bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of a virtual reality intervention targeting distress and anxiety symptoms in patients with primary brain tumors: Interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: King Amanda L. , Roche Kayla N. , Leeper Heather E. , Vera Elizabeth , Mendoza Tito , Mentges Kelly , Acquaye Alvina A. , Adegbesan Kendra , Boris Lisa , Burton Eric , Choi Anna , Grajkowska Ewa , Kunst Tricia , Levine Jason , Lollo Nicole , Miller Hope , Panzer Marissa , Penas-Prado Marta , Pillai Valentina , Polskin Lily , Reyes Jennifer , Sahebjam Solmaz , Stockdill Macy , Theeler Brett J. , Wu Jing , Gilbert Mark R. , Armstrong Terri S. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Cancer patients experience distress and anxiety when undergoing imaging studies to monitor disease status, yet these symptoms are not always appropriately identified or well-managed. This interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial explored feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality relaxation (VR) intervention for primary brain tumor (PBT) patients at the time of clinical evaluation.
Methods: English speaking, adult PBT patients with previous reports of distress and upcoming neuroimaging were recruited between March of 2021 and March 2022. A brief VR session was done within 2 weeks prior to neuroimaging with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected before and immediately post-intervention. Self-directed VR use over the next 1 month was encouraged with additional PROs assessments at 1 and 4 weeks. Feasibility metrics included enrollment, eligibility, attrition, and device-related adverse effects with satisfaction measured with qualitative phone interviews.
Results: 55 patients were approached via email, 40 (73%) responded and 20 (50%) enrolled (9 declines, 11 screen fails). 65% of participants were ≤ 50 years, 50% were male, 90% were White/non-Hispanic, 85% had good KPS (≥ 90), and most were on active treatment. All patients completed the VR intervention, PROs questionnaires, weekly check-ins, and qualitative interview. Most (90%) reported frequent VR use and high satisfaction and only 7 mild AEs were recorded (headache, dizziness, nausea, neck pain).
Conclusion: This interim analysis confirmed feasibility and acceptability of a novel VR intervention to target psychological symptoms for PBT patients. Trial enrollment will continue to assess for intervention efficacy.
Trial Registration: NCT04301089 registered on 3/9/2020.
Rapamycin-regulated autophagy through mitochondrial function in lung carcinoma A549 cells
Authors: Liu Lantao , Peng Yan , Zhang Deqin , Niu Dongsheng 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Lung cancer is the most leading cause of cancer-related death. Radio- and chemo- therapy resistance had associated with increased mitochondrial activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of mitochondrial DNA in human carcinoma A549 cells. Wild-type A549 and mitochondrial DNA-depleted A549 cells (A549 ρ0) was used to study the role of mitochondria in rapamycin induced autophagy. Mitochondrial superoxide production were detected and measured by florescence microscopy. Western blot was used to detect autophagy and cell death to study the role of mitochondria in rapamycin induced autophagy. We observed depletion of mitochondrial DNA decrease proliferation and wound healing ability in A549 ρ0 compared to wild-type A549 cells. Meanwhile, depletion of mtDNA raised inflammatory cytokine secretion in A549 ρ0 cells. Depletion of mtDNA reduced rapamycin induced autophagy in A549 cells. The rapamycin induced cell death in A549 ρ0 cells instead of autophagy in A549 cells. In conclusion, mitochondrial defects lead to increased lung inflammatory responses, reduced epithelial repair ability in A549 cells. These results revealed that A549 ρ0 cells are more resistant to rapamycin induced autophagy than wild-type A549 cells. Finally, rapamycin likely in part induced cell death in A549 ρ0 cells due to the depletion of mtDNA.
