bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: Multicenter mixed-methods study on coping and resilience strategies
Authors: Cadorin Lucia , Mazzega-Fabbro Cristina , Cedrone Sonja
Published: March 2023

Background
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created difficulties in clinical and organizational fields. Healthcare workers needed to protect their health and avoid infecting their family members, but also limit the virus’s spread among vulnerable oncology patients undergoing hospital treatment.
Objective
To evaluate the resilience and coping strategies of nurses working in the oncology setting.
Methods
A mixed-methods study was conducted. First, two questionnaires (CD-RISK and COPE- NVI-25) were used to assess nurses’ resilience strategies and coping mechanisms quantitatively. Second, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the personal experiences of nurses who cared for patients during the pandemic, and Colaizzi’s framework was used for content analysis.
Results
The 164 participants, the majority of whom were female (88.4%), reported high resilience. The CD-RISK score varied according to education. With respect to COPE-NIV-25, transcendent orientation and avoidance strategies had the lowest mean scores, while problem orientation was higher in nurses aged ≥ 40. Five themes emerged: (1) changes in work and personal areas; (2) feelings/emotions, such as fear of infection for themselves or their loved ones, difficulty in using the face mask, relational repercussions with patients or their families; (3) personal and working group strategies used to counteract the suffering attributable to COVID-19; (4) professionalism/nursing responsibilities in developing new rules and protocols, and (5) metaphors to describe their experiences.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic led to major changes in the nurses’ roles, but they showed resilience and generated a positive working climate.
Implication for practice:
Even in emergency situations, nursing administrations and policymakers must ensure that nurses receive adequate training and support to develop resilience and coping strategies.
Global observational coverage of oil and gas methane sources with TROPOMI
Authors: Gao Mozhou , Xing Zhenyu , Vollrath Coleman , Hugenholtz Chris H. , Barchyn Thomas E.
Published: March 2023

Satellite observations have been widely used to measure methane (CH4) emissions from the oil and gas (O&G) industry, particularly by revealing previously undocumented, very large emission events and basin-level emission estimates. However, the performance of retrieving CH4 mixing ratios from the short-wave infrared band of passive remote sensing instruments is spatially and temporally varied due to sunlight, earth surface properties, and atmospheric conditions. Thus, the reliability of satellites is also varied. To assess the reliability of passive remote sensing satellite instruments for routine monitoring of CH4 emissions, we investigated the global observational coverage of the TROPOMI (onboard the Sentinel-5P), which has been providing a daily global CH4 mixing ratio since 2017. A 0.1° x 0.1° gridded global map that indicates the average number of days with valid observations from TROPOMI from 2019 to 2021 was generated by following the measurement retrieval quality-assurance threshold (≥0.5). We found TROPOMI had promising observational coverage over dryland regions (maximum: 58.6%) but limited coverage over tropical regions and high latitudes (minimum: 0%). Cloud cover and solar zenith angle were the primary factors at high latitudes, while aerosol optical thickness was the primary factor over dryland regions. To further assess the country-level reliability of satellites for detecting and quantifying CH4 emissions from the O&G sector, we extracted the average annual TROPOMI observational coverage (TOC) over O&G infrastructure for 160 countries. Seven of the top-10 O&G-producing countries had an average annual TOC < 10% (< 36 days per year), which indicates the limited ability to routinely identify large emissions events, track their duration, and quantify emissions rates using inverse modelling. We further assessed the potential performance of the latter by combining TOC and the uncertainties from the global O&G inventory. Results inverse modeling with CH4 measurements from TROPOMI may only be accurate for quantifying emissions from O&G sectors in countries located in dryland and mid-latitude regions. Conclusively, the current passive-sensing satellites have low potential for frequent monitoring of large methane emissions from O&G sectors in countries located in tropical and high latitudes (e.g., Canada, Russia, Brazil, Norway, and Venezuela). Therefore, alternative methods should be considered for routine emissions monitoring in the corresponding regions.
Enhanced Separation of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride in Synthetic Solution Using Natural Clays: Silica and Metakaolinite
Authors: Nassar Hossam , Shehata Nabila
Published: March 2023

Oxy-tetracycline (OTC) and their derivatives are listed as an emerging water contaminant due to their adverse effects to human, biota and the all aquatic environment. Silica and meta-kaolinite (MK) were utilized as promising sorbents for oxy-tetracycline hydrochloride (OTCH) uptake from water. Identifying the optimum parameters (pH and initial concentration of OTCH, sorbent dose, and reaction time) on OTCH adsorption was performed. The characterization properties of the sorbents were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Maximum values for OTCH adsorption achieved at pH 5-6 and pH 7 for SiO2 and MK, respectively. Langmuir model best describe the result data with high dependency on OTCH sorption onto MK yielding its maximum at 165.04 mg/gand moderate dependency for SiO2 with qmax equal to 25.3 mg/g. These results provide additional information about the uses of both clay minerals as a promising economic and environmentally friendly sorbents for wastewater treatment.
Genome Formula Changes During Whitefly Transmission of Two Bipartite Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses
Authors: G Kennedy George , Sharpee William , Jacobson Alana L. , Wambugu Mary , Mware Benard , Hanley-Bowdoin Linda
Published: March 2023

