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Well log data generation and imputation using sequence based generative adversarial networks
Correction: Effectiveness of a virtual reality rehabilitation in stroke patients with sensory-motor and proprioception upper limb deficit: A study protocol
Integrated bioinformatics and clinical data identify three novel biomarkers for osteoarthritis diagnosis and synovial immune
Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that can be aggravated by synovitis and synovial immune disorders (SID). However, the role of synovial SID-related genes in OA synovium remains poorly understood. OA synovial and peripheral blood datasets were obtained from the GEO database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). Immune-related genes (https://reactome.org/) showing differential expression in peripheral blood were identified as immune disorder genes. Subsequently, differentially expressed immune disorder genes in OA synovium were further identified as SID genes. The Venn diagram, random forest, SVM-RFE algorithm, and multivariate analysis were employed to determine SID-related hub genes in OA synovium. Using the identified hub genes, we constructed and validated a diagnostic model for predicting OA occurrence. The correlation between hub gene expression and immune-related modules was explored using CIBERSORT and MCP-counter analyses. We identified three SID-related hub genes (ACAT1, SPHK1, and ACACB) in OA synovium. The diagnostic model incorporating these hub genes demonstrated reliable predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.939). Through qPCR analysis, we quantitated the expression levels of the hub genes and confirmed that three hub genes could serve as novel biomarkers for OA patients (AUC = 0.960). Furthermore, we observed a significant correlation between the expression of these hub genes and immune cell infiltration, as well as inflammatory cytokine levels in OA synovium. Our findings suggest that three SID-related hub genes have the potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for OA patients. These genes are associated with immune disorder and contribute to immune alterations within the OA synovium.
Prognostic factors for long-term mortality after surgery of left-sided infective endocarditis
Background Infective endocarditis has low prevalence but a high mortality rate. Left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) has a higher mortality rate than right-sided infective endocarditis. Surgical treatment is occasionally considered for LSIE; however, few data are available on the long-term prognostic factors for LSIE after surgical treatment. This study investigated the risk factors for long-term mortality in LSIE patients who underwent surgical treatment. Methods This retrospective study enrolled adult patients with LSIE who were admitted to Severance Hospital in South Korea and underwent surgical treatment from November 2005 to August 2017. The primary outcome was risk factors for overall all-cause mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for long-term mortality of patients with LSIE who received surgical treatment. Results This study enrolled 239 with LSIE who underwent surgery. The median follow-up period was 75.9 months, and there were 34 deaths (14.2%) during the study period. Multivariable Cox analysis showed that central nervous system complications (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.76–7.17, P < 0.001), chronic liver disease (CLD) (HR: 4.33, 95% CI: 1.57–11.91, P = 0.005), and age ≥ 65 years (HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.28–5.51, P = 0.009) were risk factors for overall mortality. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a significant difference in survival between patients with and without CNS complications (P < 0.001, log-rank). Conclusion Central nervous system complications, CLD, and older age were associated with long-term mortality in surgically treated patients with LSIE. Preventive strategies for CNS complications would improve the treatment of LSIE.
Human activity recognition algorithms for manual material handling activities
Study on creep hardening-damage constitutive model of cemented tailings backfill based on time-harden theory
The wide application of the fill mining method is necessary for practicing the development concept of “green mountains are golden mountains” and protecting the surface landscape. In the underground quarry, the cemented tailings backfill (CTB) is mainly subjected to the gravity of the overlying rock layer in the mining area, which will cause creep problems in the long term. In order to protect the long-term stability of the mine surface, to study the creep hardening-damage characteristics of the CTB under the uniaxial action, for the maintenance age of 28d, cement-tailings ratios of 1:6 CTB to carry out uniaxial grading loading creep test, combined with the theory of time hardening Explore the creep process of the CTB in the hardening-damage law and the construction of the creep isomorphic model. The results show that the differences in the creep process of 1:6 cement-tailings ratios filler are caused by the joint existence of hardening and damage effects. In the stage of decelerated creep, creep hardening plays a major role; in the stage of stabilized creep, creep hardening and damage play a joint role; in the stage of accelerated creep, the creep damage effect is dominant; the strength of the CTB is strong and then weakened, and ultimately, the cumulative damage is too large to produce a “Y” type damage. The intrinsic model constructed based on the time-hardening theory better characterizes the creep of the 1:6 cement-tailings ratios of CTB under different stress levels. K and r are the material constants of the CTB, and the parameter K affects the time of decelerated creep during the decelerated creep stage, and the parameter r affects the creep rate of isokinetic creep.
