bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Proportional Jaccard Indices to Identify Comorbidity Patterns of Heart Failure
Authors: Tang Yueh , Fujita Hamido , Mitra Prasenjit , Pai Tun-Wen
Published: March 2023

Remote diagnosis and precision preventive medicine have become some of the most important clinical medicine applications in the post-COVID-19 era. This study aims to develop a digital health monitoring tool using electronic medical records (EMRs) as the basis for conducting non-random correlation analysis among different comorbidity patterns for heart failure (HF). Novel similarity indices, including the multiplication of the odds ratio, proportional Jaccard index (OPJI), and alpha proportional Jaccard index (APJI), were proposed and used as key indicators to build various machine learning models for predicting HF risk conditions. Multiple prediction models were constructed for high-risk HF predictions according to stratified subjects in different age groups and sexes. The results showed that the best prediction model achieved an accuracy of 82.1% and an AUC of 0.87. A noninvasive prediction system for HF risk conditions was proposed using historical EMRs. The proposed indices provide simple and straightforward comparative indicators for comorbidity pattern-matching based on personal EMRs. All of the developed source codes for the noninvasive prediction models can be retrieved from GitHub1.
Good correlation between necessary remifentanil concentrations in individual patients determined from sedative-analgesic interactions using pharmacokinetic simulations and the remifentanil concentrations used at anesthesiologists’ discretion
Authors: Matsuki Yuka , Nagata Osamu , Shigemi Kenji
Published: March 2023

Background
Analgesic and sedative agents interact with each other, and their relationship is explained in a curve convex below. In the automated control anesthesia system based on this relationship that we developed, the dose of analgesic is adjusted with the necessary remifentanil concentration, determined with propofol-remifentanil interactions, as an estimated maximal individual concentration (esMIC). With the system, a study in patients under anesthesia management by an anesthesiologist was conducted to compare the effect-site concentration (ESC) of remifentanil administered at the anesthesiologist’s discretion and the esMIC calculated with drug-drug interactions for their relationship and to assess whether the analgesic dose administered based on esMIC is appropriate.
Methods
In the present study involving 20 patients, anesthesiologists changed the propofol (P) infusion rate and remifentanil (R) infusion rate to maintain BIS value of 45. The estimated target-effect-site concentration of propofol for maintaining BIS 45 and the ESC of remifentanil (ESC_R) based on the model by Minto et al. were calculated. Moreover, with these data sets, the isodynamic curve of ESC of propofol (ESC_P) for maintaining BIS 45 (Y) and ESC_R (X) was determined to be an equilateral hyperbola (Y = c/(X − a) + b). With the ESC_R at which even raising ESC_R would result in small decreases in ESC_P considered the esMIC, the ESC_R at the point at which the slope of this curve is − 1 (neutral point) and at the point of the curve where the y-component deviation of the asymptote (y = b) is 20% (esMIC20) was calculated every 6 seconds. The ESC_R at the time point of an adequate analgesic state as deemed by the anesthesiologist after anesthesia had been started for 15 minutes was compared with the esMIC20 determined by objective calculations.
Results
The ESC_R and esMIC20 were 11.9 ± 2.4 and 11.6 ± 2.0 ng/ml, respectively. Moreover, the median ESC_R and esMIC20 in the patients showed a very good correlation (correlation coefficient R² = 0.88, p < 0.01).
Conclusions
The necessary analgesic concentrations estimated with drug-drug interactions did not contradict those determined at anesthesiologists’ discretion and are considered to assure a reasonable analgesic state.
Side-scan Sonar Underwater Target Segmentation Using the BHP-UNet
Authors: Tang Yulin , WANG Liming , LI Houpu , Bian Shaofeng
Published: March 2023

Although target detection algorithms based on deep learning have achieved good results in the detection of side-scan sonar underwater targets, their false and missed detection rates are high for multiple densely arranged and overlapping underwater targets. To address this problem, a side-scan sonar underwater target segmentation model based on the Blended Hybrid dilated convolution and Pyramid split attention U-Net (BHP-UNet) algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, the blended hybrid dilated convolution module is adopted to improve the ability of the model to learn deep semantics and shallow features while improving the receptive field. Second, the pyramid split attention module is introduced to establish a long-term dependency between global and local information while processing multi-scale spatial features. Three sets of experimental results show that the BHP-UNet model proposed in this paper has better segmentation performance than the conventional fully convolutional network, U-Net, and DeepLabv3+ models, and it is able to segment dense and overlapping targets to a certain extent. The proposed model will have significance as a guide for practical applications.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Prognostic Values and Immune Implication of ESYT3 in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Xuedong , Chen Jianlin , Meng Jie
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Few studies have reported the association between ESYT3 and tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular features and potential roles of ESYT3 in lung adenocarcinoma.
Methods: GEPIA, UALCAN, KM Plotter and TCGA databases were primarily used to study ESYT3 mRNA expression profiles and prognostic values in patients with LUAD. Then we evaluated coexpressed genes of ESYT3 by cBioPortal online tools and performed enrichment analysis using Metascape. Moreover, the relationship between ESYT3 and immune infiltrating cells was explored via TIMER2. Finally, MethSurv database were used to conduct methylation analysis.
Results: We found ESYT3 was down-regulated in LUAD tissues based on TCGA and GEPIA databases. Low expression of ESYT3 mRNA was observed to be significantly correlated with N classification and stage classification. GEPIA2, KM Plotter and UALCAN databases showed that low expression levels of ESYT3 was associated with poor survival in LUAD patients. The enrichment analysis indicated that co-expressed genes of ESYT3 were highly enriched in cell division. Then, our study showed ESYT3 was correlated with immune infiltration and immune checkpoints. Additionally, hypomethylation was associated with low ESYT3 expression and poor prognosis in LUAD.
Conclusion: This study suggested ESYT3 could be a potential prognostic marker and a promising therapeutic target in LUAD.
Helicopter Performance Enhancement by Improving Retreating Blade Stall Using Active Flow Control
Authors: soltan tarek , Abdelrahman mohamed , Hassan yasser
Published: March 2023