Optimizing Task Offloading and Resource Allocation in Edge-Cloud Networks: A DRL Approach
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Lim Hyun-Kyo , Seok Yeong Jun , Han Youn-Hee 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Edge-cloud computing is an emerging approach in which tasks are offloaded from mobile devices to edge or cloud servers. However, Task offloading may result in increased energy consumption and delays, and the decision to offload the task is dependent on various factors such as time-varying radio channels, available computation resources, and the location of devices. As edge-cloud computing is a dynamic and resource-constrained environment, making optimal offloading decisions is a challenging task. This paper aims to optimize offloading and resource allocation to minimize delay and meet computation and communication needs in edge-cloud computing. Theproblem of optimizing task offloading in the edge-cloud computing environment is a multi-objective problem, for which we employ deep reinforcement learning to find the optimal solution. To accomplish this, we formulate the problem as a Markov decision process and use a Double Deep Q-Network (DDQN) algorithm. Our DDQN-edge-cloud (DDQNEC) scheme dynamically makes offloading decisions by analyzing resource utilization, task constraints, and curret status of the edge-cloud network.. Simulation results demonstrate that DDQNEC outperforms heuristic approaches in terms of resource utilization, task offloading, and task rejection.
Covid-19 Vaccination in India: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Agarwal Sandip , Naha Maharnab 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Our study is designed to explore the patterns in covid vaccination coverage in India at the district level. We use data from the first six months of covid vaccination drive in India that we combine with several other administrative data to create a unique data set that facilitates heterogeneity analysis across different
vaccination phases and districts. We find evidence of past reported infection rates positively correlated with higher first dose covid vaccination outcomes. Higher Deaths as a proportion of district population is associated with lower vaccination uptake but as a percentage of reported infection was positively correlated with first dose covid vaccination. Districts that on average had higher population burden per health centre also had lower covid vaccination rates. Vaccination rates were lower in rural areas relative to urban areas whereas the association with literacy rate was positive. A higher vaccination rate among the population with higher blood pressure and hypertension (one of the co-morbidities with covid infection) was observed while vaccination rates were lower among pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Districts with higher percentage of children with complete immunisation were associated with higher covid vaccination rates
whereas low vaccination rates were observed in districts that reported relatively higher percentage of wasted children.
Evaluating the Role of Polyelectrolyte in Effluent Treatment Process at Water Treatment Plants for Balancing Water resources (Case Study: Water Treatment Plants of Tehran)
Authors: Aqibtbakhir Hadi , Tabrizi Mahdi Sarai , Babazadeh Hossein , Moghadam Hamid Kardan 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
With the use of technology at water treatment plants (WTPs), it is possible to reduce the uncertainty between the supply and demand of drinking water. In this study, we propose a method for reducing effluent production at water treatment plants using effluent treatment. The effluent resulting from water treatment plants is treated with polyelectrolyte's, and a considerable amount of effluent is reused after sedimentation has taken place. As a result of changing the effluent treatment process at water treatment plants, as well as a shortage of groundwater, the aquifer balance and replacement approach was analyzed. Additionally, a hybrid ANN-WOA model was used to demonstrate that effluent treatment changes at WPTs have positive effects on groundwater resources. Therefore, three input variables were defined as groundwater resources level, aquifer recharge, and aquifer discharge in the hybrid model. In ten years, they were simulated. The model considered the water savings gained by changing the treatment process, and groundwater level changes were based on the desirability index. As a result of considering water thrift, the groundwater level increased by 23% on average. The multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach was employed due to the importance of increased effluent in water treatment plants. The results of the study found that the priority was to allocate water to industries, followed by a green space in the immediate vicinity of the plant. As a result of the study, novel technologies in effluent treatment at water treatment plants could effectively reduce the exploitation of groundwater resources and the aquifer balance. Water thrift was analyzed with respect to the aquifer balance and replacement approach as a result of altered effluent treatment processes at water treatment plants and a shortage of groundwater. Moreover, the effluent treatment change at water treatment plants was made to have positive effects on groundwater resources using a hybrid ANN-WOA model. Hence, in the hybrid model, groundwater resources level, aquifer recharge, and aquifer discharge were defined as input variables. The model considered the water savings gained by changing the treatment process, and groundwater level changes were based on the desirability index. According to the results, the groundwater level increased by 23% on average when the water thrift was taken into account. On average, groundwater levels increased by 23% when water thrift was considered. This figure can be effective in the groundwater balance. Moreover, the multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach was employed due to the importance of increased effluent in water treatment plants. Additionally, the results showed that new technologies for effluent treatment at water treatment plants could reduce the exploitation of groundwater resources and maintain aquifer balance.
