bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considering the Impact of Sustainable Development Goals on Economic Boost-trip; a case from Pakistan’s Economy
Authors: Sohail Hafiz M. , Ullah Mirzat , Sohag Kazi , Rehman Faheem Ur
Published: June 2022

This research study examines the impact of sustainable development goals indexes like education, infrastructure, foreign direct investment (FDI), and green energy transitions on economic growth. We used three decades annual time series data for the above indexes from period 1990 to 2020. We use the principal components analysis and vector error correction model (VECM) econometric techniques to investigate the statistical significancy of above employed indexes to study the effect both in long and short term. More especially, to examine the short-term effect of SDGs we used the NARDL approach to study the real-time effect. Considering the long-term coefficients on the economy of the country, the results primarily reveal that the education, foreign direct investment, and infrastructure is playing a significant positive role in the economic growth of Pakistan. Similarly, in short-term the foreign direct investment, infrastructure, and green energy transition coefficients are significant positive related to sustainable development goals. However, the education found as unsubstantial as cotribitive as other variables. The granger causality test is employed to estimate the causal association between the selected parameters. The estimated outcomes find the unidirectional causality from education and green energy transition towards economic growth, and education is found with in relation to infrastructure. Additionally, bidirectional causal relationship is found between FDI and infrastructure towards economic growth which shows that the increase in foreign investment have the potential to boost the economic growth. Finally, all the examined indexes are considered as important sources towards the economic growth.JEL classifications: F43; Q01; C23; N35
Intestine-derived α-synuclein initiates and aggravates pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease in Drosophila
Authors: Liu Wei , Lim Kah-Leong , Tan Eng-King
Published: June 2022

Background
Synucleinopathies, the aberrant aggregation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn), are key pathological features of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the precise role of intestinal α-Syn in the progression of PD remains largely elusive. In a number of genetic PD Drosophila models, α-Syn is frequently ectopically expressed in the neural system to investigate the pathobiology of PD.
Method
Life span, survival, immunofluorescence and climbing were carried out to evaluate the progress of intestinal PD flies, in which human α-Syn was overexpressed in Drosophila guts. Immunofluorescence, Western blotting and ROS staining were employed to assess the effects of intestinal α-Syn on intestinal dysplasia. High-throughput RNA and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, quantitative RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, and ROS staining were performed to determine the molecular mechanism of the PD pathogenesis.
Results
Here, we investigate the potential role of intestinal α-Syn in PD pathogenesis using a Drosophila model. We found that intestinal α-Syn alone recapitulates many features of PD-associated synucleinopathies, including impaired life span, loss of dopaminergic neurons, and progressive motor defects. Intestine-derived α-Syn disrupts intestinal homeostasis and accelerates the onset of intestinal ageing. Moreover, intestinal expression of α-Syn induces dysbiosis, while microbiome depletion is efficient to restore intestinal homeostasis and ameliorate the progression of PD. We elucidate the underlying mechanism by which intestinal α-Syn triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS), and eventually leads to activation of the DUOX-ROS-JNK pathway. In addition, α-Syn from both guts and brains synergizes to accelerate the progress of PD.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that intestinal expression of α-Syn generates PD-like etiology, and induces dysbiosis that aggravates the progress of PD through the DUOX-ROS-JNK pathway in Drosophila, providing useful insights into the underlying etiology and pathogenesis of PD.
Investigation and prediction of central cracking in cross wedge rolling
Authors: Zhou Xianyan , Sun Chaoyang , Wang Baoyu , Jiang Jun
Published: June 2022

Central cracking refers to the formation of internal cavities in cross wedge rolling (CWR) products. It occurs in various materials such as aluminium/titanium alloys, steels and plasticine at room or elevated temperatures, driven by different central cracking mechanisms. However, these mechanisms are still elusive, and a unified central cracking predictive model is absent due to the complex stress states within the workpiece, including triaxial stress states, cyclic loading and severe shear effects. In this study, the underlying fracture mechanisms were revealed, and a robust unified damage model with sound physical meanings was developed using a lab-scale CWR physical model and finite element models. The physical model with the plasticine billets was built, allowing the CWR dies with different geometries rapidly 3D printed and the billets with various ductility efficiently manufactured. The central cracking transiting from brittle to ductile fracture was experimentally observed for the first time using specifically designed plasticine/flour composite samples at varying ductility. The corresponding physics-based central cracking predictive model was proposed and validated quantitatively with 60 groups of CWR tests and compared with ten existing damage models/fracture criteria. This study effectively solves the long-lasting central cracking problem in the CWR industry and enhances the scientific understanding of fracture mechanics in complex engineering applications.
Clinical Characteristics, Management Strategies and Outcomes of Patients with Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism in the Real World
Authors: Yamashita Yugo , Morimoto Takeshi , Kadota Kazushige , Takase Toru , Hiramori Seiichi , Kim Kitae , Oi Maki , Akao Masaharu , Kobayashi Yohei , Toyofuku Mamoru , Inoko Moriaki , Tada Tomohisa , Chen Po-Min , Murata Koichiro , Tsuyuki Yoshiaki , Nishimoto Yuji , Sakamoto Jiro , Togi Kiyonori , Mabuchi Hiroshi , Takabayashi Kensuke , Kato Takao , Ono Koh , Kimura Takeshi
Published: June 2022

