bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the effectiveness of collective action for the sustainability of the local commons: Toward an integrated framework
Authors: Nguyen Dieu Linh , Hamasaki Hironori
Published: March 2024

The common-pool resources that are indispensable for our life is under unprecedented threat. Investigating the factors influencing the effectiveness of collective actions for sustainability of the local commons are both urgent and critical. However, up to now most of the key explanatory factors are limited to the ones initially advocated by Elinor Ostrom of which the individual level and psychological factors have weakly developed. This present research extends the knowledge in this area by advancing a new framework of explanatory factors of effective collective actions for the sustainability of the local commons integrating complementary insights from social, environmental and neural psychology with theory of collective actions of the commons. A qualitative methodology based on two stages of literature review was conducted. The study proposed an integrated framework consisting of three main factors of (1) initial conditions (biophysical conditions in needs of improving, financial capital, physical and social infrastructure); (2) institutional design (inclusion of environmentally relevant knowledge, deliberative collaboration process, collaborative social network, and social norms); and (3) psychological state (eco-centric and anthropocentric values, efficacy, memory of human-nature connection and positive emotions). It is revealed that psychological state in alignment with initial conditions and institutional design is the most consequential under-leveraged factor that explain the sustained effectiveness of collective actions. Conditions for the success of the framework are elaborated with illustration from a case study. Ultimately, the paper aims to enhance the impact of collaborative actions and empower the environmental stewards to conserve the local commons for human and planetary health.
The Microleaks study: 16S community profile and metagenomic shotgun sequencing signatures associated with anastomotic leak
Authors: Hoedt Emily C. , Carroll Georgia , Stephensen Bree , Togher Katie , Morrison Mark , Vishnoi Veral , Makanyengo Samwel , Draganic Brian , McManus Brendan , Clarke Louise , Shah Kalpesh , Smith Stephen R , Talley Nicholas J. , Keely Simon , Pockney Peter
Published: March 2024

Anastomotic leaks (AL) are the most severe complications of colorectal surgery. The cause of AL is unclear, but recent studies have implicated the intestinal microbiota in its development. We aimed to determine whether there is an identifiable microbial pattern in the mucosal microbiota associated with AL. A pragmatic series of 162 patients undergoing colorectal resection with anastomosis had swabs taken from the proximal and distal mucosa of the bowel resection immediately after the tissue was excised. DNA was extracted for 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing and a subset for metagenomic shotgun sequencing (MGS). The AL rate in the cohort was approximately 15% (25/162). The alpha diversity measures from the intraoperative swabs were all significantly increased for AL, and there were significant differences in the beta diversity measures for AL from both the 16S and MGS datasets. The predictive power of AL was more sensitive when both proximal and distal communities were considered, and the species-level classifier AUC-ROC was stronger for the MGS dataset than for the 16S data (AUC = 0.92 and 0.76, respectively). We also report, for the first time, the functional changes in intraoperative AL microbes and noted an increase in the relative abundance of pathways with fermentation end products. This result was also found in our murine model of anastomoses (n = 20). At the time of surgery, the mucosal microbiota of the anastomotic extremities exhibits subtle differences at the species level and altered fermentation capacity, which may be associated with AL outcomes. A greater understanding of these insights could improve AL prognosis and preoperative management to reduce the occurrence of this life-threatening condition.
Multiregional radiomics nomogram for postoperative recurrence risk stratification in localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Guo Yi , Wang Funan , Huang Shunfa , Zhou Jianjun , Dai Chenchen , Lin Dengqiang
Published: March 2024

Background
The selection of individualized treatment options based on the risk of recurrence is crucial in the adjuvant treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC). Multiregional radiomics might noninvasively obtain potential information about the intratumoral and peritumoral heterogeneity of ccRCC and reveal the prognostic information behind the images. This study aimed to develop a CT-based multiregional radiomics nomogram to improve the stratification of postoperative recurrence risk in patients with localized ccRCC.
Methods
A total of 395 patients with pathologically diagnosed ccRCC were included in the training (n = 281) and internal validation set (n = 114). Multiregion radiomics features from both the intratumoral and peritumoral areas were extracted. The selection of radiomics features and clinicopathological factors was performed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. A final model (FM) for the radiomics nomogram was developed, which incorporated the selected clinicopathological and radiomics features predictors based on multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression. The performance of the model was assessed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results
The radiomics nomogram demonstrated excellent prediction performance in both the training and validation sets. The discriminatory ability of the radiomics nomogram was superior to that of the clinical model (C-index 0.926 vs .0.898, P < 0.05). Decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram had more net benefit than the clinical model.
Conclusions
The use of a radiomic nomogram with multiregion features improved the stratification of postoperative recurrence risk in patients with localized ccRCC and can be considered a valuable tool in clinical decision-making.
Community detection and Higher-order Link Prediction
Authors: Losic Jelena
Published: March 2024

