bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tobacco use among School-going Adolescents in Comoros: A Secondary Analysis of the 2015 Comoros Global Youth Tobacco Survey.
Authors: James Peter Bai , Kassim Said Abasse , Kabba John Alimamy , Kitchen Chenai
Published: September 2021

BackgroundTobacco use among adolescents has long term adverse health consequences, especially during adulthood. Currently, little is known about tobacco use behaviour among adolescents in Comoros. Our study aims to estimate the prevalence and identify key factors associated with tobacco use among adolescents in Comoros using the 2015 Comoros Global Youth Tobacco Survey data.MethodsNational cross-sectional survey data of 2,810 eligible school-going adolescents aged between 11-17 years were analysed. Complex sample logistic regression analyses to determine the correlates of current cigarette smoking and current use of non-cigarette tobacco products.ResultsThe overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 14.3% [males (18.5%), females (9.9%)]. The prevalence of current use of non-cigarette tobacco products was 5.8% [males (6.7%), females (4.9%)]. Being male (AOR=2.23;95%CI:1.38-3.59), exposure secondhand smoke within (AOR=3.869;95%CI:2.835-5.280)) and outside their home (AOR= 1.514; 95%CI: 1.100-2.084) and exposure to tobacco industry promotion (AOR=2.986; 95%CI:2.246-3.969) were predictors of current tobacco use among adolescents. Similarly, Exposure to tobacco industry promotion (AOR=.2.669;95%CI:1.610-4.425) were associated with non-cigarette tobacco use. Adolescents exposed to anti-smoking education in schools were less likely to use non-cigarette tobacco (AOR=0.523;95% CI:0.311-0.881) than those not exposed to anti-smoking education in schools.ConclusionOne in seven school-going adolescents smoke cigarettes, and approximately one in 20 school-going adolescents use non-cigarette tobacco products in Comoros. Exposure to secondhand smoke within and outside the home and exposure to tobacco industry promotion were associated with tobacco use in school-going adolescents in Comoros. Our findings suggest the need for adolescent-friendly gender-sensitive tobacco interventions, including strengthening existing tobacco control laws to prevent and reduce tobacco use among school-going adolescents in Comoros.
A Study on Sex Estimation by Using Machine Learning Algorithms with Parameters Obtained from Computerized Tomography Images of the Cranium
Authors: Toy Seyma , Secgin Yusuf , Oner Zülal , Turan Muhammed Kamil , Oner Serkan , Senol Deniz
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to test whether sex prediction can be made by using machine learning algorithms (ML) with parameters taken from computerized tomography (CT) images of cranium and mandible skeleton which are known to be dimorphic. CT images of the cranium skeletons of 150 men and 150 women were included in the study. 25 parameters determined were tested with different ML algorithms. Accuracy (Acc), Specificity (Spe), Sensitivity (Sen), F1 score (F1), Matthews correlation coefficient (Mcc) values were included as performance criteria and Minitab 17 package program was used in descriptive statistical analyses. p ≤ 0.05 value was considered as statistically significant. In ML algorithms, the highest prediction was found with 0.90 Acc, 0.80 Mcc, 0.90 Spe, 0.90 Sen, 0.90 F1 values as a result of LR algorithms. As a result of confusion matrix, it was found that 27 of 30 males and 27 of 30 females were predicted correctly. Acc ratios of other MLs were found to be between 0.81 and 0.88. It has been concluded that the LR algorithm to be applied to the parameters obtained from CT images of the cranium skeleton will predict sex with high accuracy.
Voltage-driven gigahertz frequency tuning of spin Hall nano-oscillators
Authors: Choi Jong-Guk , Park Jaehyeon , Kang Min-Gu , Kim Doyoon , Rieh Jae-Sung , Lee Kyung-Jin , Kim Kab-Jin , Park Byong-Guk
Published: September 2021

Spin Hall nano-oscillators (SHNOs) exploiting current-driven magnetization auto-oscillation have recently received much attention because of their potential for oscillator-based neuromorphic computing. Widespread neuromorphic application with SHNOs requires an energy-efficient way to tune oscillation frequency in broad ranges and store trained frequencies in SHNOs without the need for additional memory circuitry. Voltage control of oscillation frequency of SHNOs was experimentally demonstrated, but the voltage-driven frequency tuning was volatile and limited to megahertz ranges. Here, we show that the frequency of SHNO is controlled up to 2.1 GHz by a moderate electric field of 1.25 MV/cm. The large frequency tuning is attributed to the voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) in a perpendicularly magnetized Ta/Pt/[Co/Ni]n/Co/AlOx structure. Moreover, non-volatile VCMA effect enables control of the cumulative frequency using repetitive voltage pulses, which mimic the potentiation and depression functions of biological synapses. Our results suggest that the voltage-driven frequency tuning of SHNOs facilitates the development of energy-efficient spin-based neuromorphic devices.
The Effect of Long Term Care Resources on Burdens for Caregiving People Living with Dementia in Taiwan
Authors: Ou Yang-Hao , Chang Ming-Che , Wang Wen-Fu , Jhang Kai-Ming
Published: September 2021