Cassava mosaic disease is caused by a complex of whitefly-transmitted begomovirus species, which often occur in mixed infections. These viruses have bipartite genomes consisting of DNA-A and DNA-B that are encapsidated into separate virions. Individual virus species exist in plants and whitefly vectors as populations comprising both genome segments, which can occur at different frequencies. Both segments are required for infection, and both must be transmitted for virus spread to occur. Cassava plants infected with both cognate segments of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and/or East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV) were used to examine how titers of the segments in a plant relate to their respective probabilities of acquisition by whiteflies and to the titers of each segment acquired and subsequently transmitted by whiteflies. The relationship between the DNA-A:DNA-B ratio in the plant and the relative likelihood of acquiring each segment differed between ACMV and EACMCV. However, for both viruses, DNA-A:DNA-B ratios acquired by whiteflies differed from those in the source plant and the ratios transmitted by the whitefly were “1” – the ratio at which the highest probability of transmitting both segments is expected.
Experimental and Theoretical Evidence Pointing to a Possible Classical Value to Elementary Electric Charge
Authors: Williams Lamont
Published: March 2023

It is well known that electric and magnetic phenomena are closely related. It is also well established that the electron magnetic moment has a classical and quantum value, in which the quantum value is the classical value times a particular number, approximately 1.0012, that accounts for quantum mechanical effects. This study explores the possibility that elementary electric charge (e) also has a classical and quantum value. Data from experiments, as well as a quark-based theoretical study, that identified dual values for e were evaluated. Results show that across the studies, there was a surprisingly consist appearance of a factor of about 1.0015 (or some power of the number) by which the lower value of e in the studies needed to be multiplied to equal the higher value. This suggests that the lower value in each study was reflective of a classical e value, while the higher number began to account for quantum effects, with 1.0015 possibly being an anomalous factor associated with the two values. Interpretations of the findings are presented showing how the study results possibly lead to a fundamental equation for the fine-structure constant and provide plausible solutions to the Landau pole and quantum triviality problems of quantum electrodynamics, which are currently persistent complications in that theory.
Key person-centered care domains for residential substance use disorder treatment facilities: former clients’ perspectives
Authors: Andraka-Christou Barbara , Atkins Danielle , Shields Morgan C. , Golan Olivia K. , Totaram Rachel , Cortelyou Kendall , Lambie Glenn , Mazurenko Olena
Published: March 2023

Background
While person-centered care (PCC) includes multiple domains, residential SUD treatment clients may value certain domains over others. We sought to identify the PCC domains most valued by former residential SUD treatment clients.
Methods
We distributed an online survey via social media to a national convenience sample of former residential SUD treatment clients. Respondents were presented with ten PCC domains in an online survey: (a) access to evidence-based care; (b) integration of care; (c) diversity/respect for other cultures; (d) individualization of care; (e) emotional support; (f) family involvement in treatment; (g) transitional services; (h) aftercare; (i) physical comfort; and (j) information provision. Respondents were asked to select up to two domains they deemed most important to their residential SUD treatment experience. We used descriptive statistics to identify response frequencies and logistic regression to predict relationships between selected domains and respondents’ race, gender, relationship status, parenting status, and housing stability.
Results
Our final sample included 435 former residential SUD treatment clients. Diversity and respect for different cultures was the most frequently selected domain (29%), followed by integration of care (26%), emotional support (26%), and individualization of care (26%). Provision of information was the least frequently chosen domain (3%). Race and ethnicity were not predictive of selecting respect for diversity. Also, parental status, relationship status and gender were not predictive of selecting family integration. Employment and housing status were not predictive of selecting transitional services.
Conclusions
While residential SUD treatment facilities should seek to implement PCC across all domains, our results suggest facilities should prioritize (a) operationalizing diversity, (b) integration of care, and (c) emotional support. Significant heterogeneity exists regarding PCC domains deemed most important to clients. PCC domains valued by clients cannot be easily predicted based on client demographics.
Multicore-shell MnO2@Ppy@N-doped porous carbon nanofiber ternary composites as electrode materials for high- performance supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Jie , Wei Dong , Xu Lan
Published: March 2023

