bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contemporary Comparative Surgical Outcomes of Type A Aortic Dissection in US and China: an Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample Database and a Chinese Multi-Institutional Registry
Authors: Jiang Feng , Su Cunhua , Carmichael Michael , Chen Yanfei , Huang Ruijian , Xiao Yue , Chen Xin , Zhou Jifang
Published: March 2024

Background: To investigate the contemporary comparative inpatient prognosis among US and Chinese patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD).
Methods: Data from Chinese multi-institutional TAAD registry and the US National Inpatient Sample databases were analyzed. We used multivariable logistic regression models to compare in-hospital mortality and perioperative complication rates between the US and China. Length of stay and overall costs were fitted with quantile regression models. Independent prognostic factors associated with post-operative survival were assessed via Cox proportional hazards models.
Results: Among 3,121 eligible TAAD patients, 1,073 were from China (25.0% female; mean ± SD age, 53.9±12.4) and 2,048 were from the US (31.2% female; mean ± SE age, 59.8 ± 0.3). During the study period, the in-hospital mortality rates in China and the US were 15.5% and 13.3%, yet the difference was insignificant after adjustment (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.69-1.97). While there was no significant difference in overall perioperative complications (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.52-2.18), the patterns of complications differed between two cohorts. While Chinese TAAD patients experienced significantly longer duration of hospitalization (median difference, +10.4 days; 95% CI, 9.2-11.5), the US TAAD cohort had significantly greater overall hospitalization costs (49.9; 95% CI, 55.4-44.5, in 1000 USD).
Conclusions: Notwithstanding significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, TAAD patients from China and the US demonstrated comparable in-hospital mortality and overall perioperative complication rates. Future initiatives should focus on expanding surgical eligibility to the elderly Chinese TAAD patients and optimizing the duration of hospitalization without undermining meaningful clinical outcomes.
Trial registration: KY20220425-05, April 5th 25 2022
Diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic lesions of the ureter in patients undergoing pelvic surgery in Yaoundé, a 10-year multi-institutional review
Authors: Mbouche Landry Oriole , Mbassi Achille Aurèle , Ngwa Titus Ebogo Tagang , Nditachi Fideline Sefeh-Longka , Ngallé Frantz Guy Epoupa , KAMGA Justin , Tamufor Emmanuel Njuma , Fouda Pierre Joseph , Foumane Pascal , III Fru Angwafo
Published: March 2024

Background
Most ureteral lesions are iatrogenic, secondary to operative trauma. Iatrogenic ureteral lesions result from abdominopelvic surgery. The challenge is to diagnose them as early as possible so as to provide appropriate ureteral reconstruction early. The aim of this study was to summarize the etiologies, clinical features and general management of iatrogenic ureteral injury in a resource limited context of a low-income country.
Patients and methods
We carried out a multicentric study and reviewed all patients with iatrogenic ureteral lesions in three referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon, over a ten-year period.
Results
Overall, we recorded 52 cases of iatrogenic ureteral injuries out of 19053 pelvic surgeries performed during the study period, giving a rate of 0.27%. We finally included 38 cases. The average number of iatrogenic ureter lesions per year was 3.45 cases. The mean age was 46 ± 10.7 years, all female. Hysterectomy was responsible for 29 (76.3%) of the ureteral injuries. The majority, 34 of the 38 (89.47%) cases, were diagnosed post-operatively. The most frequent symptoms were flank pain and vaginal urine leakage in 18 (47.4%) and 13 (34.2%) cases respectively. The most common imaging procedure was ultrasound showing dilation of the right ureter in 21 (55.2%) cases. Ureteral injuries were found to be located mostly at the right distal segment and the mid ureter with a frequency of 30 (78%) and 8 (22%) respectively. All the patients underwent open surgical treatment including ureteroneocystostomy, uretero-ureterostomy, Boari flap reconstructions and nephrectomy. We found that 74% (n = 28) of participants had a favorable outcome and 26.3% (n = 10) developed postoperative complications.
Conclusion
In our setting, iatrogenic ureteral lesions are not uncommon in women undergoing pelvic surgery. In the absence of a high index of suspicion, diagnosis is delayed. Abdominal pelvic ultrasound usually shows the affected side. Ureteroneocystomy is commonly performed, with both minor and major complications.
A Subgradient Projection Method for Quasiconvex Minimization
Authors: Lara Felipe , Marcavillaca Raúl , Choque Juan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a subgradient projection method for quasiconvex minimization problems is provided. By using strong subdifferentials, it is proved that the generated sequence of the proposed algorithm converges to the solution of the minimization problem of a proper, lower semicontinuous and strongly quasiconvex function (in the sense of Polyak [18]) under the same assumptions than for convex functions with the convex subdifferential. Furthermore, a quasi-linear convergence rate of the iterates, which extends similar results for the general quasiconvex case, is also provided.
The Oncogenic and Prognostic Significance of NSUN5 in Pan-Cancer and Its Potential roles in Clear Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: CHAN HUANG , Luo Mu-Yang , Wen Neng-Qiao , Chen Yu-Man , Zhang Li-Zhen , Cao Yun
Published: March 2024

