bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Quaternary Fault Activity of the Southern Segment of the Daliangshan Fault along the Southeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Its Implications for Fault Rupture Behaviour at Stepovers
Authors: Wang Hu , Li Dongming , Li Kaijin , Deng Lin , Luo Peisheng
Published: September 2022

Stepovers have been widely suggested to be important structural boundaries that control earthquake rupture extent and therefore the size of earthquakes. Previous studies suggested that ~4-5 km wide stepovers are likely to arrest fault rupture. However, recent earthquake cases show that even much wider stepovers (e.g., ≥7-8 km wide) sometimes may not effectively impede seismic rupture propagation, which requires us to further explore cascading rupture mechanism of large earthquakes at wider stepovers. Here, we constrained slip rates and paleoseismic earthquakes of two fault sections that bound a constraining stepover with width of approximately 7-8 km along the southern segment of the Daliangshan fault along the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Multiple landform offset and radiocarbon dating results constrained that the two fault sections show a moderate slip rate at approximately 5 mm/yr. Moreover, three or four paleoseismic events Z through W, in 1489 AD, 620-515 BC, 4475-3700 BC, and 6265-4510 BC, were revealed on the Jiaojihe fault section. Based on the aforementioned results, we suggest that the most recent seismic event might exhibit a jump over the restraining stepover, whereas ruptures of the older events might be arrested by the stepover. Furthermore, we suggest that moderate slip-rate faults might have similar potential with that of high slip-rate faults to rupture through wider stepovers, which increases us in understanding the generation of cascading ruptures on strike-slip faults and is helpful for evaluating seismic hazards.
Shale Wettability: Untangling the Elusive Property with an Integrated Imbibition and Imaging Technique and a New Hypothetical Theory
Authors: Peng Sheng , Shevchenko Pavel , Ko Lucy T.
Published: September 2022

The importance of wettability in reservoir evaluation and dynamics in shale is gaining increasing attention. Wettability is also a key consideration in the strategy development of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in unconventional reservoirs. However, the determination of shale wettability is often elusive, and an understanding still remains incomplete. Several commonly applied assumptions and methods for evaluating shale wettability are considered inaccurate or problematic. In this work, important clarifications about shale wettability and the methods of measurement or evaluation are made. Wettability is studied for six shale samples from Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp Shale formations with increasing thermal maturity using an integrated imbibition and imaging method. Wettability was evaluated based on the results of water-oil displacement via spontaneous imbibition and the dominant pore type in the sample. Wettability of the samples is ranged from strong water-wet (SW) to oil-wet and has a general trend of becoming less water-wet (or more oil-wet) with increasing thermal maturity (Ro value from ~0.45 to 1.4%). A new hypothesis on shale wettability transformation from the original water-wet status is proposed based on the results. This new hypothesis emphasizes the evaluation of shale wettability under a dynamic context of oil-water displacement and oil aging history, and shale wettability is a result of oil-water-rock interaction through the geological time frame. Enhanced oil mobility caused by increasing thermal maturity is the main drive of oil imbibition, whereas pore type and pore size also play an important role in oil-water displacement and consequently wettability transformation. The ease of wettability transformation of the pore system in shale is in the order of calcite > quartz, dolomite >> clay. Pores with mixed boundaries of different minerals fall in between. Other geological factors [e.g., total organic carbon (TOC) and pore pressure] also affect oil imbibition and thus wettability. Important implications of shale wettability on water and oil saturation and on improved oil recovery are also discussed.
Unlocking Digital Cash and Voucher Assistance: A guide to digital options
Authors: Kayastha Bibhor , Shrestha Shreeju , Agung Hilman
Published: September 2022

Digital technology has facilitated greater efficiency, transparency, adaptability and scalability of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programs. Wherever feasible, Oxfam increasingly uses and promotes digital solutions and modalities to create better outcomes for CVA recipients through easier, faster and more secure and accountable means of delivery. This toolkit is designed to help CVA practitioners and decision makers to ask and answer important questions at various stages of the CVA project cycle, in order to systematically decide on the appropriate and relevant digital delivery mechanisms to use for their program and context.
Improving the Quality Validation of semi-structured data Process using Hadoop
Authors: Pallamala Rajesh kumar , Rodrigues Paul , A Jyothi Babu , R Ravindra
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Spatial Distribution of Foods Rich in Vitamin A Intake Status and Associated Factors among Children aged 6–23 Months in Ethiopia: Spatial and Multilevel Analysis of 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey.
Authors: Demsash Addisalem Workie , Chereka Alex Ayenew , Kassie Sisay Yitayh , Donacho Dereje Oljira , Ngusie Habtamu Setegn , Tegegne Masresha Derese , Melaku Mequanent Sharew , Wubante Sisay Maru , Kenate Mekonnen
Published: September 2022