Background
There is a paucity of data on management strategies and clinical outcomes after recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Method
In a multicenter registry enrolling 3027 patients with acute symptomatic VTE, the current study population was divided into the following 3 groups: 1) First recurrent VTE on anticoagulation therapy (N = 110); 2) First recurrent VTE off anticoagulation therapy (N = 116); and 3) No recurrent VTE (N = 2801).
Results
Patients with first recurrent VTE on anticoagulation therapy more often had active cancer (45%, 25%, and 22%, P < 0.001). Among 110 patients with first recurrent VTE on anticoagulation therapy, 84 patients (76%) received warfarin at recurrent VTE with the median prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) value at recurrent VTE of 1.6, although patients with active cancer had a significantly higher median PT-INR value at recurrent VTE compared with those without active cancer (2.0 versus 1.4, P < 0.001). Within 90 days after recurrent VTE, 23 patients (20.9%) on and 24 patients (20.7%) off anticoagulation therapy died.
Conclusions
Active cancer was a major cause of recurrent VTE during anticoagulation therapy as a patient-related factor, while sub-optimal intensity of anticoagulation therapy was a major cause of recurrent VTE during anticoagulation therapy as a treatment-related factor, particularly in patients without active cancer.
Comparison between the CASIA SS-1000 and Pentacam in Measuring Corneal Curvatures and Corneal Thickness Maps
Authors: Feldman Robert M. , Kim Gene , Chuang Alice Z. , Shiraishi Atsushi , Okamoto Keiichiro , Tsukamoto Makoto
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To compare the intra-device repeatability and inter-device reproducibility between two anterior segment imaging instruments, the CASIA SS-1000 (Tomey Corp., Nagoya, Japan) and Pentacam (OCULUS, Arlington, WA) in measuring anterior segment parameters.Methods: Single-center, prospective clinical trial. Participants ≥ 20 years of age were included. One eye was randomly selected, each imaged by three CASIA SS-1000 devices and three Pentacam devices by three different examiners. Each photographer operated a pair of devices, one CASIA SS-1000 and one Pentacam. The image order for each participant was determined by a random permutation table. Three images were taken from each device. A total of 18 images were taken for each eye. Ratios of the standard deviations, referenced as (CASIA/Pentacam), were calculated to compare the repeatability and reproducibility of the two imaging instruments.Results: In all, 66 participants with a mean age of 46.4 years (±21.7) were enrolled in the study. All repeatability ratios and intra-device variability were less than 1 (anterior corneal curvature: flat=0.86, steep=0.85; posterior corneal curvature: flat=0.43, steep=0.61; and map: central=0.24, 2mm=0.26, 4mm=0.27, and 6mm=0.30). All reproducibility ratios, which measure the inter-device variability, were less than 1 (anterior corneal curvature: flat=0.58, steep=0.73; posterior corneal curvature: flat=0.25, steep=0.31; and pachymetry map: central=0.20; 2mm=0.20; 4mm=0.19; and 6mm=0.22). A ratio of less than 1 indicates that the CASIA SS-1000 has more consistent measurements.Conclusions: The CASIA SS-1000 was found to have better repeatability and reproducibility compared to the Pentacam for both corneal curvature and pachymetry maps. This greater consistency may require further study to determine whether the decreased variability can be translated into improved clinical results.
COMPASS – rapid and highly sensitive medical point-of-care diagnostic
Authors: Vogel Patrick , Rückert Martin , Friedrich Bernhard , Tietze Rainer , Lyer Stefan , Kampf Thomas , Hennig Thomas , Dölken Lars , Alexiou Christoph , Behr Volker
Published: June 2022

In the last decade Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have gained an enormous interest in specialized areas such as medicine, cancer theranostics, biosensing, catalysis, agriculture, and the environmental protection. By controlled engineering of specific surface properties, named functionalization, MNPs are gaining special features for desired applications, e.g., bioassays for the detection of biomolecules or biomarkers such as antibodies. The characterization as well as a highly specific measurement of such binding states is of high interest and limited to highly sensitive techniques such as ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) or flow cytometry, which are relatively inflexible, difficult to handle, expensive and time-consuming. Novel upcoming methods, such as ACS (AC susceptometry) or MPS (Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy), exploit the magnetization response of functionalized MNP ensembles to assess specific information about the MNP mobility within their environment as well as the conjugations of chemical or biological compounds on their surface. Both methods have shown promising results reaching similar sensitivities within short measurement times but showing difficulties in data interpretation. Here, we report a novel method, COMPASS (Critical Offset Magnetic PArticle SpectroScopy), which is based on a critical offset magnetic field of MNPs, which enables sensitive detection to minimal changes in mobility of MNP ensembles, e.g., resulting from SARS-CoV-2 antibodies binding to the S antigen on the surface of functionalized MNPs. With a validated sensitivity of 0.85 fmole/50 µl sample volume ( ≙ 33 pM) SARS-CoV-2-S1 antibodies, measured with a low-cost portable COMPASS device, the proposed technique is not only competitive with the sensitivity of commonly used ELISA or flow cytometry methods but provides more flexibility, robustness and rapid measurement withinwell below a minute per sample, including sample conjugation, mixing and incubation times. The underlying physical effect is based on an offset magnetic field induced suppression of a higher harmonic in the nonlinear magnetization response of the MNP to a time varying magnetic field resulting in a highly sensitive response of the signal phase to minimal changes in particle mobility. Since this effect is independent of MNP concentration, the sample handling is much simpler and robust. Our method thus may pave the way for deeper insights into complex and rapid binding dynamics of functionalization chemistry and can lead to a huge step forwards in point-of-care diagnostics as well as impacts other fields in research and industries.
Round-window delivery of lithium chloride protects cochlear synapses from noise-induced excitotoxic trauma by inhibiting NMDA receptor
Authors: Choi Ji Eun , Carpena Nathaniel T , Lee Jae-Hun , Chang So-Young , Lee Min Young , Jung Jae Yun , Chung Won-Ho
Published: June 2022

