bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An alternative soil erodibility estimation approach for data scarce regions: A case study in Ethiopian Rift Valley Lake Basin
Authors: Aga Alemu Osore
Published: December 2023

Soil erodibility (K) is an essential factor for erosion prediction, conservation planning and assessment of sediment related environmental problems. K estimation methods have been developed in many soil erosion and water quality models, which are developed for soil data rich areas and pose a challenge for areas with limited data. Unlike others, by using the erosion productivity impact calculator (EPIC) model, the required soil parameters for calculating K can be extracted from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) world database. In order to verify the FAO soil database and develop an alternative K method (KET) by mimicking the equation of K used in the EPIC model, we collected 203 soil samples from different soil units in the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lake Basin (ERVLB). Unlike the K of EPIC model, KET is developed based on the physical properties of soils that can be easily measured in a laboratory. The results from KET were compared with those from the EPIC-K. Statistically, the performance of KET is excellent and the soil analysis result of ERVLB deviates from the FAO soil database on lower altitude areas of the basin. When KET is projected for overall soil units of the country, it predicts 35.7% of the country soil with less than ±5% relative error. On average, the KET can be applied to overall country soils with a relative error of −9.88% with a standard deviation of 6.4. By applying KET, the ERVLB and the country K map were produced. We recommend that the K map developed for ERVLB can be confidently used since it is validated using field data.
Clinical value of the noninvasive myocardial work-up technique in the evaluation of patients with end-stage renal disease complicated by myocardial infarction
Authors: Chen Linli , Tu Meilin , Zhang Zhengxian , Gu Meiyu , Wang Lu
Published: December 2023

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical diagnostic value of the noninvasive myocardial work technique for evaluating myocardial infarction in patients with end-stage renal disease.
Methods: Ninety-one patients with end-stage renal disease admitted to our hospital from March 2020 to December 2022 were included, and 39 patients with myocardial infarction were included in the study cluster; the other 52 patients with simple end-stage renal disease were included in the control cluster. Echocardiographic parameters and noninvasive myocardial work parameters were contrasted between the two clusters to explore their ability to predict adverse events and determine their prognostic value.
Results: The echocardiographic parameters LVEF and E in the study cluster were lower than those in the control cluster, and the echocardiographic parameters LVEDD, LVESD, LVEDV and LVESV were greater than those in the control cluster. There was remarkable variance between the two clusters (P<0.05). The noninvasive myocardial work parameters GCW, GWI and GWE in the study cluster were lower than those in the control cluster, and the GWW and GLS parameters were greater than those in the control cluster. There was remarkable variance between the two clusters (P<0.05). There was no marked difference in LVEF or noninvasive myocardial work parameters between the two clusters before the operation. The noninvasive myocardial work parameters GCW, GWI, GWE and LVEF in the two clusters after surgery were markedly increased, and the GWW and GLS parameters were markedly decreased. The incidence rate of adverse events in the study cluster was 38.46%, which was greater than that in the control cluster (9.62%). There was remarkable variance between the two clusters (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: A noninvasive myocardial work technique can detect each segment of the cardiac cycle, can be used to quantitatively analyze the function of the left ventricular myocardium, can accurately predict myocardial damage in patients with simple end-stage renal disease and patients with myocardial infarction, and can be used to evaluate patient prognosis and treatment safety. This prediction method has the advantages of high prediction accuracy and specificity.
The effect of coaching on health information literacy in patients with chronic kidney disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: HU Yimin , ZHANG Bin , HU Zhihao , HUANG Jingwen , WANG Ling , WEI Yuting , ZHENG Baojia , XUE Qing
Published: December 2023

Background:
Since chronic kidney disease is highly insidious in the early stages, most diagnosed patients have already developed irreversible renal failure. There is a lack of effective implementation and standardization of health education management for patients with chronic kidney disease, and the impact of health education management on health information literacy is not yet known.
Methods:
This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023. A total of 130 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3–4 were selected from a tertiary hospital in Zhuhai via a convenience sampling method, and were then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The Health Information Literacy Questionnaire for Chronic Kidney Disease was used to assess the health literacy of the patients at month 0 and month 12. In addition, the renal function-related indices of the patients were measured before and after the intervention. The study adhered to CONSORT guidelines.
Results:
There was no significant difference between the two groups in health information literacy, platelet count, glomerular filtration rate, or albumin level. However, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in health behavioral status such as information acquisition, checkups, and physical activity. Subgroup analysis revealed that hemoglobin was significantly higher in non-employed patients than in the intervention group. There was a significant improvement in hemoglobin level after receiving health guidance in patients with intermediate education, and acquisition capacity and estimated glomerular filtration rate in the intervention group were lower than in the control group for patients with elementary education.
Conclusion:
Receiving health coaching helped to improve self-management behaviors and hemoglobin levels of patients with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease. Education level is an important factor influencing the effectiveness of health coaching techniques.
Clinical trial registration:
This study was prospectively registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry on November 10, 2021, with registration number: ChiCTR2100053103.
Chromatographic analysis of methyl hippuric acid metabolite in the urine of petroleum workers and evaluation of cytogenetic changes of epithelial cells in buccal mucosa smears
Authors: Chethan T R , Gurupadayya B M , Doddawad Vidya G , PR Hemanth Vikram , Mounika P
Published: December 2023

