramin , Rad Vahideh Farzam , Khamedi Ramin , Poursaeidi Esmaeil , Moradi Ali-Reza
Published: November 2022

We use the dynamic speckle pattern method for the investigation of pitting corrosion. Pitting corrosion is a major failure mechanism in metals caused by the depassivation of a small area. The sample is Custom 450 stainless steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution and a potential of 350 mV SCE is applied to onset the corrosion. The analysis of the speckle patterns resulting from the laser scattering from the sample results in the quantitate evaluation of pitting during the experiment. The analysis shows that the growth rate of pitting in longer times decreases. This method for corrosion evaluation is low-cost, in situ, and easy to implement, and it is especially useful when the samples are difficult to reach for microscopic studies.
Transcriptome analysis reveals vimentin-induced disruption of cell-cell associations augments cancer cell migration
Authors: Usman Saima , Jamal Ahmad , Bushaala Antesar , Waseem Naushin H , Al-Dehlawi Hebah , Yeudall Andrew , Teh Muy-Teck , Tummala Hemanth , Waseem Ahmad
Published: November 2022

In advanced metastatic cancers with reduced patient survival and poor prognosis, expression of vimentin, a type III intermediate filament protein is frequently observed. Vimentin appears to suppress epithelial characteristics and augments cell migration but the molecular basis for these changes are not well understood. Here we have ectopically expressed vimentin in MCF-7 and investigated its genomic and functional implications. Vimentin changed the cell shape, by decreasing major axis and major axis angle, and increased cell migration, without affecting proliferation. Vimentin downregulated major keratin genes KRT8, KRT18 and KRT19. Transcriptome-coupled GO and KEGG analyses revealed that vimentin-affected genes were linked to either cell-cell/cell-ECM or cell cycle/proliferation specific pathways. Using shRNA mediated knockdown of vimentin in two breast cancer cell types; MCF-7FV (ectopically expressing) and MDA-MB-231 (endogenously expressing), we identified a vimentin-specific signature consisting of 13 protein encoding genes (CDH5, AXL, PTPRM, TGFBI, CDH10, FOXM1, BCL2, NES, E2F1, FOXM1, CDC45, FSD1, BCL2, KIF26A and WISP2) and two long non-coding RNAs, LINC00052 and C15ORF9-AS1. CDH5, an endothelial cadherin, which mediates cell-cell junctions was the most downregulated protein encoding gene. Interestingly, downregulation of CDH5 by shRNA significantly increased cell migration confirming our RNA-Seq data. Furthermore, vimentin reduced MCF-7 nuclear area perhaps through altered lamin expression. Collectively, we demonstrate, for the first time, that vimentin in cancer cells changes nuclear architecture by affecting lamin expression, which downregulates genes maintaining cell-cell junctions resulting in increased cell migration.
Laparoscopic pectopexy with native tissue repair for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Yu Pei , liu chongdong
Published: November 2022

Purpose
The use of mesh for vaginal repair is currently problematic; consequently, there is increased interest in native tissue repair. Combining native tissue repair with sufficient mesh-applied apical repair might provide effective treatment. We describe the study focusing on the combination of pectopexy and native tissue repair.
Methods
Between April 2020 and November 2021, 49 patients with symptomatic stage III or IV were treated with laparoscopic pectopexy combined with native tissue repair. The mesh was solely used for apical repair. All other clinically relevant defects were treated with native tissue repair. The perioperative parameters including surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The anatomical cure rate was evaluated according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Questionnaire (POP-Q) assessment. Validated questionnaires of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), were recorded to evaluate the symptom severity and quality of life.
Results
The mean duration of follow-up was 15 months. All domains of POP-Q, PFDI-20, and PFIQ-7 scores improved significantly after surgery. No major complications, mesh exposure, or mesh complication occurred during the follow-up period.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic pectopexy combined with native tissue repair, resulting in favorable clinical findings, is an effective surgical method.
Existence and Stability Results of Non-local Integro-Differential Boundary Value Problems with Hilfer Derivative
Authors: S Naveen , V Parthiban
Published: November 2022

The existence and stability results of nonlocal integro-differential boundary value problemswith Hilfer derivative of order ω ∈ (1, 2) have been investigated. A new definition of thefractional derivative was introduced by R. Hilfer. He named it as the left-sided (right-sided)generalized Riemann-Liouville (R-L) derivative of order ω ∈ (0, 1) and a type τ ∈ [0, 1]. Manyauthors call it the Hilfer derivative. Such derivative interpolates between the R-L and Caputoderivative. The fixed point theorems of Banach and Schaefer are two commonly used fixedpoint theorems that are applied to our results. To demonstrate the effectiveness and applicabilityof our theoretical conclusions and two-step Lagrange polynomial interpolation were usedto solve three numerical results and their application is used in the last part.
Perceptions and experiences of diploma nursing students towards clinical learning and teaching. A qualitative study
Authors: Jacob Angela , Munyaw Yuda , Seif Saada
Published: November 2022