Background: NSUN5, belonging to the NOL1/NOP2/SUN domain (NSUN) family, is implicated in RNA stabilization and widely expressed in different tumor types. Nevertheless, its precise role in pan-cancer, particularly its involvement in immunotherapy, remains poorly understood.
Methods: The publicly available databases and the vitro experiments were used to investigate the roles of NSUN5 in human tumors. CellMiner database and Checkmate-025 cohort analyzed the sensitivity of NSUN5 with various drugs, particularly in PD-1 inhibitor. Subsequently, we constructed models to predict prognosis based on the expression of NSUN5 in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), glioma (GBM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) cohorts. We further investigate the association between NSUN5 expression levels and immune cell infiltration. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to identify the potential pathways with NSUN5 expression.
Results: Differential analysis revealed that 18 types of tumors expressed NSUN5 to a greater extent than normal tissues. An easy-to use nomogram based on NSUN5 and several clinicopathological factors can excellently predict the prognosis of patients with GBM, KIRC, and LIHC. In addition, NSUN5 over-expression was positively correlated with exhausted CD8+ T cells and Tregs. Particularly, KIRC patients with heightened NSUN5 expression who underwent PD-1 inhibitor exhibited a poorer prognosis. In vitro results showed that NSUN5 down-expression promoted tumor cell senescence while hindered cell proliferation and migration.
Conclusion: These findings inferred that NSUN5 acts as a prognostic factor to predict the OS in multiple types of tumors and implied the importance of developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies.
Spectral and Timing Calibration of eXTP-SFA Engineering Model in 100XF
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Li Wei , Luo Laidan , Hou Dongjie , Zhu Yuxuan , Meng Bin , Zhao Zijian , Xie Dong , Yang Xiongtao , Yang Yanji , Wang Yusa , Xu YuPeng
Published: March 2024

The spectroscopy focusing array is one of the four main scientific instruments of the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission, tasked with spectral and timing observation in the energy range 0.5-10 keV. An engineering model of the spectroscopy focusing array with a 4 mirror shells assembly and a focal plane detector using commercial detectors has now been developed. To evaluate the performance, the spectral and timing calibration of the engineering model has been held in the 100-m X-ray Test Facility. A multi-target X-ray source with multiple emission lines is used to calibrate the spectral performance. A timing X-ray source based on a grid controlled X-ray tube has been utilized for the timing calibration. The timing X-ray source can generate X-ray pulses to measure the response time distribution, and can also simulate the pulsar lightcurves to examine the detection ability for pulsars. The energy-channel relation and energy resolution are determined through spectral calibration. The energy resolution at 5.95 keV is 142 eV, now. According to the timing calibration, the mean response time of the engineering model is 1.55 μs, the full width at half maximum of the response time distribution is 0.45 μs, and the engineering model has sufficientability to detect the profile of millisecond pulsars.
30-Day Readmissions and the Need for Emergent Surgery Following Nonoperative Management of Perforated Diverticulitis
Authors: Gazzetta Joshua , Fesmire Alyssa , Orjionwe Rita , Benedict Leo Andrew , Nix Sean
Published: March 2024

Background
Limited data is available on the evaluation of patients with perforated diverticulitis who were managed without surgery and their outcomes.
Aims
This retrospective review was aimed at investigating the 30-day non-elective readmission rates for patients hospitalized with perforated diverticular disease who were managed without surgery, rates of patients requiring surgery on readmission and the independent predictors of readmission.
Methods
A total of 143, 546 patients from the National Readmission Database between 2016 to 2020 who were admitted with perforated diverticulitis and managed nonoperatively were reviewed. Readmitted patients were compared to those not readmitted. Comparisons for continuous and categorical variables were made using the student t-test and chi-squared test, respectively. A logistic regression model was used to determine independent factors associated with readmission. All analysis were done with SAS 9.4; P values < 0.05 identified significance.
Results
Among patients with perforated diverticulitis who were managed non-operatively, 17,868 (12.4%) were readmitted within 30 days and 4,924 (27.6%) of patients readmitted required surgical intervention. The greatest independent predictors of readmission include: patient insurance status, index length of stay, and patient disposition. Comorbidities predicting readmission include renal failure, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and hypertension. Hospital total charges were higher at the index admission for patients requiring readmission.
Conclusion
Nonoperative management of perforated diverticulitis is safe for many patients but the risks for readmission and subsequent need for emergent surgery require special consideration.
“Challenge” or “Hindrance”? The Effect of Leader–Member Exchange on Employee Resilience in Public Sector Organizations
Authors: ZHU Yan-Han , YUAN Yue
Published: March 2024

