bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Timber species automatic identification from Peru Amazonia images using lightweight neural networks
Authors: Velez Andres , Fabijańska Anna , Ferreira Cassiana Alves , Centeno Thonny , Cobden Victor Hugo , Inga Janet Gaby , Gamarra Daniel , Tomazello-Filho Mario
Published: August 2022

The correct identification of timber species is a complicated task for the wood industry and government institutions regulating the different laws that ensure legal and transparent commerce. Currently, experts perform this process using the organoleptic characteristics of the wood. However, the methodology used is time-consuming and limited to environmental conditions. Moreover, it has a scalability issue since acquiring this specific knowledge and experience has a slow learning curve. On the other hand, deep learning models have evolved as possible solutions for process automation. Therefore, this paper explores convolutional neural network models suited to run on edge devices. The present study created a database with 25k images of 25 timber species from the Peruvian Amazon. We trained-validated multiple lightweight models (less than 5M). The experiments were made using a repeated stratified k-fold cross-validation approach to estimate the performance of the classifiers. The experiments show that the best model has an F1 score metric of 99.90\% and 58ms latency using 561k parameters. Furthermore, the created model showed an excellent ability to identify species, opening up space for future integration with mobile applications, which helps minimize the time spent and the identification errors on timber identification carried out by experts on control points.
Giant cavity surface-emitting laser for high-brightness LiDAR
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Li Huijie , Liang Dong
Published: August 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Testing a very low-carbohydrate adaption of the Diabetes Prevention Program among adults with prediabetes: study protocol for the Lifestyle Education about Prediabetes (LEAP) trial
Authors: Griauzde Dina Hafez , O’Brien Alison , Yancy William S. , Richardson Caroline R. , Krinock Jamie , DeJonckheere Melissa , Isaman Deanna JM , Vanias Kaitlyn , Shopinski Samuel , Saslow Laura
Published: August 2022

Background: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) aims to help individuals with prediabetes avoid progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through weight loss. Specifically, the NDPP teaches individuals to follow a low-fat, calorie-restricted diet and to engage in regular physical activity to achieve ≥5% body weight loss. Most NDPP participants, however, do not achieve this weight loss goal, and glycemic control remains largely unchanged. One promising opportunity to augment the NDPP’s weight loss and glycemic effectiveness may be to teach participants to follow a very low-carbohydrate diet (VLCD), which can directly reduce post-prandial glycemia and facilitate weight loss by reducing circulating insulin and enabling lipolysis. To date there have been no high-quality, randomized controlled trials to test whether a VLCD can prevent progression to T2DM among individuals with prediabetes. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a VLCD version the NDPP (VLC-NDPP) versus the standard NDPP. We hypothesize the VLC-NDPP will demonstrate greater improvements in weight loss and glycemic control.Methods: We propose to conduct a 12-month, 1:1, randomized controlled trial that will assign 300 adults with overweight or obesity and prediabetes to either the NDPP or VLC-NDPP. The primary outcome will be glycemic control as measured by change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline to 12-months. Secondary outcomes will include percent body weight change and changes in glycemic variability, inflammatory markers, lipids, and interim HbA1c. We will evaluate progression to T2DM and initiation of anti-hyperglycemic agents. We will conduct qualitative interviews among a purposive sample of participants to explore barriers to and facilitators of dietary adherence. The principal quantitative analysis will be intent-to-treat using hierarchical linear mixed effects models to assess differences over time. Discussion: The NDPP is the dominant public health strategy for T2DM prevention. Changing the program’s dietary advice to include a carbohydrate-restricted eating pattern as an alternative option may enhance the program’s effectiveness. If the VLC-NDPP shows promise, this trial would be a precursor to a multi-site trial with incident T2DM as the primary outcome.Trial Registration: NCT05235425. Registered February 11, 2022.
The mutational spectrum in whole exon of p53 in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Its clinical implications
Authors: Hyodo Toshiki , Kuribayashi Nobuyuki , Fukumoto Chonji , Komiyama Yuske , Shiraishi Ryo , Kamimura Ryouta , Sawatani Yuta , Yaguchi Erika , Hasegawa Tomonori , Izumi Sayaka , Wakui Takahiro , Nakashiro Koh-ichi , Uchida Daisuke , Kawamata Hitoshi
Published: August 2022

