bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying spatial complexity of settlement plans through fractal analysis
Authors: Bruvoll Hallvard
Published: March 2023

In this paper I investigate the possibilities and limitations of fractal analysis methods applied to archaeological and synthetic settlement plans, with the goal of providing quantitative measures of spatial randomness or noise, as well as potential tools for automated culture-historical attribution of settlement plans and socio-economic intra-site differentiation. The archaeological sample is made from Linear Pottery settlements in south-west Slovakia and Trypillia settlements in the Southern Bugh-Dnipro interfluve in central Ukraine, all based upon high quality geomagnetic site plans. Synthetic plans are constructed as geometrically ideal versions of the archaeological ones, with varying degrees of added spatial noise. A significant correlation between fractal dimension and noise level is revealed for synthetic settlement plans, independently of size, density, house-size distribution and basic layout. However, several methodological challenges persist, and further systematic exploration on larger samples is needed before these results may be generalised. All analysis is performed in the R language and the script is made freely available in order to facilitate further development.
Analysis of histopathology and changes of major cytokines in the lesions caused by Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection
Authors: Li Jidong , Chen Can , Gao Le , Wang Lingling , Wang Wei , Zhang Jinhua , Gong Zhenxing , Wang Jiandong , Guo Yanan
Published: March 2023

Background
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovipneumoniae) is wide epidemic in the world, and is the main pathogen of sheep pneumonia, causing a series of clinical symptoms, such as depression, anorexia, hyperthermia, cough, dyspnea and tract secretions and so on. In recent years, the prevalence of M. ovipneumoniae pneumonia has become increasingly serious in sheep farms in Ningxia, China, causing significant losses.
Results
In this study, a total of 105 samples were collected from 13 large-scale farms in Ningxia for pathogen isolation, identification, pathological dissection and histopathological observation. The results showed that 13 strains of M. ovipneumoniae were isolated from the samples collected from 13 farms. The lesions caused by M. ovipneumoniae were mainly in trachea, bronchus and lung, including necrosis of tracheal mucosal epithelial cells, disintegration of some epithelial cells, edema of mucosal lamina propria, with inflammatory cell infiltration, cytoplasmic vacuolization of epithelial cells of bronchial mucosa, massive infiltration of inflammatory cells in the alveolar space of lung, necrosis and hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the proportion of M. ovipneumoniae positive area in lung was the largest, followed by that in bronchus and trachea. The mRNA expression of cytokines in target organs were detected by qPCR. The results showed that the cytokines of significantly up-regulated mRNA expression in trachea was IL-12. The cytokines of significantly up-regulated mRNA expression in the bronchus included IL-10 and IL-12. The cytokines of significantly up-regulated mRNA expression in the lung included IL-1β and NF-κB.
Conclusions
Molecular identification of pathogens, immunohistochemical analysis and detection of inflammatory cytokines of lesion tissues play important roles in the diagnosis of M. ovipneumoniae infection. This study lays a foundation for the diagnosis, prevention, control and pathological damage mechanism of M. ovipneumoniae pneumonia.
‘Which severe COVID-19 patients could benefit from High dose dexamethasone? A Bayesian reanalysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sylvie Chevret , Lila Bouadma , Claire Dupuis , Charles Burdet , timsit jean-francois
Published: March 2023

Background: The respective benefits of high and low doses of dexamethasone (DXM) in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov2) and acute respiratory failure (ARF) are controversial, with two large triple-blind RCTs reaching opposite conclusions. In the COVIDICUS trial, we argued against any additional benefit of high-dose dexamethasone (DXM20). We aimed to explore whether some specific patient phenotypes could benefit from DXM20 compared to the standard of care dose of DXM (DXMSoC).
Methods: We performed a post hoc exploratory Bayesian analysis of 473 patients who received either DXM6 or DXM20 in the COVIDICUS trial. The primary outcome was the 60-day mortality rate of DXM20 over DXMSoC, with the treatment effect measured on the posterior mean of relative risk (RR) estimated using a beta-binomial model with 95% credibility intervals (95% CrI). Bayesian measures of interaction quantified the probability of interaction (Pr Interact) that the RR of 60-day death differed across the subsets by 20%.
Results: Overall, the posterior mean RR of Day 60 mortality was 1.06 with a 95% credible confidence interval (0.77 to 1.44) and a posterior probability of benefit and harm of 27.0% and 50.5%, respectively. There was some evidence of treatment by subset interaction according to age, with the benefit increasing in patients aged below 70 years (RR=0.74, 95% CrI 0.41-1.22) compared to those aged above 70 (RR=1.12, 95% CrI 0.77 to 1.60) (Pr Interact, 77%), when the time since symptoms onset was lower than 7 days (RR=0.66, 95% CrI 0. 36 to 1.09) compared to 7 days or more (RR=1.15, 95% CrI 0.76 to 1.67) (Pr Interact, 90%) and in patients receiving remdesivir (RR=0.62, 95% CrI 0.29 to 1.14) compared to those who did not (RR=1.12, 95% CrI 0.78 to 1.58) (Pr Interact, 88%).
Conclusions: In this exploratory post hoc Bayesian analysis, compared with standard-of-care DXM, high-dose DXM may benefit patients aged less than 70 years with severe ARF that occurred less than 7 days after symptoms onset. The use of remdesivir may also favour the benefit of DXM20. Further analysis is needed to confirm these findings.
Trial registration: NCT04344730, date of registration April 14, 2020 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04344730?term=NCT04344730&draw=2&rank=1); EudraCT: 2020-001457-43 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2020-001457-43).
Violence against health care workers in a crisis context: A Mixed Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Makali Samuel Lwamushi , Lembebu Jean Corneille , Boroto Raïssa , Zalinga Christian Chiribagula , Bugugu Daniella , Lurhangire Emmanuel , Rosine Bigirinama , Chimanuka Christine , Mwene-Batu Pacifique , Molima Christian , Mendoza Jessica Ramirez , Ferrari Giovanfrancesco , Merten Sonja , Bisimwa Ghislain
Published: March 2023

