bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Brain Computer Interface-Robot System on upper limb function recovery in stroke patients: A Protocol Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Lingyu , Feng Liang , Wang weizhen , Jin Minxia , Qu Xueying , Zhang Linguo , Zhang Qiuzhen , Jin Lingjing , Jin Lingjing
Published: August 2022

Background /ObjectiveWe developed a Brain Computer Interface(BCI) robot system for movement recovery of upper limb motor function in post-stroke patients with severe hemiplegia. We designed and performed a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to explore our hypothesis that motor functional recovery using this BCI robot system could be improved in a greater level in severe hemiparesis compared to that of hand robot rehabilitation. And we also focus on the neuroplastic changes between the primary motor cortices(M1) and frontal cortices before and after BCI intervention.Methods We will conduct a single blind, parallel-group trial and recruit subacute or chronic poststroke patients with severe hemiparesis more than 90 days after onset (N=50). Participants are randomly allocated to 2 intervention groups(1:1)by a computer-generated assignment: the BCI-assisted hand robot training(the BCI group,BG,n=25) and a hand robot training not supported by BCI(the robot group,RG, n=25).Both interventions will be delivered 5 sessions per-week for totally 4 weeks as add-on therapies to conventional rehabilitation. Motor functions of the paretic hands will be measured at 4 points: pre- (baseline), mid-(after 10 sessions), post-(after 20 sessions) and one month follow-up(4 weeks after the intervention).All investigators assessing outcomes will be masked to treatment assignment. Improvement in Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) will be used as the primary outcome,while Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), its wrist and hand（FMA-WH）sub-score and its shoulder and elbow (FMA-SE) sub-score will be served as secondary outcome measures. Neuroplastic changes will be measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) at baseline and one-month follow up after 20 sessions BCI training. Pearson correlation analysis is used to evaluate functional connectivity(FC) across time points.Discussion We expect the BCI-based rewarding of hand robot practice to promote the motor recovery in upper limb motor outcome and also, this clinical improvement to be sustained by a long-lasting neuroplasticity changes promote by the BCI-based intervention.Recruitment started in June 2021. This trial is currently in the data correcting phase. This RCT is expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.Trial registration: Name of registry: Study on the Mechanism of Hand Motor Function Rehabilitation after Stroke. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2100046301; registration date on www.chictr.org.cn: May, 12/2021.
Solution to the steady, wave-free, fully nonlinear, free surface flow of an incompressible fluid over a topography by Legendre polynomial expansion
Authors: Abdelrahman N. S. , Ghaleb A. F. , Abou-Dina M. S.
Published: August 2022

A new semi-analytical approach relying on Legendre finite expansions of the free surface elevation and boundary collocation is proposed to solve the fully nonlinear two-dimensional, steady free-surface wave-free gravity flow in an infinite channel with topography. The fluid is inviscid with constant density and the flow is irrotational. The unknown coefficients of the expansions are determined straightforward by solving a nonlinear system of algebraic equations using computer package. Two types of solutions are considered according to the upstream and downstream values of Froude number. Results are plotted for two shapes of the bottom topography. The results and the limitations of the method are discussed. These may be of interest in designing drag-free bottom flows.
PCSK9 promotes osteogenic differentiation via ERK pathway and has no effect on osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Zhou Chengwei , Dai Chengxin , Wang Kanbin , Xu Jianxiang , Hang Kai , Wang Yibo , Li Lijun , Wang Zhongxiang , Bai Jinwu , Zhang Weijun , Xue Deting , Pan Zhijun
Published: August 2022

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that PCSK9 was constitutively expressed in osteoclast precursors and played an important role in bone metabolism in periodontitis disease. But the function of PCSK9 in the osteogenesis of hBMSCs and specific mechanism still remains unknown. In this study, we aim to explore the function and mechanism of PCSK9 on regulating osteogenic differentiation and osteoclastic differentiation.Methods: The osteogenic effects of endogenous and exogenous PCSK9 on hBMSCs were performed, the effect on osteoclastic differentiation of mBMM too. A CCK-8 was used to assess the effect of PCSK9 on the proliferation of hBMSCs. qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were conducted to determine the expression of target genes and proteins. ALP, ARS staining were used to evaluate osteoblasts, the trap staining was used to evaluate osteoclasts. In vivo experiment, we constructed a femoral bone defect model, and injected Adeno associated virus at defect site. Radiographic analysis and histological evaluation were conducted to evaluate the union effect of PCSK9 at bone defect site. Student’s t test was used between two groups, one-way ANOVA or Bonferroni’s post-hoc test was used more than two groups, depending on the distribution of the tested population.Result: In vitro experiment, low dose exogenous and overexpress endogenous PCSK9 could enhance hBMSCs osteogenic differentiation via ERK signaling pathway, and knockdown PCSK9 would reduce this influence. The promoting effect could be weaken by ERK inhibitor PD98059 with an appropriate concentration. All of which was confirmed by q-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence outcome. Besides, the ALP staining, ARS staining results prove that it could raise ALP activity and mineral deposits formation. But low dose PCSK9 has no obvious effect on osteoclastic differentiation. In vivo experiment, the radiographic, histological result prove overexpress PCSK9 could accelerate bone defect union. Conclusion: In summarize, PCSK9 could promote osteogenic differentiation via ERK pathway and has no effect on osteoclast differentiation. The vivo and vitro experiments outcomes indicate that it may be a novel target for treating bone defect union.
Improving Byzantine Fault Tolerance in Swarm Robotics Collective Decision-Making Scenario via a New Blockchain Consensus Algorithm
Authors: Krishnamohan Theviyanthan
Published: August 2022