Mutations in p53 are common in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, in previous analyses, only detection of mutant p53 protein using immunohistochemistry or mutations in some exons have been examined. Full length mutant p53 protein in many cases shows a loss of tumor suppressor function, but in some cases possibly shows a gain of oncogenic function. In this study, we investigate relationships of outcomes with the mutational spectrum of p53 (missense and truncation mutations) in whole exon in OSCC. Specimens from biopsy or surgery (67 cases) were evaluated using next-generation sequencing for p53, and other oncogenic driver genes. The data were compared with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. p53 mutations were detected in 54 patients (80.6%), 33 missense mutations and 24 truncation mutations. p53 mutations were common in the DNA-binding domain (43/52) and many were missense mutations (31/43). Mutations in other regions were mostly p53 truncation mutations. A comparison of cases with p53 mutations (missense or truncation) with wild-type p53 cases showed a significant difference in lymph node metastasis. DFS was significantly poorer in cases with p53 truncation mutations. Cases with p53 truncation mutations increased malignancy. In contrast, significant differences were not found between cases with p53 missense mutations and other mutations. The p53 missense mutation cases might include cases with mostly similar function to that of the wild-type, cases with loss of function, and cases with various degrees of gain of oncogenic function.
Bending and Impact Performance of Kevlar/Basalt Fabric Interlayer Hybrid Curved Composites
Authors: Ruan Fangtao , Hao Wang , Chenglong Xia , Qingyong Yang , Lihua Zou , Zhenzhen Xu
Published: August 2022

The bending and impact properties of interlayer hybrid curved laminates reinforced with woven Kevlar and basalt fabrics and manufactured by a hand lay-up process with epoxy resin were studied. The results of the investigation showed that the interlayer arrangement of fabrics significantly affects the impact and bending properties of the composite. The placement of Kevlar fibres on the impact side can increase the impact and flexural strengths. In addition, the use of basalt fabric on the impact reverse side or multi-layer hybrid structuring further improves the impact properties of the materials. A sandwich-structure composite with basalt layers in the middle and Kevlar layers on both sides shows further improvement in the bending properties. This hybrid composite combines the good mechanical properties of inorganic brittle fibres with the excellent impact resistance of organic ductile fibres and can provide design concepts for sports equipment such as helmets.
Parietal and occipital leukoaraiosis due to cerebral ischaemic lesions decrease the driving safety performance of healthy older adults
Authors: Oba Hikaru , Park Kaechang , Yamashita Fumio , Sato Shinichi
Published: August 2022

Leukoaraiosis, a common ischaemic lesion diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can influence driving safety performance (DSP). Most older drivers with leukoaraiosis are unaware of their affliction. Japan is a super-aged country, where preventing accidents caused by older drivers is an urgent national issue. We investigated the subcortical and periventricular leukoaraiosis regions that were most involved in DSP decline. The driving skills of 101 drivers (51 men, 50 women; mean age, 77.88 ± 3.75 years) without dementia were assessed by official driving instructors, using actual vehicles on a closed-circuit course. Parietal and occipital (but not frontal or temporal) leukoaraiosis volumes were significantly correlated with decreased DSP scores regardless of age, especially when turning right at intersections, which needs more attention than turning left because left-side driving is legally enforced in Japan. Occipital leukoaraiosis was also involved via a decline in dynamic visual cognitive function. MRI-based assessment of leukoaraiosis volume and localisation may enable the identification of older drivers prone to DSP deterioration. Risk factors for leukoaraiosis include smoking and lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, brain healthcare in patients with MRI-diagnosed leukoaraiosis may be particularly useful for the risk management of traffic accidents caused by the elderly in Japan.
Longitudinal Correlates of Suicide Ideation in People who use Drugs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Claborn Kasey , Lippard Elizabeth , Conway Fiona
Published: August 2022

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to increased suicide-related thoughts and behavior in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but few studies have investigated risk factors that may be more predictive/specific to particular populations that are established to have a high risk for suicide, including gender differences in risk factors. We conducted a longitudinal study investigating risk factors for suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults who use alcohol and other drugs. Participants completed up to three surveys over a six-month follow-up period. Trait differences in substance use, COVID exposure/worry, trauma exposure, mood and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were investigated between individuals who presented with suicide ideation during course of study, compared to those that did not. Interactions with gender was investigated. State-related changes that relate to fluctuations in suicide ideation were also investigated (within subject design). A total of 214 participants were enrolled (61% women, agemean= 33 years, 45% presenting with suicide ideation during the course of the study). Greater frequency of vaping and using tobacco, opiates, and other substances, greater depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, and greater COVID exposure and COVID-related worry were observed in individuals who presented with suicide ideation, compared to those that did not (p ≤ .0042). Increases in suicide ideation (within subject) was associated with increases in the frequency of alcohol and vaping, COVID-related worry, and PTSD symptoms (p ≤ .05). Gender-related differences in factors that relate to suicide ideation was observed. Within women, increases in frequency of alcohol use and PTSD symptoms and greater perceived early life trauma related to suicide ideation; while in men increases in vaping and COVID-related worry related to suicide ideation. This study further emphasizes the importance of investigating and identifying risk/resiliency factors for suicide-related thoughts and behavior in people who use drugs, including gender differences.
Investigating the digital divide in OpenStreetMap: spatio-temporal analysis of inequalities in global urban building completeness
Authors: Herfort Benjamin , Lautenbach Sven , de Albuquerque João Porto , Anderson Jennings , Zipf Alexander
Published: August 2022

