bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PILLAR: ParaspInaL muscLe segmentAtion pRoject - a comprehensive online resource to guide manual segmentation of paraspinal muscles from Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Anstruther Meagan , Rossini Bianca , Zhang Tongwei , Liang Terrance , Xiao Yiming , Fortin Maryse
Published: January 2023

Background – There is an increasing interest in assessing paraspinal morphology and composition in relation to low back pain (LBP). However, variations in methods and segmentation protocols contribute to the inconsistent findings in the literature. We present an on-line resource, the ParaspInaL muscLe segmentAtion pRoject (PILLAR , https://projectpillar.github.io/), to provide a detailed description and visual guide of a segmentation protocol by using the publicly available ITK-SNAP software and discuss related challenges when performing paraspinal lumbar muscles segmentations from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods – T2-weighted and corresponding fat-water IDEAL axial MRI from 3 males and 3 females (2 chronic LBP and 1 control for each sex) were used to demonstrate our segmentation protocol for each lumbar paraspinal muscle (erector spinae, lumbar multifidus, quadratus lumborum and psoas) and lumbar spinal level (L1-L5).
Results – Proper segmentation requires an understanding of the anatomy of paraspinal lumbar muscles and the variations in paraspinal muscle morphology and composition due to age, sex, and the presence of LBP or related spinal pathologies. Other challenges in segmentation includes the presence and variations of intramuscular and epimuscular fat, and side-to-side asymmetry.
Conclusion – The growing interest to assess the lumbar musculature and its role in the development and recurrence of LBP prompted the need for comprehensive and easy-to-follow resources, such as the PILLAR project to reduce inconsistencies in segmentation protocols. Standardizing manual muscle measurements from MRI will facilitate comparisons between studies while the field is progressively moving towards the automatization of paraspinal muscle measurements for large cohort studies.
Neural ODEs in Pharmacokinetics: Concepts and Applications
Authors: Bräm Dominic Stefan , Nahum Uri , Schropp Johannes , Pfister Marc , Koch Gilbert
Published: January 2023

Machine Learning (ML) is a fast-evolving field, integrated in many of today’s scientific disciplines. With the recent development of Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (NODEs), ML provides a new tool to model dynamical systems in the field of pharmacology and pharmacometrics, such as pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics. The novel and conceptionally different approach of NODEs compared to classical PK modeling creates challenges but also provides opportunities for its application. In this manuscript, we introduce the functionality of NODEs and develop specific NODE structures based on PK principles. We discuss two challenges of NODEs, overfitting and extrapolation to unseen data, and we provide practical solutions to these problems. We illustrate concept and application of our proposed NODE approach with several PK modeling examples, including multi-compartmental, target-mediated drug disposition and delayed absorption behavior. In all investigated scenarios, the NODEs were able to describe well the data and simulate data for new subjects within the observed dosing range. Finally, we briefly demonstrate how NODEs can be combined with mechanistic models. This research work enhances understanding of how NODEs can be applied in PK analyses and illustrates the potential for NODEs in the field of pharmacology and pharmacometrics.
Novel Peptide Inhibitor of Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α has Antiarthritic Activity
Authors: Sahu Debasis , Gupta Charu , Yennamalli Ragothaman M. , Sharma Shikha , Roy Saugata , Hasan Sadaf , Gupta Pawan , Sharma Vishnu Kumar , Kashyap Sujit , Kumar Santosh , Dwivedi Ved Prakash , Panda Amulya Kumar , Das Hasi Rani , Liu Chuan-Ju
Published: January 2023

The inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) trimer formation renders it inactive for binding to its receptors thus mitigating the vicious cycle of inflammation. We designed a peptide (PIYLGGVFQ) that simulates a sequence strand of human TNFα monomer using a series of in silico methods, such as active site finding (Acsite), protein-protein interaction (PPI), docking studies (GOLD and Modeller) followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The MD studies confirmed the intermolecular interaction of the peptide with the TNFα. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluorescence microscopy revealed that the peptide effectively inhibited the binding of TNF to the cell surface receptors. The cell culture assays showed that the peptide significantly inhibited the TNFα-mediated cell death. In addition, the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) was significantly suppressed in the peptide-treated A549 cells as observed in immunofluorescence and gelmobility-shift assays. Furthermore, peptide protected against joint damage in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)mouse model as revealed in the microfocal-CT scans. In conclusion, this TNFα antagonist would be useful for the prevention and repair ofinflammatory bone destruction and subsequent loss in the mouse model of CIA as well as human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This calls upon further clinical investigation to utilize its potential effect as an anti-arthritic drug.
Contribution of Timescale Patterns to Photoplethysmography-based Blood Pressure Estimation
Authors: Xing Xiaoman , Huang Rui , Jiang Chenyu , Dong Wen-fei
Published: January 2023

