bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental effects and individual experience of predation risk informs growth and the energy budget of prey
Authors: Karythis Simon , Whiteley Nia M , Noya Luis Giménez , McCarthy Ian , Jenkins Stuart
Published: December 2022

Predation risk imposes considerable pressure on the growth and energy budget of prey. Prey must respond to both small-scale fluctuations in predation risk as well as adapting to more persistent larger-scale differences in predatory threat experienced by separate populations. These more persistent pressures, potentially result in the development of antipredator responses of offspring, through parental effects. To understand how parental effects may modify the responses of prey to predation risk, we reared the offspring of intertidal gastropods (Nucella lapillus), collected from different wave exposure environments where predation pressures differ. Offspring were reared under various patterns of predatory risk through the period of juvenile development. Shell length, the relative investment in defensive shell structure and long-term energetics of offspring were then analysed to determine the influence of parental habitat and direct predatory threat. As anticipated, lower growth rates were generally associated with extended exposure to predation risk, although parental habitat was able to mitigate these impacts in an adaptive manner. By contrast, the role played by parental habitat in modifying the energetic responses of prey was less clear. Despite differences in the responses of individual energetic fractions to risk, our results showed no long-term impact on the energy status of Nucella offspring. Finally, individual experience of risk was not modified by parental habitat in determining the relative investment in defensive structures. Overall, we demonstrated that parental effects may combine with individual experience of risk, to influence energy storage and define important growth and defence metrics of offspring from different populations.
Binocular summation of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in children with intermittent exotropia
Authors: liao jun , LI YUEPING , zhang wei
Published: December 2022

Purpose
To investigate the binocular summation (BiS) of visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) in children with intermittent exotropia (IXT) before and after surgery and to probe the relationship between the two BiS phenomena and corresponding influencing factors.
Methods
This prospective study included 21 IXT children (11 males and 10 females; aged 6–13 years) who underwent strabismus surgery in *** hospital from January to April 2022. The visual function was assessed preoperatively and 2–3 months postoperatively, including monocular/ binocular visual acuity (MVA/BVA) at 100% contrast and 2.5% contrast as well as monocular/binocular contrast sensitivity (MCS/BCS), deviation, near and distant stereopsis, and fusion.
Results
All patients had postoperative deviation ranging from 0 to -4 PD, and the mean follow-up time was (2.95 ± 0.14) months. Either preoperative or postoperative BVA at 2.5% contrast was superior to the MVA. The postoperative BiS at 2.5% contrast was significantly superior to the preoperative BiS for 2.5% contrast and postoperative BiS for 100% contrast (P < 0.05). Except for 3 c/d, the MCS and BCS at 6 c/d, 12 c/d and 18 c/d spatial frequencies were all notably improved postoperatively. The postoperative binocular summation ratio of CS (BSR) was highest while interocular difference ratio of CS (IOR) was the lowest at 6 c/d among 4 spatial frequencies. The deviation, distant and near stereopsis, and fusion performance were all remarkably improved after surgery (p = 0.001; p = 0.041; p = 0.000), all of which were not related to BVA at 2.5% contrast, BiS, BSC and BSR. The BCS at middle and high frequencies (6 c/ds, 12 c/ds, and 18 c/ds) was significantly negatively correlated with the BVA at 2.5% contrast, and BSR was irrelevant to the corresponding IOR across different spatial frequencies.
Conclusion
BVA at low contrast and BCS examinations were not equivalent to stereopsis and fusion status, which contributed to the evaluation of binocular function in the real environment and in the different aspects. BVA in 2.5% contrast is related with BCS in moderate and high spacial frequencies (especially 18c/d) but BCS in 6c/d presents more binocular summation of contrast sensitivity. MCS, BCS and the BSR persist inhibition at 3c/d after surgery. The improvement of BCS is better than that of BSR to evaluate the binouclar function in IXT. Those two methods showed different sensitivities to impairment and rehabilitation of binocular summation and inhibition.
Predictive value of 3D ultrasound assessment of endometrial receptivity for PGD/PGS for transfer pregnancy outcome
Authors: Sun Kaixuan , Xiu Yinling , Wang Yinghua , Yu Tingting , LU Xiaoli , Wang Xiliang , YU Yuexin
Published: December 2022

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of three-dimensional ultrasound assessment of endometrial receptivity in PGD/PGS transplantation patients on pregnancy outcome.
Methods: 280 patients undergoing PGD/PGS transplantation were selected and divided into group A and group B according to the patients' pregnancy outcomes. The general conditions, endometrial receptivity indexes of the two groups were compared. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing pregnancy outcome in PGD/PGS transplant patients. ROC curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of 3D ultrasound parameters on pregnancy outcome. The results of the study were validated with patients who underwent FET transplantation, and the patients in the validation group were treated with the same 3D ultrasound examination method and treatment plan as the observation group.
Results: The differences in basic situations between two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The percentage of endometrial thickness, number of blood flow branches, and blood flow typing type II+II were higher in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that endometrial thickness, number of endometrial blood flow branches and endometrial blood flow typing were influencing factors of pregnancy outcome in PGD/PGS patients. The sensitivity of predicting pregnancy outcome based on the results of transcatheter 3D ultrasound was 91.18%, the specificity was 82.35%, and the accuracy was 90.00%, which has a high predictive value.
Conclusion: 3D ultrasound can predict pregnancy outcome by assessing the endometrial receptivity of PGD/PGS transplantation, in which endometrial thickness and endometrial blood flow branch number have a good predictive value.
A Disaggregated analysis of the impact of fossil fuel consumption on carbon dioxide emissions in India: evidence from the TVP-VAR model
Authors: Ugur Mehmet Sedat , Çatık Abdurrahman Nazif , Sigeze Ciler , Balli Esra
Published: December 2022