OpenStreetMap (OSM) has evolved as a popular geospatial dataset for global studies, such as monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, many global applications turn a blind eye on its uneven spatial coverage. We utilized a regression model to infer OSM building completeness within 13,189 urban agglomerations home to 50% of the global population. Our results reveal that for 1,510 cities OSM building footprint data exceeds 80% completeness. Humanitarian mapping efforts have significantly improved completeness, especially in low SHDI regions. The digital divide in OSM has receded, but a strong spatial bias associated with subnational human development index, city size and World Bank region remains.
In consequence, global studies will provide misleading results if the biases in OSM's coverage are not accounted for. We recommend combining completeness maps with socio-demographic information to guide mapping to ensure that "nobody is left behind" as encouraged by the SDGs.
Removal of Phenylamine Using Advanced Oxidation Process by UV/Peroxy Disulphate from Waste Water
Authors: KUMAR CHANDRA , Gautam Anupam Kumar , Kushwaha Dharmendra Kumar , Choudhary Chetan
Published: August 2022

This study is focused on removing toxic aniline from wastewaters using an advanced oxidation process by UV/ peroxy disulphate. In this study, the effect of various parameters including pH (3-9), the level of radiation (ultraviolet 30-watt lamp, number 2-5), peroxy disulphate dose (0.02 – 0.08 mol/l), and the initial concentration (20 – 100 mg/l) at different contact times (10 – 60 min) on the efficiency of aniline removal in a laboratory reactor with UV lamps and in a batch mode, was studied. The results of this study showed that the efficiency of removing aniline decreased by increasing and decreasing pH from 5 (maximum efficiency = 66.6%, at pH= 5) and also by increasing the concentration of pollutants. But by increasing the amount of radiation and peroxy disulphate dosage (0.02 to 0.08 mol/l, the process efficiencies will be 46 to 82.8% after 60 min, respectively), and the efficiency increased. The efficiency of removing aniline in the combined process of UV/peroxy disulphate increased significantly by using peroxy disulphate and UV, individually (96%). In the process, the efficiency of removing aniline from wastewater was due to the production of UV effect on Peroxy disulphate and the production of strong oxidizing radicals. Therefore, due to the high performance and low-cost raw materials, this process can be used for removing resistant compounds from industrial sewages.
Assessment of Land Surface Temperature (LST) using MODIS MOD11A2 Thermal Satellite Images Using Zero to Null Pixel Averaging Method for the Bengaluru Urban District
Authors: SARAVANAN VIGNESHWARAN , Tamburi Vinod N
Published: August 2022

In developing countries like India, rapid urbanisation is inevitable. Bengaluru urban district is one of the rapidly growing cities and newer settlement clusters are keep on growing to accommodate the migrating people from rural areas. One of the ill effects of urbanisation is an increase in impervious areas leading to higher land surface temperature (LST). Reported Studies have mentioned that Landsat thermal data has been utilised for the preparation of LST maps and usage of MODIS data is very limited. The present study attempted to prepare LST maps using 8-day average MODIS MOD11A2 images for the years 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. “Zero to Null” pixel average method was adopted to prepare the average LST maps yearwise. From the LST maps, it was found that the highest and lowest LSTs observed were 27.41°C and 35.95°C respectively for the years selected. Generated histograms for the LST indicate that the impervious areas have more pixels falling under the category from high to very high-class category.
A yeast-based system to study SARS-CoV-2 Mpro structure and to identify nirmatrelvir resistant mutations
Authors: Ou Jin , Lewandowski Eric , Hu Yanmei , Lipinski Austin , Morgan Ryan , Jacobs Lian , Zhang Xiujun , Bikowitz Melissa , Langlais Paul , Tan Haozhou , Wang Jun , Chen Yu , Choy John
Published: August 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a major therapeutic target. The Mpro inhibitor, nirmatrelvir, is the antiviral component of Paxlovid, an orally available treatment for COVID-19. As Mpro inhibitor use increases, drug resistant mutations will likely emerge. We have established a non-pathogenic system, in which yeast growth serves as a proxy for Mpro activity, enabling rapid identification of mutants with altered enzymatic activity and drug sensitivity. The E166 residue is known to be a potential hot spot for drug resistance and yeast assays showed that an E166R substitution conferred strong nirmatrelvir resistance while an E166N mutation compromised activity. On the other hand, N142A and P132H mutations caused little to no change in drug response and activity. Standard enzymatic assays confirmed the yeast results. In turn, we solved the structures of Mpro E166R, and Mpro E166N, providing insights into how arginine may drive drug resistance while asparagine leads to reduced activity. The work presented here will help characterize novel resistant variants of Mpro that may arise as Mpro antivirals become more widely used.
The Development of Social Capital in a Peer-Led HIV Adherence Intervention
Authors: Goldsamt Lloyd A. , Liang Eva , Handschuh Caroline , Navarra Ann-Margaret
Published: August 2022