Purpose: Millions of workers in various occupational settings face potential exposure to hazardous substances, including a wide array of compounds found in petroleum derivatives. Among these compounds, toluene and xylene are prominent examples known for their genotoxic properties. Toluene and xylene, both belonging to the aromatic compound family, give rise to the main metabolic byproducts of hippuric acid, (o, p, m) methyl hippuric acid.
Methods: HPLC approach is used to analyze the urine of petroleum workers who are exposed to toluene and xylene to assess their concentrations of the metabolites. Hippuric acid and (o, p, m) Methyl hippuric acid. The micronucleus assay of buccal mucosa smears can be used to evaluate the genotoxic effects of these exposures in petroleum workers. Occupational exposure to petroleum and its derivatives may cause DNA damage and chromosomal abnormalities in buccal mucosa cells, indicating a potential increased risk of cancer and other health effects.
Results: The Method was developed for Hippuric acid and (o, p, m) Methyl hippuric acid of urinary samples of petroleum workers. The urinary HA, (o, p, m) MHA levels in cases were found to be 26.042 µg/ml with standard deviation value is 12.38. The study focused to examine the cellular alterations in exfoliated oral epithelial cells, particularly cytomorphometry and micronuclei, which were examined using PAP-stained smear to determine the existence of micronuclei.
Conclusions: The urinary HA, (o, p, m) MHA levels were highly significant and the prevalence of the condition was found to be greater among petroleum workers compared to the control population. It is observed that more micro nuclei were found in buccal mucosa of petroleum workers than control subjects. Hence it is suspected to induce toxicity in petroleum workers.
In-silico characterization and gene expression analysis of HSP101 under heat stress conditions
Authors: Kumar Prafulla , Kumar Ravindra , Gangwar Lokesh Kumar , Kumar Amit , agrawal Ankit
Published: December 2023

To understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate heat stress responses in wheat genotypes, gene expression analysis and in-silico characterization of heat shock proteins 101 (HSP101) was performed. Three isoforms of HSP101 genes (HSP101a, HSP101b, and HSP101c), known for their roles in plant growth responses and adaptation to heat stress were examined. qRT-PCR analysis revealed constitutive expression of HSP101 transcripts in wheat plants, with maximum expression observed at 40°C heat shock treatment. Heat-tolerant genotypes (DBW 90, RAJ 4083, and DBW 71) exhibited a progressive upregulation of HSP101 gene transcripts with increasing heat shock treatments. For the in-silicocharacterization of HSP101a, HSP101b, and HSP101c transcripts gene sizes were found 240bp, 214bp, and 183bp through automated sequencing. The BLAST analysis confirmed their high homology with chaperone proteins and other HSP101-related genes in wheat. Phylogenetic comparisons, and amino acid translations provided insights into their evolutionary relationships and similarities with proteins from different plant species. Predictions of physio-chemical properties indicated that the proteins were basic in nature, and subcellular localization of HSP101a and HSP101b was extracellular, and HSP101c found mitochondrial in nature. 3D model of protein was also generated using SWISS MODEL, for understanding their molecular functions and active site identification. The Ramachandran analysis confirmed the structural quality of the protein models, with most residues falling within favored regions. This study provides valuable insights into the expression and molecular characteristics of HSP101 heat shock proteins in heat-tolerant wheat genotypes, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in heat tolerance of wheat.
Low-pass whole genome sequencing as a cost-effective alternative to chromosomal microarray analysis for low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Mazzonetto Patricia C. , Villela Darine , Krepischi Ana C. V. , Pierry Paulo M. , Bonaldi Adriano , Almeida Luiz Gustavo D. , Paula Marcelo G. , Bürger Matheus Carvalho , Oliveira Ana Gabriela , Fonseca Gustavo G. G. , Giugliani Roberto , Riegel-Giugliani Mariluce , Bertola Débora , Yamamoto Guilherme Lopes , Passos-Bueno Maria Rita , Campos Gabriele da Silva , Machado Ana Claudia Dantas , Mazzeu Juliana F. , Perrone Eduardo , Zechi-Ceide Roseli M. , Kokitsu-Nakata Nancy M. , Vieira Társis Paiva , Steiner Carlos Eduardo , Gil-da-Silva-Lopes Vera Lúcia , Vieira Daniela Koeller Rodrigues , Boy Raquel , Pina-Neto João Monteiro , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , Milanezi Fernanda , Rosenberg Carla
Published: December 2023