This paper investigates the presence of time-varying effects of fossil fuel consumption on CO2 emissions in India. To accomplish this, the time-varying cointegration test developed by Bierens and Martins (2010) is employed to analyze the long-run relationship between the variables. According to the long-run time-varying coefficients, GDP has a positive and significant impact on emissions. This effect is increasing over time. The parameter estimates reveal the polluting effects of all fossil fuels. However, the positive effect of natural gas is found to be lower and less significant. Along with the cointegration analysis, the TVP-VAR model is used to investigate the short-run time-varying effects of fossil fuel use on CO2 emissions. The TVP-VAR findings also demonstrate that changes in income and fossil fuel consumption have a positive and significant impact on environmental degradation. Coal is found to be the most polluting fuel, followed by oil consumption. According to time-varying responses, increased natural gas consumption has a positive effect on emissions, but with the least influence when compared to other fossil fuels.
Diagnosis and analysis of a case of cat scratch disease combined with bacterial meningitis in a child
Authors: Jin Li , Wen Yang , Wang Yanjing , Li Yiyuan
Published: December 2022

Cat scratch disease is an infectious disease caused by the invasion of Bartonella henselae into the human body. Its clinical manifestations are diverse, but those presenting with neurological symptoms are rare, and cases of combined bacterial meningitis are even rarer. In this study, we report a case of a child with unexplained fever and neurological involvement, in which conventional anti-infective treatment was ineffective, and cat scratch disease was diagnosed with the metagenomics next-generation sequencing of whole blood. The cerebrospinal fluid examination suggested bacterial meningitis, and she was discharged after treatment.
Shuxuening injection with edaravone for cerebral infarction: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Wang Canran , Li Lei , Zhi Hongwei , Meng Miaomiao , Zhang Yong , Na Zhang , Li Dayong , Wu Tong
Published: December 2022

Background: The ingredient of Shuxuening Injection (SXNS) is Ginkgo biloba extract, which is now often used as an adjunctive treatment for cerebral infarction. Edaravone is a free radical scavenger commonly used in China and Japan for the treatment of cerebral infarction. Currently, the combination of SXNS and edaravone often achieves good clinical efficacy in the treatment of cerebral infarction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SXNS in combination with edaravone in the treatment of cerebral infarction.
Methods: As of May 20, 2022, an electronic database search was performed on some major Chinese and English databases to identify relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The main outcome indicators included response rates, NIHSS scores, ADL scores, Fibrinogen and Barthel Index. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software.
Results: This meta-analysis showed that compared with edaravone therapy alone, SXNS combined with edaravone therapy has the following advantages in the treatment of cerebral infarction: (1) reduced neurological deficits(MD:-4.90, 95%CI:-6.26 to -3.53, p=0.00, I2=97.59%); (2) improved patients' quality of life, including improved Barthel Index (MD:4.58, 95%CI:2.24 to 6.93, p=0.00, I2=0.00%), improved ADL scores (MD:16.12, 95%CI:8.09 to 24.15, p=0.00, I2=47.92%) and improved Fibrinogen (MD:-19.73, 95%CI:-25.01 to -14.45, p=0.00, I2=99.62%); (3) improved response rates (RR:1.19, 95%CI:1.12 to 1.28, p=0.00, I2=53.98%).
Conclusions: SXNS combined with edaravone may have potential efficacy in reducing neurological deficits, improving quality of life and response rates in cerebral infarction. However, due to insufficient evidence, we were unable to draw any definitive conclusions. More high-quality trials are needed to provide stronger evidence and to assess the safety of SXNS in combination with edaravone.
Trial registration: This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO on 30 May 2022, and the registration number is: CRD42022333935.
Probiotic disruption of quorum sensing reduces virulence and increases cefoxitin sensitivity in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Cella Monica Angela , Coulson Thomas , MacEachern Samantha , Badr Sara , Ahmadi Ali , Tabatabaei Mahdis Sadat , Labbe Alain , Griffiths Mansel William
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to food safety, medical advancement, and overall global health. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is typically a commensal species that, given an opportunity to establish an infection, transforms into a formidable pathogen with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is globally recognized that new therapies to combat this pathogen are desperately needed. A potential strategy in combating MRSA resistance and infections is the development of alternative therapeutics that interfere with bacterial quorum sensing (QS) systems involved in cell-to-cell communication. QS systems are crucial in the regulation of many virulence traits in MRSA such as methicillin resistance, exotoxin and surface protein expression, antioxidant production and immune cell evasion. Based on our previous research, in which we have shown that probiotic bioactive metabolites act as novel QS-quenching compounds, we propose in this letter that the same probiotic compounds can be used in tandem with a beta-lactam antibiotic to “re-sensitize” MRSA clinical isolates to cefoxitin. Moreover, we show that these probiotic metabolites decrease production of carotenoids and alpha-hemolysin in active cultures of MRSA, resulting in reduced toxicity and diminished resistance to hydrogen peroxide cytotoxicity in vivo.
Combinatorial Analysis of the ExponentialMap for Time-Evolution Operator
Authors: CEYLAN Ali Mert , AYTAÇ Vecdi
Published: December 2022