In this study, a multicore-shell ternary composite electrode material (MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs) with excellent electrochemical performances was prepared by using surface modification, in which core-shell Ppy@N-doped porous carbon nanofibers (Ppy@NPCNFs) with large specific surface area and high conductivity were used as the substrate (a multicore layer), and MnO2 was loaded on the substrate by hydrothermal synthesis to form a shell layer, further improving the SC of electrode material. The parameters of hydrothermal growth of MnO2 on Ppy@NPCNFs were explored by means of the control variable method and response surface methodology, and the optimal parameters were predicted and verified. Electrochemical test results showed that the SC of MnO2@Ppy@NPCNFs prepared under the optimal reaction parameters was as high as 595.77 F g-1, and its capacitance retention was 96.2% after 1000 cycles. Moreover, a symmetric supercapacitor prepared with the optimal multicore-shell electrode showed an energy density of 9.36 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1000 W kg−1 and a retention rate of 93.75% after 1000 cycles, indicating the promising application of multicore-shell ternary composite electrode material in high-performance supercapacitors.
ESCO2 promotes hypopharyngeal carcinoma progression in a STAT1-dependent manner
Authors: Hu Juan , Yan Jing , Chen Yijie , Li Xiaohui , Yang Liu , Di Haiyu , Zhang Huihui , Shi Yewen , Zhao Junjie , Shi Yanxia , Xu Yinglong , Ren Xiaoyong , Wang Zhenghui
Published: March 2023

Background: The establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 2 (ESCO2) is involved in the development of multiple malignancies. However, its role in hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC) progression remains uncharacterized.
Methods: This study employed bioinformatics to determine the ESCO2 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) and normal tissues. In vitro cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and/or cell cycle distribution assays were used to determine the function of ESCO2 and its relationship with STAT1. Xenograft models were established in nude mice to determine ESCO2 in HPC growth in vivo. Coimmunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS) was conducted to identify the potential ESCO2 binding partners.
Results: We found that ESCO2 expression was elevated in HNSC tissues, and ESCO2 depletion suppressed tumor cell migration in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Co-IP/MS and immunoblotting assays revealed the interaction between ESCO2 and STAT1 in HPC cells. ESCO2-mediated suppressive effects on HPC cell proliferation, viability, and migration were compromised by STAT1-overexpression.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that ESCO2 is crucial in promoting HPC malignant progression through the STAT1 pathway, and provide novel therapeutic targets for HPC treatment.
Pharmacological inhibition of STING signaling attenuates MPTP-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in mouse parkinsonian models
Authors: Wang Baozhu , Qiu Jingru , Wang Yanwei , Gao Shixuan , Yu Shuyan , Sun Deqing , Lou Haiyan
Published: March 2023

Background
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and chronic neuroinflammation. However, the mechanisms linking chronic neuroinflammation to dopaminergic neuronal death have not been completely elucidated. Recent emerging evidence reveals that the cGAS-STING-mediated Type I interferon (IFN) signaling axis takes part in the microglial-associated neuroinflammation. However, the potential role of pharmacological inhibition of STING on neuroinflammation and thus the dopaminergic neurodegeneration is largely unknown.
Methods
In vitro, the effects of pharmacological inhibition of STING on LPS/MPP+-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 microglial cells were determined by real time RT-PCR and western blot analysis. For the in vivo studies, the acute and sub-acute mice models of PD were established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-(2′-methylphenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophine (MPTP). The selective STING inhibitor C-176 was administered by intraperitoneal injection. The potential protective effects of C-176 on dopaminergic neurons and neuroinflammation were evaluated by behavioral test, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunostaining, Nissl staining, western blotting, qPCR and immunofluorescence.
Results
We report that STING levels were upregulated in MPTP-induced PD mice model. Therapeutic inhibition of STING with C-176 significantly inhibited the activation of downstream signaling pathway, suppressed associated neuroinflammation, and ameliorated MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity and motor deficit. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of STING within BV2 microglia which treated with LPS/MPP+ leads to decreased inflammatory responses. More importantly, C176 also reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusion
The results of our study suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of STING protects against neuroinflammation that may act at least in part through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and thus ameliorated dopaminergic neurodegeneration. STING signaling may holds great promise for the development of new treatment strategy for PD as an effective therapeutic target.
Comparison of cervical sagittal parameters among patients with neck pain and patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Liu Tao , Tian Shuo , Zhang Jianzhou , He Mengzi , Deng Longlian , Ding Wenyuan , Wang Zheng , Yang Dalong
Published: March 2023

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that cervical sagittal alignment is strongly associated with cervical deformity, myelopathy,and cervical adjacent-segmental disease, and those cervical sagittal parameters are correlated with health-related quality of life, while less attention has been paid to cervical sagittal balance in various cervical disorders. This study aimed to compare cervical sagittal parameters between patients with nonspecific neck pain(NS-NP) and patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).
Methods: We retrospectively included 236 patients divided into three groups, NS-NP, CSR, and CSM, and collected general information and cervical sagittal parameters of such kind patients. The variation of parameters between the size of these parameters and gender differences were analyzed. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation was applied to analyzethe association of cervical sagittal parameters of all patients between the three groups.
Results: There were significant differences in age and sex among the three groups (P<0.001), among which the NS-NP group was the youngest, and NS-NP was more common in women. The parameters of cervical sagittal position were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.05). Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation result showed that the C2-C7 Cobb angle was negatively associated with C2-C7 SVA, and the C2-C7 Cobb angle, T1 slope (T1s) were negatively associated with the spino-cranial angle (SCA). There was a positive correlation between the C2-C7 Cobb angle and C7 slope (C7s), C2-C7 SVA and T1s, C2-C7 SVA and SCA, and C7s and T1s.
Conclusion: This study showed that between the three groups, patients with non-specific neck pain had larger C7s, T1s, and C2-C7 Cobb angle and smaller SCA and C2-C7 SVA; and among patients with NS-NP, women had larger SCA and smaller C7s and T1s. The smaller anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the thoraxin women might be the possible explanation for this difference.
Synthesis, in-silico based virtual screening,anti-cancer potential of novel1,2,3-triazole-thiadiazole hybrid derivatives as Aurora kinase A (ARK-A) and Extracellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) dual inhibitors.
Authors: Bontha Lingaiah , E Praveen Kumar , Dokala Appaji , Pingili Divya , Putta Venkat Reddy , Vuradi Ravi kumar , Kotha Laxma Reddy , Satyanarayana sirasani
Published: March 2023

