bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Wearable Shear Force Transducer Based on Color Spectrum Analysis
Authors: McGeehan Michael , Hahn Michael E. , Karipott Salil , Ong Keat Ghee
Published: February 2022

The need for miniaturized shear force sensors is expanding, particularly for biomedical applications. Examples include measuring interfacial shear stresses between a human and an external device (e.g., footwear or a prosthesis). However, there are considerable challenges in designing a shear sensor for these applications due to the need for a small package, low power requirements, and resistance to interference from motion artifact and electromagnetic fields. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization sensor that measures two-axis shear force by detecting displacement between a color panel and a red, green, and blue light-sensing photodiode. The sensor response to applied displacements and forces was characterized under benchtop testing conditions. We also present the design of a prototype wireless version of the sensor for integration into footwear. The sensor exhibited strong agreement with gold standard measurements for two axis shear displacements (R2>0.99, RMSE≤5.0 µm) and forces (R2>0.99, RMSE≤0.94 N). This performance, along with the sensor’s scalability, miniaturized form, and low power requirements make it well-suited a variety of biomedical applications.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of bZIP Transcription Factors under Abiotic Stress in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Parajuli Atit , Sanguinet Karen , Zhang Zhiwu
Published: February 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most cultivated forage legume around the world. Under a variety of growing conditions, forage yield in alfalfa is stymied by biotic and abiotic stresses including heat, salt, drought, and disease. Given the sessile nature of plants, they use strategies such as differential gene expression to respond to environmental cues. Transcription factors control the expression of genes that contribute to or enable tolerance and survival during periods of stress. Basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors have been demonstrated to play a critical role in regulating plant growth and development as well as mediate the responses to abiotic stress in several species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula. However, there is little information about bZIP transcription factors in cultivated alfalfa. In the present study, 237 bZIP genes were identified in alfalfa from publicly available sequencing data. Multiple sequence alignments showed the presence of intact bZIP motifs in the identified sequences. Based on previous phylogenetic analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana, alfalfa bZIPs were similarly divided and fell into 10 groups. The physico-chemical properties, motif analysis and phylogenetic study of the alfalfa bZIPs revealed high specificity within groups. The differential expression of alfalfa bZIPs in a suite of tissues indicates that particular bZIP genes are specifically expressed at different developmental stages in alfalfa. Similarly, expression analysis in response to ABA, cold, drought and salt stresses, indicates that a subset of bZIP genes are also differentially expressed and likely play a role in abiotic stress signaling and/or tolerance. However, further functional characterization of bZIP transcription factors in alfalfa will help illuminate the role they play in stress tolerance mechanisms in legumes and facilitate the molecular breeding of stress tolerance in alfalfa.
Managing Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Point of View and Fears of Pediatric Cancer Patients’ Families
Authors: Nigro Olga , Sironi Giovanna , Ferrari Andrea , Tinè Gabriele , Infante Gabriele , Barretta Francesco , Silva Matteo , Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Chiaravalli Stefano , Schiavello Elisabetta , Biassoni Veronica , Podda Marta , Meazza Cristina , Spreafico Filippo , Casanova Michela , Terenziani Monica , Luksch Roberto , Massimino Maura
Published: February 2022

(1)Background: When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, changes had to be made to several management aspects at our Pediatric Oncology Center. We investigated how the families per-ceived these changes. (2) Methods: Two questionnaires were developed at the Pediatric Oncology Unit of the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, to explore how the pandemic has affected the experience of patients who had been or were being treated at our hospital, and their families. These were administered to three samples of individuals. (3) Results: Between July and October 2020, 120 questionnaires were administered to parents of patients. The impact of school closures and the impossibility of attending sports and social activities outside the hospital were regarded as im-portant. 77.5% of parents judged the social distancing to have affected their children. Regarding the changes introduced in the management of the ward and outpatient clinic, most parents’ opinions were positive. Differences in the opinions expressed by Groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant on the topic of relationships on the ward and staff workload. The aspect most negatively affected by the pandemic was the support that patients’ parents were able to give each other. Regardless of whether patients were treated before the pandemic or after the first lockdown, their parents of all indicated a strong degree of satisfaction with the care received, and with the organizational ar-rangements. (4) Conclusions: The results of our study point us in the right direction to further improve our daily work and better respond to the needs of our patients and their families.
Integrated Analysis of the miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Involved in the HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder
Authors: Liu Chang , Ding Qian , Kong Xiaohong
Published: February 2022