Community detection algorithms utilize graphs as input data, representing networks that are often incomplete. Many networks, whether obtained through collection or inference, suffer from missing edges, either inherent to the dataset or due to sampling limitations. Networks evolve over time, and it is imperative to predict future links. An excellent example is the spread of epidemics, where such predictive knowledge could potentially save lives. The standard approach involves examining the dyadic nature of links, as it is the perspective offered by graph frameworks, and attempting to anticipate future edges. However, being part of a large system entails multiple interactions that the link paradigm does not clearly elucidate. The idea presented in this paper is to employ higher-order link prediction to achieve robust results regarding the community detection problem.
Finally, we evaluate our method on a series of ground truth networks and artificial networks. Examples from the LFR framework demonstrate that our method improves the community detection problem on incomplete networks.
Risk factors for recurrent febrile urinary tract infection in patients with duplex collecting system
Authors: Wang Jinbin , Yang Binyi , Yu Jiabin , Yang Li , Tang Jiaxiang , Liu Qi , Sun Nianfeng , Cui Kaiyue , Gao Qiang , Zhao Zhifei , Luo Yanbing , Zhao Yining , Geng Hongquan , Chen Zhoutong , Fang Xiaoliang , Lu Hongting
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Our goal was to establish the risk factors for recurrent febrile urinary tract infection (F-UTI) in children with duplex collecting system (DCS).
Methods
Patients seen for DCS from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively followed. Those with using continuous low dose antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) and incompletely duplicated systems were removed from the study. The primary endpoint of this study was recurrent F-UTI. We conducted univariate analysis of 5 risk factors, namely, gender, affected side (unilateral vs bilateral), hydronephrosis grade of the affected renal unit, ureteral dilatation (UD) grade, type of anatomy.
Results
We analyzed medical reports of 305 patients, of which 74.8% were female. Among the 305 patients, F-UTI developed in in81/119 (68.1%) patients with ureterocele, in 7/9 (77.8%) patients with VUR, in27/36 (75%) patients with both ureterocele and VUR, in8/12 (66.7%) patients with ectopic and VUR, and in 49/105 (46.7%) patients with ectopic. Univariate analysis found discernible difference in type of DCS, ureteral dilatation and grade of hydronephrosis between recurrent F-UTI and non F-UTI patients. Moreover, Cox proportional regression analysis revealed that type of DCS, grade of hydronephrosis were stand-alone risk factors for recurrent F-UTI.
Conclusion
High hydronephrosis grade and the presence of ureterocele, VUR were stand-alone risk factors for recurrent F-UTI in children with DCS.
Changing patterns of multimorbidity among patients with ambiguous diagnoses: The case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Bragée Björn , Carlsson Lennart , Sjögren Per , Bertilson Bo C
Published: March 2024

Introduction:
Increased attention has been given to multimorbidity. This phenomenon often has been explored through associations between diseases based on the frequency of combinations of diagnoses. A more patient-focused strategy, together with a trajectory of the multimorbidity situation, has recently attracted increased interest. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a state that per se includes multimorbidity and is preceded by numerous ambiguous diagnoses. A history of infectious disease is considered the most common denominator and pathophysiological base of ME/CFS, even though no biomarker of such infection has been found. Exploring changing patterns of multimorbidity might contribute to the knowledge about the unknown pathophysiology of this disease.
Methods and materials:
This was a retrospective register-based cohort study of 549 patients from 2015–2020 in Region Stockholm, Sweden. We processed the number and type of diagnoses during each year according to the Adjusted Clinical Groups© case-mix system from Johns Hopkins University. The images were visualized with Excel and “Gapminder” software.
Results
Fifty percent of all patients had more than eight diagnoses—up to 32 diagnoses per year—during the last twelve months of the study period. The most frequent diagnosis clusters were “General Signs and Symptoms”, “Musculoskeletal”, “Psychosocial” and “Neurologic”. The cluster “Infections” was found as number fifteen in order. The number of patients with psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders was lower after the registration of ME/CFS diagnoses.
Discussion and conclusion:
This study illustrates the complexity of the pattern of multimorbidity over time, depicting overlapping diagnoses. Analyses of trajectories of different patterns of multimorbidity might pave the way for a broader understanding of triggers for more complex health conditions, as seen in the case of ME/CFS. The traditional view that ME/CFS is the result of an infectious disease was not confirmed in our cohort. The drive toward patient-oriented analyses may lead to findings of subcategories of patients with similar patterns of multimorbidity over time.
[99mTc]Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) Scintigraphy Findings of Cardiac Amyloidosis: is It a Predictor for Survival?
Authors: Akgun Elife , Aksu Umit , Guler Arda , Guler Gamze Babur , Akkas Burcu Esen
Published: March 2024