Background: The quality of nursing education depends largely on the experience student receive in the clinical environment. The learning environment is complex with factors that may positively or negatively influence students learning. The study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of diploma nursing students toward their clinical learning and teaching.
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study design was employed. A purposive sampling using a criterion strategy was applied to enroll participants. Focus-group discussions were conducted to collect the data and a thematic analysis was done.
Results: A total of 32 Participants were enrolled from 4 schools, 19 were females and the age ranged from 19 to 25 years. Four main themes emerged during the discussions, which were unsatisfactory clinical supervision and teaching, drawbacks to clinical learning and teaching, insufficient clinical educational planning, and confusion about nursing professional identity.
Conclusion: From students' perspectives, the main challenges during clinical placements are unsatisfactory supervision, student congestion in wards, poor planning of rotations, and confusion about nursing professional identity. Regarding these challenges, students perceived negative impacts on clinical learning.
Predictability of intraoral scanner error for full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation
Authors: Zingari Francesco , Meglioli Matteo , Gallo Francesco , Macaluso Guido Maria , Tagliaferri Sara , Toffoli Andrea , Ghezzi Benedetta , Lumetti Simone
Published: November 2022

Objectives
The present study aimed to analyze the behaviors of three intraoral scanners (IOSs): evaluating the interdistance and axial inclination discrepancies in full-arch scans, predictable errors were searched.
Materials and Methods
Six edentulous sample models with variable numbers of dental implants were used; reference data were obtained with a coordinate-measuring machine (CMM). Each IOS performed 10 scans per model (180 total scans). The origin of each scan body was used as a reference point to measure interdistance lengths and axial inclinations. Precision and trueness of interdistance measurements and axial inclinations were evaluated to address error predictability. Bland–Altman analysis, followed by linear regression analysis and Friedman’s test (plus Dunn’s post hoc correction), was performed to evaluate the precision and trueness.
Results
Regarding interdistance, Primescan showed the best precision (mean±SD: 0.047±0.020mm), while Trios3 underestimated the reference value more than the others (p < 0.001) and had the worst performance (mean±SD: −0.079±0.048mm).
Concerning the inclination angle, Primescan and Trios3 tended to overestimate angle values, while CS3600 underestimated them. Primescan had fewer inclination angle outliers, but it sporadically added 0.2–0.4° to the measurements.
Conclusions
IOSs showed predictable errors: they tended to overestimate or underestimate linear measurements and axial inclinations of scan bodies, one added occasionally 0.2-0.4° to the angle inclination values. In particular, they showed heteroscedasticity, a behavior probably related to the software or the device itself.
Clinical Significance
The presence of constant errors and unique heteroscedastic behavior were demonstrated for the first time.
Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Four Nutritional Indices in Heart Transplantation
Authors: Yao Dingyi , Xu Li , Wang Yixuan , Liu Yuqi , Chen Yuqi , Tu Jingrong , Xia Tian , Li Fei , Chen Si , Shi Jiawei , Dong Nianguo
Published: November 2022

Purpose The purpose of this article was to evaluate and compare the prognostic value of four different nutrition indices in heart transplantation (HTx). Methods A total of 438 patients who underwent THx from January 2015 to December 2020 were included in this study. These four nutritional indices are CONUT (Controlling Nutritional Status), NRI (Nutritional Risk Index), GNRI (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index) and TCBI (Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, and Body Weight Index). The outcome variables included postoperative complications and all-cause death. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between these four nutrition indices and adverse clinical outcomes. Results The CONUT score was found to be independently correlated with the length of total postoperative stay (OR, 1.788; 95% CI, 1.119–2.854; p = 0.015) and posttransplant infection (OR, 1.634; 95% CI, 1.050–2.542; p = 0.029). The NRI was also an independent risk factor for posttransplant infection (OR, 0.606; 95% CI, 0.400-0.917; p = 0.018). However, no significant difference was observed in the cumulative incidence of all-cause death between the low and high CONUT, NRI, GNRI and TCBI groups. Conclusion None of these nutritional indices were associated with survival in HTx, but the preoperative CONUT and NRI might be valuable in predicting the postoperative complications of HTx.
Pulmonary function test induction jacket - A device that reduces effort-related challenges during the forced vital capacity manoeuvre
Authors: Rajdeep Prashant , Poorey Ketaki , Patel R. K. , Oommen E. R.
Published: November 2022