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is an array of neurocognitive changes associated with HIV infection, and the roles of microRNAs in HAND are not completely revealed yet. Based on published data and publicly available databases, we constructed an integrated miRNA-mRNA network involved in HAND. Bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology, network analysis, and KEGG pathway analysis, were applied for further study of the network and the genes of the network. The axon guidance KEGG pathway, three genes NTNG1, EFNB2, CXCL12, and 17 miRNAs which regulates them, are spotlighted in our study. This study provides new perspectives to the knowledge of miRNAs’ roles in the process of HAND, and our findings provided potential therapeutic targets and clues of HAND.
Deep Learning Segmentation of Satellite Imagery Identifies Aquatic Vegetation Associated with Snail Intermediate Hosts of Schistosomiasis in Senegal, Africa
Authors: Liu Zac Yung-Chun , Chamberlin Andrew J. , Tallam Krti , Jones Isabel J. , Lamore Lance L. , Bauer John , Bresciani Mariano , Wolfe Caitlin M. , Casagrandi Renato , Mari Lorenzo , Gatto Mariano , Diongue Abdou Ka , Toure Lamine , Rohr Jason , Riveau Gilles , Jouanard Nicolas , Wood Chelsea L. , Sokolow Susanne H. , Mandle Lisa , Daily Gretchen , Lambin Eric F. , De Leo Giulio A.
Published: February 2022

Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease of poverty that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, and is clearly associated with the construction of dams and water resource management infrastructure in tropical and subtropical areas. Changes to hydrology and salinity linked to water infrastructure development may create conditions favorable to the aquatic vegetation that is suitable habitat for the intermediate snail hosts of schistosome parasites. With thousands of small and large water reservoirs, irrigation canals, and dams developed or under construction in Africa, it is crucial to accurately assess the spatial distribution of high-risk environments that are habitat for freshwater snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis in rapidly changing ecosystems. Yet, standard techniques for monitoring snails are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and provide information limited to the small areas that can be manually sampled. Consequently, in low-income countries where schistosomiasis control is most needed, there are formidable challenges to identify potential transmission hotspots for targeted medical and environmental interventions. In this study, we developed a new framework to map the spatial distribution of suitable snail habitat across large spatial scales in the Senegal River Basin by integrating satellite data, high-definition, low-cost drone imagery, and an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computer vision technique called semantic segmentation. A deep learning model (U-Net) was built to automatically analyze high-resolution satellite imagery to produce segmentation maps of aquatic vegetation, with a fast and robust generalized prediction that proved more accurate than a more commonly used random forest approach. Accurate and up-to-date knowledge of areas at highest risk for disease transmission can increase the effectiveness of control interventions by targeting habitat of disease-carrying snails. With the deployment of this new framework, local governments or health actors might better target environmental interventions to where and when they are most needed in an integrated effort to reach the goal of schistosomiasis elimination.
The Implementation of Independent Learning Independent Campus: The New Paradigm of Education in Indonesia
Authors: Sa’diyah Maemunah , Nurhayati Immas , Endri Endri , Supriadi Dedi , Afrianto Yuggo
Published: February 2022

Independent Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) is a program to develop an educational ecosystem that is in harmony with learning in higher education and the needs of industry. The limited link and match between universities and the business and industrial world in Indonesia are obstacles in realizing Indonesia as a developed country in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the Independent Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) program on improving the performance of Ibn Khaldun University Bogor. The method used in this study is descriptive statistics with quantitative analysis. The sample that participated in this study consisted of all active students, lecturers, and administration staff. The research data was obtained through distribution to 6100 students, 233 lecturers, and 150 education staff. The research stages include socializing the understanding of MBKM, filling out the survey, calculating the distribution of respondents' filling, and concluding the assessment category using the weighted mean score (WMS) method. Based on the result, the implementation of MBKM in University of Ibn Khaldun Bogor based on all indicators can conclude that MBKM improve the performance of Ibn Khaldun Bogor University in the good category with an average percentage assessment criteria above 75%
Concentrations of Ciprofloxacin in the World’s Rivers Are Associated With the Prevalence of Fluoroquinolone Resistance in E. coli: A Global Ecological Analysis
Authors: Kenyon Chris
Published: February 2022

Extremely low concentrations of ciprofloxacin may select for antimicrobial resistance. A recent global survey found that ciprofloxacin concentrations exceded safe levels at 64 sites. We assessed if national median ciprofloxacin concentrations in rivers were associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli. Methods Spearman’s regression was used to assess the country-level association between the national prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli and the median ciprofloxacin concentration in the countries rivers. Results The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli was positively correlated with the concentration of ciprofloxacin in rivers (ρ=0.36; P=0.011; N=48). Conclusions Steps to reducing the concentrations of fluoroquinolones in rivers may help prevent the emergence of resistance in E. coli and other bacterial species.
Translating the Biology of Rodents’ Sex-Recognition and Mate-Recognition to Humans’: Bridging the Pheromonal-Visual Gap
Authors: Salu Yehuda
Published: February 2022