In this study, we present a novel formalization for exponential approximation. This formalization is for discrete analysis of continuous time-dependent perturbation operator of quantum mechanics, compared to multiplying exponentials. This leads us to Galton arrays for better representation and algebraic operations over exponential multiplications. Rotations on Galton arrays allow us to perform various algebraic operations and intuitively explain commutative and noncommutative operators equality in exponential approximations. Proposedalgebraic operations over Galton arrays will provide an easier understanding and a novel way to formalize and visualize multiplying exponentials. But most importantly, it focused on the time evolution operator to be written in the proposed formalization of time ordered multiplication of exponentials with noncommuting operators.
MSC Classification(2020): 81Q05 , 81Q15 , 81R60 , 81S05 , 81T75 , 82C99 , 52B70
Cancer epidemiological database linkage study of China (CEDLISC): Design, methods and quality evaluation
Authors: Zang Zhaoping , Sun Kexin , Zhang Mei , Zheng Rongshou , Zhao Yanfang , Zhang Siwei , Zhang Xiao , Wang Shaoming , Wang Xiaoxu , Chang Sheng , Liu Fen , Wang Limin , Wei Wenqiang
Published: December 2022

Connecting health related data from multiple databases is a novel approach for carrying out medical researches. Presently, the linkage of large medical databases in China is still underexplored. The Chinese Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance (CCDRFS) databases of years 2004–2015 with information on baseline risk factors for common chronic diseases were linked to the Population-based cancer registry (PBCR) database of China with information on cancer diagnosis and outcome. We used resident identification card numbers and combination of personal information variables as unique index variables for exact matching and fuzzy matching, respectively. Strict quality control procedures were performed based on the quality of databases and the logics of matched records. The 35–64 truncated incidence rate (TIR) and mortality rate (TMR) for all-cause of cancer in merged databases were used to select regions. 547,963 baseline records from the CCDRFS database were matched with 9,263 cancer diagnosis records from the PBCR database. Through quality control process, we created an epidemiology database of cancer incidence (EDCI) and an epidemiology database of cancer mortality (EDCM). The EDCI included 368,470 baseline records and 8,049 matched cancer incidences from 230 regions, with a 35–64 TIR of 309.54/100,000. The EDCM included 293,477 baseline records and 3,026 matched cancer mortalities from 183 regions, with a 35–64 TMR of 123.44/100,000. The database linkage and quality control methods were feasible in this study. The merged databases of cancer incidence and mortality were of high quality, which can provide scientific foundations for further cancer epidemiological studies.
The burden of disease for children diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome – a European cohort
Authors: Andersen Ann-Louise Rud , Urhoj Stine Kjaer , Cavero-Carbonell Clara , Gatt Miriam , Gissler Mika , Klungsoyr Kari , Lelong Nathalie , Loane Maria , Morris Joan K , Neville Amanda , Pierini Anna , Tan Joachim , Tucker David , de Walle Hermien , Wellesley Diana , Garne Ester
Published: December 2022

Background
Klinefelter syndrome is a congenital chromosomal anomaly, where males have an extra X-chromosome. The syndrome may be associated with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and many are late or undiagnosed. This European, population-based data-linkage cohort study was part of the EUROlinkCAT project and investigated the burden of disease for the first ten years of life for European children diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome.
Results
Thirteen national and regional population-based registries in ten countries from the European surveillance of congenital anomalies (EUROCAT) network participated. Data for live born children born in 1995-2014 and diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome prenatally or during infancy were linked to mortality and hospital records. Data for liveborn children born with any congenital anomaly and children without a congenital anomaly (reference children) were included for comparison on morbidity. Out of 5.8 million live born children 278 were diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome in the 13 registry areas, 96.8% survived the first 5 year of life, 64.7% (95% CI 51.8;75.0) were admitted to hospital during the first year with a median length of stay of 3.9 (95% CI 3.0;4.7) days, 10.8% (95% CI 6.9;16.4) had a hospital stay of ≥10 days and 12.3% (95% CI 7.1;18.9) underwent surgery. In the age group 1-4 years of age 53.5% (95% CI 41.2;64.4) were admitted to hospital, the median length of stay decreased to 0.7 (95% CI 0.3;1.1) days and 6.3% (95% CI 2.6;12.3) had a hospital stay of ≥ 10 days.
Conclusions
More children diagnosed prenatally or in infancy with Klinefelter syndrome were hospitalised and underwent more surgery compared to reference children, while less were hospitalised and fewer had surgery than all children with any other congenital anomaly. Thus, the burden of disease was increased for children diagnosed prenatally or in infancy with Klinefelter syndrome but decreased overall after the first year of life.
Identification of the Inducible Activity in the Promoter of the Soybean BBI-DII Gene Exposed to Abiotic Stress or Abscisic Acid
Authors: Cheng Lishu , Dong Tao , Zhao Xu , Wei Shuang , Liu Kuocheng , Zhao Yan
Published: December 2022