Objective: Single-site photoplethysmography (PPG)-based blood pressure (BP) estimation has raised a lot of interest due to its compactness and low cost. However, this method relies on PPG morphological features, which are sensitive to noise and measurement conditions. The underlying physiological mechanism was also unclear at this moment. In this study, we propose to add timescale patterns of PPG to improve the BP estimation performance and clarify the underlying mechanism.
Methods: In-silico simulation with a four-element Windkessel model showed that peripheral resistance and vascular compliance variation during a cardiac cycle correlated with PPG’s long- and short-term self-similarity, which significantly correlated with BP. A publicly available dataset was used to validate the simulation predictions using mutual information analysis and regression performance assessment.
Results: The hemodynamic property of the cardiovascular system determines how fast PPG responds to a stimulus. High vascular compliance or peripheral resistance leads to prolonged and overlapped responses, which could be described by timescale patterns. Adding these patterns significantly increased the PPG-BP mutual information and improved the BP estimation performance. Compared to algorithms with morphological and biometric features, the mean absolute error (MAE) of calibrated systolic BP (SBP) reduced from 5.37mmHg to 4.51mmHg, while the MAE of calibration-free diastolic BP (DBP) reduced from 3.46mmHg to 2.81mmHg. The median intra-subject correlation between SBP/DBP estimation and ground truth increased from 0.63/0.34 to 0.80/0.68, which means the intrinsic BP fluctuation was better captured. Conclusion: Timescale patterns were vital to single-site PPG-based BP estimation. Understanding its physiological implication may help us design algorithms with clear interpretability and simplified structures.
Study on the Influence Mechanism of Adoption of Smart Agriculture Technology Behavior
Authors: Li Jingjin , Liu Guoyong , Chen Yulan
Published: January 2023

Smart agricultural (SA) technology has become an inevitable trend in the modernisation of China's agriculture and a realistic demand for the transformation and upgrading of traditional agriculture. Based on microscopic research data, a structural equation model (SEM) is constructed using deconstructive planning behaviour theory (DPBT) as the analytical framework to empirically analyse the factors and degrees of influence on cotton farmers' adoption of SA technologies. In-depth interviews were then combined to further reveal the mechanisms influencing cotton farmers' adoption of SA technology. The results show that: (1) the risk of the technology itself has a dampening effect on willingness, but cotton farmers value the positive role played by perceived usefulness more. (2) superior influences such as trial field demonstrations and government publicity have a greater impact on willingness to adopt SA technologies than the group effect of peer influence. (3) factors such as self-efficacy and information channels have an impact on willingness and behaviour to adopt. (4) Willingness influences technology adoption behaviour through mediating effects. (5) Policy and technology satisfaction have a positive moderating role in the occurrence of willingness and adoption behaviour.
A Novel Cyber Security Model Using Deep Transfer Learning
Authors: ÇAVUŞOĞLU Ünal , AKGÜN Devrim , HIZAL Selman
Published: January 2023

Preventing attackers from interrupting or totallystopping critical services in cloud systems is a vitaland challenging task. Today, machine learning-basedalgorithms and models are widely used, especially forthe intelligent detection of zero-day attacks. Recently,deep learning methods that provide automatic featureextraction are designed to detect attacks automatically.In this study, we constructed a new deep learning modelbased on transfer learning for detecting and protectingcloud systems from malicious attacks. The developeddeep transfer learning-based IDS converts network trafficinto 2D preprocessed feature maps.Then the featuremaps are processed with the transferred and fine-tunedconvolutional layers of the deep learning model beforethe dense layer for detection and classification of trafficdata. The results computed using the NSL-KDDtest dataset reveal that the developed models achieve89.74% multiclass and 92.58% binary classification accuracy.We performed another evaluation using only20% of the training dataset as test data, and 80% fortraining. In this case, the model achieved 99.83% and99.85% multiclass and binary classification accuracy, respectively.
The assembly yield of complex, heterogeneous structures: A computational toolbox
Authors: Curatolo Agnese , Kimchi Ofer , Goodrich Carl , Brenner Michael
Published: January 2023