A large part of our understanding of the biological substrates of sex-recognition and mate-recognition is derived by studying animal models. In performing those tasks, rodents rely mostly of pheromones and other olfactory cues, whereas humans rely mostly on visual cues. That may hinder the translation of rodents’ biology to humans’ biology, especially at the neural-networks level, where those cues traverse different networks in humans and rodents brains. That may be called the “pheromonal-visual gap”. A theoretical model presented here addresses those issues. The model merges observations from humans and model-animals, as reported in specific scientific reports, and general biological principles that are accepted by the scientific community. The model suggests that the voices of men and women are the innate cues based on which humans learn to use visual cues in sex-recognition and mate-recognition. Children learn the two tasks in associative learning mechanisms, by being immersed in their community, and observing adult role-models in innocuous, non-sexual scenarios. The model proposes that the human medial-geniculate-nucleus (MGN) is the analog of the rodents’ accessory-olfactory-bulb (AOB) and the main-olfactory-bulb (MOB), and that the human MASH pathway (MGN, amygdala, bnST, hypothalamus) is the analog of the rodents’ VNOP (Vomeronasal-organ-pathway). Considering the differences in the pathways should facilitate the translation from rodents’ brain nuclei and tracks to humans’. Also, the model hypothesizes that innate direct and indirect connections between auditory centers, e.g., MGN, and sex-control centers, e.g., hypothalamus, vary across three groups of children, and those variations determine the individual’s mate-recognition that emerges at puberty.
Radial Wrist Extensor Tendon Entrapment in Volarly Displaced Distal Radius Fracture
Authors: Amemiya Tsuyoshi , Okazaki Masato , Kato Tomoyuki , Tazaki Kenichi
Published: February 2022

Entrapment of extensor pollicis longus, indicis proprius, and digitorum communis tendons in volarly displaced distal radius fracture has been previously reported. However, to the best of our knowledge, the entrapment of extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus tendons has not been reported.

Case:

We experienced 2 cases of these entrapments. In the first case, the entrapment was identified immediately and treated successfully. In the second case, the entrapment was diagnosed after union when the disturbance of wrist flexion became apparent.

Conclusion:

When there is a longitudinal fracture line at the vicinity of the second compartment, the entrapment of extensors should be suspected even when acceptable overall alignment is accomplished.
Effectiveness of Web-Based Flipped Classroom Reviewed from UnderstandingMathematics Concepts of Primary Teacher Education Students
Authors: Ermiana Ida , Rosyidah Awal Nur Khalifatur , Fauzi Asri , Hidayati Vivi Rachmatul
Published: February 2022

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the web-based Flipped Classroom model in terms of understanding the mathematical concepts of PGSD students. This type of research is a quasi-experimental quantitative research with one group pretest-posttest. This research was conducted on 2nd-semester PGSD students taking Mathematics Education courses. The population of this study was all 2nd-semester PGSD students and the sample of this study was taken randomly as many as 32 students. This research instrument uses a test for understanding mathematical concepts on geometry material with a total of 10 multiple-choice questions. The data analysis techniques in this study are the normality test as a prerequisite test, the Wilcoxon test to determine the difference between the average pretest and posttest, and the effect size test (Cohen's d) to conclude that the web-based flipped classroom model is effective or not on understanding mathematical concepts. The results of this study indicate that the normality test on the pretest data obtained data with a normal distribution, but on the posttest data the data was not normally distributed, so the Wilcoxon nonparametric test was used. Wilcoxon test results show the results of sig. <0.005, which means that there is a significant average difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. Then from the results of the Effect Size test, the results of 1.55 are included in the very large category.
Application of Gel for Water Shutoff: A Case Study of Kelebija Oil Field
Authors: Zahirovic Irina , Skrobonja Petar , Danilovic Dušan
Published: February 2022

This paper focuses on the results of water shutoff operations using polymer gel in the Kelebija oil field. The methodology of candidate wells’ selection and the manner of performing the operation will also be included. The Kelebija oil field is characterized by a complex reservoir system with heterogeneous layers of different permeability and dual porosity with a strong waterdrive aquifer, which led to the early breakthrough of water. For the last 25 years, the average water cut was above 90%. Implementation of water shutoff operations began in 2019 and was performed on seven wells with an 85.7% success rate. It proved to be very effective with a water-cut reduction from 23% to as much as 72%. The average water cut for the entire Kelebija oil field has dropped by 12% and oil production increased by 210%.
Instrument-To-Instrument translation: Instrumental advances drive restoration of solar observation series via deep learning
Authors: Jarolim Robert , Veronig Astrid , Pötzi Werner , Podladchikova Tatiana
Published: February 2022

The constant improvement of astronomical instrumentation provides the foundation for scientific discoveries. In general, these improvements have only implications forward in time, while previous observations do not benefit from this trend.
Here we provide a general deep learning method that translates between image domains of different instruments (Instrument-To-Instrument translation; ITI). We demonstrate that the available data sets can directly profit from the most recent instrumental improvements, by applying our method to five different applications of ground- and space-based solar observations. We obtain 1) solar full-disk observations with unprecedented spatial resolution, 2) a homogeneous data series of 24 years of space-based observations of the solar EUV corona and magnetic field, 3) real-time mitigation of atmospheric degradations in ground-based observations, 4) a uniform series of ground-based Hα observations starting from 1973, 5) magnetic field estimates from the solar far-side based on EUV imagery. The direct comparison to simultaneous high-quality observations shows that our method produces images that are perceptually similar and match the reference image distribution.
Lymphatic Embolization versus Sclerotherapy for Symptomatic Post-operative Pelvic Lymphocele (LESPOL): A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Lee In Joon , Kim Jinoo , Kim Gyoung Min , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Hee Seung , Kwak Cheol , Seo Ho Kyung , Lim Myong Cheol , Hur Saebeom
Published: February 2022