The expression of the soybean Bowman–Birk proteinase isoinhibitor DII (BBI-DII) gene and the inducible activity of its promoter were studied under salt, drought, low temperature, and abscisic acid (ABA) exposure conditions. The BBI-DII gene was induced by salt, drought, low temperature, and ABA, and the relative expression levels at the peak were 103.09-, 107.01-, 17.25- and 27.24-fold, respectively, compared with the untreated control. The putative promoter, designated BP1 (− 1255 to + 872 bp), located 5’-upstream of the BBI-DII gene was cloned. The expression of the GUS gene in pCAM-BP1 transgenic tobacco plants was highest at 5 h after treatment with salt, drought, low temperature and ABA, especially under salt and drought. Using histochemical staining and fluorescence analysis of GUS, BP1 activity under salt and drought conditions after 5 h was 1.03 and 1.07-fold, respectively, compared with that of the CaMV35S promoter. Based on a 5’ deletion analysis, the segment (+ 41 to + 474 bp) was the basal region that responded to salt and drought, whereas the segment (− 820 to + 41 bp) was the area that responded to increased salt and drought activity. The BP2 (− 820 to + 872) activities were 0.98- and 1.02-fold compared with that of BP1 under salt and drought conditions and was 435 bp shorter than BP1. The salt- and drought-inducible activities of the BP2 promoter in the roots, stems, and leaves of transgenic tobacco plants were stable. Taken together, BP2 is more suitable than the BP1 promoter for the study and molecular breeding of stress-resistant soybean plants.
A Compact Adderless Feed-Forward Incremental Delta Sigma with Multiple Global References for CMOS Image Sensors
Authors: Callens Nicolas , Gielen Georges
Published: December 2022

This paper presents an adderless feed-forward incremental ΔΣ (IΔΣ) with asynchronous SAR (ASAR) that removes the need for in-column calibration by using global references, eliminates an additional summing amplifier and reduces the conversion time by using a multi-bit ASAR quantizer. The proposed IΔΣ ADC is designed in 40nm CMOS technology and is laid out compactly in a 5 μm x 466 μm column. According to post-layout simulations, the ADC achieves an input-referred noise of 85 μVrms, a conversion time of 3.2 μs (with DCDS) and a power consumption of 230 μW. This results in a Walden FoMW of 234 fJ/conv.step and a FoMA = FoMW x AADC of 0.54 fJ.mm2/conv.step, which demonstrates the feasibility of using the proposed architecture in CMOS image sensors.
Joint Resource Allocation and User Association for Multi-Cell Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Fei Zesong , Wang Xinyi , Liu Peng , Huang Jingxuan , Zheng Zhong
Published: December 2022

The densification of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, as well as integrating sensing and communication functionalities, have promoted the development of integrated-sensing-and-communication (ISAC) dense cellular networks (DCNs). In the OFDM-based ISAC-DCN, multiple base stations simultaneously serve mobile users and sense targets based on the echo of downlink (DL) communication signals. In this paper, focusing on the interference management of the ISAC-DCN, we investigate the multi-dimension resource allocation problem. In particular, we aim at maximizing the network utility by jointly optimizing sub-band allocation, user association, and transmission power under the sensing signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) constraint. The problem is decomposed into three sub-problems. Subsequently, we propose a greedy genetic algorithm (GRGA) to solve the sub-band allocation sub-problem, and the Hungarian algorithm and successive convex approximation (SCA) technique are employed to execute user association and transmission power control, respectively. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the network utility, achieves higher detection probability and illustrates the trade-off between sensing and communication performances.
Age-related attenuation of cortical synaptic tagging in the ACC and are rescued by BDNF or a TrkB receptor agonist in both sex of mice
Authors: Zhou Si-Bo , Xue Man , Liu Weiqi , Chen Yu-Xin , Chen Qi-Yu , Lu Jing-Shan , Wang Jinjun , Ye Keqiang , Li Xu-Hui , Zhuo Min
Published: December 2022

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a key cellular mechanism for learning and memory, and recent studies in the hippocampus found that LTP was impaired in aged animals. Previous studies of cortical LTP have focused primarily on the homosynaptic plasticity in adult mice, while fewer studies have looked at heterosynaptic plasticity - such as synaptic tagging in aged mice. In the present study, we investigated synaptic tagging in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adult and middle-aged mice by using the 64-channel multielectrode dish (MED64) recording system. We found that synaptic tagging was impaired in the ACC of middle-aged male mice as compared to adult mice. Both the network L-LTP and the recruitment of inactive responses were reduced in the ACC of middle-aged male mice. Similar results were found in female middle-aged mice, indicating that there is no gender difference. Furthermore, bath application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or systemic treatment with newly developed TrkB receptor agonists R13, was shown to rescue both synaptic tagging, and L-LTP, in middle-aged mice. To determine the distribution of synaptic LTP within the ACC, a new visualization method was developed to map the spatiotemporal variation of LTP in the ACC. Our results provide strong evidence that cortical potentiation and synaptic tagging show an age-dependent reduction, and point to the TrkB receptor as a potential drug target for the treatment of memory decline.
Diversity of metazoan parasites from fresh water fishes of Jammu (Southern slope of Siwaliks)
Authors: . Palaq , Langer Seema , Khurshid Ibraq , Saleem Saiqa , Bhat Bilal Ahmad
Published: December 2022

