bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TNFRSF12A is associated with immune cell infiltration in thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Feng , Tu Zhuo-Te
Published: January 2023

Objective: Comprehensively investigated the immune infiltration of thyroid cancer, to explore key immune-related genes and potential molecular mechanisms for thyroid carcinoma through bioinformatics analysis.
Methods: The thyroid carcinoma (THCA) expression profiles came from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The differences in the infiltration levels of immune cells between THCA were analyzed by the CIBERSORT. We analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in thyroid, downloaded the immunologically relevant list of genes from IMMPORT, and then selected the differentially expressed immune genes. Gene ontology (GO) terms and pathways associated with these DEGs were identified, and protein–protein interactions (PPIs) were analyzed. The expression of TNFRSF12Ain THCA was analyzed in the cBioPortal database. Additionally, we used the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database evaluated correlation between TNFRSF12A expression and immune cell infiltration.Finally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was presented to predict the survival times between high and low TNFRSF12A expression groups for THCA.
Results: Differentially expressed immune genes associated with prognosis included BMP2, SEMA6B, INHBB and TNFRSF12A. There were distinct differences in the infiltration levels of immune cells between THCA and normal tissues. TNFRSF12A was identified to be highly expressed in THCA compared to normal tissues. TNFRSF12A mutation occurred in 5% of THCA samples, and low mRNA expression was the most common type of mutation. TNFRSF12A expression was significantly correlated to the infiltration levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results indicated that TNFRSF12A could be involved in key biological processes and pathways of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Patients with low TNFRSF12A expression usually experienced shorten overall survival time than those with its high expression.
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that TNFRSF12A was significantly related to immune cell infiltration, which may provide potential value for immunotherapy.
Application of a Cost Calculation Approach in Medical Oncology: Case of Hassan Ii University Hospital in Morocco
Authors: Benabdallah Anasse , JELLOULI Tarik
Published: January 2023

Background: Text for this section. In Morocco, hospitals do not have cost accounting systems that allow them to produce reliable budget forecasts and to know and justify the costs of their operations. Moroccan hospitals are thus among the public organizations that do not know the cost of their services.
Faced with the lack of data on the cost of care for cancer patients, this research aims to implement an approach to calculate the cost of services provided at the level of the medical oncology department of the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez. The objective is to provide data that can be used in the pricing and financing process of the different services provided in medical oncology.
Methods: In this research work, we opted for a qualitative approach through a case study. Two main qualitative data collection tools were used: observation and document analysis. We used mainly Microsoft World for text entry and Excel for data processing to determine costs and related statistics
Results: The result of this study shows the possible application of an approach that follows a traditional approach of cost calculation. Two main methods were mainly used, namely the volume-based allocation method and the RVU method.
Revealing the intrinsic electronic-level principle driving metal-support interaction trends of single-atom Ru with oxides through cooperative orbital coupling
Authors: Xiang Guolei , Zhou Jun , Guo Qianli , Li Yangyang , Zhang Guikai , Chu Sheng-Qi , Zheng Lei , Zheng Lirong , Liang Xin , Huang Weixin
Published: January 2023

Supports dominate chemical states and catalytic performances of single-atom catalysts (SACs); however, electronic-scale physicochemical principles intrinsically driving SAC-support interactions and their structure-function relationships are still not coherently clarified nor unified yet. Using atomically-supported Ru on rutile-type oxides MO2 (TiO2, SnO2, and MnO2) for CO adsorption and oxidation as model systems, here we explore the interaction trends and electronic-level origins of SAC-support interactions. Our results show that the reactivity of surface oxygen atoms overall controls the strengths of Ru1-MO2 binding and CO-Ru1 adsorption, and catalytic activity of CO oxidation. Through combining experimental probing and theoretical calculations, we reveal that these interaction trends can be coherently unified by an electronic-level interaction mode through competitive orbital coupling in CO-Ru1-O5-MO2 systems, in which neighboring bonds are competitive while non-neighboring bonds are cooperative in coupling strength. The interaction mode of orbitals provides new insights for understanding SAC-support interactions and rational design of SACs.
Are Width, Length, Depth and Area of Submucosal Invasion Predictive for Lymph Nodes Metastasis in pT1 Colorectal Cancer?
Authors: Maynovskaia Olga , Rybakov Evgeny , Chernyshov Stanislav , Khomyakov Evgeniy , Achkasov Sergey
Published: January 2023