As part of our ongoing efforts to produce promising cytotoxic agents, the novel compounds, 5-(4-(diethylamino)-2-((1-substitutedphenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)phenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives (9a-l) were developed, synthesised, and characterized using several analytical techniques, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and LC-MS. New series of 1,2,3-triazole and thiadiazole molecular hybrids synthsized were evaluated for their anticancer activity against human oesophageal carcinoma cell line KYSE-450 and human pancreatic carcinoma cell line MIA PaCa-2 cells. The compounds 9b, 9i, 9j, and 9l exhibited potential cytotoxic activity against KYSE-450 and MIAPaCa-2 cells, according to cytotoxic evaluation data. Compound 9j had greater anti-cancer potential relative to the standard employed across all compounds evaluated. The remaining compounds exhibited moderate to weak anti-proliferative potential. In-vitro kinase inhibition of compound 9j was significantly more effective against both ARK-1 and ERK-2 enzymes, indicating its dual inhibition potential. Docking analysis culminated that 9k, 9j, and 9i have substantial docking scores with the ARK-1 receptor, indicating the presence of strong binding affinities. Significant binding interactions between molecules 9j and 9h and the ERK-2 receptor suggest an inhibitory effect. Hence the compounds are promising dual inhibitors of ARK-A/ERK2.
Developing River Tourism on the Petagas River, Sabah: Understanding Community Perceptions and Potential Level of Engagement
Authors: Saikim Fiffy Hanisdah , Phang Grace Ing , Pawan Marry Tracy , Kadar Nazia Abdul , Hussein Muhammad Ali Syed , Salleh Norhuda , Nordin Nordiana Mohd. , Aziz Nor Akmar Abdul , Prideaux Bruce
Published: March 2023

Pollution-free rivers with protected riverbanks offer considerable scope for tourism development. In recent decades there has been increasing interest in rivers as a tourism resource. Globally, the demand for river cruising and water sports has grown rapidly as has the development of riverbanks for tourism purposes including accommodation, restaurants, and shopping. However, the role of local communities attitudes and perceptions in the development of river tourism is crucial to developing a successful tourism resource. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of local residents regarding the development of river tourism on the Petagas River, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 79 residents of river communities to explore their perceptions of river tourism development on the Petagas River, assess their views on their likely participation in river tourism, and identify problems they thought might inhibit tourism development. The results show that while respondents were generally supportive of tourism development, they did recognise the need for river ecosystem restoration and the need to change many of the ways they currently use the river.
Hugely improved electromagnetic interference shielding and mechanical properties for UHMWPE composites via constructing an oriented conductive carbon nanostructures (CNS) networks
Authors: Cheng Huibin , Lin Guoliang , Zhang Xiaoyi , Wu Chen , Ma Shenglan , Liu Xuhong , Huang Baoquan , Chen Qinghua , Qian Qingrong , Cao Changlin
Published: March 2023

To address the practical application challenges of conductive polymer composites (CPCs) in portable electronics equipment, such as their low thermal conductivity (TC) and poor electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), it is crucial to improve their TC, electrical conductivity(σ), and EMI SE of CPCs. In this work, we present a conducting composite made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and carbon nanostructures (CNS) with a unique segregated structure. This structure is achieved through a simple high-speed mechanical mixing and compression molding process. Microscopy characteristics demonstrated that both the matrix and segregated conductive network were in-situ oriented along the compress direction of UHMWPE granules under the static hot-pressing field. CNS are compacted together at the interface between UHMWPE granules to form an oriented and interconnected conductive pathways at low CNS loading levels. The resultant UHMWPE/CNS composites with 10 wt% CNS content exhibits excellent EMI shielding performance, with EMI SE of 60.7 dB (at X-band), high conductivity of 2.42 S/cm, and acceptable thermal conductivity of 0.7217 (W/m K). High EMI shielding performance and absorption dominant mechanism are beneficial from the unique segregated structure, and individual CNS coated UHMWPE granule are similar to an electromagnetic cage. Additionally, the ultimate tensile strength of the composite remains high at 37.6 MPa even at 10.0 wt% CNS loading, and it shows effective thermal stability. These properties are attributed to the strong interfacial bonding between CNS and UHMWPE. These materials have potential applications in efficient thermal management and EMI shielding for high-performance intelligent electrical devices.
Triassic palynology of the Swiss Belchentunnel - a restudy of the Scheuring samples
Authors: Schneebeli Elke , Kustatscher Evelyn
Published: March 2023

