bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Adaptive quantization scheme for image compression based on human visual contrast sensitivity
Authors: Hu Yongle , Lian Yusheng , Liu Zilong , Hu Xiangmei , Zhang Wan , Huang Beiqing , Wang Caiyi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We propose an adaptive quantization scheme for image compression based on human visual contrast sensitivity. The contrast sensitivity (CS) of different color attributes is measured by psychophysical experiments. The color dependent contrast sensitivity function (CSF) models including one lightness model, six chroma models and twelve hue models are established. According to the color attributes of each 8×8 sub-block of image, these models are used to calculate the corresponding CS. We use the CS of each sub-block to adaptively quantize the frequency spectrum coefficients of image. After adaptively quantizing, we set a threshold to make the high frequency coefficients zero to achieve image frequency domain compression. In order to evaluate the objective performance of the proposed scheme, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), universal image quality index (UQI), average structural similarity index (ASSIM), and visual information fidelity (VIF) of our scheme and other two methods are calculated. The psychophysical experiments with blurring, block and ringing artifacts as indicators are carried out to evaluate the visual quality of images compressed by different methods. The results show that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the compression artifacts and improve the perceptual quality of images while maintaining the compression ratio.
MiR-128-1-5p inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis via targeting PRKCQ in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jia Qingan , Liao Xia , Xu Binghui , Li Yufang , Liang Lei 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of highly conserved and endogenous noncoding RNA which can regulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration and metastasis. Aberrant expression of miR-128-5p, has been shown to be a key regulator in tumorigenesis and cancer development. But the role and the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-128 in CRC still remain largely unknown.
Methods
The expression and clinical significances of miR-128-1-5p in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines was quantified by qRT-PCR. Stably transfected cell lines were established by infecting SW620 and LOVO cells with lentiviruses. The functions of miR-128-1-5p were measured by CCK-8 assay, Annexin V- DY-634 PI Apoptosis Staining / Detection, and Xenograft model. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), luciferase reporter assays and Bioinformatic Analysis were also used in this study.
Results
MiR-128-1-5p was downregulated in CRC and was associated with optimal survival in CRC. Overexpression of miR-128-1-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Protein tyrosine kinase C theta isoform (PRKCQ) was a direct target of miR-128-1-5p and was involved in miR-128-1-5p-mediated proliferation and apoptosis.
Conclusions
These results provide novel insight into the role of miR-128-1-5p in CRC. Overexpression of miR-128-1-5p was associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC. Knockdown of miR-128-1-5p reduced CRC growth by modulating PRKCQ expression and is a possible new therapeutic target for patients with CRC.
Spatial bias in sampling small rodents in the Atlantic Forest: a landscape and accessibility perspective
Authors: Candelária Lana Pavão , Bosco Nicolas Silva , Layme Viviane Maria Guedes , Sobral-Souza Thadeu , Rodrigues Domingos Jesus 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Understanding the effects of habitat loss on species spatial distribution is a challenge mainly because the species occurrences knowledge is biased. Some sites are more sampled than others causing spatial sampling biases that are normally neglected. The needs to assess the sampling biases urge particularly in threatened regions, as the global hotspots. Here, we aimed to assess the spatial biases in the samplings of small rodents in the Atlantic Forest using an integrative approach toward accessibility and landscape metrics. We hypothesized that the well-sampled sites are spatially aggregated and closed to roads, urban centers, and larger fragments with a major percentage of habitat cover. First, we found 9910 species occurrence records for the Atlantic Forest including information from digital platforms and local communities databases. We also calculated the inventory completeness of small rodents achieving 507 sites as well-sampled sites that cover less than 1% of the Atlantic Forest spatial surface (in 1km² cell-size resolution). Spatially the well-sampled sites are aggregated, biased toward roads, urban centers, larger fragments and habitat with major forest cover percentage. Our findings suggest that even though the Atlantic Forest is highly diverse the spatial sampling knowledge of small rodents remains absent for most of its spatial extension. These results may be important to biome conservation tasks and sampling planning in still unknown regions.