Background: There is an increasing awareness of caregiver's burden, especially in those caring for people with dementia. The caregiver burden has been studied extensively in Western countries; however, the interpretation of the results and replication of the intervention may deem unfit in the Chinese culture. Therefore, this study identifies the change in caregiver burden by interventional methods under current Taiwan's long-term care Act 2.0.Method: A total of 2,598 newly diagnosed dementia outpatients was evaluated by the Changhua Christian Hospital dementia care team. Eighty patients utilize one of the three care resources, including community-based services (n = 33), home-based services (n = 19), or taking care by foreign caregivers (n = 28). Participants in the control group were selected by matching their global CDR score, gender, age, and caregivers' age with a 1:4 ratio. All caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaires before and six months after utilizing the care resources. Results: The home-based and the foreign caregiver groups have the highest baseline ZBI scores with 37.63±16.14 and 36.57±17.14, respectively. The second ZBI score was assessed about six months after the baseline showing that the home-based group remained the highest caregiver burden (ZBI = 31.74±12.23) and the foreign caregiver group showed the lowest burden (ZBI = 25.68±12.09). The mean difference in the ZBI score confirmed that the foreign caregiver group had the most improvement, averaging a decrease of 17.99±31.08 points (adjust observation time). A linear regression model showed that home-based care and foreign caregiver contributes the most reduction in caregiver burden (-11.83 and -19,07 ZBI scores, respectively).Conclusion: Caring for people with dementia includes caring for their caregivers. Dementia care team should provide proper social resources, which are crucial in the alleviation of caregiver burden.
Modeling Scientometric Indicators Using A SDMX Ontology
Authors: Rodríguez Víctor Iván López , Ceballos Hector G.
Published: September 2021

Scientometrics is the field of study and evaluation of scientific measures such as impact of research papers and academic journals. It is an important field because nowadays different rankings use key indicators for university rankings and universities themselves use them as Key Performance Indicators (KPI). The purpose of this work is to propose a semantic modeling of scientometric indicators using the ontology Satistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX). We develop a case study at Tecnologico de Monterrey following the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) methodology. We evaluate the benefits of storing and querying in a Graph Database (Neo4j) the linked data produced by our approach.
Raptors of A Neotropical City: Diversity And Habitat Relationships Along An Urbanization Gradient
Authors: Martín-Cruz Miguel Ángel San , Villegas-Patraca Rafael , Martínez-Gómez Juan Esteban , Inzunza Ernesto Ruelas
Published: September 2021

Urbanization involves changes in landscape terrain, hydrology, and vegetation. These changes allow some wildlife species to thrive in cities while blocking others. We analyzed how a gradient of urbanization in the city of Xalapa could have a filtering effect that prevents some raptors from occurring or effectively use the most urbanized areas, and where such filtering effects occur. We selected 6 habitat variables that could predict the detection and occupation of raptors along the urban gradient. We conducted direct observations and call-broadcast surveys to estimate relative abundance, richness, and diversity of raptors from June 2019–February 2020. We visited 20 sites during three seasons, from dawn–11:00 and 18:00–23:00 h. We obtained 201 individual records of 14 species. The best-preserved part of the gradient (< 7.7% urban cover) had the highest species diversity, while the 4th category along the gradient (53.9% urban cover) had the lowest, suggesting that at this level of urbanization an abrupt filtering effect occurs on the raptor community. The proportion of exotic/native plant species was the best detection predictor for most of the diurnal species and Ciccaba virgata. The proportion of urban relative to green area was negatively associated with the occupation of Accipiter cooperii and Rupornis magnirostris. Our results suggests that this Neotropical city effectively acts as a filter for most species, with only 4 raptors able to use or occupy most of the urban gradient. Our work represents a critical first step towards understanding how the process of urbanization influences a raptor community.
Aqualabyrinth – A New Enrichment for Laboratory Zebrafish Under Analysis for Future Production
Authors: Therrien Dorothee , Dodelet-Devilliers Aurore
Published: September 2021

In the field of laboratory animals, there have been considerable improvements in environmental enrichment for mammalian species, but little remains available for aquatic species, in particular fish. Recent publications have shown benefits in providing laboratory Zebrafish (Danio rerio) certain types of enrichments, such as substrate and plants. This research article proposes a novel tank enrichment called the Aqualabyrinth, and the benefit of its use in laboratory Zebrafish. While the enrichment won 3rd place at the 2020 Janet Wood Innovation Award (JWIA) competition, the Aqualabyrinth is not yet available on the market. This novel enrichment proposes similar if not more qualities than current aquatic enrichments commercially available. More specifically, its ease of usage, maintenance, and modular configuration options make it an ideal choice for Laboratory fish tanks. Results showed interaction on average up to 10.5 per 3 fish within a 30 second test interval versus 6.25 per 3 fish within 30 seconds interval for a mouse igloo. With the additional benefits highlighted in this study, the Aqualabyrinth proves to be an efficient and practical environmental enrichment option, pending collaboration with interested manufacturers.
Astrocytes in the external globus pallidus coordinate flexibility of action strategy
Authors: Hong Sa-Ik , Kang Seungwoo , Song Minryung , Yang Minsu , Baker Matthew , Kang Shinwoo , Lee Jeyeon , Lee Sang Wan , Choi Doo-Sup
Published: September 2021

