bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Blood Lead Levels and Markers of Calcium Homeostasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Upadhyay Kuldip , Viramgami Ankit , Bagepally Bhavani Shankara , Balachandar Rakesh
Published: November 2021

Introduction:Chronic Pb exposure associated systemic illness are partly posited to involve calcium homeostasis. Present systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between chronic lead exposure and markers of calcium homeostasis. Methods:Observational studies documenting the changes in calcium homeostasis markers (i.e. serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D & calcitonin) between occupationally Pb exposed group and control group were systematically searched from digital databases since inception to March 17, 2021. PRISMA guidelines were adhered during execution. Mean differences of calcium homeostasis markers between the groups were analysed using random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistic, while the risk of bias was performed using Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Sub-group, sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed where data permitted. Results:Eleven studies were (837 Pb exposed vs 739 controls) identified. Pb exposed group exhibited higher mean 36.13 (95%CI 25.88-46.38) µg/dl blood lead level significantly lower serum calcium, and trend of higher parathyroid levels and lower vitamin D levels than controls. Heterogeneity was high among the studies. Conclusion:Considering the cardinal role of calcium in multiple biological functions, present observations emphasis the need for periodic evaluation of calcium levels and its markers among those with known cumulative exposure to Pb.
Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy Compared With Chemotherapy in The Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis and System Review
Authors: Zhu Kang-hao , Xu Cong-cong , Chen Dong , Jin Zi-xian , Ren Si-jia , Shen Jian-fei , Chen Bao-fu
Published: November 2021

Background: Currently, surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are most often utilized in clinical practice, however, they are associated with limited survival benefits. Immunotherapy is currently widely used as the second-line treatment of advanced esophageal cancer, but its effectiveness and safety compared to chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer have yet to be proven. Methods: Original articles describing the safety and effectiveness of immunotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer published before February 2021 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane libraries. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and heterogeneity analysis was performed. Results: A total of four studies were included, involving 2087 patients with esophageal cancer. They were included in the meta-analysis and compared immunotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Overall survival, progression-free survival, treatment-related adverse events, and objective remission rate were used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of immunotherapy. Our analysis showed that compared with chemotherapy, immunotherapy gave a significant survival advantage in patients with esophageal cancer ((HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.88), and fewer treatment-related adverse events at grade 3 or above. Among them, immunotherapy showed high safety (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.28-0.51), but there was no significant difference in progression-free survival between the two groups (HR1.01, 95%CI 0.79-1.30), The objective response rate showed that immunotherapy has an advantage over chemotherapy (HR 1.67, 95% CI 0.91-3.16). Conclusion: For patients with advanced esophageal cancer, immunotherapy is more effective and safer than chemotherapy as the second-line treatment.
Intergenerational Transmission of Body Mass Index and Associations with Educational Attainment
Authors: Alrouh Hekmat , Bergen Elsje , Zeeuw Eveline , Dolan Conor , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: November 2021

Background

Individual differences in educational attainment (EA) and physical health, as indexed by body mass index (BMI), are correlated within persons and across generations. The present aim was to assess these associations while controlling for parental transmission.
Methods

We analyzed BMI and EA obtained for 8,866 families from the Netherlands. Data were available for 19,132 persons, including 6,901 parents (mean age 54) and 12,234 of their adult offspring (mean age 32). We employed structural equation modeling to simultaneously model the direct and indirect transmission of BMI and EA from parents to offspring, spousal correlations, and the residual within-person BMI-EA association and tested for gender differences in the transmission parameters.
Results

We found significant intergeneration transmission of BMI and EA from parents to their adult offspring, and substantial spousal correlations (0.23 for BMI and 0.51 for EA). Cross-trait parent to offspring transmission was weak. The strength of transmission was largely independent of parent or offspring gender. About 60% of the EA-BMI correlation in the offspring persisted after taking into account the intergeneration transmission.
Conclusions

The intergenerational transmission for BMI and EA is mainly predictive within traits. Significant spousal and within person correlations in the parental generation are responsible for the effect of parental EA on offspring BMI. Offspring EA and BMI are further correlated beyond parental influences.
Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins Associated With Oxidative Stress-Induced JNK Signaling
Authors: Gehi Bhuvaneshwari R. , Gadhave Kundlik , Uversky Vladimir N. , Giri Rajanish
Published: November 2021