Background

Health personnel in conflict zones face high levels of violence while also playing a crucial role in assisting the population in distress. For more than two decades, the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have been wracked by conflict. This study aims to describe the state of violence against Health Care Workers (HCWs) and the potential prevention mechanisms in eastern DRC.

Methods

In North and South Kivu, between February 5 and 21, 2021, we conducted a mixed cross-sectional convergent study in health facilities (health centers and hospitals). An anonymized self-administered questionnaire was sent to HCWs about their experience of violence in the 12 months prior to the study. In-depth individual interviews with HCWs, present on the day of the investigation, were also done to explore their experience of violence. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and a thematic analysis of the qualitative data was carried out.

Results

Of a total of 590 participants, 276 (45.9%) reported having experienced violence in the 12 months before the study. In North Kivu, aggressors were more frequently the patients (43.7% vs 26.5%) and armed group members (14.3% vs 7.9%) than in South Kivu. Most respondents (93.5%) reported verbal aggression (insults, intimidation, death threats). Other forms of physical aggression including with bare hands (11.2%), firearm (1.81%), and stabbing (4.7%). Only nearly one-tenth of the attacks were officially reported, and among those reported a higher proportion of sanctions was observed in South Kivu (8.5%) than in North Kivu (2.4%). The mechanisms proposed to prevent violence against HCWs were community initiatives and actions to strength the health system.

Conclusions

In Eastern DRC, HCWs face multiple and severe forms of aggression from a variety of individuals. The effects of such levels violence on HCWs and the communities they served could be devastating on the already pressured health system. Policy framework that defines the roles and responsibilities for the protection of HCWs and for the development and implementation of preparedness measures such as training on management of violence are possible solutions to this problem.
Socioeconomic inequalities in obesity during 2006-2017 in Spain: An outcome-wide epidemiology approach
Authors: Sánchez-Recio Raquel , Magallares Alejandro
Published: March 2023

Purpose: In Western developed countries, people living in less affluent circumstances are more likely to have obesity, while individuals in the upper socioeconomic strata are in a better position to protect themselves against this medical condition. The current study used the Spanish National Health Survey during 2006-2017 to investigate trends between men and women in the socioeconomic patterns of obesity in Spain from an outcome-wide epidemiology approach.
Methods: The data came from the 2006, 2011, and 2017 Spanish National Health Surveys. The Spanish National Health Surveys are nationally representative surveys with a stratified multistage design. Sample sizes were 29,478 in 2006, 20,884 in 2011, and 22,903 in 2017, with a total sample size of 73,265 individuals.
Results: A statistically significant increase of obesity (men 15.39% vs. 18.11%, women 13.38% vs. 16.11%, p <.001) was observed in the three years analyzed (2006, 2011, and 2017). The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) showed that obesity was mainly concentrated in individuals from lower social strata. Both indices were higher in women than in men in the three years analyzed and these inequalities increased significantly during the studied period (RII p for trend: .009, SII p for trend <.001).
Conclusion: The current research shows the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in obesity in Spain during the years between 2006 and 2017. Obesity was mainly concentrated in disadvantaged social classes.
Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional survey
Machine learning approach for screening key genes of atherosclerosis and perform pan-cancer analysis
Authors: Zhan Zhenrun , Bi Xiaodan , Yang Jinpeng , Tang Xu , Zhao Tingting
Published: March 2023

Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory disease caused by lipids which is an important factor in causing coronary heart disease and stroke. Medical researchers around the world are working on more effective ways to diagnose and treat it. This article will introduce a method of machine learning algorithm to screen biomarkers and perform pan-cancer analysis for reference. First, we downloaded the GEO dataset containing information on atherosclerotic patients for differential gene screening. At the same time, we also used TCGA and GTEx databases for pan-carcinogenic analysis of differential genes. Then, we performed WGCNA analysis. The selected module genes were crossed with the differential genes to obtain 122 key genes. Four machine learning algorithms, XGBoost, RandomForest, SVM-REF and GLM, were used to calculate the critical genes and get the junction of the results to obtain 4 hub genes (SLAMF8, TLR2, VAMP8 and VSIG4). Next, we build a diagnostic model and assess the capabilities of this model.At the same time, the ROC curves of the four genes also suggest that their role in the development of atherosclerosis is critical. Next, we performed gene correlation analysis, immune infiltration analysis and RT-PCR verification of the four core genes, and finally screened out TLR2 for pan-carcinoma. Through analysis, we can find that the expression of TLR2 in patients with a variety of tumors is different from that of normal people, and it is strongly associated with the proportion of prognosis of patients with diverse cancers. The results suggest that TLR2 may be a target for intervention in the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis and tumors.
Exploring the Variations in Death Anxiety among Oncology Nurses in China: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Chen Xian , Su Mengyu , Arber Anne , Qiao Chengping , Wu Jinfeng , Sun Cuihua , Wang Dan , Zhou Hui , Zhu Zhu
Published: March 2023

Background
Various factors have been found to be associated with high levels of death anxiety experienced by oncology nurses. However, the identification of internal heterogeneity of their death anxiety has not been fully explored.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey conducted in Jiangsu Province, China, to assess the level of death anxiety, palliative care knowledge, and attitude of registered oncology nurses towards palliative care. The collected data were analyzed using Latent Class Analysis (LCA), logistic regression, and Pearson correlation.
Results
A two-potential-category model was selected based on the fit index. The results showed that 79.17% of oncology nurses belonged to the high pressure and pain group and 20.83% belonged to the low death anxiety group. The high pressure and pain group had significantly higher scores in the dimensions of emotion, stress and pain, time awareness, and cognition compared to the low death anxiety group. Factors influencing the high pressure and pain group included shorter working years, non-national or provincial oncology nursing specialists, non-national palliative care specialists, never discussing the topic of death with patients or family members, no palliative care related training, and PCQN and FATCOD scores.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that oncology nurses' death anxiety can be divided into two categories: low death anxiety and high stress pain, and certain factors, such as being female, having a short work experience, and lacking palliative care-related training, increase the likelihood of death anxiety.
Lithium magnesium alloys: a framework for investigating lithium alloy anodes for solid state batteries
Authors: Aspinall Jack , Sada Krishnakanth , Guo Hua , Narayanan Sudarshan , Chart Yvonne , Jagger Ben , Milan Emily , Armstrong David , Pasta Mauro
Published: March 2023

Lithium alloys have the potential to overcome anode-side challenges in solid state batteries. In this work we synthesize and characterize lithium-rich magnesium alloys, quantifying the changes in mechanical properties, transport, and surface chemistry that impact electrochemical performance. Increases in hardness, stiffness,adhesion, and creep are quantified by nanoindentation as a function of magnesium content. A decrease in diffusivity is quantified with chronopotentiometry and6Li PFG-NMR, and an increase in interfacial impedance due to the presence of magnesium is identified with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy which is correlated with XPS data. Throughout, changes in properties are linked to electrochemical performance. This work provides a framework to investigate other lithium alloy systems.
Evaluation of material flows in the Mé River watershed (Ivory Coast)
Authors: Koffi Ehouman Serge , Kamagaté Anzoumanan , Koffi Koffi Jean Thierry , Dao Amidou , Noufé Dabissi Djibril , Kamagaté Bamory , Goné Lanciné Droh , Guilliod Maurice , Séguis Luc , Perrin Jean Louis
Published: March 2023

Soil erosion by precipitation, rainfall and runoff is a widespread phenomenon in different countries of the world. It becomes disastrous in particular on the slopes because of the torrentiality of the flow, of the strong vulnerability of the grounds (soft rocks, fragile grounds, steep slopes). The present study has for objective: The analysis of the data of concentrations of sediments in suspension are measured at the station of the rivers highlights relations, linking the concentration (or the solid flow) of the sediments in suspension to the liquid flow and to quantify the seasonal, monthly and interannual and intra annual variation of the surface degradation. Annual tonnage estimates of solids loads to the Mé were derived from the power law for all seasons. From this deduction, the annual quantities of sediment transported by the Mé from 2015/2017 is 7.06.106 t/year, or a specific degradation of 1.79.103 t/km²/year. On the other hand, in 2017, the value of this solid input is 3.06.106 t/year. However, the annual solid input is estimated at 7063.03.103 t/year with a specific degradation of 1784.47 t/km²/year at the Mé from 2015 to 2017.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of the aridity index in Xinjiang over the past 60 years
Authors: Wu Xiulan , Zhang Cunjie , Dong Siyan , Hu Jiahui , Tong Xinyi , Zheng Xiannian
Published: March 2023