Background: In complex, volatile, and uncertain societies, employee resilience is crucial for public sector organizations to navigate crises and maintain steady growth.
Methods: Whether and how leader-member exchange (LMX) influence employee resilience? The present study offers an answer to this question through a multi-method (field and experiment) research conducted with a sample of public sector organizations’ members in China. Study 1 conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to review the available evidence and assess the influence of LMX on employee resilience. Subsequently, Study 2 conducted a questionnaire survey of 118 members in public sector organizations to investigate the practical impact of LMX on employee resilience. Finally, Study 3 used a scenario-based simulation experiment to manipulate the quality of LMX and to explore the mediating role of stress appraisals.
Results:The meta-analysis conducted in Study 1, which included 42 independently extracted samples from 36 studies, explored the importance and scarcity of existing research on the influence of LMX on employee resilience in public sector organizations through two important aspects of leadership and interpersonal relationships inherent in LMX. Study 2, a questionnaire survey, showed that LMX has a significant direct positive effect on employee resilience. Furthermore, using an experimental design, Study 3 revealed that stress appraisals, both challenge and hindrance appraisals, play a mediating role in the relationship between LMX and employee resilience.
Conclusions: The present research revealed that LMX has a significant and positive effect on employee resilience; challenge and hindrance appraisals significantly mediate the relationship between LMX and employee resilience. These findings have practical implications for individuals and organizations from a pragmatic perspective.
Testing the Psychometric Properties of the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale: A Lethality Measure for Suicide Attempts
Authors: Stangeland Tormod , Hanssen-Bauer Ketil , Siqveland Johan
Published: March 2024

Health personnel often make inconsistent assessments and unclear reports about suicide attempts, in part because they lack a common standard for assessing lethality. We argue that the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS) may help in resolving this problem. It is a measure based on observable indications of the medical danger of a suicide attempt and of the patient’s efforts to avoid or achieve rescue. The instrument is a clinician-rated supplement to self-reports and can be administered in a few minutes and learned in a single brief teaching session. We adapted the RRRS for contemporary use in a Norwegian acute adolescent mental health service clinic. We developed a training program for clinicians, a user manual, and a series of five video-based role-played interview cases for reliability testing. In this study, we recruited 28 clinicians with professional backgrounds typical of Norwegian mental health personnel. They rated five role-played video interviews using the RRRS and the well-established interview instrument the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) and obtained 140 sets of scores. We estimated the interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) to be .93 for the RRRS and .94 for the SIS, both excellent levels. Correlation was .80 between the RRRS and SIS items that were similar to the RRRS and .53 for SIS items measuring other topics, indicating good concurrent and discriminant validity. Adopting a common standard for communicating about suicide attempts would greatly improve clinical practice, and the RRRS may prove to be a reliable and practical candidate for this task.
Comparison of fecal microbiota of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) inhabiting coastal and inland environment
Authors: Zhang Minghui , He Yaoyin , Yang Gang , Lu Zhou , Yu Lijiang
Published: March 2024

Background
The digestive tract of birds contains diverse microbiota that are essential for their health and survival, and these gut microbiota are influenced by a variety of factors. To compare the diversity in fecal microbiota of the same bird species in different environments, this paper collected feces of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and environmental (soil and water) samples from coastal salt water and inland freshwater areas to explore how fecal microbiota responds to different environments using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing methods.
Results
The main fecal microbiota from two sampling sites were similar at the phylum level. In terms of genus level, the dominant genera in feces from salt-water habitats (SWF) were Escherichia-Shigella (14.448%), Enterococcus (10.064%), Vibrio (7.812%), whereas there were Sporosarcina (18.241%), Citrobacter (11.987%), Acinetobacter (6.201%), Kurthia (5.725%) in feces from freshwater habitats (FWF). A few ASVs were sharedamong the egrets and the environmental samples in the two regions. The fecal microbiota between the two sampling sites showed no significant differences in α-diversity and were significant in β-diversity; there were no significant differences between the environmental microbiota diversity of the two sites. In contrast, most of the parameters reflecting α-diversity and β-diversity were shown to be significantly different between the fecal and environmental microbiota. In composition of microbiota function, the fecal microbiota of little egret and the environment microbiota were similar in relative abundances in the proportion of kegg level 1 functional pathways. But there were significant differences in some level 2 and level 3 functional pathways between the egrets from two habitats. Moreover, a portion of ASVs classified as opportunistic pathogens were detected in the feces of the egrets.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that there are differences in the fecal microbiota of the little egrets in different environments, and the differences are less affected by soil and water. Considering that Vibrio which was more common in the guts of marine fish, it is hypothesized that regional differences in fecal microbiota composition are related to changes in food types.
Under recognized yet a clinically relevant impact of aneurysm location in Distal Anterior Cerebral Artery (DACA) aneurysms: insights from a contemporary surgical experience
Authors: Haldar Abhishek , Das Kuntal Kanti , Kanjilal Soumen , Bhaisora Kamlesh Singh , Kumar Ashutosh , Verma Pawan Kumar , Maurya Ved Prakash , Mehrotra Anant , Srivast Arun Kumar , Jaiswal Awadhesh Kumar
Published: March 2024