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway that can be activated in response to a wide range of environmental stimuli. Based on the type, degree, and duration of the stimulus, the JNK signaling cascade dictates the fate of the cell by influencing gene expression through its substrate transcription factors. Oxidative stress is a result of a disturbance in the pro-oxidant/anti-oxidant homeostasis of the cell and is associated with a large number of diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and disorders of the immune system, where it activates the JNK signaling pathway. Among different biological roles ascribed to the intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) are signaling hub functions, as intrinsic disorder allows proteins to undertake multiple interactions, each with a different consequence. In order to ensure precise signaling, cellular abundance of IDPs is highly regulated, and mutations or changes in abundance of IDPs/IDPRs are often associated with disease. In this study, we have used a combination of six disorder predictors to evaluate the presence of intrinsic disorder in proteins associated with the oxidative stress-induced JNK signaling cascade, and as per our findings, none of the 18 proteins involved in this pathway are ordered. Highest level of intrinsic disorder was observed in the scaffold proteins, JIP1, JIP2, JIP3; dual specificity phosphatases, MKP5, MKP7; a phospho-serine binding protein 14-3-3ζ, and transcription factor c-Jun. The MAP3Ks, MAP2Ks, MAPKs, TRAFs, and thioredoxin were the proteins that were predicted to be moderately disordered. Furthermore, to characterize the predicted IDPs/IDPRs in the proteins of the JNK signaling cascade, we identified the molecular recognition features (MoRFs), posttranslational modification (PTM), sites and short linear motifs (SLiMs) associated with the disordered regions. These findings will serve as a foundation for experimental characterization of disordered regions in these proteins, which represents a crucial step for better understanding of the roles of IDPRs in diseases associated with this important pathway.
Genetic Characterization of Feline Calicivirus From China Reveals That Amino Acid Mutations at 441-443 in The ORF2 E Region Are Related to Pathogenicity
Authors: Liu Xuejiao , Tao Weijie , Yu Yongle , Yang Haiyan , Shan Hu , Zhang Chuanmei
Published: November 2021

We studied the diversity and regularity of FCV variations in two new feline calicivirus (FCV) isolates QD-7 and QD-164. We compared the genomes of these new strains with 39 from the NCBI database including isolates from China, United States, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Japan. The nucleotide sequence identities ranged from 75-88 % indicating a high degree of variability. These variations were not related to distributions of the virus by time of isolation and geographical location. Cats that were experimentally infected with the new isolate QD-164 showed typical clinical symptoms of sneezing, fever and conjunctivitis and all recovered within 30 days. In contrast, QD-7 infections were asymptomatic and the virus was cleared within 16 days. These results indicate that QD-7 and QD-164 were naturally attenuated strains. NNS mutations that are characteristic of highly virulent strains at positions 441-443 were absent from QD-7 while QD-164 possessed an N at position 442. This indicated that mutations in regions 441-443 may be linked to disease severity.
Air Processed Cs2AgBiBr6 Lead-free Double Perovskite High-mobility Thin Film Field-effect Transistors
Authors: Abiram Gnanasampanthan , Gourji Fatemeh Heidari , Pitchaiya Selvakumar , Ravirajan Punniamoorthy , Murugathas Thanihaichelvan , Velauthapillai Dhayalan
Published: November 2021

This study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite thin film for field-effect transistor (FET) applications. The Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films were fabricated using a solution process technique and the observed XRD patterns demonstrate no diffraction peaks of secondary phases, which confirms the phase-pure crystalline nature. The average grain sizes of the spin-deposited film were also calculated by analysing the statistics of grain size in SEM image and was found to be around 412 (±44) nm the larger grain size was also confirmed by the XRD measurements. FETs with different channel lengths of Cs2AgBiBr6 thin films were fabricated on an electrode deposited heavily doped p-type Si substrate with a 300 nm thermally grown SiO2 dielectric under ideal conditions in air processing under ambient pressure and temperature. The Cs2AgBiBr6 FETs showed a p-type nature with a positive threshold voltage. The on current, threshold voltage and hole-mobility of the FETs decreased with increasing channel length. A high average hole mobility of 0.29 cm2s-1V-1 was obtained for the FETs with a channel length of 30 µm, and the hole mobility was reduced by an order of magnitude (0.012 cm2s-1V-1) when the channel length was doubled. The on current and hole-mobility of Cs2AgBiBr6 FETs followed a power fit, which confirmed the dominance of channel length in electrostatic gating in Cs2AgBiBr6 FETs. A very high-hole mobility observed in or FET that could be attributed to the much larger grain size of Cs2AgBiBr6 film made in this work.
Construction of an Individualized Clinical Prognostic Index Based on Ubiquitination-Associated lncRNA in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liu Kun , Liu Xuzhong , Sun Qing , Tang Zhiwang , Wang Gongcheng , Xu Zongyuan
Published: November 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the ubiquitination-associated genes and co-expressed lncRNAs on the prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients.Methods and patients: We downloaded 530 cases and the corresponding transcriptome profiling from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We distinguished mRNA and lncRNA expression data from the transcriptome profiling, then extracted the expression of mRNAs that regulate protein ubiquitination. We obtained lncRNAs associated with protein ubiquitination regulation from the lncRNA data by Gene Co-expression Analysis. Cox Regression Analysis of survival time, survival status, and lncRNA expression level was carried out and a Prognostic Index (PI) was constructed.Results: The PI was established based on 8 prognostic lncRNAs that regulate protein ubiquitination, and distinguish the high-risk group patients from all patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that this PI was an individualized clinical prognostic factor for patients with ccRCC. Regarding clinical characteristics, a Ubiquitination-associated Clinical-Prognostic Index (UCPI), containing 8 ubiquitination-related lncRNAs and age, was established and validated with high prognostic efficacy.Conclusion: We established a UCPI containing 8 lncRNAs related to protein ubiquitination. This UCPI may become an appropriate model to predict the prognosis in ccRCC patients and guide clinicians to adjust the follow-up regimen.
Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Histopathological Correlations in Human and Animal Motor Neuron Diseases – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zejlon Charlotte , Nakhostin Dominik , Winklhofer Sebastian , Pangalu Athina , Lewandowski Sebastian , Finnsson Johannes , Piehl Fredrik , Ingre Caroline , Granberg Tobias , Ineichen Benjamin Victor
Published: November 2021