The self-assembly of complex structures from a set of non-identical building blocks is a hallmark of soft matter and biological systems, including protein complexes, colloidal clusters, and DNA-based assemblies. Predicting the dependence of the equilibrium assembly yield on the concentrations and interaction energies of building blocks is highly challenging, owing to the difficulty of computing the entropic contributions to the free energy of the many structures that compete with the ground state configuration. While these calculations yield well known results for spherically symmetric building blocks, we discovered that they do not hold when the building blocks have internal rotational degrees of freedom. Here we present an approach for solving this problem that works with arbitrary building blocks, including proteins with known structure and complex colloidal building blocks. Our algorithm combines classical statistical mechanics with recently developed computational tools for automatic differentiation. Automatic differentiation allows efficient evaluation of equilibrium averages over configurations that would otherwise be intractable. We demonstrate the validity of our framework by comparison to molecular dynamics simulations of simple examples, and apply it to calculate the yield curves for known protein complexes and for the assembly of colloidal shells.
Precise Fabrication of Tactile Sensors using a Custom Additive Manufacturing Platform
Authors: Wei Danming , Zhang Ruoshi , Lin Ji-Tzuoh , Ratnayake Dilan , Olowo Olalekan , Nimon Andrew , Alqatamin Moath , Sherehiy Andriy , Popa Dan
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the NeXus, a precision robotic platform with additive manufacturing capabilities that can be used to prototype strain gauge-based tactile sensors – SkinCells - on flexible substrates. An Aerosol Inkjet printer was employed to print the strain gauge structures of the SkinCell sensor. The design of this sensor combines curvilinear geometries representing both a radial shape structure and an arc shape structure, which have opposite gauge responses when the force is applied to the center of the sensor. The fabrication process of the SkinCell sensor is predicated on a parametric kinematic calibration of the NeXus to identify features on the sensor substrate and align them to the printing and metrology tools. Several strain gauge SkinCell sensor samples were printed on pre-fabricated flexible substrates using the NeXus. Results indicate a calibration precision of approximately 36 microns with 100 microns line-width features. This precision is sufficient to ensure that all printed gauges are electrically connected to the prefabricated contacts. Furthermore, the printing errors accumulating during a continuous four-sensor array print also fall within the contact tolerance.
Exploration of biological significance of m6A-related genes in Wilms tumor
Authors: Zhuo Yingquan , Zhang Wengqi , Du Jun , jiang Hua , Sun Xu , Chen Youwang , Nie Meilan , Xu Zhongmin , Gu Huajian
Published: January 2023

Background: Wilms tumor (WT) is an embryonal abdominal malignant tumor which is a common renal malignant tumor in children. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation can dynamically regulate the development of tumors. However, m6A-related genes in WT have not yet been identified and researched.
Methods: In this study, the RNA-seq data of TARGET-WT were extracted from the UCSC Xena for bioinformatics analysis.
Results: 296 candidate hub genes were obtained by intersecting 3 gene sets (8610 gene modules with significantly associated m6A RNA methylation score, 7774 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 121 WT patients and 6 control samples, 763 DEGs between high and low score groups of m6A RNA methylation). Survival analysis of the 296 genes yielded 4 hub genes (ADGRG2, CPD, CTHRC1, and LRTM2) associated with WT prognosis. Subsequently, a prediction model with the 4 hub genes was developed and the model had good predictive power for the WT prognosis. In addition, 7 immune gene sets were obtained by intersecting 2 gene sets (18 significant difference immune gene sets between the WT group and control group, 10 immune gene sets related to the hub genes). Among them, APC_co_stimulation, CCR, Macrophages, Parainflammation, Treg, and Type_II_IFN_Reponse were low expressed in the WT, and only Th1_cells were highly expressed in the WT. APC_co_stimulation, CCR, Macrophages, Parainflammation, Treg, and Type_II_IFN_Reponse are negatively correlated with LRTM2, Th1_cells are positively correlated with ADGRG2, CCR is negatively correlated with CPD, CCR is positively correlated with CTHRC1. Finally, qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of the 4 hub genes were up-regulated in different WT cell lines compared with 293T cell lines.
Conclusion: In conclusion, ADGRG2, CPD, CTHRC1, and LRTM2 may be m6A-related genes in WT, which have potential prognostic value and play an immunoregulation role in WT.
Cost Effectiveness Comparison of Implementing Intraoperative Margin Assessment using Radiofrequency Spectroscopy or Full Cavity Shave Margins to Reduce Re-excision in Breast Conserving Surgery: A Pro-Forma
Authors: Gilmore Richard C. , Chen Jennifer , Dembinski Robert , Reissis Yannis , Milek David , Cadena Lisa , Habibi Mehran
Published: January 2023

Background:
In an effort to reduce positive margins and subsequent re-excisions after breast conserving surgery (BCS), many providers utilize either a Full Cavity Shave (FCS) approach or intraoperative margin assessment using MarginProbe Radiofrequency Spectroscopy. Although both FCS and MarginProbe have been shown to reduce positive margins by ³50%, little has been reported about their economic impacts. We created a functioning Pro-Forma for use by facilities and payers to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of implementing FCS or MarginProbe.
Methods:
A decision tree demonstrating three possible surgical pathways, BCS, BCS+FCS, and BCS+MarginProbe was developed with clinical inputs for re-excision rate, rate of mastectomy conversion, and rate of breast reconstruction derived from literature review. A pathway cost formula was created using the decision tree and financial inputs derived from the nation’s largest database of private payor and Medicare claims data (fairhealth.org). This data was utilized to create a customizable Pro-Forma for cost-effectiveness analysis.
Results:
In the privately insured population, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings over BCS alone when baseline re-excision rates are over 20% and FCS becomes cost-saving when baseline re-excision rates are over 29%. For Medicare patients, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings when baseline re-excision rates exceed 34%, and FCS becomes cost-saving for re-excision rates over 52%.
Conclusions:
Utilizing either an FCS approach or the MarginProbe system may be cost-effective solutions to reducing breast re-excisions rates depending on surgical volume and baseline re-excision rates. The degree of cost effectiveness of these interventions for healthcare facilities and payers can be evaluated using the Pro-Forma outlined herein.
Environmental Impact of MSW Landfills in Arid Climates - Case Study of Mathuradaspura, Jaipur
Authors: Kulhar Kuldeep Singh , Singh Om Prakash , Meena Charat Lal
Published: January 2023