The present study was conducted to examine the diversity of metazoan parasites from freshwater fishes of Jammu. A total of 690 fishes were collected from three stations (Tawi, Chadwal and Sehi) and 9 species of parasites showing mixed infectivity were recovered viz., Euclinostomum heterostomum (A1 = 21.45%,χ2 = 72.16), Allocreadium schizothorascii (A2 = 29.71%,χ2 = 59.48), Argulus sp. (A3 = 30.43%,χ2 = 96.34), Lamproglena schizothorascii (A4 = 34.35%,χ2 = 107.48), Neoechinorhynchus sp. (A5 = 31.88%,χ2 = 60.98), Rhabdochona sp. (A6 = 45.21%,χ2 = 33.53), Strongyloides sp. (A7 = 41.30%,χ2 = 35.96), Contracaecum sp. (A8 = 52.75%,χ2 = 29.23), Camallanus(A9 = 29.27%,χ2 56.97)(p < 0.01).The seasonwise data indicates that highest rate of infection was found in spring and summer, followed by autumn and lowest rates of infection were found in winter. Maximum numbers of parasites were recovered from Station I (Tawi) which is due to maximum anthropogenic load that turns water body eutrophic thus making fishes more susceptible to parasites. The present study indicate highest parasitic infestation in Labeo sp. (1600 parasites, Rate of infection = 81.56%, χ2 = 17.75) from Station I with maximum number of species (8 out of 9) followed by Tor sp. (Rate of infection = 42.5%, χ2 = 4.4675), Oreochromis sp. (Rate of infection = 28.43% χ2 = 6.958) and others (Rate of infection = 68.01%, χ2 = 8.18). During the study, 1895 nematodes, 623 arthropods, 520 trematodes, 310 acanthocephalans were recovered. Cluster analysis using Euclidean distance between groups as similarity index algorithm yielded two main clusters wherein the nematode population was independent and more numerous than other parasite groups. PCA examination revealed a variance of 98.835% among the four parasitic groups which was represented using scree plot.
Serum miR-181а and miR-25 levels in patients with breast cancer or a benign breast disease
Authors: Perepechaeva Maria , Studenikina Anastasia , Proskura Andrew , Grishanova Alevtina , Autenshlyus Alexander
Published: December 2022

Breast tumours comprise a wide range of disorders requiring different and often personalised treatment plans. The microRNA levels indicating the regulation of gene expression involved in oncogenesis can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of benign and malignant breast diseases. Circulating miR-181а and miR-25 were quantified here using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in 77 serum samples from patients with invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) (50 samples) or benign breast diseases (16 samples) and ‘potentially healthy’ controls (11 samples). МiR-181а expression was higher in patients with fibroadenoma or fibrocystic disease/adenosis (low risk of malignant transformation) as compared to potentially healthy controls. In IBC patients, miR-181a expression was higher in luminal B-like (HER2−), HER2+ (non-luminal) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) groups, while miR-25 expression was higher in luminal B-like (HER2−) and TNBC groups compared to potentially healthy controls. Compared to the luminal A-like group, miR-181а expression was higher in luminal B-like (HER2−) and HER2+ (non-luminal) groups, whereas miR-25 expression was elevated in luminal B-like (HER2−) and TNBC groups. МiR-25 expression was higher in the luminal B-like (HER2−) group compared to the TNBC group. Thus, miR-181a and miR-25 may be markers of precancerous changes in women with benign breast diseases. In IBC patients, levels of miR-181a and miR-25 can reflect either favourable or adverse processes in a tumour owing to their multiple effects. They can be potentially used as biomarkers in a large diagnostic panel.
Cerebral embolic protection during transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity score matched and randomized controlled trials using the Sentinel cerebral embolic protection device
Authors: Wolfrum Mathias , Handerer Immanuel Justus , Moccetti Federico , Schmeisser Alexander , Braun-Dullaeus Ruediger C , Toggweiler Stefan
Published: December 2022