Background: Inadequate micronutrients in the diet, and vitamin A deficiency, are worldwide public health problems. In developing regions, many preschool children are undernourished, become blind every year, and died before the age of 23 months. This study was aimed to explore the spatial distribution of foods rich in vitamin A intake status among children aged 6-23 months and identify associated factors in Ethiopia.Methods: Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 dataset with a total 1407 children aged 6-23 months was used. Data management and processing were done using STATA version 15 software and Microsoft Office Excel. ArcMap version 10.7 software was used for mapping, spatial visualization. Spatial scan statistics was performed using SaTScan version 9.5 software. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression model was employed to identify associated factors.Results: Overall, 38.99% (95% CI: 36.46–41.62) of children aged 6– 23 months had foods rich in vitamin A intake in Ethiopia. The spatial distribution of intake of foods rich in vitamin A was non-random and its hot spots were observed in Oromia and South Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Regions. Whereas, cold spots were observed in the Harari and Dire Dawa. A total of 85 significant (84 primary, 1 secondary) clusters were identified. Children aged 6–23 months who lived in the primary cluster were 70% (RR = 1.70, LLR = 32.38, P-value < 0.001) more likely to intake foods rich in vitamin A. Primary (AOR:1.42, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.93) and higher (AOR:3.0, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.65) educational status of mother, Afar (AOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.36), Amhara (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.71), Somali (AOR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.08), Dire Dawa (AOR:0.49, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.12), children aged 13 to 23 months (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.36), Media exposure (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.92) were significant factors for intake of foods rich in vitamin A. Conclusions: Intake of foods rich in vitamin A among children aged 6-23 months is inadequate. Mother’s educational status, Region, Child age, and Media exposure are significant factors. Providing formal education, nutritional counseling to mothers, and creating awareness of mothers is important to further improvement of intake of foods rich in vitamin A among children. Agricultural sectors in Ethiopia are also use locally available natural resource for productions of vitamin A rich food items and stakeholders better to give priority for the hot spots areas.
MDEB, a new fluorescent label for carbohydrate nanomaterial in vivo studies
Authors: Woodcock Jeremiah , Fox Douglas M. , Patel Illabahen , Dunkers Joy , Stranick Stephan J. , Gilman Jeffrey
Published: September 2022

Typical studies of gastral toxicity of nanoparticles are conducted using radio labeling. This tends to be quite expensive and difficult owing to the required protocols for working with these materials and the expense of both the chemical reagents and dedicated instrumentation. A possible alternative is fluorescence labeling. Fluorescence is just as sensitive as scintillation, given that scintillation is itself a fluorescence measurement and subject to the same limitations. However, most fluorophores are sensitive to changes in pH and hydrolysis reactions present in most mammalian digestive tracts. Here we report the synthesis of a new pH insensitive and hydrolitically stable fluorophore, 10-(4-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)phenyl)-2,8-diethyl-5,5-difluoro-1,3,7,9-tetramethyl-5H-4l4,5l4-dipyrrolo[1,2-c:2',1'-f][1, 3, 2]diazaborinine (mDTEB). This fluorophore is based on the high quantum yield Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorescent center and is equipped with a reactive handle for convenient attachment to polysaccharides. We validate its effectiveness by labelling cellulose nano fibers (CNFs), where the importance of removing reactive lignin to prevent quenching enables preparation of homogeneously labelled bright mDTEB-CNFs for toxicity studies.
Community participatory learning and action cycle groups to reduce type 2 diabetes in Bangladesh (DClare): an updated study protocol for a parallel arm cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: King Carina , Pires Malini , Ahmed Naveed , Akter Kohenour , Kuddus Abdul , Copas Andrew , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan , Morrison Joanna , Nahar Tasmin , Shaha Sanjit Kumer , Khan A K Azad , Azad Kishwar , Fottrell Edward
Published: September 2022

The “Diabetes: Community-led Awareness, Response and Evaluation” (D:Clare) trial aims to scale-up and replicate an evidence-based participatory learning and action cycle intervention in Bangladesh, to inform policy on population-level T2DM prevention and control. The trial was originally designed as a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, from March 2020 – September 2022. Twelve clusters were randomly allocated (1:1) to implement the intervention at project months 1 or 12 in two steps, and evaluated through three cross-sectional surveys at months 1, 12 and 24. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic we suspended project activities on the 20th March 2020. As a result of the changed risk landscape and the delays introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, we changed from the stepped-wedge design to a wait-list parallel arm cluster RCT (cRCT) with baseline data. We had four key reasons for eventually agreeing to change designs: equipoise, temporal bias in exposure and outcomes, loss of power and time and funding considerations. Trial registration: ISRCTN42219712 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN42219712). Registration date: 31/10/2019.
A multicenter evaluation of antibacterial use in hospitalized patients through the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic waves
Authors: Puzniak Laura A. , Bauer Karri A. , Yu Kalvin C. , Watts Janet A. , Ai ChinEn , Gupta Vikas
Published: September 2022

