bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Word Relation-based Graph Neural Network for Short Text Similarity Measurement
Authors: Shen Hechuan , Wang Xu , Li Xuedong , Peng Dezhong , Huang Haixiao
Published: August 2022

Short text similarity measurement is an important task, which is broadly applied to many fields. Due to the lack of contextual information, it is not easy to accurately compare the similarity between short texts. The relations between words are used to enhance the information. Since Graph Neural Networks (GNN) perform well in handling data with complex relations, the potential of GNN in this task has been explored recently. Unfortunately, the relationship between words is not adequately acquired by existing GNN-based methods. Furthermore, they ignore the deep relationships between words and do not take them into account. Typically, these methods use a fixed graph structure for a sentence and do not update the graph structure in the network. Based on the situation, we explore utilizing the deeper relations between words to improve the applicability of GNN for this task. In this letter, we present a framework called Word Relation-based Graph Neural Network (WRGNN). WRGNN can automatically discover and construct relations between words and reconstruct those relations in the processing. Two benchmark datasets are evaluated extensively, with WRGNN obtaining an average of 71.2 \% on STS-B and 82.9 \% on SICK.
Compliance with standard precautions and associated factors among undergraduate nursing students at governmental universities of Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Getachew Desalegn , Baye Zewdu , Gizaw Negesu , Worku Ashenafi
Published: August 2022

Background: Standard precautions are minimum infection control practices used to prevent the transmission of diseases and apply to all patient care. Nursing students are at high risk of exposure to occupational biologic hazards because they are obligated to provide care to patients admitted with unknown infection statuses. compliance with standard precautions is an effective and efficient means of infection prevention. However, their compliance with standard precautions among nursing students is not known in Ethiopia. therefore, this study aimed to assess compliance with standard precautions and associated factors among undergraduate BSc nursing students at governmental universities in the Amhara region, northwest Ethiopia, 2021.Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate BSc nursing students at the governmental universities of Amhara region, northwest Ethiopia from April 15 to May 15, 2021. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 423 samples. Then data were entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis and descriptive statistics were presented in text, tables, and charts. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was computed and P-value < 0.05 was considered to identify statistically significant factors.Result: The response rate of the study was 97.9 % (414). Good compliance of nursing students towards standard precautions was 56.3% with (95%CI =51.4 - 60.9), which is significantly associated with good knowledge (AOR =2.519, 95 % CI =1.609-3.943)), perceived safe workplace climate (AOR = 2.147, 95 % CI= 1.242-3.7121) and training or seminar related to standard precautions in the last six months (AOR = 1.518, 95 % CI= 1.008-2.288). Conclusion: The overall compliance of nursing students with standard precautions was low. The major factors associated with good compliance were good knowledge, a perceived safe workplace, and having seminars or training in the last six months. Training, enhancing knowledge, and creating a safe hospital environment are recommended to improve nursing students’ compliance with standard precautions.
pTERT C250T mutation: a potential biomarker of poor prognosis in metastatic melanoma
Authors: García Leyla Blanco , Domínguez Yolanda Ruano , Martínez-Illescas Raquel Blanco , Martínez Rocío Cubo , Sánchez Paula Jiménez , Lobo Víctor Sánchez-Arévalo , Falkenbach Erica Riveiro , Ortiz-Romero Pablo , Garrido María , Rodriguez-Peralto Jose
Published: August 2022

Background
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the leading cause of death from cutaneous tumors. Several studies have associated alterations in the TERT promoter region (pTERT) with gene overexpression, aggressiveness and poor prognosis of the disease. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of pTERT molecular status in paired samples of primary melanoma and metastasis using tissue and plasma to establish a correlation with disease progression and survival.
Methods
A total of 88 FFPE tissue samples from 53 patients with advanced melanoma were analyzed. Of these, 35 had paired samples. We also examined cfDNA samples from plasma of 25 patients. pTERT mutational status was analyzed using pyrosequencing and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). pTERT methylation status was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR), while TERT mRNA expression levels were measured using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).
Results and discussion
We detected a good correlation between primary tumors and metastases in pTERT mutation and methylation status. We were also able to detect pTERT mutations in plasma samples. Interestingly, the C250T mutation was associated with worse survival and higher TERT mRNA expression, compared to the other most common mutation: C228T. In addition, hyper-methylation of the promoter region seems to be related to the progression of pTERT WT patients. These results suggest that TERT gene alterations plays an important role during tumor progression, with the detection of the C250T mutation in tissue and plasma as a potential biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with advanced melanoma.
Supplementation of Lycium barbarum residue improves the animal performance through the interaction of rumen microbiota and metabolome of Tan sheep
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Wang Bing , Wei Dawei , Guo Yansheng , Du Min , Zhang Guijie
Published: August 2022