Background
Association [99mTc]Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) uptake with survival of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is still unkown. This study aimed to describe the scintigraphic findings of CA suspected cases and determine the prognostic value of scintigraphy.
Methods
Between September 2020-December 2023, all [99mTc]Tc-PYP scintigraphy images of CA suspected cases were evaluated retrospectively. The scintigraphy images were obtained 1h and 3h after intravenous injection of 740 MBq [99mTc]Tc-PYP. The quantitative and semiquantitative results of scintigraphy were analyzed, and their correlation with clinical outcomes was explored.
Results
Among the 268 cases (147 female, 121 male; median age:65), 12 (4.5%) were diagnosed with ATTR CA, 19 (7.1%) with AL CA. The median follow-up time was 386 days. ATTR CA cases exhibited significantly higher [99mTc]Tc-PYP uptake than AL CA and non-CA cases. The 1h and 3h heart-to-contralateral lung ratios were positively high degree correlated each other and SPECT/CT imaging reduced equivocal results from 82–37%. Eight of 19 patients with AL CA, one of 12 with ATTR CA, and 15 of non-CA cases died on follow-up. Median survival was 22 days in ATTR CA, 201 days in AL CA, and 105 days in non-CA ex cases. Survival analysis indicated significantly lower survival in non-CA cases compared to ATTR CA and AL CA.
Conclusion
[99mTc]Tc-PYP scintigraphy demonstrated varying uptake patterns in different CA forms. The study emphasizes the importance of combining scintigraphic findings with laboratory tests for accurate CA diagnosis and highlights the poor survival of individuals investigated for CA, even if the diagnosis is not confirmed.
Evaluation of the Effect of Chrysophylum albidum seed aqueous extract on Pancreas and Kidney of Hyperglycemic Wistar rats
Authors: OLANIYI Oluwafemi Samuel , JOSEPH Oluwagbenga Oluwasemilore , Wasiu Olalekan
Published: March 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition that resulted from an imbalance in insulin production or function. Nonetheless, research has proved traditionally that medicinal plants with antidiabetic activities may provide valuable information for the development of safer and more potent oral hypoglycemic medications. The study therefore investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Chrysophyllum albidum seed on the pancreas and kidney of hyperglycemic Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats weighing between 90g-150g were divided into four groups (n = 10). Group 1 (control) received 2 ml of distilled water; Group 2 and 3 (diabetic) injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) after 12hrs fasting period. Group 3 (diabetic treated) treated with 750 mg/kg aqueos extract of Chrysophyllum albidum seed, Group 4 (normoglycemic) treated with 750 mg/Kg of the extract. The tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) routine staining, Gomori and Masson trichome special staining to demonstrate the histoarchitecture of the tissue samples. The results showed a significance reduction (p < 0.05) in the body weight of the animals in group 2 compare to control group and diabetic treated. The FBS of the animals in group 2 increased significantly (p < 0.05) compare with control and was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in group 3 (diabetic-treated) compare with control and group 4 (extract group). Histologically, studies of the pancreas in Group 1 and 4 showed normal morphology compare with Group 2 (diabetic) which revealed inflammation of the acini, disorganization of the pancreatic architecture, fibrotic and degenerative changes of Islet of Langerhans cells, while Group 3 reveals improvement in the pancreatic tissue histo-architecture, similarly, renal tissue in group 2 shows distort and degenerated cells while improved histological architecture of renal tissue in group 3 (diabetic treated) was indicated. The relative pancreatic weights were significantly reduced in group 2 (diabetic) compare with control and group 3 (diabetic treated). The study concluded that Chrysophylum albidum seed has anti-diabetic properties with significant reduction in blood glucose level in the hyperglycemic Wistar rats. Further studies of the mechanism involved and screening of bioactive components of the extracts are recommended.
A Novel Joint Dictionary Learning Method for Image Classification
Authors: Li Mingjun , Zhang Yongjun , Zhang Xuexue , Zhao Yong , Wang Bingshu , Cui Zhongwei
Published: March 2024

Image classification is an essential component in the modern computer vision field, in which dictionary learning-based classification has garnered significant attention due to its robustness. Generally, most dictionary learning algorithms can be optimized through data augmentation and regularization techniques. In terms of data augmentation, researchers often focus on how to enhance the features of specific class samples while neglecting the impact of intra-class correlations. When intra-class correlation of images is high, distinguishing between different categories can become challenging, especially when there are small differences between categories. To tackle this concern, the paper advocates a novel data augmentation approach that enhances intra-class differences. The proposed method reduces excessive similarity within class samples by randomly replacing pixel values, thereby improving classification performance. Building on this, we designed a joint dictionary learning algorithm that embeds label consistency and local consistency by combining auxiliary samples generated by the data augmentation method with original samples to create a dictionary. The basic steps of the proposed algorithm are as follows:(1) Generate specific auxiliary samples as training samples; (2) Initialize the dictionary and expression coefficients; (3) Introduce label constraints and local constraints and update the dictionary; (4) Generate a classifier and classify the test samples. Extensive experiments have demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed approach. We will provide the code and datasets on https://github.com/mjLi0403/Joint-Dictionary-Learning-Algorithm-with-Novel-Data-Enhancement-Scheme.git.
Enhancing the UV Radiation Protection of Bacillus thuringiensis Formulation using Sulfur Quantum Dots: A Biotechnological Approach
Authors: Jalali Elham , Maghsoudi Shahab
Published: March 2024