Noise exposures can destroy the synaptic connections between hair cells and auditory nerve fibers without damaging the hair cells, and this synaptic loss could contribute to difficulties hearing in noisy environments. In this study, we investigated whether delivering lithium chloride to the round-window can regenerate cochlear synapses after acoustic overexposure. Our noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy model caused about 50% loss of synapses in the cochlear basal region without damaging hair cells. We locally delivered poloxamer 407 (vehicle) containing lithium chloride to the round-window niche 24 hours after noise exposure. Controls included animals exposed to noise who received only the vehicle. Auditory brainstem responses were measured 3 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks post-exposure treatment, and cochleas were harvested 1 week and 2 weeks post-exposure treatment for histological analysis. As documented by confocal microscopy of immunostained ribbon synapses, local delivery of lithium chloride produced synaptic regeneration coupled with corresponding functional recovery, as seen in the suprathreshold amplitude of auditory brainstem response wave 1. Western blot analyses revealed that high-dose lithium chloride suppressed N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression 7 days after noise-exposure. Thus, round-window delivery of lithium chloride using poloxamer 407 protects against cochlear synaptic loss after acoustic overexposure by inhibiting NMDA receptor activity.
South Asia’s sustained financial development and the role of remittance: An empirical analysis
Authors: Khan Imran
Published: June 2022

Banks are crucial to the financial system and the economy. In this context, the objective of this study is to examine the effects of overseas remittances on banks' lending capacity to the private sector as an indicator of financial development in order to ensure that the South Asian region's goal of sustainable financial development is accomplished. An ARDL method is used to analyze the time series data from 1975 to 2020. It has been found that remittances have a strong long-term influence on financial development, with each 1% increase in remittance inflow enhances the financial development by 0.42 percent. As a result, the study concludes that remittance inflows are critical to South Asia's financial growth. The findings of this study will assist economic and financial policymakers in channeling remittances in such a manner that it can be used to improve banks' financial capabilities, which will in turn improve the private sector's capacities.Jel Code – H81, G21, F40
Establishment of in vivo proximity labeling with biotin using TurboID in the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Hollstein Lucas S. , Schmitt Kerstin , Valerius Oliver , Stahlhut Gertrud , Pöggeler Stefanie
Published: June 2022

Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) has emerged as a powerful methodology to identify proteins co-localizing with a given bait protein in vivo. The approach has been established in animal cells, plants and yeast but not yet in filamentous fungi. BioID relies on promiscuous biotin ligases fused to bait proteins to covalently label neighboring proteins with biotin. Biotinylated proteins are specifically enriched through biotin affinity capture from denatured cell lysates and subsequently identified and quantified with liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS). In contrast to many other affinity capture approaches for studying protein-protein interactions, BioID does not rely on physical protein-protein binding within native cell lysates. This feature allows the identification of protein proximities of weak or transient and dynamic nature. Here, we demonstrate the application of BioID for the fungal model organism Sordaria macrospora (Sm) using the example of the STRIPAK complex interactor 1 (SCI1) of the well‑characterized striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (SmSTRIPAK) complex as proof of concept. For the establishment of BioID in S. macrospora, a codon‑optimized TurboID biotin ligase was fused to SCI1. Biotin capture of the known SmSTRIPAK components PRO11, SmMOB3, PRO22 and SmPP2Ac1 demonstrates the successful BioID application in S. macrospora. BioID proximity labeling approaches will provide a powerful proteomics tool for fungal biologists.
Exploring the structural insights of trisubstituted isoxazoles against protozoal agents using QSAR and molecular docking model
Authors: Dhingra Naveen , Kapoor Kapish , Sharma Shaligram , Ameta Keshav Lalit
Published: June 2022