Background
Lycium barbarum residue (LBR), a by-product of Lycium barbarum processing, contains bioactive components which can be used as a plant-derived feed additive in animal husbandry. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LBR on the rumen fermentation parameters, ruminal microbes and metabolites, and growth performance of Tan sheep.
Methods
Sixteen Tan sheep were fed with a basal diet (CON; n = 8) or a basal diet supplemented with 5% of LBR (LBR; n = 8). The experiment lasted for 70 d, with 10 d adaptation period and 60 d treatment period. After slaughter, rumen fluid samples were collected and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to elucidate the alternations of rumen microbial community and rumen metabolites.
Results
Data showed that LBR enhanced the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.01) but decreased ammonia-nitrogen concentration (P < 0.01) and rumen pH (P < 0.05). Additionally, LBR supplementation improved the relative abundances of Prevotella, Succiniclasticum, Ruminococcus, Coprococcus, Selenomonas, and Butyrivibrio (P < 0.05) and reduced the abundances of Oscillospira and Succinivibrio (P < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis revealed that the LBR altered the ruminal metabolome (P < 0.01) by increasing the abundances of ruminal metabolites involved in amino acids (e.g., L-proline, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, and L-tyrosine), pyrimidine metabolism (e.g., uridine, uracil, and thymidine), and microbial protein synthesis (e.g., xanthine and hypoxanthine). Correlation analysis provided potential relationships between major microbiota and metabolites in the rumen.
Conclusions
In conclusion, supplementation of LBR affects rumen fermentation by altering the rumen microbiome and metabolome, thereby improving the growth performance of Tan sheep.
Regulatory mechanisms of miRNA-126 expression in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yu Caiyuan , Zhang Guixia , Ye Shicai , Tian Ting , Liang Qianyi , Cui Lijiao , Cen Junwei , Hu Juxiang , Zheng Rong , Wang Hao , Zhou Yu
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective :Our previous studies found that miR-126 was significantly upregulated in ulcerative colitis and promoted inflammatory responses by activating the NF-κB signalling pathway. This study aimed to explore the transcriptional mechanisms involved in miR-126 upregulation. Methods: miRNAs and mRNAs expression were measured by qRT-PCR. Proteins amounts were measured by Western Blot. The core promoter sequences of miR-126 and its host gene EGFL7 were determined via the luciferase reporter system. Binding of NF-κB3 to the core promoter region of miR-126 was detected by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: In the HT-29 cell line, stimulation of TNFa, IL-1β, LPS, MDP, HKM, and ODN2006 led to a discordant expression pattern of miR-126 and EGFL7, while IFN-γ or FLA-ST treatment resulted in a concordant expression pattern of miR-126 and EGFL7. Luciferase activity analysis revealed that miR-126 has its own independent promoter. NF-κB3 could directly bind to the core promoter region of miR-126, and regulated the expression of miR-126 and EGFL7.Conclusion: We demonstrated the first evidence that miR-126 possesses its own independent promoter and could be regulated by NF-κB3 directly. Our study provides further insights into the regulatory mechanisms for the upregulation of miRNA in inflammatory conditions like UC.
Novel multivalent S100A8 inhibitory peptides attenuate tumor progression and metastasis by inhibiting the TLR4-dependent pathway
Authors: Deguchi Atsuko , Watanabe-Takahashi Miho , Mishima Taishi , Omori Tsutomu , Ohto Umeharu , Nishikawa Kiyotaka , Maru Yoshiro
Published: August 2022

The tumor-elicited inflammation is closely related to tumor microenvironment during tumor progression. S100A8, an endogenous ligand of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), is known as a key molecule in the tumor microenvironment and premetastatic niche formation. We firstly generated a novel multivalent S100A8 competitive inhibitory peptide (divalent peptide3A5) against TLR4/MD-2, using the alanine scanning. Divalent peptide3A5 suppressed S100A8-mediated interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor production in human colorectal tumor SW480 cells. Using SW480-transplanted xenograft models, divalent peptide3A5 suppressed tumor progression in a dose-dependent manner. We demonstrated that combination therapy with divalent peptide3A5 and bevacizumab synergistically suppressed tumor growth in SW480 xenograft models. Using syngeneic mouse models, we found that divalent peptide3A5 improved the efficacy of anti-programmed death (PD)1 antibody, and lung metastasis. In addition, by using multivalent peptide library screening based on peptide3A5, we then isolated two more candidates; divalent ILVIK, and tetravalent ILVIK. Of note, multivalent ILVIK, but not monovalent ILVIK showed competitive inhibitory activity against TLR4/MD-2 complex, and anti-tumoral activity in SW480 xenograft models. As most tumor cells including SW480 cells also express TLR4, S100A8 inhibitory peptides would target both the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells. Thus, multivalent S100A8 inhibitory peptides would provide new pharmaceutical options for aggressive cancers.
Gene expression during the formation of resting spores in the marine diatom Chaetoceros socialis
Authors: Pelusi Angela , Ambrosino Luca , Miralto Marco , Chiusano Maria Luisa , Rogato Alessandra , Ferrante Maria Immacolata , Montresor Marina
Published: August 2022