Background: The lack of systematic evidence on neuroimaging findings in motor neuron diseases (MND) such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) hampers the diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the clinical setting. Moreover, it is unknown how well MND animal models mimic actual human neuroimaging features.Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of MRI features in MND and corresponding animal models including their histopathological correlation.Methods: In a comprehensive literature search in Medline, Scopus, and Embase, out of 5941 unique publications, 223 records assessing brain and spinal cord MRI findings in MND were eligible for a qualitative synthesis. Of these, 21 records were included in a random effect model meta-analysis. For the animal systematic review, out of 175 unique publications, 33 records assessed neuroimaging findings in MND animal models. Data mining techniques were exploited for risk of bias assessment.Results: T2-hyperintensities along the corticospinal tract as well as motor cortex T2*-hypointensities, also termed the “motor band sign”, were among the most commonly assessed imaging biomarkers. Our meta-analysis shows that both T2-hyperintensities along the corticospinal tracts and the motor band sign more commonly occur in ALS patients compared to controls (Odds ratio 2.21 [95%-CI: 1.40-3.49] and 10.85 [95%-CI: 3.74-31.44], respectively). Evidence from a limited number of studies suggest these two imaging findings to correlate to focal axonal degeneration/myelin pallor or glial iron deposition on histopathology. Whole brain or regional central nervous system (CNS) atrophy was also frequently assessed. Clinical MND phenotypes such as ALS versus ALS-frontotemporal dementia seem to present with distinct CNS atrophy patterns. Furthermore, certain MRI imaging findings in MND animal models such as brain volume loss show partial resemblance with corresponding human imaging features.Conclusions: Multiple corroborating studies support the notion that MND in humans can be distinguished based on certain MRI features, which also correlate to neuropathological findings. In addition, there is also some overlap with findings in animal MND models. Collectively, this study provides high-grade evidence for the usefulness of MRI in the diagnostic workup of suspected MND cases. Further studies are needed to address the value of MRI for a more exact definition of MND subtypes and prognosticating the disease course.Trial registration number: CRD42020182682
Z-Map Based Cutting Force Prediction for Elliptical Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Milling Process
Authors: Li Zhongqun , Xiao Jiandong Xiao , HAN Xiong , ZHANG Weifeng
Published: November 2021

Elliptical ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling (EUVAM) adds high-frequency vibration to conventional milling (CM) to realize high-frequency intermittent milling. It has broad application prospects in the processing of difficult-to-cut materials such as titanium alloys, superalloys and hard and brittle materials. To reveal the mechanism of the highly intermittent cutting nature in EUVAM, according to the motion relationship between cutting edge and workpiece and the Z-map model of the workpiece, a method and its algorithm for calculating undeformed cutting thickness and thus the cutting force in EUVAM are proposed. The simulation results show that EUVAM can improve the actual cutting speed when compared with CM, and the proportion of idle cutting time will directly determine the intermittent degree of the milling process. The experiment of EUVAM is performed to verify the correctness of the proposed cutting force model, and the impact of spindle speed on the cutting force in EUVAM is also analyzed.
A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetised site in a barred galaxy
Authors: Lee K.J. , Xu Heng , Niu J.R. , Chen P. , Zhu Weiwei , Dong Subo , Zhang Bing , Jiang J.C. , Wang B.J. , Xu J.W. , Zhang C.F. , Fu H. , Filippenko Alexei , Peng Eric , Zhou D.J. , Zhang Yongkun , Wang P. , Feng Yi , Li Ye , Brink Thomas , Li Dongzi , Lu Wenbin , Yang Yuan-Pei , Caballero R. N. , Cai C. , Chen M.Z. , Dai Z.G. , Djorgovski S , Esamdin A , Gan H.Q. , Guhathakurta Puragra , Han J.L. , Hao L.F. , Huang Y.X , Jiang P. , Li C.K. , Li Di , Li H. , Li Xin , Li Z.X. , Liu Z.Y. , Luo Rui , Men Y.P. , Niu C.H. , Peng W.X , Qian Lei , Song Liming , Stern Daniel , Stockton A. , Sun Jinghai , Wang Fayin , Wang M. , Wang Na , Wang Weiyang , Wu Xue-Feng , Xiao S. , Xiong Shaolin , Xu Y.H. , Xu Renxin , Yang J. , Yang X , Yao R. , Yi Q.B. , Yue Youling , Yu D.J. , Yu Wenfei , Yuan Jianping , Zhang Binbin , Zhang S.B. , Zhang Shuang-Nan , Zhao Y , Zheng Weikang , Zhu Yan , Zou Jin-Hang
Published: November 2021

