bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injury Characteristics, Psychological Symptomatology, and Pain-Related Disability in Workers' Compensation Claimants: The Mediating Role of Case Manager Interactions
Authors: Boyd Brayden
Published: December 2023

Purpose Facing difficulties related to the workers’ compensation process has the potential to negatively impact the psychological health of occupational injury claimants and may hinder recovery and return-to-work outcomes. This research investigates how the relationship between physical injury characteristics and claimants’ perceptions of their interactions with case managers impact psychological symptomatology and pain-related disability. It was anticipated that case-manager interactions would mediate the relationship between chronic pain and pain-related disability through their impact on depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, it was posited that case manager interactions would mediate the relationships between injury type/visibility and psychological health.
Methods A cohort of 210 compensation claimants from British Columbia, Canada, completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale-Revised (GCPS-R); the Interpersonal Justice (INTPJ) and Informational Justice (INFOJ) subscales of the Perceived Justice of Compensation Process Scale; the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales 21-item (DASS); the Pain Disability Index (PDI) and a demographic and claim information questionnaire.
Results After controlling for potential confounds, bootstrapped multiple mediation analysis revealed that perceived justice and DASS collectively mediate the relationship between GCPS-R and PDI: INTPJ (bi* = 0.06, BCa CI [0.02, 0.12]), INFOJ (bi* = 0.08, BCa CI [0.02, 0.15]). Further, the relationship between injury visibility and psychological health is mediated by INTPJ (bi* = 0.45, BCa CI [0.23, 0.70]) and INFOJ (bi* = 0.38, BCa CI [0.17, 0.63]).
Conclusions These findings suggest that claims involving complex conditions are associated with poorer interactions between claimants and case managers, which magnifies psychological distress and pain-related disability.
Calibration-Free Travel Time After Photobleaching Velocimetry
Authors: Wang Audrey J. , Deng Jianyu , Westbury David , Downey Austin R.J. , Wang Yi , Wang Guiren
Published: December 2023

In interfacial science and microfluidics, there is an increasing need for improving the ability to measure flow velocity profiles in the sub-micrometer range to better understand transport phenomena at interfaces, such as liquid-solid interfaces. Current standard methods of velocimetry typically use particles as tracers. However, seed particles can encounter issues at liquid and solid interfaces, where charge interactions between particles and surfaces can limit their ability to measure near-wall flows accurately. Furthermore, in many flows, seed particles have a different velocity from that of their surrounding fluid, which the particles are intended to represent. Several molecular tracer-based velocimeters have been developed which can bypass these issues. However, they either have limited resolution for measurement near solid surfaces, such as for slip flows, or require pre-calibration. Laser-induced fluorescence photobleaching anemometry (LIFPA) is one such technique that is noninvasive and has achieved unprecedented nanoscopic resolution for flow velocity profile measurement. However, it also requires pre-calibration, which is unavailable for unknown flows. Here, we present a novel, calibration-free technique called travel time after photobleaching (TTAP) velocimetry, which can measure flow velocity profiles and near-wall flow with high spatiotemporal resolution. Furthermore, TTAP velocimetry is compatible with LIFPA, and thus, the two systems can be coupled to satisfy LIFPA’s long-anticipated need for pre-calibration, enabling measurement of flow velocity profiles in unknown flows with salient resolution.
Irrigated rice yield plateau is caused by management factors in Argentina
Authors: Meus Lorenzo Dalcin , Quintero Cesar Eugenio , Silva Michel Rocha da , Streck Nereu Augusto , Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , Soares Maurício Fornalski , Zarmero María de Los Angeles , Ribas Giovana Ghisleni , Zanon Alencar Junior
Published: December 2023

Over the past 15 years, Argentina has experienced a consistent stability in rice grain yield, diverging from the substantial annual increases seen in other South American countries, reaching up to 3%. This study addresses two primary objectives: (a) quantifying the yield potential and gap in irrigated rice production and (b) identifying key management practices influencing yield disparities. Leveraging an extensive dataset from the analysis of over 2,600 rice fields across ten growing seasons, we utilized estimations with the ORYZA v3 crop simulation model. The estimated yield potential for irrigated rice in Argentina averaged 14.1 Mg ha-1, with regional range from 13.4 to 15.1 Mg ha-1. Southern regions exhibited the highest yield potential at 15.1 Mg ha-1, while Northern regions showed a lower yield potential at 13.4 Mg ha-1. The current yield gap in Argentina stands at 53% of the yield potential, with variations across regions between 47% and 56%. To overcome the current yield plateau, Argentina can strategically shift management practices, including: earlier sowing date and irrigation, increased rotation, optimized density, and adjusted K2O fertilizer rates. These measures offer the potential to significantly enhance the average rice yield, positioning Argentina as a major global player in rice exports, contributing to global food security without substantial land expansion. This study underscores the overlooked potential for growth in Argentina's rice production sector and its pivotal role in ensuring global food security.
Extreme Tibetan Plateau cooling caused by tropical volcanism
Authors: Liu Fei , Zhu Xian , Ji Zhenming , Dong Wenjie , Gao Chaochao
Published: December 2023