Leishmaniasis is one of the most well-known neglected infectious diseases, which is severe problem for public health. Heterocyclic derivatives are known to displays wide range of pharmacology activities including isoxazole ring that exhibit antileishmanial activity. In the given paper series of 59, 4-aminomethyl 5-aryl-3-substituted isoxazoles were used to identify the structural insights and to find the binding affinity with protein through quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and docking approaches. The designed model produced statistically significant results with of R2 = 0.72and Q2 = 0.72. Most potent compound formed hydrogen bonds with active amino acidsArg 87, Arg 104, Gly 112, His 117, Gly 118 and Asp 120. Structure activity relationship (SAR) revealed that substitution of hydrophobic and steric groups may enhance the biological activity of compounds as antiprotozoal agents.The given strategies of computational studies could be an encouraging way for designing therapeutic targets against leishmaniasis.
Paying people to be healthy: Limited time offer
Authors: Spilsbury Sean , Wilk Piotr , Taylor Carolyn , Prapavessis Harry , Mitchell Marc
Published: June 2022

Government interest in using financial incentives (FIs) to stimulate health behaviors is increasing. The cost of longer-term FI intervention may be prohibitive, however. This study examined the impact of FI withdrawal on physical activity. A large 25-week quasi-experiment was conducted with users of a government-funded FI-based mobile health application. Users (n=584,760) from three Canadian provinces were included. Daily FIs were removed in Ontario (ON; intervention) but not British Columbia (BC; control) or Newfoundland and Labrador (NL; control). Simple linear regression models examined weekly mean daily step count after FI withdrawal and showed step count decreased in all provinces with the largest decrease observed in ON - but not to the extent expected (i.e., 198 and 274 fewer steps/day vs. BC and NL, respectively). Contrary to more than 50 years of psychology research, our findings provide rigorous quasi-experimental evidence that contemporary FIs may drive sustained health behavior change.
A study on the tendencies of social stigma of the source of outbreak in the initial pandemic period of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Jiang Yiwei , Wu Hsin-Che , Zuo Yihang
Published: June 2022

Based on the big data of the Baidu index, this paper collected the search preferences of social groups in different provinces and regions, ranging from the initial stage of the outbreak to the official naming period, to measure the tendencies of social stigma of the disease source area. It then investigated its spatial homogeneity and heterogeneity; the interaction between its natural attenuation process and the intervention of external social effects over time; and the influence on these tendencies by the media. In regression analysis, it is found that the population density, economic development level, and the years of education per capita significantly increased the tendency to discriminate toward local disease source areas in the initial stage of the outbreak. In contrast, the CPI and registered unemployment rate relevant to the area; the internet penetration rate in relation to the effect of the media; and the volume of new government media are conducive to reducing the tendency toward social stigma among local people. The effect of GDP on the local public's social stigma is influenced by the local internet penetration rate, which can reduce the level of economic development and results in the increase of social stigma. However, through the analysis of the panel data from the latter half of the process, the official opinion persuasion has a positive impact on reducing the tendency toward social stigma. At the same time, its impact is affected by the mean value of the local government’s new media. When the government starts to channel public opinion, the volume of a local government’s new media plays a significant positive role in the decline of stigma.
Integrative molecular analyses define the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic correlates of high B7-H3 expression in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hwang Justin , Shi Xiaolei , Day Abderrahman , Bergom Hannah , Tape Sydney , Baca Sylvan , Zorko Nicholas , Wang Jinhua , Ryan Charles , Antonarakis Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

B7-H3 (CD276) is an immune checkpoint overexpressed in prostate cancer with minimal expression in normal tissues and associated with poor prognosis, making it an excellent therapy target. We interrogated B7-H3 expression and its regulation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We found greater expression of B7-H3 transcript relative to other immunotherapy targets (CTLA4, PD-L1/2), including in tumors that lacked expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Enzalutamide-resistant mCRPC cells demonstrated increased amounts of B7-H3, and this was positively associated with resistance signaling pathways. Using a machine learning algorithm, the gene network of B7-H3 was strongly correlated with androgen receptor (AR) and AR co-factor (HOXB13, FOXA1) networks. In mCRPC samples, the B7-H3 promoter and distal enhancer regions exhibited enhanced transcriptional activity and were directly bound by AR and its co-factors. Altogether, our study characterizes epigenetic mechanisms and molecular profiles of B7-H3-expressing mCRPC tumors, which informs optimal precision approaches for mCRPC patients.
Vehicle Detection in Low Illumination Based on Attention Mechanism and RetinexNet
Authors: Wu Yunhao , Jin Shisong , Wang Qiaozhi , Zhao Xuehan
Published: June 2022

In order to solve the problem of low detection ability of target detection algorithm in low illumination environment such as night time, this paper puts forward a method to detect vehicles by improving YOLOv5 network structure and introducing RetinexNet. CBAM attention module is added to the Neck detection layer of the network to extract the main features of the vehicle, reduce the unused feature extraction, and enhance the detection capability of the vehicle. The DIoU is introduced as the loss function of the model to solve the imprecise location of the prediction box and speed up the convergence of the model. RetinexNet is used to enhance and denoise low illumination images so as to improve the detection ability of low illumination images. The experimental results show that the improved model achieves 90% accuracy in vehicle detection and has good detection performance in low light environment.
Comparison of the blood pressure management between sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo , Toyoda Masao , Hatori Nobuo , Sakai Hiroyuki , Furuki Takayuki , Sato Kazuyoshi , Terauchi Yasuo , Tamura Kouichi , Kanamori Akira
Published: June 2022