Swarm robotics applies concepts of swarm intelligence to robotics. Discrete consensus achievement is one of the major behaviors found in swarm robotics. Various algorithms have been developed for discrete consensus achievement. However, existing discrete consensus achievement algorithms are vulnerable to Byzantine robots. Blockchain has been successfully used to mitigate the negative effect of Byzantine robots. Nevertheless, since the blockchain solution uses the Proof-of-Work blockchain consensus algorithm, it is vulnerable to the 51% attack. Besides, the swarm also takes longer to achieve consensus. This research proposes a novel blockchain consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Identity—which uses a private-public key pair and a swarm controller—to create a dynamically permissioned blockchain that would negate the 51%-attack problem associated with the Proof-of-Work algorithm while also reducing the consensus time. This proposed solution was tested against the classical solution and the existing blockchain solution using the collective perception scenario. Test results show that the Proof-of-Identity algorithm prevents the 51%-attack problem while improving the consensus time in comparison to the existing blockchain solution without affecting the exit probability.
Development and validation of a calculator to predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors
Authors: Wang yadan , Huang Boyang , Wu Jing , Guo Chunmei , wang canghai , su hui , liu hong , Wang Miaomiao , wang jing , Li Li , Ding pengpeng , Meng Mingming
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims
: No single endoscopic feature can reliably predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors (CRTs). We aimed to establish and validate a simple online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light endoscopy.
Methods
This is a single-center study. During identification stage, 530 consecutive patients with CRTs were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2021 as the derivation group. Logistic regression analysis was performed. A novel online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light image was established and verified internally. During validation stage, two series of 110 images obtained using white-light endoscopy were distributed to 10 endoscopists (five highly-experienced endoscopists (HEEs) and five less-experienced endoscopists (LEEs) for external validation, before and after systematic training.
Results
A total of 750 patients were included, with an average age of 63.6 ± 10.4 year-old. Early colorectal cancer (ECRC) was detected in 351 (46.8%) patients. Tumor size, left semicolon, rectum, acanthosis, depression and an uneven surface were independent risk factors for ECRC. The C-index of ECRC calculator prediction model was 0.906 (p = 0.225, Hosmer–Lemeshow test). For the LEEs, significant improvement was made in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (57.6% versus 75.5%; 72.3% versus 82.4%; 64.2% versus 80.2%; p < 0.05), respectively, after the training with ECRC online calculator prediction model.
Conclusion
A novel online calculator including tumor size, location, acanthosis, depression, and uneven surface can accurately predict the pathological nature of ECRC.
Northern Hemisphere ice sheet expansion intensified Asian aridification and the winter monsoon across the mid-Pleistocene transition
Authors: Ao Hong , Rohling Eelco J , Li Xinzhou , Song Yougui , Roberts Andrew , Han Yongming , Poulsen Christopher , Jonell Tara , Liebrand Diederik , Sun Qiang , Li Xinxia , Qiang Xiaoke , Zhang Peng , Dekkers Mark
Published: August 2022

The mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT) from ~ 1.25 to ~ 0.6 million years ago (Ma) marked a major shift in periodicity of Earth’s climate variability from dominantly ~ 40- to ~ 100-thousand years (kyr) without a concomitant shift in orbital forcing. Here we advance understanding of Asian climate dynamics associated with two glacial extreme loess coarsening events that are recorded across the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) at the onset and middle of the MPT. This is based on a combination of new and existing millennial-resolution grain size and magnetic susceptibility records for the last 1.6 million years from the CLP and general circulation model simulations, viewed within a global palaeoclimatological context. We find that the two extreme glacial events reflect exceptionally enhanced Asian aridification and winter monsoon activity. They occurred at times of notable Northern Hemisphere glacial ice sheet expansion, when the ~ 100-kyr glacial cyclicity initiated and intensified at marine isotope stages 38 and 22 (~ 1.25 and ~ 0.9 Ma), respectively. Our integration of palaeoclimate data and climate model simulations indicates that these anomalously cold, dry, and windy Asian glacials were driven by amplified, non-linear regional threshold responses to phases of Northern Hemisphere ice sheet expansion.
Genetic changes in F1 hybrids of the genetically divergent Solanum L., Solanum melongena L. and Solanum aethiopicum L.
Authors: Yu Ning , Gan Guiyun , Li Dandan , Li Weiliu , Jiang Yaqin , Yang Qihong , Wang Peng , Li Wenjia , Wang Yikui
Published: August 2022