Background: Behavioral health interventions conducted by peers – individuals who share common characteristics, circumstances, or experiences with research participants – have shown promising results. The Adherence Connection for Counseling, Education, and Support (ACCESS) I proof-of-concept study is a peer-led intervention to improve HIV medication adherence in youth living with HIV who are in treatment but have detectable viral loads. Participants received five online sessions with peer health coaches who followed a structured intervention manual. Although peer health coaches maintained intervention fidelity, they also engaged in dialogue not directly related to intervention content during the sessions. We believe that these casual interactions develop social capital, which can then be used to encourage positive health outcomes. Methods: Sessions were transcribed and coded for intervention content as well as content that was not directly covered in the intervention manual. Sections of session transcripts that included this non-intervention content, labeled peer-to-peer (P2P), were then sub-coded to document the focus of these interactions. Results: Ten P2P sub-codes were identified, and sessions were divided into beginning, middle, and end to allow for the “small talk” that was expected at the start of each session and the scheduling that occurred at the end of each session. “Activities” was the most common code in the beginning sections, commonly reflecting a review of participant activities since the prior session. “Personal Experiences” was the most common code during the middle of the sessions, as peers built social capital by sharing their own stories and providing additional support to participants. At the end of sessions, “Activities” was again the most common code, as peers and participants discussed upcoming plans and scheduled their next session. Conclusions: Narrative content not directly included in the intervention manual reflected interactions that strengthened the peer-participant relationship, building social capital for the peer educators who could then use this social capital to encourage positive behavior change. Although social capital was not directly measured, these analyses illustrate the value of attending to seemingly casual interactions in peer-led interventions. Future research can focus on the measurement of social capital and the ways in which it is deployed to encourage behavior change.
On Investigation of the Best Model selection for Modeling the Covid-19 Mortality rates in KSA
Authors: Abushal Tahani , Ijaz Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Background
The Covid-19 disease belong to the family of Coronaviridae viruses which has an impact in both animals and humans. The first case of this virus in human (in Wuhan) was linked due to the local live animal and later on the virus spread in humans due to the social contacts, coughing, and sneezing etc. Since then the virus defying the borders of countries and rapidly the livelihood, mental health and the world economic growth as a whole. As of 20 July, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 562,672,324 confirmed cases including with 6,367,793 deaths.
Objectives
The scope of this study is to identify the best fitted model for the mortality rates of Covid-19 in KSA. To discuss several desirable statistical properties of the best fitted model.
Results
Among other probability models, the best fitted model is Extended Exponential probability distribution which can leads the practitioner to a best estimation of the death rates. To get rid of the maximum number of deaths, the best estimation will help the practitioner to make better planning that is to provide the required number of beds at a hospital, to provide the cylinder to each effected patients, etc.
Use of Photobiomodulation in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated in an Oncology Service
Authors: Moura Larissa Matos Almeida , Cruz Felipe Gabriel Assunção , Santos Djanilson Barbosa dos , Filho Paulo Celso Prado Telles , Praxedes Marcus Fernando da Silva
Published: August 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of prophylactic photobiomodulation and its relationship with weight loss and the development of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy in an oncology service.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included patients who received radiation therapy concomitantly with systemic therapy for treatment of head and neck cancer. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) who received photobiomodulation (PMB) treatment and 2) who did not receive PMB. Results: Thirty patients were included in the study, 15 in each group, with a mean age of 62 years in the PBM group and 63.2 years in the control group. Most patients were male, with locally advanced disease (clinical stage III or IV), and received definitive intent treatment with concomitant radiotherapy to high-dose cisplatin (100 mg/m² every 3 weeks). In this analysis, the use of PBM shows a protective effect against the development of grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis [Odds Ratio 0.22 (0.04-1.11)], and was associated with a risk reduction of weight loss higher than 5% of 8% (relative risk, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.62 – 1.36). Conclusions: The use of prophylactic PBM showed interesting clinical results. The decreased risk of weight loss and the protective effect on the development of severe OM may directly affect the quality of life of the patient, as well as allow for a higher rate of treatment compliance, fewer hospitalizations, and consequently reduce overall treatment costs.
Serum SERCA2a Levels in Heart Failure Patients Are Associated with Adverse Events After Discharge
Authors: Chen Panghe , Wu Shudie , Hao Biao , Huang Yuesheng , Chen Xu , Guo Yingjie , Wang Zhiye , Chen Xiaoxin , Su Miaoling , Chen Weiwen , Zhuo Yinan , Li Jiahao , Wei Shaofeng , Xu Bilian , Xu Jinrong
Published: August 2022