We recently demonstrated that low-pass whole-genome sequencing (LP-WGS) with 1x coverage is equally sensitive and specific as chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) for detecting copy number variants (CNVs). Although in Europe and USA the first-tier tests have already transitioned to whole-genome or exome sequencing, even CMA is still unavailable for approximately 71% of the Brazilian population, who exclusively rely on public health system (~ 140 million people). LP-WGS, costing only a quarter of CMA's price, presents a more economical, faster, and technically simpler alternative for detecting CNVs. In this study, we assessed the efficiency and reliability of LP-WGS as a more affordable alternative to CMA. A total of 1363 patients with unexplained neurodevelopmental delay/intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and/or multiple congenital anomalies were enrolled. Those patients were referred from fifteen Nonprofit Organizations and University Centers located in different states in Brazil. The analysis of LP-WGS at 1x coverage (> 50kb) revealed a positive testing result in 22% of the cases (304/1363), in which 219 and 85 correspond to pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) CNVs and variants of uncertain significance (VUS), respectively. The 16% (219/1363) diagnostic yield observed in our cohort is comparable to the 15–20% reported for CMA in the literature. The use of commercial software, as demonstrated in this study, simplifies the implementation of the test in clinical settings. Particularly for countries like Brazil, where the cost of CMA presents a substantial barrier to most of the population, LP-WGS emerges as a cost-effective alternative for investigating copy number changes in cytogenetics.
Study on the effect of grade change on rheological parameters of pipeline hydraulic coal transportation
Authors: Zhao Li-an , Jian Chunsen , Cai Ronghuan , He Peng
Published: December 2023

Pipeline transportation of coarse-grained solid-liquid two-phase flow is suitable for long-distance transportation of coal, and currently there are more studies on pipeline abrasion, while there are fewer studies on the prediction of particle size refinement after particle abrasion and the optimization of rheological parameters in the optimization of the combination of coarse and fine particles in the pipeline transportation of coarse-grained coal slurry, and this article proposes to adopt the abrasion equilibrium equations for the refinement of coarse-grained coal slurry hydrodynamic conveying, based on the method of the synthesis of the experimental data and the theoretical analysis. The solution model of particle refinement is given, and the viscosity prediction formula when mixing coarse and fine coal samples is also given by theoretical derivation. The analysis of the experimental data shows that with the prolongation of the conveying time, the content of the coarser particles decreases significantly, the proportion of <0.074mm fine particles increases significantly, and the viscosity of the coal slurry has a tendency to increase, but the magnitude of the increase gradually slows down. Comparison of the predicted and measured values of the particle refinement model showed that when the slurry conveying time was 30 minutes and 50 minutes, the maximum deviation between the predicted and measured values of the model was not more than 10.00%, and the results of the data analysis showed that the crushing rate function was the power function of the average particle size of each particle level, and the viscosity increased with the increase of conveying time. For the optimization of particle size grading, the Herschel-Bulkley fluid model description is used to give a prediction model of viscosity after grading, and the existing experimental data are used to verify the model, with a coal slurry concentration of 58% and different proportions of coarse and fine coal samples blended, the minimum value of viscosity exists, and the viscosity prediction equation is given, and the results show that the most deviation between the predicted value and the measured value is 5.23%. The coarse particle content with the lowest viscosity can be solved by using the theoretical formula for the viscosity reduction effect of blending.
Hydrogeochemical characteristics of surface waters and sediments impacted by acid mine drainage: Case of eMalahleni, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: Shumba Albert , Gitari Mugera , Mudzielwana Rabelani , Ayinde Wasiu
Published: December 2023

This study focused on evaluating the hydrogeochemical characteristics of acid mine drainage (AMD), surface water and sediments as well as the associate ecological impacts. Samples were collected from seven distinct locations in Emalahleni, South Africa. Physicochemical parameters of water samples were measured in the field while chemical and mineralogical analysis was done in the laboratory. The results showed that AMD was characterised by low pH (2.69 to 3.30) and high EC (1863–3110 µS/cm), Fe (20–56 mg/L), Al (51–89 mg/L), Mn (9–21 mg/L) and other toxic metals which were above South African guidelines for wastewater discharge. The hydrogeochemical facie revealed the dominance of Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl water type. PHREEQC geochemical modelling, showed that alunite was oversaturated at the decant point while silicates containing minerals such as K-feldspar, k-mica and kaolinite were undersaturated, indicating their potential dissolution from surrounding geology. Sediments characterization showed the presence of goethite while at decant points and downstream of the wetland, precipitation of amorphous Fe(oxy)hydroxides and schwetmannite was observed. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicated extreme pollution in sediments from S1 with (Cd, As and Zn), S4 (As) and S7 (Pb). The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed low ecological risk for the presence of toxic metals in S4 and S7 and very high risk at S1. Cd was observed to contribute to the highest levels of contamination at S1. Sediment quality indices showed that AMD was likely to cause impact to sediments. AMD from decant point contaminants sediments, river and dam water due to its low pH and continued oxidation of pyrite. To alleviate environmental impacts caused AMD, innovative treatment approaches are recommended.
Inadvertent Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus by Metagenomic Sequencing in Febrile Patients Seeking Health Care at Marigat Sub-District Hospital, Baringo County, Kenya
Authors: Lemtudo Allan , Kimita Gathii , Awinda George , Mutai Beth , Waitumbi John
Published: December 2023