The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus on top of glucocorticoids in the management of IIM-ILD: a retrospective and prospective study
Authors: Chen Yuxue , Bai Zhiqian , Zhang Ziyun , Hu Qiongjie , Zhong Jixin , Dong Lingli 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objective. To examine the efficacy of tacrolimus on top of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the management of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies-associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) and further assess the therapeutic benefit and safety of low-dose pirfenidone followed above treatments. Methods. IIM-ILD patients hospitalized in Tongji Hospital from 2014 to 2020 were included. Demographic data, survival outcomes, and recurrence rates over the 1-year follow-up period were retrospectively analyzed. In the retrospective study, patients were divided into two groups based on treatment with tacrolimus or other conventional immunosuppressants. For the prospective study, a total of 34 IIM-ILD patients either treatment-naïve or after a sufficient period of washout were enrolled from 2018 to 2020 and treated with tacrolimus alone (n=12) or in combination with low-dose pirfenidone (n=22). Clinical characteristics, survival outcomes and multifarious assessment scales were followed up at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary endpoint was 12-month survival rate and the secondary endpoints included respiratory-related events, adverse events, exacerbation in HRCT findings and laboratory parameters during therapy courses, and changes in respiratory function.Results. A total of 250 IIM-ILD patients followed up for over 1 year were identified. Tacrolimus group (n=93) had a significantly higher survival rate (HR=0.428, p=0.018) and a lower relapse rate (HR=0.587, p=0.009) compared with patients with other types of immunosuppressant (n=157) after adjustment. The prospectively enrolled 34 IIM-ILD patients were treated with tacrolimus with or without combination with low-dose pirfenidone. After 12 months of treatment with tacrolimus, patients showed significant improvements in cardio-pulmonary function, disease activity, muscle strength, and mental scale. Sub-group analysis indicated that patients with tacrolimus+pirfenidone combination therapy showed better chest HRCT scores and lower respiratory-related relapse rates than those in tacrolimus only group (log-rank p=0.0029). The incidence rate of drug-associated adverse events (AEs) was comparable between two groups and none of the patients discontinued the treatment due to severe AEs.Conclusion. Tacrolimus is well-tolerated and effective in improving both myositis and lung involvements. Furthermore, low-dose pirfenidone add-on treatment seems could result in multidimensional improvements in IIM-ILD patients. Trial registration. Chinese clinical trial Register, http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100043595.
Asymmetry of signal intensities of corticofugal tracts in T2-weighted brain images reflects manual dexterity
Authors: Oka Noriyuki , Sakoh Masaharu , Hirayama Misato , Niiyama Mayu , Gjedde Albert 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The corticofugal tracts (CFT) are key agents of upper limb motor function. Although the tracts form high-intensity regions relative to surrounding tissue in T2-weighted magnetic resonance images (T2WI), the precise relations of signal intensities of the left and right CFT regions to hand function are unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the different signal intensities between the left and right CFT signify clinically important differences of hand motor function. Six right-handed and six left-handed healthy volunteers participated in the study. Based on horizontal T2WI estimates, we confirmed the relationship between the signal intensity ratios of the peak values of each CFT in the posterior limbs of the internal capsules (right CFT vs. left CFT). The ratios included the asymmetry indices of the hand motor functions, including grip and pinch strength, as well as the target test (TT) that expressed the speed and accuracy of hitting a target ([right-hand score – left-hand score]/[right-hand score + left-hand score]), using simple linear regression. The signal intensity ratios of each CFT structure maintained significant linear relations with the asymmetry index of the speed (R2 = 0.542, P = 0.006) and accuracy (R2 = 0.408, P = 0.025) of the TT. We found no significant association between left and right CFT structures for grip or pinch strengths. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the different signal intensities of the left and right CFT images captured by T2WI serve as biological markers that reflect the dominance of manual dexterity.