Background: Calcium homeostasis imbalance is one of the important pathological mechanisms in heart failure. Sarco /endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a), a calcium ATPase on the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes, is a myocardial systolic-diastolic Ca2+ homeostasis regulating enzyme that is not only involved in cardiac diastole but also indirectly affects cardiac myocyte contraction. SERCA2a expression was found to be decreased in myocardial tissue in heart failure, and SERCA2a gene therapy may be a potential target for patients with heart failure; however, there are few reports on serum SERCA2a expression in patients with heart failure, and this study was designed to investigate whether serum SERCA2a levels are associated with the occurrence of adverse events after discharge in patients hospitalized with heart failure.Methods: Patients with heart failure hospitalized in the cardiovascular department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, China, from July 2018 to July 2019 were included in this study, and serum SERCA2a concentrations were measured; each enrolled patient was followed up by telephone after 6 months (6 ± 1 months) for general post-discharge patient status. The correlation between serum SERCA2a levels and the occurrence of adverse events (death or readmission due to heart failure) after hospital discharge was assessed using univariate analysis and trend analysis.Results: Seventy-one patients with heart failure were finally included in this study, of whom 38 (53.5%) were men and 33 (46.5%) were women. Univariate analysis revealed no correlation between serum SERCA2a levels and the occurrence of adverse events in the total study population and in male patients, but serum SERCA2a levels were associated with the occurrence of adverse outcome events after hospital discharge in female patients (OR=1.02, P=0.047). Further analysis using a trend analysis yielded a 4.0% increase in the risk of adverse outcomes after hospital discharge for each unit increase in SERCA2a in female patients (OR=1.04; P=0.02), while no significant difference was seen in men.Conclusions: This study suggests that serum SERCA2a levels at admission are associated with the occurrence of post-discharge adverse events in female patients hospitalized with heart failure and that serum SERCA2a may be a potential serologic predictor of post-discharge adverse events in patients with heart failure.
Oral Liushen Pill for Patients with Covid-19 : A prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Shi cuilin , Liu Yian , Lei Wei , Shen Junheng , Lu Jing , Tao Tao , Cao Xu , Yang Zhong , Huang Jianan , Zhang Jianping
Published: August 2022

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of Liushen Pill combined with basic treatment on patients with COVID-19.Methods One-hundred-eighty-one patients hospitalized with COVID-19, classified as asymptomatic, mild type, were randomly separated into the experimental (n=91) and control (n=90) groups. The control group was given placebo (Maizao decoction), while the experimental group was given Maizao decoction and Liushen pill, in addition to standard care. The negative conversion rate of nucleic acid (Day 7), hospital discharge rate (Day 8, 10, 14), symptom disappearance rate (Day 3, 5, 7), inflammatory cytokines and adverse events between the two groups were compared. Results The negative viral conversion rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (48.35% vs 31.11%, P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis showed a similar significant trend when the Ct value was ≤ 30 at baseline. After 10 days, the hospital discharge rate was significantly higher in the experimental than the control group (69.23% vs 53.33%, P＜0.05). After 3 days of medication, the headache symptoms significantly disappeared in the experimental group (88.57%) compared to the control group (63.33%) (P＜0.05). After 5 days, symptom disappearance rate of headache in the experimental group (97.14%) was still significantly higher than that in the control group (80.00%) (P＜0.05), as was the symptom disappearance rate of cough (82.65% vs 58.93%, P＜0.01). After treatment, the PCT level was significantly lower in the experimental than the control group (0.09±0.00 ng/L vs 0.14±0.05 ng/L) (P＜0.05). There were no significant between-groups differences in clinical safety test indexes.Conclusion Early intervention with Liushen Pill could improve the symptoms of cough and headache, and increase negative viral conversion and discharge rate.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No. ChiCTR2200058859. Registered on April 18, 2022. https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=166975&htm=4
Construction and validation of a joint diagnosis model based on random forest and artificial intelligence network for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: liang Ji , zhang Jie , Jiang Xili , Xie Shucai
Published: August 2022

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the dominant pathogenic factor of HCC in Asia and Africa. This study aims to identify significant biomarkers and develop a novel genetic model for the efficient diagnosis of HBV-related HCC.Methods:GSE19665, GSE55092, and GSE121248 were merged and used to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The enrichment analysis was performed on Metascape and Database for Annotation, Visualisation and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool. The random forest (RF) algorithm and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to select the potential predictive gene panels and construct an HBV-related HCC diagnostic model. Subsequently, GSE17548, GSE104310, GSE44074, and GSE136247 were used to test the accuracy of the ANN model. Finally, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to assess the abundance of immune infiltrates in all samples.Results: First, 116 genes were identified as DEGs from the merged dataset, and the enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were particularly enriched in cellular hormone metabolic process, monocarboxylic acid metabolic process, NABA ECM AFFILIATED steroid metabolic process and metabolism of bile acid and bile salt. TOP2A, CLEC1B, BUB1B, FCN2, CXCL14, CAP2，FCN3, KMO and CDHR2 were available to develop an HBV-related HCC diagnostic model. After validation, the diagnostic model has high sensitivity and specificity in four datasets, and the areas under the ROC curves efficiency was excellent. Finally, the percentage of infiltrating immune cell types for hepatitis B-related HCC were significantly different from that of non-cancerous liver tissue with HBV.Conclusion: A novel early diagnostic model of HBV-related HCC was established, and the model has better efficiency in distinguishing HBV-related HCC from other non-cancerous with HBV individuals. This study will provide a promising theoretical basis for early diagnosis and immunity therapy of HBV-related HCC.
Conducting polymer/hydrogel hybrid free-standing electrodes for flexible supercapacitors capable of self-sensing working conditions: large-scale fabrication through facile and low-cost route
Authors: Sidheekha Madari Palliyalil , Shabeeba Aranhikkundan , Rajan Lijin , Thayyil Mohamed Shahin , Ismail Yahya A.
Published: August 2022