The pulmonary function test (PFT) induction jacket was invented to make the process of performing the forced vital capacity (FVC) manoeuvre with a computerized spirometer effortless and productive for both the patient and the medical practitioner. The jacket is composed of three layers of PVC material sealed together to form a single jacket with two chambers. The inner chamber is formed between the inner layer and the middle layer, in which cold water at a temperature of 10 °C is circulated using a connected water unit when triggered. Similarly, the outer chamber is formed between the middle layer and the outer layer, in which air is pressurized using a connected air unit. Thirty volunteers performed the FVC manoeuvre with and without wearing the jacket. There was no difference between the results in spirometry parameters in the participants without a jacket and those with a jacket. However, use of the jacket significantly reduced the number of trials the participants had to undergo to successfully perform spirometry. The jacket has automated the FVC manoeuvre by triggering a physiological inspiratory gasp using cold water and circumscribing pressurised air for expiration. Additionally, subsequent advancements in the jacket have been suggested.
Internal Electric Fields in Asymmetric Single-layer Lattices for Enhancing Photocatalytic Solar-to-Hydrogen Efficiency
Authors: Liu Yuliang , Wan Feng , Li Bo , Lv Xingshuai , Yang Chuan-Lu , Shi Ying
Published: November 2022

Two-dimensional materials with intrinsic internal electric field possess promising potential to improve the photocatalytic water-splitting performance. However, the construction of the internal electric field is still a great challenge, which requires that the material itself should exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking with intrinsic polarization. Herein, we propose using a general intercalation approach to introduce spontaneous polarization electric field into single-layer lattice by constructing the spatially asymmetric configurations. Taking septuple-atomic-layer MoSi2N4 as a model material, following the above design principle, four promising MSi2N3Y (M= Mo, W; Y=P, As) monolayers are theoretically identified, exhibiting excellent stabilities, suitabilities and low reaction barriers for overall water splitting. Importantly, the intrinsic internal electric field of MoSi2N3Y promotes the charge-carrier separation and improves the light absorption capacity simultaneously, thus enabling the high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 29.84%−32.93%. This study opens up an avenue to rationally engineer the internal electric field and contributes to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency.
Secure Exam Storage Using RSA public key encryption
Authors: Tarawneh Monther , AlZyoud Faisal , Sharrab Yousef , Tarawneh Omar , husni Moath
Published: November 2022

Performance, usability, and security are the focus of software systems development. Confidentiality, availability and integrity are the main goals of these systems security. One common software system that needs to be secured is exams, which is an assessment method to measure student performance in education. Sharing exams between faculty members is common task for moderation and review, but it exposed to Leakage. Exams Leakage will affect confidentiality and integrity of the exams. Loss of confidentiality will affect the reputation of the institute, where loss of integrity may have serious impact on the students’ performance. It is a troublesome for faculties to guarantee exam electronic documents confidentiality. Therefore, it is required to have secure exam storage systems. Some solutions are central server-based systems, cloud-based systems, and block chain-based systems. The cloud-based system is secure and trusted, but data may corrupt without the knowledge of the cloud service provider. Bock chain is a better solution but requires more storage. In this paper, we proposed a key management method to secure exams storage using public key Cryptosystem; it uses an RSA algorithm to provide distinctive feature of data integrity, confidentiality and authentication. It can be used in centralised server-based system or cloud-based system. The proposed framework provides security without increase in encoding and decoding time and without increase in file size.
Emerging Challenges of AI for Biomedical Image Analysis: A CBCT image noise reduction method based on cGAN
Authors: Shi Weili , Miao Yu , Zhang Chengcheng , Ding Yifei , Shi Lemin , Li Mingye , Wang Wei
Published: November 2022

Background

As an imaging modality, cone beam CT (CBCT) is widely employed in dentistry, which can help dentists to observe tissues such as roots and jaws without confusion. CBCT has the advantages of convenience and low radiation dose, however low contrast and large noise are the critical issues in the images. These disadvantages make it difficult for dentists to identify target tissues accurately. Due to the differences in scanning methods and reconstruction algorithms between CBCT and multi-row detector spiral CT (MDCT), the current CT noise reduction models present significant shortcomings in terms of reducing the noise on CBCT images.