Unveiling the PEDOT-polypyrrole hybrid electrode for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine
Trump team guts AIDS-eradication programme and slashes HIV research grants
The impact of fine particulate matter on depression: Evidence from social media in China
Depression is a significant public health issue in China that imposes a heavy economic burden on society and families. Using a dataset of 8.54 million Weibo posts from 284 prefecture-level cities across China between 2016 and 2019, we calculate the depression tendency index for residents in each city. Using the weighting of pollutants in nearby cities as an instrumental variable, we apply the two-stage least squares method to estimate the impact of PM2.5 on depression. The findings reveal that (1) air pollution markedly influences residents’ susceptibility to depression, and every 1 μg/m3 increase in the PM2.5 concentration results in a 0.0559% increase in the depression tendency value. (2) The influence of air pollution on residents’ depression exhibits a distinct weekly pattern, with individuals in heating cities, on weekdays, and in lower-income brackets being more impacted. (3) Our analysis of healthcare expenditures affirms that China’s environmental governance policies have yielded significant economic advantages. As mitigation strategies, we propose the adoption of air pollution evasion measures, persistent refinement and enforcement of air pollution regulatory policies to reduce environmental pollution-related damage, paying attention to groups at risk of depression and fostering a healthy society.
Future glacio-hydrological changes in the Andes: a focus on near-future projections up to 2050
23andMe plans to sell its huge genetic database: could science benefit?
Retraction: The perception of Hungarian food by consumer segments according to food purchasing preferences based on primary research results
A multifaceted examination of the action of PDE4 inhibitor rolipram on MMP2/9 reveals therapeutic implications
Daily briefing: What happens when you pay peer reviewers?
Polymorphisms in Pfkelch13 domains before and after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Southwest Nigeria
Emergence of artemisinin resistance in East Africa has greatly necessitated surveillance of artemisinin resistance in other African countries with great malaria burden. Specific mutations within the β-propeller and BTB/Poz domains of Pfkelch13 gene are validated markers of artemisinin resistance. Sparse information exists on mutations outside these domains that may also contribute to artemisinin resistance. This study evaluated the occurrence and frequency of mutations in all domains of Pfkelch13 gene, and their impact on treatment outcome in Ibadan pre- and post-adoption of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) in Nigeria. Dry blood spots prepared from blood samples obtained from P. falciparum-infected patients during retrospective (2000–2005) and prospective (2021) studies were analysed. Treatment outcomes with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine were evaluated in a cohort of patients from the prospective study during a 42-day follow-up. Nested amplifications of Pfkelch13 gene fragments were done and subjected to Sanger dideoxy sequencing. Mutations were identified by sequence alignment and correlated with treatment outcome parameters including parasite clearance time (PCT) and day 2 parasite reduction ratio (PRRD2) among others. Mean PCT was 2.1 ± 0.6 days (95%CI: 1.97–2.24) while PRRD2 was 4815 with 100% adequate clinical and parasitological response. Altogether, 64 (11 retrospective/53 prospective) samples were successfully sequenced. None of the β-propeller domain mutations validated as artemisinin resistance markers were found within the analysed samples. However, four distinct mutations, K189T (64.2%), K189N (1.9%), R255K (3.8%), and N217H (1.9%) were identified within the N-terminal domain of the prospective samples while the K189T mutation was identified in a retrospective sample obtained in 2003. The K189T and R255K mutations correlated significantly with longer parasite clearance time in treated patients (P < 0.002). There was no evidence of validated molecular marker of artemisinin resistance within the ß-propeller domain of Pfkelch13. However, frequency of K189T mutation and its significant correlation with longer PCT may suggest possibilities of geographical variations in genetic drivers of artemisinin resistance.