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is experiencing a significant imbalance of glacier mass as a result of atmospheric warming. The warming on the TP has generally been attributed to both climate internal variability and anthropogenic forcing. Here we show that the recent five large tropical volcanic eruptions since 1863 have caused an extreme TP cooling up to -0.80 K during the first boreal winter following the eruptions, much larger than the global average terrestrial cooling of -0.30 K. The extreme TP cooling response of -0.79 K to tropical eruptions is simulated by the multimodel ensemble mean of the Phase 6 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project when realistic sea surface temperatures are specified for the atmospheric models, and it is much larger than the direct aerosol cooling of -0.36 K simulated by the historical runs. The positive North Atlantic Oscillation during the post-eruption winter plays the key role in amplifing the TP cooling through atmospheric teleconnection, which overwhelms the warming response associated with the frequently occurring El Niños. Results from this study put into perspective the potential contribution of volcanic activity to certain TP cooling.
metaExpertPro: a computational workflow for metaproteomics spectral library construction and data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry data analysis
Authors: Sun Yingying , Xing Ziyuan , Liang Shuang , Miao Zelei , Zhuo Lai-bao , Jiang Wenhao , Zhao Hui , Gao Huanhuan , Xie Yuting , Zhou Yan , Yue Liang , Cai Xue , Chen Yu-ming , Zheng Ju-Sheng , Guo Tiannan
Published: December 2023

Background
Analysis of mass spectrometry-based metaproteomic data, in particular large-scale data-independent acquisition MS (DIA-MS) data, remains a computational challenge. Here, we aim to develop a software tool for efficiently constructing spectral libraries and analyzing extensive datasets of DIA-based metaproteomics.
Results
We present a computational pipeline called metaExpertPro for metaproteomics data analysis. This pipeline encompasses spectral library generation using data-dependent acquisition MS (DDA-MS), protein identification and quantification using DIA-MS, functional and taxonomic annotation, as well as quantitative matrix generation for both microbiota and hosts. To enhance accessibility and ease of use, all modules and dependencies are encapsulated within a Docker container.
By integrating FragPipe and DIA-NN, metaExpertPro offers compatibility with both Orbitrap-based and PASEF-based DDA and DIA data. To evaluate the depth and accuracy of identification and quantification, we conducted extensive assessments using human fecal samples and benchmark tests. Performance tests conducted on human fecal samples demonstrated that metaExpertPro quantified an average of 45,000 peptides in a 60-minute diaPASEF injection. Notably, metaExpertPro outperformed three existing software tools by characterizing a higher number of peptides and proteins. Importantly, metaExpertPro maintained a low factual False Discovery Rate (FDR) of less than 5% for protein groups across four benchmark tests. Applying a filter of five peptides per genus, metaExpertPro achieved relatively high accuracy (F-score = 0.67–0.90) in genus diversity and demonstrated a high correlation (rSpearman = 0.73–0.82) between the measured and true genus relative abundance in benchmark tests.
Additionally, the quantitative results at the protein, taxonomy, and function levels exhibited high reproducibility and consistency across the commonly adopted public human gut microbial protein databases IGC and UHGP. In a metaproteomic analysis of dyslipidemia patients, metaExpertPro revealed characteristic alterations in microbial functions and potential interactions between the microbiota and the host.
Conclusions
metaExpertPro presents a robust one-stop computational solution for constructing metaproteomics spectral libraries, analyzing DIA-MS data, and annotating taxonomic as well as functional data.
Fasting blood glucose as an independent mortality predictor in anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Chen Bo , Liu Tao , Yang Leiyi , Yin Geng , Xie Qibing
Published: December 2023

Background: Anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a life-threatening disease with poor prognosis. Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with auto-immune disease. This work aimed to assess the clinical significance of fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in patients with anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis (DM)-associated interstitial lung disease.
Methods: This is a retrospective study in a single center at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chendu, China. The outcome was defined as death from any cause during the follow-up period. Multivariable Cox regression was performed to explore the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with anti-MDA5-positive DM-associated ILD.
Results: A total of 200 consecutive patients were enrolled, among which 55 died during the follow-up period. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratio (HR) for long-term mortality in patients with FBG ≥ 7 mmol/L and 5.6-6.9 mmol/L vs. < 5.6 mmol/L was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 4.23) and 1.61 (95% CI 0.80 to 3.26), respectively. Patients with the history of diabetes showed no significantly increased overall mortality compared with those without a history of diabetes (crude HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.06).
Conclusions: Hyperglycemia is highly prevalent in anti-MDA5-positive CADM-ILD patients. FBG ≥ 7 mmol/L on admission represents a clinical risk factor for long-term mortality in patients with anti-MDA5-positive DM-associated ILD. Thus, timely and strict glycemic control may substantially affect mortality.
Cucurbitacin E Modulates the PI3K/AKT Pathway and Ameliorate Prefrontal Cortex Pathology in Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Abayomi Taiwo , Olaniyan Omolayo , Tokunbo Olorunfemi , Abayomi Olawale , Obembe Olawale , Benson Iyanuoluwa , Osuntokun Samson , Ilesanmi Dolapo
Published: December 2023