Background and study aim: Colorectal carcinomas limited by submucosa (pT1) remain the challenge in terms of choice for treatment options from local excision to radical surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate morphometric and morphologic risk factors of regional lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) for pT1 colorectal carcinoma (CRC).
Patients and methods: The histology of patients undergoing oncological resection from 2016 to 2022 was reviewed. Tumor grade (G), budding (Bd), poorly differentiated clusters (PDC), cancer gland rupture (CGR), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and deep submucosal invasion (DSI) as well as width, length, total area and deep submucosal invasion (DSI) were evaluated as risk factors of LNM.
Results: Two hundred and sixty-four cases of colon and rectal carcinomas with invasion into the submucosal layer (pT1) were identified. Of them LNM was found in 46/264 (17.4%) cases. All morphometric parameters and DSI (p=0.33) failed to demonstrate association with LNM. High grade (G3) (p=0.05), Bd (p=0.056) and PDC (p<0.0001) were associated with LNM. In multivariate analysis LVI+ remains the only significant independent risk factor [OR 15.7; 95% CI 8.5 - 94.9] (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The DSI invasion of T1 CRC as well as other morphometric parameters of submucosal tumor spread do not have any predictive value in terms of LNM. Poor differentiation of colorectal carcinoma, tumor budding (Bd), poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) are the significant risk factors for LNM in T1 CRC. Among them LVI was the only independent risk factor.
Unique Transcriptional Signatures Correlate with Behavioral and Psychological Symptom Domains in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Dong Hongxin , Fisher Daniel , Dunn Jeffrey , Keszycki Rachel , Rodriguez Guadalupe , Bennett David , Wilson Robert
Published: January 2023

Despite the significant burden, cost, and worse prognosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), little is known about the molecular causes of these symptoms. Using antemortem assessments of BPSD in AD, we demonstrate that individual BPSD can be grouped into 4 domain factors in our sample: Affective, Apathy, Agitation, and Psychosis. Then, we performed a transcriptome-wide analysis for each domain utilizing bulk RNA-seq of post-mortem Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) tissue. Though all 4 domains are associated with a predominantly downregulated pattern of hundreds of
DEGs, most DEGs are unique to each domain, with only 22 DEGs being common to all BPSD domains, including TIMP1. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) yielded multiple transcriptional modules that were shared between BPSD domains or unique to each domain, and NetDecoder was used to analyze context-dependent information flow through the biological network. For the agitation domain, we found that all DEGs and a highly correlated transcriptional module were functionally enriched for ECM-related genes including TIMP1, TAGLN, and FLNA. Another unique transcriptional module also associated with the agitation domain was enriched with genes involved in post-synaptic signaling, including DRD1, PDE1B, CAMK4, and GABRA4. By comparing context-dependent changes in DEGs between cases and control networks, ESR1 and PARK2 were implicated as two high impact genes associated with agitation that mediated significant information flow through the biological network. Overall, our work establishes unique targets for future study of the biological mechanisms of BPSD and resultant drug development.
Novel β-synuclein Rearrangements in tumor
Authors: Xiao Peifang , Chen Nan , Shao Tingting , Bian Xinni , Miao Jie , Zheng Jiajia , Lang Xingping , Wang Yiting , Chen Xiaojun , Jin Liqin , Hu Shaoyan , Xiao Sheng
Published: January 2023

Purpose
The synuclein family includes a-, b-, g-synuclein and is predominantly expressed in neurons. a- and b-synuclein is mutated in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Recent studies found up-regulation of the synucleins in several tumors including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, meningioma, and melanoma, and the high level of synuclein was associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance. We describe here a novel intragenic rearrangement of b-synuclein in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). An additional case of b-synuclein rearrangement was found in a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung by searching the public TCGA database.
Methods
Morphological evaluation and immunohistochemistry were used for diagnostic purposes. Karyotype analysis, targeted RNA NGS, FISH, and RT-PCR were used to identify the fusion transcript.
Results
A pediatric T-ALL carried a translocation of chromosomes 5 and 12, resulting in an in-frame fusion between the b-synuclein (SNCB) and the ETS variant transcription factor 6 (ETV6), a gene frequently rearranged in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-ALL, and T-ALL. Another SNCB rearrangement involved low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain containing 3 (LDLRAD3) in a lung carcinoma. Both fusions retained the c-terminal of b-synuclein, a region important for protein interaction.
Conclusion
We describe the first cases of b-synuclein rearrangement in tumors. Since b-synuclein shares extensive similarity in amino acid sequences with a-synuclein and the a-synuclein binds to 14-3-3, an important regulator of apoptosis, we suspect that the rearranged b-synuclein likely contributes to tumorigenesis by deregulating apoptosis. In addition, the rearranged b-synuclein could deregulate the cell cycle, because overexpression of b-synuclein leads to increased cell proliferation.
Heterojunction structure for high electrical performance of Cu/Sn-LaPO 4 /n-Si type Schottky barrier diode
Authors: Mariappan R. , Priya R. , Bakkiyaraj R. , Karthikeyan A.
Published: January 2023