In conventional helicopter there are many operation limits and constraints, one of them is the retreating blade stall. it is the phenomena of aggressive separation on the blade in the retreating side in the blade travel which is a result of high angle of attack combined with low relative velocity occurs in the retreating side. This phenomenon limits the helicopter forward speed, which after exceeding that limit helicopter start to roll and excessive vibration occurs and dangerous situations is happening. In this study a model is created numerically to study the effect of active flow control over helicopter blade to improve the retreating blade stall. Active flow control applied to helicopter blades determines if this technology is applicable and can improve retreating blade stall alongside overall helicopter performance. Models are built in 2D and 3D and numerically evaluated and compared with complete helicopter main rotor hub with known geometry and available performance parameters by NASA test rigs. Results shows a good impact of applying this technique on the stall in the 2D simulation which gives improving in aerodynamics which lead to overall performance enhancement represented by lift to drag ratio over the airfoil simulated in this study. A three-dimensional model with given geometry from NACA report for comparison and validation. Result in 3D model gives good matching results with available parameter for the benchmark cases and also desired enhancement reached in the controlled cases which separation delayed and aerodynamic parameters improved.
A neuromusculoskeletal modelling approach to bilateral hip mechanics due to unexpected lateral perturbations during overground walking
Authors: Zhu Yunchao , Huang Ji , Ma Xin , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: March 2023

Background
Current studies on how external perturbations impact gait dynamics have primarily focused on the changes in the body's center of mass (CoM) during treadmill walking. The biomechanical responses, in particular to the multi-planar hip joint coordination, following perturbations in overground walking conditions are not completely known.
Methods
In this study, a customized gait-perturbing device was designed to impose controlled lateral forces onto the subject’s pelvis during overground walking. The biomechanical responses of bilateral hip were simulated by subject-specific neuromusculoskeletal models (NMS) driven by in-vivo motion data, which were further evaluated by statistical parameter mapping (SPM) and muscle coactivation index (CI) analysis. The validity of the subject-specific NMS was confirmed through comparison with measured surface electromyography signals.
Results
Following perturbations, the sagittal-plane hip motions were reduced for the leading leg by 18.39° and for trailing leg by 8.23°, while motions in the frontal and transverse plane were increased, with increased hip abduction for the leading leg by 10.71° and external rotation by 9.06°, respectively. For the hip kinetics, both the bilateral hip joints showed increased abductor moments during midstance (20%-30% gait cycle) and decreased values during terminal stance (38%-48%). Muscle CI in both sagittal and frontal planes were significantly decreased for perturbed walking (p < 0.05), except for the leading leg in sagittal plane.
Conclusion
The gait phase-dependent biomechanical response of hip appeared to be well coordinated and effective for balance recovering during perturbations. And the changes in muscle CI suggested a potential mechanism for rapid and precise control of foot placement through modulation of joint stiffness properties. These findings obtained during actual overground perturbation conditions could have implications for the improved design of symbiotic devices for balance assistance.
Effect of Clostridium Butyricum to promote the intestinal barrier of DSS colitis by regulating endogenous hydrogen sulfide enzyme
Authors: Shen Yuanyuan , Cheng Kai , Li Lixia , Sun Huabo , Liu Chengxia
Published: March 2023