Distant hybridization constitutes an important process in plant evolution. Outbreeding of Solanum plants can produce hybrid progeny with heterobeltiosis in terms of growth, development, and resistance. In this study, the genomic characteristics and genetic variation of reciprocal cross F1 hybrids of strains 177 (Solanum melongena L.) and Y11 (Solanum aethiopicum L.) were quantified to analyze the relationship between heterosis and genomic characteristics. While no significant phenotypic differences existed between the F1 hybrids, their phenotypes were closer to those of the Y11 parent. Using whole-genome resequencing, large numbers of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion or deletions, structural variations, and copy number variation (CNV) were found. The variation rate of the Y11 parent was the highest, while those of the F1 hybrids were similar to each other but closer to Y11. These results reflect the fact that the genome of the heterozygous progenies was stable at the chromosome level; nevertheless, a lot of variation sites were produced, which may underlie the increased phenotypic diversities compared to that found in the cultivated parent plants. Mining and functional annotation of variant genes with different variant types revealed that the highest number of variant genes were caused by CNVs. Moreover, the variant genes were significantly enriched in pathways associated with glucose metabolism, protein synthesis, and phytohormone signaling, indicating that CNVs may be responsible for the heterosis observed in the progeny of outbred crosses. These data can provide a reference for future heterosis research, molecular marker development, genetic engineering, high-density linkage map construction, and genome-wide association analysis.
Relationship between the expression levels of CD4+T cells, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-33 in liver of biliary atresia and postoperative cholangitis, operative age and jaundice clearance
Authors: Zhang Kaizhi , Cheng Yutong , Zheng Zebing , Tang Chengyan , Zhu Daiwei , Xia Xingrong , Huang Lu , Du Qing , Liu Yuanmei , Jin Zhu
Published: August 2022

Objective: To investigate the expression levels of CD4+T cells, IL-6, IL-8,and IL-33 in liver tissue of BA, and the relationship with postoperative cholangitis, operative age and early jaundice clearance.Methods: 45 cases of jaundice treated in hospital from June 2018 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The expression and distribution of these factors were detected by HE staining and immunohistochemistry, the total bilirubin level and the incidence of cholangitis were recorded, and the relationship between liver inflammation level and the postoperative incidence of cholangitis, age of operation and early jaundice clearance were compared.Results: Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of CD4+T cells, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-33 in BA group were higher than those in CBD group. ROC curve analysis showed the AUC of CD4+T cells, IL-6 and IL-8 were 0.869, 0.886 and 0.838, respectively. The expression level of CD4+T cells was negatively correlated with the decline rate of TBIL 3 months postoperatively, and the expressions of IL-8 and IL-33 were negatively correlated with the decline rate of TBIL 1 week postoperatively. Conclusion: The high expression of CD4+T cells, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-33 in the BA liver tissue may lead to cholangitis and can be used as a predictor of early jaundice clearance. The degree of liver inflammation infiltration had nothing to do with the age of operation and is not a risk factor for postoperative cholangitis.
Immune-modulating Effects of Mycobacteria
Authors: Gavin Igor , Rosli Filbert , Gillis Bruce S.
Published: August 2022

Background:Several species of Mycobacterium have been identified as having the ability to modulate immune responses, even as heat-killed preparations. Our goal was to identify mycobacteria that could potentially act in a safe and non-toxic immune-modulating effect by promoting the production of specific chemokine and cytokine responses with a potential application for impacting the microbiome. We relied on the following Mycobacterium strains: M. smegmatis, M. agri, M. phlei, M. tokaiense, M. brumae, M. aurum, and M. obuense. Results:M. smegmatis and M. agri were the most effective in inducing immune responses in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) manifested by extracellular productions of the cytokine IL-6, as well as the chemokines IL-8, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. Correlation analyses and immune challenges to the bacterial mixtures showed that while cytokine and chemokine responses to M. smegmatis and M. agri were similar, they were different from responses to either B. subtilis or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) resulting in distinct patterns of extracellular cytokine and chemokine productions. Our results suggest that Mycobacterium strains and B. subtilis activated distinct immune response pathways and have different effects on the immune system.Conclusions:We identified several Mycobacterium species as well as B. subtilis as the most efficient immune-modulating agents. Distinct immunomodulatory properties of multiple species may have potential implications for immunotherapy of cancer as well as treatments of various immune-deficiency disorders. Our methodology for comparing immune responses of bacterial preparations may provide a useful tool for studying immune effects of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria.
Microstructure characteristics of saturated remolded cohesive soil during consolidation: an experimental study
Authors: Zheng Juan , Yang Zhen , Gao Huabin , Lai Xiuying , Wu Xiao , Huang Yaolong
Published: August 2022