The Cu/Sn-LaPO4/n-Si MIS Schottky barrier diode (SBD) with a 10% Sn doping has been successfully fabricated, and their photodiode properties were investigated. The I-V forward and reverse bias curves determine the photodiode parameters such as barrier height, ideality factor, and saturation currents from the thermionic emission theory. The results of the experiments with 10% Sn-LaPO4 SBDs showed a linear decrease in the ideality factor (n) up to 2.31 and 1.74, respectively, with a small increase in the effective barrier height (𝛟B) of 0.744 and 0.806 eV in dark and light conditions these results signify their use in optoelectronic industries.
Motor-evoked potential monitoring from urinary sphincter muscle during pediatric lumbosacral spine surgery: A case series
Authors: Ogawa Yuki , Hayashi Hironobu , Sasaki Ryota , Takatani Tsunenori , Oi Ayako , Uemura Keiko , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Postoperative urinary dysfunction following lumbosacral spine surgery is devastating. To assess urinary function, we invented a pediatric urinary catheter equipped with electrodes for the direct transurethral recording of myogenic potential from the external urethral sphincter (EUS). This paper presents two cases in which urinary function was monitored intraoperatively by recording of motor-evoked potential (MEP) from EUS during lumbosacral spine surgery in children.
Methods
Two children (aged 2 and 6 years) were included in this study. One patient had no preoperative neurological dysfunction, while the other had frequent urination and urinary incontinence. A pair of surface electrodes was attached to a silicone rubber urethral catheter (6 or 8 Fr; diameter, 2 or 2.6 mm). The MEP from the EUS were recorded to assess the function of the centrifugal tract from the motor cortex to the pudendal nerve.
Results
Baseline MEP waveforms from the EUS were successfully recorded with latency and amplitude of 39.5 ms and 66 µV in patient 1 and 39.0 ms and 113 µV in patient 2, respectively. A significant decrease in amplitude was not observed during surgery in the two cases. No new urinary dysfunction and complications associated with the urinary catheter-equipped electrodes developed postoperatively.
Conclusion
Using an electrode-equipped urinary catheter, monitoring of MEP from the EUS could be applicable during lumbosacral surgery in pediatric patients.
Rectal infarction caused by transcatheter arterial embolization of the superior rectal artery below the Sudeck's point: A case report
Authors: Wang Rongdi , Yin Yefeng , Guo Xu , Xu Meng
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the first-line treatment for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Previous reports have examined the safety and efficacy of TAE, but few studies have assessed its complications. Some studies have only statistically analyzed complication incidence, but it is relatively plain to discuss the causes. Here we emphasize the Sudeck's point as watershed areas for colonic blood supply. Especially for those rare cases which are lack of anastomosis between the sigmoid artery and the superior rectal artery, that should be taken into serious consideration by both surgeons and interventionists.
CASE SUMMARY
In this case, the patient was diagnosed with malignant rectal tumor bleeding. Because the tumor blocked the intestinal lumen, the endoscope could not reach the bleeding site. Therefore, Transcatheter arterial embolization was selected as a hemostatic measure. The superior rectal artery below the Sudeck's point was utilized as the embolization site. Spring coil and Gelfoam were used as embolization materials. However, laparoscopic exploration revealed ischemic necrosis of the upper rectum 25 h later. Due to the lack of blood transport, bowel anastomosis could not be completed after tumor resection, and a sigmoid colostomy was required.
CONCLUSION
When transcatheter arterial embolization serves as an adjunctive therapy, it aims to reduce arterial perfusion pressure rather than to completely occlude the blood vessel. The choice of embolization materials and location is extremely important.
Efficacy of cataract surgeries performed during blindness prevention programs in Chongqing, China: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Xiang Yongguo , Wang Xiaoqin , Cao Xiaochuan , Wei Fang , Chen Yu , Ran Jianchuan , Long Zhengqin , Tan Qunwu , Lai Zhenying , Liu Li , Zhao Desheng , Xiong Liang , Tang Bin , Wan Wenjuan , Hu Ke
Published: January 2023

Objective
To determine the efficacy of cataract surgeries in blindness prevention programs in Chongqing.
Methods
During February–December 2019, we prospectively enrolled 487 patients (592 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery during blindness prevention programs in 6 Chongqing district/county hospitals (experimental group) and 481 patients (609 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (controls). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), refractive status, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination, and visual function/quality of life (VF-QOL) questionnaire scores were evaluated preoperatively, and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.
Results
In the experimental group, UCVA, BCVA, and VF-QOL scores at 1 and 6 months were better than the preoperative values (P < 0.05), but lower than the control-group values (P < 0.05). Rates of good UCVA and BCVA outcomes (≤ 0.5 logMAR) in the experimental group were 76.2% and 87.6%, respectively, at 1 month and 68.9% and 83.1%, respectively, at 6 months. Most eyes in the experimental (82.1%) and control (89.5%) groups had refractive errors within ± 1 D at 1 month. At 6 months, posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was more common in the experimental group (20.9% vs. 15.0%, P < 0.05). At 6 months, the main causes of visual impairment (UCVA > 0.5 logMAR) in the experimental group were uncorrected refractive errors (33.0%), PCO (29.5%), and fundus diseases (33.9%).
Conclusion
Cataract surgeries in blindness prevention programs in Chongqing significantly improved visual acuity, VF, and QOL, but underperformed compared to surgeries in the tertiary teaching hospital.
Study on time stability on reinforced soil slope by anchor under flood loading effect
Authors: Wang Jun , Nie Zhipeng , Liu Lin
Published: January 2023