Well-preserved Carnian (Late Triassic) palynomorphs are rare in Switzerland, despite sediments include one of the important plant fossil localities, Neue Welt near Basel. Modern detailed palynological studies on Triassic palynomorphs in general and especially in the Carnian are scarce, most palynological studies have been carried out more than fifty years ago. Nevertheless (Late) Triassic sediments still yield surprises for palynological research. Here, we present the results of the re-study of the famous Belchentunnel samples that have been studied and published by Bernhard Scheuring in 1970. The less cheerful result concerns the preservation of slides: more than 60% of the slides are degraded. On the other hand, the restudy of the well-preserved slides showed an unexpected number of algae, acritarch and spore taxa, not described so far. The latter facilitate the correlation with the well-known biostratigraphic schemes established for the Germanic Basin. The distribution of Porcellispora longdonensis throughout the Belchentunnel succession is especially striking. The acme just below the Schilfsandstein might suggest the presence of ephemeral ponds.
HPV-positive murine oral squamous cell carcinoma: development and characterization of a new mouse tumor model for immunological studies
Authors: Modic Ziva , Cemazar Maja , Markelc Bostjan , Cör Andrej , Sersa Gregor , Brezar Simona Kranjc , Jesenko Tanja
Published: March 2023

Background
Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains is one of the risk factors for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Some patients with HPV-positive OSCC have a better prognosis and respond better to various treatment modalities, including radiotherapy or immunotherapy. However, due to the species specificity of HPV, there are only a few immunocompetent mouse models available that enable immunological studies. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop a transplantable immunocompetent mouse model of HPV-positive OSCC and characterize it in vitro and in vivo.
Methods
Two monoclonal HPV-positive OSCC mouse cell lines were established by inducing the expression of HPV-16 oncogenes E6 and E7 in the MOC1 OSCC cell line using retroviral transduction. After confirming stable expression of HPV-16 E6 and E7 with quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, the cell lines were further characterized in vitro using proliferation assay, wound healing assay, clonogenic assay and RNA sequencing. In addition, tumor models were characterized in vivo in C57Bl/6NCrl mice in terms of their histological properties, tumor growth kinetics, and radiosensitivity. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining of blood vessels, hypoxic areas, proliferating cells and immune cells was performed to characterize the tumor microenvironment of all three tumor models.
Results
Characterization of the resulting MOC1-HPV cell lines and tumor models confirmed stable expression of HPV-16 oncogenes and differences in cell morphology, in vitro migration capacity, and tumor microenvironment characteristics. Although the cell lines did not differ in their intrinsic radiosensitivity, one of the HPV-positive tumor models, MOC1-HPV K1, showed a significantly longer growth delay after irradiation with a single dose of 15 Gy compared to parental MOC1 tumors. Consistent with this, MOC1-HPV K1 tumors had a lower percentage of hypoxic tumor area and a higher percentage of proliferating cells. Characteristics of the newly developed HPV-positive OSCC tumor models correlate with the transcriptomic profile of MOC1-HPV cell lines.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we developed and characterized a novel immunocompetent mouse model of HPV-positive OSCC that exhibits increased radiosensitivity and enables studies of immune-based treatment approaches in HPV-positive OSCC.
CDS With Adjustable Interval for Low Noise Hyperspectral Infrared Focal Plane Readout circuits
Authors: Wu Shuang , Ding Ruijun , Chen Honglei , Liang Qinghua
Published: March 2023

Low noise is a key requirement of Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) in hyperspectral application for its low radiation. The Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) technology is commonly used to suppress the effect of noise. In this paper, CDS is improved by adjusting the time interval between the clamp and sample hold (SH), which can filter low frequency noise flexibly. A ROIC input stage integrated with low-noise Capacitive trans-impedance amplifiers (CTIA) and CDS with adjustable interval (AICDS) is designed. The SPECTRE simulation indicates that, by extending the CDS reset time, the simulation result is consistent with the analysis. The number of noise electrons reaches 32.59 e-, which is better than 56.7 e- without extending the reset time. The design of AICDS can improve the noise performance of hyperspectral ROIC, and can be widely used.
LMK235 ameliorates ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction by targeting cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages
Authors: Fangzhou Lv
Published: March 2023