For disposal of solid waste, the conventionally utilized approach in Jaipur is the landfilling. It is a notable fact that landfill causes pollution of whole environmental elements that can be demonstrated by analysing the figure for climatic, hydrological and geological properties about the state. The emission of gas as well as leachate arising through the sanitary dumping ground in the atmosphere poses a significant threat for the environmental concern and human that comprises groundwater and air pollution. The methane emission causes an effect on environment with prospective health hazards. The organic matter lying in the heaps of waste at the landfill site decomposes being responsible for GHG emissions (Green House Gas emissions) sharing global warming. GHGs are responsible for extreme weather conditions and uncertain climate sequences. This study demonstrates a review of those environmental threats coming from landfilling applications and negative environmental impact. A comprehensive investigation was carried out for landfill site through sampling and testing for assessing the results of release of SW (solid wastes). The investigations revealed the effects of MSW at the landfill site showing presence of heavy metal (Fe, Cd, Pb, and Ni) indicating the pollution level. The present study is an endeavor to evaluate the current framework of SWM (solid waste management) and to propose corrective measures required to diminish the environmental as well as socio-economic effects for enhancing sustainability of SWM system of Jaipur.
Relative Solution Equilibria and Chemical Speciation study of Divalent Manganese and Cobalt Ternary complexes with Azelaic acid dihydrazide (AZDH), L-Proline & L-Lysine
Authors: Devi D. Nirmala , Rani B. Uma , Shyamala P. , Satyanarayana A.
Published: January 2023

A solution equilibria study of ternary systems containing Mn2+ and Co2+ with Azelaic acid dihydrazide (AZDH) as L and α-amino acids L - Proline and L - Lysine as X of type [MmLlX xHh], was carried out with the help of potentiometric method for data acquisition followed by chemometric modelling studies, (where m = 1, 2; The SOPHD programme is used to generate relative simulation and titration curves. The speciation analysis and evaluation of formation constants (303K and 0.01M ionic strength) were computed with the MINIQUAD-75 computer software, and concentration distribution graphs were generated with the HySS programme. Various statistical parameters were considered to choose the best-fit chemical models. The ∆log K formulation was used to compare the stability of ternary compleyxes with binary complexes.
Possible Protective Effects of Uridine on Atrial Fibrillation: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Xu Xintian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Cheng Shiyao , Ouyang Mao
Published: January 2023

Uridine, a pyrimidine nucleoside, plays a crucial role in the synthesis of metabolites. According to recent research, higher plasma uridine levels are associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the casual inference between uridine and AF is still unknown. In this study, we used the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to elucidate possible causality. Three genetic variants associated with uridine were identified from the Metabolomics GWAS server (7,824 participants); summary-level datasets associated with AF were acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis containing 1,030,836 European participants (60,620 AF cases). We duplicated the MR analyses using datasets from AF HRC studies and the FinnGen consortium and conducted a meta-analysis to combine the main results. The incidence of AF was incidentally associated with a one standard deviation increase in genetically determined plasma uridine [odds ratio (OR), 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16, 0.47; p = 2.39 ⋅ 10− 6)]. In the meta-analysis that combined the various datasets, the association remained consistent (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.17, 0.42; p = 1.34 ⋅ 10− 8). In conclusion, genetic liability for higher plasma uridine levels is associated with a reduction in the risk of AF. Raising plasma uridine levels might provide new opportunities for AF prophylaxis.
Agreement between CO2 gap determined from peripheral blood and mixed venous blood in septic shock patients
Authors: Orso Daniele , Molinari Chiara , Bacchetti Giacomo , Zanini Victor , Montanar Valentina , Copetti Roberto , Guglielmo Nicola , Bove Tiziana
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The veno-arterial CO2 difference (Pv-aCO2) is a useful marker capable of identifying a subpopulation of shocked patients who present a cardiac output insufficient for the tissue metabolic demands. Some Authors have highlighted a linear relationship between Pv-aCO2 determined by mixed or central venous blood. This research aims to establish whether there is a linear relationship between Pv-aCO2 determined by peripheral venous blood (Pv-aCO2p) and mixed venous blood and the agreement between the two measures.
Methods: Prospective, single-centre, observational clinical study on septic shocked and invasively ventilated patients during the first 24 hours from admission in ICU.
Results: On 38 determinations, the Bravais-Pearson r between Pv-aCO2 and Pv-aCO2p was 0.70 (95%CI 0.48 – 0.83; p-value = 1.25 x 10^-6). The Bland-Altman test's mean bias was 4.11 mmHg (95%CI 2.82 – 5.39); the repeatability coefficient was 11.05. The differential and proportional bias were 2.81 (95%CI 0.52 – 5.11) and 1.29 (95%CI 0.86 – 1.72), respectively, through the Taffé method.
Conclusion: Pv-aCO2p could be used in clinical settings wider than the ICU alone, where central venous access is not routine, to establish early the adequacy of the circulation and, more specifically, of cardiac output versus tissue metabolic demands in septic patients.
WITHDRAWN: Influence of a structured microbiological endotracheal monitoring on the outcome of critically ill COVID-19 patients: an observational study
Authors: Dibos Miriam , Haschka Stefanie Julia , Abbassi Rami , Schneider Jochen , Schmid Roland M. , Rasch Sebastian , Lahmer Tobias
Published: January 2023