The external globus pallidus (GPe) is an integrative hub and gateway for behavioral flexibility in reward-related behaviors. However, it remains unknown whether enriched astrocytes in the GPe guide behavioral flexibility. Here, we trained mice to exhibit goal-directed and habitual reward-seeking behaviors using the behavior tasks with effort- and time-based reward delivery, respectively. Then, we examined the temporal dynamics of GPe astrocytes during goal-directed and habitual learning. Overall, GPe astrocytes were substantially silenced during habitual learning compared to goal-directed learning. In the timescale of action events, GPe astrocyte activities were increased immediately after termination of reward-taking behavior before the following action. However, during habitual learning, the increase of astrocyte activity was not evident. Moreover, support vector machine (SVM) analysis demonstrated that GPe astrocytes dynamics predicted whether mice perform goal-directed or habitual behaviors. Interestingly, chemogenetic activation of GPe astrocytes, which dampened GPe neuronal firings and habitual behaviors, exhibting goal-directed behaviors. Strikingly, brief and repeated attentional stimulations recapitulated the effect of chemogenetic activation of GPe in intervening the habitual reward-seeking behaviors with increased GPe astrocyte activities. Our findings reveal a novel insight that increasing GPe astrocytic activities attenuates habitual behavior and improves behavioral flexibility, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for decision-making-related disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction.
A Memetic Algorithm for the Inventory Routing Problem
Authors: Sakhri Mohamed Salim Amri , Tlili Mounira , Korbaa Ouajdi
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we investigated an Inventory Routing Problem (IRP) with deterministic customer demand, in a two-tiered supply chain. The supply chain network consists of a supplier who uses a single vehicle with a given capacity to deliver a single type of product to many customers. We are interested in population-based algorithms to solve our problem. A Memetic Algorithm (MA) is developed based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Variable Neighborhood Search methods (VNS). The proposed metaheuristics are tested on small and large sizes referenced benchmarks. The results of MA are compared with those of classical GA and with the optimal solutions from the literature. The comparison showed the efficiency of the MA use and its ability to generate high quality solutions within a reasonable time.
Implementation fidelity of a transition program for adolescents with congenital heart disease: the STEPSTONES project
Authors: Saarijärvi Markus , Wallin Lars , Moons Philip , Gyllensten Hanna , Bratt Ewa-Lena
Published: September 2021

Background
Although transition programs have been evaluated for adolescents with chronic conditions, these have rarely involved process evaluations investigating the implementation process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which a transition program for adolescents with congenital heart disease was delivered as intended. Research questions were 1) to what level of fidelity was the program delivered? and 2) what potential moderating factors affected the delivery of the program and overall fidelity?
Methods
A mixed methods design was used, where a process evaluation was embedded in the STEPSTONES randomized controlled trial in Sweden. The implementation fidelity framework by Carrol (2007) and Hasson (2010) was used to design, collect and analyze data. Quantitative data consisted of intervention records on adherence and were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data on moderators affecting fidelity were collected through interviews, log-books and focus group interviews with healthcare professionals implementing the intervention and participatory observations of the implementation process. Data were analyzed with deductive content analysis. Triangulation was used to integrate quantitative and qualitative data within the fidelity framework.
Results
Six out of eight components of the transition program were delivered to an extent that adhered to the program theory or achieved a high level of fidelity. However, components involving peer support had a low attendance by the participating sample (32.2%), and the joint transfer meeting was challenging to implement, despite achieving high adherence. Moderators affecting the implementation process were the adolescent’s and healthcare professional’s engagement in the intervention, contextual factors and a lack of standard operating procedures for all components in the program.
Conclusion
Barriers and facilitators for a future implementation of transition programs have been illuminated in this study. The use of an implementation fidelity framework in the process evaluation proved successful in providing a comprehensive evaluation of factors affecting the implementation process. However, implementation fidelity must be considered in relation to adaptations to the local and personal prerequisites in order to create interventions that can achieve fit.
Formation, preservation and extinction of high-pressure minerals in meteorites: temperature effects in shock metamorphism and shock classification
Authors: Hu Jinping , Sharp Thomas
Published: September 2021

The goal of classifying shock metamorphic features in meteorites is to estimate the corresponding shock pressure conditions. However, the temperature variability of shock metamorphism is equally important and can result in a diverse and heterogeneous set of shock features in samples with a common overall shock pressure. In particular, high-pressure (HP) minerals, which were previously used as a solid indicator of high shock pressure in meteorites, require complex pressure-temperature-time (P-T-t) histories to form and survive. First, parts of the sample must be heated to the melting temperatures, at high pressure, to enable rapid formation of HP minerals before pressure release. Second, the HP minerals must be rapidly cooled to below a critical temperature, before the pressure returns to ambient conditions, to avoid retrograde transformation to their low-pressure polymorphs. These two constraints require the sample to contain large temperature heterogeneities, e.g. melt veins in a cooler groundmass, during shock. In this study, we calculated shock temperatures and possible P-T paths of chondritic and differentiated mafic rocks for various shock pressures. These P-T conditions and paths, combined with observations from shocked meteorites, are used to constrain shock conditions and P-T-t histories of HP-mineral bearing samples. The need for rapid thermal quench of HP phases requires a relatively low bulk-shock temperature and therefore moderate shock pressures below ~ 30 GPa, which matches the stabilities of these HP minerals. The low-temperature moderate-pressure host rock generally shows moderate shock-deformation features consistent with S4 and, less commonly, S5 shock stages. Shock pressures in excess of 50 GPa in meteorites result in melt breccias with high overall post-shock temperatures that anneal out HP-mineral signatures. The presence of ringwoodite, which is commonly considered an indicator of the S6 shock stage, is inconsistent with pressures in excess of 30 GPa and does not represent shock conditions different from S4 shock conditions. Indeed, ringwoodite and coexisting HP minerals should be considered as robust evidence for moderate shock pressures (S4) rather than extreme shock (S6) near whole-rock melting.
Politics of Scale: Decentralization and Centralization of Oil Exploitation Right in Northern Shaanxi, China
Authors: GAO Yanhui , YANG Qingqing
Published: September 2021