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are highly dispersed radio bursts prevailing in the
universe. The recent detection of FRB~200428 from a Galactic magnetar suggested
that at least some FRBs originate from magnetars, but it is unclear whether the
majority of cosmological FRBs, especially the actively repeating ones, are
produced from the magnetar channel. Here we report the detection of 1863
polarised bursts from the repeating source FRB~20201124A during a dedicated
radio observational campaign of Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio
Telescope (FAST). The large sample of radio bursts detected in 88 hr over 54
days indicate a significant, irregular, short-time variation of the Faraday
rotation measure (RM) of the source during the first 36 days, followed by a
constant RM during the later 18 days. Significant circular polarisation up to
75\% was observed in a good fraction of bursts. Evidence suggests that some
low-level circular polarisation originates from the conversion from linear
polarisation during the propagation of the radio waves, but an intrinsic
radiation mechanism is required to produce the higher degree of circular
polarisation. All of these features provide evidence for a more complicated,
dynamically evolving, magnetised immediate environment around this FRB source.
Its host galaxy was previously known. Our optical observations reveal that it is
a Milky-Way-sized, metal-rich, barred-spiral galaxy at redshift
z=0.09795+-0.00003, with the FRB residing in a low stellar density, interarm
region at an intermediate galactocentric distance, an environment not directly
expected for a young magnetar formed during an extreme explosion of a massive
star.
Crossbar-Compatible Stateful Logic Using Phase Change Memory
Authors: Hoffer Barak , Wainstein Nicolás , Neumann Christopher M. , Pop Eric , Yalon Eilam , Kvatinsky Shahar
Published: November 2021

Stateful logic is a digital processing-in-memory technique that could address von Neumann memory bottleneck challenges while maintaining backward compatibility with von Neumann architectures.
In stateful logic, memory cells are used to perform the logic operations without reading or moving any data outside the memory array.
This has been previously demonstrated using several resistive memory types, but not with commercially available phase-change memory (PCM). Here we present the first implementation of stateful logic using PCM. We experimentally demonstrate four logic gate types (NOR, IMPLY, OR, NIMP) using commonly used PCM materials and crossbar-compatible structures. Our stateful logic gates form a functionally complete set, which enables sequential execution of any logic function within the memory and paves the way to PCM-based digital processing-in-memory systems.
A Laparoscopic Radical Inguinal Lymphadenectomy Approach Partly Preserving Great Saphenous Vein Branches Can Benefit for Patients with Penile Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Yongkang , Hao Weijian , Yin Huaqi , Zhu Mingkai , Guan Bao , Zhu Chaoshuai , Dong Bingqi , Zhao Shiming , He Zhaohong , Yang Tiejun
Published: November 2021

Background: Inguinal lymphadenectomy (iLAD) is effective for penile carcinoma treatment, but usually results in many complications. This study aims to clinically evaluate the feasibility and clinical significance of a laparoscopic radical iLAD approach partly preserving great saphenous vein branches for penile carcinoma patients. Methods: A total of 48 patients with penile cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD with retention of the great saphenous vein in Henan Cancer Hospital from 2012 Jan to 2020 Dec was included in this study. Sixteen penile carcinoma patients who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein were identified as the sparing group, and the matched 32 patients who incised those branches were identified as control group. This new procedure was performed by laparoscopy, preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, superficial lateral and medial femoral veins. Clinicopathological features and perioperative variables were recorded. Postoperative complications, including skin flap necrosis, lymphorrhagia, and lower extremity edema were analyzed retrospectively. Results: We found that the operative time of the sparing group is significantly longer than the control group (p = 0.011). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative blood loss, the lymph node number per side, average time to remove the drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the sparing group showed a significantly decreased incidence of lower extremity edema (p = 0.018). The preservation of parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein was mainly decreased the incidence of edema below ankle (p = 0.034). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the iLAD with preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, with a decreased incidence of postoperative complications, is a safe and feasible approach for penile cancer.
Does Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Increase Venous Thromboembolism Risk Compared to Knee Meniscectomy Under Arthroscopy?
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Pang Long , Li Hui , Tang Xin , Zhu Jing
Published: November 2021