Purpose
In past influenza pandemics and the current COVID-19 pandemic, bacterial endotracheal superinfections are a well-known risk factor for higher morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of a structured, objective, microbiological monitoring on the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with mechanical ventilation.
Methods
A structured microbiological monitoring (at intubation, then every 3 days) included collection of endotracheal material. Data analysis focused on the spectrum of bacterial pathogens, mortality, as well as ICU-, hospital-, and mechanical ventilation duration.
Results
29% of the patients showed bacterial coinfection at the time of intubation or within 48h, 56% developed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Even though patients with VAP had significantly longer ICU-, hospital and mechanical ventilation duration, there was no significant difference in mortality between patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia and patients without bacterial infection.
Conclusion
Bacterial coinfections and ventilator-associated pneumonia are common complications in influenza and COVID-19 patients. In contrast to already published studies, in our study implementing a structured microbiological monitoring, COVID-19 patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia did not show higher mortality. Thus, a standardized, objective, microbiological screening can help detect coinfections and ventilator-associated infections, refining the anti-infective therapy and influencing the patient outcome positively.
Can Low-High-Density Lipoprotein Be a New Ri̇sk Factor for Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children?
Authors: Bostancı Muharrem , Cagan Eren
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Increasing acute phase reactants due to inflammation or infection cause some changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. High-density lipoprotein(HDL) is part of the innate immune system that fights pathogens entering the body. Therefore, we think HDL has prognostic value in multisystemic inflammatory syndrome associated with Coronavirus (MIS-C) as in Kawasaki disease and other diseases.
Study Design: We followed the 51 patients diagnosed with MİSS-C. We divided the patient into two groups according to cardiac involvement, and we compared the laboratory values of the patients.
Results: Of these 51 patients, 65% (33) were male, and 35% (18) were female. We performed the echocardiographic examination on all patients, 69% (35) of the patients had cardiac pathology, and 31%(16) patients had no cardiac involvement. When comparing the patients' cholesterol levels according to cardiac involvement, the triglyceride value was higher in patients with the cardiac involvement group. The median triglyceride values of patients with cardiac participation were 192.6 mg/dl, and those without cardiac involvement were 134.2 mg/dl. (p=0.028) (IQR 119.4 – 122.9). And also, the HDL value was lower in patients with cardiac involvement. We found that the median HDL values of the patients with cardiac participation were 13.65mg/dl, and the median HDL values of the patients without cardiac involvement were 21.8mg/dl(p=0.003)(IQR 6 - 31)
Conclusion: We found that not only high leukocyte and CRP values were associated with the severity of the disease, but also low HDL and high triglyceride values were associated with cardiac involvement.
Occurrence and risk evaluation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wastewater and surface water of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad , Li Yan , Zubair Muhammad , Rehman Muhammad Saif Ur , Sumrra Sajjad Hussain , Nazar Muhammad Faizan , Mustafa Ghulam , Fazal Muhammad Tahir , Ashraf Humayun , Sun Qian
Published: January 2023

The current study highlights the occurrence, spatial distribution and risk assessment of sixteen endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including their transformation products (TPs) in the wastewater and surface water of Lahore, Pakistan. The parent EDCs include bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), ethinylestradiol (EE2), 4-n-octylphenol (4n-OP ), and 4-n-nonylphenol (4n-NP). The TPs include two TPs each of BPA, TCC and estrogens along with a TP of TCS. Most EDCs showed 100% detection frequency in the wastewater with highest median concentration of 1310 ng/L for E3. In the surface water, the highest median concentration was however observed for BPA (54.6 ng/L). Spatial variations in terms of sum of concentration due to all EDCs and their TPs were observed at different sampling points which suggests contamination due to industrial sources. Risk evaluation in terms of risk quotient (RQ) and estradiol equivalent factor (EEQ) showed that most of EDCs and their TPs could pose high risk and estrogenicity to the surrounding environment. From the results of the current study, it is observed that the environment of Pakistan is deteriorating and is potential risk for endocrine disruption. It is therefore recommended to take stringent measures to make it sustainable for current as well as for future generations.
Phytoremediation capabilities of eight wild plants in absorption of three heavy metals (Al, Pb and Zn) in Meyghan Wetland
Authors: Faraji Raziyeh , abdi nourollah , Varvani Javad , ahmadi abbas , Toranjzar Hamid
Published: January 2023