In this paper, drained consolidation tests of saturated remolded cohesive soil were carried out at different loading rates, and the samples at different loading stages were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing. Through qualitative analysis of the relationship between the transverse relaxation time T2, peak area, and porosity, the deformation micro-response of the saturated remolded cohesive soil was studied. The results showed that the transverse relaxation time T2 of the saturated remolded cohesive soil samples during the initial stage consisted of two spectral peaks, representing pores with large and small pore diameters, respectively. As loading progressed, the pore diameters in each sample group gradually shifted to smaller sizes, and the final form of the T2 spectrum was unimodal, in which the pores became denser and more uniform. In the initial stage of loading, the T2 spectrum of the soil sample with faster loading showed no obvious change trend due to the influence of drainage lag. After a sufficiently long dead load time, the final shape of the T2 spectrum was very similar regardless of loading rate, indicating that the loading rate only affected the intermediate state of the soil sample, and the final state was determined by the initial state of the sample. At the same time, after a certain dead load time, the changes in pore diameter were no longer obvious, indicating that the flowing fluid in the pore was drained, and drainage consolidation was complete. According to the positive correlation between the loading rate and maximum pore pressure, a boundary rate was obtained. We could reasonably infer that if the controlled loading rate was less than this value, drainage consolidation was complete in the main consolidation stage.
A Study on Disability Glare Vision in Young Adult Subjects
Authors: Casado Pilar , Ávila Francisco J. , Collados Mª Victoria , Ares Jorge
Published: August 2022

The complete assessment of the visual system must include evaluation of the optical quality of the eye and neural visual functions. The objective evaluation of the retinal image quality is often carried-out by computing the point spread function (PSF) of the eye. The central part of the PSF is associated to optical aberrations and the peripheral areas to scattering contributions. In that sense, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function tests can be considered the perceptual neural response to those contributions characterizing the eye´s PSF. However, in natural viewing conditions visual acuity tests may provide good vision while contrast sensitivity tests can reveal visual impairment in glare vision conditions, such as exposure to bright light sources or night driving conditions. Here we present an optical instrument for the study of disability glare vision under Maxwellian illumination to assess the contrast sensitivity function under glare conditions. The limit of the total disability glare threshold, tolerance and glare adaptation will be investigated as a function of the glare angle and the contrast sensitivity function in young adult subjects.
The double-edged sword of Twitter during crisis situations. A value-sensitive design approach to decreasing the impact of online misinformation
Authors: Engelen Yves van , Marin Lavinia
Published: August 2022

Social media platforms like Twitter are extensively used during crises which seems to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, these platforms have an invaluable potential to become a reliable source of information and communication-tool for those involved in crisis situations. On the other hand, it is already known that current social media platforms allow misinformation to spread quickly - a fact that, in crisis situations, could widely jeopardize public safety. The reasons why misinformation spreads so quickly on Twitter in crisis situations can be traced back to several factors such as the platform’s design choices, as well as the user's lack of critical engagement with the information, but, as we argue in this article, also because of an inherent value hierarchy embedded in the design of the user interface. In this paper, we aim to first clarify what can be done effectively by Twitter to mitigate the spread of misinformation in crisis situations. By using a Value Sensitive Design framework, we argue that the current Twitter design promotes a multiplicity of values that are implemented in the user-interface design in ways that lead to conflicting effects on misinformation. We thus argue that a design intervention needs to change both the current value hierarchy and the design implementations of the values at stake. Our paper concludes with several design recommendations for elevating the user's critical engagement as well as a discussion about the moral implications of trying to streamline Twitter’s user interface design towards favouring truth-telling in situations of crisis.
Mobile Integrated Access and Backhaul Node Backhual Link Failure Recovery with CHO
Authors: Huang Zhihan , Xu Xiaodong , Li Haojin , Wang Shuo , Sun Chen
Published: August 2022

Mobile integrated access and backhaul (IAB) has become an important topic and potential technology to discuss in beyond fifth generation(B5G) because the mobility of IAB nodes seriously affects the performance of networks and results in frequent backhaul radio link failure(BH RLF). In this paper, to recover from backhaul failures, we consider methods using the advanced preparation of alternative backhaul links and routes, such as conditional handover (CHO), to recover from backhaul failures. We propose two solutions to this issue, including cell selection based on parameter prediction and pre-configured priority and a force trigger CHO event in different scenarios. When RLF occurs in the mobile IAB nodes own BH link, the priority of the CHO candidate cell should be increased, effectively improving the selection probability of CHO candidate cells. When RLF occurs in the mobile IAB nodes parent BH link, we propose a new CHO trigger event to ensure that when its own link is intact, CHO will be triggered. Through theoretical analysis, we show that our solutions effectively reduce backhaul link failure.
A Pilot Study of Ion Current Estimation by Artificial Neural Network from Action Potential Waveforms
Authors: AYAN Sevgi ŞENGÜL , Süleymanoğlu Selim , Özdoğan Hasan
Published: August 2022