Reduction in blood pressure (BP) contributes to the cardiovascular and renal protective effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras). However, there has been no direct comparison in terms of BP-lowering efficacies. We compared the rates of achieving a target BP with SGLT-2i and GLP-1Ra treatments administered to Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This retrospective study included 384 SGLT-2i- and 160 GLP-1Ra-treated patients with a BP > 130/80 mmHg before treatment. Inverse probability weighting methods using propensity scores were applied in this study. The integrated odds ratios (OR) for BP control rates were calculated and clinical changes were analyzed using a generalized linear model. SGLT-2i treatment resulted in significantly higher BP control rates than the GLP1Ra treatment (integrated OR = 2.09 [1.80, 2.43]). Compared with GLP-1Ra, SGLT-2i treatment determined significantly larger decreases in diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and body weight (-3.8 mmHg, P = 0.006; -4.1 mmHg, P = 0.01; and -1.5 kg, P = 0.008, respectively) and increased annual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 1.5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, P = 0.04). In T2DM patients with poorly controlled BP, compared with GLP-1Ra, SGLT-2i treatment significantly improved BP management along with increasing eGFR.
Differentiation of intestinal epithelial stem cells from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Li Leilei , Wang Wanpu , Luo Lilin , Dong Shuai , Li Menglong , Chen Tianxing , Meng Qingyang , Liang Rui
Published: June 2022

Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) have great potential for the repair of intestinal epithelial injury. However, the amplification of primarily cultured IESCs is relatively difficult. This study aims to obtain IESCs by inducing the differentiation of human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs). The differentiation of hPESCs into to the definitive endoderm (DE) was performed by using activin A and Wnt3a firstly. Then the differentiation of DE into IESCs was conducted in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Markers of IESCs, i.e., Musashi 1(Msil) and hairy and enhancer of split 1(Hes1), were monitored dynamically with double immunocytochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to identify the differentiation of IESCs. Results showed that Msil + Hesl + IESCs culminated after a 5-day culture in the presence of EGF and the expression of Msil and Hes1 in cells treated by EGF was 51.3- and 45.38-fold times, respectively, higher than those not treated by EGF. There results demonstrate that IESCs can be generated by inducing the differentiation of hPESCs. Therefore, this study provides a potential source of IESCs for the regeneration of injured intestinal epithelia and the theoretical and experimental basis for the clinical application of hPESCs.
Towards understanding the robust strengthening of ENSO and extreme El Niño events with global warming in CMIP6
Authors: Heede Ulla K. , Fedorov Alexey V.
Published: June 2022

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has profound implications for weather patterns across the globe, and yet there is no consensus on its response to global warming. Several modelling studies suggest a stronger ENSO in global warming scenarios, while other studies find ENSO weakening. Using a broad range of models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and four different types of warming experiments, here we show that the majority of the models predict a stronger ENSO by century-end in Shared Social Pathway (SSP) experiments, and in idealized 1pctCO2 and abrupt 4xCO2 experiments. Several models, however, predict no change or ENSO weakening, especially in the idealized experiments. For most models the strongest forcing (abrupt-4xCO2) is not associated with the strongest ENSO response, while differences between the models are much greater than between warming scenarios. For the long-term (1000 years) response the models disagree even on the sign of change. Furthermore, changes in ENSO SST variability appear to be poorly correlated with the tropical mean state change, while changes in ENSO rainfall variability correlate well with changes in the mean state and, especially, ENSO SST variability. Evaluating changes in the Bjerknes Stability Index for a subset of models we find it to be a poor predictor for ENSO strengthening as this index typically suggests greater stability with warming. We hypothesize that changes to ENSO stability are offset by increases in atmospheric noise or/and potential nonlinear effects. Thus, a robust inter-model mechanism is still lacking to explain a stronger ENSO simulated with global warming, and caution should be exercised when considering ENSO changes based on a single model or warming scenario.
Comparison of Mann-Kendall and Şen’s Innovative Trend Method for Climatic Parameters Over Nigeria’s Climatic Zones
Authors: AGBO Emmanuel Paul , NKAJOE Ugochukwu , EDET Collins Okon
Published: June 2022