Background
Aneurysms of the distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) are rare but challenging. Even though it is known that aneurysm location on the DACA territory has treatment considerations, the literature is unclear about its clinical and prognostic role.
Material and methods
Our surgical experience over the last 5 years were reviewed to compare the clinical, operative, and outcome characteristics between aneurysms located below the mid portion of the genu of the corpus callosum (called proximal aneurysms) to those distal to this point (called distal aneurysms). A prognostic factor analysis was done using uni and multivariate analysis.
Results
A total of 34 patients were treated (M:F = 1:2.3). The distal group significantly showed poor clinical grade at presentation (n = 9, 47.4%) in contrast to (n = 2, 13.3%) proximal aneurysms (p = 0.039). Despite an overall tendency for a delayed functional improvement in these patients, the results were mainly due to favorable outcomes in the proximal group (favourable functional outcomes at discharge and at last follow-up being 80% and 86.7% respectively). On multivariate analysis, only WFNS grade (> 2) at presentation (OR = 13.75; 95CI = 1.2–157.7) (p = 0.035) and application of temporary clips (AOR = 34.32; 95CI = 2.59–454.1) (p = 0.007), both of which were more in the distal group, independently predicted a poor long term functional outcome.
Conclusion
Aneurysm location impacts preoperative clinical grade and affects intraoperative aneurysm rupture risk rate as well as temporary clipping requirement. The combination of these leads to worse short and long-term functional outcomes in distal DACA aneurysms.
The role of community-based health workers in disease surveillance of potential epidemics: A case study from Burkina Faso
Authors: Sanou H. , Korbéogo G. , Meyrowitsch D. W. , Samuelsen H.
Published: March 2024

Background:In 2016, Burkina Faso (BF) adopted a new model for community-based participation in disease surveillance by appointing two community-based health workers (CBHWs) in each village. The overall aim of this study was to explore the contributions of CBHWs to the response to infectious disease outbreaks and their experiences related to the strenghtening of the national community health system.
Methods:The study was conducted in Dandé health district in the south-western part of BF. Based on qualitative methods, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with CBHWs (n=15), local authorities (n=7), and health professionals (n=25), as well as through observations of the CBHWs’ working conditions. Content qualitative analysis was performed by using the Voluntary Function Inventory approch.
Results:The findings suggest that the roles of CBHWs are not restricted to awareness and monitoring of the risks of epidemic disease occurrence. In addition to the expected contributions to disease surveillance, the findings point out their general support the day-to-day activities of health centers. However, our analysis of their experiences suggests that the existing community health strategy presents difficulties regarding capacity building and their working conditions (monthly report sheets, financial incentives, etc.). Participants (CBHWs, ICPs) expected that the status (salaries, recognition, work responsibilities) of CBHWs to be improved considering their key role in strengthening the national community surveillance system, although this was not the case in the district of Dandé.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that there is a need to develop an operational plan, which clearly defines the responsibilities and the intervention fields of CBHWs, and provides the necessary resources for monitoring the work of CBHWs.
No single treatment modality exhibits clear superiority for Infantile Spasms Syndrome: insights from a retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Laurijssen Loes , Jansen Katrien , Lagae Lieven
Published: March 2024

Background: Infantile spasms syndrome is a severe form of infantile epilepsy. It is commonly treated with hormonal therapies or vigabatrin, either alone or in combination. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of these treatment modalities and explore associations with aetiology, and pre-existing developmental delay.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with and treated for infantile spasms syndrome at the University Hospital of Leuven between 1 January 2018 and 23 November 2022, were identified. Retrospective clinical data were analysed descriptively. Short-term and long-term outcomes determined the efficacy of the current treatments, with seizure freedom and sustained normal development at 6 and 12 months after treatment initiation as primary treatment goals.
Results: The study included 26 patients. No single treatment modality demonstrated clear superiority in terms of both short-term and long-term outcomes. Patients with unknown aetiology showed better developmental outcomes after 12 months than those with proven aetiology (30.77% with normal development versus 7.69%.) Another clear difference in treatment efficacy emerged between patients with and without pre-existing developmental issues, with only 6.67% achieving normal development after 12 months compared to 36.36%, respectively.
Conclusion: No single treatment modality demonstrated clear superiority. Associations were found between treatment efficacy and aetiology as well as pre-existing developmental delay, suggesting these as potential prognostic indicators.
Politicians Avoid Tax Increases Around Elections
Authors: Chang Andrew C. , Cohen Linda R. , Glazer Amihai , Paul Urbashee
Published: March 2024