Background: Excessive use of antibiotics has been reported during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We evaluated trends in antibiotic use and culture positive Gram-negative (GN)/Gram-positive (GP) pathogens in US hospitalized patients before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included patients from 271 US facilities with >1-day inpatient admission with discharge or death between July 1, 2019, and October 30, 2021, in the BD Insights Research Database. We evaluated microbiological testing data, antibacterial use, defined as antibacterial use ≥24 hours in admitted patients, and duration of antibacterial therapy.Results: Of 5,518,744 patients included in the analysis, 3,729,295 (67.6%) patients were hospitalized during the pandemic with 2,087,774 (56.0%) tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 189,115 (9.1%) testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. During the pre-pandemic period, 36.2% were prescribed antibacterial therapy and 9.3% tested positive for select GN/GP pathogens. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, antibacterial therapy (57.8%) and positive GN/GP culture (11.9%) were highest in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients followed by SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (antibacterial therapy, 40.1%; GN/GP, pathogens 11.0%), and SARS-CoV-2 not tested (antibacterial therapy 30.4%; GN/GP pathogens 7.2%). Multivariate results showed significant decreases in antibacterial therapy and positive GN/GP cultures for both SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative patients during the pandemic, but no significant overall changes from the pre-pandemic period to the pandemic period.Conclusions: There was a decline in both antibacterial use and positive GN/GP pathogens in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, overall antibiotic use was similar prior to and during the pandemic. These data may inform future efforts to optimize antimicrobial stewardship and prescribing.
Measuring frailty and its association with key outcomes in the ambulance setting: a cross sectional observational study
Authors: Charlton Karl , Sinclair David R , Hanratty Barbara , Burrow Emma , Stow Daniel
Published: September 2022

Background:Little is known about frailty in the ambulance setting, or its association with outcomes relevant to ambulance services. We sought to measure frailty in people aged≥50 attended by an ambulance, and describe the relationship between frailty, odds of conveyance to hospital, and duration at scene.Methods:Anobservational study between 01/01/2021-30/06/2021 in North East Ambulance Service, England. Participants were aged ≥50 attended by an ambulance, excluding patients requiring immediate treatment for a life-threatening condition or with Glasgow Coma Scale <15. Paramedics (n=112) measured patient frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Additional information was extracted from ambulance care records. Weighted regression models examined associations between frailty, hospital conveyance, and duration at scene.Results:3,056 callouts were observed (mean patient age: 78.1 years, 57.2% female). Frailty prevalence (CFS≥5) was 58.7%. Median duration at scene was 47.0 minutes (interquartile range 34.0-67.0 minutes). Ambulances spent a median of 8.2 (95%CI:5.4–11.0) minutes longer with frail patients than non-frail patients. Frail patients were less likely to be conveyed to hospital than non-frail patients (OR:0.75, 95%CI:0.60–0.94).Conclusion:Frailty is common among people aged ≥50 attended by an ambulance and an important influence on workload. Ambulance services need a good understanding of frailty to meet patient needs. As populations age, community support should be prioritised to deliver appropriate frailty care and reduce demands on ambulance services.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Novel Imidazopyridine Carbohydrazide Derivatives
Authors: Firouzi Maryam , Haghighijoo Zahra , Eskandari Masoomeh , Mohabbati Maryam , Miri Ramin , Jamei Mohamad Hassan , Firuzi Omidreza , Khoshneviszadeh Mehdi , Edraki Najmeh
Published: September 2022

Two series of novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbohydrazide derivatives have been designed, synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity. Target compounds were designed in two series: aryl hydrazone derivatives that were devoid of triazole moiety (7a-e) and aryl triazole group (11a-e). In vitro cytotoxicity screening was carried out using MTT assay against three human cancer cells including breast cancer (MCF-7), colon cancer (HT-29) and leukemia (K562) cell lines. Compound 7d bearing 4-bromophenyl pendant from aryl hyrazone series exhibited the highest cytotoxic potential with IC50 values of 22.6 µM and 13.4 µM against MCF-7 and HT-29 cells, respectively. Cell cycle analysis revealed that 7d decreased the cells in the G2/M phase at 50 and 100 µM concentrations. Overall, 7d could serve as a suitable candidate for further modifications as a lead anticancer structure.
A first step towards a framework for interventions for Individual Working Practice to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a scoping review
Authors: de Wijdeven Bert van , Visser Bart , Daams Joost , Kuijer P. Paul F.M.
Published: September 2022