In order to analyze the adverse effect of flood effect on slope stability, the analytical expressions of buoyancy force and capillary force, hydrodynamic pressure and impact force, and scour erosion were proposed based on the aging characteristics of soil shear strength and limit equilibrium theory. According to the load combination and flood action, shear failure occurs preferentially at the foot of slope. Then, the plastic zone continues to extend upward to produce traction landslide disaster mode. Furthermore, the power function relation between shear strength index and time was established. The nonlinear accelerated creep model was obtained. At the same time, the analytic formula of safety factor for flood loading effect slope aging stability, the time-varying characteristic value of anchor force and the compensation value of anchor force were also obtained. In addition, the numerical example shows that the slope safety factor decreases by more than 20% considering the effect of flood ascending scour and impact, and the compensation value of anchorage force increases obviously with time, and the change rate of compensation value of anchorage force increases nonlinearly with the increase of design safety factor.
The Quality of DNA Isolated from Autopsy FF and FFPE Tissues: Study of 1662 Samples
Authors: Vitošević Katarina , Todorović Danijela , Slović Živana , Varljen Tatjana , Radaković Ivana , Radojević Dušan , Čanović Vanja , Todorović Miloš
Published: January 2023

Background: There are enormous formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue archives and constantly growing number of methods for molecular analyses but, isolation of DNA from this tissue is still challenging due to the damage effect of formalin on DNA. To determine the extent to which DNA purity, quantity and integrity depends on the process of fixation in formalin, and to what extent on the process of tissue paraffin embedding, we compared the quality of DNA isolated from fixed tissues and DNA isolated from tissues embedded in paraffin blocks after fixation.
Methods and Results: Heart, liver and brain tissues obtained from healthy people who suddenly died a violent death were fixed in 10% buffered formalin as well as in 4% unbuffered formalin 6h, 1-7 days (every 24h), 10, 14, 28 days and 2 months. Also the same tissues were fixed in 4% unbuffered formalin and embedded in paraffin block and stored from few months to 30 years. Yield and purity of the DNA samples isolated from these tissues were measured using spectrophotomer The PCR amplification of the hTERT gene was performed to evaluate the degree of DNA molecule fragmentation. Although the purity of the DNA isolated from almost all tissue samples is satisfactory, the DNA yields changes significantly.
Conclusion: The largest decrease in DNA yield was observed after tissue fixation in formalin, especially with prolonged formalin fixation, and additionally after paraffin embedding of tissue. DNA integrity also depends on time of tissue formalin fixation and the age of paraffin blocks.
Observational studies on turbulent energy and its dissipation, drag, momentum and wind components during thunder and dust storm events at an Eastern Indian city, Ranchi
Authors: Chakravarty Poulomi , Kumar Manoj
Published: January 2023

Storms frequent eastern India in summer months. These storms when accompanied by lightning and hail destroy life and property. Observation based studies on these storms are limited and dynamics of the storms are not extensively studied. This study was aimed at analyzing thunderstorms and dust storms in Ranchi, India during summer month of May. Observational data was obtained from micrometeorological tower at BIT Mesra campus. Drag coefficient, roughness length, turbulent kinetic energy, momentum flux, friction velocity, dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy was calculated using the observational data for comparative analysis. Wind speed and wind direction were also recorded and wind rose diagram for all the days with thunderstorm and dust storm were prepared. The results indicated higher values of all parameters during thunderstorm days when compared to days with dust storms. The peaks in the values were observed whenever the thunderstorms commenced and squalls were observed. There were clear differences in days of thunderstorm and days of dust storm in regard to wind components, momentum exchanges and energy. Higher availability of turbulent energy dissipation was observed during days with thunderstorms. A clear day on the same month was also observed and lower values was depicted in the graph in comparison to thunderstorm or dust storm days. Rainfall recorded in the study period was 11.8 mm. This study provides insight into dynamics of the atmosphere during days of storms in Eastern India.
Effects of histone methylation modification on low temperature seed germination and growth of maize
Authors: Qi Xin , Wan Chang , Zhang Xing , Sun Weifeng , Liu Rui , Wang Zhennan , Wang Zhenhui , Ling Fenglou
Published: January 2023

Low temperature is a limiting factor of seed germination and plant growth. Although there is a lot information on the response of maize to low temperatures, there is still poorly description of how histone methylation affects maize germination and growth development at low temperatures. In this study, the germination rate and physiological indexes of wild-type maize inbred lines B73 (WT), SDG102 silencing lines (AS), SDG102 overexpressed lines (OE) at germination stage and seedling stage were measured under low temperature stress (4℃), and transcriptome sequencing was applied to analyze the differences of gene expression in panicle leaves among different materials. The results showed that the germination rate of WT and OE maize seeds at 4℃ was significantly lower than 25℃. The content of MDA, SOD and POD of 4℃ seeding leaves higher than contrast. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were 409 different expression genes (DEGs) between WT and AS, and the DEGs were mainly up-regulated expression in starch and sucrose metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. There were 887 DEGs between WT and OE, which were mainly up-regulated in the pathways of plant hormone signal transduction, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. This result could provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the growth and development of maize from the perspective of histone methylation modification.
Hematoimmunological responses of Nile tilapia juvenile with dietary supplementation of immunomodulators and different levels of vitamins after acute and physical stress
Authors: Costa¹ Domickson Silva , Dutra Scheila Anelise Pereira , Pereira¹ Iracema Lima , Cardoso¹ Lucas , Medeiros Paula Brando , Silva¹ Kennya Addam Gomes , Soligo² Tiago Augusto , Yamashita Eduardo , Pereira Ulisses de Pádula , Mouriõ¹ José Luiz Pedreira , Martins¹ Maurício Laterça
Published: January 2023