Search for energy storage devices towards sustainability, compatibility and versatility demands flexible supercapacitors capable of sensing their surrounding conditions. Here, highly electroactive polyaniline/chitosan-hydrogel hybrid films were fabricated with a view to developing a self-sensing motor. The hybrid electrodes showed remarkable supercpacitive property with high-rate performance while capable of sensing electrical, thermal and chemical working conditions as evinced from the chronopotentiometric responses with consumed electrical energy as the sensing parameter. A single faradaic electrochemical reaction (the reversible oxidation-reduction) is responsible for both the sensing and charge storage properties of the hybrid film, which is exploited to develop a truly integrated sensing supercapacitor without additional connectivities. As a proof-of-concept, an all-solid-state symmetric supercapacitor was fabricated which showed large capacitance (118 mF cm− 2 at 0.4 mA cm− 2), high energy density (14.8 µWh cm− 2 at a power density of 105 µW cm− 2) compared to other polyaniline-hydrogel supercapacitors as well as 93% capacitance retention after 1200 charge-discharge cycles. Besides, the current sensing characteristics of the device were tested from charge-discharge responses at a constant charged state to prove the above concept. This fundamental study provides a new direction for the development of simple and compatible self-sensing motors.
Improvement of thermal plasma sprayed coating adhesion strength by laser microtexturing of aluminum
Authors: Chakraborty Anustup , Chalfant Benjamin , Sions John , Zimmerman Ben , Gupta Mool
Published: August 2022

Surface microtexturing improves coating adhesion strength due to increased surface area and mechanical interlocking. Grit blasting and laser processing are two common methods used for surface microtexturing. Laser microtexturing offers distinct advantages over grit-blasting as it improves interface quality, provides a grit-particle-free surface, optimized processing time, and greater control over the surface roughness. This paper reports a full area method of laser microtexturing of Al 7075 alloy using a nanosecond pulsed laser to generate a large increase in surface area. This method involves a laser-induced thermo-mechanical process where tightly packed pillar-like surface features were formed due to the surface melting and re-solidification of materials combined with some ablation. The morphology of the microtexture was controlled by varying the laser processing parameters. Thereafter, the laser microtextured surface was coated with metallic coatings using thermal spray. Our method is superior to the currently used laser ablation-based microtexturing method. The surface morphology, composition, and adhesion strength results are presented. The tensile adhesive strength of the thermally sprayed metallic CoNiCrAlY coating was measured, and an improvement of over 17% in the coating adhesion strength was observed for a 5 µm deep microtexture compared to that of grit-blasted samples. This is the highest reported adhesion strength for thermally sprayed bond coating.
Identification and validation of SSBP1 as a key regulator involved in the development of multiple myeloma via p38MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Xiao Pingping , Wang Jizhen , Chen Yan , Yang Apeng , Qiu Dongbiao , Chen Junmin , Zeng Zhiyong
Published: August 2022

Background
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematology malignancy. Identification of meaningful co-expressed gene clusters or representative biomarkers of MM may help to identify new pathological mechanisms and promote the development of new therapies.
Methods
Based on the expression profile and relevant clinical information of GSE6477 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify new candidate genes associated with MM development and prognosis. A series of bioinformatics analysis were used to identify the most significant hub candidate gene. In vitro and in vivo experiments further validated the function of hub gene.
Results
We conducted WGCNA with the expression profiles of GSE6477 and identified 7 meaningful co-expression modules. In the turquoise module of interest, through a series of bioinformatics analysis, SSBP1 was identified as a key regulator of MM development and related to poor prognosis. In our cohort, we also verified that MM patients with high SSBP1 expression had shorter overall survival than those with low SSBP1 expression. Furthermore, the disruption of SSBP1 expression by lentivirus mediated CRISPR/cas9 can significantly inhibit the proliferation of MM cells through inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. We also found that SSBP1 disruption significantly increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation and the level of phosphorylated p38MAPK. Both Mito-TEMPO and SB203580 reversed the effects of SSBP1 disruption on MM cell apoptosis, the expressions of the p-p38MAPK and the apoptosis-related proteins. Mito-TEMPO also inhibited the accumulation of mtROS in MM cells caused by SSBP1 disruption, but SB203580 had no effect on mtROS. Furthermore, it was further verified that disruption of SSBP1 expression could inhibit the tumor growth via p38MAPK pathway in a human myeloma xenograft model.
Conclusion
SSBP1 promotes MM development and affects MM prognosis by regulating the p38MAPK pathway. There is evidence that SSBP1 could serve as a targetable oncogene and therapeutic biomarker for MM.
Brainstem somatostatin-expressing cells promote analgesia during negative emotional states
Authors: Winke Nanci , Aby Franck , Jercog Daniel , Girard Delphine , Grivet Zoé , Landry Marc , Castell Laia , Valjent Emmanuel , Valerio Stéphane , Fossat Pascal , Herry Cyril
Published: August 2022