Background: This study compared the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) between meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) under arthroscopy and determined whether ACLR increases the VTE risk compared to meniscectomy.Methods: A retrospective study including 468 patients, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years, was divided into an ACLR group and a meniscectomy group according to the intervention procedures.All patients routinely received VTE screening by venous ultrasonography in postoperative week 2 and then clinical follow-up at 4 and 6 weeks post surgery. The incidence of VTE was calculated and clinical factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, concomitant procedure, Caprini score, and duration of tourniquet were evaluated in relation to the risk factors for VTE.Results: A total of 341 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACLR or meniscectomy were available for analysis. Of these, 130 (38.1%) received ACLR, and 211 (61.9%) received meniscectomy. There was no pulmonary embolism (PE) or femoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) reported in either group. Fourteen patients (10.8%) developed VTE in the ACL group compared to 17 (8.1%) in the meniscectomy group, with no significant difference (P=0.397). Among these patients, 4 (3.1%) patients in the ACL reconstruction group and 3 (1.4%) patients in the meniscectomy group had DVT confirmed by ultrasound Doppler (P >0.05). Age was shown to be the only independent risk factor for the development of VTE postoperatively (p=0.027). ACLR had a tendency (OR=3.129) to increase the risk of VTE but failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.052). ACLR had a tendency (OR=3.129) to increase the risk of VTE but failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.052).Conclusion: The incidence of VTE after ACLR and meniscectomy within 6 weeks post surgery was 10.8% and 8.1%, respectively. Age was the only independent risk factor for the development of VTE postoperatively.
Estimating relative abundance of two SARS-CoV-2 variants through wastewater surveillance at two large metropolitan sites
Authors: Yu Alexander , Hughes Bridgette , Wolfe Marlene , Leon Tomas , Duong Dorothea , Rabe Angela , Kennedy Lauren , Ravuri Sindhu , White Bradley , Wigginton Krista Rule , Boehm Alexandria , Vugia Duc
Published: November 2021

Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) is critical for public health management of COVID-19. Case isolate sequencing is resource-intensive and not all isolates can be sequenced, and thus are not representative. However, since wastewater SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations correlate with COVID-19 case incidence in sewersheds, tracking VOCs through wastewater is appealing. We developed targeted digital RT-PCR assays to monitor abundance of select mutations in Alpha and Delta VOCs in wastewater settled solids, applied these to July 2020-August 2021 samples from two large metropolitan sewersheds, and compared results to estimates of variant abundance from case isolate sequencing. Wastewater measurements tracked closely with case isolate estimates at each site (rp= 0.82, 0.88 for Alpha and rp= 0.97 for Delta). Mutations were detected in wastewater measurements even at levels <5% of circulating virus and in samples available weeks before case isolate results. Therefore, wastewater variant monitoring should be strategically deployed to complement case isolate sequencing.
Consideration and analysis for attachment position of supernumerary robotic limbs
Authors: liao ziyu , baichen
Published: November 2021

The supernumerary robotic limbs(SRLs) is a new type of wearable robot that assists the operator with additional robotic limbs and allows the operator to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Due to the SRLs having various combinations of robotic limb and attachment positions, and there is an insufficient discussion on the influence of different wear positions on the SRLs. Therefore, this paper improved the evaluation indexes from previous studies and presents an experimental evaluation of the performance of indexes between humans and SRLs. This paper analyzed the 5 different positions based on the improved evaluation indexes, 2 optimal positions are found with the simulation experiment. Then the two design factors to improve the performance of evaluation indexes are discussed. The evaluation indexes can be utilized as a design parameter for evaluating human-robot interactions of SRLs.
Change point detection for clustered expression data
Authors: Sieg Miriam , Sciesielski Lina Katrin , Kirschner Karin Michaela , Kruppa Jochen
Published: November 2021

Background: To detect changes in biological processes samples are oftenmeasured at several time points. We observe expression data measured atdifferent developmental stages, or more broadly, historical data. Hence, the mainassumption of our proposed methodology is the independence between theobserved samples over time. In addition, the observations are clustered at eachpoint in time. The clustering is caused by measuring litter mates from relativelyfew mother mice at each development stage. The examination is lethal.Therefore, we have an independent data structure over the entire history, but adependent data structure at a particular point in time. Over the course of thehistorical data, we want to identify abrupt changes in the outcome - a changepoint. Results: In this paper, we demonstrate the application of generalized hypothesistesting using a linear mixed effects model as one possible method for detectingchange points. The coefficients from the linear mixed model are used in multiplecontrast tests. The effect estimates are then visualized with simultaneousconfidence intervals. The figure of the confidence intervals can be used for thedetermination of the change point. Multiple contrast tests depend on the choiceof the used contrast. A variety of possible usable contrasts exists. In smallsimulation studies, we model different courses with abrupt changes and illustratedifferent contrasts. We found two contrasts, both capable of answering differentresearch questions in change point detection. Sequen contrast to detectindividual points of change or McDermott contrast to illustrate overallprogression. In addition, we show the application on a clinical pilot study. Conclusion: Simultaneous confidence intervals estimated by multiple contrasttests using the model fit from a linear mixed model are usable to determinepossible change points in clustered expression data. The confidence intervalsdeliver direct interpretable effect estimates on the scale of the outcome for thestrength of the potential change point. Hence, scientists can define biologicallyrelevant limits of change depending on the research question. We found tworarely used contrast with the best properties to detect a possible change: theSequen and McDermott contrast. We provide R code for the direct applicationwith examples
Stool and ruminal microbiome components associated with methane emission and feed efficiency in Nelore beef cattle.
Authors: Andrade Bruno G.N. , Afli Haithem , Bressani Flavia A. , Cuadrat Rafael R. C. , de Oliveira Priscila S. N. , Mourão Gerson B. , Coutinho Luiz L. , Reecy James M. , Koltes James E. , de Souza Marcela Maria , Neto Adhemar Zerlotini , de Medeiros Sérgio Raposo , Berndt Alexandre , Palhares Julio C. P. , Regitano Luciana C. A.
Published: November 2021