Phytoremediation plant is one of the proposed methods that by accumulating heavy metals in the aerial parts of plants, it is possible to remove these elements from contaminated soils. The aim of this study was to investigate the situation of removal of three heavy metals, Al, Pb and Zn in the soil based on 8 plant species in Meyghan wetland in Markazi province, Iran. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the difference between of heavy elements in the aerial parts, roots of plant species and soil. The results showed that there were significant difference in the contaminants of Al, Pb and Zn in the aerial, root organs of plant and soil. The results of the study of Al changes in the soil and the studied species showed that the amount of this element in the soil is very high and the studied plants do not have the high adsorption capacity of this element. The results of a study of the amount of Pb in aerial parts and roots of plant species showed that the amount of this metal in aerial parts is higher than the root and Halocenemum Strobilaceum has the highest rate of Pb contaminants (0.82 mg/cm3) among the studied species. The results of Zn change in aerial and root limbs showed that the amount of Zn metal contaminants in aerial organs was higher than the root, and Scirpus lacustris (2.14 mg/cm3) had the highest total absorption rate among the species studied.
Quality of raw material and yield of exported sawn wood in the rational use of tropical timber from the Amazon
Authors: STRAGLIOTTO Michelly Casagrande , PEREIRA Bárbara Luísa Corradi , OLIVEIRA Aylson Costa , LENGOWSKI Elaine Cristina , ARRUDA Tatiana Paula Marques , SILVA José Reinaldo Moreira
Published: January 2023

The low sawn timber yield of tropical species is caused by quality of the logs, among other factors. The objective was to evaluate the quality of logs and the sawn wood yield for export of the tropical species Dinizia excelsa Ducke, Hymenolobium heterocarpum Ducke, Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd., Astronium lecointei Ducke and Qualea paraensis Ducke. The log quality parameters analyzed were conicity, flattening, curving, buttresses, cracks, heartwood percentage and net volume. After sawing, the sawn wood yield was determined. The values of conicity (0.92 cm.m− 1) and flattening (96%) did not differ between species. Qualea paraensis and Hymenolobium heterocarpum showed a better classification for curving. Astronium lecointei showed no buttresses. Qualea paraensis showed better classification for annular ring cracks and Dipteryx odorata for surface and diametrical cracks. Dipteryx odorata (86.75%) and Hymenolobium heterocarpum (82.4%) showed better results for heartwood percentage. Dinizia excelsa (90.1%), Dipteryx odorata (83.6%) and Hymenolobium heterocarpum (82.6%) logs showed higher net volume values. The yield of sawn timber for export differed between species and ranged from 23.9–40.2% for Dinizia excelsa and Qualea paraensis, respectively. There was variation in the quality of the logs and the yield of sawn timber for export due to the distinctive characteristics of the species evaluated.
Green environmental static pressed pile penetration mechanism based on FBG-MEMS joint test technology
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Xin , Wang Yonghong , Wang Zhen , Wang Kai , Jiang Yishun
Published: January 2023

Green environmental static pressure pile technology has always been one of the problems that many scholars urgently need to study. For the stress test of pile-soil interface, this experiment designed the FBG-MEMS joint test technology between the pile-soil interface during the penetration of static pressure piles in cohesive soil. In this test, a model pile is set up in the model bucket. By studying what effects will happen to the pile-soil interface when the pile is in different positions in the bucket, and studying how the boundary effect affects the changes of the indoor test results, the loading device and monitoring system are used to test the pile pressing force, pile shaft axial force and pile-soil interface stress generated during the penetration of the model pile in the model box. The preliminary test verifies the characteristics of simple operation and high accuracy of the test, and also draws the conclusion that with the increase of the penetration depth, the axial force of the pile shaft and the effective lateral pressure of the pile-soil interface increase, but the lateral pressure at the same depth gradually decreases. In addition, the influence of boundary effect is further analyzed. Finally, it is concluded that the boundary effect will increase the pile driving force, pile shaft axial force and effective side friction. The research results have important reference significance for green environmental protection static pressure pile technology in practical engineering.
Association between alcohol consumption and kidney stones in American adults：2007-2016 NHANES
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Huang Zhicong , Ai Guoyao , Guo Xin , Zeng Guohua , Zhu Wei
Published: January 2023

Purpose
To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and kidney stones in American adults.
Materials and Methods
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets from 2007 to 2016 were utilized. Participants with a history of kidney stones and alcohol consumption aged 20 or older were included. Weighted proportions and regression analysis were used to assess the association between alcohol consumption and kidney stones by adjusting age, gender, race, marital status, education, recreational activities, smoking, and several comorbidities.
Results
Ten samples related to alcohol consumption were included based on questions from the Alcohol Use Questionnaire (ALQ). In the fully adjusted regression model, none of these ten samples demonstrated a significant association with urolithiasis, that is, alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with the incidence of kidney stones.
Conclusions
Alcohol consumption is not significantly associated with the prevalence of kidney stones. This finding requires a more adequate sample size and a more detailed review of the history of kidney stones to be further verified.
Parameter evaluation method of tight carbonate reservoir using electrical imaging pores diameter spectrum
Authors: Jiao Shixiang , Zhao Jun , Ren Xiaofeng , Wen Xiaofeng , Liu Anpei , Cai Fang , Yu Baocai , Zhang Rui
Published: January 2023