Background
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreaks occur following unusually heavy rainfall and flooding, which increase the breeding activities of mosquitoes that transmit the RVF virus (RVFV). Such conditions occurred from May to June 2018 in Wajir and Marsabit counties, northeastern Kenya. In December 2019, a blood sample that had been collected in June 2018 from a febrile child attending a hospital 648 km away from Wajir town produced a few short sequences that mapped to RVFV by shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). The agnostic mNGS was part of a pathogen discovery exercise that aimed to identify viral pathogens of concern that are missed by targeted testing for endemic fever-causing.
Methodology
Following identification of sequence reads that mapped to RVFV, we expanded subsequent testing by reverse transcriptase real time PCR (RT-qPCR) for RVFV to 44 serum samples, including the test case, collected between June and September 2018. Positive samples were further analyzed by shotgun metagenomics using a pathogen agnostic discovery pipeline that involves converting the RNA to cDNA, followed by random amplification using viral genome sequencing primers. The generated products were used for library preparation and subsequently sequenced on Illumina MiSeq. Genome assembly was performed using the ngs_mapper pipeline, while lineage classification and phylogeny were performed using rvfv typing tool v1 and phyml v3, respectively.
Results
Of the 44 specimens, three, including the index sample tested positive at cycle threshold (Ct) values of 19.3, 34.3 and 31 (index sample). The whole genome of RVFV comprising the large (L), medium (M), and small (S) segments was obtained from the serum sample with the lowest Ct value. The other samples had partial sequences of the L segment. The genomes were classified as C lineage. Phylogeny drawn from the whole genome sample clustered in a clade comprising sequences obtained from the 2017 human RVFV outbreak in Uganda and the 2021 cattle outbreak in Kiambu, Central Kenya.
Conclusion
This study used unbiased pathogen detection to identify presence of RVFV in the community living in Baringo County, Kenya that would otherwise have gone undocumented. Based on these data, RT-qPCR test for RVFV has been included in our routine testing panel for febrile illness.
LASIK is associated with early cataract surgery in healthy patients
Authors: Ortiz-Morales Gustavo , Ramos-Dávila Eugenia M. , Elizondo-Fernández Bárbara , Arreola-Martinez Jesus , Nava-Garcia Jose , Valdez-Garcia Jorge E.
Published: December 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the association between LASIK and early cataract phacoemulsification surgery (PE).
Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted. Cases were otherwise healthy adults with a history of LASIK. Groups were paired according to corrected-distance visual acuity (CDVA), axial length, and cataract grade.
Results: A total of 213 patients were included. 85 patients were classified as post-LASIK group and 128 as controls. The mean age at the time of LASIK was 42.32 ± 9.24 years. The mean CDVA before PE was 0.29 ± 0.19 Log MAR in post-LASIK group and 0.34 ± 0.22 Log MAR in controls (p=0.07). The mean axial length was 23.99 ± 1.78 mm in post-LASIK group and 23.62 ± 0.98 mm in controls (p=0.085). The mean nuclear cataract grading was 1.36 in post-LASIK group and 1.47 in controls (p=0.34). The mean age at the time of PE was 60.18 ± 7.46 years in post-LASIK group and 67.35 ± 9.28 in controls (p<0.0005). The difference between the mean age of LASIK and the mean age of PE was 17.85 ± 5.72 years. There was a positive association between the post-LASIK group and the age of PE ≤ 55 years (OR: 4.917, 95% CI: 2.21-10.90, p<0.001).
Conclusion: LASIK may be associated with early PE. Patients with LASIK had a 7-year earlier PE compared to a matched control group.
Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis in an adult patient with spinal muscular atrophy type 3 treated with intrathecal therapy
Authors: Ubysz Jakub , Koszewicz Magdalena , Bladowska Joanna , Budrewicz Slawomir
Published: December 2023

Background: Spinal adhesive arachoiditis is a chronic inflammatory process of the leptomeninges and intrathecal neural elements. The possible causes of arachnoiditis are: infections, injuries of spinal cord, surgical procedures and intrathecal administration of therapeutic substances or contrast.
Case presentation: We present a case of 56-old woman with spinal muscular atrophy type 3 who developed a severe back pain in the lumbosacral region after the fifth dose of nusinersen given intratecally. Magnetic resonance of lumbosacral spine showed spinal adhesive arachoiditis. She received high doses of methylprednisolone intravenously, and later non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha lipoic acid, vitamins and rehabilitation with slight improvement.
Conclusions: The authors summarize that scheduled resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine may be an important element of the algorithm in the monitoring of novel, intrathecal therapy in patients with spinal muscular atrophy.
Comprehensive Analysis and Quality Assessment of Freeze Dried Methylene Diphosphonate Labelled with 99m-Technetium: An Extensive Comparison of Biodistribution Study with Commercial Standards
Authors: Tasnim Kifyat , Akhter Rabeya , Rahman Mustafizur , Hossain Anwar , Waheed Momtaz Fatima , Jahura Fatema Tuj , Reza Sultanur , Chowdhury Debasish , Amin Ruhul , Islam Tariqul , Haque Azizul , Uddin Jashim
Published: December 2023