Upon threatening situations, animals exhibit a broad range of behavioral and autonomic responses necessary for survival. Under such conditions, a crucial adaptive response is the inhibition of pain responses that would otherwise interfere with behavioral defensive responses. Whereas the structures and mechanisms involved in fear and pain behavior are well documented, little is known about the precise neuronal mechanisms mediating the emotional regulation of endogenous pain-suppression. Here we used a combination of behavioral, anatomical, optogenetic, and electrophysiological approaches to show that somatostatin-expressing cells in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter (SST+ vlPAG cells) control the analgesia induced by a negative emotional state. Our data indicate that the optogenetic inhibition of SST+ vlPAG cells promotes analgesia. Conversely, the optogenetic activation of long-range SST+ vlPAG cells that project to the RVM abolishes the analgesia mediated by a negative emotional state without impacting fear behavior. Together these results identify a novel brainstem circuit mechanism composed of long-range SST+ vlPAG cells projecting to the RVM that regulate analgesia elicited by negative emotional states.
Relationship between morphometric and mechanical parameters of superficial lumbosacral soft tissue layers in healthy young adults
Authors: Grześkowiak Marcin , Kocur Piotr , Łochyński Dawid
Published: August 2022

The myotonometry is a noninvasive method capable to quantify linear elastic and viscoelastic properties of the myofascial tissue. However, this superficial layer contains different structures that have different distribution and organization of structural components. Myotonometric measurements of dynamic stiffness, logarithmic decrement and creep and ultrasonographic measurements of cutaneous tissue, subcutaneous tissue, thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar multifidus muscle thickness and echogenicity were obtained from 50 healthy individuals in the resting prone position and during contralateral arm lift. The most important findings were that, both in the relaxed and contracted lumbar multifidus state, the dynamic stiffness strongly negatively (r=-0.69; p<0.001 in relaxation, r=-0.83; p<0.001 in contraction) and creep strongly positively (r=0.79; p<0.001 in relaxation, r=0.85; p<0.001 in contraction) correlated with thicknesses of subcutaneous tissue. With lumbar multifidus contraction, the relative increase in dynamic stiffness was negatively correlated with relative decrease in dermis (r=-0.51; p<0.001) and subcutaneous tissue (r=-0.47; p=0.001), as well as positively correlated with relative increase in lumbar multifidus (r=0.36; p=0.010) thickness. Concluding, the amount of dynamic stiffness and creep of superficial soft tissues in the lumbar region predominantly depends on subcutaneous tissue thickness regardless of muscle state. Elasticity is barely affected by soft tissue morphometry. Mechanical parameters do not depend on the echogenicity (density) of soft tissues.
Evaluation of interactions between the hepatitis C virus NS3/4A and sulfonamidobenzamide based molecules using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations
Authors: Ren Jinhong , Vaid Tasneem M. , Lee Hyun , Ojeda Isabel , Johnson Michael E.
Published: August 2022

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS3/4A is an attractive target for the treatment of Hepatitis C infection. Herein, we present an investigation of HCV NS3/4A inhibitors based on a sulfonamidobenzamide scaffold. Inhibitor interactions with HCV NS3/4A were explored by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM/PBSA binding free energy calculations. All of the inhibitors adopt similar molecular docking poses in the catalytic site of the protease that are stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions with G137 and the catalytic S139, which are known to be important for potency and binding stability. The quantitative assessments of binding free energies from MM/PBSA correlate well with the experimental results, with a high coefficient of determination, R2of 0.92. Binding free energy decomposition analyses elucidate the different contributions of Q41, F43, H57, R109, K136, G137, S138, S139, A156, M485, and Q526 in binding different inhibitors. The importance of these sidechain contributions was further confirmed by computational alanine scanning mutagenesis. In addition, the sidechains of K136 and S139 show crucial but distinct contributions to inhibitor binding with HCV NS3/4A. The structural basis of the potency has been elucidated, demonstrating the importance of the R155 sidechain conformation. This extensive exploration of binding energies and interactions between these compounds and HCV NS3/4A at the atomic level should benefit future antiviral drug design.
Nanosilibinin ameliorates anxiety, learning impairment and Wnt-β catenin related genes expression deficits in zebrafish model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Karimi Zahra , Zarifkar Asadollah , Dianatpour Mehdi , Mirzaei Esmaeil , Dara Mahintaj , Aligholi Hadi
Published: August 2022