In type 2 diabetes triggered by insulin resistance, cerebrovascular diseases, stroke, and neurodegenerative dementia are associated. Understanding Cucurbitacin E's (CuE) effects on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways in insulin resistance-induced neurodegeneration remains essential. Using 48 adult Wistar rats, six groups were formed: A = control; B = STZ-induced diabetes (60 mg/kg); C = STZ (60 mg/kg) + CuE (0.5 mg/kg); D = STZ (60 mg/kg) + Metformin (150 mg/kg); E = CuE only (0.5 mg/kg); and F = Metformin only (150 mg/kg). CuE's impact on insulin resistance, neuronal morphology in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), neurobehavioral changes, neuroinflammation, and PI3K/AKT signaling in the PFC was evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Turkey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05 was considered significant). CuE significantly reduced blood glucose and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance linked to cognitive impairment and PFC architectural changes was mitigated by CuE. It also regulated inflammatory cytokines and prevented neuronal death. CuE improved impaired PI3K/AKT activity in the model. Cucurbitacin E showed promise in mitigating dementia caused by hyperglycemia in the prefrontal cortex. It notably reduced nuclei fragmentation, neuroinflammation, and normalized the PI3K/AKT insulin signaling pathway.
Study on the Influence of Wetting-Drying Cycle Weakening of Rock Mass on the Mechanical Behavior of Rock-Socketed Piles
Authors: Cao Ting , He Liu , Wang Wei , Zhao Wang , Liu Zhao , Zhong Junhui
Published: December 2023

In order to investigate the influence of the weakening of the rock mass mechanical parameters on the mechanical behavior of the bridge rock-socketed pile on the slope under the condition of wetting and drying cycles, this study focuses on the sandy slate surrounding the rock-socketed piles at Luogu bridge in the Lianghekou reservoir area. Wetting and drying cycle tests were conducted to analyze the variations in rock mechanical parameters associated with these cycles, revealing the underlying weakening mechanisms. Employing the generalized Hoek-Brown criterion and finite-difference numerical simulation, the study systematically examines the evolution of the load-bearing behavior of rock-socketed piles after various wetting-drying cycles. The results indicate that, with an increase in the number of wetting-drying cycles, the uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle of the rock progressively decrease, while Poisson's ratio steadily increases. Power and logarithmic function correlations between each mechanical parameter and the number of cycles are provided. The weakening of rock mechanical parameters due to wetting and drying cycles can be attributed to the disappearance of hydrolysis in hydration prone minerals and the aggregation of microscopic cracks. With increasing wetting and drying cycles, the axial force of the rock-socketed pile at the specified depth gradually increases, while the lateral frictional resistance decreases, and the resistance at the end of the pile tends to gradually increase. The total lateral frictional resistance of the rock-socketed pile shows an overall decreasing trend with increasing wetting-drying cycles. Deformation assessments of rock-socketed piles after different numbers of cycles reveal an inclination towards increased horizontal displacement at various depths and greater settlement at the top and bottom of the piles with more wetting-drying cycles.
Resting eggs bank and their hatching pattern in two co-occuring anostracans Phallocryptus spinosus (Milne-Edwards, 1840) and Branchinectella media (Schmankewitsch, 1873) (Crustacea) from saline lakes of the Aurès region (Northeastern Algeria)
Authors: Rais Lynda , Amarouayache Mounia , Rochon André
Published: December 2023

Phallocryptus spinosus (Milne-Edwards, 1840) and Branchinectella media (Schmankewitsch, 1873) are two anostracan species co-occurring in several saline lakes of the eastern steppic zone of Algeria. Both species produce resting eggs to persist in their temporary and unstable habitats, constituting a resting eggs bank. B. media has a restricted distribution worldwide and it is known to prefer cold temperatures (16 °C max). Resting egg banks and hatching patterns of both species have been assessed in seven saline lakes. Results showed that densities of P. spinosus resting eggs were always higher than those of B. media, whatever the lake (F = 4.66, P = 0.0005). They range between 93000 ± 75 and 1495000 ± 366.5 resting eggs.m-2 for P. spinosus, and between 670 ± 30 and 365000 ± 268 resting eggs.m-2 for B. media. Hatching percentages of eggs incubated at temperatures of 16 °C and 22 °C, and salinities of 0 and 5 psu, showed that 16 °C and 5 psu was the most suitable combination for B. media, where 38.88 ± 1.93% of eggs hatched under these conditions. For P. spinosus, 81.11 ± 1.92% of eggs hatched at 22 °C and 5 psu. Resting eggs diameters measurements of both species as well as scanning electron micrographs of B. media are provided.
The United Network and the Mobile Service Operator, a Sharing Resource Framework for Telecommunication Industry in Iran
Authors: Abbasian Ezzatollah , Mohebbi Ali
Published: December 2023