Low stability against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the drawbacks of biological pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The persistence of Bt crystals against insect pests is thus deactivated. Bt plays a key role in the control of microbial pests. In this study, Bt spores and crystals were protected from UV radiation by sulfur quantum dots (SQDs). These were synthesized by treating sublimated sulfur powders with an alkali using polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400). Their effect on the formulation of Bt was investigated to improve its resistance to UV radiation. Excellent aqueous dispersibility and superior photostability were observed for the synthesized SQDs. Properly dispersed SQDs with mean size distributions of 3.27 nm and 6.07 nm were obtained for 120 and 72 h, respectively. The findings indicate that SQDs perform very well in encapsulated formulations prepared by the Pickering emulsion method compared to non-encapsulated formulations. Spore viability and mortality of second-instar Ephestia kuehniella larvae under UV-A radiation were studied. The unique properties of SQDs are believed to reduce the degradation of Bt against UV radiation. Our results showed that these SQDs can be used to improve the stability and resistance of Bt in SQD-stabilized microcapsule formulations.
Differential dopamine-mediated effects in the 5-lipoxygenase deficient mice
Authors: Issy Ana Carolina , Pedrazzi João Francisco , Nascimento Glauce Crivelaro , Faccioli Lúcia Helena , Bel Elaine Del
Published: March 2024

The role of 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes on the central nervous system has been considered in both physiological end pathological states. Investigating the interaction between 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes and the dopaminergic system may provide better understanding of dopamine-related pathologies. This study aimed to investigate motor and non-motor dopamine-related responses in 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice. Pharmacological challenges of the dopaminergic system included amphetamine, apomorphine and reserpine treatment along with their respective effects on prepulse inhibition (PPI) response, general motor activity, and oral involuntary movements. Reserpine-treated mice were also investigated for their striatal glial markers’ expression (GFAP and Iba-1). 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice exhibited increased spontaneous locomotor activity, including horizontal and vertical exploratory activity, and stereotyped-like behavior compared to wild-type mice. This condition was attenuated by acute apomorphine treatment. Despite the absence of altered basal responses in the PPI there was a significant and selective decreased in susceptibility in amphetamine-induced PPI disruption in 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice. However, there was an increased vulnerability to reserpine-induced involuntary movements. There was no alteration in the basal expression of striatal GFAP and Iba-1 positive cells in 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. Reserpine treatment induced a significant increase in GFAP immunoreactivity in wild-type mice but this effect was absent in the 5-lipoxygenase deficient mice. The percentage of activated microglia was found to be significantly increased in reserpine-treated wild-type mice. This effect was absent in the 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice. Our results support the conception of a unique dopaminergic pathway phenotype in 5-lipoxygenase/leukotrienes-deficient mice. These findings suggest that leukotrienes may interfere with the orchestration of dopamine-mediated responses.
Digital resources integration driven by curriculum and teachers’ documentational trajectories
Authors: Salinas-Hernández Ulises , Sacristán Ana Isabel
Published: March 2024