Precipitation change and dry‒wet trend are the most critical natural factors that determine the social development and civilization process in Xinjiang. The Aridity Index (AI), calculated from 99 homogeneous meteorological stations from 1961 to 2020,was used to analyze the variation of dry‒wet climate change in Xinjiang in the past 60 years . The results show that the annual AI in Xinjiang has shown a significant decreasing trend over the past 60 years; that is, the climate in Xinjiang, especially southern Xinjiang, has become wetter. The interdecadal variations from the 1960s-2010s show that the total station ratio of arid and extremely arid areas in Xinjiang showed a decadal decreasing trend, while the subarid areas and humid and semihumid areas showed increasing trends, especially since the beginning of the 21st century. The interdecadal spatial evolution characteristics show that the dry‒wet climate in Xinjiang reversed in the 1990s. An abrupt change in the annual aridity index occurred in 1986, after which the study region was basically in a continuous wetting process. The first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition mode is consistent in Xinjiang; that is, the climate in Xinjiang is generally dry or wet, and the intensity of this change varies among different regions. The second mode reflects the opposite spatial distribution characteristics of the dry‒wet climate in southern and northern Xinjiang with the Tianshan Mountains. Dry‒wet climate changes in Xinjiang mainly exhibit 2.5-year and 6-year oscillation periods, between which the 6-year period is more significant.
Upregulation of SOX12 is correlated with poor prognosis and immune infiltrates in skin cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Hao Miao , Liu Tie , He Simin , Du Jianshi , Cong Xianling
Published: March 2023

Background
Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the deadliest form skin cancer worldwide. Tumor immunotherapy has become a new strategy for tumor treatment, particularly for highly metastatic malignant tumors. However, there are no effective biomarkers for immunotherapy in patients with SKCM. As a crucial transcription factor, sex-determining region Y-box 12 (SOX12) plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and malignant transformation of many malignant tumors. Because the function and mechanism of SOX12 in SKCM remain unknown, further investigation is necessary. In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical prognostic value of SOX12 in patients with SKCM.
Methods
The expression of SOX12 was assessed using RNA-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Subsequently, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, Gene Set enrichment (GSEA), and Gene set variation analyse (GSVA) to further explore the functions of SOX12. Moreover, Cox multivariate, Kaplan-Meier, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine the predictive value of SOX12 for SKCM. Finally, RT-qPCR, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were used to verify the expression and clinical value of SOX12 in melanoma cell lines and tissues.
Results
SOX12 was highly expressed in SKCM tissue compared to that in normal tissue. Our results confirm that SOX12 expression is a potentially valuable indicator for SKCM diagnosis and prognosis. GSEA confirmed that SOX12 expression was closely associated with immune and epigenetic modifications. In addition, SOX12 may be involved in the metastasis and progression of SKCM through immunomodulation and methylation modifications. Overexpression of SOX12 in SKCM cell lines and tissues was also confirmed using RT-qPCR, HE staining, and IHC analyses.
Conclusions
Our research suggests that SOX12 can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and for SKCM treatment. Our results also contribute to the comprehensive understanding of SOX12 from a bioinformatics perspective and highlight its significance in SKCM diagnosis and treatment.
Effect of re-irradiation at bevacizumab failure in recurrent glioblastoma: a comparative analysis with maintenance bevacizumab
Authors: You Weir-Chiang , Shen Chiung-Chyi , Cheng Wen-Yu , Lee Hsu-Dung , Pan Hung-Chuan , Chen Hung-Chieh
Published: March 2023

Purpose
Recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) is challenging, and effective treatment options after bevacizumab failure are limited. Re-irradiation combined with bevacizumab has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for recurrent GBM patients who have failed bevacizumab treatment. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of re-irradiation in patients with progressive GBM refractory to bevacizumab monotherapy and explore the factors that may impact survival.
Methods and materials
This retrospective study enrolled 64 patients who developed a second progression after single-agent bevacizumab therapy. The patients were divided into two groups: 35 continued with bevacizumab alone (none-ReRT group), and 29 received bevacizumab and re-irradiation (ReRT group). The study measured overall survival time after bevacizumab failure (OST-BF) and after re-irradiation (OST-RT). Statistical tests were used to compare categorical variables, evaluate the difference in recurrence patterns between the two groups, and identify optimal cutoff points for re-irradiation volume.
Results
The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the ReRT group had a significantly higher survival rate and longer median survival time than the none-ReRT group. The median OST-BF and OST-RT were 14.5 months and 8.8 months, respectively, for the ReRT group, while the OST-BF for the none-ReRT group was 3.9 months (p < 0.001). Cox univariate analysis for overall survival time after bevacizumab failure (OST-BF) identified KPS at bevacizumab failure, ORR, bevacizumab failure pattern, re-irradiation, and re-irradiation target volume as significant predictors of survival time after bevacizumab failure. The multivariable analysis found only the re-irradiation target volume to be significant for OST-RT.
Conclusions
The study suggests that re-irradiation combined with bevacizumab therapy may be a valuable treatment option for patients with recurrent GBM who have failed bevacizumab therapy. The re-irradiation target volume may be a valuable prognostic factor for these patients, with smaller target volumes associated with better survival outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes and prospective designs are necessary to confirm these results and determine the optimal treatment approach for these patients.
A lipid atlas of human and mouse immune cells provides insights into ferroptosis susceptibility
Authors: Pernes Gerard , Morgan Poorane , Huynh Kevin , Giles Corey , Paul Sudip , Smith Alex , Mellett Natalie , Bertuzzo-Veiga Camilla , Collins Thomas , De silva Michael , Lee Man , Meikle Peter , Lancaster Graeme , Murphy Andrew
Published: March 2023