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a key topic in occupational health. In the primary prevention of these disorders, interventions to minimize exposure to work-related physical risk factors are widely advocated. Besides interventions aimed at the work organisation and the workplace, interventions are also aimed at the behaviour of workers, the so-called individual working practice (IWP). At the moment, no conceptual framework for interventions for IWP exists. This study is a first step towards such a framework.Methods: A scoping review was carried out starting with a systematic search in Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Ovid APA PsycInfo, and Web of Science. Intervention studies aimed at reducing exposure to physical ergonomic risk factors involving the worker were included. The content of these interventions for IWP was extracted and coded in order to arrive at distinguishing and overarching categories of these interventions for IWP. Results: More than 12.000 papers were found and 110 intervention studies were included, describing 810 topics for IWP. Eventually eight overarching categories of interventions for IWP were distinguished: 1. Workplace adjustment, 2. Variation, 3. Exercising, 4. Use of aids, 5. Professional skills, 6. Professional manners, 7. Task content & task organization and 8. Motoric skills.Conclusion: Eight categories of interventions for IWP are described in the literature. These categories are a starting point for developing and evaluating effective interventions performed by workers to prevent WMSDs. In order to reach consensus on these categories, an international expert consultation is a necessary next step.
Detection of Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: andrade alisson , FARIA THIAGO , MENEGHIM ROBERTA , Hashimoto Mitsuo , Jorge Edson , jorge eliane
Published: September 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the measurements of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness obtained by OCT in patients with TAO and healthy controls and to correlate these parameters with the severity of the orbital disease.Methods: The cross-sectional single-center study consisted of 74 patients (45 with TAO and 29 healthy controls). Patients with TAO underwent a complete ophthalmological examination and were divided according to the clinical activity score (CAS) and European Group Graves' Orbitopathy severity (EUGOGO) classification. Spectral-domain OCT assessed the measurements of the peripapillary RNFL. Results: There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding demographic characteristics and comorbidities (p>0.05%). According to CAS, 93.3% of patients with TAO were in the inactive phase. By the EUGOGO, 27% had mild TAO, 66% had moderate-to-severe, and 7% had very severe disease. The mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was thinnest in the temporal quadrant in the TAO group (p<0.05). There was a strong association between the severity of TAO and the reduction in peripapillary RNFL thickness (p<0.001), except in the nasal quadrant. Conclusion: These results suggest that OCT can be a valuable tool in detecting early changes in peripapillary RNFL in patients with TAO, even in the inactive phase when neuropathy is not yet clinically detectable. These parameters appear to be potential adjuncts in the follow-up of patients, especially when there is a risk of visual loss.
Being well? A meta-ethnography of older patients and their relatives' descriptions of suffering and well-being in the transition from hospital to home
Authors: Dragosits Aline , Martinsen Bente , Hemingway Ann , Norlyk Annelise
Published: September 2022

Background: As the average length of hospital stay decreases, more and more older patients will need support during and after the hospital transition, which will mainly be provided by their relatives. Studies highlight the enormous effect such a transition has on the lives of older patients and their relatives. However, research is lacking regarding in-depth understanding of the complexities and the notions of suffering and well-being the older patients and their relatives describe in the transition from hospital to home. Therefore, this study aims to examine the description of suffering and well-being on a deeper, existential level by drawing on existing phenomenological research. Methods: In order to synthesize and reinterpret primary findings, we used the seven-step method for meta-ethnography. Following specific inclusion criteria and focusing on empirical phenomenological studies about older patients and their relatives experiencing hospital to home transition, a systematic literature search was conducted. Data from ten studies have been analyzed.Results: Our analysis identified three intertwined themes: i) ‘Being excluded vs. being included in the transition process’, ii) ‘Being a team: a call for support and a call to support’ and iii) ‘Riding an emotional rollercoaster’. The last theme was unfolded by the two subthemes ‘Taking on the new role as a caregiver: oscillating between struggling and accepting’ and ‘Getting back to normal: oscillating between uncertainty and hope’. Within those themes, older patients and their relatives described rather similar than contradictory aspects. Conclusions: This study offers insights into the tension between existential suffering and well-being described by the older patients and their relatives during the transition from hospital to home. Especially, the description of well-being in all its nuances which, if achieved, enables older patients and their relatives to identify with the situation and to move forward, this process can then be supported by the health care professionals. However, there is still lack of knowledge with regards to a deeper understanding of existential well-being in this process. Given the increasing tendency towards early hospital discharges, the findings underpin the need to further investigate the experiences of well-being in this process.
Weighted Ordinal Connection based Functional Network Classification for Schizophrenia Disease Detection using EEG signal
Authors: Kose Mangesh , Ahirwal Mitul Kumar , Atulkar Mithilesh
Published: September 2022

A brain connectivity network (BCN) is an advanced approach for examining brain functionality in various conditions. However, the predictability of the BCN is affected by the connectivity measure used for the network construction. Various connectivity measures available in the literature differ according to the domain of their working data. The application of random connectivity measures might result in an inefficient BCN that ultimately hamper its predictability. Therefore, selecting an appropriate functional connectivity metric is crucial in clinical as well as cognitive neuroscience. In parallel to this, an effective network identifier plays a vital role in distinguishing different brain states. Hence, the objective of this paper is two-fold, which includes identifying suitable connectivity measures and proposing an efficient network identifier. For this, the weighted BCN (WBCN) is constructed using multiple connectivity measures like correlation coefficient (r), coherence (COH), phase-locking value (PLV), and mutual information (MI) from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The most recent technique for feature extraction, i.e., weighted ordinal connections, has been applied to EEG-based BCN. EEG signals data has been taken from the schizophrenia disease database. Further, several classification algorithms such as k-nearest neighbours (KNN), support vector machine (SVM) with linear, radial basis function and polynomial kernels, random forest (RF), and 1D convolutional neural network (CNN1D) are used to classify the brain states based on extracted features. In classification, 90% accuracy is achieved by the CNN1D classifier with WBCN based on the coherence connectivity measure. The study also provides the structural analysis of the BCN.
Response of Cardiac Pulse Parameters in Humans at Various Inclinations Using 360º Rotating Platform: from Simulated Microgravity Perspective
Authors: Vidyasagar Pandit , Jagtap Sagar , Kumar Ajay , Mahale Bhoopesh , Dixit Jyotsana , Kalange Ashok , Kanawade Rajesh , Gangal Shashikala
Published: September 2022