Triptolide-induced apoptosis in p53 mutant hepatoma cells involves ROS-mutant p53- dependent inhibition effect on p21 expression
Authors: Liu Weixia , Zhu Haihong , Zheng Min , Chen Feng , Chen Zhi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Chemotherapeutic drugs had poor cytotoxic effects on cancer cells with mutation in the p53 gene. However, triptolide induced apoptosis in tumor cells with mutant (mt) p53. Here we study the potential therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of triptolide against human liver cancer cells bearing mt p53. One hepatic cancer cell line with mt p53 (Huh7) and another p53-deficient hepatic cancer cell line (Hep3B) were evaluated for cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction following treatment with triptolide. Triptolide inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in Huh7 but not Hep3B cells at lower concentrations. In triptolide-treated Huh7 cells, mt p53 and p21 expressions were induced but significant increase of p21 was later than that of mt p53. Increases in the mt p53 and p21 proteins were mediated by enhanced transcriptions resulting from overproduction of ROS. Triptolide rendered Huh7 cells accumulate in S phase. Additionally, triptolide induced p21 and caused cell cycle to be arrested in G1 phase in Hep3B cells. The expression of exogenous mt p53 prevented increase in p21 induced by triptolide and increased apoptosis in Hep3B cells. The above findings suggest that triptolide-induced mt p53, by repressing p21 elevation, accelerates apoptosis in hepatoma cells.
Socioeconomic Determinants of Inflammation and Neuroendocrine Activity: A Longitudinal Analysis of Compositional and Contextual Effects
Authors: Hamilton Odessa S. , Steptoe Andrew 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Socioeconomic determinants are well-established modulators of inflammation and neuroendocrine activity. Less clear is whether neighbourhood-contextual or individual-compositional factors are more closely associated with gradients in these biomarkers. Here, we examine how immune and neuroendocrine activity are cross-sectionally and longitudinally nested in meso-level socioeconomic characteristics. Participants, male and female, aged ≥ 50, were recruited from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Neighbourhood (Index of Multiple Deprivation [IMD]) and individual (Wealth/Education/Occupational Social Class [OSC]) factors were drawn from wave 4 (baseline; 2008). Immune and neuroendocrine biomarkers (indexed by C-reactive protein [CRP; n = 3,968]; fibrinogen ([Fb] n = 3,932); white blood cell counts [WBCC; n = 4,022]; insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1; n = 4,056]) were measured at baseline and 4-years later (wave 6; 2012). Covariates at baseline included demographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with heighted inflammation and lower neuroendocrine activity unadjusted both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. With few exceptions, cross-sectional associations remained significant after full adjustment. Prospectively, low IMD remained associated with higher CRP and WBCC; wealth with WBCC; and education and OSC with Fb and WBCC. IMD-biomarker associations were reduced when wealth was simultaneously taken into account. Lifestyle accounted for the greatest variance in associations between socioeconomic indicators and inflammation (≤ 42.11%), but demographics were more salient to neuroendocrine activity (≤ 88.46%). Neighbourhood-contextual factors were stronger indicators of aberrant biomarker activity than individual-compositional factors in cross-sectional analyses but were largely explained by wealth differences prospectively. Therefore, immune and neuroendocrine changes depended on the composition of the population living in an area, rather than the area itself.
A molecule based nomogram optimized the prediction of relapse in stage I NSCLC
Authors: Bian Rongrong , Zhu Guorong , Zhao Feng , Zhang Jin , Wang Lin , Chen Qiang 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background:
Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is being diagnosed increasingly, and in 30% of diagnosed patients, recurrence will develop within 5 years. Thus, it is urgent to identify recurrence-related markers to optimize the management of patient-tailored therapeutics. The study aimed to develop a feasible tool to optimize the recurrence prediction of stage I NSCLC.
Methods:
The eligible datasets were downloaded from TCGA and GEO. In the discovery phase, two algorithms, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operation and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination, were used to identify candidate genes. The recurrence-associated signature was developed by penalized cox regression. The nomogram was constructed and further tested via two independent cohorts.