Sharing, outsourcing, and partnership are shown as solutions to increase efficiency. Mobile Network Operators (MNO), used to outsource some functions and make partnerships, but the sharing perspective is still not clear. This paper aims to provide a framework in which MNOs share and utilize their resources more efficiently. Qualitative research was done through the analysis of website reports, documents, and interviews to find MNOs' current and future strategic focus as well as the dimensions of a united network. The MNOs' two main strategies are enhancing core business and developing digital services. The article found an overall paradigm of the sharing resources (network and frequency) as well as some signals for business model evolution. It introduces a two-component framework in which a United Network is created to enhance core business and a new business model to develop digital services. It bolds the importance of network efficiency and the barriers, needs, and motivations of the United Network. To increase efficiency, the industry needs a coopetition framework in which a trust company that is a subsidiary of MNOs, maintains and develops a united network, and the MSOs compete to develop digital services.
Investigation of Antiviral Effect of Six Microalgal Extracts on D274 IBV Strain
Authors: Atak Eylem , Ak Büşra , Çöven Furkan Ozan , Nalbantsoy Ayşe , Demirel Zeliha , Dalay Meltem (Corresponding author) Conk
Published: December 2023

Many studies indicate that microalgae and cyanobacteria which are used in cosmetics, medicine, various industrial areas as human and animal food have been used for many alternative treatments. These species have high nutritional values due to their high protein, carbohydrate and fatty acid content. Microalgae have different morphological and physiological featuresbesides their biological properties also vary due to the metabolites they contain. The therapeutic properties of microalgae have been the subject of scientific studies many times. In the literature, it has been stated that microalgae have anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral effects and also stimulate the immune system. The interest in compounds with antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in China and spread worldwide, is more than ever. The discovery and obtaining of bioactive compounds with antiviral effects is of great importance. In this study, the antiviral effects of Arthrospira platensis, Prasinococcus sp., Nanofrustulum shiloi, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Scenedesmus sp. and Pseudanabaena sp. were investigated. The antiviral effects of the extracts that obtained from microalgae species were determined by performing on the embryonated chicken egg system using the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) D274 strain with hemagglutination feature. Compared to other microalgae species, the results showed that Pseudanabaena sp. has highest antiviral activity and potential antiviral effect and exhibited more antiviral properties at a concentration of 10 mg/ml than at the concentration of 5 mg/kg.
Study of the influence of structuring factors of gelatin solutions on the electrospinning stability and nanofiber morphology
Authors: Podshivalov Aleksandr , Litvinov Mikhail
Published: December 2023

The work studied the effect of structuring of gelatin solution with a different content of acetic acid on the stability of electrospinning process and obtained nanofibers morphology. Using the method of dynamic light scattering and analysis using the Arrhenius equation, it was found that the process of formation of gelatin sol is thermally activated, and the activation energy of the process increases from 70.2 to 102.2 kJ/mol with the introduction of 10 vol.% acetic acid. Using dynamic mechanical analysis of viscoelastic properties, it was found that when the solution concentration is more than 15 wt.% in the presence of 10 vol.% acid, a structure of the solution close to a gel is formed. It has also been shown that as the fraction of acid increases to 25 vol.% and higher solutions are characterized by a sol state with an increase in the elastic component after 24 h of solution settling. It was found that the structuring of the solution during settling affects the stability of electrospinning. Statistical analysis of the morphology of gelatin nanofibers showed that with an acid content of 25 vol.% the average diameter of nanofibers increases by 2 times during settling of 24 h. When using an acetic acid content in a gelatin solution of more than 50 vol.%, a significant increase in the stability of the electrospinning process and in the average diameter of nanofibers were observed, regardless of the settling time.
A simple and highly sensitive LC-MS workflow for characterization and quantification of ADC cleavable payloads
Authors: Mak Shi Ya , Chen Shuwen , Fong Wey Jia , Choo Andre , Ho Ying Swan
Published: December 2023