On Earth, human body is designed and adapted to operate under uniform gravitational acceleration, 9.8 m/s2 termed as 1 g. However, exposure to microgravity or weightlessness as experienced by astronauts causes significant alterations in the functioning of human cardiovascular system. Due to limitations in using real microgravity platforms, researchers opted for various ground-based microgravity analogs to study effects of microgravity on human cardiovascular system. Although 6º head-down tilt (HDT) is widely used to study the effects on cardiovascular system in space, the net effect of microgravity on the body of an astronaut is the resultant of postures at different inclinations ranging from 0º to 360º as the astronaut’s posture continuously changes due to the absence of gravity. Therefore, in the present study, an investigation of various cardiac parameters and their circulatory adaptation in 18 healthy male subjects was undertaken by using an indigenously developed 360º rotating platform. Cardiac pulse was recorded from 0º to 360º in steps of 30° inclination using piezoelectric pulse sensor MLT1010 and parameters such as average t1, t2, ratios P2/P1, t2/t1, V/P1, systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were analyzed. The results showed significant changes in the pulse shape and variation in cardiac parameters during the rotation from 0° to 360°. SBP and DBP were found to be decreased during the upright (90°) and upside-down positions (270°). Similar trend was observed for SV and CO except HR. Interestingly, when rotated from 0º to 360º, the cardiac parameters showed an oscillating pattern and the response became normal after returning to supine posture indicating the ability of the cardiovascular system to reversibly adapt to the postural changes. The changes in cardiac parameters at an inclination 270°, in particular, were found to be comparable with spaceflight studies. Based on our findings, we herewith propose that the rotation at head down tilt inclination (270°) along with other inclinations could represent a better microgravity analog for understanding the cumulative cardiac response of astronauts in space.
Vγ1 and Vγ4 γδ T cell subsets play opposing roles in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Weiner Howard , Abou-El-Hassan Hadi , Rezende Rafael , Gabriely Galina , Tatematsu Bruna , Habashy Karl , Lopes Juliana , Maghzi Hadi , Izzy Saef , Yahya Taha , Yin Zhuoran , Krishnan Rajesh , Butovsky Oleg
Published: September 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in both morbidity and mortality in which both innate and adaptive immune responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of TBI. Nonetheless, the role of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells in acute and chronic TBI is unknown. Here, we show that γδ T cells affect the pathophysiology of TBI as early as one day and up to one year after injury. TCRδ−/− mice exhibited reduced inflammation in acute TBI and improved neurocognitive functions in chronic TBI. We found that Vγ1 and Vγ4 γδ T cell subsets played opposing roles in TBI. Vγ4 γδ T cells infiltrate the brain and secrete IFN-γ and IL-17 that activate microglia and induce neuroinflammation, whereas Vγ1 γδ T cells infiltrate the brain and secrete TGF-β that maintains microglial homeostasis and dampens TBI. These findings provide new insights on the role of different γδ T cell subsets after brain injury and provide novel avenues for the development of targeted γδ T-cell-based therapy for the treatment of TBI.
Correlations between SUVmax of 18F FDG PET/CT and Clinical Characteristics in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Tsai Shih-Chuan , Lin Yi-Ching , Shen Shih-Pei , Kao Chia-hung , Chen Pei-chun
Published: September 2022

Background 18F-FDG PET/CT has been wildly used in cancer screening. However, FDG accumulates not only in malignant lesions but also in inflammatory processes, which are frequently observed in normal subjects. We investigated PET/CT images in healthy subjects and identified the correlation between quantitative values of images and clinical characteristics. Method 105 subjects undergoing PET/CT scans for health examinations were retrospectively collected. The standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the nasopharyngeal (NP) region, neck lymph nodes (LNs), palatine tonsil, mediastinal or pulmonary LNs were evaluated. The correlation between the SUVmax and the clinical variables was assessed. Results There is strong negative correlation between the SUVmax of palatine tonsils and age (p =0.0004), strong positive correlation between the SUVmax of mediastinal LNs and age (p =0.0004). There’s positive correlation between the SUVmax of palatine tonsils and cholesterol (p =0.03), the SUVmax of neck LNs and serum CRP level (p = 0.04). Conclusion Age may have different effect on SUVmax of palatine tonsils and mediastinal LNs. While serum level of Cholesterol and CRP may be related to higher FDG uptake. Understanding clinical characteristics of subjects may help the interpretation of PET/CT images for cancer screening.
Construction of new artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis composite model of colonoscopy and research on its recognition of common colon lesions
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Wen Jing , Feng Jia , Lu Nali , Liu Cuihua , Zhi Jia , Wang Ziyang , Huang Jin
Published: September 2022