Presently, tight carbonate reservoirs with high gas production in lower Paleozoic of Changqing Oilfield have been continuously studied. Although tight carbonate reservoirs have a strong heterogeneity and complex combination relationship, they are difficult to evaluate using conventional logging data. The electrical imaging logging data have a high resolution, which can directly observe the structural characteristics of the formation and the spatial characteristics of pores and holes. The information on the effectiveness of pores in the formation can be obtained through the electrical imaging logging data, so that the tight carbonate reservoir parameters can be evaluated using the information. However, the interpretation of the electrical imaging logging image has multiple solutions, and the interpretation accuracy largely depends on the experience of the interpreter. In this paper, we compare a large number of core experiments, conventional logging, imaging logging, and other data, and propose a method of pore size distribution feature extraction and pore size spectrum calculation based on electrical imaging logging to quantitatively evaluate pore permeability parameters of a tight carbonate reservoir. Our result improves the interpretation accuracy and coincidence rate, which is confirmed by the well testing data.
Benchmarking a new TH2M implementation in OGS-6 with regard to processes relevant for nuclear waste disposal
Authors: Pitz Michael , Grunwald Norbert , Graupner Bastian , Kurgyis Kata , Radeisen Eike , Maßmann Jobst , Ziefle Gesa , Thiedau Jan , Nagel Thomas
Published: January 2023

In this paper, thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) coupled processes triggered during the construction, operation and closure of a deep geological repository for heat generating, high level radioactive waste are discussed based on a generic disposal concept.For this purpose we are using the numerical non-isothermal two-phase-two-component flow in deformable porous media (\th2m) implementation \cite{Grunwald2022} in the open-source software OpenGeoSys \cite{Bilke2019337}.THM coupled effects covered in this work focus on single and two-phase-flow phenomena, gas and heat generation as well as poro-elastic medium deformation.A suitable set of benchmarks covering aforementioned THM-effects, devised in the scope of the BenVaSim benchmarking project \cite{Lux2022} is chosen and one additional benchmark is presented, allowing for the demonstration and comparison of the OGS-6 \th2m implementation against results obtained by other well-established codes used in the field.Apart from the code comparison, the benchmarks also serve as means to analyize THM coupled processes in a repository based on very simplified geometries. Therefore, they can help to improve the process understanding, but any quantitative results should not be interpreted as predictions of the behaviour of a real repository.The results obtained in this work agree well with the results presented by the project partners in BenVaSim -- both in single phasic, fully liquid saturated cases and in partially saturated two phase regions.Hence, the suitability of the OGS-6 \th2m implementation for the application in the field of radioactive waste management, supporting the safety case and analyzing the integrity of the geological and geotechnical barrier systems is demonstrated.Finally, a detailed discussion of observed phenomena in the benchmarks increases our understanding and confidence in the prediction of the behaviour of \th2m coupled systems in the context of deep geological radioactive waste disposal.
Inclusivity and corporate social responsibility in marketing
Authors: M. S. Carvalho João , Nogueira Sónia , Martins Nayra
Published: January 2023

Inclusivity and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a community where ethnic diversity and conflict are very low compared to other countries still need to be researched more. This study aims to analyze university students’ awareness of inclusivity and CSR in marketing teaching using a pretest-posttest control group design. Both experimental (n = 138) and control (n = 140) groups are homogeneous regarding nationality, ethnicity, and age. The experimental group was subject to specific training on inclusive products, marketing communication, and CSR, which allowed testing of their perceptions and the training’s effectiveness. The first trial showed that the change in the experimental group was 8%, against 2.5% in the control group. The second trial demonstrated that the change in the experimental group was 30.4%, noting inclusive reasons, and, in the control group, only 6.4%. The third trial found a positive evolution in the experimental group, with more than 8.3% of students choosing the CSR company, and a negative evolution in the control group of –5.6%. These differences were not statistically significant within both groups but significant when comparing the two groups. The results of this study highlight that this homogeneous population does not think about those issues when analyzing businesses, products, or marketing communication. However, when people are submitted to specific training, they become aware and change their perceptions accordingly to what was expected. Thus, one concludes that education for inclusivity and CSR should be part of students’ training, independently of the homogeneity of the social and human environment.
AcknowledgmentThe authors would like to thank their students at Universidade Portucalense for accepting that their school tests were used to design and publish this paper.
Comparison of the sensitivity of rapid tests, FCoV Ab (Vet Expert) and PCR, in the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats with the effusive form of the disease
Authors: ADASZEK ŁUKASZ , KALINOWSKI MARCIN , RUTKOWSKA-SZULCZYK MAŁGORZATA , MAZUREK ŁUKASZ , SZULC DOMINIKA , STANIEC MARTA , OŻGA DOROTA PIETRAS- , MICHALAK KATARZYNA , BUCZEK KRZYSZTOF , WINIARCZYK STANISŁAW
Published: January 2023