Background
Although Clostridium Butyricum ameliorates active ulcerative colitis (UC), the precise mechanism remains largely unclear. To investigate the mechanism of Clostridium Butyricum in protecting intestinal barrier of DSS colitis by regulating endogenous hydrogen sulfide enzyme.
Methods
Forty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into control group, DSS colitis group, low-dose (107CFU/ml) Clostridium Butyricum group and high-dose (108CFU/ml) Clostridium Butyricum group. We use qRT-PCR and Western blot to assess the expression of CSE and CBS as endogenous hydrogen sulfide enzyme in colonic tissue of each group. However, the expression of ZO-1,Occludin, E-cadherin, Lypd8, MIF and DAI score, colon length, histological damage were separately used to evaluate the epithelial tighten junction, mucous barrier and epithelial inflammation in intestine.
Result
Both high-dose and low-dose live Clostridium Butyricum could significantly diminish the expression of CSE, CBS of colonic tissue in DSS colitis (P<0.05). The live Clostridium Butyricum dose-dependently inhibited the colonic length shorten, DAI scores and histological damage of DSS colitis with down-regulating the expression of MIF and increasing the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, E-cadherin and Lypd8 in DSS colitis (P<0.05).
Conclusions
The live Clostridium Butyricum ameliorates DSS colitis by suppressing the expression of CSE and CBS with the mechanism related to regulate the epithelial mucous barrier protein, protect the epithelial tighten junction and inhibit the inflammatory factor with the possible down-regulating the expression of hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Unveil the role of structural vacancy in Mn-based Prussian blue for energy storage application
Authors: Gao Chongwei , Chen Ming , Wang Xunan , Zhang Guobing , Tan Xi , Zhang Shuhua , Li Jiantao , Feng Guang , Zhai Dengyun , Kang Feiyu
Published: March 2023

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are promising cathode materials for monovalent- and multivalent-ion batteries due to the large frame structure. However, the effect of vacancy in lattice on the electrochemical performance has not been clearly elucidated, hindering the further development of PBAs. Here we identify two types of different functional vacancies (defined as structural vacancy and defective vacancy) in Mn-based PBAs (MnHCF) through Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. In-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that MnHCF with structural vacancy has a slighter structural evolution than MnHCF with defective vacancy during cycles. The electrochemical results indicate that the defective vacancy in MnHCF deteriorates the cyclic performance, whereas the structural vacancy favors ion diffusion and helps to stabilize the structure. Moreover, the structure with gradient structural vacancy was successfully introduced to K-rich MnHCF, realizing a high capacity and a remarkable improvement in long-term cyclic stability for alkali metal-ion (Li+/Na+/K+) batteries.
Polygenic risk scores for cervical HPV infection, neoplasia and cancer show potential for personalised screening: Comparison of two methods
Authors: Tisler Anna , Uuskula Anneli , Ojavee Sven Erik , Läll Kristi , team Estonian Biobank research , Laisk Triin
Published: March 2023

The era of precision medicine requires the achievement of accurate risk assessment. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) have strong potential for increasing the benefits of nationwide cancer screening programs. The current pool of evidence on the role of a PRS as a risk stratification model in actual practice and implementation is limited. To better understand the impact of possible method-induced variance, we constructed and validated two PRSs for cervical cancer (CC) using the Estonian Biobank female population (691 CC cases and 13 820 controls) and evaluated their utility in predicting incident cervical neoplasia (CIN), cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using two methods (LDPred and BayesRR-RC). This study demonstrated that two genetic risk scores were significantly associated with CIN, CC, and HPV infection incidence. Independent of the method, we demonstrated that women with elevated PRS values reached the observed cumulative risk levels of CIN or CC much earlier. Our results indicated that the PRS-based discrimination rules could differ substantially when the PRSs contain similar predictive information. In summary, our analysis indicated that PRSs represent a personalized genetic component that could be an additional tool for cervical cancer risk stratification, and earlier detection of abnormalities provides invaluable information for those at high risk.
Surveying cover crop root traits and their potential impacts on carbon and nitrogen cycling.
Authors: Wong Kong M , Griffiths Marcus , Moran Amelia , Johnston Andrea , Liu Alexander E , Sellers Mitchell A , Topp Christopher N
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims:
Cover crops have the potential to aid in adapting agricultural systems to climate change impacts through their ecosystem services, such as preventing soil erosion, remediating soil structure, and storing carbon belowground. Though roots are integral to these processes, there is a lack of cover crop root trait data. This study aims to characterize rooting behavior of several commercially available cover crops and assess their potential impact on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.
Methods
Twenty-two cover crop cultivars across the grass, legume, and brassica families were grown in O’Fallon, Missouri. Canopy cover was monitored throughout the growing season. Shoot and root biomass samples were collected and analyzed.
Results
Cereal rye and winter triticale were the most winter hardy cultivars and provide the highest percent canopy cover. Cereal rye and winter triticale also generate the highest amount of shoot and root biomass among treatments but exhibit different rooting behavior. Winter triticale forms coarser roots and exhibits deeper rooting, which may be better suited for carbon sequestration. Similarly, rapeseed and Siberian kale have favorable C:N ratios for nutrient recycling, but rapeseed may invest more into lateral root formation and have a higher potential to “catch” excess nutrients.
Conclusion
Selection of cover crops for ecosystem services should account for root system architecture and their suitability for these ecosystem services. Differences in root traits among cultivars within the same taxonomic family highlight the potential to engineer cover crop root system architecture to further enhance ecosystem service efficacy.
Performance Evaluation of Deep Learning Techniques for Lung Cancer Prediction
Authors: Deepapriya B S , Kumar A. Anbarasa
Published: March 2023