Background: The impact of extreme changes in weather patterns in the economy and human welfare are some of the biggest challenges that our civilization is facing. From the anthropogenic activities that contribute to climate change, reducing the impact of farming activities is a priority, since it is responsible for up to 18% of greenhouse gases linked to such activities. To this end, we tested if the ruminal and fecal microbiome components of 52 Brazilian Nelore bulls, belonging to two treatment groups based on the feed intervention, conventional and by-products based diet, could be used in the future as biomarkers for methane emission and feed efficiency in bovine.Results: We identified a total of 5,693 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) in the Nelore bulls microbiomes. Differential abundance (DA) analysis with the ANCOM approach identified 30 bacterial and 15 archaea ASVs as DA among treatment groups. Association analysis using Maaslin2 and Mixed Linear Models indicated that bacterial ASVs are linked to the residual methane emission (RCH4) and Residual Feed Intake (RFI) phenotypes, contributing to the host’s phenotypic variation, suggesting their potential as targets for interventions and/or biomarkers.Conclusion: Feed composition induced significant differences in abundance and richness of ruminal and fecal microbial populations. The diet based on industrial byproducts applied to our treatment groups influenced the microbiome diversity of bacteria and archaea, but not of protozoa. Different ASVs were associated with RCH4 emission and RFI in both ruminal and fecal microbiomes. While ruminal ASVs are expected to directly influence RCH4 emission and RFI, the relation of fecal taxa, such as Alistipes and Rikenellaceae (gut group RC9), with these traits might also be associated with host health due to their link to anti-inflammatory compounds, and these have the potential to be used as accessible biomarkers for these complex phenotypes.
Swab test in biological fluids as predictor of COVID-19 transmission risk during surgery: A prospective cross-sectional study from an Italian COVID center
Authors: Fabbri Nicolò , Pesce Antonio , Ussia Alessandro , D’Urbano Francesco , Pizzicotti Stefano , Greco Salvatore , Feo Carlo V.
Published: November 2021

Background. The contamination of body fluids by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 during surgery is current matter of debate in the scientific literature concerning CoronaVIrus Disease 2019. Surgical guidelines were published during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and recommended to avoid laparoscopic surgery as much as possible, in fear that the chimney effect of high flow intraperitoneal gas escape during, and after, the procedure would increase the risk of viral transmission.Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during surgery by searching for viral RNA in serial samplings of biological liquids.Methods. This is a single center prospective cross-sectional study. We used a real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to perform swab tests for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in abdominal fluids, during emergency surgery and on the first post-operative day. In the case of thoracic surgery, we performed a swab test of pleural fluids during chest drainage placement as well as on the first post-operative day. Results. A total of 20 samples were obtained: 5 from pleural fluids, 13 from peritoneal fluids and two from biliary fluid. All 20 swabs performed from biological fluids resulted negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.Conclusion. To date, there is no scientific evidence of possible contagion by laparoscopic aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2, neither is certain whether the virus is effectively present in biological fluids.
Conceptual Robot Design For The Automated Layout of Building Structures By Integrating QFD And TRIZ
Authors: Kim Taehoon , Lim Hyunsu , Cho Kyuman
Published: November 2021

According to the increase in building size and lack of skilled laborers, layout operation has high demands on automation for productivity and quality improvement. With such a background, research has been recently undertaken to develop an automated layout system based on marking robots for structural work in Korea. Although there are several robot-based automation systems under development targeted at interior works, the system for structural work has different functional needs and technical requirements in designing the robots compared with the existing ones. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual robot design for an automated layout of building structures, based on a systematic design process, by integrating quality function deployment (QFD) and the theory of creative problem solving (TRIZ). With the support of the approach, 11 user requirements and 16 relevant technical characteristics were derived and prioritized, and 15 creative ideas were derived to solve the technical contradictions. The selected design solution improves driving speed by separating driving and marking operations, and the two-wheeled steering drive system with a suspension device allows easier driving control in a narrow and uneven driving environment. The noncontact type of printer head also minimizes the complexity of the device and provides excellent performance in securing marking precision and quality in response to floor conditions. The results of this study will be used for the detailed design of the layout robot system, and the design process can be utilized for designing and evaluating other construction robots and automation systems.
Green Roof Hydrological Modelling With GRU And LSTM Networks
Authors: Xie Haowen , Mark Randall , Chau Kwok-wing
Published: November 2021