We examine whether politicians avoid tax increases in election years. Using a pre-analysis plan and new data that distinguish between when taxes are legislated and when they come into force, we find that in an election year implemented gasoline and corporate income tax changes are smaller and enacted tax increases are less likely. We do not find evidence that these election effects depend on other political, demographic, or macroeconomic conditions, or on changes in overall legislative output in election years. These effects are stronger for gasoline taxes, consistent with a legislative response to the high political salience of gasoline taxes.
JEL Codes: D72; D78; H24; H71; K34; P16
Photonic probabilistic machine learning using quantum vacuum noise
Authors: Choi Seou , Salamin Yannick , Roques-Carmes Charles , Dangovski Rumen , Luo Di , Chen Zhuo , Horodynski Michael , Sloan Jamison , Uddin Shiekh , Soljačić Marin
Published: March 2024

Probabilistic machine learning utilizes controllable sources of randomness to encode uncertainty and enable statistical modeling. Harnessing the pure randomness of quantum vacuum noise, which stems from fluctuating electromagnetic fields, has shown promise for high speed and energy-efficient stochastic photonic elements. Nevertheless, photonic computing hardware which can control these stochastic elements to program probabilistic machine learning algorithms has been limited. Here, we implement a photonic probabilistic computer consisting of a controllable stochastic photonic element – a photonic probabilistic neuron (PPN). Our PPN is implemented in a bistable optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with vacuum-level injected bias fields. We then program a measurement-and-feedback loop for time-multiplexed PPNs with electronic processors (FPGA or GPU) to solve certain probabilistic machine learning tasks. We showcase probabilistic inference and image generation of MNIST-handwritten digits, which are representative examples of discriminative and generative models. In both implementations, quantum vacuum noise is used as a random seed to encode classification uncertainty or probabilistic generation of samples. In addition, we propose a path towards an all-optical probabilistic computing platform, with an estimated sampling rate of ~ 1 Gbps and energy consumption of ~ 5 fJ/MAC. Our work paves the way for scalable, ultrafast, and energy-efficient probabilistic machine learning hardware.
Among Men, Testosterone Levels Associated with Increased Risk of IBD: a Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Chen Dan-na , Zhou Yi-jing , Lu Yu-xuan , Xie Jun-bo , Qiu Yu-qi , Wang Li-qun , Zou Xin , Dai Shi-xue , Zhu Chang-dong
Published: March 2024

Introduction
Although observational studies have shown an association between testosterone (T) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the correlation remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential causal relationship between T and IBD among men.
Methods
We utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between testosterone and IBD among men using SNPs as genetic instrumental variables for exposure and outcome. The two-sample Mendelian randomization methods we used included inverse variance weighted (IVW) and MR‒Egger regression. Odds ratios (ORs) were applied to evaluate the results.
Results
A total of 112 SNPs were included in the MR study. The causal relationship between exposure factors and outcomes was derived using the two-sample Mendelian randomization method. The results of MR analysis demonstrated that testosterone among men was associated with an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (β=0.146 [OR 1.157 95% CI 1.102, 2.568], p=0.022, IVW), and MR‒Egger tests also supported this conclusion. (0.196[1.218 0.968, 1.534]0.095) The Cochran Q tests indicated that there was heterogeneity but not horizontal pleiotropy of SNPs, so we believe that the results remain robust.
Conclusion
This MR analysis provided evidence that testosterone was causally responsible for IBD among men, indicating that heterogeneous therapeutic measurements should be taken between male and female.
Blockchain-based 6G Task Offloading and Cooperative Computing Resource Allocation Study*
Authors: Tian Shujie , Zhang Yuexia , Bi Yanxian , Yuan Taifu
Published: March 2024

In the upcoming era of 6G, the accelerated development of the Internet of Everything and high-speed communication is poised to provide people with an efficient and intelligent life experience. However, the exponential growth in data traffic is expected to pose substantial task processing challenges. Relying solely on the computational resources of individual devices may struggle to meet the demand for low latency. Additionally, the lack of trust between different devices poses a limitation to the development of 6G networks. In response to this issue, this study proposes a blockchain-based 6G task offloading and collaborative computational resource allocation (CERMTOB) algorithm. The proposed first designs a blockchain-based 6G cloud-network-edge collaborative task offloading model. It incorporates a blockchain network on the edge layer to improve trust between terminals and blockchain nodes. Subsequently, the optimization objective is established to minimize the total latency of offloading, computation, and blockchain consensus. The optimal offloading scheme is determined using the wolf fish collaborative search algorithm(WF-CSA) to minimize the total delay. The simulation results demonstrate that the WF-CSA algorithm achieves a remarkable reduction in total delay, with improvements of up to 42.58% compared to both the fish swarm algorithm and the wolf pack algorithm. Furthermore, the introduction of blockchain to the cloud-side-end offloading system improves the communication success rate by a maximum of 14.93% compared to the blockchain-free system.
Artificial intelligence modeling for power system planning
Authors: Knežević Sonja , Žarković Mileta
Published: March 2024