The cellular lipidome is comprised of thousands of unique lipid species. Herein, using mass spectrometry-based targeted lipidomics we have characterized the lipid landscape of human and mouse immune cells (www.cellularlipidatlas.com). Using this resource, we show that immune cells have unique lipidomic signatures and that processes such as activation, maturation and development impact immune cell lipid composition. To demonstrate the potential of this resource to provide new insights into immune cell biology, we determined how a cell-specific lipid trait, differences in the abundance of poly-unsaturated fatty acid-containing glycerophospholipids (PUFA-PLs), influenced immune cell biology. We firstly show that differences in PUFA-PL content underpins the differential susceptibility of immune cells to ferroptosis, and secondly, that low PUFA-PL content promotes resistance to ferroptosis in activated neutrophils. In summary, we show that the lipid landscape is a defining feature of immune cell identity and cell-specific lipid phenotypes underpin aspects of immune cell physiology.
Architecture in consistent with climate (case study: Yazd)
Authors: Talebi Mohammad Sadegh
Published: March 2023

In this study, the prevailing climate of Yazd was determined using the long-term average of synoptic stations’ information of Yazd Province for thirty years (1984 -2021) and based on the common climate classification methods (coupon, Emberger, and Karimi) in order to provide consistent patterns with climate in Yazd. Then, its comfort zone was determined using the changes range of relative humidity and temperature. The bioclimatic diagram was prepared considering the impact of various parameters such as sunlight, humidity and wind on the comfort zone. Finally, orientation, form, and proportions of the building and etc. was calculated and presented.
Self-assembled Redox-responsive BRD4 siRNA nanoparticles: fomulation and its in vitro delivery in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Mengying , An Zhonghua , Jiang Yiming , Wei Meijiao , Li Xiangbo , Wang Yifan , Wang Hongbo , Gong Yanling
Published: March 2023

With the development of newer biomarkers in the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC), therapeutic targets are emerging and molecular-targeted therapy is in progress RNA interference has emerged as a promising method of gene targeting therapy. However, bare small interfering RNA (siRNA) is unstable and susceptible to degradation, so developing vectors for siRNA delivery is the focus of our research.
We developed LMWP modified PEG-SS-PEI to deliver siRNA targeting BRD4 (L-NPs) for GC therapy. L-NPs were prepared by electrostatic interaction and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The release characteristics, cellular uptake and intracellular localization were also investigated. The in vitro anticancer activity of the prepared nanoparticles was analysed by MTT, Transwell invasion and wound healing assay. Western blot was used to detect the effect of gene silencing. The results showed that the optimal N/P was 30 and the prepared L-NPs uniformly distributed in the system with a spherical and regular shape. L-NPs exhibited an accelerated release in GSH-containing media from 12h to 24h. The uptake of L-NPs was enhanced and mainly co-localized in the lysosomes. After 6h incubation, LMWP modified PEG-SS-PEI helped siRNA escape from the lysosomes and diffused into the cytoplasm. L-NPs significantly in hibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cells. This might be related with the silence of BRD4, then inhibition of PI3K/Akt and c-Myc. Our results demonstrate that L-NPs are a novel delivery system with anticancer, which may provide a more effective strategy for GC treatment.
Optical properties as indicators of in-lake dissolved organic matter components, sources and transformation
Authors: Wu Jing , Zhang Runyu , Wang Liying , Chen Jingan
Published: March 2023

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an essential role in the biogeochemical cycle of carbon (C) in inland lakes. Combining ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy–parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), we examined spatial-temporal variations in chromophoric DOM (CDOM) composition and sources in Lake Erhai, the seventh largest lake in China. The results showed that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were obviously higher in the wet season than in the dry season. The optical indices of lake DOM exhibited regular seasonal variability. Larger SR values presented in the wet season indicated strong photobleaching activity. Humic-like substances (C1 and C3) dominated the lake DOM in the dry season, while protein-like substances (C2) were abundant in the wet season. The proportion of autochthonous DOM exceeds 60% in the northern region of Lake Erhai owing to algal proliferation. Evident correlations between DOC and Chl a, BIX, and YFI supported that most lake DOM originate from the photosynthesis of phytoplankton in the eutrophic transitional lake. Autochthonous DOM was associated with DOC, Chl a, C2%, YFI, and BIX, whereas terrestrial DOM was closely linked to a254,a350, C3/C1% and HIX, based on principal component analysis (PCA) results. Higher HIX values for the inflowing river in comparison to lake water demonstrated the allochthonous characteristics of river DOM. High variability of the DOM sources, compositions, and dynamics were observed across the lake catchment as evidenced from the CDOM optical properties. These findings further underscore the significant role of in-lake autochthonous DOM in the global C cycle for inland lakes toward eutrophication.
Unsupervised saliency detection via kNN mechanism and object-biased prior
Authors: Zhou Xin , Ren Zhaohui
Published: March 2023