Experiments using conventional experimental approaches to capture the dynamics of ion channels are not always feasible, and even when possible and feasible, some can be time-consuming. In this work, the ionic current-time dynamics during cardiac action potentials (APs) are predicted from a single AP waveform by means of artificial neural networks (ANNs). The data collection is accomplished by the use of a single-cell model to run electrophysiological simulations in order to identify ionic currents based on fluctuations in ion channel conductance. The relevant ionic currents, as well as the corresponding cardiac AP, are then calculated and fed into the ANN algorithm, which predicts the desired currents solely based on the AP curve. The validity of the proposed methodology for the Bayesian approach is demonstrated by the R (validation) scores obtained from training data, test data, and the entire data set. The Bayesian regularization's (BR) strength and dependability are further supported by error values and the regression presentations, all of which are positive indicators. As a result of the high convergence between the simulated currents and the currents generated by including the efficacy of a developed Bayesian solver, it is possible to generate behavior of ionic currents during time for the desired AP waveform for any electrical excitable cell.
A general tensor prediction framework based on graph neural networks
Authors: Xiang Hongjun , Zhong Yang , Yu Hongyu , Gong Xinggao
Published: August 2022

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have shown extremely high flexibility and accuracy in predicting the physical properties of molecules and crystals. However, traditional invariant GNNs are not compatible with directional properties, which currently limits their application only to the prediction of invariant scalar properties. To address this issue, here we propose a general framework, i.e., an edge-based tensor prediction graph neural network (ETGNN), where a tensor is expressed as the linear combination of the local spatial components projected on the edge directions of multiple-sized clusters. This tensor decomposition is rotationally equivariant and exactly satisfies the symmetry of the local structures, while the coefficients before each local spatial component are rotationally invariant scalars which can be easily predicted by traditional invariant GNNs. The accuracy and universality of our new framework are demonstrated by the successful prediction of various tensor properties from first-order to third-order. The framework proposed in this work will enable GNNs to step into the broad field of the prediction of directional properties.
Germ-cell specific eIF4E1B regulates maternal RNA translation
to ensure zygotic genome activation
Authors: Yang Guanghui , Xin Qiliang , Feng Iris , Dean Jurrien
Published: August 2022

Translation of maternal mRNAs is detected before transcription of zygotic genes and is essential for mammalian embryo development. How certain maternal mRNAs are selected for translation instead of degradation and how this burst of translation affects zygotic genome activation remains unknown. Using gene-edited mice, we document that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E family member 1B (eIF4E1B) is the regulator of maternal mRNA translation that ensures subsequent reprogramming of the zygotic genome. In oocytes, the germ-cell specific eIF4E1B binds to mRNAs encoding chromatin remodeling complexes as well as reprogramming factors to protect them from degradation and promote their translation in zygotes. These protein products establish an open chromatin landscape in one-cell zygotes and enable transcription. Our results define a program for rapid resetting of the zygotic epigenome that is regulated by maternal mRNA translation and provides new insight into the mammalian maternal-to-zygotic transition.
Reduced Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Males with Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes
Authors: Stratton Pamela , Giri Neelam , Sklavos Martha M , Alter Blanche P , Savage Sharon A , Pinto Ligia A
Published: August 2022

Purpose
Fanconi Anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita/telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD), and Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) are inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) with high risks of bone marrow failure, leukemia, and solid tumors. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a circulating marker of ovarian reserve in females, may be a direct marker of Sertoli cell function and an indirect marker of spermatogenesis in males. Previously, reduced levels of AMH were found in females with these syndromes.
Methods
We assessed serum AMH levels in pubertal and post-pubertal males with FA, DC/TBD or DBA compared with their unaffected male relatives and unrelated healthy male volunteers participating in an observational study of the National Cancer Institute’s IBMFS cohort at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
Results
Males with FA had significantly lower levels of AMH (median 5 ng/mL) compared with unaffected male relatives (median 7.31 ng/mL, P = 0.03) or healthy male volunteers (median 7.66 ng/mL, P = 0.008). Males with DC/TBD had lower levels of AMH (median 3.76 ng/mL) compared with unaffected relatives (median 5.31 ng/mL, P = 0.01) or healthy volunteers (median 5.995 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Males with DBA had similar levels of AMH (median 3.46 ng/mL) as unaffected relatives (median 4.66 ng/mL, P = 0.56), and healthy volunteers (median 5.81 ng/mL, P = 0.10).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest a defect in the production of AMH in post-pubertal males with FA and DC/TBD, similar to that observed in females.
Emotion Recognition and the Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (SI-Bord): outcomes and community-based validation
Authors: Godfrey Emmet , Kelly-Grealy Molly , O’Sullivan Erin Whyte , Sullivan Sarah , Brady Finn , Carroll Grace A. , Burke Tom
Published: August 2022