Background
The Sentinel cerebral embolic protection device (CEP) aims to reduce the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity score matched (PSM) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating the effect of the Sentinel CEP to prevent strokes during TAVR.
Methods
Eligible trials were searched through PubMed, ISI Web of science databases, Cochrane database, and proceedings of major congresses. Primary outcome was stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, major or life-threatening bleeding, major vascular complications and acute kidney injury at discharge. Fixed and random effect models were used to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and absolute risk difference (ARD).
Results
A total of 4066 patients from 4 RCTs (3’506 patients) and 1 PSM study (560 patients) were included. Use of Sentinel CEP was successful in 92% of patients and was associated with a significantly lower risk of stroke (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.95, p = 0.02. ARD: -1.3%, 95% CI: -2.3 – -0.2, p = 0.02, number needed to treat (NNT) = 77), and a reduced risk of disabling stroke (RR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17–0.65. ARD: -0.9%, 95% CI: -1.5 – -0.3, p = 0.004, NNT = 111). Use of Sentinel CEP was associated with a lower risk of major or life-threatening bleeding (RR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.16–0.87, p = 0.02). Risk for nondisabling stroke (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.62–1.40, p = 0.73), all-cause mortality (RR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.35–1.40, p = 0.31), major vascular complications (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.33–1.67, p = 0.47) and acute kidney injury (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.37–1.50, p = 0.40) were similar.
Conclusions
The use of CEP during TAVR was associated with lower risks of any stroke and disabling stroke with an NNT of 77 and 111, respectively.
Electrotherapy, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, and cryotherapy to regenerate Prunus armeniaca L. free of ACLSV, ApMV, and TRSV
Authors: khafri Asieh Zare , zarghami reza , Naderpour Masoud , Ahmadi Behzad , Mirzaei Leila
Published: December 2022

In the present study, in vitro regenerated shoot tips of three apricot cultivars namely ˈQaysiˈ, ˈShamsˈ and ˈOrdubadˈ, already infected with Apple chlorotic leaf spot Trichovirus (ACLSV), Apple mosaic Ilarvirus (ApMV), and Tobacco ring spot Nepovirus (TRSV), were exposed to electrotherapy (0, 30, 40, 50, and 100 mA), thermotherapy (38°C for 7 days), chemotherapy (ribavirin at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L− 1), or droplet-vitrification cryotherapy (40 min at 0°C prior to -20°C and − 80°C for 10 and 15 min, respectively) to achieve virus-free plants. Although electrotherapy with current intensities more than 40 mA led to drastic decrease in explants' viability, a 40–60% virus removal rate was noticed depending on the type of virus and the variety tested. Amongst various shoot tip sizes exicised, 1.0–2.0 mm explants exhibited by far more survival (60–80%) and virus eradication rate (90–100%) following thermotherapy. The explants' survival and proliferation rates also decreased with increment of ribivirin concentration in the culture medium as compared to the untreated cultures. The rate of virus elimination, however, inclined by 75–100% upon exposure to 25 mg L− 1 ribavirin. According to our results, production of virus-free regenerants would be feasible in Prunus armeniaca L. providing proper therapeutic methods are adopted as regards the type of infecting virus and the host variety.
SARS-CoV-2 Case Detection Using Community Event-Based Surveillance System – February to September 2020: Lessons Learned from Senegal
Authors: Seck Oumy , Roka Jerlie Loko , Ndiaye Mamadou , Namageyo Apophia , Sam Abdoulaye , Mangane Abdoulaye , Dieye Ndeye Licka , Ndoye Babacar , Diop Boly , Ting Jim , Pasi Omer
Published: December 2022

Background: Within 10 months of the first global case, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak resulted in over 15,000 positive cases and more than 500 deaths in Senegal. We describe the design and implementation of a community EBS (CEBS) system in Senegal and how it contributed to strengthening the country's surveillance system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: We examined data collected from COVID-19 specific phone calls within a CEBS system serving 14 regions of Senegal over the period from February to September 2020. We abstracted data on call origin, residence information, call status (validated or non-validated) and linked it to laboratory-confirmed cases from the national system. The number of calls received were mapped to positive cases of SARS-CoV-2by week. We used Excel for data analysis.
Results: A total of 10,751 out of 10,760 calls received were COVID-19 calls from all 14 regions in Senegal. The majority of the COVID-19 calls were from the Dakar (84.8%: 9,117/10,751) and Thies (7.4%: 801/10,751) regions. Of the COVID-19 calls, 50.2% (5402/10751) were validated and sent to the health district for investigation. Only 25% (1354/5402) of the validated calls were positive cases of SARS-CoV-2. The highest number of positive SARS-Cov-2 cases were reported from the Dakar (85%, 1152/1354) and Thies (8%, 104/1354) regions. The volume of COVID-19 calls increased after the first lab-confirmed case during week 10 (March 2020) through week 20 to 24 (June 2020) and eventually tapered off during week 28 (July 2020).
Conclusion: COVID-19 accelerated EBS system implementation in Senegal. Implementation of the CEBS contributed to the identification of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2; however, operational challenges such as missing data, incomplete information, and lack of system linkage persist. Consideration of these challenges can guide improvements and facilitate the successful implementation of EBS systems during a pandemic in Senegal and elsewhere.
Improving air quality assessment using physics-inspired deep graph learning
Authors: Li Lianfa , Wang Jinfeng , Franklin Meredith , Yin Qian , Wu Jiajie , Camps-Valls Gustau , Zhu Zhiping , Wang Chengyi , Ge Yong , Reichstein Markus
Published: December 2022