In recent years, some researchers have defined the compactness hypothesis that similar colours tend to accumulate in the salient region rather than in the non-salient region for image saliency detection. Meanwhile, we found that the mechanism of k-nearest neighbour (kNN) also assumes that similar things exist in close proximity. Since the kNN method belongs to supervised learning, we only introduce the unfixed k-value and combine it with the clustering idea of k-mean to propose a new algorithm called kNN clustering. Based on a given compact matrix, an object-biased prior and an improved boundary and background prior are proposed. Our algorithm is extensively tested on three publicly available datasets, and the experimental results reveal that our algorithm obviously outperforms 19 existing saliency detection methods to agile generate the high-quality saliency maps with full resolution. At the same time, the improved prior methods are efficient with the existing algorithms without prior knowledge, especially for the low-performing models.
Production of Bioethanol from Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor L.] Juice Using Yeast Isolated from Fermented Sweet Sorghum Juice
Authors: Kasegn Melaku Mekonen , Ashenef Addis Simachew , Redda Yisehak Tsegaye
Published: March 2023

Background
Nonrenewable energies have been used as the major sources of energy in the world so far. However, they are not sustainable and environmentally friendly and there is an urgent need to search for alternative renewable sustainable energy sources. Sweet sorghum is a sugar rich plant that can be used as an important alternative source of bioenergy that is renewable with a low contribution to global warming without computing food security. This study aimed to investigate the potential of sweet sorghum juice for bioethanol production using yeast isolated from fermented sweet sorghum juice.
Methods
Sweet sorghum juice oBrix was determined using a digital refractometer.Yeasts isolated from fermented sweet sorghum juice were characterized using different biochemical tests. Potent yeast was used in the fermentation of sweet sorghum juice which was carried out at different fermentation parameters, mainly pH, temperature, and incubation period, using a completely randomized factorial design. Ethanol content was determined using a potassium dichromate solution.
Results
About 18 of yeast isolates were selected based on the sugar fermentation test for further characterization. The morphology and biochemical tests of the yeasts carried out suggest that all the yeast isolates have belonged to the genus Saccharomyces. The most ethanol tolerant yeast isolate, SJU14, was used for fermentation. ANOVA showed that, maximum ethanol content (18.765%) was produced at 30/26 oC, pH of 4.5, incubated for 96 hrs.
Conclusion
Sweet sorghum juice found excellent source of potent yeasts and these yeasts have important industrial property such as able to grow at high ethanol and glucose concentration. Sweet sorghum juice can be used as an alternative substrate for bioethanol production to minimize the environmental threat caused by fossil fuels. Further research is recommended to strategically develop value-added utilization of sweet sorghum vis-à-vis improving food system and mitigating climate change.
Parathyroid hormone 1 receptor as a potential therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: 张 迟 , Xu Kui , Wang Jianle , Cai Xiongxiong , Lin Jialiang , Hu Baiwen , Liu Ting , Xu Hongyu , Song Qinghua , Yao Qi , Xia Dongdong
Published: March 2023

It is reported that parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) is crucial for intervertebral disc homeostasis maintenance. Annular tear was widely accepted as a common condition to destroy the immune privilege of the disk. To explore whether PTH1R is related to the pathogenesis of annular tear induced-intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in this study, we analyzed the protein content of PTH1R in deteriorated people nucleus pulposus (NP) structure. Moreover, PTH1R activity andextracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism-related factors in the rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) under oxidative stress conditions were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in vitro. In addition, a rat IVDD model was constructed by a customized annulus needle puncture (ANP) device to evaluate IVDD grades in vivo. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the performance of type II collagen (Col II) and PTH1R. The results displayed that the expression of PTH1R declined in degenerated human NP tissue. The increased PTH1R activity were observed in rat NPCs with low concentration Tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) treatment in vitro. In the rat IVDD model, the disc height had progressively narrowed and the disc structure was apparently disrupted in the ANP punctured discs. The protein expression of Col II and PTH1R was significantly down-regulated in ANP-punctured disc. This research demonstrated that our previous rat annulus needle puncture model could provide a reliable guide to the study of biologic processes in degenerating disks. Besides PTH1R has an inevitable connection with IVDD disease.
Echinococcus granulosus extracellular vesicles and their cargo in drug response: influence on initial immune response
Authors: Nicolao María Celeste , Rodrigues Christian Rodriguez , Coccimiglio Magalí B. , Ledo Camila , Docena Guillermo H. , Cumino Andrea C.
Published: March 2023