The study analyzed the hematoimmunological effects of the joint dietary supplementation of immunomodulators (β-glucans-nucleotides) and different levels of vitamins for Nile tilapia after physical and acute stress. Four treatments with different experimental diets were used: diets with indicated vitamin levels (Vit ind); Vit ind + 0.5% immunomodulator (Vit ind+Immune); rations with a high level of vitamins (Vit high); Vit high + 0.5% immunomodulator (Vit high+Immune). The experiment included 560 fish (3.0 ± 0.68 g of initial weight and 5.33 ± 0.66 cm of initial length), in 28 tanks and 25 fish/tank, with 7 replicates. After 60 days of supplementation, the animals had a weight of 33.30 ± 7.6 g and a length of 11.97 ± 0.94 cm. The water temperature was set at 20°C and two complete biometrics were performed. Subsequently, the animals were conditioned to two stress factors: physical (I), temperature oscillations: 20ºC to 30ºC/30ºC to 20ºC/20ºC to 30ºC; (II), the same animals were placed in plastic bags with dechlorinated water and shaken for 5 minutes and returned to their respective tanks. For hematoimmunological data, 140 animals were used after stress. Antimicrobial title and total plasma protein were significantly higher in fish that did not receive an immunomodulator. Differently, the binder title increased in fish fed with lower levels of vitamins, while immunoglobulin showed immunomodulatory interaction x level of vitamins. In summary, the inclusion of immunomodulators increased the animals' resistance to physical and acute stress, and improved hematoimmunological parameters, and the high level of vitamins did not modulate immune responses.
Theoretical and experimental study of cutting forces under tool flank interference in ultra-precision diamond milling
Authors: Liu Tongke , Peng Wei , Xiong Zhiwen , Zhang Shaojian
Published: January 2023

In ultra-precision diamond milling (UPDM), the cutting force as an indicator of machining stability deserves to be discussed extensively. However, most studies have focused on the direct material removal under tool rake cutting, not considering tool flank interference in UPDM. In this study, a theoretical and experimental investigation has been conducted to discuss cutting forces under the tool flank interference in UPDM. Firstly, an analysis model of the interference space between tool flank and workpiece was built up to study the tool flank interference positions. Secondly, a kinematic model for the tool cutting motion was constructed to discuss the instantaneous uncut chip thicknesses (IUCT) under the tool flank interference. Moreover, a cutting force model was proposed to reveal the relationship between the cutting forces and IUCT. Finally, a series of milling tests were carried out in UPDM for the validity of the theoretical results. The theoretical and experimental results revealed that the tool flank interference would take place to deform surface generation and induce sudden changes of the cutting forces in UPDM. The tangential cutting force (Fr) reflects the dominant IUCT, and the radial cutting force (Fr) shows an extremely high sensitivity to the IUCT under tool flank interference, while (Fr) has little correlation with IUCT under tool rake cutting, even negligible. This research work gives a deep insight into the cutting forces with surface generation under the tool flank interference in UPDM.
Micro-expression Action Unit Recognition Based on Dynamic Image and Spatial Pyramid
Authors: Zhou Guanqun , Yuan Shusen , Xing Hongbo , Jiang Youjun , Geng Pinyong , Cao Yewen , Ben Xianye
Published: January 2023

Most of the existing research focuses on the recognition of micro-expressions, and few studies how to recognize the action units of micro-expressions. This is due to the low intensity of the facial action unit, which is not easily to be recognized. To solve this problem, we proposed a micro-expression action unit recognition algorithm based on dynamic image and spatial pyramids. First, the video is passed through the dynamic image generation module to generate a dynamic image and extract the motion information contained in all frames. Then, given the subtle movement properties of micro-expressions, different levels of semantic features are obtained through spatial pyramids. It is also known that micro-expressions appear in the small range and are concentrated in local area of the face, so the regional feature network and attention mechanism are used for the image features of each layer. Finally, due to the weak correlation between each action unit, our models are trained separately. Experiments on CASME and CAS(ME)2 datasets verify that the proposed algorithm has shown better action unit recognition performance compared with other advanced methods.
Fiscal Decentralization, Vertical Fiscal Imbalance and Horizontal Tax Competition of Local Governments: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Zhuoxuan , Zhong Hai , Zhen Dongyang
Published: January 2023