This study was performed to compare clinical outcomes of lymphatic n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) embolization and ethanol sclerotherapy in patients with symptomatic postoperative pelvic lymphoceles. This prospective, open-label, randomized, and controlled trial took place at two medical centers in Korea. Patients ≥18 years old with symptomatic postoperative pelvic lymphoceles were randomly assigned (1:1) to one of two study arms: lymphatic embolization or sclerotherapy. A target of 44 patients was set for each group to assess clinical outcomes. The trial began in August 2018 but ended as a pilot study in February 2020. Problematic patient enrollment precluded full population recruitment, only 11 patients (lymphatic embolization, 5; sclerotherapy, 6) eventually participating. Clinical success and drainage tube removal rates were 100% in both arms. To achieve clinical success, significantly more procedures were needed in the sclerotherapy group than in the lymphatic embolization group (4.5±1.23 vs 2.0±1.00; p<0.001). The time to achieve daily drainage reduction thresholds (<20 mL or <20% of initial daily drainage) was also less in the sclerotherapy (vs embolization) group but fell short of statistical significance (4.8±2.63 days vs 7.0±3.67 days; p=0.267). No significant adverse events or recurring symptomatic lymphoceles were evident at 3-month follow-up visits. Both lymphatic NBCA embolization and ethanol sclerotherapy might be safe and effective in treating symptomatic postoperative pelvic lymphoceles, showing no significant difference in clinical outcomes. In a future randomized prospective study, it is essential to establish better inclusion criteria to selectively include intractable lymphoceles to find out the difference in the outcome between the two treatments.
The Association Between the Clinical Severity of Heart Failure and Docosahexaenoic Acid Accumulation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: akita keitaro , Kikushima Kenji , Ikoma Takenori , Islam Ariful , Sato Tomohito , Yamamoto Taisei , Kahyo Tomoaki , Setou Mitsutoshi , Maekawa Yuichiro
Published: February 2022

Objective: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic disease with diverse morphology, symptoms, and prognosis. Hypertrophied myocardium metabolism has not been explored in detail. We assessed the association between myocardium lipid metabolism and clinical severity of heart failure (HF) in HCM using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). Results: We studied 16 endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens from patients with HCM. Analysis was conducted using desorption electrospray ionization IMS. The Samples were assigned into two cohorts according to the period of heart biopsy (cohort 1, n=9 and cohort 2, n=7). In each cohort, samples were divided into two groups according to the clinical severity of HF in HCM: clinically severe and clinically mild groups. Signals showing a significant difference between the two groups were analyzed by volcano plot. In cohort 1, the volcano plot identified four signals; the intensity in the clinically severe group was more than twice that of the mild group. Out of the four signals, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed significant differences in intensity between the two groups in cohort 2 (10575.8±2750.3 vs. 19839.3±4803.2, p=0.025). The intensity of DHA was significantly higher in EMB samples from the clinically severe HCM group than in those from the mild group.
Does Greenwashing Affect Employee’s Career Satisfaction? The Mediating Role of Organizational Pride, Negative Emotions and Affective Commitment.
Authors: Santos Célia , Coelho Arnaldo , Marques Alzira
Published: February 2022

Greenwashing occurs when companies deliberately deceive or mislead stakeholders regarding their environmental practices or benefits of a product/service. Most existing greenwashing studies focus on consumers, and the effects on employees have seldom been examined. Furthermore, little is known about how employees may respond emotionally to their company's greenwashing practices. Accordingly, the current research conducted an empirical study of the relationship between employees’ greenwashing perception and their career satisfaction. The mediating roles of organizational pride, negative emotions, and affective commitment are also examined. Based on information collected through a questionnaire applied to 398 Portuguese employees, a quantitative, causal, cross-sectional study was carried out, using structural equation model techniques, through AMOS. The results indicate that employees’ perception of greenwashing relates negatively to their career satisfaction, organizational pride, and affective commitment. In turn, negative emotions are positively impacted by greenwashing. The results also reveal that the path between employees perceived greenwashing and their career satisfaction is established not only directly, but also through organizational pride and affective commitment. This study extends the literature by addressing the neglected side of employees’ emotional reactions to greenwashing. Based on the central premise that corporate greenwashing is inherently an immoral act, we draw upon appraisal theory and moral foundations theory to investigate short-term (affective commitment, negative emotions, and organizational pride) and long-term (career satisfaction) work-related effects as an outcome for greenwashing.
Spontaneous exchange bias effect in polycrystalline Bi 0.5 Sr 0.5 Fe 0.5 Cr 0.5 O 3
Authors: li shaozhen , Rahman A. , Ma C. L. , Zhao X. , Sun Z. Y. , Liu M. F. , Wang X. Z. , Xu X. F. , liu junming
Published: February 2022