Green Roofs (GRs) are becoming more popular as a low-impact building option. They have the potential to minimize peak stormwater runoff while also increasing the quality of runoff from buildings. Improvement of hydrological models for the simulation of GRs will aid design of individual roofs as well as city scale planning that relies on the predicted impacts of widespread GR implementation. Machine learning (ML) has exploded in popularity in recent years, owing to considerable increases in processing power and data availability. However, there are no studies focusing on the use of ML in hydrological simulation of GRs. We focus on two types of ML-based model: long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) in modelling hydrological performance of GRs, with sequence input and a single output (SISO), and synced sequence input and output (SSIO) architectures. According to the results of this paper, LSTM and GRU are useful tools for the modelling of GRs. As the time window length (memory length, time step length of input data) increases, SISO appears to have a higher overall forecast accuracy. SSIO delivers the best overall performance, when the SSIO is close to, or even exceeds, the maximum window size.
Study On Multiscale-Multivariate Attribution Analysis and Prediction of Urban Rainstorm Flood
Authors: Zhang Jinping , Wang Yuhao
Published: November 2021

In order to explore the impact of the changing environment on urban rainstorm flood, and reveal the relationship between flood volume and its influencing factors at the micro level, the rainfall and flood volume are decomposed by the wavelet analysis method to perform the multiscale attribution analysis. Then the multiscale-multivariate prediction model of urban rainstorm flood is constructed in the Jialu River Basin in Zhengzhou city of China. The results show that the main influencing factors of flood volume are rainfall and underlying surface, where the latter causes the mutation of flood volume in 1994 and 2005. At the micro level, there is a constant linear relationship between rainfall and flood volume in d1, d2 and d3, while the impact of underlying surface on flood volume is mainly reflected in a3. The multiscale-multivariate prediction model has a good simulation effect on the flood volume of the first 45 rainstorm floods, NSE, R2 and Re are 0.966, 0.964 and 10.80%, respectively. Moreover, the model also has a good prediction effect, and the relative errors between the predicted and observed flood volume of 46th~50th rainstorm floods are all less than 20%.
Influence of Model Free Methods on Pyrolysis Kinetics and Thermodynamic Parameters of Soybean Straw
Authors: Jagtap Abolee , Kalbande S. R.
Published: November 2021

Thermochemical conversion of surplus agro-residue for energy generation has gained renewed attention, due to its abundant availability throughout the world. Although, it still needs the thermodynamic and pyrolysis kinetic background, that play important role for the effectual design of thermo-chemical conversion reactors such as pyrolyzers, gasifiers, etc. In the present study, thermal profile (mass loss vs. temp) for soybean straw was examined at 20, 30, 40 oC/min heating rates under a non-isothermal condition in an oxygen limiting environment through a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The pyrolysis kinetic parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) were evaluated by applying iso-conversional model-free methods such as Flynn–Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), and Starink. The average values of activation energy for KAS, FWO and Starink models were recorded to be around 150, 155 and 147 kJ/mol, respectively. Thermodynamic variables (change of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy) for soybean straw were also computed. The average value of enthalpy for FWO, KAS, Starink were recorded to be 151, 147, and 142 kJ/mol, respectively. The obtained simulation findings of pyrolysis kinetic and thermodynamic variables are in good agreement.
The Effects of the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) Genetic Variant on Susceptibility and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients are Mediated by Homocysteine but not Folate Levels
Authors: Ribeiro Claudia Mara , Oliveira Sayonara Rangel , Flauzino Tamires , Alfieri Daniela Frizon , Simão Andrea Name Colado , Lozovoy Marcell Alysson Batisti , Maes Michael , Reiche Edna Maria Vissoci
Published: November 2021