BackgroundDormancy is widespread in both multicellular and unicellular organisms. Among diatoms, unicellular microalgae at the base of all aquatic food webs, several species produce dormant cells (spores or resting cells) that can withstand long periods of adverse environmental conditions. ResultsWe present the first gene expression study during the process of spore formation in the marine planktonic diatom Chaetoceros socialis. Spore formation was induced by nitrogen depletion. Genes related to photosynthesis and nitrate assimilation, including high-affinity nitrate transporters (NTRs), were downregulated. While the former result is a common reaction among diatoms under nitrogen stress, the latter seems to be exclusive of the spore-former C. socialis. The upregulation of catabolic pathways, such as tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle and beta-oxidation, suggests that this diatom could use lipids as a source of energy during the process of spore formation. Furthermore, the upregulation of a lipoxygenase and several aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) advocates the presence of oxylipin-mediated signalling, while the upregulation of genes involved in dormancy-related pathways conserved in other organisms (e.g. serine/threonine-protein kinases TOR and its inhibitor GATOR) provides interesting avenues for future explorations. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the transition from an active growth phase to a resting one is characterized by marked metabolic changes and provide evidence for the presence of signalling pathways related to intercellular communication.
Economic Growth- The Log Symmetry of Collaborative Learning Populations
Authors: Ridley Dennis , Korovyakovskaya Inessa
Published: August 2022

Human beings are not only intelligent they comprise a social species capable of extensive cooperation. Moreover, they collaborate. Individual human efforts segregate into incongruous silos of multimodal distributions of expression and low performance. A social psychological, economic and mathematical review indicates that collaboration can integrate mental facilities into a congruent unimodal normal distribution of expression and high performance not otherwise possible. The ontology of symmetry is remarkable and compelling. The learning outcomes are natural for economic growth and human development.
MRV Challenge 2: Phase Locked Turbulent Measurements in a Roughness Array
Authors: Benson Michael , Banko Andrew , Elkins Christopher , Eaton John , An Don-Gwan , Song Simon , Bruschewski Martin , Grundmann Sven , Bandopadhyay Tuhin , Roca Laura Villafane , Sutton Brad , Han Kyuho , Hwang Wontae
Published: August 2022

Magnetic Resonance Velocimetry (MRV) provides capabilities to measure three velocity components across three dimensional fields of view without the need for optical accessibility. Predominant usage of the technique in engineering applications centers on steady flows and the discussion of a single time-averaged set of data. In this second MRV Challenge comparison, phase-locked MRV measurements of a pulsatile flow are conducted by five teams from across the globe. A geometry is explored which consists of turbulent flow past six identical cubic elements placed in the center of a square water channel, with partial elements along each side of periodically varying heights. A pulsatile injection flow through the floor between the second and third cubic roughness elements creates a three-dimensional jet that interacts with the complex cube wakes. The details of each scan sequence are summarized for the teams. Results are compared for three different time windows – one pre- injection, a second while the injection flow accelerates, and a third during a quasi-steady condition with the injector fully on. Finally, the influence of the temporal resolution selection for the phase locked MRV is discussed. The results are remarkably similar despite the complex flow configuration selection and showcase a relatively underutilized capability to obtain time-dependent, volumetric data for periodic flows through three-dimensional geometries using MRI. Recommendations for best practices are also provided.
Lactoferrin Feeding Deficiency during Lactation Increases the Risk of Depression in Adult Mice by Affecting Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Development
Authors: Wang wenli , Cheng zhimei , Wang Xiong , An qin , Huang kunlun , Dai yunping , Meng qingyong , Zhang yali
Published: August 2022

Background
Lactoferrin is an active protein in breast milk that plays an important role in the growth and development of infants and is implicated as a neuroprotective agent. The incidence of depression is currently increasing, and it is unclear whether the lack of lactoferrin during lactation affects the incidence of depression in adulthood.
Objectives
The purpose of our work was to investigate the effect of lactoferrin feeding deficiency during lactation on adult depression and related mechanisms.
Methods
Lactoferrin knockout mice provided lactoferrin-free milk to establish a lactoferrin feeding deficiency model during lactation. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model was established when the mice reached 9 weeks of age. Behavioural performance, serum indicators, and the microbiota, intestine, and hippocampus injury of the CUMS mice were investigated; RNA-seq of the small intestine and hippocampus, and gut microbiota compositions in 18-day-old lactoferrin-free mice were analysed; the development of the intestine and hippocampus and microbiota compositions in adult lactoferrin-free mice were also examined.
Results
Lack of lactoferrin feeding during lactation affected the barrier and innate immune functions of the intestine, disrupted the intestinal microflora, and led to neuroimmune dysfunction and neurodevelopmental delay in the hippocampus. When exposed to external stimulation, adult lactoferrin feeding-deficient mice presented with worse depression-like symptoms; the mechanisms involved were activation of the LPS–TLR4 signalling pathway in the intestine and hippocampus, reduced BDNF signalling pathway in hippocampus, increased abundance of depression-related bacteria, and decreased abundance of beneficial bacteria.
Conclusions
Overall, our findings reveal that feeding lactoferrin during lactation can reduce the risk of depression in adults. The mechanism is related to the regulatory effect of lactoferrin on the development of the "microbial–intestinal–brain" axis.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the anthocyanin-related genes during seed coat development in six Brassica species
Authors: Chen Daozong , Chen Haidong , Dai Guoqiang , Zhang Haimei , Liu Yi , Shen Wenjie , Zhu Bo , Cui Cheng , Tan Chen
Published: August 2022