Background
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex, causing cystic echinococcosis in both humans and animals, represent one of the most widespread zoonoses of medical importance, which evolved manipulating the immune response of their hosts. Parasite-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are involved in the interaction between parasites and hosts, which are implicated in pathogenesis, proliferation, and signal transduction. The characteristics of E. granulosus sEVs from protoscoleces and their interaction with host-dendritic cells (DCs) have been reported, however, the effect on the initial immune response of sEVs recovered during parasite pharmacological treatment still remains unexplored.
Methods
Here, we isolated and characterized sEVs from control and drug-treated protoscoleces using ultracentrifugation, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and proteomic analysis. Also, we evaluated the cytokine response profile induced on murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) by qPCR.
Results
Small EVs isolated, with conventional size between 50 to 200 nm, independent of drug treatment, showed more than 500 cargo proteins and prominently 20 known antigens and 70 potential antigenic proteins, several integral transmembrane and soluble proteins mainly associated with signal transduction, immunomodulation, scaffolding factors, extracellular matrix-anchoring and lipid transport. The identity and abundance of proteins in the sEV-cargo from metformin and ABZSO-treated parasites were determined by proteomic analysis, detecting 107 and 8 exclusive proteins, respectively that include proteins related to the mechanisms of drug action. Previously, we have shown that sEVs are efficiently uptaken by DCs and that the high-abundance of antigens present in sEVs promoted the DCs maturation and modified their phenotype. Here, we have determined that the interaction of murine BMDCs with sEVs derived from control and drug-treated parasites as albendazole and metformin, increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 compared to control cells. Additionally, protoscolex-derived vesicles from metformin treatments induced the production of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. Nevertheless, the expression of IL-23 and TGF-β was downregulated.
Conclusions
We demonstrated that sEV-cargo derived from drug-treated- E. granulosus protoscoleces have immunomodulatory functions, which enhance DCs activation toward a type 1 pro-inflammatory profile promoting a more restrictive response against the parasite and therefore contributing to propound a new approach for prevention and treatment of secondary echinococcosis.
Prognostic impact of palpable prostate tumors on disease progression after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single center experience
Authors: Porcaro Antonio Benito , Gallina Sebastian , Bianchi Alberto , Tafuri Alessandro , Serafin Emanuele , Panunzio Andrea , Mazzucato Giovanni , Orlando Rossella , Ditonno Francesco , Ornaghi Paola Irene , Rizzetto Riccardo , Cerrato Clara , de Marco Vincenzo , Brunelli Matteo , Siracusano Salvatore , Cerruto Maria Angela , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of palpable prostate tumors on digital rectal exam (DRE) on the disease progression of prostate cancer (PCa) treated with RARP surgery in a tertiary referral center.
Materials and methods:
Overall 901 patients were evaluated in a period ranging from January 2013 to October 2020. In the surgical specimen, unfavorable pathology included ISUP grade group ≥3, seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), and pelvic lymph node invasion (PLNI). Disease progression was defined as the occurrence of biochemical recurrence and/or local recurrence and/or distant metastases; its association with the primary endpoint was evaluated by Cox’s proportional model.
Results:
Palpable prostate tumors were detected in 359 (39.8%) patients. The overall median (IQR) follow-up was 40 months (17-59). PCa progressed in 159 cases (17.6%). Nodularity or induration of the prostate at DRE was significantly associated with features of unfavorable pathology, increased risk of PCa progression (hazard ratio, HR=1.902; 95% CI:1.389–2.605; p<0.0001) and, on multivariable analysis, was an independent prognostic factor for disease progression after adjusting for clinical and pathological variables.
Conclusions: Prostate tumors presenting with an abnormal DRE finding have an independent adverse outcome for disease progression after PCa surgery. They provide also independent prognostic information, as they may be more aggressive than impalpable PCa.
Modeling policy pathways to maximize renewable energy growth and investment in Democratic Republic of the Congo using OSeMOSYS
Authors: Dalder Jacob
Published: March 2023

Keeping global warming from evolving into irreversible climate disaster requires immediate and sustained decarbonization of global energy systems. Of urgent priority are the energy systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where billions of people are projected to gain energy access in the next several decades. Therefore, leapfrogging traditional fossil fuel-based electricity production in favor renewable energy technologies is a critical issue area for sustainability. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, political and economic challenges mean $44B in external investment is required to achieve its 2030 emissions reduction targets. Additionally, RETs are often more expensive. This study sought to generate, evaluate, and recommend possible national policies for the DRC government to implement to most effectively boost growth and investment in RETs. Financial incentives were identified as the policy type most practical for DRC. Modeling the resulting energy systems for policy pathways involving a 16% RET subsidy, a 70% fossil fuel tax, and both in combination relative to no-policy baseline scenarios, the scenarios including the tax had the lowest net costs and the highest proportion of RETs (above 90%). Additionally, despite current reliance on hydropower to fulfill 98% of its energy needs, hydropower plays a very minor role in all modeled scenarios. Finally, a post-modeling market potential assessment was performed on the technology that dominated off-grid supply across policy pathways: the 0.3 kW small solar home system (SHS). Based on learning rates for solar PV, demand for the small SHS system in DRC (> 160 million units in total) was found to be sufficient to substantially reduce the unit cost as deployment scales. Putting results into context, emissions reductions for the policy pathways were higher than a past study focused on distributed RETs in DRC, and system costs were 15% higher than estimated in other analysis. These results provide a novel contribution to the literature by demonstrating how financial incentive policies can influence RET uptake in DRC specifically. Ultimately, this study yielded four policy recommendations for the DRC government: 1. Pursue financial incentives to catalyze DRC’s renewable energy supply 2. Tax fossil fuel energy production 3. Re-evaluate focus on hydropower 4. Promote DRC as a healthy market for solar home systems
Quantifying heat-related mortality attributable to human-induced climate change
Authors: Stuart-Smith Rupert , Vicedo-Cabrera Ana , Li Sihan , Otto Friederike , Belesova Kristine , Haines Andy , Harrington Luke , Hess Jeremy , Venkatraman Rashmi , Wetzer Thom , Woodward Alistair , Ebi Kristie
Published: March 2023