Due to the increase in pollution, the number of deaths caused by lung disease is rising rapidly. It is essential to predict the disease in earlier stages by means of high-level knowledge and acquaintance. Deep learning based lung cancer prediction plays a vital role in assisting the medcial practioners for diagnosing lung cancer in earlier stage. Computer-Aided diagnosis (CAD) is considered to bring a boost to the field of medicine by tying it to automated systems. In this research paper, several models are experimented by using chest X-Ray image or CT scan as an input to detect a particular disease. This research work is carried out to identify the best performing deep learning techniques for lung disease prediction. The performance of the method is evalauted using various performance metrics such as precision, recall, accuracy and Jaccrd index.
A parameterized study on rainfall removal of aerosols
Authors: Chen Mingtao , Feng Qi , Zuo Yanqiu , Gao Xing , Huang Jun , Wang Hongqiang
Published: March 2023

Wet removal is the primary method for the natural removal of atmospheric aerosol particles, and wet removal is a very complex process. According to the PM2.5, PM10, and meteorological data from 71 cities in China from 2016 to 2018, this study utilizes theoretical analysis methods based on the existing rainfall aerosol removal theory and real-time monitoring data to calculate the measured removal coefficient and theoretical removal coefficient for verification. According to the different rainfall intensities and rainfall times in Guilin, the measured value and the simulated value are verified, and the linear relationship obtained was Λs = 1.589*10− 5 + 0.609Λm, R2 = 0.673, and the simulated value approximated to the measured value after correction. The same method was utilized to calculate the theoretical removal coefficient of polydisperse aerosols in 71 cities across the country, and the calculation parameters of the rainfall removal polydisperse aerosol model in different regions were modified.
Robust analysis of a novel PANoptosis-related prognostic gene signature model for hepatocellular carcinoma immune infiltration and therapeutic response
Authors: Wei Yongguang , Lan Chenlu , Yang Chengkun , Liao Xiwen , Zhou Xin , Huang Xinlei , Xie Haixiang , Zhu Guangzhi , Peng Tao
Published: March 2023

Background
PANoptosis, an interplay between pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, is deeply involved in cancer development and immunity. However, the influence of PANoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be further investigated.
Methods
The differentially expressed PANoptosis-related genes (PANRGs) was screened in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Accordingly, mutation, bioinformatics, and consensus clustering analyses were performed. Then, a prognostic risk model was developed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. The prognostic value, immunity correlation and therapeutic response prediction ability of risk model were explored.
Results
A total of 18 PANRGs were differently expressed in the TCGA-HCC cohort and were mainly involved in cancer- and cell death-related signal pathways. Using unsupervised clustering method, we identified two PANRGs-mediated clustering patterns. The remarkable differences of overall survival (OS) and clinical features on two clusters were demonstrated. Based on the five-gene prognostic risk model, the calculated PANRG-scores were used to categorize the subgroups as high- and low-risk. Notably, the high-risk subgroup had a dismal prognosis and exhibited much lower immune cell infiltration levels of mast cells, nature killer cells and pDCs, but higher levels of aDCs, iDCs and Treg cells than those in the low-risk subgroup. Furthermore, we constructed a reliable nomogram combining clinical traits and PANRG-score to predict the OS of HCC patients. The significant correlation between PANoptosis and tumor mutation burden (TMB), and PANoptosis and ferroptosis were also revealed. In drug sensitivity analysis, the high-risk subgroup had a considerably lower TIDE score, suggesting a preferable response to immunotherapy, and may be more sensitive to Tipifarnib, Imatinib, Doxorubicin, and Gemcitabine. The upregulated mRNA expressions of FADD were validated in 16 paired HCC tissues of Guangxi cohort.
Conclusions
Based on PANoptosis-related genes, an integrated risk signature was constructed to provide a roadmap for patient stratification and predict HCC patient's prognosis. The patients with the higher PANRG-score showed a dismal survival and relatively low immune infiltration, but a potential better immunotherapy response.
Modeling and vibration feature analysis of a spur gear-bearing system with a misaligned shaft angle
Authors: Zhao Wei-qiang , Liu Jie , Zhao Wen-hui , Wang Hao , Yang Na
Published: March 2023

A gear-bearing dynamic model is presented to investigate the vibration features of the gear transmission system with a misaligned shaft angle. The time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS), time-varying pressure angle and eccentricity are considered in the model. In addition, a new expression of the load distribution function for the gear tooth is proposed to obtain accurate effects of the misaligned shaft angle on the TVMS. Based on the proposed model, the vibration of the system and the TVMS are solved jointly. This model is solved by the 4th Runge-Kutta, and the TVMS is calculated by the energy potential method where one mesh stiffness value is determined by each time-varying misaligned shaft angle. Effects of the misaligned shaft angle on the vibration features are analyzed by the time-domain, frequency-domain and statistical indicator features.
A Plasma Irradiation System Optimized for Space Weathering of Solar System Bodies
Authors: Kimura Tomoki , Otsuki Misako , Kitano Tomohiro , Hoshino Ryo , Nakauchi Yusuke , Haganuma Shunsuke , Haganuma Ryu , Haganuma Tetsuo , Tsuchiya Fuminori , Tamagawa Toru , Hayato Asami , Kimura Jun , Terada Naoki , Usui Hideyuki , Nishino Masaki N. , Yokota Shoichiro , Miyake Yohei
Published: March 2023