BackgroundAt present, a number of artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis models have emerged in the field of colonoscopy. Most of them are single models which were used to study the detection rate of colon polyps and adenomas, while the diagnosis of other colon lesions is relatively lacking. Based on this, our center developed a new artificial intelligence diagnosis composite model to identify common colon lesions.MethodsColonoscopy images and videos of common lesions in three digestive endoscopy centers were collected to construct training and validation datasets respectively. After training, target detection model YoloV5 and instance segmentation model SOLO with the best performance index were selected. We combined them to form a new artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis composite model of colonoscopy to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this composite model in common colon lesions.ResultsAfter repeated comparison of the results of machine validation and judgment results combined with pathology from endoscopic expects, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the model for diagnosis of adenomatous polyps were 99.0%, 96.8% and 99.4% respectively. The diagnostic performance of ulcerative colitis is relatively lower, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 88.5%, 79.7% and 89.8%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of other lesions was above 90%.ConclusionThe new artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis composite model developed by our team can assist endoscopists to identify common colon lesions quickly and accurately, especially for beginners to carry out colonoscopy. So that the detection rate of lesions can be improved and the rate of missed diagnosis can be reduced.The trial registration number: ChiCTR2000028906, the full date of first registration as 07/01/2020
Effect of schizophrenia common variants on infant brain volumes: cross-sectional study in 207 term neonates in developing Human Connectome Project
Authors: Le Hai , Dimitrakopoulou Konstantina , Patel Hamel , Curtis Charles , Cordero-Grande Lucilio , Edwards Anthony , Hajnal Joseph , Tournier J Donald , Deprez Maria , Cullen Harriet
Published: September 2022

Increasing lines of evidence suggest deviations from the normal early developmental trajectory could give rise to the onset of schizophrenia during adolescence and young adulthood, but few studies have investigated brain imaging changes associated with schizophrenia common variants in neonates. This study compared the brain volumes of both grey and white matter regions with schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRS) for 207 healthy term-born infants of European ancestry. Linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between PRS and brain volumes, with gestational age at birth, postmenstrual age at scan, ancestral principal components, sex and intracranial volumes as covariates. The schizophrenia PRS were negatively associated with the grey (β = -0.08, p = 4.2 x 10− 3) and white (β = -0.13, p = 9.4 x 10− 3) matter superior temporal gyrus volumes, white frontal lobe volume (β = -0.09, p = 1.5 x 10− 3) and the total white matter volume (β = -0.062, p = 1.66 x 10− 2). This result also remained robust when incorporating individuals of Asian ancestry. Explorative functional analysis of the schizophrenia risk variants associated with the right frontal lobe white matter volume found enrichment in neurodevelopmental pathways. This preliminary result suggests possible involvement of schizophrenia risk genes in early brain growth, and potential early life structural alterations long before the average age of onset of the disease.
Towards Real-Time Portable Gas Mass Spectroscopy Detection by Multivariate Analysis: a Case Study
Authors: Franceschelli Leonardo , Ciricugno Carla , Lorenzo Maurizio Di , Romani Aldo , Berardinelli Annachiara , Tartagni Marco , Correale Raffaele
Published: September 2022

Early and significant results for a real-time, column-free miniaturized gas mass spectrometer (MS) in detecting target species with partial overlapping spectra are reported. The achievements have been possible using both nanoscale holes to be used as a nanofluidic sampling inlet system and a robust statistical technique based on multivariate analysis to build predictive models. Even if the presented physical implementation could be used with gas chromatography (GC) columns, the aim of high miniaturization requires investigating its detection performance with no GC aid. For this reason, suitable analytical models were studied to get a semi-quantitative evaluation with very low computational resources. As a study case, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and cyclohexane (C6H12) with concentrations in the 6-93ppm range in single and compound mixtures were used. The nano-orifice approach was able to acquire raw spectra in 60 seconds with correlation coefficients of 0.525 and 0.578 with respect to the NIST reference database, respectively. Then, we built a calibration dataset on 2277 raw spectra of 10 known different mixtures using partial least square regression (PLSR) for statistical data inference. The model showed a normalized full-scale root-mean square deviation (NRMSD) accuracy of \(10.9\text{\%}\) and \(18.4\text{\%}\) for each species, respectively, even in combined mixtures.
Genotyping by Sequencing for Estimating Relative Abundances of Diatom Taxa in Mock Communities
Authors: Çiftçi Ozan , Wagemaker Cornelis A. M. , Mertens Adrienne , Bodegom Peter van , Pirovano Walter , Gravendeel Barbara
Published: September 2022