Background: The impact of oil exploitation on local economy is often subject to the national resource management system. Monopolistic vertical resource management often makes local struggle ineffective. However, there is a successful local oil economy in China. This paper focuses on the formation of a special oil economy and reallocation of resources, power, and capital in Northern Shaanxi, China. This is a typical case of competing interests across multiple scales. It presents a typical case of the reconfiguration of resources, power, and capital at multiple scales.Methods: We introduce the ‘politics of scale’ to analyze the decentralization & centralization of oil exploitation rights, and the game among the government, state-owned enterprises, private enterprises and residents.Results: There are three findings. First, driven by fiscal interests, governments as the actual owners of the state capital, were directly involved in the politics of scale. Second, the interest conflicts among local state-owned enterprises, local governments were concealed owing to the strict administrative hierarchy and authority of the power, and they became a unified whole of interests and won the battle for oil resources with the central state-owned enterprises. Third, governments’ behavior strategies were simple and crude in scaling-down, mainly by hierarchical control and administrative orders. Private capital's behaviors were more diversified in scaling-up, but were completely suppressed and eliminated by the government agencies.Conclusions: We argue that politics of scale is an effective framework to explain multi-scale regulation, and is also a strategy of power competition among all practice parties.
Separability Analysis of Back-Scattering Coefficient of NovaSAR-1 S-band SAR datasets for different Land Use Land Cover (LULC) classes
Authors: Bhardwaj Ashutosh , Saini Ojasvi , Chatterjee R. S.
Published: September 2021

NovaSAR-1 is a joint technology initiative of SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.), UK, and Airbus DS (former EADS Astrium Ltd, Stevenage, UK). The NovaSAR-1 mini-satellite was launched on 16 September 2018 and it is operating on the S-band frequency range, which is less common in Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. Both higher and lower SAR frequency bands (L-band & X-band SAR) have their advantages as well as limitations in different kinds of applications. High frequency (X-band) SAR systems are useful for top surface information extraction such as the DSM generation. However, at the same time, more noise and lesser coherence issues are associated with high-frequency SAR systems. Low-frequency SAR (L-band) systems exhibit better ground penetration, high coherence, and low noise, but less precise scatterer level information. The S-band comes approximately in the middle of the X and L-band SAR frequency range and may be used as a trade-off between high and low-frequency SAR systems to have some advantages. In the presented study, the separability analysis of the radar backscattering coefficient of HH polarization (Stripmap and ScanSAR) of NovaSAR-1 S-band datasets corresponding to different land use and land covers (LULCs) has been done to analyze the potential of NovaSAR-1 S-band SAR data. The analysis was carried out for datasets acquired between 9th July 2019 to 15th July 2019 at 5 experimental sites in parts of six different Indian states (West Bengal, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh). The statistical analysis of σ० for five different sites of India for different LULCs, such as bare soil, forest, water, urban, cropland, and road features has been carried out. The range for minimum and maximum mean σ० values for urban, sub-urban, cropland, bare soil, barren land, forest, turbid water, road features, water with a smooth surface (calm water), and road features (airplane runway) were found to be -5.45 to 4.76, -11.14 to -5.21, -17.25 to -5.99, -18.15 to -13.44, -17.64 to -9.34, -17.17 to -14.34, -18.2 to -14.05, -27.29 to -23.76 and − 26.64 to -14.98 respectively. The range of σ० pixel values of calibrated datasets corresponding to different LULCs depicted that the data quality is good for the identification of various land covers. The separability analysis of the different land cover classes depicted that classes have good separability except for a few pairs of LULC. With the availability of fully polarimetric and InSAR data in the planned NISAR mission, the polarimetric scattering behaviour with phase information for InSAR will further be utilized.
Data-Analytics-Based Factory Operation Strategies For Die-Casting Quality Enhancement
Authors: Kim Jun , Lee Ju Yeon
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes data-analytics-based factory operation strategies for the quality enhancement of die-casting. We first define the four main problems of die casting that result in lower quality: [P1] gaps between the input and output casting parameter values, [P2] occurrence of preheat shots, [P3] lateness of defect distinction, and [P4] worker-experience-based casting parameter tuning. To address these four problems, we derived seven tasks that should be conducted during factory operation: [T1] implementation of exploratory data analysis (EDA) for investigating the trends and correlations between data, [T2] deduction of the optimal casting parameter output values for the production of fair-quality products, [T3] deduction of the upper and lower control limits for casting parameter input–output gap management, [T4] development of a preheat shot diagnosis algorithm, [T5] development of a defect prediction algorithm, [T6] development of a defect cause diagnosis algorithm, and [T7] development of a casting parameter tuning algorithm. The details of the proposed data-analytics-based factory operation strategies with regard to the casting parameter input and output data, data preprocessing, data analytics method used, and implementation are presented and discussed. Finally, a case study of a die-casting factory in South Korea that has adopted the proposed strategies is introduced.
Noggin Combined With Dental Pulp Stem Cells Repair Muscle Injury Through Smad/Pax7 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Meng-Han , Yu Li-Ming , Zhang Wei-Hua , Deng Jia-Jia , Sun Bing-Jing , Chen Mei-Hua , Huang Wei , He Hua , Han Xin-Xin , Liu Yue-Hua
Published: September 2021