Yellow seed is one favorite trait for the breeding of Brassica oilseed crops, but the performance of seed coat color is very complicated due to the involvement of various pigments. The variation of the seed coat color of Brassica crops was related to the specific expression of transcription factors which regulated the up-regulated expression of catalytic enzymes in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. Although there have been previous reports on the regulation mechanism of seed coat color from linkage marker development, gene fine-mapping and multi-omics association analysis, the seed coat color of Brassica crops is affected by events such as genome triploidization, the regulatory mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we identified genes related to anthocyanin synthesis in six Brassica crops in U-triangle at the genome-wide level and performed collinearity analysis. A total of 1119 anthocyanin-related genes were identified, the collinear relationship of anthocyanin-related genes on subgenomic chromosomes was the best in B.napus (AACC) and the worst in B.carinata (BBCC). The comparison of gene expression related to anthocyanin metabolic pathways in seed coats during seed development revealed differences in anthocyanin metabolism among these species. Interestingly, the R2R3-MYB transcription factors MYB5 and TT2 were differentially expressed at all eight stages of seed coat development, indicating that they might be the key genes that caused the variation of the seed coat color. The expression curve and trend analysis of the seed coat development period showed that the main reason for the unexpressed copies of MYB5 and TT2 may be gene silencing caused by gene structural variation. These results were valuable for the genetic improvement of Brassica seed coat color, and also provided new insights into gene multicopy evolution in Brassica polyploids.
Paraburkholderia fungorum GIB024 specifically promotes the mycelial growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Napitupulu Toga Pangihotan , Endo Naoki , Aimi Tadanori , Shimomura Norihiro
Published: August 2022

Ectomycorrhiza (ECM) sporocarp harbors unique bacteria with high mutual specificity toward their fungal host. However, a high versatile and wide pervasive bacterium, Paraburkholderia fungorum strain GIB024, has been isolated from a Rhizopogon roseolus sporocarp in a Pinus thunbergii forest. Therefore, the specificity interaction pattern toward ECM fungi by the bacterium became intriguing. In vitro agar-based plate approaches of confrontation assays as well as application of a sterilized bacterial suspension to various ECM fungal genera regarding growth promotion were employed. The bacterium significantly promoted the growth of Suillus bovinus, but not R. roseolus, in low sugar medium. However, the opposite result was obtained in the high sugar medium. We then extended the bioassay in low sugar medium to focus on Suillus spp. in association with various plant hosts. GIB024 significantly promoted S. bovinus growth in association with P. thunbergii, but not with P. densiflora. The bacterium had a neutral or inhibitory effect on the growth of other Suillus spp. associated with P. thunbergii as well as other Pinaceae. Furthermore, application of a sterilized bacterial suspension produced effects resembling those of the confrontation assay. These results emphasized the significant role of plant host on determining the mycelial growth-promoting specificity of ECM-associated bacteria.
Expression of Chrna9 is regulated by Tbx3 in undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Yazawa Takashi , Imamichi Yoshitaka , Kitano Takeshi , Islam Mohammad Sayful , Khan Md. Rafiqul Islam , Takahashi Satoru , Sekiguchi Toshio , Suzuki Nobuo , Umezawa Akihiro , Uwada Junsuke
Published: August 2022

It was reported that nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-mediated signaling pathways affect the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. However, detail expression profiles of nAChR genes were unrevealed in these cells. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the gene expression of a subunit of nAChRs (Chrna) during differentiation and induction of pluripotent stem cells. Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells expressed multiple Chrna genes (Chrna3-5, 7 and 9) in undifferentiated status. Among them, Chrna9 was markedly down-regulated upon the differentiation into mesenchymal cell lineage. In mouse tissues and cells, Chrna9 was mainly expressed in testes, ES cells and embryonal F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells. Expression of Chrna9 gene was acutely reduced during differentiation of ES and F9 cells within 24 h. In contrast, Chrna9 expression was increased in induced pluripotent stem cells established from mouse embryonic fibroblast. It was shown by the reporter assays that T element-like sequence in the promoter region of Chrna9 gene is important for its activities in ES cells. Chrna9 was markedly reduced by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Tbx3, a pluripotency-related transcription factor of the T-box gene family. These results indicate that Chrna9 is a nAChR gene that are transcriptionally regulated by Tbx3 in undifferentiated pluripotent cells.
Creatinine Clearance in Selection of Living Kidney Donor: is It Safe?
Authors: Thye Chee Keong , Lee Yee Wan , Jalalonmuhali Maisarah , Lim Soo Kun , Ng Kok Peng
Published: August 2022