Existing methods for fine-scale air quality assessment have significant gaps in their reliability. Purely data-driven methods lack any physically-based mechanisms to simulate the interactive process of air pollution, potentially leading to physically inconsistent or implausible results. Here, we report a hybrid multilevel graph neural network that encodes fluid physics to capture spatiotemporally dynamic characteristics of air pollutants. On a multi-air pollutant test in China, our method consistently improved extrapolation accuracy by an average of 11–22% compared to representative machine learning methods, and generated physically consistent spatiotemporal trends of air pollutants at regional and fine scales.
High-precision plant height measurement by drone with RTK-GNSS and single camera for real-time processing
Authors: Matsuura Yuta , Heming Zhang , Nakao Kousuke , Qiong Chang , Firmansyah Iman , Kawai Shin , Yamaguchi Yoshiki , Maruyama Tsutomu , Hayashi Hisayoshi , Nobuhara Hajime
Published: December 2022

Conventional crop height measurements performed using aerial drone images require the 3D reconstruction results of several aerial images obtained through structure from motion. Therefore, they require extensive computation times and their measurement accuracy is not high; if the 3D reconstruction result fails, several aerial photos must be captured again. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a high-precision measurement method that uses a drone equipped with a monocular camera and real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK-GNSS) for real-time processing. This method performs high-precision stereo matching based on long-baseline lengths during flight by linking the RTK-GNSS and aerial image capture points. A new calibration method is proposed to further improve the accuracy and stereo matching speed. Throught the comparison between the proposed method and conventional methods in natural world environments, wherein it reduced the error rates by 62.2% and 69.4%, at flight altitudes of 10 and 20 m. Moreover, a depth resolution of 1.6 mm and reduction of 44.4% and 63.0% in the errors were achieved at an altitude of 4.1 m, and the execution time was 88 ms for images with a size of 5472 × 3468 pixels, which is sufficiently fast for real-time measurement.
Revisiting plane strain: Necessary conditions for its realization
Authors: Saeed Hasan Aftab , Awan Yasser Riaz , Sheikh Shawaiz
Published: December 2022

Without exception, every physical object is three-dimensional. However, in many stress analysis situations the analyst is justified in using simplified two-dimensional idealizations of plane stress and plane strain, reducing the complexity of the problem. By obviating the need to mesh in the third dimension, this advantage also extends to numerical studies, helping economize significantly on time and computational power requirements. In plane stress idealization the out-of-plane stresses are zero, whereas in plane strain the out-of-plane strains are zero. These idealizations have variously been linked with the out-of-plane dimension as well as the end conditions of the object under consideration. However, the exact correlation of the out-of-plane dimension with these idealizations remains ambiguous. One certain instance of plane stress is a situation where the out-of-plane dimension of the object is very small as compared to its in-plane dimensions; and additionally, the loading is purely in-plane. On the other hand, there is much disagreement found in literature regarding the necessary conditions for the realization of plane strain, which needs to be addressed. Employing finite element analysis and analytical solutions, this work aims to resolve this issue.
Molten Salt Shielded Synthesis of the Nanolaminated Transition Metal Boride Fe2AlB2
Authors: Benamor Hiba , Benamor Abdessabour , Chiker Nabil , Hakem Maamar , Krea Mohamed , Bouras Omar , Sahraoui Tahar , Hadji Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Fe2AlB2 is one of many ternary transition metal borides called MAB phases, which attracted interest owing to its magnetocaloric effect and magnetic properties. Herein, the molten salt shielded synthesis (MS3) of Fe2AlB2 powder is studied using potassium bromide “KBr” in an open-air atmosphere. The synthesis process of the MAB phase, from Fe, Al, and B elemental powders, was studied with and without Sn additive in the temperature range of 900–1200°C. The obtained powders were analyzed using XRD, TDA, GTA and SEM analysis. The corresponding results revealed a successful synthesis of nearly-pure Fe2AlB2 phase at 1000°C for only one hour of holding time, beyond which FeB impurities form. These results show the efficiency of KBr (with Sn as a synthesis aid ‘additive’) in increasing the reactivity of this MAB phase in terms of the lowest synthesis temperature and time reported to date.
Application of artificial neural networks for predicting imidazole derivatives antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Badura Anna , Krysiński Jerzy , Nowaczyk Alicja , Poćwiardowska-Głąb Marta , Buciński Adam
Published: December 2022

The paper discusses artificial neural networks (ANNs) as a useful deep learning (DL) method to assist researchers in the search for new therapeutic and disinfectant substances. Two ANN models have been designed to predict the biological activity of the compounds based on their physicochemical properties and their structure. The said activity was tested againstEnterococcus faecalisbacteria on a series of 140 imidazole derivatives. The regression model designed, predicted the minimum growth inhibitory concentration ofE. faecalis(regression model: training data R = 0.91; test data R = 0.91; validation data R = 0.97). The classification model, on the other hand, divided the tested compounds into active or inactive against the tested microorganism predictive (classification accuracy: 92.86%). The exponential demand for new compounds in the pharmaceutical industry, requires alternative experimental methods to reduce the time and cost of development. Therefore, this paper proposes ANN as an alternative to standard techniques for predicting complex biological phenomena.
Account for MEGA-STN thermal fusion device in use of positron wave thermal energy
Authors: Lee
Published: December 2022