Safe Disposal of Unused Medicine among Health Professions Students at Makerere University: Knowledge, Practices and Barrier
Authors: Nakiganda Rachel , Katende Fredrick , Natukunda Ferguson , Asio Gloria Joy , Ojinga William , Bakesiga Allan , Namuwaya Claire , Nakyagaba Lourita , Kiyimba Blaise 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: Environmental contamination with antimicrobial agents is one of the leading drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. However, scarce data exists concerning the factors fueling unsafe disposal of medicines globally. This study aimed to assess for the knowledge, practices, and barriers concerning safe disposal of unwanted medicines among health professions students (HPS) at Makerere University, Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online assessment tool sent through WhatsApp groups and E-mail addresses of undergraduate HPS at the College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Uganda between 1stFebruary and 16thMarch 2022.Good knowledge was defined as a score of 80% of the knowledge domain questions on a standardized questionnaire.
Results: We enrolled 205 participants, 135 (65.9%) were male, with a median age of 23 (range: 19 -43) years. Overall, 157 (76%) participants had good Knowledge. The mean knowledge score was 63%. About half (n=102, 49.8%) of the participants had unused medicines kept at their respective residential places, mainly antibiotics (27%, x/102) and analgesics (21%, x/102). The most common method of medicine disposal was dumping into household garbage (n=103, 50.2%). Only 37 (18%) of participants had ever used the take-back method of medicine disposal. The most reported barriers for safe disposal were inadequate knowledge and insufficient advice from the dispensers concerning safe disposal practices. Year of study was the only factor significantly associated with knowledge about safe disposal of medicines, (adjusted Odds Ratio: 9.7, 95%CI 2.3 - 40.5, p= 0.002), with participants in higher academic years having more knowledge than those in lower years.
Conclusion: Despite a good knowledge level among the participants, the practice of safe disposal of unused medicines remains suboptimal in this population. Strategies aimed at enhancing safe disposal practices such as giving proper instructions to medicine buyers by dispensers regarding disposal practices are recommended to abate the growing burden of AMR.
The effects of casino proximity and time on poverty levels in New York City
Authors: O'Gilvie Paulette J. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

The interaction between casino proximity over a five-year duration in New York City urban communities examines poverty levels under the theoretical dimensions of exposure and adaption. Links between casino proximity and problem gambling or other gambling-related problems that could adversely impact individuals in disadvantaged communities were reported before the influx of urban casinos in major metro areas. This analysis uses Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) from the American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. A two-way factorial ANOVA measured poverty level outcomes at high and low casino proximity in year one and year five after an urban casino had been opened. No significant interaction was found between casino proximity and year for poverty level outcomes. However, findings suggest closer distances to the casino despite the year reported association with higher poverty level outcome scores. This research expands the literature on urban casino proximity in the context of exposure and adaptation theory. Results give the broader community of legislators, community workers, scholars, and industry a better understanding of the phenomenon and any potential adverse consequences to host and neighboring communities so that policy, intervention, and treatment can be considered.
Hybrid Approach with Parallel Algorithm for Simulation of Natural Convection in Nanofluid filled inside Wavy Square Enclosure with Varying Undulations
Authors: Nishad Surabhi , Bhargava Rama 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose- The current paper is aimed to study the numerical simulation of natural convection in water based nanofluid containing Cu-nanoparticles filled inside a wavy square enclosure with varying undulations by implementing hybrid EFGM/FEM with parallel algorithm.