Objective:Technetium-99m (99mTc) is an important radionuclide used for the prognosis of bone scintigraphy labelled with a suitable kit.
Methodology: The present investigations focus on the aseptic preparation and application of the methylene di-phosphonic acid (MDP) kit on bio-organ after labeling with 99mTc collected from a 99Mo/99mTc generator.
Result:Before going to bio-application of the labelled kit, radiochemical purity was determined by paper chromatography using the High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector and the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-MDP was found to be 99%. Furthermore, negative results were found for pyrogen and bacterial endotoxin tests; fungal growth was also absent. Radiation dose uptake in different organs of Wister rats was measured by a dose calibrator, and observed results indicate the highest accumulation of 99mTc-MDP in the skull and skeletal part. This study also performed a comparative study model between laboratory and commercially prepared Monrol MDP kits. This study was performed as bio-application of laboratory prepared 99mTc-MDP prior to commercial production of cold kit at radioisotope production division of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
Conclusion: Overall, the observations from this study are within the accepted range and provide prospect for commercial production of the kits for human administration.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Pegasparaginase in pediatric ALL patients: Age as a significant covariate
Authors: Patil Anand , Krishnamurthy Manjunath Nookala , Narula Gaurav , Banavali Shripad D , Gota Vikram
Published: December 2023

Purpose
Pegasparaginase is essential in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, there is considerable variability in its pharmacokinetics, affecting the safety and efficacy of this drug. We aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model of pegasparaginase to identify covariates that might help to explain this variability. Quantitative assessments of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of pegasparaginase in this patient population would help to optimize the dosing regimen.
Methods
PopPK analysis of pharmacokinetic data obtained from 29 pediatric ALL patients was accomplished using Phoenix® NLME software. The effect of various covariates (age, BSA, liver function parameters, etc.) on the pharmacokinetics of pegasparaginase was evaluated. The impact of the identified covariates on the safety and efficacy of pegasparaginase parameters was also assessed.
Results
A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the pegasparaginase pharmacokinetics. The patient's age was a clinically significant covariate for pegasparaginase disposition. Cmax in older age group children (> 120 months) was significantly low, resulting in overall lower exposure (AUC) when compared with the younger age group (≤ 120 months). Modifying the dose according to the formula (4* age in months + 715) IU/m2 BSA, predicted to achieve similar exposure across all the age groups in pediatric ALL patients.
Conclusions
The developed population pharmacokinetic model helped to establish age as a significant covariate for pegasparaginase pharmacokinetics, suggesting age-based dosing over and above the current BSA-based dosing practices could achieve uniform exposure in all age groups.
Examining the Relationship between Self-Perceptions of Aging, Psychological Well-Being and Health-Promoting Lifestyle: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran
Authors: Nosrati Parisa , Momeni Khodamorad , Wahl Hans-Werner
Published: December 2023

Background:
We expected to replicate in this study conducted in Iran the established associations among more positive self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and better developmental outcomes in an Iranian sample. As extension of previous SPA research, we tested the inter-relations among different SPA constructs and outcomes simultaneously by means of structural equations model (SEM).
Methods:
The design was cross-sectional and included older adults 60 years and older living in the Iranian province of Kermanshah. A total of 347 individuals (169 men; 178 women) were recruited by means of convenience sampling. SPA indicators included three established scales (aging perceptions, attitudes toward aging, awareness of age-related change), all previously introduced in Iran. Outcomes included established measures of psychological well-being and health-promoting lifestyle, both also previously established in the Iran.
Results:
As expected, more positive SPA were positively associated with both developmental outcomes consistently across all three indicators. In SEM testing, defining awareness of age-related change as a mediator among aging perceptions, attitudes toward aging, and developmental outcomes achieved an acceptable fit, but was different depending on the SPA indicator: Inter-relations of aging perception and both outcomes were mediated only through AARC-Loss, whereas inter-relations among attitudes toward aging and both outcomes were mediated only through AARC-Gain. Further, AARC-Loss was a stronger mediating variable than AARC-Gain.
Conclusions:
Findings replicated the association between various SPA indicators and well-being and health related outcomes in an Iranian sample, thus extending the robustness of this relation across countries/cultures. We also confirmed the need for simultaneous analysis of different indicators of SPA and outcomes.
Development, validation, and updating of prognostic models for m7G- associated genes in lower-grade gliomas
Authors: Li Huijun , Sun Hao , Geng Ruirui , Shen Junjie , Dong Yongfei , Tang Zaixiang , Shi Lei , Lu Ke
Published: December 2023