In the tenuous atmospheric bodies of our solar system, space weathering on the celestial surface is an important process for its chemical and physical evolution and ambient environment on timescales of celestial evolution. Space plasma is a dominant energy and material source for space weathering. Plasma irradiation experiment in the laboratory is an effective method for modeling long-term space weathering driven by space plasma. However, comprehensive modeling of plasma space weathering has not yet been conducted because the capabilities of the earlier facilities were not optimized for long-term space weathering; for example, the machine time and number flux of incident particles. Here, we developed a plasma irradiation system, Plasma Irradiation Emulator for Celestial Environments (PIECE) of the solar system bodies, which reproduces long-term plasma space weathering in tenuous atmospheric bodies by exclusive use. We successfully developed a system with high electron and ion number fluxes of ~1013 − 1016 particles cm-2s-1 at any acceleration energy in the range of 1–30 keV, which leads to the first-ever high fluence of ~1019 − 1022 particles cm-2s-1 with a 10-day irradiation time. This fluence corresponds to a plasma irradiation time of ~104–108 years on Europa.
Study on synthesis of Ursodeoxycholic Acid by reduction of 7-Ketolithcholic Acid in Double Aprotic Solvents and Molecular simulations
Authors: Dai Mohan , Xu Binpeng , Guo Qing , Wan Junfen , Cao Xuejun
Published: March 2023

Ursodeoxycholic acid is not only safer than chenodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, but also has a wide range of applications in Acute Kidney Injury and Parkinson's Disease.The purpose of this experiment is to improve the conversion rate of 7-ketocholic acid and the yield of ursodeoxycholic acid in Aprotic Solvents during electrochemical reduction process. Three aprotic solvents were investigated as electrolytes, 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone(DMI) has the stable five-membered ring structure, 7K-LCA has undergone two nucleophilic and "Walden" Inversion", the 7K-LCK was stereoselectively reduced to UDCA. hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) and 1,3-methyl-3,4,5,6- Tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (DMPU) can be attacked by chloride ions to produce by-products. Molecular simulation based on molecular orbital theory combines experiments to study reducibility of three aprotic solvents(hexamethylphosphoramide(HMPA), 1,3-methyl-3,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (DMPU), and 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone(DMI)). Choose the best solvent based on the simulation results, the electrolysis reaction can be carried out by applying current and voltage when lithium chloride is used as electrolytes. and the calculation using Materials studio showed that Cu, Pb, Hg-Cu, and Ni had the largest binding energy to the substrate in this system. Using Cu as the electrode when the solvent is a 1:1 mix of DMI and HMPA ,the conversion rate of 7-ketocholic acid could reach 98%,the yield of ursodeoxycholic acid was up to 80%. Under the same conditions, linear voltammetry was performed on the electrochemical workstation to study the electrolysis behavior, and the obtained results were consistent with the experiment.
Mass Media Impact on Opinion Evolution in Biased Digital Environments: a Bounded Confidence Model
Authors: Pansanella Valentina , Sirbu Alina , Kertész János , Rossetti Giulio
Published: March 2023

People increasingly shape their opinions by accessing and discussing content shared on social networking websites. These platforms contain a mixture of other users' shared opinions and content from mainstream media sources. While online social networks have fostered information access and diffusion, they also represent optimal environments for the proliferation of polluted information and contents, which are argued to be among the co-causes of polarization/radicalization phenomena. Moreover, recommendation algorithms - intended to enhance platform usage - likely augment such phenomena, generating the so-called Algorithmic Bias. In this work, we study the effects of the combination of social influence and mass media influence on the dynamics of opinion evolution in a biased online environment, using a recent bounded confidence opinion dynamics model with algorithmic bias as a baseline and adding the possibility to interact with one or more media outlets, modeled as stubborn agents. We analyzed four different media landscapes and found that an open-minded population is more easily manipulated by external propaganda - moderate or extremist - while remaining undecided in a more balanced information environment. By reinforcing users' biases, recommender systems appear to help avoid the complete manipulation of the population by external propaganda.
Evaluation of ERA5 and Dynamical Downscaling for Surface Energy Balance Modeling at Mountain Glaciers in Western Canada
Authors: Draeger Christina , Radic Valentina , White Rachel H. , Tessema Mekdes Ayalew
Published: March 2023