Background: A proper stem cell source is key to muscle injury repair. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are an available source for the treatment of muscle injury due to their high reproductive and differential activities. However, the application of DPSCs in muscle regeneration is incompletely understood. Noggin, a secreted BMP antagonist promoted by Wnt-1, is required for embryonic myogenesis. Our research is to study whether Noggin can promote myogenic differentiation of DPSCs, and then to investigate the repair effect of Noggin combined with DPSCs in muscle injury.Methods: DPSCs were treated with Noggin to induce myogenic differentiation in vitro. The levels of myogenic markers (MyoD, Desmin, MRF4 and MyHC), and satellite cell markers (Pax3, Pax7, Six1 and Eya2) were detected during this process. Next, we blocked the effect of Noggin by adding BMP, and Samd phosphorylation level was tested. Then, we implanted Noggin-pretreated DPSC combined Matrigel into the mouse tibialis anterior muscle with volumetric muscle loss (VML). After 30-day recovery, morphometric analysis of the tibialis anterior muscle was performed.Results: Noggin effectively increased myotube formation in DPSCs. We also found Noggin accelerated the skeletal myogenic differentiation of DPSCs and promote Pax7+ satellite-like cell generation. These satellite-like cells had the capacity to generate myofibers and could self-renew. Pax7 and Pax3 levels were repressed when blocked the effect of Noggin by adding BMP, and Noggin eliminated the level of BMP/Smad phosphorylation. This suggested that Noggin facilitated the skeletal myogenic differentiation of DPSCs via Smad/Pax7 pathway. Morphometric analysis of muscle cross-sections revealed that DPSCs therapy could increase repair size and decrease scar tissue in tibialis anterior muscle of VML. Moreover, Noggin-treated DPSCs can benefit to Pax7+ satellite cell pool and promote muscle regeneration. Conclusions: This work reveals that Noggin can promote the generation of satellite-like cells for the myogenic process in DPSCs through Smad/Pax7 signaling pathway, and these satellite-like cells bioconstructs might possess a relatively fast capacity to regenerate for muscle injury.
Rho Kinase Expression in Giant Cell Arteritis Validating pERM Intensity Score as a Method of Increasing Sensitivity of Temporal Artery Biopsy
Authors: Lally Lindsay , Narula Navneet , Goodfellow Nicola , Luqmani Raashid , Pisapia David , Spiera Robert
Published: September 2021

Background: Aberrant rho-kinase (ROCK) activity is implicated in pathogenesis of several vascular and immunologic disorders. We previously demonstrated evidence of increased ROCK activity in histopathologically negative temporal artery biopsies (TAB) of subjects with clinical Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) compared to those without GCA. This study aimed to examine ROCK activity in a larger cohort of biopsy-negative GCA subjects and to validate the prior findings. Methods: Subjects were categorized into 2 groups based on clinical data 6-months after TAB: biopsy-negative GCA and controls without GCA. Paraffin-embedded TAB were stained for phosphorylated ezrin/radixin/moesin (pERM), a surrogate of ROCK activity, and scored by two pathologists blinded to clinical diagnosis using a previously derived scoring system. Three areas of the vessel (intima, adventitial and vasa vasorum) were scored for staining intensity on a scale of 0–2, with a maximum possible score of 6 for each TAB. As determined a priori, scores ³4 were considered a high pERM intensity score correlating with ROCK activity. TAB sections were also stained for unphosphorylated ERM, the inactive protein. Results: Thirty six subjects with biopsy-negative GCA and 43 controls were analyzed. There were no differences between groups in age, sex and corticosteroid dose. The mean pERM intensity score in non-GCA subjects was 3.9 ± 1.4 (compared to 5.0 ± 1.4 in those with GCA, p = 0.002). Using the predetermined cut-off of 4 to define high pERM intensity, subjects with GCA were significantly more likely to have a high pERM intensity score compared to non-GCA, OR 3.67, 95%CI :1.19,11.36; p= 0.019. The sensitivity of high pERM intensity score for diagnosis of GCA in histologically negative TAB was 86%, 95%CI: 70,95. Conclusions:. In this well characterized cohort, those with GCA and negative biopsies had significantly higher pERM intensity scores in TAB specimens compared to subjects without GCA. pERM staining has diagnostic significance in enhancing the sensitivity of TAB, and helps to define the clinically important group of biopsy-negative GCA. The ROCK pathway warrants further investigation in GCA and may be a potential therapeutic target
Engineering large-scale perfused tissues via synthetic 3D soft microfluidics
Authors: Grebenyuk Sergei , Fattah Abdel Rahman Abdel , Rustandi Gregorius , Kumar Manoj , Toprakhisar Burak , Salmon Idris , Verfaillie Catherine , Ranga Adrian
Published: September 2021