This paper analyses the relationship between an educational model for the integration of digital resources in mathematics classrooms and a teacher’s professional career path. By educational model we mean the institutional precepts, that is to say, the set of established norms that guide the teaching processes, considering both pedagogical and educational approaches that in turn establish a pattern in the development of a curriculum. It presents a case study of an experienced teacher who has developed his teaching activity in a single educational model for more than forty years. From three semi-structured interviews and the non-participatory observation of one of his classes, we trace the process that this teacher has followed to integrate, in his classes, different digital resources, guided both by curricular precepts, as well as by his professional teaching experience. In particular, the data analysis considers the impact produced by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and shows how such significant events are confronted both by the teacher and the institution, affecting the integration of digital resources and altering the trajectories of both of them.
Causal role of immune traits and inflammatory proteins in autoimmune thyroid disease: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Hanfei , Li Yuhao , Xie Hangyu , Li Lin
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Despite the large-scale discovery of new subpopulations of immune cells and inflammatory proteins, along with their functions in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), the etiology of AITD remains a mystery in many aspects. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between the immune traits, inflammatory proteins and AITD.
Methods
We performed bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from the genome-wide association studies of 731 immune traits (N = 3,757), 91 inflammatory proteins (N = 14,824), and AITD obtained from the FinnGen consortium R9 release data (N = 399,034). Next, we conducted colocalization analysis to enhance the association and performed linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to estimate genetic correlation. Finally, a two-step MR analysis was employed to identify potential mediating proteins.
Results
Sixteen immune traits and five inflammatory proteins are suggestively associated with AITD causally. In multivariable MR analysis, after incorporating smoking status and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, some immune traits showed non-significant effects on AITD, albeit with minimal changes in effect sizes. The MR-BMA analysis showed that the five inflammatory proteins played an equal role. Our findings indicate a suggestive genetic correlation between IL-1 alpha and AITD. The mediation MR analysis showed that STAMBP and IL-10 mediated the causal effects of the absolute count of CD33 + HLA-DR + CD14- cells and AITD.
Conclusion
The current MR study provides evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific immune traits and AITD and potential mediating inflammatory proteins.
Artificial Bee Colony Optimization Algorithm with New Full Dimension Updating Strategy and Its Application
Authors: LI Yuangang , GAO Xinrui , SONG Yingjie , DENG Wu
Published: March 2024

For the low accuracy and slow convergence of artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm in solving complex optimization problems, a new full dimensional updating ABC/best/1 evolutionary strategy is designed to propose an improved ABC based on the new full dimensional updating strategy(FNABC) in this paper. Because of the low efficiency of one-dimensional search, the full dimensional update search strategy and ABC/best /1 evolutionary strategy are used to design a new full dimensional update ABC/best/1 evolutionary strategy, which expands the search space, improves the mining ability and search efficiency. And a new evolutionary phase of full dimensional update strategy is designed to balance the global search ability and mining ability. Finally, the FNABC is compared with eight state-of-the-art ABC variants in solving 12 functions. The experiment results indicate that the FNABC has better search ability. Additionally, the FNABC is applied to solve a real-world train operation adjustment problem. The results show that it can obtain the ideal results of the train operation adjustment problem.
Separation and identification of berberine in plant extracts using LC-MS for antibacterial activity against E. coli determination and artificial intelligence prediction for other activities
Authors: Alam Syed Dilshad , Ali Imran , Beg Mirza Adil , Kanamarlapudi Viswanath , Deb Prashant , Bagadi Muralidhararao , Locatelli Marcello , ALOthman Zeid A.
Published: March 2024

A fast LC-MS method has been developed for the identification of berberine in plant extracts. The retention times for the standard berberine and berberine extracted from Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aquifolium, and Hydrastis canadensis were 1.80, 1.82, 1.79 and 1.79, respectively, using mobile phase of a mixture of ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile with gradient mode. The column used Waters Acquity BEH C18 (50 x 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm). The purity of the standard berberine was recorded as 98.86% with desired mass of 336 while these values were 61.82, 69.02 and 49.98% for berberine extracted from Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aquifolium and Hydrastis canadensis. In addition, an artificial intelligence technique was also applied to predict the possible activity of berberine against 27 known diseases. The results indicated berberine as the most active against Dengue larvicide, E. coli, Alzheimer and PTR L Major with 1.0 as the maximum probability. The outcomes reported herein are very important to determine the purity of the plants that extracted berberine in the future. The antibacterial activity of berberine was carried by MTT assay. The IC50 of berberine was calculated 136.3 µM against E. coli, while IC50 of a standard kanamycin taken as positive drug control calculated 10.87 µM. Also, the applied artificial intelligence may be extended to predict the biological activity of berberine or more diseases.
Development of feedforward and feedback connections between the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and the thalamic reticular nucleus
Authors: Campbell Peter W , Govindaiah Gubbi , Guido William
Published: March 2024