Background
Studies are aiming at developing prognostic models using N7-methylguanosine (m7G)-related genes in gliomas, however, models with good predictive performance for lower-grade gliomas have yet to be developed.
Methods
Based on genes with m7G variants and clinical information, two prediction models have been derived to predict the probability of survival for patients with lower-grade gliomas in TCGA. The models were externally validated using independent datasets. Based on CGGA information, updated models that were created matched the features of the local population.
Results
Two models were derived, validated and updated. Model 1, which was derived on the basis of mRNA, only contains five genes: CD37, EIF3A, CALU, COLGALT1, and DDX3X. Model 2 included six variables: grade, age, gender, IDH mutation status, 1p/19q codeletion status and prognostic index of model 1. The C-statistic of revised model 1 was 0.764 (95%CI: 0.730–0.798) in the revised set and 0.700 (95%CI: 0.658–0.742) in the test set. Regarding internal validation, C-statistic for model 2 with 1000 bootstrap replications was 0.848, while in external validation, the C-statistic was 0.752 (95%CI: 0.714–0.788). Both models exhibited satisfactory calibration after updating in external validation. The models' web calculator is provided at https://lhj0520.shinyapps.io/M7G-LGG_model/.
Conclusion
we developed and validated two models and updated them, which makes the models better predictors for patients.
Single cells and TRUST4 reveal immunological features of the HFRS transcriptome
Authors: Xiao Ran , Lin Mu , liu Hao , Gong Yadong , Liu Mubo , Wu Deijing , Ma Qingqing
Published: December 2023

The pathogenesis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is greatly affected by different immune cells. At present, peripheral blood T cell receptor (TCR) or B cell receptor (BCR) library sequencing of HFRS is still lacking and expensive. In this study, the computational method TRUST4 was used to construct TCR and BCR libraries from a large number of RNA-seq data of peripheral blood of HFRS patients, and to analyze the clonality and diversity of disease immune libraries. Although the function of immune cells has been studied, the mechanism remains complex. The differentially expressed genes in each immune cell type and the cell-to-cell interactions between immune cell clusters have not been covered. In this work, we clustered 11 cell subsets from raw scRNA-seq data and disaggregated the characteristic changes in the proportion of cell subsets under disease conditions. CellChat, a cell-cell communication analysis tool, was also used to analyze the effects of MIF family, CD70 family, and GALECTIN family cytokines, which are reported to be involved in cell communication subsets, respectively. HDWGCNA analysis identified core genes involved in the occurrence and development of HFRS in T cells and B cells. The results of trajectory analysis showed that most cell subsets were in the developmental stage, transcription factors in Effector CD8+ T cells (GZMH), Effector CD8+ T cells (GZMK), It was highly expressed in Naive CD4+ T cells and Naive B cells. Our results comprehensively illustrated the dynamic changes of immune cells during the pathogenesis of HFRS. This work identifies specific V genes and J genes in TCR and BCR that can be used to extend our understanding of HFRS. These findings provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of this autoimmune disease.
An Empirical Investigation of Wagner's Law for Twelve Indian States: A Pooled Mean Group Approach Using Linear and Non-Linear Specifications
Authors: Choudhary Prakash , Chary Shreesh , Singh Namah
Published: December 2023

Wagner's Law, which is considered the first model of public spending in public finance history, suggests that there is a tendency for government spending to increase relative to national income over the long run. This study aims to empirically test the validity of Wagner's hypothesis for twelve Indian states grouped into high-debt and low-debt states, from 2002 to 2020 using a pooled mean group approach. The study also examines the short-run causality between government expenditure and per capita GDP using the Dumitrescu Hurlin Granger causality test. We found a long run relationship between state expenditure and per capita gross state domestic product. Furthermore, there appears to be a significant asymmetric effect of per capita GDP on the expenditure variables, for the entire sample. The study offers value to policy-makers in understanding expenditure dynamics of Indian states and the validity of Wagner’s law in low and high debt states.
Method for Establishing the Multipath Adaptive Mitigation Model Considering Deformation Displacement of Monitoring Stations
Authors: Guo Zihuai , Yao Yibin , Xu Chaoqian , Pan Peifen , Hu Mingxian
Published: December 2023