The vascularization of engineered tissues and organoids has remained a major unresolved challenge in regenerative medicine. While multiple approaches have been developed to vascularize in vitro tissues, it has thus far not been possible to generate sufficiently dense networks of small-scale vessels to perfuse large de novo tissues. Here, we achieve the perfusion of multi-mm3 tissue constructs by generating networks of synthetic capillary-scale 3D vessels. Our 3D soft microfluidic strategy is uniquely enabled by a 3D-printable 2-photon-polymerizable hydrogel formulation, which allows for precise microvessel printing at scales below the diffusion limit of living tissues. We demonstrate that these large-scale engineered tissues are viable, proliferative and exhibit complex morphogenesis during long-term in-vitro culture, while avoiding hypoxia and necrosis. We show by scRNAseq and immunohistochemistry that neural differentiation is significantly accelerated in perfused neural constructs. Additionally, we illustrate the versatility of this platform by demonstrating long-term perfusion of developing liver tissue. This fully synthetic vascularization platform opens the door to the generation of human tissue models at unprecedented scale and complexity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among People Living With HIV
Authors: Menza Timothy William , Capizzi Jeff , Zlot Amy , Barber Michelle , Bush Lea
Published: September 2021

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 and are a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination. As of June 15, 2021, 61.5% of PLWH in Oregon received ≥ 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Younger PLWH, Hispanic/Latinx PLWH and PLWH who inject drugs or reside in rural and frontier areas had low vaccine uptake while PLWH who were engaged in care, enrolled in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and vaccinated against influenza had high vaccine uptake. Greater advocacy, education, and care navigation are required to increase COVID-19 vaccine access and uptake among PLWH.
Investigation on the Cutting Mechanism of Al/SiCp Composites in Ultrasonic Elliptical Vibration Machining
Authors: Chen Wenxiang , Zhang Xu
Published: September 2021

Aluminum (Al)-based silicon carbide (SiC) material composites are considered as difficult-to-machine materials because of the presence of hard reinforced SiC particles, which results in a greater cutting force and poor surface integrity during the machining process. This paper uses two finite element models to study the difference in the machining mechanism between ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) and ordinary cutting (OC). Moreover, this paper mainly focuses on the influence of UEVC on cutting force, von Mises stress distribution, surface integrity, and chip formation. The models are validated by comparing chip shapes and machined surface features in OC machining Al/SiCp experience from the literature. Simulation results indicate that the cutting mechanism of Al/SiCp on UEVC is different from that of OC and has several good properties. At the same cutting parameters, high frequency vibration makes the cutting force of UEVC exhibit variable periodicity and reduces average cutting force. The instantaneous impact of tool and fast separation results in a more concentrated von Mises stress distribution, thereby resulting in the particles having a greater break degree than that obtained with OC. A comparison of the surface roughness values from the simulation result shows that UEVC obtains better surface integrity than OC does.
Preoperative Tumor Abnormal Protein as a Promising Biomarker to Predict Oncological Outcome of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Resection
Authors: Cai Huayong , Li Wenxin , Zhang Yu , Hua Xiangdong
Published: September 2021

Background: TAP (tumor abnormal protein) has been used as an important indicator in the early diagnosis of cancers, and some literatures showed that TAP can act as a prognostic factor in different kinds of cancer. The objective of this study was to explore the potential relationship between TAP and the prognosis of HCC after radical hepatectomy, and attempted to construct a robustly predictive nomogram on the strength of TAP and other prognostic variables of HCC patients.Methods: This retrospective study included 168 HCC patients (tumor recurrence occurred in 78 patients) who had undergone curative resection during January 2018 to June 2020 at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery of Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute. Serum TAP was detected by Abnormal Sugar Chain Structure of Glycoproteins, and according to the area of condensation particle, the whole population was categorized into the TAP high group (TAP≥225μm2) and TAP low group (TAP<225μm2).Results: There was no correlation between maximum tumor size and TAP. In the whole population or subgroups stratified by maximum tumor size, the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate of the TAP low group was distinctly higher than TAP high group (P<0.05 for all). The multivariate analysis revealed that TAP (hazard ratio [HR], 3.47; 95% CI, 2.18-5.51; P<0.001), large tumor size (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.36-3.49; P<0.001), poor tumor differentiation (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33-0.84; P=0.007) and presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.28-3.22; P=0.003) were independently associated with RFS. The prognostic implication of nomogram incorporating TAP, maximun tumor diameter, tumor differentiation and MVI was stronger than the model that integrated maximun tumor diameter, degree of tumor differentiation and MVI only.Conclusion: The present study suggested that higher preoperative TAP was correlated with undesirable prognosis in HCC patients who had undergone radical hepatectomy,and on the strength of prognostic variables identified by multivariate analysis, we constructed a robust nomogram for RFS of postoperative HCC patients.
Quantitative Mismatch Between Empirical Temperature-Size Rule Slopes and Predictions Based on Oxygen Limitation
Authors: Einum Sigurd , Bech Claus , Kielland Øystein Nordeide
Published: September 2021