Global, regional, and national burdens of alcohol-related cirrhosis among women from 1992 to 2021 and its predictions
When effort pays off: An experimental investigation into action orientation and anxiety as buffering factors between anhedonia and reward motivation
Reward motivation, a construct tied to depression, has been studied using the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT). Prior work indicates that anhedonia can reduce reward motivation on the EEfRT, as those with higher levels of anhedonia tend to engage in low reward tasks that require less effort as opposed to expending higher levels of effort to obtain a larger reward. Action orientation has shown to act as a buffer at low levels of anhedonia, but this effect has not been seen at high levels of anhedonia. The current study examined if these findings replicated without a stress manipulation and explored the interaction between anxiety and anhedonia in predicting persistence on the EEfRT using two moderation models. Participants (N = 101) with varying levels of depressive symptoms took part in the study. The first model examined the effects of anhedonia and action orientation on reward motivation. The second model investigated the influence of anhedonia and anxiety on reward motivation. Findings revealed that higher levels of anhedonia were significantly associated with lower reward motivation in both models. Additionally, the interaction between anhedonia and action orientation on reward motivation was significant. Trend analyses revealed that, at low levels of anhedonia, participants generally made more high-effort/high-reward choices or were willing to exude more effort for the possibility of obtaining a greater reward. However, as anhedonia increased, individuals with higher levels of action orientation exhibited greater effort as opposed to those with lower action orientation. The findings indicate that anhedonia has a strong impact on limiting reward motivation. However, high levels of action orientation can mitigate the negative influence of anhedonia on reward motivation.
Time-modulated 1-bit amplitude-coded metasurface for space-frequency beam shaping
Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) space-encoded metamaterials enable the progressive development of a multitude of functionalities for controlling electromagnetic (EM) waves. Recently, time-modulated phase-coded metasurfaces have been introduced into 2D metamaterials, allowing for EM wave manipulation across both spatial and frequency domains. This approach is naturally suited to microwave frequency range where the compact phase controlling elements, such as diodes and varactors are readily available. However, as future generation communication systems target frequencies above 100 GHz with a much higher speed and more densification, enhanced solutions utilizing the novel concepts will be inevitable because the metasurface integration with the common active elements is challenging. Here, we propose the space-time 1-bit amplitude-coded metasurfaces instead of phase-coded one to support the complex functionality for the intelligent control of the environment in wireless communication systems. The solution is implemented using graphene-based meta-atom, where 1-bit amplitude-coding is reconfigurable via bias voltage. To validate the effectiveness of this approach for beam shaping, we demonstrate beam steering with low sidelobe patterns by achieving the desired effective amplitude and phase distributions. This proposed method is anticipated to broaden the applications of digital coding metasurfaces, particularly in THz wireless communication systems.
The great divide between employees: Clustering employee “well-being” during a pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic is a textbook case of significant situational stress induced by various disruptions beyond mere health concerns, such as social isolation and financial constraints. For the workforce, it is essential to anticipate how these disruptions may undermine employees’ resilience, to avoid a negative spiral where poor well-being lowers productivity, reduces economic prospects, and continues to increase worker stress. We measure multiple forms of stress and worries as drivers of well-being—health, economic, social, and psychological—encountered by the workforce during the acute period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from 2,780 employees across five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Overall Concern Score: The overall concern score was 56.8% across four domains: health, economic, social, and psychological. Stressors can be synthesized into five typical groups associated with a variety of mediating factors such as institutional trust, lifestyle, and worker education. The implication is that workers’ well-being is heterogeneous and that human resource practices may need at least a segmented approach to well-being if they wish to create an environment of a resilient and productive workforce.