Multipath effects are a significant error source affecting the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning, and their impact cannot be overlooked in millimeter-level positioning applications such as deformation monitoring. Existing methods for multipath mitigation almost universally assume that a GNSS antenna does not undergo displacement. However, in deformation monitoring, the frequent displacements of monitoring points render these methods inapplicable. Therefore, it is imperative to study multipath modeling and mitigation in scenarios where monitoring points are displaced. To address this issue, this study introduces a multipath adaptive mitigation model (MAMM) that investigates the impact of monitoring point displacement on the effectiveness of multipath mitigation in different areas of the hemisphere model. It uses the multipath mitigation values of the normal grid as a constraint to re-estimate the real-time multipath mitigation values for abnormal grid areas, and to design experiments for validation. This study demonstrates that under centimeter-level antenna displacement conditions, the conventional multipath hemisphere model (MHM) shows a significant decrease in positioning accuracy improvement. The areas of abnormal multipath effect variation comprise no more than 20% of the total space, providing theoretical feasibility for the modeling process of this study. Comparisons of positioning accuracy show that, under a 10 mm displacement, the MHM improves positioning accuracy in the east, north, and elevation by 86.4%, 127.2%, and 131.8%, respectively, compared to the original positioning accuracy, whereas the MAMM achieves 115.8%, 162.5%, and 139.1%, respectively, which is comparable to the accuracy of MHM under non-displacement conditions. Under displacements exceeding 50 mm, the MHM's accuracy improvements were 48.1%, 71.1%, and 59.8%, respectively, whereas the MAMM showed 100%, 124.1%, and 107.5%, respectively, significantly outperforming the MHM. Considering that the deformation rates of existing displacement monitoring bodies are generally lower than 10 mm/day, the MAMM demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing multipath errors without the need for repeated modeling, thereby proving its substantial practical value.
Are multi-element combinations of natural soundscapes better for psychophysiological restoration than single-element natural soundscapes? --Evidence from a study in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Authors: Bai Zhengkang , Zhang Shuangquan
Published: December 2023

Most of the current soundscape research content is limited to the discussion of the restoration effect of single-element soundscapes, but it is the combination of sounds that is common in outdoor activities, and there is no evidence that the restoration of natural soundscapes is better with multi-element combinations. In this study, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China was used as the research object, and the physiological indices of the subjects were collected through EEG signals, and the POMS short-form psychological scale was used to understand the subjective psychological responses of the subjects to the soundscape. The results showed that (1) The psychophysiological restorative ability of the natural soundscape of the National Forest Park was confirmed, and the subjects' psychological and physiological indices changed significantly and positively after listening to each section of the natural soundscape (p = 0.001). (2) The restorative effect of the multi-natural sound combination was ranked first in the overall ranking of the five natural soundscapes, and the multi-natural sound combination did indeed provide better restorative effects than the single-element sounds. (3) Gender does not usually have a significant effect on the restoration effect, and only Windy Sound among the four single-element nature sound landscapes and one multi-element combination of nature sound landscapes showed a significant gender difference, so in general, the effect of gender on the restoration effect of nature sound landscapes is not significant. In terms of research methodology, this study used cluster analysis to cluster the five types of natural soundscapes according to psychological and physiological recovery ability, and used ridge regression to construct mathematical models of the psychological and physiological recovery of each of the four natural soundscapes. The study of human physiological and psychological recovery from different types of natural soundscapes in China's national forest parks will provide a basis for soundscape planning, design, and policy formulation in national forest parks.
Rhizopogon luteolusand Ganoderma adspersum extracts inhibit invasion through the crosstalk antioxidant activity and apoptosis induced by pAKT/Rb
Authors: Demiray Aydın , Karagür Ege Rıza , Tel-Çayan Gülsen , Tokgün Onur , Akça Hakan , Duru Mehmet Emin
Published: December 2023

Objective: Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and in NSCLC cancers, kinase protein B (AKT) is associated with pathways such as proliferative, invasion and apoptosis. In this study, the relationship of mushroom extracts with these pathways was investigated. Mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, and scientists have been exploring the potential use of their antioxidant and anticancer properties in modern medicine, a topic to which this paper contributes.
Materials and methods: Mushroom extracts were collected in 2022 and the other phases of the experiment were completed in 2023.We studied the lung cancer cell lines h1299, pc-3 and pc-14. Extracts of Rhizopogon luteolus and Ganoderma adspersum were applied to these to determine the IC50 values. Then, proliferative and invasion effects, apoptosis and antioxidant effects were investigated. Finally, Western blotting was performed to investigate the pathways of these effects.
Results: Rhizopogon luteolus and Ganoderma adspersum extracts have anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects on lung cancer cell lines and induce apoptosis, which increases the antioxidant effect. The mushroom extracts work through the p-AKT and Rb pathways.
Conclusions: We anticipate that Rhizopogon luteolus and Ganoderma adspersum extracts will make effective additions to cancer treatment as agents that work to suppress lung cancer cells via the p-Akt and Rb pathways.
A Highly Tunable Ultra-Low Cut-Off Frequency gm-c Filter with Bandwidth Stabilization Technique
Authors: Sasan Morteza Mahdi , Baghtash Hasan Faraji
Published: December 2023