Background
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by impulsivity, affect instability, dysregulation, low self-image, and interpersonal difficulties. There are many instruments to measure traits of BPD, however few can be administered quickly. The SI-Bord is an instrument offering a brief administration time with comparable psychometric properties to more comprehensive measures. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the SI-Bord in a healthy community-based sample and its relatedness to measures of social cognition.
Methods
A community-based sample of participants completed an online survey consisting of measures of BPD traits and social cognition consisting of the Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (SI-Bord), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), the Florida Affect Battery (FAB), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and inter-item correlations. Validity was assessed using factor analysis, examining associations with other measures of BPD traits, and examining associations with measures not measuring BPD traits.
Results
151 participants were included in the study. Participants’ age ranged from 20–76 (mean age of 38.79 ± 12.37) and comprised 76 females (50.33%) and 75 males (49.67%). Good internal consistency was found with a Cronbach’s alpha of .71. Good inter-item reliability was found with a mean inter-item cross correlation of .25, with each item of the SI-Bord showing an inter-item correlation coefficient of > .5. Factor analysis identified good construct validity with a strong singular dimension explaining a large proportion of variance. The SI-Bord showed good concurrent validity with significantly positive correlations with the subscales of the PAI borderline scale measuring affect instability (r = .60; p < .001), identity problems (r = .67; p < .001), negative relationships (r = .61; p < .001), self-harm (r = .39; p < .001), and total score (r = .76; p < .001). The SI-Bord was not correlated with the NPI-16 (r = .131; p = .11), showing good divergent validity.
Conclusions
These findings support the efficacy of the SI-Bord as a quick and useful screening tool in the diagnostic process of BPD.
The effect of intrinsic and extrinsic defects in p-type Si wafers with different carrier concentrations on the structural, thermal, and electrical properties
Authors: Martinez-Hernandez Harol D. , Martinez-Munoz Porfirio E. , Ramirez-Gutierrez Cristian F. , Martinez-Ascencio Eduardo U. , Millán-Malo Beatriz , Rodriguez-Garcia Mario E.
Published: August 2022

In monocrystalline semiconductor materials, their structural properties govern thermal and electrical ones. Here, the effect of defects induced by intrinsic and extrinsic parameters on the structural, thermal, and electrical properties during manufacturing processes and samples preparation in p-type Si wafers with different carrier concentrations was investigated. Photocarrier images in a Si wafer 0.005 Ω·cm showed that Boron carrier distribution exhibit variation across wafer. The Hall effect measurements in cut and polished samples delivered structural damages affecting the carrier lifetime. The crystalline quality obtained by studying the FWHM of the X-Ray patterns elucidated the effect of intrinsic carrier contribution on the structural properties. Thermal diffusivity and heat capacity of the cut samples exhibit a decrease as carrier concentration increases being affected by the crystal damage. Thermal and electrical properties are governed by structure state determined by intrinsic and extrinsic parameters.
Profiles and Predictive Value of Cytokines in Children with Human Metapneumovirus Pneumonia
Authors: Wen-qing Xiang , Li Lin , Wang bing-han , Ali Ahmed Faisal , Li Wei
Published: August 2022

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. To evaluate the predicitive value of Th1/Th2 cytokines which include IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ and TNF-α in pneumonia caused by HMPV. Methods: A retrospective study was performed among 59 pneumonia pediatric patients with HMPV infection and 33 healthy children as the control cohort, which was detected by the immunofluorescence assay, and the Th1/Th2 cytokines were measured by flow cytometry. Results: When compared with the healthy children, children who were infected with HMPV pneumonia had a significantly lower level of IL-2 (p<0.001) and higher levels of IL-4 ((p<0.001), IL-6 (p=0.001), IL-10 (p<0.001), and IFN-γ (p<0.001). Compared with patients diagnosed with influenza virus A (IVA) or influenza virus B (IVB) infections, HMPV-positive patients had significantly higher levels of IL-4 (p<0.001 and <0.001), IFN-γ (p<0.001 and <0.001), and TNF-α (p<0.001 and 0.016). Moreover, compared with IVA patients, HMPV-positive patients had a significantly lower level of IL-6 (p=0.033). Finally, when comparing cytokine levels among the patients with HMPV pneumonia, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were found to be significantly higher in the severe group than the mild group (p=0.027 and 0.049). The IL-6 and TNF-α were used to differentiate between mild and severe symptoms in children diagnosed with HMPV pneumonia with an AUC of 0.678 (95% CI, 0.526-0.829) and 0.658 (95% CI, 0.506-0.809), respectively.Conclusions: Our study indicates that IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ may be a reference for auxiliary diagnose HMPV pneumonia in children. IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ may serve as biomarkers to distinguish HMPV from IVA and IVB, whereas IL-6 may be able to differentiate between HMPV and IVA. IL-6 and TNF-α may be used to assessment of severity and prognosis of HMPV infection.
Determination of Critical Concentration for Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against Para-Aminosalicylic Acid with clinical isolates with thyA, folC and dfrA mutations
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Shanshan , Ge Qiping , Guo Haiping , Shang Yuanyuan , Ren Weicong , Wang Yufeng , Xue Zhongtan , Lu Jie , Pang Yu
Published: August 2022