In ectotherms, adult body size commonly declines with increasing environmental temperature, a pattern known as the temperature-size rule. One influential hypothesis explaining this observation is that the challenge of obtaining sufficient oxygen to support metabolism becomes greater with increasing body size, and more so at high temperatures. Yet, previous models based on this hypothesis do not account for phenotypic plasticity in the physiology of organisms that counteracts oxygen limitation at high temperature. Here, we model the predicted strength of the temperature-size response using estimates of how both the oxygen supply and demand is affected by temperature when allowing for phenotypic plasticity in the aquatic ectotherm Daphnia magna. Our predictions remain highly inconsistent with empirical temperature-size responses, with the prior being close to one order of magnitude stronger than the latter. These results fail to provide quantitative support for the hypothesis that oxygen limitation drives temperature-size clines in aquatic ectotherms. Future studies into the role of oxygen limitation should address how the strength of the temperature-size response may be shaped by evolution under fluctuating temperature regimes. Finally, our results caution against applying deterministic models based on the oxygen limitation hypothesis when predicting future changes in ectotherm size distributions under climate change.
An evaluation of the efficacy of a four-grade fat infiltration classification method, presented for the first time in literature
Authors: Yazici Alikemal , Yerlikaya Tuba , Oniz Adile
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a semi-quantitative simplified 4-grade fat infiltration measurement system, described for the first time in literature, through comparison with the existing simplified 3-grade fat infiltration system in the prediction of lumbar disc herniation.Material and MethodThe study included 39 lumbar disc herniation patients (LDH) and 38 healthy subjects (control), comprising 33 (42.9%) males and 44 (57.1%) females with a mean age of 37 ± 11.3 years (range, 20–64 years). The patients were evaluated in respect of fat infiltration of the right and left lumbar multifidus and erector spina muscles on axial magnetic resonance imaging slices passing through the centre of the disc at L3-S1 level using the 3 and 4-grade fat infiltration measurement systems. The results were compared and the correlations of the results of the two systems with lumbar disc herniation were examined.ResultsThe 3-grade fat infiltration system was found to be insufficient in the prediction of lumbar disc herniation (p > 0.05) and the 4-grade fat infiltration system was determined to be effective in the prediction of lumbar disc herniation (p = 0.003).ConclusionThe 4-grade fat infiltration system was seen to be more effective than the 3-grade fat infiltration system in the determination of the level of fat infiltration in the paraspinal muscles and the prediction of lumbar disc herniation. The 4-grade fat infiltration system is an effective semi-quantitative grading system which can be used instead of the simplified 3-grade system.
Double Electron Spin Resonance of Engineered Atomic Structures on a Surface
Authors: Phark Soo-Hyon , Chen Yi , Wolf Christoph , Bui Hong , Wang Yu , Haze Masahiro , Kim Jinkyung , Lutz Christopher , Heinrich Andreas , Bae Yujeong
Published: September 2021

Atomic-scale control of multiple spins with individual addressability enables the bottom-up design of functional quantum devices. Tailored nanostructures can be built with atomic precision using scanning tunneling microscopes, but quantum-coherent driving has thus far been limited to a spin in the tunnel junction. Here we show the ability to drive and detect the spin resonance of a remote spin using the electric field from the tip and a single-atom magnet placed nearby. Read-out was achieved via a weakly coupled second spin in the tunnel junction that acted as a quantum sensor. We simultaneously and independently drove the sensor and remote spins by two radio frequency voltages in double resonance experiments, which provides a path to quantum-coherent multi-spin manipulation in customized spin structures on surfaces. One-Sentence Summary: Using a scanning tunneling microscope, we simultaneously control two spins using one tip, paving the way for multi-spin-qubit operations on surfaces.
Screening And Characterization of Lipopeptide Biosurfactant Producing Paenibacilus Dendritiformis And Its Applicability for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Nayarisseri Anuraj , Khandelwal Ravina , Singh Sanjeev Kumar
Published: September 2021