Design/methodology/approach- The flow is steady, laminar and incompressible with single phase model of nanofluid. The enclosure is wavy in nature with sinusoidal formulation having fixed amplitude (A=0.15) while the number of undulations is varied. A uniform magnetic field of strength B0 is applied at an inclination angle γ. The effect of various parameters; Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha), number of undulations (n) and magnetic field inclination angle (γ) on rate of heat transfer has been analyzed. Hybrid EFGM/FEM approach is implemented.
Findings- Simulation is done for the average Nusselt number calculated at the cold wavy surface, streamlines and isotherms. In order to enhance the computational efficiency, hybrid EFGM/FEM approach with parallel algorithm is implemented. It is observed that the computational time for the hybrid EFGM/FEM is less as compared to that for the element free Galerkin technique. Moreover, on increasing the number of undulations upto 4, the rate of heat transfer increases through the cavity while the number of undulations above 4 results in decreased rate of heat transfer.
Originality/value- The implementation of meshfree methods has wide range of applications in phase transition problems, fracture mechanics, plate bending and moving phase boundaries etc. The parallelization of the hybrid scheme has improved the computational efficiency which is a significant novelty of the paper and is not found in the existing literature for such problems. Moreover, another novelty of the paper is the undulated geometry which has many applications in solar panels, electronic chips, generative heat exchangers etc. for controlling the heat transfer rate.
Interaction of exercise training with taurine attenuates infarct size and cardiac dysfunction via Akt-Foxo3a-Caspase-8 signaling pathway
Authors: Razzaghi Abolfazl , Choobineh Siroos , Gaeini Abbasali , Soori Rahman 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the synergistic protective effect of exercise training and taurine on Akt-Foxo3a-Caspase-8 signaling related to infarct size and cardiac dysfunction. 25 Male Wistar rats with MI were divided into five groups sham (Sh), control-MI(C-MI), exercise training-MI(Exe-MI), taurine supplementation-MI(Supp-MI), exercise training + taurine-MI(Exe + Supp-MI). The taurine groups were given a 200 mg/kg/day dose of taurine by drinking water. Exercise training was conducted for 8 weeks (5d/wk), each session alternated 2 min with 25–30% VO2peak and 4 min with 55–60% VO2peak for 10 alternations. Then, the left ventricle tissue samples were taken from all groups. Exercise training and taurine activated Akt and decreased Foxo3a. Expression of the caspase-8 gene was increased in cardiac necrosis after MI, While, after 12 weeks of intervention decreased. Results exhibited that exercise training combined with taurine has a greater effect than either alone on activating the Akt-Foxo3a-caspase signaling pathway (P < 0.001). MI-induced myocardial injury leads to increase collagen deposition (P < 0.001) and infarct size and results in cardiac dysfunction via reduced stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening (P < 0.001). Exercise training and taurine improved cardiac function parameters (SV, EF, FS) and infarct size (P < 0.001) after 8 weeks of intervention in rats with MI. Also, the interaction of exercise training and taurine has a greater effect than alone on these variables. Interaction of exercise training with taurine supplementation induces a general amelioration of the cardiac histopathological profiles and improves cardiac remodeling via activating Akt-Foxo3a-Caspase-8 signaling with protective effects against MI.