The impacts of anthropogenic climate change remain largely unquantified. Here we detail and address limitations in existing methods for attributing health impacts to climate change, including the representation of the climate-health relationship, choices in calculating counterfactual temperatures, assessment of long-term trends and individual events, and estimation of the effects of adaptation. Applying these methods, we found over 1,700 deaths attributable to anthropogenic temperature increases in the Canton of Zürich (Switzerland) over 50 years. Changing exposures and vulnerabilities to heat, including due to adaptation, avoided over 700 deaths. Heat-related deaths peak during heatwaves but also occur throughout summer months and the fraction of deaths attributable to climate change is higher outside heatwaves. Our approach supports targeted adaptation measures, and the analyses described here could be adapted and applied elsewhere to assess the effect of climate change on other health impacts or economic losses.
Teaser Synthesis of climatological and epidemiology methods finds 1,700 heat deaths attributable to climate change in the Canton of Zürich (1969-2018).
Short-term water demand forecasting using data-centric machine learning approaches
Authors: Liu Guoxuan , Savic Dragan , Fu Guangtao
Published: March 2023

Accurate water demand forecasting is the key to urban water management and can alleviate system pressure brought by urbanisation, water scarcity and climate change. However, existing research on water demand forecasting using machine learning is focused on model-centric approaches, where various forecasting models are tested to improve accuracy. The study undertakes a data-centric machine learning approach by analysing the impact of training data length, temporal resolution and data uncertainty on forecasting model results. The models evaluated are Autoregressive (AR) Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Neural Network (NN), Random Forest (RF) and Prophet. The first two are commonly used forecasting models. RF has shown similar forecast accuracy to NN but has received less attention. Prophet is a new model that has not been applied to short-term water demand forecasting, though it has had successful applications in various fields. The results obtained from four case studies show that (1) data-centric machine learning approaches offer promise for improving forecast accuracy of short-term water demands; (2) accurate forecasts are possible with short training data; (3) RF and NN models are superior at forecasting high-temporal resolution data; and (4) data quality improvement can achieve a level of accuracy increase comparable to model-centric machine learning approaches.
Decomposition of contribution to runoff changes and spatial differences of major tributaries in the middle reaches of the Yellow River based on the Budyko framework
Authors: Dai Yanyu , Lu Fan , Ruan Benqing , Song Xinyi , Du Yu , Xu Yiran
Published: March 2023

Quantitative differentiation of climate and human activities on runoff is important for water resources management and future water resources trend prediction. In recent years, runoff in the middle reaches of the Yellow River (MRYR) has decreased dramatically. Many studies have analyzed the causes of runoff reduction, but there is still a lack of understanding of the spatial differences in runoff contributions and their causes. Therefore, this study quantitatively distinguishes the contributions of climate and human activities to runoff changes in nine sub-basins of the MRYR based on the Budyko framework and analyses the differences in the contributions of different basins and their causes. The results show that the runoff in the nine sub-basins decreases significantly and the precipitation increases from northwest to southeast. The contribution of human activities to runoff is greater than that of climate change, especially in the Huangfuchuan (HF) River and Kuye (KY) River basins, where the contribution of human activities to runoff exceeds 90%. The greater impact of human activities in HF River and KY River is due to the significantly higher water use growth rate and normalized vegetation index trends than in other areas.
Dependence of daily precipitation and wind speed over coastal areas: evidence from China's coastline
Authors: Qi Xuyang , Qian Shuni , Chen Kebing , Li Jun , Wu Xushu , Wang Zhaoli , Deng Zifeng , Jiang Jie
Published: March 2023

Rainfall and wind speed are two important meteorological variables that have a significant impact on agriculture, human health, and socio-economic development. While individual rainfall or wind events have been widely studied, little attention has been devoted to studying the lead–lag relationship between rainfall and wind speed, particularly in coastal regions where strong dependence between rainfall and wind speed is expected. Taking China's coastline as the case study, this paper aims to explore the variation trends of wind speed and rainfall and reveal the relationships between rainfall events and wind speeds on days before and after rainfall occurrence, by using meteorological station data from 1960 to 2018. The results show that wind speed tended to decrease while rainfall showed a slight increase for most stations. The daily wind speed increased 2 days before rainfall occurrence and decreased after then, with the highest wind speed observed during rainfall onset regardless of rainfall amount. Moreover, heavier rainfall events are more likely to occur with higher wind speeds. The findings of this study potentially improve the understanding of the dependence of rainfall and wind speed, which could help rainfall or wind-related disaster mitigation.