Background: Assessment of donor renal function is made by the measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Exogenous markers are preferred over creatinine clearance and are widely used for measuring GFR. However, they are difficult to obtain, costly and laborious. This is a study to look into the safety and accuracy of creatinine clearance for renal assessment among the living kidney donors in the Malaysian population.Methods: This is a retrospective, single-centre study comprising 105 living kidney donor candidates from the year 2007 to 2020. By comparing against 51-Chromium ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA), we analysed creatinine clearance for correlation, bias, precision and accuracy.Results: The study group had a mean age of 45.68 ± 10.97 years with a mean serum creatinine of 64.43 ± 17.68 mmol/L and a urine volume of 2.06 ± 0.83 L. Mean measured GFR from 51Cr-EDTA was 124.37 ± 26.83 ml/min/1.73m2 whereas mean creatinine clearance was 132.35 ± 38.18 ml/min/1.73m2. Creatinine clearance overestimated 51Cr-EDTA significantly with a correlation coefficient of 0.48 (p < 0.001) and an accuracy of 78.10% within 30% of 51Cr-EDTA.Conclusion: Creatinine clearance is an acceptable alternative for donor renal assessment in the absence of exogenous markers with an emphasis on adequate urine collection followed by using measured GFR in selected cases.
Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19 (SWiM-C): Twelve-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based, ACT-based, guided self-help intervention
Authors: Mueller Julia , Richards Rebecca , Jones Rebecca , Whittle Fiona , Woolston Jennifer , Stubbings Marie , Sharp Stephen , Griffin Simon , Bostock Jennifer , Hughes Carly , Hill Andrew , Boothby Clare , Ahern Amy
Published: August 2022

Objectives: We developed a guided self-help intervention (Supporting Weight Management during COVID-19, “SWiM-C”) to support adults with overweight or obesity in their weight management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the effect of SWiM-C on weight and determinants of weight management over twelve months.Methods: Participants (≥18 years, body-mass-index ≥25kg/m2) were randomised to the SWiM-C intervention or to a standard advice group. Participants completed online questionnaires at baseline, four months, and twelve months. The primary outcome was change in self-reported weight from baseline to twelve months; secondary outcomes were eating behaviour (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint of food intake), experiential avoidance/psychological flexibility, mental health (depression, anxiety, stress), wellbeing and physical activity. Interventions: SWiM-C is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Participants had access to an online web platform with 12 weekly modules and limited email and telephone contact with a trained, non-specialist coach. Standard advice was a leaflet on managing weight and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 388 participants were randomised (SWiM-C: n=192, standard advice: n=196). The baseline-adjusted difference in weight change between SWiM-C and standard advice participants was -0.81kg (95% CI: -2.24 to 0.61kg). SWiM-C participants reported a greater reduction in experiential avoidance (-2.45, 95% CI: -4.75 to -0.15), uncontrolled eating (-3.36, 95% CI: -5.66 to -1.06), and emotional eating (-4.14, 95% CI: -7.25 to -1.02) and an increase in physical activity (8.96, 95% CI: 0.29 to 17.62) compared to standard advice participants.Conclusions: Whilst the effect of the SWiM-C intervention on weight was inconclusive, SWiM-C improved eating behaviours, psychological flexibility and physical activity. These factors have been previously identified as determinants of successful weight management. Further refinement of the SWiM-C intervention is necessary to ensure meaningful effects on weight prior to implementation in practice.
Evaluation of age-specific causes of death in the context of the Italian longevity transition
Authors: Nigri Andrea , Aburto Josè Manuel , Basellini Ugofilippo , Bonetti Marco
Published: August 2022

In many low-mortality countries, life expectancy at birth increased steadily over the last century. In particular, both Italianfemales and males benefited from faster improvements in mortality compared to other high-income countries, especially fromthe 1960s, leading to an exceptional increase in life expectancy. However, Italy has not become the leader in longevity. Here, weinvestigate life expectancy trends in Italy during the period 1960–2015 for both sexes. Additionally, we contribute to the existingliterature by complementing life expectancy with an indicator of dispersion in ages at death, also known as lifespan inequality.Lifespan inequality underlies heterogeneity over age in populating health improvements and is a marker of uncertainty inthe timing of death. We further quantify the contributions of different age groups and causes of death to recent trends in lifeexpectancy and lifespan inequality. Our findings highlight the contributions of cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms to therecent increase in life expectancy but not necessarily to the decrease in lifespan inequality. Our results also uncover a morerecent challenge across Italy: worsening mortality from infectious diseases and mortality at older age.
Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of monoclinic WO 3 nanoplatelets. Investigation of their photocatalytic performance
Authors: Chakib Alaoui , Mohamed Karmaoui , Elaziouti Abdelkader , Touati Wassila , Allah Imene Kaddi , Benhamed Amine , Bekka Ahmed
Published: August 2022