Bulk Bi0.5Sr0.5Fe0.5Cr0.5O3 is a new compound comprising the R3c structure. The structural, magnetic, and exchange bias details are investigated. The material was in the paramagnetic state at room temperature. The field cooling HFC acts on the sample resulting in the exchange bias HEB. And the material is in a spontaneous polarization state, the exchange bias usually occurs at the boundary between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states. The result shows that changing HFC from 1T to 6T reduces the HEB value by 16% at 2 K. Meanwhile, HEB diminishes as the ferromagnetic layer thickens. The variation of tFM with the change of HFC leads to the tuning of HEB by HFC in bulk Bi0.5Sr0.5Fe0.5Cr0.5O3. These effects are obviously different from the phenomenon seen in other oxide types.
How the Development, Features and Roll-Out of a SARS-COV-2 Vaccine Shape Public Acceptance: A Conjoint Experiment in a Large Representative Sample of Danes
Authors: Jørgensen Frederik Juhl , Bor Alexander , Petersen Michael Bang
Published: February 2022

Background
While effective vaccines against the SARS-COV-2 virus have been developed and countries around the world have invested heavily to secure vaccine rollout, a fundamental challenge remains. How do policy-makers around the world ensure high vaccine uptake? What is lacking is a comprehensive assessment that captures a total spectrum of features related to the development of a vaccine, the vaccine's characteristics as well as the implementation of the vaccination program.
Methods
To provide such an assessment, we designed a conjoint experiment embedded in large-scale surveys based on a random sample from the central database of Danish social security numbers (N = 3,099), providing a sample that is representative for the adult Danish population. In the conjoint experiment, we vary features relating to three dimensions: 1) the stage of vaccine development, 2) the specific characteristics of the vaccine, and 3) the implementation of the vaccination strategy.
Results
We show that the features relating to characteristics of the specific vaccine have the strongest impact on vaccine acceptance. The features relating to vaccine development were the second most powerful, while the features relating to the implementation of the vaccination strategy were the least.
Conclusions
The public has a strong preference for vaccines with high efficacy. This may point to a mounting challenge for ensuring high vaccine uptake. Yet, the results also provide evidence that there might be a pathway to naturally alleviate this challenge. Thus, over time the “testing period” of the vaccines are naturally extended, which simultaneously implies an increase in vaccine safety (provided that the roll-out only reveals marginal side-effects). Our results suggest that such an increase in vaccine safety in itself will increase acceptance (in particular, if the roll-out only reveals marginal side-effects). Furthermore, the results indicate that vaccine acceptance can be increased if politicians leave it to the health authorities to communicate about recommendations.
A tumoral and peritumoral CT-based Radiomics and Machine learning approach to predict the microsatellite instability of rectal carcinoma
Authors: Ma Yanqing , Yuan Hang , Yu Peng , Xu Xiren , Tu Shiliang , Wei Yuguo
Published: February 2022

Objective: To predict the status of microsatellite instability (MSI) of rectal carcinoma (RC) using different machine learning algorithms based on tumoral and peritumoral radiomics combined with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: There were 487 RC patients enrolled in this retrospective study. The tumoral and peritumoral CT-based radiomic features were calculated after tumor segmentation. The radiomic features from two radiologists were compared by the method of inter-observer correlation coefficient (ICC). After methods of variance, correlation, and dimension reduction, six machine learning algorithms of logistic regression (LR), Bayes, support vector machine, random forest, k-nearest neighbor, and decision tree were conducted to develop models in predicting MSI status of RC. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was quantified. The radiomics and significant clinicopathological variables were integrated the radiomics-clinicopathological nomogram. The receiver operator curve (ROC) was made by Delong test and the area under curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated to evaluate the performance of the model. Results: The venous phase of CT examination was selected for further analysis because of the proportion of radiomic features with ICC greater than 0.75 was higher. The tumoral and peritumoral model by LR algorithm (M-LR) with minimal RSD showed good performance in predicting MSI status of RC with the AUCs of 0.817 and 0.726 in the training and validation set. The radiomic-clinicopathological nomogram conducted better in both the training and validation set with the AUCs of 0.843 and 0.737. Conclusion: The radiomics-clinicopathological nomogram demonstrated the better predictive performance in evaluating the MSI status of RC.
Evaluation of PET List Data-driven Gated Motion Correction Technique Applied in Lung Tumors
Authors: Chen Yi-Lun , Yang Bang-Hung , Shih I-Ling , Lin Ko-Han
Published: February 2022