This paper is aimed at investigating the practical realization of the positron wave thermal energy. We made a MEGA-STN thermal fusion device in order to demonstrate our idea. The MEGA-STN is the device which amplifies heat when it is supplied with thermal energy. It is the result of the aggregation of each micro nano particle. If we were to express the part of it in a structural formula, it is as follows.
The fusion reaction of thermal energy in the MEGA-STN is generated on account of each micro nano particle’s chemical change, and high temperature heat occurs by the interchangeability between micro nano particles. We minimized heat loss by fusing the insulted ceramic nano particles on the outer surface of our MEGA-STN. The MEGA-STN is basically able to create thermal energy of 500~1800 degrees centigrade. Here a prerequisite is the input of minimal thermal energy. If the minimal thermal energy is supplied from the outside or generates heat internally, it is amplified to 300~500 percentage of the supplied heat.
Each of positronic nano particles in MEGA-STN, MEGA-Structural fusion Technology of Nano materials react to thermal energy and release great thermal energy, and the released great thermal energy collides into each other and generates greater thermal energy. At this time, wave is created and disturbs the properties of water and disintegrates them, and as a result they are changed. The more vibrations, the more transformations of water particle. This principle is the same as even dead water can revive.
Thermal particles that are produced when micro nano particle and thermal energy collide generate multiple waves, and they resonate and transport in micro nano particle. Within this resonant orbit they continuously collide and spin like tonado, and thermal energy is amplified and fast rotational force is created. Commonly if we are going to make this rotational force, we must spin only magnetic particle. This structure of micro nano particle is not magnetic, but yet it does maximize the rotational force.
The MEGA-STN using the positron wave thermal energy is available for the industry related to electricity and thermal energy by substituting gas, oil, coal, wood, nuclear power, and can be viable alternative to the exsisting source of energy by using as a substitute for the engine of car, train, air, vessel and etc.
Theoretical Analysis of The New Organic Materials as Effective Sensitizer in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: AL-Temimei Faeq A. , Abbas Hawraa H. , Mohsen Suhad H.
Published: December 2022

In this work, a computational investigation was used to design and study new materials based on carminic acid isomers as organic dyes for DSSCs. Density functional theory (DFT) was applied to report the ground state and the excited state characteristic was reported by utilizing time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods. Some electronic, optical, photolytic and electron transfer properties are evaluated to achieve our study. The results indicate that modifying the chemical structure of a dye by doping improves light harvesting efficiency while reducing the driving force for electron injection and the potential of dye renewal while boosting dye aggregation on the electrode surface. The new structures dyes displays strong charge transfer absorption bands in the visible, excellent electronic, sufficient driving force and photoelectric conversion efficiency in comparison with carminic acid. Also, All suggested dyes have sufficient properties to achieve high PCE of the DSSCs. These results are adequate for a potential effective electron injection process. Accordingly, the theoretical methods are significant to provide experimental methods for designing new, highly efficient materials for optoelectronic applications.
The confrontation of robots and the challenges facing artificial intelligence
Authors: Fard Mahdy Ebrahimi , Gordji Madjid Eshaghi
Published: December 2022

Artificial intelligence is the knowledge of knowing and designing intelligent agents, although the topic of artificial intelligence is very attractive, its challenges are equally important. The dangers of a robot's wrong decisions in confronting humans or two robots and other problems of wrong decisions by robots have been the concern of many scientists in this field. In this article, we have presented a solution to the mentioned problems using the Hyper Move Theory (HMT) method and in the form of an example.
Carboxylated Graphene Quantum Dots-Mediated Photothermal Therapy Enhances Drug-Membrane Permeability, ROS Production, and the Immune System Recruitment on 3D Glioblastoma Models.
Authors: Perini Giordano , Palmieri Valentina , Friggeri Ginevra , Augello Alberto , De Spirito Marco , Papi Massimiliano
Published: December 2022

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are biocompatible nanoparticles employed in biomedical field, thanks to their size and photophysical properties. GQDs have shown the capability to cross biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier, which makes them promising agents for brain diseases therapy. It has been shown that surface-functionalized GQDs enhance membrane fluidity and intracellular uptake, exerting a synergistic effect with antitumor drugs at subtherapeutic doses. Here we tested GQDs effects in combination with chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin and temozolomide, on a complex 3D spheroid model of glioblastoma. We observed that the capability of GQDs to absorb and convert near-infrared light into heat is a key factor in membrane permeability enhancement on 3D model. This non-invasive therapeutic strategy named photothermal therapy (PTT), combined to chemotherapy at subtherapeutic doses, significantly increased the effect of antitumor drugs, by reducing tumor growth and viability. Furthermore, the increase in membrane permeability due to GQDs-mediated PTT enhanced the release of reactive oxygen species with strong migration of the immune system towards irradiated cancer spheroids. Our data indicate that the increase in membrane permeability can enhance the efficacy of antitumor drugs at subtherapeutic doses against glioblastoma, reducing side effects and directing immune response, ultimately improving quality of life for patients.