An original, facile way based on a non-aqueous sol–gel solvothermal process has been developed to synthesize 2D tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoplatelets in one pot. The reaction between Tungstic acid (H2WO4) and 1-hexanol was a simple process, which resulted in the formation of highly crystalline metal oxide based on WO3 with an average size ranging between 30 and 50 nm, and with a correspondingly high surface area. The structural, morphological, functional group, optical qualities of the materials and the properties of the adsorption surfaces were all examined, and the degree of surface hydroxyls (– OH groups) has been examined. The products of the reaction were characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Nitrogen adsorption, and pore-size distribution Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy techniques. which indicated the formation of di-hexyl ether as a result of the solvothermal reaction. The optical absorption, measured using UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, revealed a narrow bandgap (Eg = 2.18 and 2.48 eV for WO3-24 and WO3-48, respectively) compared to that of for bulk WO3 (2.7 eV), attributable to oxygen vacancies. Upon increasing dwell time from 24 to 48 h, a blue-shift was observed, highlighting a quantum size effect. The as-prepared WO3 nanoplatelets displayed excellent photocatalytic performance for degrading Rhodamine B under visible light-emitting diode light with up 99 % degradation rate was achieved in 120 min. Thus, the enhanced Rhodamine B photodegradation in the presence WO3-24 along with H2O2 was assigned to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as ; OH and RhB *+ , involving in the strong synergistic effect between WO3 and H2O2, effectively separating of photocarriers and, as a consequence, boosting the photocatalytic efficiency.
Scalable training of graph convolutional neural networks for fast and accurate predictions of HOMO-LUMO gap in molecules
Authors: Choi Jong Youl , Zhang Pei , Mehta Kshitij , Blanchard Andrew , Pasini Massimiliano Lupo
Published: August 2022

Graph Convolutional Neural Network (GCNN) is a popular class of deep learning (DL) models in material science to predict material properties from the graph representation of molecular structures. Training an accurate and comprehensive GCNN surrogate for molecular design requires large-scale graph datasets and is usually a time-consuming process. Recent advances in GPUs and distributed computing open a path to reduce the computational cost for GCNN training effectively. However, efficient utilization of high performance computing (HPC) resources for training requires simultaneously optimizing large-scale data management and scalable stochastic batched optimization techniques. In this work, we focus on building GCNN models on HPC systems to predict material properties of millions of molecules. We use HydraGNN, our in-house library for large-scale GCNN training, leveraging distributed data parallelism in PyTorch. We use ADIOS, a high-performance data management framework for efficient storage and reading of large molecular graph data. We perform parallel training on two open-source large-scale graph datasets to build a GCNN predictor for an important quantum property known as the HOMO-LUMO gap. We measure the scalability, accuracy, and convergence of our approach on two DOE supercomputers: the Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) and the Perlmutter system at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). We present our experimental results with HydraGNN showing i) reduction of data loading time up to 4.2 times compared with a conventional method and ii) linear scaling performance for training up to 1,024 GPUs on both Summit and Perlmutter.
Gene expression in bumble bee larvae differs qualitatively between high and low concentration imidacloprid exposure levels
Authors: Martín-Blázquez Rubén , Calhoun Austin Charles , Sadd Ben Michael , Cameron Sydney Anne
Published: August 2022

Neonicotinoid pesticides negatively affect important bumble bee traits, even at sublethal concentrations. Phenotypic responses to sublethal concentrations of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid have been studied, largely at individual adult and colony levels. Yet little is known about concentration-specific responses in developing larvae, particularly at the transcriptomic level. We hypothesize that relatively high (7.0 ppb) and low (0.7 ppb) field-realistic imidacloprid concentrations cause qualitative differences in gene expression of bumble bee larvae. To examine this hypothesis, worker-fed Bombus impatiens larvae were provisioned with either high or low imidacloprid treated pollen and sugar water, or untreated control food. Subsequent larval gene expression analysis revealed 678 genes differentially expressed in both the high and low imidacloprid larvae relative to controls, including genes involved in mitochondrial activity, development, and DNA replication. A set of 755 genes were differentially expressed only in the high imidacloprid concentration-exposed larvae, including starvation response and cuticle genes. Lastly, 191 genes were differentially expressed only in low imidacloprid concentration-exposed larvae, including genes associated with neural development and cell growth. Our findings show varying consequences of different neonicotinoid exposure concentrations within field-realistic ranges, and that even low concentrations affect the expression of genes that are fundamental to bumble bee health and development.
Evaluating the Dark Sky Weather Forecast Data Over Florida and Georgia
Authors: Bayabil Haimanote K. , Teshome Fitsum T. , Wu Songzi , Yu Ziwen
Published: August 2022