Objectives Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) are two isoforms of class IIa HDACs, LMK235 is an HDAC inhibitor with higher selectivity forHDAC4/5. Here, we aimed to explorethe effects of LMK235 on ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI).
Methods The MI model was established by left anterior descending branch ligation. The effects of LMK235 on cardiac dysfunction was determined by echocardiography and left ventricular pressure measurement. Fibrosis was evaluated by Masson staining and fibrotic biomarker expression, inflammation was evaluated by HE staining and inflammatory cytokine expression. In vitro, myofibroblast transformation was induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulation in primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts (MCFs), and macrophage polarization was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in RAW264.7 cells. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry were performed to examine the effects of LMK235.
Key findings LMK235 ameliorated cardiac dysfunction post-MI by suppressing fibrosisand inflammation. In MCFs, LMK235 attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibrotic biomarker expression by inhibiting Smad2/3 pathway. In RAW264.7 cells, LMK235 attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression by inhibiting NF-κB pathway.
Conclusions LMK235 can attenuate fibrosis post-MI by inhibiting Smad2/3 pathway in cardiac fibroblasts, and attenuate inflammation post-MI by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in macrophages, leading to improved cardiac function.
Magnitude and time course of urinary iodine excretion in relation to thyroid function in patients on amiodarone therapy
Authors: Pinto Giuseppe , Marchionni Giulia , Locatelli Massimo , Foppoli Luca , Monaca Giuseppe , Fragasso Gabriele
Published: March 2023

Purpose. Amiodarone is a source of excess iodine that may induce thyroid dysfunction. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the magnitude and time course of 24-hr urinary iodine excretion and its potential relationship with thyroid disorders in patients on antiarrhythmic prophylaxis with amiodarone.
Methods. 24-hr urinary iodine excretion and thyroid function were evaluated in 67 patients on chronic amiodarone therapy. All patients were clinically and biochemically euthyroid before starting treatment and were followed up by 6-month measurements of 24-hr urinary iodine excretion and plasma TSH levels.
Results. Since amiodarone initiation, 20 patients developed thyroid dysfunction (14 hypothyroidism, 3 subclinical hypothyroidism, 3 hyperthyroidism). No differences were observed in terms of treatment length or urinary iodine levels between patients remaining euthyroid and those developing thyroid dysfunction: urinary iodine in the euthyroid group was 8094 µg/24h (IQR 4082-10766) vs 10851 µg/24h (IQR 8529-12804) in the thyroid dysfunction group at 6 months (p = 0.176) and 8651 µg/24h (IQR 6924-11574) vs 8551 µg/24h([IQR 4916-13580) (p = 0.886) at one year from amiodarone initiation. The occurrence of thyroid dysfunction was equally distributed among patients taking amiodarone for more than one year versus those under treatment for less than one year. Upon amiodarone withdrawal, normal range of urinary iodine was achieved after a mean time of 15.2 ± 7.7 months.
Conclusion. These results suggest no correlation between 24-hr urinary iodine excretion and thyroid dysfunction in patients on amiodarone therapy. Thyroid disorders following amiodarone administration likely depend on the individual predisposition to iodine load.
Economic feasibility analysis of using serum C-reactive protein as a screening tool for high-risk people with diabetes complications in the community: an empirical analysis using CHARLS data
Authors: Wu Qian , Wang Bing , Yang Xiaohong , Gao Li , Wang Yujia , Chen Chunli , Peng Yaqin , Cheng Fang , Cai Wenjun
Published: March 2023

Objectives: To explore the economic feasibility of using serum C-reactive protein as a screening tool for groups at high risk of diabetes-related complications in Chinese communities.
Methods: In this study, we use data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) in 2015. Thenthe Markov model was used to explore the economic feasibility of using serum C-reactive protein as a screening tool for high-risk groups of diabetic complications in Chinese communities.
Results: In our study，27.8% of patients with serum C-reactive protein were at high risk. According to the Markov, it predict that using serum C-reactive as a screening tool for high risk groups of diabetes will reduce the economic burden by ¥50,350.01 per individual compared with the control group . According to the current population proportion of diabetes in China, it estimate that will reduce the economic burden by ¥5840.6 billion（$837.58 billion）,the mortality rate by 8.3% , and the incidence rate of myocardial infarction by 42.2% in five years .This is equivalent to saving 9.628 million lives of diabetes patients and reducing myocardial infarction events by 48.72 million and the economic burden by ¥3134.84 billion ($449.6 billion).
Conclusions: In this study, It is economically feasible to use serum C-reactive protein as a screening tool for high risk groups of diabetes complications in the China community.
Cement Kiln Dust in CIMENCAM Figuil (North Cameroon): characteristics and recycling as additives for blended cement production
Authors: KANOUO Sylvestre Nguo , TOUMBA Hamadou , DIKWA Jerome , Tchamba Arlin Bruno
Published: March 2023