Purpose PET/CT is an important tool for tumor staging or evaluation of treatment response, especially for lung tumors. However, due to patients' free-breathing, the static PET image could be blurred, resulting in decreasing in image quality and incorrect quantitative values. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Q.Static scan mode with the novel PET list data-driven gated (DDG) technique decreases the lesion blurring problems in lung cancer patients. Methods 194 patients with lung tumors were retrospectively reviewed. DDG Q.Static scan mode was set with 3 beds to cover the whole chest and the upper abdomen in their routine PET/CT scans. It was activated automatically when sensed significant respiratory motion. Routine reconstruction algorithm was applied to the data. Only those lesions located in the motioncorrected areas were measured and calculated for statistics. Results There were 124 out of 194 patients whose acquisition beds at least one bed activated the DDG Q.Static procedure. However, only 49 out of 124 patients showed lesions in their activated beds. Compared to noncorrection data, DDG Q.Static data showed improved accuracy by increasing SUVmax and SUVmean by 8.52% (9.20±5.42 to 9.74±5.42) and 8.65% (6.11±3.68 to 6.48±3.68). And, MTV was reduced from 6.54±8.58 to 5.55±7.33 (14.79% reduction). For subjective image quality, DDG Q.Static data was scored higher than noncorrection data. Conclusions This study demonstrated that both quantitative values and image quality were improved after correction. The DDG Q.Static technique provided an easier way to correct motion artifacts in PET/CT scans.
Machine/Deep Learning-based Approaches to Predict Overweight or Obesity in Chinese Preschool-Aged Children
Authors: Wang Qiong , Yang Min , Pang Bo , Xue Mei , Zhang Yicheng , Deng Xiangling , Zhang Zhixin , Niu Wenquan
Published: February 2022

Objectives: We adopted the machine learning and deep learning algorithms to explore risk profiling for overweight and obesity in Chinese preschool-aged children.Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey, and was conducted between September and December in 2020 at Beijing and Tangshan. Using a stratified cluster random sampling strategy, children 3-6 years of age from 30 kindergartens were enrolled. Data were analyzed using community PyCharm.Results: A total of 9478 children were eligible for inclusion, 1250 children with overweight or obesity, and they were randomly divided into the training group and testing group in a 6:4 ratio. After the training and testing process, the SVM (accuracy: 0.9457) was ranked as the best algorithm, followed by the GBM (accuracy: 0.9454) as reflected by model accuracy. As reflected by other performance indexes, the GBM had the highest F1 score (0.7748), followed by the SVM with the F1 score at 0.7731. After importance ranking, the top five factors seemed sufficient to obtain descent performance under the GBM algorithm, including age of children, eating speed, number of relatives with obesity, sweet drinking, and paternal education, which was further reinforced by a classical deep learning sequential model. Conclusions: We identified five factors relating to children and parents that can help differentiate children with overweight or obesity from general children. Further validations are necessary.
Negative correlation between latent Epstein-Barr virus infection and severity of illness in IBD patients
Authors: Wei Hongtao , Xue Xiaowei , Ling Qing , Wang Pengyan , Zhou Weixun
Published: February 2022

Background: Inflammatory bowel (IBD) disease plays an important role in the prevention and disease management. Immunosuppressive therapies have been found to induce IBD pathogenesis and reactivate latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) . This study was aimed to explore the clinical significance of latent EBV infection in IBD patients. Methods: Latent EBV infection was determined by double staining for EBV encoded RNA (EBER) and CD20 in colon specimens of 43 IBD patients who underwent bowel resection. Based on the staining results, the patients were divided into two groups, according to their latent EBV infection states - negative (n=33) and positive (n=10). The clinic-pathological data were analyzed between the two different latent EBV groups and also between the mild-to-moderate and severe disease groups.Results: Systolic pressure (P=0.005), variety of disease (P=0.005), the severity of illness (P=0.002), and pre-op corticosteroids (P=0.025) were significantly different between the EBV-negative and EBV-positive groups. Systolic pressure (P=0.001), variety of disease (P=0.000), pre-op corticosteroids (P=0.011) and EBV infection (P=0.003) were significantly different between the mild-to-moderate and severe disease groups.Conclusions: IBD patients with latent EBV infection may manifest more severe illnesses. It is suggested that the role of EBV in IBD development should be further investigated and latent EBV infection in patients with serious IBD should be closely monitored, and therapeutic course should be optimized.
Comprehensive assessment of ZnO, P and TiO2 nanoparticles sustaining environment in response to seed germination, antioxidants activity, nutritional quality and yield of Spinach Beet (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)
Authors: DAS BIMAL , Yonzone Rakesh , Saha Salil , Murmu Dipak Kumar , Kundu Surajit
Published: February 2022