The Dark Sky (DKS; © 2020 Apple Inc.) provides weather forecasts for most locations throughout the world. The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the accuracy of the DKS system in capturing selected weather parameters compared to observations at 124 weather stations in Florida and Georgia and 2) provide a strategy using machine learning to identify features that affect the accuracy of rainfall forecast. Daily forecast weather data were obtained using the DKS’ application programming interface (API). Data included daily total rainfall, minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures, daily average wind speed, dew point, and relative humidity (RH). The DKS system performed better in capturing forecasts of Tmin and Tmax, and dew point but its performances with rainfall, RH, and wind speed were poor. In addition, the DKS forecast system over-predicts rainfall events <5mm while under-predicting events >5mm. However, the DKS system was able to forecast the occurrence (yes/no) of rainfall events with a probability of detection (POD) values between 0.91 and 1.0. Machine learning model results showed that the accuracy of rainfall forecast was affected by changes in temperature after a rainfall event. The error of a next-day precipitation forecast was < 2.5 mm when post rainfall temperature drops by 5℃. Overall, results suggest that the DKS forecast system could be a reliable source of dichotomous (yes/no) rainfall forecasts, but its quantitative rainfall predictions were poor.
Quality of life and physical/psychosocial factors in children and adolescents with orthostatic intolerance
Authors: Shigeyasu Yoshie , Okada Ayumi , Fujii Chikako , Tanaka Chie , Sugihara Akiko , Horiuchi Makiko , Yorifuji Takashi , Tsukahara Hirokazu
Published: August 2022

Background: Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is common in children and adolescents, which negatively impacts their quality of life (QOL) due to physical symptoms that limit work, school, and daily activities. The purpose of this study is to explore the association of physical and psychosocial factors with QOL scores in children and adolescents with OI.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted. The study participants included 95 Japanese pediatric patients of age 9–15 years who were diagnosed with OI from April 2010 to March 2020. The QOL scores and the QOL T-scores of children with OI assessed by the KINDL-R questionnaire at the initial visit were compared with conventional normative data. The associations of physical and psychosocial factors with the QOL T-scores were examined using multiple linear regression.Results: Pediatric patients with OI had significantly lower QOL scores than healthy children in both elementary (50.7 ± 13.5 vs. 67.9 ± 13.4, p < 0.001) and junior high schools (51.8 ± 14.6 vs. 61.3 ± 12.6, p < 0.001). This finding was observed in the physical, mental, self-esteem, friends, and school domains. Nonattendance [β = −5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −9.8 to 0.4, p = 0.035] and poor relationship with school (β = −10.7, 95% CI = −15.3 to −6.4, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with impaired total QOL scores.Conclusions: These results suggest that the assessment of QOL, including both physical and psychosocial aspects, especially school factors, needs to be implemented earlier in children and adolescents with OI.
Analysis of maternal and child health indicators: the composite coverage index (CCI) used in Guinea from 2012 to 2018
Authors: CISSE Diao , TOURE Almamy Amara , DIALLO Abdourahamane , GOUNGOUNGA Juste Aristite , KADIO Jean Jaques Olivier , BARRY Ibrahima , BERETE Souleymane , MAGASSOUBA Aboubacar Sidiki , HAROUNA Souleymane Hassane , CAMARA Alseny Yarie , SYLLA Younoussa , CISSE Kola , SIDIBE Maïmouna , TOURE Abdoulaye , DELAMOU Alexandre
Published: August 2022

Introduction The composite coverage index (CCI) is the weighted average coverage of eight preventive and curative interventions received along the maternal and child care continuum. We analysed maternally and child health indicators using CCI.Methods We performed a secondary analysis of demographic and health surveys (DHS) focused on women aged 15 to 49 and children aged 1 to 4. The CCI is optimal if the weighted proportion of interventions is less than 50%; otherwise, it is partial. We identified the factors associated with CCI using the following statistics: the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for complex survey samples, the chi-squared tests of Rao & Scott’s second-order correction, and the spatial autocorrelation statistic and the multivariate logistic regression.Results The optimal coverage of the ICC has increased from 43% in 2012 to 61% in 2018. In multivariate analysis, in 2012: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest; OR=0.11 [95% CI; 0.07, 0.18]. Those who had done four antenatal care visits (ANC) were 2.78 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with less OR=2.78 [95% CI;2.24, 3.45]. In 2018: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest OR=0.27 [95% CI; 0.19, 0.38]. Women who planned their pregnancies were 28% more likely to have an optimal CCI than those who had not planned OR= 1.28 [95% CI;1.05, 1.56]. Finally, women with more than 4 ANC were 2.43 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with the least OR = 2.43 [95% CI; 2.03, 2.90]. The spatial analysis reveals significant disparities with an aggregation of high partial ICC in Labé between 2012 and 2018.ConclusionThis study showed an increase in CCI between 2012 and 2018. Policies should improve access to care and information for poor women. Besides, strengthening ANC visits and reducing regional inequalities will increase optimal CCI.
The dynamics and function of stressosome proteins in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Tran Buu Minh , Linnik Dmitrii , Punter Michiel , Śmigiel Wojciech , Mantovanelli Luca , Iyer Aditya , O'Byrne Conor , Abee Tjakko , Johansson Jorgen , Poolman Bert
Published: August 2022