Background: Diatoms are present in all waters and are highly sensitive to pollution gradients. Therefore, they are ideal bioindicators for water quality assessment. Current indices used in these applications are based on identifying diatom species and counting their abundances using traditional light microscopy. Several molecular techniques have been developed to help automate different steps of this process, but obtaining reliable estimates of diatom community composition and species abundance remains challenging. Results: Here, we evaluated a recently developed quantification method based on Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) for the first time in diatoms to estimate the relative abundances within a species complex. For this purpose, a reference database comprised of thousands of gDNA clusters was generated from the monoclonal cultures of the diatom Nitzschia palea. The sequencing reads from calibration and mock samples were mapped against this database for parallel quantification. We sequenced 25 mock diatom communities containing up to five taxa per sample in different abundances. Taxon abundances in these communities were also quantified by a diatom expert using manual counting of cells on light microscopic slides. The relative abundances of strains across mock samples were over- or under-estimated by the manual counting method, and a majority of mock samples had stronger correlations using GBS. Moreover, one previously recognized putative hybrid had the largest number of false positive detections demonstrating the limitation of the manual counting method when morphologically similar and/or phylogenetic close taxa are analyzed.Conclusions: Our results suggest that GBS is a reliable method to estimate the relative abundances of the N. palea taxa analyzed in this study and outperformed traditional light microscopy in terms of accuracy. Since GBS is scalable in species numbers within samples, unlike currently available quantitative molecular methods, this is a significant step forward in developing automated quantification of diatom communities for freshwater quality assessments.
A far-field ground motion prediction model for interface earthquakes at the hill zone of Mexico City
Authors: Leonardo-Suárez Miguel , Hernández Andres Felipe , Quinde Pablo
Published: September 2022

This study presents an updated attenuation model to predict the peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), 5% damped pseudo-spectral acceleration (SA), and the average spectral acceleration (AvgSA) at the hill zone of Mexico City for interface earthquakes. The strong-motion dataset comprises 33 earthquakes recorded at CU station, covering a moment magnitude (Mw) range from 6.0 to 8.1 and a source-to-site distance (Rrup) range from 240 to 490 km. Given the small number of available observations, a Bayesian regression scheme is used to obtain the coefficients of the ground-motion prediction model (GMPM). In addition, the epistemic uncertainty in the estimation of the regression coefficients is evaluated, showing its impact on the framework of a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). The results are compared with models previously developed for the CU station, discussing the differences observed between the median predictions and their standard deviations. Likewise, seismic hazard curves are computed and compared with empirical curves obtained by counting the number of times per year that a given value of ground-motion intensity is exceeded. The results show that the dispersion of the GMPM proposed is lower than the previous models for PGA and SA, which means better predictability and more reliable estimates of the seismic hazard at the site.
Predicting suicide risk in 137 112 people with severe mental illness in Finland: external validation of the Oxford Mental Illness and Suicide tool (OxMIS)
Authors: Sariaslan Amir , Fanshawe Thomas , Pitkänen Joonas , Cipriani Andrea , Martikainen Pekka , Fazel Seena
Published: September 2022

Oxford Mental Illness and Suicide tool (OxMIS) is a standardised, scalable, and transparent instrument for suicide risk assessment in people with severe mental illness (SMI) based on 17 sociodemographic, criminal history, familial, and clinical risk factors. However, alongside most prediction models in psychiatry, external validations are currently lacking. We utilized a Finnish population sample of all persons diagnosed by mental health services with SMI (schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar disorders) between 1996 and 2017 (n = 137 112). To evaluate the performance of OxMIS, we initially calculated the predicted 12-month suicide risk for each individual by weighting risk factors by effect sizes reported in the original OxMIS prediction model and converted to a probability. This probability was then used to assess the discrimination and calibration of the OxMIS model in this external sample. Within a year of assessment, 1.1% of people with SMI (n = 1475) had died by suicide. The overall discrimination of the tool was good, with an area under the curve of 0.70 (95% confidence interval: 0.69–0.71). The model initially overestimated suicide risks in those with elevated predicted risks of > 5% over 12 months (Harrell's Emax = 0.114), which applied to 1.3% (n = 1780) of the cohort. However, when we used a 5% maximum predicted suicide risk threshold as is recommended clinically, the calibration was excellent (ICI = 0.002; Emax = 0.005). Validating clinical prediction tools using routinely collected data can address research gaps in prediction psychiatry and is a necessary step to translating such models into clinical practice.
Adipocyte ZAG improves obesity-triggered insulin resistance by reshaping macrophages populations in adipose tissue
Authors: xiao xin-hua , Liao zhe-zhen , Wang ya-di , Ran Li , Hu can , Gu Qian-qian , Peng Ting , Wu Liang-liang , Wang Yuan-Yuan , Qi xiao-yan , Zhu Li-Yong , Mai Yun-ni , Wang Qi-Yu , Yang Jing , Liu Jianghua
Published: September 2022

Adipose tissues macrophages (ATMs) serve as a critical effector in the mediating occurrence of metabolic inflammation to impact whole-body insulin sensitivity in obesity. Discovering the key adipokines mediating crosstalk of adipocytes-macrophages and understanding the molecular mechanism of ATMs polarization and function have become hot topic issues in the immunometabolism fields. Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) as a anti-inflammatory adipokines plays important roles in obesity-related metabolic diseases. We attempt to explore the precise role of adipose ZAG in metabolic inflammation and obesity-associated insulin resistance. Here we showed that Omental ZAG was positively associated with insulin sensitivity and M2 macrophages markers. ZAG-specific ablation in adipocyte aggravated insulin resistance and adipose tissues inflammation as evidenced by enhanced M1 macrophages proportion and inhibited AKT signaling pathway in mice fed with a high-fat diet. Exogenous ZAG inhibits PA-induced M1 macrophage polarization via β3-AR/PKA/STAT3 signaling in RAW264.7 macrophages.These findings suggest that adipocyte ZAG maintain insulin sensitivity via the cross talk with adipose-resident macrophages.
Inhibition of PCSK9 improves the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension via down-regulating Notch3 expression
Authors: Ye Peng , Jiang Xiao-Min , Qian Weichun , Zhang Juan
Published: September 2022