Results

In this paper, we propose a method of image noise reduction based on a conditional generative adversarial network to improve the quality of CBCT images. The normal-dose MDCT images are used as the ground truth images for model training to generate the denoised images. In order to increase the model’s sensitivity to the gradient information, a gradient loss function is involved in our proposed method. The verification experiments on the simulated data set and the real data set show that our model effectively generates denoised images as well as preserves the quality of the images. We compare the denoising effect between our model and other models with different loss functions. The scores by PSNR, MS-SSIM and GMSD show that our model presents better edge characteristics and a denoising effect.

Conclusion

Through the experiments, the performance of our improved cGAN for denoising in oral CBCT data are better than the compared with other models in terms of evaluation score and visual quality. Our model is more competitive for clinical application. Comparing with other models which only reduce simulated noise, we directly input CBCT images to reduce the noise.
The recovery time of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after curative surgery in Cushing’s disease and its predictor
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Cui Qiaoli , Liu Xiaoyu , Sun Quanya , Sun Wanwan , Zheng Hangping , He Min , Zhang Zhaoyun , Ma Zengyi , Shen Ming , Shou Xuefei , Zhao Yao , Li Yiming , Wang Yongfei , Ye Hongying
Published: November 2022

Objective

Patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) experienced transient central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) after successful surgery. However, the reported recovery time of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis varied and the risk factors which could affect recovery time of HPA axis had not been extensively studied. This study aimed to analyze the duration of CAI and explore the risk factors affecting HPA axis recovery in post-operative CD patients with biochemical remission.

Design and methods

Medical records of diagnosis with CD in Huashan Hospital were reviewed between 2014 and 2020. 140 patients with biochemical remission and regular follow-up after surgery were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study according to the criteria. Demographic details, clinical and biochemical information at baseline and each follow-up (within 2 years) were collected and analyzed.

Results

Overall, 103 patients (73.6%) recovered from transient CAI within 2 years follow-up and the median recovery time was 12 months [95% confidence intervals (CI): 10–14]. The age and midnight ACTH at baseline were significantly lower, while the TT3 and FT3 levels were significantly higher in patients with recovered HPA compared to patients with CAI at 2-year follow-up(p < 0.05). In persistent CAI group, more patients underwent partial hypophysectomy. TT3 at diagnosis was an independent predictor of the recovery of HPA axis, even after adjusting for gender, age, duration, surgical history, maximum tumor diameter, surgical strategy, and postoperative nadir serum cortisol level (p = 0.04, OR: 6.03, 95% CI: 1.085, 22.508). Among patients with unrecovered HPA axis at 2-year follow-up, 23 CAI patients (62%) were accompanied by multiple pituitary axis dysfunction besides HPA axis, including hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, or central diabetes insipidus.

Conclusion

HPA axis recovered in 73.6% of CD patients within 2 years after successful surgery, and the median recovery time was 12 months. TT3 level at diagnosis was an independent predictor of postoperative recovery of HPA axis in CD patients. Moreover, patients coexisted with other hypopituitarism at 2-year follow-up had a high probability of unrecovered HPA axis.
Interfacial photochemistry of light-blown bubbles produced via photolysis
Authors: Zhang Dianwen
Published: November 2022

UV light can create and grow bubbles (herein referred to as IPBs for interfacial photoinduced-reaction bubbles) at liquid/solid interfaces through photoinduced reactions that produce gases. Unlike the simple experience of blowing water bubbles through a straw, in which the bubbles quickly move away from their nucleation sites, not only can a deep UV laser beam create IPBs in liquid acetone, but also it can hold and grow them and even capture nearby free bubbles. Raman measurement revealed that the gases in the IPBs include C2H6, CO and H2, and in liquid acetone sp2-carbon species were detected upon the UV excitation. Time series Raman measurement discloses a photocarbonization process in which small acyclic carbon species gradually form small clusters with carbon rings and eventually produce a large piece of amorphous carbon at the top of an IPB in pure liquid acetone. The photocarbonization may open new avenues for development of carbonaceous materials.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Plasma Manganese and Selenium Levels in Paediatric CKD Patients
Authors: Verma Subhrata , Belostotsky Vladimir , Yang Liju , Filler Guido
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Manganese (Mn) and Selenium (Se) deficiencies are noted in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, levels of these trace elements have not been well studied in the pediatric CKD population. We determined the Mn and Se levels in a single-institution cohort of paediatric patients with CKD.
Methods: Ancillary cross-sectional study to a prospective longitudinal randomized control trial on zinc supplementation, which included 42 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years with CKD stages I to IV not on dialysis, who had 1-6 trace element measurements. Cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Filler formula. Plasma Mn and Se levels were measured, and anthropomorphic data/blood parameters were collected from electronic health records.
Results: There were 96 Mn and Se levels in 42 patients. The median Mn concentration was 12.61 nmol/L [10.08, 16.42] with a trend towards lower values with lower eGFR (p=0.0367 one-sided). Mn z-scores were significantly lower than the general paediatric reference population. The mean Se level was 1.661±0.3399 µmol/L with a significant positive correlation with eGFR (p=0.0159, r=0.366). However, only 4 patients with low eGFR had abnormally low Se levels.
Conclusion: This single-institution ancillary study of children with CKD demonstrates a significant decrease in Se levels with decreasing eGFR, but no significant difference between mean Se z-scores of our cohort and the reference population. There was no significant relationship between Mn levels and eGFR however the mean Mn z-score was significantly lower than the theoretical mean.
Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02126293, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02126293. Date: April 30, 2014
Effect of lateral deformations of a simply-supported beam bridge on high-speed railway traffic safety under earthquake action
Authors: huang wei , Sun Yuehan , Li Binghui , Zhang Qiang , Shao Junhu , Zhan Yulin
Published: November 2022