Sirtuin 5‐mediated deacetylation of TAZ at K54 promotes melanoma development and lung metastasis
Authors: Choi Hong Seok , Kim Garam , Bhattarai Poshan Yugal , Lim Sung-Chul , Lee Kwang Youl 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ promotes tumorigenesis in several cancers, including melanoma. Although the underlying mechanisms for the nuclear retention of YAP are known, those responsible for the retention of TAZ remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the role of a novel acetylation/deacetylation switch of TAZ that regulates its subcellular localization in lung metastasis of melanoma cells. CREB binding protein (CBP) mediated TAZ acetylation at K54 in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor or transforming growth factor beta whereas sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) mediated its deacetylation. The acetylation of TAZ was tightly coupled with phosphorylation which, in turn, regulated its binding with the LATS2 kinase or TEAD transcription factor. We used antibodies against the K54 acetylation site and found that acetylation of TAZ promoted S89 phosphorylation via its enhanced interaction with LAST2 to promote cytosolic retention. However, SIRT5-mediated deacetylation enhanced the TAZ–TEAD interaction and promoted nuclear retention. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that SIRT5-mediated deacetylation of TAZ promoted its recruitment to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) promoter, resulting in increased transcriptional activity. In a syngeneic mouse model, deacetylation of TAZ increased CTGF expression, promoting metastasis of melanoma cells into the lung tissue after injection of B16F10 melanocytes via tail vein. Our study revealed a novel mechanism of TAZ nuclear retention regulated by SIRT5-mediated K54 deacetylation and demonstrated the significance of TAZ deacetylation in CTGF expression and lung metastasis of melanoma cells. Our study highlights the potential implications of the SIRT5/TAZ axis for metastatic melanoma treatment.
Expression, purification, characterization, and cytotoxic evaluation of the ML1-STxB fusion protein in E. coli
Authors: Yousefy Mohammad Hasan , Afkhami Hamed , Salehi Saeedeh , Honari Hosein 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
One of the newest treatment options for cancer is the targeted delivery of the toxin substance to the cancer cells. These toxins should contain different moieties for finding and killing cancer cells. One of these toxins in Mistletoe ML1 protein is an inactive ribosomal protein and can be considered as an anticancer agent. Therefore, it seems that by fusion of ML1 protein with another protein called Shiga toxin B (STxB), which can bind to Gb3 (Globotriosyl Ceramide) receptor that is abundantly expressed on the cancer cells, a recombinant protein with selective permeability may be produced in cancer cells. In the current study, we aimed to produce and purify a fusion protein containing ML1 as a toxic moiety fused to STxB, targeting moiety, and assessing its cytotoxic activities.
What kind of foraging behavior do sheep have when confined in a small space? Report from a fenced pasture
Authors: Ying Tian , Hairihan  , Hai Yong , Purevtseren Myagmartseren , Hoshino Buho 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Understanding the ingestive behavior and daily voluntary intake of grazing livestock is important for sustainable land use and management of pasturelands. Since the 1990s, Inner Mongolia has completely converted from the old nomadic grazing to settled grazing, and many small fences have been built around settled areas, where livestock are placed inside the fences and grazed. Currently, desertification of grasslands is progressing in a mosaic pattern around the fence. There have been few quantitative studies of individual sheep foraging behavior in confined spaces and changes in plant community composition associated with foraging. The study was conducted in Abag Banner (an administrative unit of China equivalent to a county), located in the northern part of the Xilingol Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia, which borders Mongolia. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the impact of livestock ingestive behavior on pasture vegetation in the sedentary grazing area of Inner Mongolia and to provide basic data for the sustainable use of pastureland. Three sites were established in a sedentary grazing area, where tethering grazing experiments (hemp rope length of 6 m) were conducted. Quadrats of 1 × 1 m were established inside (four quadrats) and outside (five quadrats) each site for the vegetation survey, and plant species identification, plant height, vegetation cover, and soil hardness were evaluated. Livestock (sheep) instinctively selected and fed on high-palatability plants instantaneously after the start of the tethering grazing experiment. The increased grazing intensity over 5 days and the grazing of high-palatability plants decreased plant height and aboveground biomass; however, the botanical composition remained unchanged. The Shannon diversity index value reduced from 1.97 to 1.60 on day 4, and the vegetation cover decreased from approximately 80% to ˂10%. For aboveground biomass, only 15%–54% remained. Salsola collina Pall. and Caragana microphylla Pall. shrubs, which had low aboveground biomass from the start, were barely grazed, whereas Agropyron cristatum L.,with high palatability, was left with only 15% biomass. The soil hardness increased by 1.25 and 0.25 mm at sites A and B, respectively, and decreased by 0.63 mm at site C. This indicated that the soil was locally bare, and the topsoil was destroyed.