Creating innovative ways for the identification of trends is a very vital part of atmospheric studies. Different climatic locations present their unique variations, calling for the dynamism of trend analysis. In addition to the widely adopted Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test, the new Şen’s innovative trend analysis (ITA) method has been applied to analyze the trends of refractivity related (atmosphere pressure –AP, vapour pressure – VP, ambient temperature – T) and equivalent potential temperature – EPT related parameters (mixing ratio of air – R, absolute temperature at the lifting condensation level – TL, potential temperature – PT). This analysis was perfomed using 40 years’ data (1981 – 2020) from 4 stations from each climatic zone of Nigeria (Calabar – Tropical monsoon, Ibadan – Tropical Savannah, Kano – Warm semiarid climate, and Kukawa – Warm desert climate). The MK trend test identified monotonic (entirely increasing or decreasing) trends for specific parameters across the climatic locations; the Şen’s ITA method was important in the identification of trends even for parameters that showed non-monotonic variations. Other comparisons between both methods were outlined and explained; correlation heat maps were used to show the relationship between all parameters for each climatic location, describing the effect of climate on the variations of these parameters. The low, medium and high values revealed from the Şen’s ITA method can be informative for telecom and renewable energy applications, guiding engineers and system designers to understand the trends within range of values for a particular climatic parameter.
A machine learning approach for early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus using elemental contents in fingernails
Authors: Chan Yun-Nam , Wang Pengpeng , Chun Ka-Him , Lum Judy Tsz-Shan , Wang Hang , Zhang Yunhui , Leung Kelvin Sze-Yin
Published: June 2022

The aim of this pilot study was to predict the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by the elemental content in fingernails and urine with machine learning analysis. Sixty seven pregnant women (34 control and 33 GDM patient) were included. Fingernails and urine were collected in the first and second trimesters, respectively. The concentrations of elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression model was applied to estimate the adjusted odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The predictive performances of multiple machine learning algorithms were evaluated, and an ensemble model was built to predict the risk for GDM based on the elemental contents in the fingernails. Beryllium, selenium, tin and copper were positively assoicated with the risk of GDM while nickel and mercury showed opposite result. The trained ensemble model showed larger area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.81) using fingernail Ni, Cu and Se concentrations. The model was validated by external data set with AUC = 0.71. In summary, the results of the present study highlight the potential of fingernails, as an alternative sample, together with machine learning in human biomonitoring studies.
Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital
Authors: Sambou Mamina , Bah Haddy Tunkara , Sanyang Yusupha
Published: June 2022

Background: Renal Replacement Therapies (RRTs) like haemodialysis only partially corrects the symptoms experienced by the patient and provokes additional changes in the lifestyles of patients. These changes can affect Quality of life (QOL) of the patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the quality of life of patients undergoing haemodialysis at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), The GambiaMethod: A cross-sectional study design was used. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life –Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaire was adapted and used to collect data from 44 participants undergoing haemodialysis at the time of data collection. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and t-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine the difference of quality of life, among the patients in relation to their demographic variables.Results: The finding showed that the majority of the patients were female 30(68.2%) and the mean age was 43.3 years ranging from 20- 80 years. Hypertension was the major cause of renal failure (n=27; 61.4%) of the patients. The patients have a poor quality of life with a mean score of 34. 8%. Independent t-test shows that the physical composite score (PCS), Mental composite score (MCS), Kidney disease composite score (KDCS) were all higher in males compared to females, with PCS being significant at a p- value of 0.007 and KDCS at a P-value of 0.01. The MCS was significantly higher among the unmarried patients at a p-value of 0.022 as well as for diabetes and hypertension compared to unknown causes of KidneyConclusion: The low PCS, MCS and KDCS among the patients receiving haemodialysis treatment in EFSTH indicate a poor quality of life. Therefore, more efforts need to be done to improve the quality of life for this patients.
M2 macrophage-derived exosomes for DNase 1 delivery to modulate inflammatory microenvironment in ischemic stroke
Authors: Qing Hongrui , Wang Zhenhua , Li Ran , Li Xue , Guo Xing , Zhou Shaobing
Published: June 2022

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are highly associated with inflammatory response and vascular injury after ischemic stroke. As the primary degrader of NETs, DNase 1 is limited by easy deactivation and low efficiency of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we develop a M2 macrophage-derived exosomal (M2exo) system for DNase 1 delivery to achieve enhanced ischemic stroke therapy. The nanoplatform can cross the BBB through transcytosis of exosomes, subsequently clearing NETs by DNase 1 to inhibit inflammatory factors release and prevent vascular injury. Moreover, M2exo induced the polarization of M1 microglia to M2 phenotype, alleviating neuroinflammation via producing anti-inflammatory cytokines. This nanoplatform exhibits significant efficiency of reducing brain infarct area, improving long-term neurologic outcome, and promoting BBB remodeling. The mechanism for the synergistic effect from M2exo and DNase 1 is unveiled at the genetic level through transcriptome analysis. This work provides a paradigm of improving the effectiveness of ischemic stroke therapy.
NAC facilitates energy metabolism transition toward oxidative phosphorylation in hypoxia-inducible goat temporomandibular joint disc cells
Authors: Bao Guangjie , Liu Jingying , Ma Bin , Liu Yang , Ren Hui , Yu Caiyun , Dong Fangrui , Kang Hong
Published: June 2022