This work presents the manufacture of CKD-blended cement from raw materials such as clinker, gypsum, marble and cement kiln dust (CKD) obtained from CIMENCAM Figuil, North Region of Cameroon. The raw materials were first characterized through XRF and physical properties such as fineness, consistency, setting time, and expansion were determined from the cement paste. Clinker is composed of CaO (65.30 %) and SiO2 (21.13%), with significant MgO (2.71%) Na2O+K2O (1.29%), SO3 (0.81 %) and lime saturation factor (LSF) of (97.9); which make this clinker good for cement production. Gypsum is composed of SO3 (36.32 %) and CaO (33.92 %) but contains very low proportion of impurities; it is therefore classified as low-impurities gypsum suitable for cement productions. The marble is dominantly composed of CaO (37.09 %) with significant SiO2 (7.26 %), SO3(2.40%), (2.36 %), Fe2O3 (1.82 %) and MgO (0.18 %); it is classified as low-CaO calcitic-aluminosilicate and ironsilicate bearing marble. The cement kiln dust (CKD) is dominantly made up of CaO (46.0 %) and SiO2 (11.62 %) with significantly low Na2O+ K2O (1.02 %), and SO3(2.16 %); this classifies its as low alkalies-sulfate cement kiln dust. CKD-blended cements which contains free lime (0.8-2.5, SO3 (above 1.7 to 2.5), loss on ignition (LOI), and insoluble residues (6.71-9.62 %) which increase with an increase in the proportion of CKD. The blaine specific surface area (BSSA) (4797-6346 cm2/g) and the sieved remaining proportion (26.14-30.36 %) show an increase with the proportion of used CKD;
The compressive strength test was carried out at 2, 7, 28 days which shows that, the resistance depends on the proportion of the used CKD (0% control, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%... up to 50%). Pressures of 17.5 to 11.6 MPa was obtained in 2 days, 28.9 to 20.0 Mpa in 7 days, and 35.5 to 23.3 Mpa in 28 days.
Improving the quality assessment of drilled
holes in aircraft structures
Authors: Kawano Frederico Leoni Franco , Toledo Claudio Fabiano Motta , Barbosa Gustavo Franco , Sagawa Juliana Keiko , Shiki Sidney Bruce
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a case study carried out in an assembly cell where automated drilling of an aeronautical structure is performed. The study shows how techniques approached by the 4.0 industry have the potential to contribute to manufacturing, breaking the limits imposed by the previous state of the art systems. This paper proposes a method capable of calculating an indicator for the final quality of the drilled holes, by using a committee of neural networks, which analyses data obtained by monitoring the electric current consumed by the drilling system drive. The method has the potential to enhance the efficiency of the drilling process, avoiding measurement steps and physical inspections that increases the cell cycle time.The proposal contributes to the literature by presenting an unprecedented application and to the praxis by solving a relevant problem of the aerospace industry.
FAIR-ification of structured Head and Neck Cancer clinical data for multi-institutional collaboration and federated learning
Authors: Gouthamchand Varsha , Choudhury Ananya , Hoebers Frank , Wesseling Frederik , Welch Mattea , Kim Sejin , Kazmierska Joanna , Dekker Andre , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Soest Johan , Wee Leonard
Published: March 2023

Federated learning has been demonstrated as an acceptable clinical research methodology for producing analyses and models on dispersed datasets, without the need for exchanging individual patient-level data. Attention needs to be given to making repositories of clinical data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) in order to realize the potential of such clinical data in federated learning applications. This work draws attention to FAIR-ification structured clinical data of Head and Neck cancer patients, generated in different parts of the world with incompatible terminologies. We began with an “open world” approach by converting the native datasets into the Resource Descriptor Framework format, and then applying a customized local annotation for each dataset to map the data fields to open access ontologies. This approach allows interactive data exploration by means of a federated SPARQL query-based dashboard. The annotations and dashboard visualizations were constructed without using the individual patient-level data. It is feasible to develop and validate multi-institutional statistical models with federated learning on top of the annotations that make the data FAIR. Findings are robust and potentially scalable to a larger number of participating institutions. The annotation methodology proposed here supports multiple simultaneous mappings (such as the data being re-used in multiple different projects) while keeping the native data the same. Future work may be to include certain rules and requirements for classes and predicates, and using the Shapes Constraint Language for checking the validity of the data.
Thermal dependent ferroelectric Cochran’s frequency and dielectric properties in arsenate type family of KDP crystal
Authors: Kuldeep Kuldeep Kumar , Trilok Trilok Chandra Upadhyay
Published: March 2023

Phonon anharmonic interactions up to the fourth order, and four body interaction terms, with the consideration of the extra spin-lattice term, direct spin-spin interaction terms, and four spin coupling are introduced into the earlier modified Ising type of pseudo-spin model Hamiltonian to account for the investigation of dielectric properties in arsenate type family of KDP crystals. Cochran’s mode frequency and other ferroelectric properties like energy shift, and width, electrical permittivity, spontaneous polarization, and loss tangent are investigated, in the vicinity of 𝑇𝑐. We have expressed the equation of Dyson and decoupled the correlation function with the consideration of Zubarev’s statistical article and two-time temperature-dependent Green’s function approach to deduct the theoretical derivation of the above ferroelectric parameter. Thermal variations of <𝑆𝑥> and <𝑆𝑧> order parameters are also introduced here, which is responsible for the first-order phase transition phenomenon. A comparison of theoretical findings has been made with experimental findings reported by earlier authors. Good agreement is observed for the investigation of the above ferroelectric properties in CsH2AsO4, RbH2AsO4, and KH2AsO4, crystals.
A New Proposal for High Contrast Ratio All-Optical 4 × 2 Encoder Using 2D Photonic Crystals
Authors: Parandin Fariborz , Chimawi Gailan Irfan Kareem
Published: March 2023