To study the influence of the lateral deformations of a simply-supported beam bridge on the safety of high-speed railway train operations under earthquake action, this study adopted a three-span simply-supported beam bridge with 32-m spans as an example. Finite element software ANSYS and multi-body dynamics software SIMPACK were used to establish a coupled train-bridge dynamic model subjected to seismic excitations. By adopting different ground motions and changing the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and the train speed, the effects of different earthquakes and train speeds on the train driving safety were analyzed. Several conclusions were obtained. First, the trends in train derailment coefficient, wheel load reduction rate, lateral horizontal wheelset forces, vertical accelerations of the car body, lateral accelerations of car body, and other dynamic indices were similar under different ground motions, but the actual values were different. Second, the PGA had a significant impact on the train derailment coefficient, wheel load reduction rate, lateral horizontal wheelset forces, and lateral accelerations of the car body, but little effect on the vertical accelerations of the car body. Third, the train speed affected the train derailment coefficient, wheel load reduction rate, lateral horizontal wheelset forces, vertical accelerations of the car body, and lateral accelerations of the car body, and these dynamic performance indices were positively correlated with the train speed. Fourth, in case of the earthquake with a PGA of 0.3g, a high-speed train would have to travel slower than at 280 km/h to ensure the safety and comfort of the ride.
Optimal Time-Fixed Impulsive non-Keplerian Orbit to Orbit Transfer
Authors: Bucchioni Giordana , Lombardi Francesco , Bellome Andrea , Leitao Joao-Pedro Fernandes , Innocenti Mario , Lizy-Destrez Stèphanie
Published: November 2022

The work proposes a systematic method to compute an optimal transfer trajectory between two non-Keplerian halo orbits in the Circular Restricted Three body formulation of the Earth-Moon dynamics. The paper exploits the knowledge of the natural non-linear dynamics and the primer vector theory applied to the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem to design optimal Halo-to-Halo transfers with fixed and limited, compared with the rest of the literature, Time of flight, from every point of the departure orbit to every point of the arrival orbit. With the goal
Synchronized Metabolic and Microbial Changes in Light-vented Bulbul during Recent Northward Range Expansion
Authors: Wu Yun , Xiong Ying , Ji Yanzhu , Cheng Yalin , Zhu Qianghui , Jiao Xiaolu , Chang Yongbin , Zhao Na , Lei Fumin , Song Gang
Published: November 2022

Background Endotherms recently expanding to cold environments generally exhibit strong physiological acclimation to sustain high body temperature. During this process, gut microbes likely play a considerable role in host physiological functions, including digestion and thermogenesis. Light-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) represents one of such a species. It used to be restricted to the Oriental realm, and expanded its range to the Palearctic during the past few decades. Results We explored the seasonal dynamics of the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and gut microbiota for local and newly colonized populations of light-vented bulbul. Our results showed that light-vented bulbul exhibited physiological changes during northern expansion. Specifically, the RMR was positively correlated with latitude in the winter (p = 0.0011, r = 0.33). Body mass showed a significant positive correlation with latitude in the breeding (p = 0.045, r = 0.27) and wintering seasons (p = 0.012, r = 0.25), corresponding to Bergmann’s rule. Consistently, the gut microbiota showed corresponding variation to the northern cold environments. In the two northern populations, the alpha diversity decreased compared with those of two southern populations. Significant differences were detected in dominant phyla, such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Desulfobacterota in the breeding and wintering seasons (p < 0.05). The core microbiota showed geographic differences in the winter, including the elevated relative abundance of 5 species (Alistipes shahii,Bacteroides stercoris,Bacteroides vulgatus,Parabacteroides merdaeandBacteroides spp.) in northern populations. Finally, to explore the link between microbial communities and host metabolic thermogenesis, we conducted a correlation analysis between microbiota and RMR. We found that more genera were significantly correlated with RMR in the wintering season than that in the breeding season (71 versus 23). Conclusions This study suggested that key microbiota linked with thermogenesis to push lighted-vented bulbul on a path toward the north.
Exposing New Taxonomic Variation with Inflammation – A Murine Model-Specific Genome Database for Gut Microbiome Researchers
Authors: Leleiwi Ikaia , Rodriguez-Ramos Josue , Shaffer Michael , Sabag-Daigle Anice , Kokkinias Katherine , Flynn Rory M , Daly Rebecca A , Kop Linnea FM , Solden Lindsey M , Ahmer Brian M. M. , Borton Mikayla A , Wrighton Kelly C
Published: November 2022