This paper presents artificial neural network (ANN) models for prediction of energy consumption compared with autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modeland adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models for thermal power plant production, hydro power plant production as well as CO2 emission.These models were developed to streamline power systems planning and minimize errors in planning. The model's accurate functionality is ensured by incorporating the collective expertise of power system planning professionals accumulated over the years. By adhering to these calculations, human errors are eliminated, the benefits of human knowledge are maximized, and a precise framework is established for planning the functionality of large power systems. ANN model for prediction were compared with autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Prediction of power plants production is an effective way to organize power systems for future time intervals so there will be less problems in the growing complexity of power systems. These are problems with a great number of data whose connections are not easy to define. In this paper the solution is presented in the form of ANNas part of supervised machine learning (SML) and ANFISmethodology. Calculations with ANN model was done simultaneously with standard forecasting ARIMA model in order to facilitate a comparison. Databases that are used for training ANN, ANFIS and ARIMA models contain hours of yearly data from Serbian power systems that are related to production of different energy sources, energy consumption and parameters that influence them. Trained ANN models are used to predict energy consumption and ANFIS models are used for prediction of energy production from different energy sources and CO2 emission on yearly or daily basis. Considering the existence of great numbers of data from previous years from which experts made conclusions for production scheduling this data is used to train ANFIS models that will help experts in optimal production scheduling. Using models like these human errors would be minimized and planning will be optimized and improved for experts.
A comparative study on the clinical efficacy of inflatable mediastinoscopy syncrhonized laparoscopic esophagectomy with McKeown's technique
Authors: Wei Hai-Tao , Liu Yang-Yang , Wang Meng-Yao , Zhang Hai-Feng , Hu Bao-Li , Zhang Dong-Hong , Wang Xiao-Long , Fan Lin-Lin , Kang Xia , Li Li
Published: March 2024

Background: Inflatable mediastinoscopy synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy is not widely used domestically and internationally. In order to explore the technological innovation and application effects of inflatable mediastinoscopy synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy, our team summarizes our surgical experience and hopes to further promote its application in clinical practice.
Objective: To explore the technical innovation and application effect of inflatable mediastinoscope synchronous laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer.
Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 120 patients with esophageal cancer admitted by the same surgical team were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 64 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group with inflatable mediastinoscopy and the conventional group with McKeown (control group). Preoperative baseline data, perioperative index, postoperative index, near and long term survival rate and other indexes of patients in 2 groups were recorded, and statistical analysis was performed.
Results: The operation was completed successfully in both groups. In the experimental group, the operation time was (116.26±43.34) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (33.28±19.78) ml, the lymph nodes were removed (32.77±2.23), and the hospital stay was (9.62±3.33) d. Esophagogastric anastomotic leakage occurred in 2 cases, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in 1 case and chylous leakage in 1 case. All 120 patients were followed up until December 2023. None of the 120 cases had tumor recurrence and metastasis, and no death.
Conclusion: Synchronous laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer with inflatable mediastinoscope has no postoperative chest complications, shorter operation time, less pain and faster recovery. It can be used as a new supplement to the mainstream McKeown surgery for radical resection of esophageal cancer, and has a good development prospect. It is recommended to actively promote its application in clinical practice.
An improved SR-LSTM network for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter signals discrimination
Authors: Wang Jibin , Guo Xingtian
Published: March 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are the most common and easily confused arrhythmias. However, the existing AF and AFL detection approaches depend on visual examination of electrocardiogram (ECG), which is taxing and time-consuming. Motivated by state refinement module for LSTM (SR-LSTM), we investigate an improved SR-LSTM (ISR-LSTM) that is capable of adaptively refining the current states of sample points in ECG leveraging a sample point-wise attention and a representation gate mechanism for automated AF and AFL signals detection. To confirm the effectiveness, we conducted ablation experiments across two public databases. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of ISR-LSTM while achieving a significant improvement than state-of-the-art algorithms with an accuracy of 99.2% and 98.5%. To our knowledge, ISR-LSTM is the first work that integrates the interaction in ECG into deep network frame providing interpretability.
On the linear stability and super convergence of multi step collocation solutions for functional Volterra integral equations
Authors: Darania Parviz , Sotoudehmaram Fatemeh
Published: March 2024