Optical encoders are widely used circuits that are used in digital circuits. One of the most critical features of an optical encoder is the power values in two logic states, low and high. The difference between these two values is expressed with the Contrast Ratio (CR) parameter. In this research, an optical encoder with four inputs and two outputs based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal has been designed and simulated. The results show that the proposed structure has low power in low mode and high intensity in high mode. This difference in two logical modes has caused the proposed encoder to have CR = 19.8dB, which is improved compared to previous works. Also, the proposed structure has a very small size, equal to 96.88 µm2. This encoder can be used in optical integrated circuits with low error according to the obtained values.
Evaluation of meteorological drought effects on underground water level fluctuations using data mining methods (case study: semi-deep wells of Golestan province)
Authors: Roshan Ameneh , Ghorbani Khalil , Salarijazi Meysam , Oskouei Ebrahim Asadi
Published: March 2023

In most arid and semiarid environments, groundwater is one of the precious resources threatened by water table decline and desiccation, thus it must be constantly monitored. Identifying the causes influencing the variations of the subsurface water level, such as meteorological drought, is one approach for monitoring these fluctuations. In the present study, the effect of two meteorological drought indices SPI and SPEI on the fluctuations of the underground water level was evaluated, as was their relationship with the drought index of the subsurface water level (SWI) using multivariate linear regression and M5 decision tree regression. After calculating climatic and hydrological drought indicators in a 6-month time window for a long-term statistical period (1989–2018), the semi-deep aquifers of Golestan province, which is located in northern Iran, were considered as a research location for this purpose. The results demonstrated that the effect of meteorological drought does not immeddergiately manifest in the changes of the subsurface water table and the hydrological drought index. By adding the meteorological drought index with a 6-month lag step, the average air temperature, and the total rainfall from the previous 6 months as new variables, the correlation with the SWI index increases, so that in the best-case scenario, the M5 decision tree model provides the best result in predicting the SWI index. The second half of the year yielded a coefficient of determination of 0.92 and an error value of RMSE = 0.27 for the SPEI index. Among the meteorological drought indicators, the SPEI index, which is based on precipitation and evapotranspiration, created a stronger link with the SWI index, which highlights the significance of potential evapotranspiration. It is a warning that, as a result of global warming, subsurface water tables in this region may fall in the future.
Pseudoalteromonas epidermidis sp. nov. isolated from skin of bandtail puffer fish (Sphoeroides spengleri)
Authors: Mattsson Hannah , Freitas Mayanne , Azevedo Gustavo P. R. , Arruda Tatiane , Salazar Vinicius , Tschoeke Diogo A. , Thompson Cristiane C.
Published: March 2023

This manuscript provides the description of the bacterial strain designated A520T(A520T= CBAS 737T= CAIM 1944T) characterized by Gram-negative, flagellated, aerobic bacteria. It was obtained from the skin of the bandtail pufferfishSphoeroides spengleri(Tetraodontidae Family), collected in Arraial do Cabo, located in the Rio de Janeiro region, Brazil. Optimum growth occurs at 25 - 30 °C in the presence of 3% NaCl. The genome sequence of the novel isolate consisted of 4.502 Mb (4,082 coding genes and G+C content of 41.1%). The closest phylogenetic neighbor wasPseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensisJCM 18891T (94.8% Average Amino Acid Identity and 51.8% Genome-to-Genome-Distance) and several in silico phenotypic features are useful to differentiate the proposed new species,Pseudoalteromonas epidermidissp. nov., from its closest phylogenetic neighbors, including Acetate utilization, Sucrose, L-Arabinose, L-Rhamnose and Gas from glucose. The genome of the novel species also contains 3 gene clusters (~66.81 Kbp in total) coding for different types of bioactive compounds that may account to several possible ecological roles in the bandtail pufferfish host.
Integration Battery Energy Storage Using T- Type Solid State Transformer Based Multilevel Inverter
Authors: Molli Krishna , P Ajay D Vimal Raj
Published: March 2023

Storage technologies are essential for preserving the renewable grid power balance between generation and consumption. In this research, a solid-state transformer (SST) based T-type multilevel inverter (MLI) is proposed for the medium/high voltage integration of large-scale battery energy storage (BES). For any turn ratio, the proposed SST-MLI generates 25 levels with fewer switching devices and SSTs. A novel dynamic phase shift controller (NDPSC) is also being developed for the proposed BES system. The NDPSC controller regulates active and reactive power by maintaining the battery's health. The NDPSC controller uses two gain control factors tuned to produce a fast response without overshooting. The proposed battery storage system's dynamic behavior is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink for various active and reactive power variations and experimentally validated in a low-power laboratory prototype system.