Background & ObjectivesAccurate determination of antimicrobial resistance profiles is of great importance to formulate optimal regimens against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Although para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) has been widely used clinically, the reliable testing methods for PAS susceptibility were not established. Herein, we aimed to establish critical test concentration for PAS on the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 in our laboratory settings. MethodsA total of 102 clinical isolates were included in this study, including 82 wild-type and 20 resistotype isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by MGIT 960. Whole-genome sequencing was used to identify the mutation patterns potentially conferring PAS resistance. Sequence alignment and structure modelling were carried out to analyze potential drug-resistant mechanism of folC mutant.ResultsOverall, the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distribution demonstrated excellent separation between wild-type and resistotype isolates. The wild-type population were all at least 1 dilution below 4 μg/ml, and the resistotype population were no lower than 4 μg/ml, indicating that 4 μg/ml was appropriate critical concentration to separate these two populations. Of 20 mutant isolates, 12 (60.0%) harbored thyA mutations, 2 (10%) had a mutation on upstream of dfrA, and the remaining isolates had folC mutations. Overall, thyA and folC mutations were scattered throughout the whole gene without any one mutation predominating. All mutations within thyA resulted in high-level resistance to PAS (MIC >32μg/ml); whereas the MICs of isolates with folC mutations exhibited great diversity, ranged from 4 to ＞32 μg/ml, and sequence and structure analysis partially provided the possible reasons for this diversity. ConclusionsWe propose 4 μg/ml as tentative critical concentration for MGIT 960. The major mechanism of PAS resistance is mutations within thyA and folC in MTB isolations. The whole-gene deletion of thyA locus confers high-level resistance to PAS. The diversity of many distinct mutations scattered throughout the full-length folC gene challenges the PCR-based mutation analysis for PAS susceptibility.
GoMIC: Multi-view Image Clustering via Self-supervised Contrastive Heterogeneous Graph Co-learning
Authors: Fang Uno , Li Jianxin , Akhtar Naveed , Li Man , Jia Yan
Published: August 2022

Graph learning is being increasingly applied to image clustering to reveal intra-class and inter-class relationships in data. However, existing graph learning-based image clustering focuses on grouping images under a single view, which under-utilises the information provided by the data. To address that, we propose a self-supervised multi-view image clustering technique under contrastive heterogeneous graph learning. Our method computes a heterogeneous affinity graph for multi-view image data. It conducts Local Feature Propagation (LFP) for reasoning over the local neighbourhood of each node and executes an Influence-aware Feature Propagation (IFP) from each node to its influential node for learning the clustering intention. The proposed framework pioneeringly employs two contrastive objectives. The first targets to contrast and fuse multiple views for the overall LFP embedding, and the second maximises the mutual information between LFP and IFP representations. We conduct extensive experiments on the benchmark datasets for the problem, i.e. COIL-20, Caltech7 and CASIA-WebFace. Our evaluation shows that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods, including the popular techniques MVGL, MCGC and HeCo.
Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Psychological Wellbeing of Refugees in Africa.
Authors: Kalyegira Juma
Published: August 2022

There is limited psychological literature about refugees in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a qualitative study approach, this study sought to answer the question “What factors influence the psychological well-being/frustration of refugees, and Ugandan nationals/host community?” Data was collected through 9 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with N = 54 participants (5 FGDs refugees and 4 FGDs Ugandans), with 6 participants in each FGD. They included males and females with Adults, youth, and school-going adolescents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. The FGDs, frequently reported on what contributed to their psychological well-being/frustration. These included food availability, family separations and death, good security in the refugee camp, provision of health services, access to free education, the role of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), unfavorable farmland, availability of employment and income-generating activities, collaboration and peer support and delayed resettlement within or outside Uganda. Recommendations are made to provide community-based psychological interventions to increase self-reliance and reduce dependence on the few highly skilled MHPSS providers, setting up more youth collaboration activities to strengthen peaceful co-existence among refugees themselves and also between refugees and host community, designing and implementing sensitization programs regarding resettlement to overcome the aspect of over expectations and anxieties due to delay or failure in successful resettlement. This study contributes to the literature on refugees’ specific current concerns as well as those of the host community., which may require specific interventions to refugees’/nationals’ challenges.
Characterization and Estimation of Diversity of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) Genotypes Based on Qualitative Morphological Traits.
Authors: Tesfa Melaku , Tena Esayas , Kebede Mulugeta
Published: August 2022