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) serves as an important node between the thalamus and neocortex, regulating thalamocortical rhythms and sensory processing in a state dependent manner. Disruptions in TRN circuitry also figures prominently in several neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism, and attentional defects. An understanding of how and when connections between TRN and 1st order thalamic nuclei, such as the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), develop is lacking. We used the mouse visual thalamus as a model system to study the organization, pattern of innervation and functional responses between TRN and the dLGN. Genetically modified mouse lines were used to visualize and target the feedforward and feedback components of these intra-thalamic circuits and to understand how peripheral input from the retina impacts their development.
Retrograde tracing of thalamocortical (TC) afferents through TRN revealed that the modality-specific organization seen in the adult, is present at perinatal ages and seems impervious to the loss of peripheral input. To examine the formation and functional maturation of intrathalamic circuits between the visual sector of TRN and dLGN, we examined when projections from each nuclei arrive, and used an acute thalamic slice preparation along with optogenetic stimulation to assess the maturation of functional synaptic responses. Although thalamocortical projections passed through TRN at birth, feedforward axon collaterals determined by vGluT2 labeling, emerged during the second postnatal week, increasing in density through the third week. Optogenetic stimulation of TC axon collaterals in TRN showed infrequent, weak excitatory responses near the end of week 1. During weeks 2-4, responses became more prevalent, grew larger in amplitude and exhibited synaptic depression during repetitive stimulation. Feedback projections from visual TRN to dLGN began to innervate dLGN as early as postnatal day 2 with weak inhibitory responses emerging during week 1. During week 2-4, inhibitory responses continued to grow larger, showing synaptic depression during repetitive stimulation. During this time TRN inhibition started to suppress TC spiking, having its greatest impact by week 4-6. Using a mutant mouse that lacks retinofugal projections revealed that the absence of retinal signaling led to an acceleration of TRN innervation of dLGN but had little impact on the development of feedforward projections from dLGN to TRN. Together, these experiments reveal how and when intrathalamic connections emerge during early postnatal ages and provide foundational knowledge to understand the development of thalamocortical network dynamics as well as neurodevelopmental diseases that involve TRN circuitry.
Obstructed Defecation Syndrome: analysis of the efficacy and mid-term quality of life of an innovative robotic approach
Authors: Cervigni Mauro , Fuschi Andrea , Morciano Andrea , Campanella Lorenzo , Carbone Antonio , Schiavi Michele Carlo
Published: March 2024

Aim The aim of our study is to prove how the combination of the Rectal wall Plication (RP) and the association with robotic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy (VMR) would result in a safe and effective procedure for patients with Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS) and would provide better outcomes in terms of bowel function and Quality of Life.
Methods From January 2018 to December 2021, 78 women affected by ODS and posterior compartment prolapse were enrolled for the study. The minimum follow-up for these patients were 18 months. 30 patients underwent VMR and 33 VMR plus RP. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of VMR and VMR + RP at median follow-up.The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the impact on quality of life and sexual function of these two surgical procedures.
Results In symptomatic evaluation and analysis of post-operative complications ,at the median follow-up, 6 patients (20%) in VMR group vs 1 patient (3%) in VMR+RP group still had constipation (p=0.023). In the VMR+RP group, the number of sexually active patients after surgery and the PISQ-12 results showed an improvement in the quality of sexual life after at least 18 months of follow up. Finally, at the median follow-up the ODS score values were significantly reduced in both groups
Conclusion Although long-term f-u and a larger group of pats. is required, the findings we have acquired are encouraging and allowed us to say that in pats with ODS and posterior compartment prolapse the combination of rectal wall plication and ventral mesh rectopexy may improve results in terms of bowel function and quality of life.
Mechanism study of EIF4A3-induced circ_0022382 regulation of breast cancer cell biology
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Jun , Ye Yu , Zhang Jiawen , Zhu Jianqin , Yu Qiwen , Li Tao , Chen Huabiao , Sun Xiaochun
Published: March 2024