This paper expands on a topic that was explored in recent research by P. Darania et al. (2020), in which the multi-step collocation method (MSCM) has been studied for solving FIEs along with their convergence analysis. This study focuses on the analysis of the linear stability and super-convergence of MSCM for a general form of delay function Θ(t), which includes discontinuity points where the solutions exhibit low regularity. In addition, we present the stability region and the super-convergence order with various examples, thereby demonstrating the accuracy and efficiency of this method. Moreover, the super-convergence and stability regions of the MSCM for FIEs with delay, Θ(t) = t − τ , that do not exhibit any points of discontinuity have been investigated in [4]. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 45G05; 45D05; 65L05; 65L20.
Human pan-cancer analysis of the predictive biomarker for the CDKN3
Authors: Chen Yingjun , Li Dai , Sha Kaihui , Zhang Xuezhong , Liu Tonggang
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND
Cell cycle protein-dependent kinase inhibitor protein 3 (CDKN3) is a member of the protein kinase family and has been shown to be oncogenic in several tumors. However, there are no pan-carcinogenic analyses for CDKN3.
METHODS
Using bioinformatics tools such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the UCSC Xena database, we performed a pan-cancer analysis of CDKN3. We investigated the function of CDKN3 in 33 different kinds of tumor. And we explored the gene expression, survival prognosis status, clinical significance,DNA methylation, immune infiltration, and associated signal pathways of CDKN3.
RESULTS
CDKN3 was significantly upregulated in most of tumors and correlated with overall survival (OS) of patients. Methylation levels of CDKN3 differed significantly between tumors and normal tissues. In addition, infiltration of CD4 + T cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and endothelial cells were associated with CDKN3 expression in various tumors. Mechanistically, CDKN3 was associated with P53, PI3K-AKT, cell cycle checkpoints, mitotic spindle checkpoint, and chromosome maintenance.
CONCLUSION
Our pan-cancer analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of CDKN3 gene in tumorigenesis. Targeting CDKN3 may provide a new direction for future tumor therapy.
Analysis Of Factors Affecting the Import Demand for Wheat and Corn in Türkiye Using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Method
Authors: merdan kurtuluş , çomaklı şafak
Published: March 2024

Wheat is the raw material of bread and the essential nutrient for continuity of human life. When there is a decrease in wheat production both in the world and in Türkiye, it affects the prices of not only bread but also food products made from flour, and the impact is directly reflected in society. In this context, it is strategically important for all countries to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of wheat products in their stocks. Corn also has a wide range of use after wheat and barley. Corn is an important plant used in both human nutrition and as animal feed. Since the physical structure of the production areas is not suitable for increasing corn production, the volume of corn production in Türkiye fails to meet the amount of consumption. Factors such as drought, the decrease in yield values, the war between Ukraine and Russia, and the economic collapse caused by COVID-19 in recent years have increased the demand for durable dry food products such as wheat and corn. Excessive demand for grain products has caused a record-breaking increase in wheat and corn prices.
This study analyzed the factors affecting the import demand for wheat and corn in Türkiye between 2006-2021 with the "Seemingly Unrelated Regressions" method. Only the one-year delayed value of wheat imports, which is one of the explanatory variables in the wheat import model, was found to be significant, according to the study's findings. The wheat import model's variables of per capita national income, wheat import price, total wheat consumption, and the one-year delayed value of wheat production were found to have no momentous effect on the amount of wheat imported. In terms of factors influencing corn import demand, similar results were obtained. Only total corn consumption was found to be statistically noteworthy among the explanatory variables in the corn import model. In the corn import model, it was determined that the variables per capita income, corn import price, one-year delayed value of corn production, and one-year delayed value of corn imports did not remarkably affect the volume of corn imports. Based on these findings, wheat imports are influenced by changes in wheat imports from a year ago, while corn imports are influenced by changes in total corn consumption.
JEL Sınıflandırması: Q10, Q17, Q19
Comparison of Perioperative and Functional Outcomes Between Improved (port-free) single-site robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and Standard multi-port Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy:A Prospective, Controlled, Nonrandomised Trial
Authors: Fan Shida , Chen Zhengjun , Zhou Fang , Lv Qian , Wang Dong , Ren Shangqing , Tian Xuemei
Published: March 2024

Purpose
To compare perioperative and functional outcomes between Improved (port-free) single-site robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(pf-ssRARP) and Standard multi-port Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy༈MPRARP༉.
Methods
A total of 372 consecutive patients underwent RARAP using the da Vinci Si® robotic surgical system .Group I (n = 210) included patients undergoing pf-ssRARP and Group II (n = 162) included patients undergoing MPRARP.Demographics and perioperative data including postoperative recovery outcomes were recorded and compared between the two groups.
Results
Overall mean operative time was significantly shorter with the pf-ssRARP compared to the MPRARP (p < 0.05).The length of hospitalization after the pf-ssRARP was shorter(p < 0.05).In Group I, the positive surgical margin rate was 15.2%, while in Group II, the positive margin rate was 33.3% (p < 0.05).The rate of instant urinary continence was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II(p < 0.05).The percentage of urinary continence was higher in the pf-ssRARP than in the MPRARP,at 6 months post-surgery (p < 0.05) and 9 months post-surgery (p < 0.05).There was no significant difference in the proportion of erectile function in the pf-ssRARP and MPRARP groups at the time of reaching the endpoint of this study(p> 0.05).The two groups were comparable in terms of total hospitalization costs(p < 0.05).
Conclusion
The Improved (port-free) single-site robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a practical and easy technique to implement in clinical practice.
Impacts of Chicken Manure Biochar on Nitrous Oxide and Methane Emissions from Vegetable Field in Subtropical China
Authors: Alami Mohammad Jawad , Fang Xuejuan , Zhong Dongliang , Zhou Weijun , Gao Bing , Huang Wei , Cui Shenghui
Published: March 2024