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) payloads are cleavable drugs that act as the warhead to exert an ADC’s cytotoxic effects on cancer cells intracellularly. A simple and highly sensitive workflow is developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of six ADC payloads, namely SN-38, MTX, DXd, MMAE, MMAF and Calicheamicin (CM), in serum samples. The workflow consists of a short and simple sample extraction using a methanol-ethanol mixture, followed by a fast liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The results showed that well-validated linear response ranges of 0.4 - 100nM for SN38, MTX and DXD, 0.04 - 100nM for MMAE and MMAF, 0.4 - 1000nM for CM were achieved in mouse serum. Recoveries for all six payloads at three different concentrations (low, medium and high) were more than 90%. A low sample volume of only 5 µL of serum is required due to the high sensitivity of the method. This validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study to quantify MMAE in mouse serum samples.
Boundary reconstruction in two-dimensional steady-state anisotropic heat conduction
Authors: Marin Liviu , Pantea Andrei Tiberiu
Published: December 2023

We study the reconstruction of an unknown/inaccesible smooth inner boundary from the knowledge of the Dirichlet condition (temperature) on the entire boundary of a doubly connected domain occupied by a two-dimensional homogeneous anisotropic solid and an additional Neumann condition (normal heat flux) on the known, accessible, and smooth outer boundary in the framework of steady-state heat conduction with heat sources. This inverse geometric problem is approached through an operator that maps an admissible inner boundary belonging to the space of 2π−periodic and twice continuously differentiable functions into the Neumann data on the outer boundary which is assumed to be continuous. We prove that this operator is differentiable and hence a gradient-based method that employs the anisotropic single layer representation of the solution to an appropriate Dirichlet problem for the two-dimensional anisotropic heat conduction, is developed for approximating the unknown inner boundary. Numerical results are presented for both exact and perturbed Neumann data on the outer boundary and show the convergence, stability, and robustness of the proposed method.
Discovering the antitumor potential of a novel PDC of HSP70-TAA complex with Docetaxel for sustained and prolonged release of docetaxel to increase its efficacy and reduce drug resistance in OSCC
Authors: Singh Khushwant , Gautam Pramod Kumar , Verma Hitesh , Bhoriwal Sandeep
Published: December 2023

Background: Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) overexpression has been reported in a variety of cancers. HSP70 is transported to the cell surface and released into the environment, where it is taken up by antigen-presenting cells and presented to lymphocytes for an immunological response. In previous investigations, we extensively studied HSP70's immunotherapeutic potential against cancer. Cancer is a fatal disease, and chemotherapy drugs have been shown to be effective against several types of cancer. Several attempts have been made to improve chemotherapeutic drugs target delivery while limiting adverse effects. With the aim to minimizing off-site cytotoxicity without impairing docetaxel function in cancer cells, we established the PrDC of HSP70 isolated from cancer cells with the chemotherapy drug docetaxel, to target tumor heterogeneity and, enhance target delivery
Methodology: HSP70 isolated from cancer cells was purified using size exclusion chromatography and immunoprecipitation. To conjugate docetaxel with the primary amine groups on HSP70, a cleavable ester bond with the carboxyl group was established while preserving the structural integrity of docetaxel. The purity of HSP70 was evaluate by western blotting (WB), while NMR, FTIR, and WB were used to identify the purity of docetaxel and final conjugate. Docetaxel release from the conjugate was investigated in-vitro in four distinct buffers that replicated human philological conditions. The anticancer efficacy of docetaxel, both in combination and alone, was assessed on squamous cell carcinoma cells using the MTT, ICC, cell cycle, apoptosis, multi-drug resistance, and mitochondrial mass assay.
Results: The findings show that the conjugate of docetaxel and HSP70 has a stoichiometric ratio of 30:1. In SCC cells, docetaxel's extended release (120 hours) was correlated with a 13±2-fold rise in efficacy. Additionally, the results showed that DHSP decreases multi-drug resistance and mitochondrial mass in SCC cells while halting cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle for an extended period of time (72 hours), which is followed by apoptosis.
Conclusions: The docetaxel-HSP70 conjunction has the potential to enhance target drug delivery and drug retention in cancer cells while lowering off-site cytotoxicity. It additionally improves docetaxel effectiveness for longer periods of time at 13–15 times lower dosages.
Synergies and trade-offs between cultural and natural values of sacred sites – A case study of ancient burial mounds in Central Europe
Authors: Deák Balázs , Bede Ádám , Süveges Kristóf , Dókai József , Ormsby Alison A. , Dixon Anna , Valkó Orsolya
Published: December 2023