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by continuous constriction and occlusion of small pulmonary arteries (PA), leading to the development of right ventricular failure and death. PCSK9(Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) is a kind of serine protease enzyme that increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels through degrading low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors (LDLr). However, whether inhibition of PCSK9 can alleviate PAH has not been reported. Methods and results: We reported that PCSK9 expression was up-regulated in lung tissues of PAH patients. In addition, we used PCSK9 monoclonal antibody subcutaneously to inhibit PCSK9 expression in mice exposed to chronic hypoxia (10%) in combination with SU5416, a VEGF receptor inhibitor. Hypoxia plus SU5416-induced PAH was attenuated in PCSK9 monoclonal antibody-treated mice compared with wild-type mice. PSCK9 inhibited pulmonary vascular remodeling in mice. Moreover, PCSK9 knockdown significantly altered the proliferation and migration of hypoxia-induced PASMCs. We also found that PCSK9 monoclonal antibody inhibited Notch3 expression in vivo and in vitro experiments. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the PCSK9-Notch3 signaling pathway is critical for the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and provides a potential drug target for the treatment of PAH.
High density mapping of wheat stripe rust resistance gene QYrXN3517-1BL using QTL mapping, BSE-seq and candidate gene analysis
Authors: Huang Shuo , Zhang Yibo , Ren Hui , Zhang Xin , Yu Rui , Liu Shengjie , Zeng Qingdong , Wang Qilin , Yuan Fengping , Singh Ravi P. , Bhavani Sridhar , Wu Jianhui , Han Dejun , Kang Zhensheng
Published: September 2022

Identification and utilization of genetic resistance is an effective strategy to control stripe rust disease in wheat. Cultivar Xinong 3517 (XN3517) has remained highly resistant to stripe rust since its release in 2008. To understand the genetic architecture of stripe rust resistance, Avocet S (AvS) × XN3517 F6 RIL population was assessed for stripe rust severity in five field environments. The parnets and RILs were genotyped by using the GenoBaits Wheat 16K Panel. Four stable QTL from Xinong 3517 were detected on chromosome arms 1BL, 2AL, 2BL, and 6BS. Based on the Wheat 660K array and bulked segregant exome sequencing (BSE-seq), the most effective QTL on chromosome 1BL is most likely different for the known adult plant resistance gene Yr29 and was mapped to a 1.7 cM region [336 kb, including twelve candidate genes in International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) RefSeq version 1.0]. The 6BS QTL was identified as Yr78, and the 2AL QTL was probably same as QYr.caas-2AL or QYrqin.nwafu-2AL. The novel QTL on 2BL was effective in seedling stage against the races used in phenotyping. Candidate gene analysis of 1BL overlapping region indicated TraesCS1B01G460000, TraesCS1B01G460100, TraesCS1B01G460200, TraesCS1B01G460300, and TraesCS1B01G460400 to be most likely genes associated with the stripe rust resistance. In addition, allele-specifc quantitative PCR (AQP) marker nwafu.a5 was developed for QYrXN3517-1BL to assist marker-assisted breeding.
Investigation of material removal mechanisms of laser-structured Si3N4 via single diamond grit scratching
Authors: Paknejad Masih , Azarhoushang Bahman , Zahedi Ali , Khakrangin Mehdi , Kadivar Mohammad Ali
Published: September 2022

Ultrashort pulse laser structuring of hard materials prior to the grinding process significantly reduces the cutting forces and temperature and increases the achievable material removal rate of the grinding process. These effects are partially due to controllable induced damages into the subsurface of the structured workpieces. However, the impacts of this surface structuring technique on the material removal mechanism of advanced ceramics, such as Si3N4 are not yet thoroughly investigated. The dominant material removal mechanism in grinding hard and brittle materials such as silicon nitride (Si3N4), defines the surface integrity of the workpiece. For the first time, in-depth single diamond grit scratching experiments are carried out to investigate the changes in the dominant material removal mechanisms at various chip thicknesses by laser structuring of Si3N4. Two different structuring ratios (25% and 50%) were generated on sample surfaces by a femtosecond laser. The effects of laser structuring on material removal mechanism, pile-up area, area and width of the groove, grain path, normal and tangential forces, and specific cutting energy have been investigated. The results indicate that laser structuring considerably affects the reduction of depth ratio, normal (up to 89%) and tangential (up to 82%) forces, and specific cutting energy. The specific cutting energy of laser structured Si3N4 workpieces converged to about 5 J/mm3, much lower than that of unstructured workpieces.