purposeThe present study evaluated the effect of Nanosilibinin (as an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway), on neurobehavioral and molecular deficits in Valproic acid zebrafish model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. MethodsZebrafish embryos were exposed to Valproic acid (1µM) and Nanosilibinin (100,200 and 500 µM) for 96 h, then survival rate, inattentive and anxiety behavior and the expression of CHD8, CTNNB, GSK3β, LRP6, TNFα, IL1β and BDNF genes were assessed 7 days post fertilization (dpf).ResultsThe results indicated that except 500 µM, other concentrations of Nanosilibinin didn’t have any adverse effect on survival, hatching and morphological development when were used with Valproic acid at the same time. In addition, 100 and 200 µM of Nanosilibinin could ameliorate the anxiety and learning deficit in zebrafish larvae. Real-time analysis revealed that Nanosilibinin prevented raising the expression of a number of genes associated with autism such as CHD8, CTNNB, GSK3 β, LRP6, TNFα, IL1β and BDNF after exposure to Valproic acid. ConclusionIn conclusion, Nanosilibinin treatment for the first 96 h of life showed therapeutic effect on an ASD-like phenotype by decreasing anxiety and learning deficits and reduction in expression of number ASD related genes.
Magnetic Fe 3 O 4 @polydopamine nanoparticle as an efficient adsorbent for simultaneous removal of Basic blue and Toluidine blue O dyes using derivative spectrophotometric determination and central composite design optimization
Authors: Zolgharnein Javad , Feshki Shahab , Rastgordani Mahdieh
Published: August 2022

Simultaneous determination and removal of Toluidine blue (TO) and basic blue (BB) dyes by dopamine-modified magnetic nanoparticles was considered. Nanomagnetic oxide coated with polydopamine (PDA) acid is introduced as a new and efficient adsorbent to remove cationic dyes in a binary mixture solution. Characterization of the Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@PDA nanoparticles was also supported by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and VSM analysis. First-order derivative spectrophotometry is employed to simultaneously determine TO and BB in a binary mixture. Linear range for TO and BB in binary mixture obtained by y = 0.00014x + 0.00013 and y = − 0.00136x- 0.00487 least square equations was 2–20 mg L− 1 and limit of detection 0.4 and 0.3 mg L− 1, respectively. The effect of independent factors such as pH, dye’s initial concentration (C0), and adsorbent amount (m) on dye’s adsorption process was investigated. The response surface methodology was employed by running a central composite design (CCD) to obtain optimal values for dye removal percent. It leads to optimum conditions as follows: pH = 10˛ m = 25 (mg), CTO=320 (mg L− 1), CBB=350 (mgL− 1), %RTO=85, %RBB=80. Finally, isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics of the removal processes were also evaluated in the binary mixtures.
Infection of SARS-COV2 as a trigger for IgA-associated vasculitis.
Authors: Machura Edyta , Krakowczyk Helena , Bąk-Drabik Katarzyna , Szczepańska Maria
Published: August 2022

Background: IgA-associated vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura-(HSP) disease, is the most common systemic vasculitis of developmental age. Approximately in 50% of the patients with HSP the outbreak of the disease, has been reported to be associated with streptococci, adenowirus, parvovirus, mycoplasma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza infection. Emerging reports in both adults and children has described few cases COVID-19 infection associated with HSP.Case presentation: We present the case of 7-year-old girl, was diagnosed with HSP, fulfilling 3 clinical criteria (palpable purpura and abdominal pain, arthralgia and edema), without renal involvement at which the infection with SARS-COV2 was confirmed by the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies. In the girl, disclosure of the HSP was preceded by a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract, treated symptomatically. During hospitalization we observed high values of inflammation markers, such as leukocytosis, increased neutrophil count and high NLR which are markers associated with IgAV gastrointestinal bleeding, which was also observed in the girl associated with rotavirus diarrheaConclusions: The case presented by us and by other authors indicate a possible role of SARS-CoV-2 in the development of HSP, but this requires further research.
Characterization of the wild plants in Wadi Degla Protectorate, North Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Alhobishi Haifa A. , Slima Dalia F. , Turki Zaki A. , Shaltout Kamal H.
Published: August 2022

Wadi Degla protectorate is located between latitudes 29° 51′ 51″ N to 30° 00′ 34″ N and longitudes 31° 16′ 03″ E to 31° 39′ 11 E and its length reached to 30 km. It passes through the limestone rocks of the Eastern Desert. The present study aimed to evaluate the floristic characteristics of the wild plants in Wadi Degla protectorate. Including taxonomic diversity, life and sex forms, dispersal types, economic potential, threats and national and global floristic distributions. Field visits were conducted to 185 locations in Wadi Degla. From each location, plant and seed specimens were collected. One hundred and sixty one plants belonged to 128 genera and 43 family were recorded. They parts of the wadi (up, mid and down-stream). Therophytes were the most represented life form. Bisexuals were the most represented sex form. Sarcochores were the most represented dispersal type, followed by Desmochores. Small geographic range - national habitat - non abundant plants were the most represented rarity form. For national scales, Mediterranean and Sinai regions were the most rich wild plants. For global scales, Saharo-Sindian and Mediterranean were the most represented elements. Medicinal plants were the most represented good, while solid wastes were the most represented threat.