We investigated whether the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) variant and plasma homocysteine and folate are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), disability, disability progression, and inflammatory biomarkers. We included 163 MS patients categorized using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) as mild (EDSS<3) and moderate/high (EDSS≥3) disability, and 226 healthy controls. Disability progression was evaluated using Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and the MTHFR 677C>T was genotyped using real time polymerase chain reaction. The levels of some inflammatory biomarkers and inflammatory activity index (IAI) were determined. There was no association between the MTHFR 677 C>T genotypes and MS, EDSS, and MSSS (p>0.05). Plasma folate and homocysteine were higher and adiponectin was lower in MS patients than controls (p<0.001). Moreover, 21.8% of the EDSS variance was explained by age, IAI and C-reactive protein (CRP) (all positively associated); 10.9% of the MSSS variance was predicted by IAI and CRP (both positively) and vitamin D3 (negatively), whereas 54.4% of the MS-EDSS-MSSS score was explained by the regression on age, IAI, homocysteine, folate, and CRP (all positively) and adiponectin, body mass index, and vitamin D3 (all negatively), female sex and the MTHFR 677 TT genotype. In patients and controls, 16.6% of the variance in the homocysteine was explained by the MTHFR 677 TT genotype and age (both positively), folate (negatively) and male sex. In conclusion, the MTHFR 677C>T variant was not directly associated with MS, disability, and disability progression; however, the TT genotype showed indirect effects on MS susceptibility and disability mediated by homocysteine.
Downregulation of NEDD4L by EGFR Signaling Promotes the Development of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Guoyin , Song Zewen , Wu Changjing , Li XiaoYan , Zhao Liping , Tong Binghua , Guo Zhenni , Sun Meiqing , Zhao Jin , Zhang Huina , Jia Lintao , Li Shengqing , Wang Lei
Published: November 2021

Cumulative evidence indicates that the abnormal regulation of the NEDD4 family of E3-ubiquitin ligases participates in the tumorigenesis and development of cancer. However, their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. This study comprehensively analyzed the NEDD4 family in LUAD data sets from public databases and found only NEDD4L was associated with the overall survival of LUAD patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that NEDD4L might be involved in the regulation of mTORC1 pathway. Both cytological and clinical assays showed that NEDD4L inhibited the activity of the mTOR signaling pathway. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that NEDD4L could significantly inhibit the proliferation of LUAD cells. In addition, this study also found that the expression of NEDD4L was regulated by EGFR signaling. These findings firstly revealed that NEDD4L mediates an interplay between EGFR and mTOR pathways in LUAD, and suggest that NEDD4L held great potential as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.
Antibacterial Cotton Fabric Prepared by a “Grafting to” Strategy using a QAC Copolymer
Authors: Wang Pei , Qu JieHao , Wang Lujie , Geng Junzhao , Fu FeiYa , Liu XiangDong
Published: November 2021

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have outstanding antimicrobial effect, but their immobilization onto cotton fiber surfaces reminds a challenge. Herein, a QAC monomer, [2-(Methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethy lammonium chloride (DMC) was co-polymerized with methyl acrylate (MA) to prepare an antibacterial copolymer, poly(DMC-co-MA). To graft the copolymer with an improved grafting efficiency, cotton fabric was treated using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) to establish an amino-functionalized fiber surface first. This treatment allows the amidation reactions between the amino groups and the pendant ester groups in the poly(DMC-co-MA) to take place, achieving a durable QAC coating onto the fiber surfaces with remarkably antibacterial effect. Characterization results indicated that when DMC/MA monomer ratio was 100:1, the resulting copolymer endows the modified cotton fabric with antibacterial capability that inactivates all Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Even after 50 laundering cycles, more than 98.0% of the antibacterial rate could still be retained. Moreover, the wearing comfort properties such as softness, water absorption and air permeability of the finishing cotton fabrics have been insignificantly changed by comparing to the untreated cotton fabric.
Workload in Zeiten digitaler Lehre
Authors: Müller Stefen
Published: November 2021

Im Kontext von COVID-19 wird fast überall an Hochschulen innerhalb kürzester Zeit die vorherrschende Präsenzlehre zugunsten digitaler Lehre (Emergency Remote Teaching) umgestellt. Veränderungen des Lehrformats können jedoch Auswirkungen auf die Bolognakonformität haben. Der Beitrag thematisiert zunächst Studierbarkeit und Workload als wesentliche Strukturmerkmale von Studium und Lehre und dass die Umstellung zur digitalen Lehre im Kontext der Digitalisierung auch unter der Perspektive von Qualitätssicherung eine Betrachtung von Workload erforderlich macht. Im Anschluss fasst der Beitrag wesentliche empirische Ergebnisse der Befragung zur digitalen Lehre im Sommersemester 2020 mit Blick auf die Arbeitszeitbelastung von Studierenden und Lehrenden der Technischen Universität Kaiserslautern (Deutschland) zusammen. Hierbei zeigt sich, dass sowohl Studierende als auch Lehrende eine eher geringe Vorerfahrung hinsichtlich digitaler Lehre mitbringen, aber insgesamt mit dem digitalen Semester recht zufrieden waren. Für Studierende, aber insbesondere für Lehrende bringt die Umstellung hin zur digitalen Lehre jedoch eine (sehr) hohe Arbeitsbelastung mit sich. Es gilt, die bisherigen Bemühungen zur Digitalisierung der Lehre als Chance zu nutzen und in die Transformation und Verbesserung der Hochschullehre zu investieren.