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of FCoV Ab rapid serological tests in the diagnosis of the effusive form of FIP in cats. The cats included in the study were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 40 cats with a strain of FCoV causing FIP (the presence of the M1058L mutation) in the abdominal fluid determined using PCR. The control group consisted of 15 cats with ascites caused by factors other than FCoV infection. Serological examination demonstrated the presence of antibodies to feline coronavirus in 28 out of 40 samples of the fluid collected from animals included in the study group, which constituted 70.0% of the tested samples. No antibodies to coronavirus were identified in any of the peritoneal fluid samples collected from the cats included in the control group using rapid immunochromatographic tests. The results obtained in our own studies demonstrated that the serological test ensured very high probability, especially in the detection of infected animals, as well as, although with a slightly lower probability, in the exclusion of the presence of FIP virus infection in the samples of fluid collected from the peritoneal cavity.
Progress in vaccines against peste des petits ruminants virus
Authors: NIEDBALSKI WIESŁAW
Published: January 2023

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and economically important viral disease of both domestic (goats and sheep) and wild small ruminants. Due to the devastating effect of this disease on livestock and livelihoods, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) endorsed the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR (PPR GCES) and launched the PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) to eradicate PPRV by 2030. In order to achieve this goal, a potent, safe and efficacious live-attenuated PPR vaccine with long-lasting immunity is available for immunoprophylaxis. However, the live-attenuated PPR vaccines are thermolabile and require maintenance of an effective cold chain to deliver to the field. In addition, infected animals cannot be differentiated from vaccinated ones (DIVA). To overcome these limitations, some new generation PPR vaccines have been developed: poxvirus vaccine, positive and negative marker vaccine through reverse genetic approach, chimeric vaccine, anti-idiotypic vaccine, subunit vaccine, virus-like particles vaccine, edible vaccine and combined vaccines. Novel recombinant PPR DIVA vaccines were evaluated in goats for safety and efficacy, and all vaccinated animals were clinically protected against an intranasal PPRV challenge. Furthermore, newly developed ELISAs were capable of differentiating between infected and vaccinated animals. Therefore, these DIVA vaccines and the associated tests can facilitate the serological monitoring process and speed up global PPR eradication through vaccination.
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in beef cattle in the Hebei Province of China
Authors: SUN TONG-BAO , LIN XIAO-YU , PAN SU-MIN , CHEN LI-FENG , SHI QIU-MEI , LI WEN-CHAO , WANG QIU-YUE
Published: January 2023

Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) are two common opportunistic pathogens that can infect humans and animals worldwide. The available data on the prevalence of these pathogens is insufficient in Hebei Province, China, which is located in the Bohai Sea region. In the present study, 718 fecal specimens of native beef cattle from eight farms in Hebei Province were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi using nested PCR targeting the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of E. bieneusi. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 9.2% (66/718) and E. bieneusi was 8.6% (62/718). C. andersoni (n = 56) and C. parvum (n = 10) were identified in this study, and all C. parvum-positive specimens belonged to IIdA20G1 in the gp60 gene. The ITS sequence analysis obtained seven known E. bieneusi genotypes, including J (n = 48), BEB4 (n = 4), CHC8 (n = 3), EbpC (n = 2), I (n = 2), D (n = 2), and BEB6 (n = 1). Genotype D and EbpC belonged to the zoonotic Group 1, while the other genotype belonged to the host-adapted Group 2. This is the first report on the occurrence of E. bieneusi in beef cattle in Hebei Province. In this study, the presence of zoonotic C. parvum and two E. bieneusi genotypes suggest that cattle can be a potential zoonotic source for human or animal infection.
Preoperative US Integrated Random Forest Model for Predicting Delphian
Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Zhou Chao , Xu Chaoli , Yang Bin , Huang Yan , Shen Bo , Dong Xueming , Xu Xinyan , Liu Guotao
Published: January 2023

Background:

Delphian lymph node (DLN) has been considered to be a gate that predicts
widespread lymph node involvement, higher recurrence and mortality rates of head and neck cancer.

Objective:

This study aimed to establish a preoperative ultrasonography integrated machine learning
prediction model to predict Delphian lymph node metastasis (DLNM) in patients with diagnosed papillary
thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods:

Ultrasonographic and clinicopathologic variables of PTC patients from 2014 to 2021 were
retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors associated with DLNM were identified and validated through
a developed random forest (RF) algorithm model based on machine learning and a logistic regression
(LR) model.

Results:

A total of 316 patients with 402 thyroid lesions were enrolled for the training dataset and 280
patients with 341 lesions for the validation dataset, with 170 (28.52%) patients developed DLNM. The
elastography score of ultrasonography, central lymph node metastasis, lateral lymph node metastasis,
and serum calcitonin were predictive factors for DLNM in both models. The RF model has better predictive
performance in the training dataset and validation dataset (AUC: 0.957 vs. 0.890) than that in
the LR model (AUC: 0.908 vs. 0.833).

Conclusion:

The preoperative ultrasonography integrated RF model constructed in this study could
accurately predict DLNM in PTC patients, which may provide clinicians with more personalized clinical
decision-making recommendations preoperatively. Machine learning technology has the potential
to improve the development of DLNM prediction models in PTC patients.