Results:
In this retrospective study, 14 eligible datasets and 7 published signatures were included. In the discovery phase, 42 significant genes were highlighted as candidate predictors by two algorithms. A 13-gene based signature was generated by penalized cox regression categorized training cohort into high-risk and low-risk subgroups (HR = 8.873, 95% CI:4.228–18.480 P < 0.001). Furthermore, a nomogram integrating the recurrence related signature, age, and histology was developed to predict the recurrence-free survival in the training cohort, which performed well in the two external validation cohorts (concordance index: 0.737, 95%CI:0.732–0.742, P < 0.001; 0.666, 95%CI: 0.650–0.682, P < 0.001; 0.651, 95%CI:0.637–0.665, P < 0.001 respectively).
Conclusions:
The proposed nomogram is a promising tool for estimating recurrence-free survival in stage I NSCLC, which might have tremendous value in guiding adjuvant therapy. Prospective studies are needed to test the clinical utility of the nomogram in the individualized management of stage I NSCLC.
WITHDRAWN: Enhancement of Hearing Aid System using Optimized Wolf Based Variable Bandwidth Filter
Authors: Rawandale Ujjwala S. , Kolte Mahesh T 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In recent times, hearing loss is a challenging task, to minimize the risks the application-based Hearing Aids (HA) system was introduced. In this research, the HA system was designed with the use of several filters to reduce the hearing loss challenges such as signal noise, etc. Besides, the filter bank scheme involves a limited quantity of sub-bands, which have similar or dissimilar bandwidths. Previously several methods are developed to enhances the HA system. Nevertheless, computational complexity and power utilization are increased when improving the filter quantity. This paper introduces a novel Wolf-based Fractional Delay Variable Bandwidth Filter (W-FDVBF) to improve the hearing obstacles by optimizing the filter parameters. Here, the wolf optimization parameters are tuned with filter bank parameters to reduce the power consumption and complexity. Moreover, the proposed W-FDVBF is implemented in MATLAB and Xilinx software, also the performance of the proposed filter was verified using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) accelerator. Finally, the obtained results are compared with other existing approaches and have gained better outcomes by attaining less power and matching error. Therefore, the attained parameters are improved the HS system performance in terms of matching error, power, flip flop utilization, etc
Investigation of the species composition and harmfulness of dominant phytophages of onions in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Kudla Volodimir , Tkalenko Hanna , Ihnat Vytalya 
Published: May 2022

The research is aimed at studying the species composition, dynamics of the number and harmfulness of dominant pests, which is extremely important for the development and improvement of elements of the onion protection system. After all, the analysis of literature sources showed insufficient information about the distribution and harmfulness of the main phytophages under modern conditions of growing onions in the Right Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.
We conducted the monitoring of the phytosanitary condition of onion crops during 2017–2020 and determined the species composition of dominant phytophages. We studied the complex of soil pests: larvae of Melolontha sp., the population density of which over the years of research was 0.8–2.5 specimens/m2, larvae of Elateridae sp., or click beetles (wireworms) – 0.9–2.2 specimens/m2 and Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L. – 2.5 specimens/m2. Dominant species of phytophages in onion crops included onion fly (Delia Antigua Mg.), onion thrips (Trips tabaci Lind.), and Ceuthorrhynchus jakovlevi Schultze.