In the Eurasian steppes, ancient burial mounds called ‘kurgans’ are among the most widespread manmade structures. These sacred sites hold cultural values and often provide safe havens for grassland-related plant species. We aimed to establish links between the cultural and natural values of kurgans through a comprehensive multi-layered evaluation of history, cultural attributes, botanical composition, and landscape history on selected mounds situated in Hungary, Romania, and Serbia. We evaluated factors that can support or endanger the grasslands on kurgans and assessed whether there are synergies or trade-offs between the presence of the cultural and natural values. We found that kurgans act as cultural hotspots in transformed landscapes, and we found the following evidences for the synergies between cultural and natural values: i) Extensive land use and management connected to the cultural functions could considerably contribute to the preservation of grassland specialist plants on the mounds. ii) In the studied landscapes, in the past three centuries, the vast majority of grasslands were converted into croplands in the studied landscapes, but the cultural importance of the kurgans could hinder their destruction through demolishment by ploughing or construction works. We also found an important trade-off: built cultural objects not only decreased the area of grassland cover but also supported the establishment and spread of several weedy and invasive species. Consequently, to preserve the valuable natural-cultural systems it is essential to focus efforts on the maintenance of the already existing, traditional cultural functions and not the establishment of new objects.
A comprehensive prognostic model for delayed cerebral ischemia in rupture intracranial aneurysms after surgical clipping
Authors: Zheng hui , Zhou Hai , Zhao Yutong , Xie Zongyi
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives: Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), one of the most common complications following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), was strongly related to poor patient outcomes. Identifying predictive factors for its occurrence is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes. Our research aimed to explore risk factors for delayed cerebral ischemia in aneurysm patients after surgical clipping and developed a prediction model.
Methods: The datasets used in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Patients demographics, aneurysm features, comorbidities, clinical manifestations, imaging features, blood pressure on admission，incidence of DCI, and interventions were recorded. SAH patients were randomly assigned to the training or validation cohort based on a ratio of 7:3, which was implemented as internal validations for the final predictive models. The predictive ability was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results: A total of 272 patients were included in our research. The final logistic model included 7 independent predictors (Age, Smoking, Drinking, WFNS, Fisher, MAP on Second postoperative day, and Na) and was developed as a simple-to-use nomogram. The training set and validation set model's C-index are 0.844 and 0.766, demonstrating moderate predictive ability with regard to risks of DCI.
Conclusion: We developed a model with seven independent risk factors to predict the incidence of DCI. We focused on exploring the postoperative status in DCI patients. Elevated blood pressure on the second postoperative day may indicate the early occurrence of microvascular spasm.
Short-term effect of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in refractory diabetic macular edema
Authors: Moreno Jazmín Baca , Medina David Berrones , Rosellón-Escobar María Fernanda , García-Aguirre José Gerardo
Published: December 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effects (hours-days) of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.
Methods: This was a prospective, single-arm, interventional clinical series. Eyes with DME and 3-9 injections of ranibizumab without a good response were included. Patients underwent a single IDI. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, complete ophthalmic evaluation, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed at baseline, 2 hours, 3 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, and 1 month. The main outcomes were change in central retinal thickness (CRT) on SD-OCT and BCVA.
Results: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients were included. Mean CRT decreased rapidly after treatment from 515.87 µm ± 220.00 µm at baseline to 489.60 µm ± 176.53 µm after 2 hours (p=0.126), and 450.13 µm ± 163.43 at 24 hours (p=0.006). Change in BCVA was from 0.85 ± 0.44 logMAR baseline to 0.58 ± 0.37 log MAR at 1 month (p=0.003)
Conclusions: Eyes treated with IDI showed significant decrease in CRT detectable 1 day after injection. In some patients, the effect could be observed 3 hours post-implantation.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05736081. Registeres 20 February 2023, Retrospectively registeres. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05736081
Sagittal imbalance syndrome, a new concept helps determining a long fusion for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and severe global sagittal imbalance
Authors: Lu Shibao , Zhu Weiguo , Wang Yu , Kong Chao , Wang Wei , Chen Xiaolong
Published: December 2023

Objective: To retrospectively investigate the postoperative clinical and radiographic outcomes in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and severe global sagittal imbalance who underwent different fusion levels.
Methods: A total of 214 patients with DLSS and severe global sagittal imbalance were included. Sagittal imbalance syndrome was defined as the severe decompensated radiographic global sagittal imbalance accompanied with the following symptoms: severe back pain in naturel posture that disappears or significantly relieves in support position, living disability with ODI score > 40% and dynamic sagittal imbalance. Thereinto, 54 patients were found with sagittal imbalance syndrome and were performed the lumbar decompression with a long thoracolumbar fusion (Group A) or a short lumbar fusion (Group B). Thirty patients without sagittal imbalance syndrome who underwent short lumbar decompression and fusion were selected as the control (Group C).
Results: Patients with sagittal imbalance syndrome were detected to have more paraspinal muscle degeneration and less compensatory potentials for sagittal imbalance (smaller thoracic kyphosis and larger pelvic tilt) than those without this diagnosis. Postoperative comparisons revealed significant restoration of global sagittal alignment and balance and improvement of living quality in Groups A and C at the final follow-up. Six patients in Group B and one in Group A were found to have proximal junctional complication during follow-up.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that DLSS patients with sagittal imbalance syndrome had inferior surgical outcomes in terms of living quality and proximal junctional complication after lumbar decompression with a short fusion.
Surgical treatments of metastatic bone disease of the hip joint：A scoping review protocol
Authors: Mao Li , Liu Jiling , Feng Dagang , Tang Jianyuan
Published: December 2023