Based on the intergovernmental relationship under the China’s fiscal decentralization system, this paper examines the strategic interaction mode of horizontal tax competition among local governments and the spatial impact and threshold effect of fiscal structure on tax competition. We find that the tax competition among China's provincial local governments has geographic and economic spatial correlation and the competition mode is "strategic complementarity" in current period. The fiscal decentralization measured by revenue, expenditure and autonomy promotes the rise of their tax competition level and has a period extensibility. However, the vertical fiscal imbalance has a restraining effect, which is exacerbated by fiscal autonomy and weakened by the decentralization of revenue and expenditure. Our mechanism analyses further corroborate that Fiscal imbalance has a nonlinear impact on tax competition with the thresholds of revenue and expenditure decentralization and fiscal autonomy.
Comparing the Effect of Interval and Continuous Small-Sided Games on the Bio-Motor Abilities of Young Soccer Players
Authors: Daryanoosh Farhad , Alishavandi Hossein , Nemati Javad , Basereh Aref , Jowhari Alireza , Asad-manesh Enayatollah , Oliveira Rafael , Brito João Paulo , Prieto-González Pablo , Khoramipour Kayvan , García-Calvo Tomás , Nobari Hadi
Published: January 2023

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of interval and continuous small-sided games (SSG) training on the bio-motor abilities of young soccer players.
Methods: Sixteen young soccer players (age: 19.5±0.5 years; height: 177±4.72) were ranked based on the result of a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) and randomly divided into two groups; continuous SSG training (CSSG, n = 8) and interval SSG (ISSG, n = 8). The training protocols were performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Participants were assessed twice (pre- and post-intervention) to estimate their anaerobic capacity with the RAST, aerobic capacity with Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, body fat percentage with a bioimpedance analysis, speed with a 30-meter run test, and agility with the Illinois agility test. During the training session, the rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (mean and maximum) were recorded to assess the training load.
Results: In general, both aerobic and anaerobic capacities improved after ISSG (p<0.05, for all). The be-tween-group analysis with repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there were higher values for ISSG than CSSG groups in the post-intervention in anaerobic power (p=0.042, ηp2=0.264). In addition, the independent t-test results indicated that ISSG presented lower values of mean heart rate (p=0.023, effect size [ES]=0.85) and RPE (p<0.05, ES=0.88) than CSSG. Moreover, higher values for maximum heart rate were revealed for ISSG than for the CSSG group (p=0.004, ES=0.85).
Conclusion: We conclude that ISSG could provide better results in the anaerobic power than CSSG.
The relationship between psychological distress and the health-related quality of life of middle-aged Korean females: A serial mediation model
Authors: Oh Jihyun , Kim Sunghee
Published: January 2023

Background
This study aimed to provide primary data for developing an intervention program to improve the health-related quality of life of middle-aged females. This study examined the effects of psychological distress, depression, and emotional eating behaviors on the health-related quality of life of middle-aged Korean females.
Methods
Middle-aged females between 35 and 64 years old, from July 22 to August 10, 2021, were included in this study. The mediating effect of depression and emotional eating behaviors on the relationship between psychological distress and health-related quality of life was investigated. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 325 subjects. Researchers conducted questionnaires measuring general health, depression, emotional eating behavior, and health-related quality of life.
Results
The findings of this study demonstrated a correlation between the severity of a person’s depression and the degree of their psychological distress, indicating that severe depression was associated with negative emotions, which increased emotional eating behavior. Additionally, more severe depression indicated a lower health-related quality of life. Higher psychological distress was associated with increased levels of emotional eating behaviors and lower health-related quality of life. The total and direct effects of psychological distress on the health-related quality of life were statistically significant.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that evidence-based intervention programs that alleviate emotional health problems, such as psychological distress and depression in middle-aged females, are crucial. Moreover, nurses help implement evidence-based intervention programs that could assess potential symptoms of psychological distress, depression, and emotional eating behaviors and develop effective treatment strategies to improve the health-related quality of life. Based on the results of this study, when developing a health promotion program that improves the health-related quality of life of middle-aged females, a nursing intervention plan that alleviates emotional health problems, such as psychological distress and depression in middle-aged women, should be prepared.
Brazilian Scale for Evaluation of Mental Health Care Needs: Development and evidence of validity
Authors: de Mendonça Joana Moscoso Teixeira , Sousa Ana Alice Freire , Eshriqui Ilana , Rebustini Flávio , Bonfim Daiana , Zorzi Daniella Sampaio , Monteiro Camila , Rewa Talita , de Almeida Letícia Yamawaka
Published: January 2023