An accurate and extensive study of the qualitative morphological diversity of sugarcane genotypes would allow their identification, conservation and utilization in the sugarcane breeding program. The objectives of the study were to characterize and estimate the morphological diversity of sugarcane genotypes using qualitative traits. Data collected for 16 qualitative characters were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis to assess the overall patterns of morphological variation. Shannon diversity index (H′) was calculated to estimate morphological diversity. The result indicated that the qualitative traits revealed high variability among 144 sugarcane genotypes. The most polymorphic character with the highest Shannon diversity index (H′) was stalk corky patchs. The H′ averaged across all countries for different characters was found to vary from 0.50 to 0.76 with an average of 0.61. The H′ pooled across characters by country of collection ranged from 0.00 to 0.83, with a general average of 0.62. Multivariate cluster analysis has grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters based on the relatedness and variation for all considered characters. Genotypes with close genetic relationships are grouped in a single cluster. The clustering pattern of the genotypes elucidated that genotypes originating from the same geographic locations did not form a single cluster. This shows that geographic diversity has not associated with genetic diversity, which may be due to the continuous exchange of genetic material among countries. Finally, we concluded that the qualitative morphological traits evaluated in this study could be used for varietal identification, maintaining genetic diversity and managing sugarcane germplasm.
Obesity as a risk factor for severe influenza infection in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vitoratou Dimitra-Irinna , Milas Gerasimos-Panagiotis , Korovessi Paraskevi , Kostaridou Stavroula , Koletsi Patra
Published: August 2022

Purpose Obesity has been recently identified as a predisposing factor for worse prognosis in viral illnesses such as SARS-CoV-2, however, its role in children with influenza is not yet clarified. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess whether obesity is a risk factor for either hospitalization or worse prognosis when hospitalized among children infected by influenza. Methods We systematically searched the following databases: MEDLINE, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) using a structured algorithm. Statistical meta-analysis was performed using the ‘meta’ package in R software and included studies were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. ResultsAmong children with influenza, obesity increased the odds of hospitalization with a pooled OR of 1.89 (95% CI [1.23, 2.9], I2=0, p=0.003). When hospitalized, children with obesity were also more likely to have a worse outcome than their healthy-weight counterparts, with a pooled OR of 1.24 (95% Cl [1.02;1.51], I2=11, p=0.03). In an effort to lower heterogeneity Leave-one-out meta-analysis was conducted. Publication bias was assessed with the visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim-and-fill method. Certainty assessment was evaluated using the GRADE score. ConclusionsThe findings of our meta-analysis suggest that obesity in children with influenza is associated with a worse prognosis; both hospitalization and ICU admission/death. //
Improved growth performance, body composition, digestive enzyme and gut microbes in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings fed with mannan oligosaccharide
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Sardar P. , Sahu N. P. , Nazeemashahul Shamna
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on the growth, body composition, digestive enzyme and gut microbes in Cirrhinus mrigala also known as Cirrhinus cirrhosus fingerlings. Random distribution of 180 acclimatized fingerlings of mrigal with avg. body weight of 3.1 ± 0.05 g were made in triplicate with stocking of 15 fish per tank for four experimental groups such as control, 0.2% MOS, 0.4% MOS, and 0.6% MOS, using completely randomized design (CRD) for a period of 60 days. The results revealed that significantly higher growth in terms of weight gain%, SGR, FCR, FER and PER was found in the group fed 0.6% MOS as compared to control. Significant difference (p < 0.05) observed for body composition and digestive enzyme activity in among the treatments groups. Evaluation of autochthonous intestinal microbiota revealed that the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) counts and bacillus counts increased in all MOS fed was detected to increase in 0.6% MOS fed group. The study showed improved nutrient utilization in terms of growth performance and digestive enzyme activity in the group fed with 0.6% MOS, which can be recommended as an ideal prebiotic in the diet of mrigal.
Local Stability Analysis of epidemic models using a Corollary of Gershgorin’s Circle Theorem
Authors: Adom-Konadu Agnes , Sackitey Albert Lanor , Anokye Martin
Published: August 2022

The techniques and methods that help to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions to determine the local stability of linearized systems are paramount. In this paper, a corollary of the Gershgorin’s circle theorem was used to establish the local stability of different epidemic models with three or more states including, a Tuberculosis model, an SEIRS model, vector-host model and a-Staged HIV/AIDS Model. It was observed that no matter the state or the dimension of the system or matrix, this corollary can be used to analyse the local stability for both disease-free and endemic equilibria, by establishing that when R0 < 1, the Jacobian matrix evaluated at the disease free equilibrium will have negative eigenvalues or negative real part eigenvalues. Thus, the disease-free equilibrium is stable but when R0 > 1, the Jacobian matrix evaluated at the endemic equilibrium will have negative eigenvalues or negative real part eigenvalues making the endemic equilibrium is stable.