A comprehensive investigation was carried out under laboratory and field by ZnO, P and TiO2 NPs on seedling growth and antioxidant activity, nutrient accumulation, yield traits and biochemical response of spinach beet. Spinach beet variety All Green were treated with sixteen different concentrations nanoscale ZnO (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ppm), P (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ppm) and TiO2 (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ppm) including untreated control and each treatment has three replicates. TiO2 NPs treatments found drastic positive impact on seed germination, root and shoot length, seed vigour index and antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, PAD, SOD and GR). Application of ZnO, P and TiO2 NPs improve morphological parameter and that of increase seed yield (gm plant-1) with 12.48% 13.01% and 10.93% respectively, compared to control. Study also revealed that zinc and iron content in leaf tissues increases by 50.76%, 7.71%, and 6.41% and 12.69%, 18.49% and 14.17%, respectively of ZnO, P and TiO2 NPs NPs. Among the biochemical parameter maximum chlorophyll content obtained from 10 ppm TiO2, leaf protein and carotene from 50 ppm P, ascorbic acid from 40 ppm TiO2, crude fibre from 20 ppm ZnO and total phenol from 30 ppm TiO2. Our result clearly demonstrates that application of ZnO, P and TiO2 NPs improve the antioxidant enzyme activity, yield and nutritional quality of spinach beet and these nanoparticles can be utilized with their effective doses which may reduce fertilizer cost and environmental pollution.
A Method For The Quantitation Of The Metabolism Of Soluble Amyloid Precursor Protein Isoforms Using A Stable Isotope Labeling Kinetics Approach Paired With Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zakaria Justyna A. Dobrowolska , Bateman Randall J. , Lysakowska Monika , Khatri Ammaarah , Jean-Gilles Dinorah , Kennedy Matthew E. , Vassar Robert J.
Published: February 2022

Evidence suggests that β-secretase (BACE1), which cleaves Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) to form sAPPβ and Aβ, is elevated in AD brains and biofluids and, thus, BACE1 is a therapeutic target for this devastating disease. The direct product of BACE1 cleavage of APP, sAPPβ, serves as a surrogate marker of BACE1 activity in the central nervous system (CNS). This biomarker could be utilized to better understand normal APP processing, aberrant processing in the disease setting, and modulations to processing during therapeutic intervention. In this paper, we present a method for measuring the metabolisms of sAPPβ and another APP proteolytic product, sAPPα, in vivo in humans using stable isotope labeling kinetics (SILK), paired with immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/tandem MS). The method presented herein is robust, reproducible, and precise, and allows for the study of these analytes by taking into account their full dynamic potential as opposed to the traditional methods of absolute concentration quantitation that only provide a static view of a dynamic system. A study of in vivo CSF sAPPβ and sAPPα kinetics using these methods could reveal novel insights into pathophysiological mechanisms of AD, such as increased BACE1 processing of APP.
Reconfigurable Compute-In-Memory on Field-Programmable Ferroelectric Diodes
Authors: Liu Xiwen , Ting John , He Yunfei , Fiagbenu Merrilyn Mercy , Zheng Jeffrey , Wang Dixiong , Frost Jonathan , Musavigharavi Paria , Esteves Giovanni , Kisslinger Kim , Anantharaman Surendra , Stach Eric , Olsson Roy , Jariwala Deep
Published: February 2022

The deluge of sensors and data generating devices has driven a paradigm shift in modern computing from arithmetic-logic centric to data centric processing. At a hardware level, this presents an urgent need to integrate dense, high-performance and low-power memory units with Si logic-processor units. However, data-heavy problems such as search and pattern matching also require paradigm changing innovations at the circuit and architecture level to enable compute in memory (CIM) operations. CIM architectures that combine data storage yet concurrently offer low-delay and small footprint are highly sought after but have not been realized. Here, we present Aluminum Scandium Nitride (AlScN) ferroelectric diode (FeD) memristor devices that allow for storage, search and neural network-based pattern recognition in a transistor-free architecture. Our devices can be directly integrated on top of Si processors in a scalable, back-end-of-line process. We leverage the field-programmability, non-volatility and non-linearity of FeDs to demonstrated circuit blocks that can support search operations in-situ memory with search delay times < 0.1 ns and a cell footprint < 0.12 µm2. In addition, we demonstrate matrix multiplication operations with 4-bit operation of the FeDs. Our results highlight FeDs as promising candidates for fast, efficient, and multifunctional CIM platforms.
Human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs trans-differentiate into endometrial cells and regulate Th17/Treg balance through NF-κB signaling in rabbit intrauterine adhesions endometrium
Authors: Hua Qing , Zhang Yong , Li Hongjuan , Li Haoran , Jin Ranran , Li Li , Xiang Yuancui , Tian Meng , Wang Jingjing , Sun Lei , Wang Yali
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The fundamental cause of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) is the destruction and reduction of stem cells in endometrial basal layer, resulting in endometrial reconstruction very difficult. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSC) on the endometrial reconstruction after transplantation.Methods: hUCB-MSCs were isolated and identified successfully. The rabbit IUA models were established and set five groups (control, 14/28th day after surgery, estrogen and hUCB-MSCs treatment).The number of endometrial glands and the fibrosis rate were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, respectively. Endometrial proliferation, angiogenesis and inflammation was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of ER, Ki-67and TGF-β1, respectively. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was applied to explore the cell differentiation trajectory after hUCB-MSCs transplanted into IUA endometrium. Finally, molecular mechanism of hUCB-MSCs repairing damaged endometrium was investigated by RNA sequencing.Results: After transplantation of the hUCB-MSCs, the increase of endometrial gland number, estrogen receptor(ER) and Ki-67expression,and the decrease of fibrosis rate and TGF-β expression(P＜0.05), suggested the endometrial repair, angiogenesis and inflammatory suppression. The therapeutic effect of hUCB-MSCs was significantly improved compared with 28th day after surgery and estrogen group. ScRNA-seq demonstrated that the transplanted hUCB-MSCs can trans-differentiate into endometrial cells: epithelial, fibroblast, and macrophage. RNA Sequencing of six IUA samples further revealed that hUCB-MSCs may regulate Th17/Treg balance through NF-kB signaling, thus inhibiting the immune response of damaged endometrium.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that hUCB-MSCs can repair damaged endometrium through trans-differentiation, immunomodulatory capacities, and NF-κB signaling, suggesting the treatment value of hUCB-MSCs in IUA.
Mechanical properties of friction induced nanocrystalline pearlitic steel
Authors: Medina-Clavijo Bentejui , Rafael-Velayarce Jorge , Modin Evgenii , Saez-de-Buruaga Mikel , Soler Daniel , Motz Christian , Arrazola Pedro Jose , Chuvilin Andrey
Published: February 2022