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and poses a serious threat to women's health. In this paper, we examined the role of circular (circ)RNA in breast cancer, and screened out circ_0022382 for high expression in breast cancer by differential analysis of breast cancer and adjacent tissues in the GEO database. The high expression of circ_0022382 in breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 as well as breast cancer tissues was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells were significantly increased by transfection of siRNA targeting circ_0022382, and dual luciferase reporter assays showed that circ_0022382 bound to microRNA (miR) let-7a-5p. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis predicted that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathways were the main pathways regulated by let-7a-5p. The addition of let-7a-5p inhibitor reduced the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells caused by circ_0022382 knockdown by rescuing the expression of p-AKT. Let-7a-5p also directly regulates the expression of cystine transporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) proteins, and through examination of glucose in cell supernatants and the addition of cystine inhibitors (dithiothreitol), we found that this process was closely related to disulfidptosis. In addition, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A3 (EIF4A3) promoted increased expression of circ_0022382 in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, EIF4A3-induced circ_0022382 regulates the expression of SLC7A11 proteins and related proteins in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway by sponging let-7a-5p, which affects glucose metabolism and induces the death of breast cancer cells. Therefore, circ_0022382 may be useful as a marker or therapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.
Beyond the Virus: QTc Interval Changes in COVID-19 Survivors
Authors: Almuttairi Zinah Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors on host cells to enter the cells. These receptors are expressed on heart muscle tissue and the tissues of other major organs, which supports the primary accepted theory for the direct cardiac cell injury of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associated cardiorespiratory manifestations. The SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to unstable myocardial cell membranes due to hypoxia, myocarditis, myocardial ischemia, and abnormal host immune response. This is the main reason behind arrhythmia and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes during COVID-19. However, the specific effect on QTc after Covid 19 infection has not been studied well. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between post COVID-19 infection and QTc changes.Objectives: Examine the association between post COVID-19 infection and QTc changes.Materials and Methods: This is a case control study conducted on middle age of either sex involves 50 adult patients with post-COVID-19 infections (eight were defaulted from the study because they were not cooperative), 23 females and 19 males with mean age (36.98 ± 12.2 years) who were non-vaccinated against Covid 19 after one month to two years of an acute episode of COVID-19 (confirmed by positive real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)) test according to the World Health Organization (WHO) selected randomly from those attending to the adult Holter and Echocardiography lab in Al-Zahraa Hospital/ Al-Hussein Medical City/ Karbala Province after being referred by Internist during the period from the 12th of October 2022 to the end of January 2024 and divided in to three groups : non hospitalize, hospitalize and admitted to intensive care while control group consisted of 40 healthy persons 23 females and 17 males with mean age (33.28 ± 9.58 years), whom referred by Internist for ECG with no Hx of the previous infection of covid 19. All of them have electrocardiographic evaluation by taking ECG.Conclusion That post COVID-19 patients had prolonged QT and QTc intervals increase the risk for cardiac arrhythmias.
COVID-19’s Hidden Shield: How Post-Infection Hearts Safeguard Against Atrial Contractions
Authors: Almuttairi Zinah Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Background: Ectopic atrial contractions, also known as premature atrial contractions (PACs), are abnormal heart rhythms originating from the atria (the upper chambers of the heart). These contractions occur earlier than expected during the cardiac cycle and can disrupt the normal rhythm. While they are generally benign, their presence can sometimes cause symptoms such as palpitations. The exact mechanisms linking COVID-19 and EACs are not fully understood, and some evidence suggests that COVID-19 infection can increase the risk of developing EACs or other types of arrhythmias.Objectives: Effects of the EAC on post-COVID-19 patientsMaterials and Methods: This is a case‒control study of middle-aged individuals of either sex involving 50 adult patients with post-COVID-19 infection (eight were excluded from the study because they were not cooperative), 23 females and 19 males with a mean age of 36.98 ± 12.2 years who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 after one month to two years of an acute episode of COVID-19 (confirmed by positive real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‒PCR)) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) selected randomly from those attending to the adult Holter and Echocardiography Laboratory in Al-Zahraa Hospital/Al-Hussein Medical City/Karbala Province after being referred by an internist during the period from the 12th of October 2022 to the end of January 2024 and divided into three groups: nonhospitalize, hospitalize and admitted to intensive care. The control group consisted of 40 healthy persons, 23 females and 17 males with a mean age of 33.28 ± 9.58 years, who were referred by an internist for ECG and echocardiography with no Hx of the previous infection of COVID-19. All of them underwent electrocardiographic evaluation via ECG and Holter ECG for 24 hours.Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 patients had a lower risk of EAC than control patients, indicating that it may have a protective effect on EAC and reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
Meteorological Insights: Machine Learning in Rainfall Forecasting
Authors: Jain Kshitij , Pant Mille
Published: March 2024

Life would be much easier if we could control the weather. Until then, we will have to settle for trying to predict weather but weather prediction is very unpredictable as even a small change in the surface and atmospheric properties can heavily impact the weather. General weather forecasts, as we all know, are not all that accurate as they attempt to predict the weather conditions of large areas for a large period of time as the tools or mediums used to predict these weather conditions are not accurate enough. To solve the less accurate weather prediction problem, this research work focuses on preparing a algorithm for precipitation forecasting with the parameters such as Temperature, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Sea level, and Humidity which are the factors that impact the outcome at the particular spot of interest. Here hyper-accurate forecasts including hour-by-hour precipitation prediction with customizable information using supervised machine learning algorithms, Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), and Linear Regression (LR) and feeding historical weather data from the past 40 years have been utilized. The performance of these algorithms is assessed by comparing their results with each other to find the best algorithm suited for this. The test results show that the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) algorithms excel the linear regression algorithm in accuracy and indicate that RNN algorithms can be an effective way for weather forecasting.
Recycling Agriculture Waste for Liquid Deposition 3D Printing
Authors: Karsoun Ahmed , Tolba Meryem , Aziz Ahmed Abd El , Hassanin Abdallah M. , Wahby Ahmed , Klingner Anke , Tolba Khaled
Published: March 2024