I. Background: The roles of antioxidants on the energy metabolism of disc cells are not clear. In this study, we clarified the roles of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the energy metabolism of goat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc cells exposed to hypoxia. II. Methods and Results: The Isolated and cultured goat TMJ disc cells were divided into control, NAC group, cobalt chloride (CoCl2) group, and CoCl2 with NAC group, exposed to 21% O2 and 2% O2. The glucose consumption, lactate content, intracellular ATP, ROS, HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2 and PGK1 expressions were detected respectively. Under the hypoxia model, NAC inhibited the mRNA expression of HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, and PGK1. And it significantly decreased the lactate content in the culture supernatant and the intracellular ROS. However, NAC increased glucose consumption and simultaneously promoted the production of ATP in goat TMJ disc cells under hypoxia. We speculated that NAC would transfer energy metabolism toward oxidative phosphorylation under hypoxia. And NAC would become a potential therapeutic target for TMJ disc engineering and disease study. III. Conclusions: The antioxidant NAC promoted the proliferation of hypoxia-inducible goat TMJ disc cells, and the CoCl2 group (21% O2) was promoted effectively (P < 0.05). NAC promoted glucose consumption in culture supernatants under hypoxia and significantly reduced lactate production (P < 0.01). NAC effectively eliminated intracellular ROS expression in hypoxia-inducible cells (P < 0.001) and promoted intracellular ATP production (P < 0.05). However, NAC inhibited the relative mRNA level of HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PKM2, and PGK1 (P < 0.05).
Distinctive alterations in the functional anatomy of the cerebral cortex in pain-sensitized osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Pujol Jesus , Blanco-Hinojo Laura , Doreste Andrea , Ojeda Fabiola , Martínez-Vilavella Gerard , Pérez-Sola Víctor , Deus Joan , Monfort Jordi
Published: June 2022

Background
Pain-sensitized osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients characteristically show nociceptive system augmented responsiveness as a common feature. However, sensitization can be originally related to the peripheral injury in osteoarthritis patients, whereas pain and bodily discomfort spontaneously occur in fibromyalgia with no apparent origin. We investigated the distinct functional repercussion of pain sensitization in the cerebral cortex in both conditions.
Methods
Thirty-one pain-sensitized knee osteoarthritis patients and 38 fibromyalgia patients were compared with matched control groups. And new samples of 34 sensitized knee osteoarthritis and 63 fibromyalgia patients were used to directly compare each condition. A combined measure of local functional connectivity was estimated to map functional alterations in the cerebral cortex at rest.
Results
In osteoarthritis, weaker local connectivity was identified in the insula, which is a cortical area processing important aspects of the brain response to painful stimulation. In contrast, fibromyalgia patients showed weaker connectivity in the sensorimotor cortex extensively affecting the cortical representation of the body.
Conclusions
In osteoarthritis, weaker insular cortex connectivity is compatible with reduced neural activity during metabolic recovery after repeated activation. In the fibromyalgia neurophysiological context, weaker connectivity may better express both reduced neural activity and increased excitability, particularly affecting the sensorimotor cortex in patients with spontaneous body pain. Such a combination is compatible with a central gain enhancement mechanism, where low sensory tolerance results from the over-amplification of central sensory reception to compensate a presumably weak sensory input. We propose that deficient proprioception could be a factor contributing to weak sensory input.
Competition between electrons local Coulomb repulsion and impurity potential in a disorder interacting square lattice: Band structure, localization and phase diagram
Authors: beigi Poorya Rabi , Moradian Rostam
Published: June 2022

Competition between electrons Coulomb repulsion and impurity potential on the effective system band structure and phase diagram of an electrons interacting impurity doped square lattice in the half band filling investigate. For this purpose, we introduce a method for studying this system in the dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) + coherent potential approximation (CPA) and multi-site beyond super cell approximation. By using calculated realistic band structures, competition between these parameters in the system phase diagram investigate. Our calculated band structures shows that (δ =4t), u = 0) is a point which Anderson insulator phase observes, by increasing Coulomb repulsion energy gap between splitted energy bands reduces and the gap between these bands completely disappears at uc1=3.11t and uc1=2.7t for the DMFT + CPA and 4 sites beyond super cell approximation respectively. For Coulomb repulsion strength greater than uc1, u > uc1, the two bands merges to a single energy band, hence creating a metallic AF state. The metallic state occurs in a region where the strength of the Coulomb interaction is large enough to overcome the disorder potential effects. This metallic state extended until uc2=13.99t and uc2=8.15t for DMFT + CPA and 4 sites beyond super cell approximation respectively. These metallic state sandwiches between two insulators states, Anderson-Mott insulation u < uc1 and Mott-Anderson insulation u > uc2. Another important result is observing partial flat valance and conduction bands at fermi energy for especial repulsion strengths.
Pandemic stewardship on antimicrobials: A historical control study before and after COVID-19 care in a teaching hospital
Authors: Yoshida Junichi , Shiraishi Kenichiro , Kikuchi Tetsuya , Mataga Akiko , Ueno Takako , Noda Takahiro , Otani Kazuhiro , Tanaka Masao
Published: June 2022