Nanocrystalline variants of commercially available alloys have shown the potential of boosting the mechanical properties retaining a feasible supply chain. One approach to achieve these nanostructures reside in frictional treatments on parts, leading to differential refinement in surface and bulk. In this work the machining method is considered as a testing platform to study frictional nanostructured steel, which assembly is stabilized by fast cooling at the chip. The analysis of the mechanical properties has shown extraordinary results at the surface, over 2000 MPa of strength on AISI1045 steel, more than three times the strength of the base material, demonstrating at the same time a reduction of 15% in the elastic modulus. The microscopic analysis suggests a reassembly of the elements in a new lattice of carbon supersaturated nano-ferrite.
Effect of surgical sympathectomy in patients diagnosed with Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) compared to pharmacotherapy and bypass surgery.
Authors: Yazdi Seyed Amir Miratashi , Salimi Javad , Chinisaz Fatemeh
Published: February 2022

Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a type of vasculopathy that affects small and intermediate vessels of extremities. Common symptoms are intermittent claudication, rest pain, Raynaud phenomenon, ischemic ulcers, superficial thrombophlebitis. Therapeutic interventions include vasodilators, prostaglandin analogues (ILOPROST), antiplatelets, surgical sympathectomy and bypass surgery. Objectives: This prospective cohort study aimed to compare post-operative outcomes in patients with TAO that underwent surgical sympathectomy versus bypass surgery and pharmacotherapy.Method :70 patients diagnosed with TAO were enrolled for the study. 37 patients with surgical sympathectomy,11 patients with amputation surgery, 15 patients with bypass surgery and 12 patients who received ILOPROST were evaluated in first day, 3 months, and 6 months follow up. Improvements of common complaints were recorded and the final results were compared.Result: Quit consumption of tobacco in any form is the fundamental treatment for Buerger disease, surgical sympathectomy and bypass surgery are helpful in patients with persistent pain and non-healing ischemic lesions that have abstained from consumption of tobacco. The final results showed that post-operative outcomes of patients underwent bypass surgery were significantly better than patients underwent sympathectomy and pharmacotherapy.Conclusion: Patients with TAO that suffer from severe symptoms, significantly benefit from Bypass surgery in short-term follow up but because of lack of proper runoff arteries and the nature of the occlusive thrombi, which are diffuse and mostly located in distal vessels, bypass surgery is often feasible and sympathectomy commonly are performed. pharmacotherapy with different medications can improve the symptoms but have no effects on preventing the disease from progression.
How Does Access to Water at Different Life-Stages Affect Male Investment in Reproduction and Survival?
Authors: Zhang Zhuzhi , Head Megan L.
Published: February 2022

Holometabolous insects have four distinct life-stages – eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Active resource acquisition generally occurs during either or both the larval and adult stages. Previous research on the acquisition of food resources in holometabolous insects, has shown that resources acquired during each of these life-stages can differ in how they are allocated to different traits, and how they affect fitness. In addition to food, water is also an essential resource needed for a range of biological processes that enhance fitness. Yet, how water acquired at different life-stages affects key fitness traits is still not clear. Here, we manipulated both developmental and adult water availability of male seed beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus) to explore how water acquired at each life-stage affects a range of fitness related traits, including body mass, ejaculate weight, mating behavior and lifespan. Our results indicate that the juvenile environment had little effect on body weight, ejaculate weight, ejaculate replenishment or lifespan, but did influence male mating behavior in both early and late adult life. This contrasts with the adult environment, which had strong effects on weight loss, ejaculate size and lifespan but little effect on mating behavior. Males with access to water during adulthood transferred larger ejaculates during their first mating, lost less weight as they aged, and lived longer. These results suggest that water acquired during development and adulthood are allocated differently to a variety of fitness traits across life.