To project glacier melt in response to anthropogenic climate change, output from coarsely resolved global climate models needs to be downscaled to the local scale of glaciers. Due to the high computational cost of dynamical downscaling, statistical downscaling has been more commonly used in glacier studies despite yielding results with large uncertainties. Here we investigate the use of global reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5 and ERA5-Land reanalysis), with and without dynamical downscaling, for surface energy balance (SEB) modeling at four glaciers in Western Canada. We focus on the sites with available on-glacier meteorological measurements collected over different summer seasons from 2012 to 2019. We dynamically downscale ERA5 with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at 3.3 km and 1.1 km grid spacing. We find that the SEB model, forced separately with observations and reanalysis, yields <10 % difference in simulated seasonal melt. Relative to the observations, the reanalysis gives slightly overestimated incoming shortwave radiation and substantially underestimated wind speed, yielding underestimated turbulent heat fluxes. These biases, however, cancel each other out in the SEB model of seasonal melt. Downscaling with WRF improves the simulation of wind speed, while other meteorological variables show similar performance to the reanalysis without downscaling. The choice of WRF physics parameterization schemes is shown to have a relatively large impact on the simulations of SEB components, but a small impact on the modeled total melt energy over the observational periods. The similar performance of WRF and ERA5, as input to the SEB model at our glacier sites, gives confidence in using WRF for projections of glacier melt in this region.
Childhood glaucoma profile in a Southwestern Ethiopia tertiary care center: a retrospective study
Authors: Mulugeta Tarekegn , Gebremichael Guteta , Adugna Sufa
Published: March 2023

Background
Childhood glaucoma is a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. The profile of childhood glaucoma has not been well characterized in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, this study was designed to describe demographics, clinical features, and managements of childhood glaucoma.
Methods
This retrospective study included glaucoma patients below 18 years old who were diagnosed between September 2019 to August 2022. Childhood glaucoma diagnosis and classification was made as per the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network Classification (CGRN). The extracted patient data included were the following: age at presentation, sex, family history of childhood-onset glaucoma, consanguinity, type of glaucoma, laterality, examination findings (visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) at the baseline and final visits), and the treatment modalities instituted (types and number of medications and surgeries).
Results
A total of 105 children (181 eyes) were diagnosed with glaucoma. The most common type of childhood glaucoma was primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) constituting 42%, followed by glaucoma suspect 22.1% and juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) 15.5%. While the most common type of secondary glaucoma was steroid-induced glaucoma, followed by glaucoma following cataract surgery. Bilateral glaucoma was found in 72.4% of children. In both primary and secondary glaucoma, boys were affected more than girls, in ratio of 2:1 and 2.7:1, respectively. The mean age at presentation for patients with PCG was 2.7 years. Close to 93.4% of PCG eyes were managed surgically, of which majority underwent combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy (CTT). Most of secondary glaucoma cases were treated medically. Overall, 85.3% of eyes had successful control of IOP ≤ 21 mmHg.
Conclusion
PCG was the most common type of childhood glaucoma. One of a well-recognized challenge in developing countries, late presentation of patients with PCG, was also observed in our study. Which highlights, the need of improvement on access to eye-care service and the importance of awareness creation in the general population. While steroid-induced glaucoma was the most common type of secondary glaucoma; appropriate measures should be taken to prevent this preventable glaucoma. In addition, this study encourages the establishment of prospective studies and surgical trials in this field.
The expression and prognostic role of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 4 (S1PR4) as a biomarker in skin cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Wang Zi , Zhang Suyi , Zhang Guangzhong
Published: March 2023

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is one of the most lethal skin malignancies worldwide. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) regulates tumor cells through S1P receptors (S1PRs). Unlike S1PR1/2/3/5, whose anti-apoptotic effects have been widely studied, the regulatory effect of S1PR4 on tumors has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between S1PR4 expression and the survival, clinical manifestations, tumor microenvironment, and immune infiltration in patients with SKCM.
Results: Low S1PR4expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with SKCM. Patients in the high-expression group had significantly longer disease survival and progression-free survival than those in the low expression group.
Conclusion: High S1PR4expression was highly associated with better prognosis and milder clinical manifestations; thus, S1PR4 may be used as a prognostic marker to help physicians monitor patients with SKCM.
Uncovering Unique Screening Effects in 2D Perovskites: Implications for Exciton and Band Gap Engineering
Authors: Hansen Kameron , Wong Cindy , McClure C. Emma , Romrell Blake , Flannery Laura , Powell Daniel , Garden Kelsey , Berzansky Alex , Eggleston Michele , King Daniel , Shirley Carter , Beard Matthew , Nie Wanyi , Schleife Andre , Colton John , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa
Published: March 2023