Background
The murine CBA/J mouse model widely supports immunology and enteric pathogen research. This model has illuminated Salmonella interactions with the gut microbiome since pathogen proliferation does not require disruptive pretreatment of the native microbiota, nor does it become systemic, thereby representing an analog to gastroenteritis disease progression in humans. Despite the value to broad research communities, microbiota in CBA/J mice are not represented in current murine microbiome genome catalogs.
Results
Here we present the first microbial and viral genomic catalog of the CBA/J murine gut microbiome. Using fecal microbial communities from untreated and Salmonella-infected, highly inflamed mice, we performed genomic reconstruction to determine the impacts on gut microbiome membership and functional potential. From high depth whole community sequencing (~ 42.4 Gbps/sample), we reconstructed 2,281 bacterial and 4,516 viral draft genomes. Salmonella challenge significantly altered gut membership in CBA/J mice, revealing 30 genera and 98 species that were conditionally rare and unsampled in non-inflamed mice. Additionally, inflamed communities were depleted in microbial genes that modulate host anti-inflammatory pathways and enriched in genes for respiratory energy generation. Our findings suggest decreases in butyrate concentrations during Salmonella infection corresponded to reductions in the relative abundance in members of the Alistipes. Strain-level comparison of CBA/J microbial genomes to prominent murine gut microbiome databases identified newly sampled lineages in this resource, while comparisons to human gut microbiomes extended the host relevance of dominant CBA/J inflammation resistant strains.
Conclusions
This CBA/J microbiome database provides the first genomic sampling of relevant, uncultivated microorganisms within the gut from this widely used laboratory model. Using this resource, we curated a functional, strain-resolved view on how Salmonella remodels intact murine gut communities, advancing pathobiome understanding beyond inferences from prior amplicon-based approaches. Salmonella-induced inflammation suppressed Alistipes and other dominant members, while rarer commensals like Lactobacillus and Enterococcus endure. The rare and novel species sampled across this inflammation gradient advance the utility of this microbiome resource to benefit the broad research needs of the CBA/J scientific community, and those using murine models for understanding the impact of inflammation on the gut microbiome more generally.
Rapid and robust analytical method for the determination of copper content in commercial pesticides and antifouling biocides
Authors: Pavlidis George , Karasali Helen , Balayiannis George P.
Published: November 2022

The quality control of the agrochemicals and biocidal products in the market requires valid determination methods for the active ingredient content and is of utmost interest to ensure environmental protection, human health, and successful pest control. Copper has been used as fungicide for centuries and today is still in the market in hundreds of products for various uses and is applied in very high application rates, both in pesticides and biocides. A new analytical method has been developed and is proposed as it fast, efficient, and economical for the determination of copper content in antifouling Product Type 21 (PT-21) biocidal products as well as in copper containing pesticides. The samples were oxidized by microwave-assisted acid digestion method and the concentration of copper was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The method performance presented high recoveries, low relative standard deviation, and sufficient Limit of Quantification (LOQ) for the scope of the present analysis. As a result, it is concluded that the method is easily applicable and transferable, with reasonable consumption of reagents, characterized by reliability and sensitivity; therefore, it is suitable for monitoring the levels of copper in antifouling products as well as pesticides containing copper as active substance. The recoveries of the method ranged from 87.9% to 97.6% for antifouling paints and 98.6% to 99.95% for pesticides, while the percentage Relative Standard Deviation (%RSD) was lower than 6% in all cases. The validated method Limit of Quantification (LOQ) was 5 μg ml-1 that was sufficient for the present analysis needs. As a result, it is concluded that the method is easy, with reasonable consumption of reagents, characterized by reliability and sensitivity; therefore, it is suitable for monitoring the levels of copper in antifouling products as well as pesticides containing copper as active substance.
Entropy based approach to manipulator performance measures
Authors: Tarokh Mahmoud , Managadzhe Zaza
Published: November 2022