3D printing is a promising technology for recycling agricultural waste by Liquid Deposition Modeling (LDM). In this paper, we propose a novel method for recycling agricultural waste to be used in Liquid Deposition 3D printing. The method involves converting agricultural waste into suitable powder by grinding and sieving procedures. Then, a paste is prepared based on the powder from agricultural waste, which is then subjected to mechanical and physical testing to study its properties. A 3D printing setup is used to print samples for applying mechanical testing to study the properties of 3D printed agricultural waste. The results of the mechanical and physical testing showed that the agricultural waste paste has promising properties for 3D printing. The paste is strong and durable, and it can be used to print a variety of different products. The results of this research paper demonstrate the potential of 3D printing to recycle agricultural waste and create new products.
In-situ zircon and cassiterite LA-ICP-MS geochronology and implications for granite-hosted Sn deposit models and exploration: Insights from the Cameroon Line
Authors: Betsi Thierry Bineli , Mandeng Eugene Pascal Binam , Bondje Louise Ngo Bidjeck , Beranoaguirre Aratz , Njee Eric Joseph , Mvondo Hubert , Kolb Jochen
Published: March 2024

Tin mineralization of significant economic importance occurs across the continental portion of the Cameroon Line (CL). Tin deposits therein occur as both primary and secondary (residual and alluvial) ore. Though the temporal and, by inference, the genetic link between Sn mineralization and the host granite had long been modeled and widely accepted worldwide, in the CL, however, the age of the granite hosting cassiterite is poorly constrained, preventing a robust assessment of the temporal and genetic relationship between the Sn mineralization and its host rock. Here, we present in-situ zircon and cassiterite laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb data in order not only to constrain the age of the granitic rock hosting the primary Sn ore but also to bracket the time frame of Sn mineralization, with respect to the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the parental magma of the host granite. Zircon from two greisen-altered, cassiterite-bearing granite samples yield overlapping and concordant ages of 64.21 ± 0.59 Ma and 65.46 ± 0.95 Ma, respectively, which are also overlapping with regional granite magmatism in the CL (ca. 65–30 Ma). On the other hand, cassiterite, which is spatially associated with the Paleocene zircon, yields Lower Eocene ages of 54.99 ± 0.35 Ma and 56.08 ± 0.46 Ma. The ca. 10 Myr time gap between zircon and cassiterite suggests that the granite is a passive host not genetically related to the Sn mineralization, which may be linked to a younger, concealed intrusion of ca. 55 Ma. This finding contrasts with the most widely accepted petrogenetic model of tin granite, according to which Sn mineralization and the host granite are cogenetic.
Tax governance in compliance: The role of motivational postures and behavioral intentions
Authors: Hauptman Lidija , Žmuk Berislav , Dečman Nikolina
Published: March 2024

Governments are working toward cultivating a culture of tax compliance, recognizing that taxpayers exhibit diverse motivations for fulfilling their tax obligations, resulting in varying levels of reported tax compliance. This paper aims to investigate behavioral intentions with a specific focus on resistance-cooperation motivational postures and their link with tax compliance (voluntary and enforced) and tax evasion between Slovene taxpayers (n = 390). Inter-item correlations next to descriptive statistical methods were calculated using the PLS-SEM approach to explore the motivational postures, tax compliance, and tax evasion characteristics. The survey has shown that most surveyed Slovene taxpayers tend to agree with motivational postures, voluntary tax compliance, and enforced tax compliance statements. The results indicate that motivational posture deference has positive links with both voluntary tax compliance (r = 0.692, p < 0.001) and enforced tax compliance (r = 0.253, p < 0.001), but a negative link with the attitude toward tax evasion (r = –0.404, p < 0.001). Conversely, motivational posture defiance exhibits a negative link with voluntary tax compliance (r = –0.149, p = 0.006) and a positive link with the attitude toward tax evasion (r = 0.229, p < 0.001). The link between defiance and enforced tax compliance is not statistically significant (r = 0.068, p = 0.379). The results indicate that tax authorities should avoid adopting an antagonistic climate and instead focus on fostering positive tax climates, specifically the service and confidence climates, when implementing tax communication strategies with taxpayers.
Comparative evaluation of the dynamics of terrestrial water storage and drought incidences using multiple data sources: Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Berhanu Kibru Gedam , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Hatiye Samuel Dagalo
Published: March 2024

Evaluating water storage changes and addressing drought challenges in areas like the Tana sub-basin in Ethiopia is difficult due to limited data availability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of terrestrial water anomaly and drought incidences by employing multiple data source. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) datasets were used to assess the long-term water storage dynamics and drought incidences using the weighted water storage deficit index (WWSDI). WWSDI was used to identify drought periods, which ranged from severe to extreme drought. Despite the overall increase in average annual total water storage anomaly (TWSA) by 0.43 cm/year and a net gain of 50.68 cm equivalent water height from 2003 to 2022, there were instances of terrestrial water storage deficits, particularly in 2005, 2006, and 2009, during historical drought periods. The TWSA exhibited a strong correlation with Lake Tana water storage and precipitation anomalies after adjusting lag times. WWSDI displayed a high correlation with WSDI but a weak correlation with SPI and SPEI. Therefore, utilization of GRACE and GLDAS data is promising for evaluating terrestrial water storage and monitoring drought in data-deficient regions like the Tana sub-basin in Ethiopia.