Background
Mental health disorders represent the top leading causes of burden worldwide. At this context, initiatives to identify Care Needs in Mental Health (CNMH) are urgent, to assure integral and quality care. Nonetheless, there is a gap in valid tools to support primary healthcare (PHC) professionals’ decision-making to the provision of the proper mental health care, at the right place. The present study aimed to develop and search for evidences about the validity of the Brazilian Scale for Evaluation of Mental Health Care Needs (MHcare-BR).
Methods
Considering CNMH as the latent variable, a group of experts developed 130 dichotomous items, which were submitted to assessment by a heterogeneous panel of judges from different regions in Brazil (n = 73). Collected data subsidized the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) calculation, which resulted in a second version of the scale comprising 43 items. Subsequently, it was applied to 879 individuals to find evidences about the internal-structure validity by using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Dimensionality was assessed through Robust Parallel Analysis and the model was tested through cross-validation to find MHcare-BR final version. Further, the MHcare-BR’s score was subjected to normalization.
Results
The final version of MHcare-BR comprised 31 items, which were divided in two blocks: “self-referred” block, with 5 dimensions (social relationships; functionality; autonomy; impulsiveness and aggressiveness”; and spirituality); and “health professional evaluation” block, comprising 3 dimensions (violence; self-aggression and suicidal behavior; and caregiving plan). Model explained variance reached 62.70%. Closeness of dimensionality values pointed out a multi-dimensional model (UNICO = 0.79; ECV = 0.0.69 and MIREAL = 0.22). All indicators were within adequate and satisfactory limits, without any cross-loading, Heywood Case or collinearity/multi-collinearity issues capable of pointing out items redundancy and overlapping. Reliability indices also reached adequate levels (α = 0.82; ω = 0.80; glb = 0.93 and ORION ranging from 0.79 to 0.95, between domains). MHcare-BR’s score normalization pointed towards four CNMH strata (Low CNMH: 0 to 1; Moderate CNMH: 2 to 3; High CNMH: 4 to 6; Very High CNMH: 7 or more).
Conclusions
The MHcare-BR scale is a synthesized instrument, comprising users’ self-evaluation and PHC professionals’ clinical assessment. It showed satisfactory validity evidences, which were consistent, reliable and robust; capable of accurately measuring CNMH in the primary care territory, in Brazil.
The burden of diabetes and hypertension on healthy life expectancy in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md. Zakiul
Published: January 2023

Diabetes and hypertension are among the leading causes of death in Bangladesh. This study examined diabetes and hypertension-free life expectancy, the effect of either disease and the aggregate effect of both diseases on healthy life expectancy in Bangladesh. We utilized data from Bangladesh sample vital statistics, 2018 for mortality, and Bangladesh demographic and health survey 2017-18 for diabetes and hypertension. Sullivan method has been employed to estimate age-specific hypertension and diabetes-free life expectancy. Altogether, 6% of the people lived with both diabetes and hypertension. The life expectancy free of both diseases is 56.6 years. Life expectancy without either of the diseases is 36.9 years. The prevalence of hypertension is higher than diabetes. The hypertension-free life expectancy is 40.4 years, and the diabetes-free life expectancy is 53.2 years. Female suffers more from the aggregate effect of the two chronic diseases. However, female suffers more from hypertension, and male suffers from diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension affect a considerable proportion of life of the population in Bangladesh. Policy actions are needed to guide for prevention and treatment of both diseases with a specific focus on women.
Gait-Phase Specific Transverse-plane Momenta Generation During Pre-planned and Late-cued 90 Degree Turns While Walking
Authors: Tillman Mitchell , Molino Janine , Zaferiou Antonia
Published: January 2023

Turning while walking is ubiquitous and requires generation of linear and angular momenta to redirect the Center of Mass (COM) trajectory and rotate the body towards the new direction of travel. The purpose of this study was to examine strategies that healthy young adults used during each gait phase to generate transverse-plane momenta during pre-planned and late-cued 90° turns. During leftward turns, we expected that momenta would be generated most during the gait phases known to generate leftward COM velocity and leftward body rotations during straight line gait. We found distinct roles of gait phases towards generating momenta during pre-planned and late-cued turns, supporting our hypotheses. Specifically, during right foot single support (when only the right foot is in contact with the ground), the changes in leftward linear momentum and average leftward acceleration were greatest. During double support (both feet contacting the ground) with the left foot in front, the changes in transverse-plane angular momentum and average moment were greatest. These findings align with the prior understanding of momenta regulation during straight-line gait, suggesting that healthy young adults can leverage momenta control strategies used during straight-line gait to generate transverse-plane momenta required by turns.
Bifurcations and Early-Warning Signs for SPDEs with Spatial Heterogeneity
Authors: Bernuzzi Paolo , Kuehn Christian
Published: January 2023

Bistability is a key property of many systems arising in the nonlinear sciences. For example, it appears in many partial differential equations (PDEs). For scalar bistable reaction-diffusions PDEs, the bistable case even has taken on different names within communities such as Allee, Allen-Cahn, Chafee-Infante, Nagumo, Ginzburg-Landau, Φ4, Schlögl, Stommel, just to name a few structurally similar bistable model names. One key mechanism, how bistability arises under parameter variation is a pitchfork bifurcation. In particular, taking the pitchfork bifurcation normal form for reaction-diffusion PDEs is yet another variant within the family of PDEs mentioned above. More generally, the study of this PDE class considering steady states and stability, related to bifurcations due to a parameter is well-understood for the deterministic case. For the stochastic PDE (SPDE) case, the situation is less well-understood and has been studied recently. In this paper we generalize and unify several recent results for SPDE bifurcations. Our generalisation is motivated directly by applications as we introduce in the equation a spatially heterogeneous term and relax the assumptions on the covariance operator that defines the noise. For this spatially heterogeneous SPDE, we prove a finite-time Lyapunov exponent bifurcation result. Furthermore, we extend the theory of early warning signs in our context and we explain, the role of universal exponents between covariance operator warning signs and the lack of finite-time Lyapunov uniformity. Our results are accompanied and cross-validated by numerical simulations.
Design of Sodium alginate/PVA based erasable film with a wide-range adjustable information storage time
Authors: Chen Qi , Zuo Wenjing , Xie Zhen , Liu Wenjing , Lu Miaomiao , Qiu Xingheng , Habib Sania , Jing Yidan , Zhang Xiaomin , Yu Ningya , Su Shengpei , Zhu Jin
Published: January 2023