The paper introduces the new concept of kinematics entropy and utilizes it for performance measures of manipulators. Kinematics entropy is used in a probabilistic framework to propose global measures for the performance of manipulators, which are then specialized to local performance measures. Certain properties of the Jacobian matrix are derived to enable dimensional and unit consistent measures for manipulability. New local manipulability and condition number are proposed that are based on entropy. Examples of a redundant and a non-redundant manipulator are presented to demonstrate the concepts and the usefulness of the measures introduced in the paper in comparison with conventional performance measures
The effect of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy combined with enhanced recovery after surgery program on postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Ma Hongmei , Li Xin , Wang Zhe , Qiao Qiao , Gao Yanfeng , Yuan Hui , Guan Bin , Guan Zheng
Published: November 2022

Background: To investigate the effect of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program on postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.
Methods: Patients, more than 60-year-old, undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection for non small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into GDFT group and restrictive fluid therapy (RFT) group. ERAS program was implemented in all patients. In GDFT group, the intraoperative fluid management was guided by stroke volume variation (SVV), cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), maintained the SVV<13%, CI>2.5L/min/m2, and MAP>65 mmHg. In RFT group, fluid maintenance with 2 ml/kg/h of balanced crystalloid solution, norepinephrine was used to maintain MAP>65 mmHg. The incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), pulmonary and cardiac complications were compared.
Results: 276 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups (138 in each group). Compared to RFT group, the total intraoperative infusion volume, colloids infusion volume, and urine output were larger, the dosage of norepinephrine was lower in GDFT group. Although there were no significant differences of postoperative AKI (GDFT vs RFT; 4.3% vs 8%; P=0.317) and composite postoperative complications (GDFT vs RFT; 66 vs 70) between groups, but the postoperative increase degree of serum creatinine was lower in GDFT group than that in RFT group (GDFT vs RFT; 91.9±25.2 μmol/L vs 97.1±17.6 μmol/L; P=0.048).
Conclusions: Compared to ERAS program with RFT, ERAS program with GDFT has slight beneficial effect on postoperative renal function in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.
Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04302467 on 26 February 2020.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Complicated Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhong Xiaoxiao , Shen Jiahui , Ding Fengjiao , Qian Liyuan , Wu Wei , Wen Yanguang , Zhao Yujun , Ding Boni
Published: November 2022

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, characterized by monoclonal proliferation and organ infiltration of Langerhans cells. The clinical manifestations are various, and may involve single or multiple organs. A case of LCH is introduced and the diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Case presentation: A 23-year-old woman presented with a huge mass in the left lower abdomen. Computed tomography (CT) of the lung revealed multiple diffuse nodules of different sizes in the right lung. The left thorax was collapsed, the left pleura was thickened and adhered, and a small, encapsulated effusion was observed in the thoracic cavity. Enhanced CT of the whole abdomen showed a huge cystic low-density focus on the left lower abdomen, multiple nodules in the spleen, and multiple osteolytic bone destruction in the spine, thorax, and pelvis. The possibility of LCH was considered based on the presence of diffuse reticulum nodules in the lungs observed in CT imaging. The patient was performed ultrasound-guided abdominal puncture, drainage, and chemotherapy with "vinorelbine and cisplatin". Follow-up is ongoing.
Conclusion: LCH involving the serosal membrane is rare. The final diagnosis requires histopathological examination of the involved tissue. But in most cases, it’s enough to diagnose through the typical imaging changes in the lung, as observed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), combined with certain clinical observations. Currently, there are no clearly established treatment guidelines for LCH. At present, systemic chemotherapy is the main treatment method that has been shown to improve patient’s prognosis.
Does value-added tax reform increase the sophistication of enterprise exports? Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Xu , Lin Yiwei , Sun Xiaohua
Published: November 2022

Value-added tax (VAT) is a neutral tax widely adopted around the world that is conducive to easing the tax burden of central and local governments and promoting enterprise innovation. Using the micro-data of China's industrial enterprises from 2000 to 2007,this paper takes the VAT reform in Northeast China as a quasi-natural experiment to explore the impact of reform on the export sophistication of enterprises. This study reveals that the VAT reform increases the sophistication of enterprises' export, and the influence of reform on the export sophistication is found to be insignificant not only for state-owned enterprises but also for medium and low-tech sectors’ enterprises. Moreover, the mechanism analysis shows that the VAT reform stimulates the vitality of enterprise innovation and increases investment in R&D, thereby increasing the sophistication of exported products. The research in this paper is helpful not only for deepening our understanding of the significance of VAT reform but also for further improving policy measures to promote the high-quality development of export trade.
JEL:H25,P25,D22
Stability in gene expression and body-plan development leads to evolutionary conservation
Authors: Uchida Yui , Takeda Hiroyuki , Furusawa Chikara , Irie Naoki
Published: November 2022