Background
Metastatic disease of the hip causes severe pain and is a serious threat to the patient's motor function. Surgery is required, but the actual efficacy is unclear and there are many concerns for both patients and doctors. The purpose of this protocol is going to conduct a scoping review for helping decisions of intended audience.
Methods
This scoping review will be conducted according to the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR criteria. To answer our research questions, we will search Chinese and English databases using appropriate search terms, comb through clinical studies on surgical procedures for metastatic bone disease of the hip and incorporate visual charts and graphs to provide a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the literature according to the criteria for basic characteristics, interventions, and outcome indicators.
Result
An article will be drafted to reflect a scoping review about surgical managements of metastatic bone disease of the hip.
Conclusion
The results of this review will go beyond previous studies, and attempt to fully understand the clinical evidence, demonstrating the importance of hip-related surgery in bone metastatic disease, to provide reference evidence for patients, doctors, and policymakers.
Registration
This protocol was not prospectively registered in any literature review databases, due to their reluctance to accept this kind of review protocol.
Fertility-sparing surgery in children and adolescents with borderline ovarian tumors: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Jiayuan , Wang Dan , Wang Ruojiao , He Yonglan , Jia Congwei , Pan Lingya , Ma Shuiqing , Wu Ming , Wang Weidi , Cheng Xinghan , Yang Junjun , Xiang Yang
Published: December 2023

Objective
To describe the characteristics of children and adolescents with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in these patients.
Methods
Patients with BOTs aged 21 years or younger who underwent FSS were included in this study.
Results
A total of 38 patients were included, with a median patient age of 17 (range, 3–21) years; 97.4% (37/38) of cases occurred after menarche. Of the patients, 78.9% had mucinous borderline tumors (MBOTs), 18.4% had serous borderline tumors (SBOTs), and 2.6% had seromucinous borderline tumor. The median tumor size was 20 cm (range, 8–40 cm). The median preoperative carcinoma antigen 125 level was 47.5 U/mL. All patients were at International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I and all underwent FSS: cystectomy (18/38; 47.4%), unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO; 19/38; 50%), or USO + contralateral ovarian cystectomy (1/38; 2.6%). The median follow-up time was 57 (10–148) months. Recurrence was experienced by 13 of the 38 patients (34.2%). One patient with SBOT experienced progression to low-grade serous carcinoma after the third relapse. Two patients went on to have a total of four pregnancies, resulting in two live births. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 65.8%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 100%.
Conclusions
FSS is feasible and safe for children and adolescents with BOTs. For patients with MBOTs, USO is recommended to lower the risk of recurrence.
Judges and Court Productivity: Evidence from Spanish Labour Courts
Authors: Martín-Román Ángel , Moral Alfonso , Rosales Virginia
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to determine if the number and the type of judges acting in the court have a significant effect on courts’ productivity, proxied by the “Resolution Rate”. From a methodological point of view, the acting of other judges in the court, besides the incumbent judge, will be considered as a treatment. To account for the effects, impact evaluation techniques will be used. In addition, different control covariates as economic determinants and other factors closely related to the judicial activity will be empirically analysed, taking into account possible endogeneity problems related to the treatment variable. For this purpose, we will use the annual judicial statistic published by the General Council of the Judiciary with information from almost 350 Spanish Social Courts from 2005 to 2019.
Correlation of visual system biomarkers with motor-sensory deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-optic neuritis
Authors: Elwood Benjamin W , Godwin Cheyanne R. , Anders Jeffrey J. , Kardon Randy H. , Gramlich Oliver W.
Published: December 2023

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) scoring, the most commonly used primary outcome metric for an in vivo model of multiple sclerosis (MS), is highly variable and subjective. Here, we explored the use of visual biomarkers in EAE as more objective and clinically relevant primary outcomes. Motor-sensory impairment in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunized C57BL/6J mice was quantified using a 5-point EAE scoring scheme. Pattern electroretinography (pERG) and retinal ganglion cell / inner plexiform layer (RGC/IPL) complex thickness were measured 60 days after induction. Optic nerve histopathology was analyzed at endpoint. EAE mice displayed motor-sensory impairments ranging from mild to severe. Significant correlations were seen between pERG amplitude and last EAE score, mean EAE score, and cumulative EAE score. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between thinning of the RGC/IPL complex and both the cumulative EAE score and the pERG amplitude. Optic nerve histopathology showed significant correlations between demyelination and cumulative EAE score, pERG amplitude, and RGC/IPL complex thickness, as well as between immune cell infiltration and cumulative EAE score, pERG amplitude, and RGC/IPL complex thickness in EAE mice. Unlike EAE scoring, pERG and OCT show direct measurement of retinal structure and function. Therefore, we conclude that visual outcomes are well-suited as a direct assessment of optic nerve involvement in this EAE model of MS, while also being indicative of motor-sensory impairment. Standardizing parameters could lead to a more rapid and robust model for testing new therapeutic approaches for mitigating MS by utilizing deep learning and artificial intelligence.
A New Classification Method for Pulmonary Ground-Glass Nodules Using Radiomics Approach
Authors: Wang Hongya , Yang He , Huang Ruohan , Wang Kun , Rui Qianren , Chen Liang , Xu Xinfeng , Zhu Quan
Published: December 2023