Coulomb interactions govern most optoelectronic properties in semiconductors including bandgap, excitons, polaron formation, light absorption, interaction of carriers with defects, charge and energy transport. A clear signature of the strength of many-body Coulomb interactions is the exciton binding energy (Eb). As such, the importance of Eb is perhaps second only to the fundamental band gap (Eg) in understanding the physics and efficiency of low-dimensional semiconductors. However, despite their importance, Eg and Eb are difficult to measure. Here, by choosing 2D halide perovskites as the material and electroabsorption as the experimental probe, we measure Eg and Eb with a precision that is an order of magnitude better than typical methods. The Eb values are both lower than previous literature reports and lower than expected from standard theory. Using dielectric spectroscopy, density functional theory, and quantum mechanical modeling, we demonstrate these low Eb values are a consequence of unique screening effects, such as superlattice screening and phonon screening. We demonstrate a clear correlation between Eb and Eg and provide design principles in order to a priori tune Eg and Eb to their optimal values. As such, this work lays the blueprint for Eg-Eb engineering of low-dimensional semiconductors, as an even more useful replacement to simply band gap engineering.
An evaluation of statistical differential analysis methods in single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Li Dongmei , Zand Martin , Dye Timothy , Goniewicz Maciej , Rahman Irfan , Xie Zidian
Published: March 2023

Background: Single-cell RNA Sequencing is gaining popularity in recent years. Compared to bulk RNA-Seq, single-cell RNA Sequencing allows the gene expression being measured within individual cells instead of mean gene expression levels across all cells in the sample. Thus, cell-to-cell variation of gene expressions could be examined. Gene differential expression analysis remains the major purpose in most single-cell RNA sequencing experiments and many methods have been developed in recent years to conduct gene differential expression analysis for single-cell RNA sequencing data.
Results:Through simulation studies and real data examples, we evaluated the performance of five open-source popular methods used for gene differential expression analysis in single-cell RNA sequencing data. The five methods included DEsingle (Zero-inflated negative binomial model), Linnorm (Empirical Bayes method on transformed count data using the limma package), monocle (An approximate Chi-Square likelihood ratio test), MAST (A generalized linear hurdle model), and DESeq2 (A generalized linear model with empirical Bayes approach and also commonly used for bulk RNA sequencing differential express analyses). We assessed the false discovery rate (FDR) control, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve for all five methods under different sample sizes, distribution assumptions, and proportions of zeros in the data.
Conclusions: We found the MAST method performed the best among the five methods compared with the largest AUROC values across all tested sample sizes and different proportion of truly differential expressed genes, when the data followed negative binomial distributions. When the sample size increased to $100$ in each group, the MAST method showed the best performance with the highest AUROC regardless of the data distributions. If the excess zeros were first filtered out before the gene differential analyses, the DESingle, Linnorm, and DESeq2 performed relatively better than the MAST and the monocle methods with higher AUROC values.
Nonlinear dynamics of a piezoelectrically laminated initially curved microbeam resonator exposed to out-of-plane electrostatic actuation
Authors: Azizi Saber , Rashidi Zahra , Rahmani Omid
Published: March 2023

In this paper the nonlinear dynamics of a piezoelectrically sandwiched initially curved microbeam subjected to out-of-plane electrostatic actuation is investigated. The governing motion equation is derived by minimising the Hamiltonian over the time and discretised to a reduced order model using Galerkin technique. The modelling accounts for nonlinear fringing field and mid plane stretching effect which appears as quadratic and cubic nonlinearities in the motion equation. The electrostatic force is numerically computed using finite element simulation. The nonlinear dynamics of the microbeam in the vicinity of primary resonance is investigated and the bifurcation types are determined by investigating the location of the Floquet exponents and their configuration with respect to the unit circle on the complex plane. The branches on the frequency response curves which originate from the period doubling bifurcation points are introduced and the transition from period-1 to period-2 response is demonstrated by slight sweep of the excitation frequency over the time. The effect of DC and AC electrostatic excitation as well as the piezoelectric excitation on the response of the system are examined and their effect on the bifurcation types are determined. The force response curves assuming the AC voltage as the bifurcation parameter are also introduced; It is illustrated that in contrast with in-plane electrostatic excitation, in fringing field-based resonators the resonator is not limited by Pull-in instability which is substantially confining the amplitude of the motion in in-plane resonators.
Platoon dispersion model in the mixed traffic environment
Authors: Cheng Wei , Chen Ye-xiao
Published: March 2023

To describe the law of platoon dispersion in the mixed traffic environment and provide a theoretical basis for signal timing optimization in the mixed traffic environment. Based on Robertson’s platoon dispersion model, this paper fully considers the characteristics of non-mixed conditions, and models the platoon dispersion in non-mixed traffic environment. Firstly, considering the influence of the percentage of non-motor vehicles on the platoon dispersion, the functional relationship between the percentage of non-motor vehicles and the parameters of the platoon dispersion model is derived, and the parameters of the Robertson platoon dispersion model are calibrated. Secondly, through the measured data of Zitai Road in Kunming City, the required model parameters are calculated, and the arrival flow rate distribution downstream of the intersection is obtained. Finally, according to the measured data, the proposed model is compared with the classical Robertson model. The results show that compared with the Robertson model, the average prediction mean square error of the proposed model is reduced by 5.89%, which can better describe the dispersion law of the mixed traffic under the influence of different percentage of non-motorized vehicles.
Measurements of Data Analytics Capability Construct
Authors: Rahman Nayem
Published: March 2023