Background:
Phenotypic evolution is mainly explained by selection for phenotypic variation arising from factors including mutation and environmental noise. Recent theoretical and experimental studies in the medaka fish Oryzias latipes suggest that greater developmental stability in phenotype and gene expression level, observed under conditions of minimal mutation and environmental noise, is positively correlated with intra-specific evolutionary conservation. Therefore, stability would be a novel intrinsic factor that potentially limits phenotypic variation, promoting evolutionary conservation. However, while these prior studies have revealed correlative relationships between stability and evolutionary conservation, the issue of causality has remained unclear. Here, in Japanese medaka, we tested experimentally whether greater stability in phenotype and gene expression leads to evolutionary conservation.
Results:
Experimental evolution was performed by crossing distantly related Japanese medaka lines, followed by two rounds of intra-generational crossing. We then analyzed whether more stable developmental stages and genes with more stable expression in the F0 generation were more conserved in the F3 generation. The results indicated that greater stability in the F0 generation led to less diversity in the F3 generation.
Conclusions:
These findings reveal that stability in phenotype and gene expression leads to theirevolutionary conservation, most likely by reducing the potential for phenotypic variation. Further, among the developmental stages, the body-plan-establishment stage exhibited the greatest stability and conservation, potentially contributing to the strict conservation of animal body plan.
Fate and cost effectiveness of soil carbon sequestered using supplementary nutrients applied to crop residues under field conditions
Authors: Kirkegaard John A. , Richardson Alan , Kirkby Clive A.
Published: November 2022

Changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) associated with fine fraction (FF) soil were determined to a depth of 180 cm at a field site that was managed with supplementary nutrients (2007–2012) to sequester soil C from crop residues. Soil C and N stocks were monitored for a further 3 years (to 2015) with supplementary nutrients maintained, and then for 5-years after they were ceased (2015–2020). The increase in FF-C established in the first phase of nutrient addition (9.6 t C ha− 1) was maintained during the ongoing 3-yr period of nutrient addition (9.8 t C ha− 1) but declined to 3.0 t C ha− 1 during the subsequent 5-years when nutrient addition ceased. The decline in FF-C stocks was attributed to nutrient mining through increased N mineralization because of insufficient N being applied to fully satisfy the N removed in crops. The addition of supplementary nutrients to the residue influenced crop yield and seed protein in some years, but the responses were crop and season dependant and there was no overall difference in the amount of C in crop biomass returned to the soil. An economic analysis using long-term fertiliser and grain prices suggested that the strategy to sequester C in FF-SOM through nutrient addition to residue was essentially cost neutral. Better tailoring of nutrient inputs to achieve the required stoichiometric ratios in SOM, and an assumed payment for the sequestered C (AU$40 t− 1 CO2 equivalent) provided a beneficial economic outcome during the period of nutrient addition. However the economic benefit was lost when nutrient addition ceased, and losses were significant if fertiliser prices increased or the C price declined. Our results confirm that addition of supplementary nutrients to C-rich crop residues is an effective means to sequester soil C that can persist for several years even after nutrient addition ceases. However, ongoing nutrient inputs in excess of crop removal are required to ensure long-term sequestration of the C from crop residue.
OVERVIEW OF ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING REGULATION IN MINING ENTERPRISES
Authors: Serpeninova Y. , Gorodetskaya M.
Published: November 2022

The main requirement for mining enterprises in the context of Ukraine's European integration is the transition to new international standards for accounting for economic transactions and accounting for these transactions, taking into account the specifics of the industry. Nowadays the regulatory framework for accounting and reporting of the extractive industry is not sufficiently regulated, so there is a need to develop industry methodologies and develop specific methods of accounting for such activities, taking into account the specifics of this industry and international requirements. Improving regulations will adapt the national accounting and reporting system to new requirements, increase the efficiency of accounting at mining enterprises, ensure transparency and accuracy of reporting for a wider range of stakeholders, including Ukrainian and foreign.
The article systematizes and investigates the main problematic aspects of regulatory legislation of accounting and reporting of mining enterprises. The classification of regulative maintenance of accounting and reporting of mining enterprises is offered. Possible ways to solve these problems by developing and adopting international standards, conducting comprehensive and large-scale work to create more detailed and adapted standards for the mining industry are considered.