In this paper, an efficient technique for stabilizing the bandwidth of low-bandwidth biomedical gm-c filters is proposed. Using this technique, the bandwidth of the filter becomes much less dependent on the circuit elements’ variations due to temperature or process, and thus the filter can be tuned more effectively and accurately. First, with circuit analysis, the reason for the dependency of the bandwidth on the circuit components is extracted. Then, an efficient circuit is proposed to reduce this dependency. The proposed 4th order gm-c filter has a symmetrical structure, and designed in TSMC 180 nm CMOS technology with bandwidth of 50 mHZ to 20 Hz, power consumption of 0.73 µW. Finally, using mathematical relationships and circuit simulations, the effectiveness of the proposed filter is proven.
Analyzing Metric Dimensions In Triangular, Hourglass, And Jagged-Rectangle Benzenoid Systems
Authors: Abbas Wasim , Chaudhry Faryal , Afzal Deeba , Farooq Umar
Published: December 2023

The concept of resolving sets and metric bases has become fundamental in the fields of combinatorial chemistry and molecular topology, with far-reaching implications across various disciplines such as computer science, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and mathematics. In the context of connected graphs, when a subset Z of the vertex set V has the property that it uniquely identifies each vertex in the graph G, it is termed a resolving set for G. The specific subset Z that accomplishes this with the fewest number of vertices is referred to as themetric dimension of G, making it a metric basis for the graph. The broadapplicability and importance of this versatile concept are evident in itsvarious practical applications, highlighting its wide-ranging significanceand usefulness. This research primarily focuses on exploring the metric dimension within Triangular, Hourglass, and rectangular benzenoid Systems
Revolutionizing Language Learning: Integrating Grammar, Listening, and Speaking for Effective Mastery
Authors: Alisoy Hasan
Published: December 2023

This study, conducted at Nakhchivan State University during the September-December 2023 term, explores the efficacy of an integrated language learning approach that combines traditional grammar instruction with practical listening and speaking activities. Aimed at addressing the limitations of conventional grammar-focused methods, this research investigates how a balanced approach can enhance language acquisition and learner engagement. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, the study involved classroom observations, student and teacher surveys, and pre- and post-study language assessment tests. The results indicate that the integrated approach significantly improves communicative competence, increases student engagement, and leads to higher retention rates compared to traditional methods. The study underscores the importance of practical language skills in educational settings and provides insights for educators and curriculum developers seeking to optimize language teaching strategies. While acknowledging its limitations, the study suggests directions for future research, emphasizing the need for long-term studies and diverse educational contexts to validate and refine the integrated language learning approach.
The evaluation of IL-4 intron 3 VNTR and TNF-α (rs1799964) gene polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with Alopecia Areata: a case-control study
Authors: Mostafa Maged , Abdelsalam Maha , Zohdy Marwa
Published: December 2023

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss condition that usually affects the scalp. The exact pathogenesis is poorly understood, however, multiple factors like genetics, environmental, psychological, and immunological factors may have a role. The purpose of this study was to look into possible links between the functional Interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene intron 3 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and TNF- (rs1799964) gene polymorphism and AA susceptibility. This case-control study consisted of 79 unrelated patients and 156 age and sex-matched healthy individuals as a control group. The Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) was used to asses the extent of hair loss from the scalp. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers was used to determine IL-4 gene 70 bp VNTR polymorphism while polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was used to investigate TNF-α (rs1799964) gene polymorphism. None of the selected polymorphisms for both genotypes and alleles had statistical significance when patients and controls were compared with each other (p-value > 0.05). Furthermore, the same results were retrieved when the genotypes were compared with the patient's clinical and demographic data (p-value > 0.05). The findings indicate that IL-4 VNTR intron 3 and TNF-α (rs1799964) gene polymorphisms are not linked to the development of AA in the Egyptian population.
A fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making method by combining of SWARA method and single-valued neutrosophic TOPSIS method
Authors: Mun Jong-Hui , Hwang Chol-Jun , Kang Chol-Hwan , Mun Kyong-Ho , Kim Jong-Il , Kim Myong-Jin
Published: December 2023

Relatively recently, the proposed Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method is widely used as a subjective criterion weighting method due to its intuition in understanding and computational simplicity. On the other hand, TOPSIS is one of the most widely used MCDM methods and is constantly expanding towards decision-making problems in different fuzzy. As a special case of neutrosophic set-NS, a single valued neutrosophic set-SVNS has been proposed as a generalization of different fuzzy sets, including fuzzy sets, intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagoras fuzzy sets, and Fermat sets. In a single valued neutrosophic set, the realistically ambiguous and uncertain phenomena are represented by three independent aspects: the truth-membership degree, the indeterminacy-membership degree and the falsity- membership degree. In this paper, we propose a method to implement fuzzy MCDM by combining the Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method and the single valued neutrosophic TOPSIS method. The weighting of experts participating in group decision making and the importance weighting of criteria is done using a Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis method, and a s single valued neutrosophic TOPSIS method is used to evaluate alternatives with respect to different criteria and to select the most appropriate alternatives. The new method proposed in this paper is validated through its application to the priority decision problem of scientific research projects.