The four most vulnerable phases of growth and development of onions before colonization and damage by major phytophages were identified:
1) phase of leaf development (a primary shoot) (ВВСН 1–19);
2) phase of the beginning of thickening of leaf base – bulb formation (ВВСН 41–43);
3) phase of bulb formation – beginning of leaf splitting (ВВСН 45–47);
4) phase of the completion of growth and development (state of physiological rest) (ВВСН 48–49)
Arsenic clustering in arsenian pyrite: A combined photoemission and theoretical modeling study
Authors: Mahjoub Reza , Krasowska Marta , Stanford Nikki , Skinner William , Forson Philip 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Arsenian pyrite is known to have a strong association with gold in most auriferous refractory deposits, and thus understanding the chemical speciation of arsenic in localized environments in arsenian pyrite provides an important basis for determining its reactivity and mobility. However, arsenic is fast-oxidizing among elements in the Fe-As-S system and hence it may exist in various chemical states, which renders it difficult to establish arsenic nature under pristine conditions, particularly in arsenian pyrite. Herein, arsenian pyrite samples were analyzed on a synchrotron soft X-ray spectroscopy beamline under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, and As-3d as well as S-2p spectra were collected. A comparison between the spectrum of bulk As-3d in the samples with its bulk counterpart in arsenopyrite revealed a 0.6 eV shift toward lower binding energies. This observation was similar to loellingite (FeAs2), where the binding energy shift was attributed to high electron density on As of the As-As dimer. Formation of As clusters resulting in comparable binding energy shifts was also proposed from the spectroscopic studies. The experiments were complemented by a series of first-principles calculations simulating four experimentally observed pyrite surfaces where surficial S atoms were randomly substituted by As. As such, six arsenian pyrite crystal surfaces were modeled, two of which constituted surficial As clusters replacing both S and Fe atoms. The surfaces were geometrically optimized, and surface energies were calculated along with the corresponding electronic structure providing a detailed distribution of partial charges for surficial atoms obtained from Löwdin population analysis. The calculated partial charges of atoms located at the surface arsenian pyrite indicated that while the electron density on the As atom of As-S dimers in arsenian pyrite is less negative than the As in bulk arsenopyrite, it is more negative for the As atom of As-As dimers, which were only seen in the surficial As clusters. This validated the description of As presence in arsenian pyrite as local clusters inducing localized lattice strain due to increased bond distances. Our findings offer a good background for future studies into the reactive sites in arsenian pyrite and how that compares with associated minerals, arsenopyrite, and pyrite.
AMS-02 antiprotons and dark matter: Trimmed hints and robust bounds
Authors: Calore Francesca , Cirelli Marco , DEROME Laurent , Genolini Yoann , Maurin David , Salati Pierre , Serpico Pasquale Dario 
Published: May 2022

Based on 4 yr AMS-02 antiproton (\bar{p}p‾)
data, we present bounds on the dark matter (DM) annihilation cross
section vs. mass for some representative final state channels. We use
recent cosmic-ray propagation models, a realistic treatment of
experimental and theoretical errors, and an updated calculation of input
\bar{p}p‾
spectra based on a recent release of the PYTHIA code. We find that
reported hints of a DM signal are statistically insignificant; an
adequate treatment of errors is crucial for credible conclusions.
Antiproton bounds on DM annihilation are among the most stringent ones,
probing thermal DM up to the TeV scale. The dependence of the bounds
upon propagation models and the DM halo profile is also quantified. A
preliminary estimate reaches similar conclusions when applied to the 7
years AMS-02 dataset, but also suggests extra caution as for possible
future claims of DM excesses.
Stormwater utility fees and household affordability of urban water services
Authors: Porse Erik , Kerner Maureen , Shinneman Joel , Kaplan Jonathan , Stone Samuel , Cadenasso Mary L. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Stormwater utility fees provide dedicated revenues for managing stormwater. In setting fees, household-level affordability should be considered. Existing research does not address methods to evaluate the affordability of stormwater utility fees, especially alongside other household water costs. This paper aims to fill that gap. We present a scenario-based approach to evaluate household affordability of stormwater utility fees in a municipality, which considers other essential household water service charges. We estimate the relative contribution of stormwater utility fees to total household water costs and evaluate affordability across income brackets by integrating data for socioeconomic status, land use, water utility charges, and impervious surface cover. Using data for a case study region, results indicate that stormwater utility fees are small contributors to overall household urban water costs and comprise no more than 2% of the median household income across nearly all income quintiles. For low-income households, stormwater charges only exceed 1% of the household income for the lowest-income brackets (&lt;$20,000) and still represent a small portion of household water costs. The analysis demonstrates a generalizable approach that can be applied everywhere when evaluating a stormwater utility fee as a funding strategy.