Paper manufacturing is frequently associated with severe environmental pollution. The light-responsive rewritable paper has become one of the important research directions to replace traditional paper because of its excellent non-contact writing and pollution-free characteristics. However, the reported information storage time of photoetching paper is short, making application control on various occasions difficult. In this study, ammonium molybdate was used as a photochromic agent in SA/PVA composite films. This film's printing effect and mechanical properties are equivalent to those of current paper, and the clear boundary can still be seen at a magnification of 20 times. Within 50 days, the film can still show visible color with no loss of resolution. Meanwhile, the film can be efficiently decolorized in an aqueous solution using the water-soluble properties of SA and PVA, and then regenerated by simply laying the film. The film quality and resolution did not degrade after ten cycles of "information writing-dissolution erasing-regeneration writing" demonstrating excellent recycling performance. As a result, this study not only achieves long-term storage of the film's information, but also employs a simple and environmentally friendly recycling process to adjust its storage time, thereby providing a new method for the design of photoetching paper.
Is basal membrane/tubular diameter ratio a histologic predictor of germ cell presence in transgender women?
Authors: Marins Lina Rigodanzo , Rosito Tiago Elias , Kliemann Lucia Maria , Capp Edison , Corleta Helena von Eye
Published: January 2023

Purpose
Evaluate histological changes in testicular parameters after hormone treatment in transgender women.
Materials and Methods
Cross-section study with 86 patients who underwent gonadectomy. Hormone treatment type, route of administration, age at initiation and duration were recorded. Atrophy parameters were observed: testicular volume, tubular diameter, basal membrane length, presence of spermatogonia and spermatids (diploid and haploid spermatozoid precursors).
Results
Duration of hormone treatment determines testicular atrophy and spermatogenesis arrest. Other characteristics of hormone treatment such as age of initiation, route of administration and type of treatment were not associated with testicular histological changes. Testicular volume may predict spermatogenesis arrest. Basal membrane length and tubular diameter ratio is an interesting predictor of germ cell presence.
Conclusion
Basal membrane length and tubular diameter ratio reduces inter variability of measurements and better exemplify how atrophic seminiferous tubules are. Fertility preservation should be addressed by healthcare providers in order to recognize gender affirming treatment impact on transgender health.
Reanalysis of genetic variants detected by next generation sequencing in Parkinson’s disease with two novel variants
Authors: KABLAN Ahmet , Silan Fatma , Ozdemir Ozturk
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Early surgical treatment using regional clinical pathways reduces the length of postoperative hospitalization in hip fracture patients: A retrospective analysis using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database
Authors: Nishimura Haruki , Suzuki Hitoshi , Tokutsu Kei , Muramatsu Keiji , Kawasaki Makoto , Yamanaka Yoshiaki , Uchida Soshi , Nakamura Eiichiro , Fushimi Kiyohide , Matsuda Shinya , Sakai Akinori
Published: January 2023

Background: Hip fracture is a common injury in older people, especially those with weak bone contracture such as in osteoporosis. Although early surgical treatment is recommended, the optimal timing has not yet been determined in Japan. Therefore, we ascertained the rate of early surgery among hip fracture patients and investigated its effectiveness, along with regional clinical pathways, in reducing the length of postoperative hospital stay among patients with hip fractures. We used the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database to obtain data for this study.
Methods: We used data of patients diagnosed with femoral neck and peritrochanteric fractures retrieved from the Japanese DPC database between April 2016 and March 2018. Patients were divided into the early surgery (43,928 [34%] patients who underwent surgery within two days of admission) and delayed surgery groups (84,237 [66%] patients who underwent surgery after two days of admission).
Results: The difference between the length of stay (LOS) in the hospital for both groups was two days (early vs. delayed: 21 days vs. 23 days). The early surgery group had more cases of intertrochanteric fractures (57% vs. 43%) and internal fixation (74% vs. 55%) than the delayed surgery group. In contrast, the delayed surgery group had more cases of femoral neck fractures (43% vs. 57%) and bipolar hip arthroplasty (25% vs. 42%) or total hip arthroplasty (1.2% vs. 3.0%). Moreover, the early surgery group showed a lower incidence of complications, except anaemia (12 % vs. 8.8%), than the delayed surgery group. Logistic regression analysis using the adjusted model showed that early surgery and implementation of regional clinical pathways reduced LOS by 2.58 and 8.06 days, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Early surgery was performed in a third of all hip fracture patients. Early surgery and implementation of regional clinical pathways for hip fracture patients are effective in reducing postoperative hospital LOS, with regional clinical pathways having a greater impact. These findings will help acute care providers when treating patients with hip fractures.