Big data analytics has emerged as an important area of research in the big data domain. However, big data analytics capability empirical investigations have been hindered by the lack of psychometrically sound measurement items and scales. This paper reports approaches to the development and validation of new multi-item measurement scales reflecting a construct called data analytics capability. Data analytics capability reflects an organization's expertise in developing and deploying resources, usually in combination, to achieve the desired new insights that have business implications. This data analytics capability competence is operationalized as a multidimensional construct reflected by measurement items. In the first stage of measure development, we review the prominent information systems journals. We develop the construct items most of which are new items. Then we use industry experts and academicians to score them on a one to five scale. We also asked them to propose any new items. Based on their evaluation and scoring we finalize four items for this construct. Our results demonstrate that a reduced set of measurement items have reasonable psychometric properties and, therefore, are useful inputs for multi-item measurement scale development. In the second stage of measurement development, we conduct a survey of big data users via two online user groups. We received 349 valid responses which are analyzed using SPSS and AMOS statistical software. We successfully performed construct reliability analysis. The construct developed in this research may be used to advance scholarly understanding and theory in the big data and data analytics field.
Evaluation of the Relationship of Sleep Disturbances to Severity and Common Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Miner Stacy , McVoy Molly , Damato Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most puzzling disorders of childhood. Recent research of comorbidities that accompany ASD and are commonly attributed to the diagnosis, indicate that they may contribute to the severity of behavioral symptoms of the disorder.
Disturbed sleep in all children can decrease cognition, decrease focus, increase performance problems, and alter mood and behavior. Children with ASD experience an increased sensitivity to disturbed sleep that may increase the severity of the disorder. Disturbed sleep patterns, such as increased sleep latency, nighttime waking and early arousal, have been identified in up to 80% of children with ASD. This study explored the relationship of disturbed sleep and the severity of the core ASD symptoms.
Methods: Actigraphy and an accompanying sleep diary captured disturbed sleep patterns in 24 children, ages 6-12, with ASD. Participants wore a GT3X actigraphy monitor for 7 nights to collect data on patterns of disturbed sleep. Parents completed a sleep diary and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) questionnaire.
A descriptive analysis was used to report the characteristics of nighttime sleep and sleep efficiency as well as sleep disturbances. Pearson’s r determined the relationships between the number of sleep disturbances and the severity of ASD behavioral scores and diagnostic severity (determined by the ASRS).
Results: Of the 24 study participants, almost 92% had one or more sleep disturbances. A positive correlation was present between the number of sleep disturbances and the severity of delays in social and communication symptoms. A moderate effect size was found between the number of sleep disturbances and unusual behaviors in ASD suggests a possible, unanticipated, inverse relationship.
Conclusions: Exploring the relationship of disturbed sleep to behavior and symptom severity in children with ASD can provide an understanding of how poor sleep influences ASD symptoms. This study identified distinct differences in ASD symptom severity between and within individual participants and found unique, and unexpected, symptom patterns. This finding supports the need, in research and treatment, to identify comorbidities and symptoms that contribute to individual behavioral profiles and phenotypes of the disorder.
Weekly change in serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin, estradiol, and progesterone levels for pregnancy assessment in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Su Ruide , Wang Yan , Lu Ye , Lin Bizhu , An Jian
Published: March 2023

Objective
To investigate the efficacy of weekly changes in β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (Prog) levels for pregnancy assessment in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage.
Methods
We included 140 patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage whose serum β-hCG, E2, and Prog levels were measured three or more times within early pregnancy. The weekly change in serum β-hCG, E2, and Prog levels (Δβ-hCG, ΔE2, and ΔProg) was calculated according to the following formula: [(serum level at third visit) - (serum level at initial visit)]/interval days×7. Participants were divided into two groups according to pregnancy outcomes, which were determined as ongoing pregnancy or miscarriage, at the 20th week of gestation. The Δβ-hCG, ΔE2, and ΔProg levels of the two groups were compared, and the cutoff values of Δβ-hCG, ΔE2, and ΔProg were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses for predicting pregnancy outcome.
Results
Serum levels of Δβ-hCG identified ongoing pregnancy or miscarriage with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.841 (95% CI 0.769–0.914), diagnostic cutoff value of 30,632.855 mIU/ml, sensitivity of 0.971, and specificity of 0.642. ΔE2 levels had an AUC of 0.839 (95% CI 0.752–0.926), cutoff value of 45.055 pg/ml, sensitivity of 0.706, and specificity of 0.915.
Conclusion
Higher increases in the serum levels of Δβ-hCG and ΔE2 are associated with favorable pregnancy outcomes. Weekly remeasurement of serum β-hCG and E2 may be useful for pregnancy risk assessment in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage throughout clinical practice.