Vegetable production in Subtropical China is distinguished by excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization, frequent irrigation, and multiple crop rotations in a single year, making it one of China’s most severely impacted agro-ecosystems. The aforementioned variables are closely related to soil nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions. However, not much research has been conducted on the emission characteristics of N2O and CH4 from local farmers’ practices, and the impacts of chicken manure biochar on the emissions of multiple-cropping vegetable fields in south subtropical China. Hence, we conducted a field trial to measure N2O and CH4 emissions using static chamber-gas chromatography. Four treatments were used: control (CK) with no fertilizer, 100% chemical N fertilization (CN), the conventional 30% chicken manure N plus 70%CN (CMN+CN), and 30% chicken manure biochar N plus 70%CN (CMBN+CN). Seven seasons continuous vegetable production showed, the annual cumulative N2O emissions reached to 12.4, 63.5, 111.8 and 44.1 kg N2O-N ha-1 for CK, CN, CMN+CN, and CMBN+CN treatments, respectively. Compared to CN and CMN+CN treatments, CMBN+CN treatment reduced N2O emissions by 35.9% - 65.7%, while it simultaneously increases annual total vegetable yield by 16.1% relative to CN treatment. Seven seasons mean N2O emission factors are 1.3% for CN, 3.8% for CMN+CN, 0.9% for CMBN+CN. The CH4 emission was negligible, fall into 0.07 kg CH4-C ha-1 for CK treatment to 0.8 kg CH4-C ha-1 for CN treatment. Temperature and soil moisture had a strong relationship with N2O emissions. For N2O emissions, the ideal interior chamber temperature was around 31.9 °C and the soil's water-filled pore space (WFPS) was approximately 60%. Our research highlighted that, fertilizer rates and types, soil moisture and temperature were the main controlling factors of N2O emissions in subtropical vegetable field. Future climate change will cause environmental factors to change more dramatically, which will probably result in more N2O emissions from conventional vegetable fields in subtropical areas. Chicken manure biochar can be one of the best substitutes for fresh chicken manure as a soil supplement, because it has a beneficial effect on improving vegetable yield and reducing N2O emissions in subtropical China.
Identification of a Novel Missense Mutation in the LMX1B Gene Associated with Nail-Patella Syndrome in a Chinese Family
Authors: Sun Qian , Zheng Wen , Li Mengxia , Su Guanghao , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Hongying
Published: March 2024

Aim
Nail-patella syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in LMX1B gene, affecting different systems including skeleton-muscular, renal and ocular system. The complicated relationship between genotype and phenotype is still unclear. Here, we report a novel missense mutation in a Chinese family.
Method
Clinical information of the family was collected, along with the peripheral blood sample. To investigate the pathogenic mutation, whole exome sequencing was conducted. Subsequently, Sanger sequencing was utilized to confirm the suspicious mutation. Bioinformatic tools was used to predict the 3D structure modification and pathogenicity caused by the mutation.
Results
The proband in our study showed manifestations including nail malformation, patella dysplasia, restricted elbow movement and pes planus Both his mother and sister also displayed skeletal system symptoms. We identified a novel mutation c.812G > C (p.R271T) in this family, which encodes an amino acid within the homeodomain, disturbing its ability to bind DNA, leading to the onset of the syndrome.
Conclusion
Nail-patella syndrome is a rare disorder affecting multiple systems. Manifestations in this family mainly focus on the skeletal system with variations among different members. Our study reports a novel mutation of this disease, previously unreported in literature.
Tikhonov Regularization for Stochastic Non-Smooth Convex Optimization in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Maulen-Soto Rodrigo , Fadili Jalal , Attouch Hedy
Published: March 2024

To solve non-smooth convex optimization problems with a noisy gradient input, we analyze the global behavior of subgradient-like flows under stochastic errors. The objective function is composite, being equal to the sum of two convex functions, one being differentiable and the other potentially non-smooth. We then use stochastic differential inclusions where the drift term is minus the subgradient of the objective function, and the diffusion term is either bounded or square-integrable. In this context, under Lipschitz's continuity of the differentiable term and a growth condition of the non-smooth term, our first main result shows almost sure weak convergence of the trajectory process towards a minimizer of the objective function. Then, using Tikhonov regularization with a properly tuned vanishing parameter, we can obtain almost sure strong convergence of the trajectory towards the minimum norm solution. We find an explicit tuning of this parameter when our objective function satisfies a local error-bound inequality. We also provide a comprehensive complexity analysis by establishing several new pointwise and ergodic convergence rates in expectation for the convex and strongly convex case.
AMS subject classifications. 37N40, 46N10, 49M99, 65B99, 65K05, 65K10, 90B50, 90C25, 60H10, 49J52.