Purpose
To create new method utilizes radiomics to classify ground-glass nodules (GGNs).
Methods
A total of 855 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, presenting GGNs of size ≤ 3cm, were included in the study. The radiomics features were dimensionally reduced using the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) algorithm and clustered with the K-Means algorithm. Single-factor analysis was conducted to compare patient conditions across different clusters. Finally, the new classification method was compared with the method used two-dimensional (2D) computed tomography (CT) features to verify the efficacy of the novel approach.
Results
The nodules were clustered into two groups, A and B. Single-factor analysis revealed significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of age, smoking history, nodule diameter, solid component diameter, and the consolidation tumor ratio (CTR). Group A primarily comprised non-invasive adenocarcinoma (non-IAC) (81.2%) and low-risk nodules (75.9%), while group B primarily comprised invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) (85.8%) and medium-high risk nodules (77.4%). In terms of predicting IAC and medium-high risk nodules, the new method performed better.
Conclusion
The new classification method effectively utilizes radiomics information and offers significant guidance for the management of various GGNs categories, exhibiting notable advantages over traditional methods.
Overflow simulation and optimization of a drainage system in an urban area in northern Anhui Plain
Authors: Wan Yun , Li Mingjun , Zhang Nan , Li Yuxuan , Huang Peiqing , Zhang Houkuan , Huang Hao , Wei Wei , Zhu Shuguang
Published: December 2023

Quantitative simulation of urban waterlogging using computer models is an effective technical means for urban stormwater management, especially for predicting and preventing waterlogging. In this study, a city in northern Anhui Plain, China, was selected as the study site. The Storm Water Management Model was applied to simulate the dynamic changes in the pipeline overload, node overflow, and discharge port runoff characteristics from three perspectives: surface runoff, pipe network transmission, and flow control of low-impact development. The operation of the rainwater pipe network under different return periods and the real-time operation of the rainwater pipe network were simulated to seek solutions to urban waterlogging problems caused by flat terrain and slow drainage. The results revealed that surface runoff is the primary source of rainfall in the study area, with a runoff coefficient of 0.599. The drainage pipe network was optimized by expanding the diameter of the pipe from ≤ 1.5 mm to ≥ 2 mm. The water reduction rate was more than 50%, and overload did not occur after optimization. Therefore, sinking greenspace technology and optimization methods for expanding the pipe diameter can reduce urban waterlogging.
Mapping and analyzing the spatial drivers of Chinese subtropical forests features from Gaofen 1 satellite imagery
Authors: González-Rodríguez M.A. , P. Zhou
Published: December 2023

Understanding the spatial variations of forest features and their underlying drivers is crucial for managing and preserving forest ecosystems. Remote sensing techniques, due to their vast spatial coverage, are proving an essential tool for mapping and analyzing the complex spatial patterns of forests characteristics. In the current study, we use high-resolution Gaofen 1 satellite imagery to map features, such as biomass, biodiversity, and habitat type, of the subtropical forests in the Nanling area, a major biodiversity hot spot in the south of China; for subsequently analyzing the association between forest features and environmental drivers. We based our modeling approach on a semi-supervised fully convolutional neural network consisting of a ResNet architecture and a masking and aggregation module for computing predictions for forest survey plots of varied sizes. The fitted convolutional models yielded very high performance statistics, with test R2 values above 0.90 for basal area, aboveground biomass and Shannon diversity index regressions, slightly lower values for the regression of species richness (R2=0.83), and average test classification accuracy of forest types of 0.89, with lower performance for infrequent forest types, such as dwarf forests. The association analysis between predicted maps of forest features and environmental drivers revealed significant correlations being the strongest drivers the altitude, nitrogen content and climate variables, such as mean annual precipitation and temperature. Altitude was strongly associated with dwarf forests and high basal area and high aboveground biomass locations. Basal area and aboveground biomass were also positively influenced by annual rainfall and soil nitrogen and carbon, and negatively by temperature and radiation variables. Species richness was associated with high nitrogen and carbon contents, while the Shannon diversity index showed overall mild correlations with most drivers, with no remarkable patterns. We concluded that our semi-supervised convolutional approach using Gaofen 1 imagery proved useful for modeling the spatial distribution of the subtropical forests in Nanling; however, more research and data collection is necessary to improve the performance of species richness modeling and segmentation of infrequent forest types. Moreover, the strong associations found between climate, and predicted maps of biomass and forest types, provided key insights into the potential repercussions of climate change on Nanling forests.