Background: To see how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the 3-year use of parenteral antimicrobials, we attempted a historical control study. Main body: Materials were the electronic medical record on the use of a total of 33 antimicrobials. We compared antimicrobial use density (AUD) of pre-pandemic 1 year (PreY), the first pandemic year (Pan1Y), and the second pandemic year (Pan2Y). Our antimicrobial team monitored all in-patients and COVID-19 patients underwent clinical pathways with antivirals. Results: showed that in a total of 20,013 patients (7,534, 6,146, and 6,333 for PreY, Pan1Y, and Pan2Y), sepsis-3 was diagnosed in 152, 132, and 283 patients while Clostridioides difficile toxin tests were positive in 17, 5, and 7 patients, respectively. Among patients with COVID-19 (N=622) at a median age of 58 (range, 1-99), 11 (1.8%) died; parenteral antimicrobials were given in 59 patients (9.5%) preceded by bacteriological tests in 48 (81.4%). Comparing before and during the pandemic, parametric analyses showed that the means of total AUD decreased from 16.767 (PreY) to 15.62 (Pan1Y+Pan2Y) (P=0.034). Likewise, the means of carbapenems’ AUD showed decrease from 0.773 (PreY) to 0.462 (Pan1Y) but increase into 0.777 (Pan2Y) (P=0.001).The non-parametric comparison between COVID-19 and other wards showed that the medians of AUD in the COVID-19 wards were significantly (P<0.05) less in 22 out of 33 antimicrobials (66.7%) and in the total AUD. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic stewardship decreased the total AUD and may have contributed to decrease ESBL-producing microbes and C. difficile infection. The burden of sepsis-3 may have fluctuated the carbapenems’ use.
The graft rotation technique is a good option to avoid graft tunnel mismatch during ACL reconstruction with BPTB graft
Authors: Gupta Ravi , kapoor Anil , Singhal Akash , Mali Manharjot , Singh Sandeep
Published: June 2022

Backgrounds: The graft tunnel mismatch is a well-known complication of bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. In the present study, graft rotation technique is used to tackle this problem. Aim: The present study was conducted to study the effect of this technique on functional outcomes and graft failure rate.Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using BPTB graft were enrolled in the study and depending upon the graft length these patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A-patients had no graft tunnel mismatch(n=67) and group B-patients had graft tunnel mismatch (n=32). In group B patients, the graft was rotated inside the tibial tunnel to manage the graft tunnel mismatch problem. Functional outcomes (Lysholm score and return to sports), knee laxity (KT-1000 difference), and graft rupture rate were compared between two groups. Results: The mean KT-1000 difference in group A was 2.11 mm and in group B was 2.03 mm (n.s.). There was no significant difference in mean Lysholm score (97 vs 97.3; p>0.05). 78% (49/67) of patients in group B and 73% (25/32) of patients in group A returned to the same or above level of pre-injury activity (n.s). The graft failure rate was 6% (4/67) in group A and 3% (1/32) in group B.Conclusions: Rotation of graft inside the tibial tunnel is an effective way to deal with graft tunnel mismatch.
An Efficient Hybrid Block Chain -vibrant Neighborhood Partile Swarm Optimization (B- Vnpso) Algorithm for Enhancing Qos in Cloud Computing Services
Authors: Tamilarasu P. , Singaravel G.
Published: June 2022

As the digital era has progressed, so has the volume of digital data, making secure storage of this vast amount of data an increasingly important concern for data administrators. Cloud computing and the ease of storing and accessing data attracted a large number of IT professionals and administrators to migrate from physical infrastructure to cloud infrastructure. Cloud computing provides a wide range of services, but its primary functionality is the efficient distribution of resources among the many people who need to use the cloud. Effective resource allocation, decreased response time, and increased resource availability are all benefits of optimising cloud computing Quality of Service (QoS), which also helps to keep user data safe in the cloud infrastructure. Even though many studies have sought a high quality of service (QoS), no success has been found in combining efficient resource sharing with privacy protection. This paper uses Block chain technology and the Vibrant Neighborhood Particle Swarm Optimization (VNPSO) algorithm to overcome the aforementioned challenge of achieving better QoS with high levels of data security. While the Block chain has a reduced parameter, it is highly efficient in protecting cloud network storage data, while the Vibrant Neighborhood Particle Swarm Optimization (VNPSO) algorithm is an improvised version of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and is efficient in resource allocation without any restrictions or boundaries in the neighbourhood available resources. Experimentation shows that the proposed meta-heuristic hybrid algorithm outperforms conventional algorithms in terms of Quality of Service.
A deep learning framework for 2D-3D image registration and volumetric imaging in the presence of biologically-driven motion
Authors: Hindley Nicholas , Keall Paul , Shieh Chun-Chien
Published: June 2022

Biomedical imaging often relies on 2D images to capture information about moving 3D objects. However, without sufficient prior knowledge, the problem of mapping from 2D images to 3D motion is computationally intractable. In this paper we introduce Voxelmap, a deep learning framework that achieves 2D-3D image registration and volumetric imaging in real-time by imposing implicit constraints on biologically-driven motion. Here we demonstrate the use of this framework in image-guided radiotherapy with data from two lung cancer patients. By efficiently estimating biologically-driven 3D motion from 2D images, this framework could also find application in contexts such as fetal imaging and functional neuroimaging.