The bio-surfactants produced by microorganisms have high demand from microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) and they have focused on a chemical surfactant for the past few decades for degrading petro-based pollutants and oil spills due to its non-toxicity and increasing bioavailability. These microorganisms can survive over the different oil species and contaminants that lead to their degradation with carbon dioxide and water as the remnants. The study aims to identify and screen potential lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Paenibacillus species employing a design experiment based on response surface methodology (RSM). The bacterial culture was isolated from India's most significant brackish water, Chilika Lake. It screened using various protocols, including oil spread assay, BATH, drop collapse assay, hydrocarbon overlay agar method, E24, etc. The acid precipitation performed to extract the biosurfactant produced by isolate succeeding solvent recovery. 0.426g of biosurfactant per 100ml medium was obtained from the isolated novel Paenibacillus dendritiformis strain (C50H87N7O13), having a molecular weight of 999.300g/mol. The highest yield is attained at emulsification activity (E24 = 73.37%), having optimized environmental parameters (pH- 7, temp- 30°C and 4% salinity) using crude oil as the sole carbon source. The isolated novel strain owing an advantage in improving bioremediation of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and efficiently impact the environmental contaminants due to its high lipopeptide concentration up to a threshold level. Based on the Box-Behnken experimental design, the E24 values were varied from 24.6% to 73.3%, and the highest E24 was observed for pH 7, temperature 30°C and 4% salinity. The data generated from the biosurfactant stability experiments were used to fit a regression model using the parameters such as ph, temp and salinity to predict the E24 index. R-squared value 0.91 obtained from the annova model explains that the regression model was significant, and the model p-value obtained was < 0.05 and was also statistically significant. Therefore the statistical regression model obtained in the present investigation can predict the E24 index by using any combination of ph, temp and salinity parameters. Molecular characterization of the isolate was carried out by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Sanger dideoxy sequencing followed by a phylogenetic assessment. The isolate was found to be a novel strain of Paenibacillus dendritiformis, further named Paenibacillus dendritiformis ANSKLAB02. The novel isolates obtained in this research was deposited in GenBank with accession number KU518891. The present study contributes to the list of such microbial factories by introducing a new strain of Paenibacillus dendritiformis. The growth of this species under controlled conditions has a high potential to help in environmental clean-up and is suitable for use in MEOR applications.
Quantitative Modeling of Carcinogenesis Induced By Single Beams Or Mixtures of Space Radiations Using Targeted And Non-Targeted Effects
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Sachs Rainer K. , Brenner David J.
Published: September 2021

Ionizing radiations encountered by astronauts on deep space missions produce biological damage by two main mechanisms: (1) Targeted effects (TE) due to direct traversals of cells by ionizing tracks. (2) Non-targeted effects (NTE) caused by release of signals from directly hit cells. The combination of these mechanisms generates non-linear dose response shapes, which need to be modeled quantitatively to predict health risks from space exploration. Here we used a TE+NTE model to analyze data on APC(1638N/+) mouse tumorigenesis induced by space-relevant doses of protons, 4He, 12C, 16O, 28Si or 56Fe ions, or γ rays. A customized weighted Negative Binomial distribution was used to describe the radiation type- and dose-dependent data variability. This approach allowed detailed quantification of dose-response shapes, NTE- and TE-related model parameters, and radiation quality metrics (relative biological effectiveness, RBE, and radiation effects ratio, RER, relative to γ rays) for each radiation type. Based on the modeled responses for each radiation type, we predicted the tumor yield for a Mars-mission-relevant mixture of these radiations, using the recently-developed incremental effect additivity (IEA) synergy theory. The proposed modeling approach can enhance current knowledge about quantification of space radiation quality effects, dose response shapes, and ultimately the health risks for astronauts.
A Prospective Comparison of [18F]FAPI-42 and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in Patients With Various Cancers
Authors: Hu Kongzhen , Wang Lijuan , Wu Hubing , Huang Shun , Tian Ying , Wang Qiaoyu , Xiao Caixia , Han Yanjiang , Tang Ganghua
Published: September 2021

Purpose: [18F]FAPI-42 is a new fibroblast activation protein (FAP) specific tracer used for cancer imaging. Here, we describe the in vivo evaluation of [18F]FAPI-42 and compared intra-individual biodistribution, tumor uptake, and detection ability to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04.Methods: A total of 22 patients with various types of cancer received [18F]FAPI-42 whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Among them, 4 patients underwent PET/CT scans, including an early dynamic 20-min, static 1-hour and static 2-hours. The in vivo biodistribution in normal organs and tumor uptake were semi-quantitatively evaluated using the standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR). Furthermore, both [18F]FAPI-42 and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT were performed in 12 patients to compare biodistribution, tumor uptake, and tumor detection ability.Results: [18F]FAPI-42 uptake in the tumors was rapid and reached a high level with an average SUVmax of 15.8 at 18 minutes, which stayed at a similarly high level to 2 hours. The optimal image acquisition time for [18F]FAPI-42 was determined to be 1 hour post injection. Compared to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04, [18F]FAPI-42 had a higher uptake in the parotid, salivary gland, thyroid, and pancreas (P < 0.05). For tumor detection, [18F]FAPI-42 had a high uptake and could be clearly visualized in the lesions. [18F]FAPI-42 and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 showed the same detectability for 144 positive lesions. In addition, [18F]FAPI-42 had a higher SUVmax in liver and bone lesions (P < 0.05) and higher TBRs in liver, bone, lymph node, pleura and peritonea lesions (all P < 0.05).Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that [18F]FAPI-42 is a good tracer for imaging malignant tumors and exhibited comparable lesion detectability to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04. The 1-hour scan is an appropriate time for tumor detection and is superior to the early 10-min scan for the detection of small lesions.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100045757)
Preoperative serum inflammation-based scores in medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Figueiredo Ana , Esteves Susana , Moura Margarida Maria , Marques Pedro , Simões-Pereira Joana , Leite Valeriano
Published: September 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.