The human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is a model microorganism in infection biology. The organism can transform from a saprophyte to an intracellular pathogen and cope with severe environmental challenges, for which the high molecular weight stressosome complex acts as the sensing hub in a complex signal transduction pathway. Yet, little is known of the dynamics, function and localization of the proteins involved in the stress response. We have now determined the dynamics and functional roles of cytosolic, membrane-bound and clustered components of the stressosome complex, using photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) combined with single-particle tracking (SPT) and single-molecule displacement mapping (SMdM) and supported by physiological studies. We analyzed the stressosome protein RsbR1 and the related blue-light receptor protein RsbL. We find that RsbR1 diffusion is consistently slow, and the protein interacts with the plasma membrane via Prli42. The membrane-bound state of RsbR1 is not required for stress sensing. RsbL diffuses freely in the cytoplasm but associates with the stressosome complex upon exposure to light. The association of RsbL with the stressosome complex is stable and independent of the presence of Prli42. Taken together, our work provides a comprehensive view of the spatial organization and intracellular dynamics of the stressosome proteins in L. monocytogenes, which paves the way towards uncovering the stress sensing mechanism of this signal transduction pathway.
Attenuated post-movement beta rebound reflects psychomotor alterations in major depressive disorder during a simple visuomotor task: a MEG study
Authors: Xia Yi , Hua Lingling , Dai Zhongpeng , Han Yinglin , Du Yishan , Zhao Shuai , Zhou Hongliang , Wang Xiaoqin , Yan Rui , Wang Xumiao , Zou HaoWen , Sun Hao , Huang YingHong , Yao ZhiJian , Lu Qing
Published: August 2022

Background
Psychomotor alterations are a common symptom in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The primary motor cortex (M1) plays a vital role in the mechanism of psychomotor alterations. Post-movement beta rebound (PMBR) in the sensorimotor cortex is abnormal in patients with motor abnormalities. However, the changes in M1 beta rebound in patients with MDD remain unclear. This study aimed to primarily explore the relationship between psychomotor alterations and PMBR in MDD.
Methods
132 subjects were enrolled in the study, comprising 65 healthy controls (HCs) and 67 MDD patients. All participants performed a simple right-hand visuomotor task during MEG scanning. PMBR was measured in the left M1 at the source reconstruction level with the time-frequency analysis method. Retardation factor scores and neurocognitive test performance, including the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), the Making Test Part A (TMT-A), and the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), were used to measure psychomotor functions. Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess relationships between PMBR and psychomotor alterations in MDD.
Results
The MDD group showed worse neurocognitive performance than the HC group in all three neurocognitive tests. The PMBR was diminished in patients with MDD compared to HCs. In a group of MDD patients, the reduced PMBR was negatively correlated with retardation factor scores. Further, there was a positive correlation between the PMBR and DSST scores. PMBR is negatively associated with the TMT-A scores.
Conclusion
Our findings suggested that the attenuated PMBR in M1 could illustrate the psychomotor disturbance in MDD, possibly contributing to clinical psychomotor symptoms and deficits of cognitive functions.
Is better early closure compared to late closure of temporary ileostomy in rectal cancer? A randomized controlled trial study
Authors: Ahmadi-Amoli Hadi , Rahimi Mohsen , Abedi-kichi Raziyeh , Ebrahimian Nazli , Hajebi Reza , Rahimpour Ehsan
Published: August 2022

Purpose
A temporary loop ileostomy is one of the most common methods for the prevention of anastomotic leakage in rectal cancer patients who underwent low anterior resection. However, the optimal timing of loop ileostomy reversal remains unknown. The main purpose of this study is to assess the suitable time for a reversal of temporary loop ileostomy in rectal cancer patients.
Methods
We conducted a prospective, randomized trial at Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2020 to 2021 to determine the appropriate time for closure of temporary loop ileostomy in rectal cancer patients who underwent low anterior resection.
Results
The results of this prospective randomized controlled trial are as shown: significantly difference in body mass index, the time interval between creation and closure of stoma, and distance from last chemotherapy. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. As well as, there is no significant difference in perioperative outcomes, such as blood loss, operative time, re-admission, and re-operation. Also, statistically significant differences had reported between patients' quality of life and LARS score.
Conclusion
In summary, it seems that early closure of ileostomy is generally effective and safe in reducing the risk of complications and improving quality of life in patients with rectal cancer following low anterior resection and chemotherapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant).
Trial registration number and date of registration:
IRCT20201113049373N1 (January 2,2021)